Incoming Loyola University Maryland freshman Eli Spaulding won the Maine Amateur Championship on Thursday, shooting an even-par 71 in the final round for a two-shot win at Purpoodock Club.
Spaulding opened the tournament on Tuesday with a 3-under 68 to tie for the lead, and he was second after 36 holes with a 2-under 69 on Wednesday.
He was three shots up after eleven holes on Thursday, with the field's scores going up significantly. Spaulding then had three straight pars before a birdie-two on the par-3 15th hole.
Spaulding birdied the par-5 No. 17 and the par-4 No. 18 to take a two-shot win over John Hayes. Hayes finished in solo second place at 3-under.
Spaulding and Hayes were the only two golfers under par for the tournament as Ronald Kelton Jr. finished in solo third place at 5-over.
Spaulding recently graduated from Freeport High School, where he won the Maine Class B Individual Championship in each of his last three years. He became the first Maine prep player to win three straight titles since 1998 and was also named the Portland Press Herald Maine Boys' Golfer of the Year.
