Cole wins Maine Senior Amateur after eyeing title all year

WATERVILLE, Maine (Aug. 29, 2018) – Len Cole has had the Maine Senior Amateur Championship at Waterville CC circled on his calendar since the MSGA schedule was released last fall. The 56 year-old had been having great success in MSGA Senior Tour events in the last year, with a slew of wins to his name. On Wednesday he claimed the biggest win of them all when he held off his playing partners by shooting 74 to win the 2018 Maine Senior Amateur Championship by one stroke over Mark Plummer and Tom Palmer.

After an opening-round 69, Cole was in the lead by one stroke over five-time champion Plummer and home-club player Palmer. The group all played decent on the front nine, with Cole’s 37 the best of the group. It gave him a two-shot lead over Palmer going to the second nine. The players all traded a few bogeys and birdies out back, and when they got to the par-4 18th hole, Cole led Palmer by two and three over Plummer. Despite a three-putt bogey on the last hole and a Plummer birdie, Cole was able to hang on to win by one over both players. He finished the tournament with rounds of 69-74—143 (+3).

“It’s been a long time since I won one of these,” Cole said after the round, alluding to an individual MSGA Championship. He was the winner of the Maine Junior Championship in 1979 for his other MSGA Championship. “It feels good to win this,” he added while looking at his trophy after the round.

In addition to winning the Senior Amateur, Cole also secured his position atop the points table to extend his lead and win the 2018 Senior Player of the Year. It’s a fitting title for Cole, as he truly was the most dominant senior in the last calendar year, racking up wins in the Senior Tour in addition to two other Senior championships. He partnered with his friends at Falmouth CC to win the Senior Club Team Championship at Belgrade Lakes GC in May, and won the Senior Four-Ball at Purpoodock Club with Mark Plummer in June.

Along with the overall championship, the Maine Senior Amateur named winners in each of four age groups. Winning the 55-59 Flight was Daniel Falcone at 150. Thomas Bean won the 60-64 Flight with 146.

Palmer and Plummer shared honors in the 65-69 Flight, and David Kroll won the 70+ Flight with 153.