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The Greater Bangor Open was an American golf tournament. It was played annually from 1967 to 2016 at Bangor Municipal Golf Course in Bangor, Maine.

History

In 1971, future PGA Tour star Lanny Wadkins played the event. In the three-round tournament, he closed with rounds of 64 (−8) and 63 (−9) to win. Many years later, Wadkins reflected about his success at the tournament with the Bangor Daily News. "I got it going there," he told them. "When you're going good, you think more and more low numbers." It was his first professional victory.

A number of other PGA Tour golfers have had played the event. In 1975, Wayne Levi played the Greater Bangor Open. He finished runner-up. In the late 1970s, PGA Tour players Bob Eastwood and Dave Eichelberger played the event. In 1982 and 1984, future PGA Tour member Jeff Sluman played the event. In 1996, former tennis star Ivan Lendl played in the event as part of his transition to become a professional golfer. In 2003 and 2004, future PGA Tour winner Sean O'Hair played the event. According to Connecticut club pro, Jim Becker, "Outside of the PGA and Nationwide Tours, this is one of the best events in the country."

In 2019, after being held for 52 consecutive years, the tournament ceased operations. The event was no longer deemed "economically feasible." Bangor Municipal's club professional, Rob Jarvis, explained, "The days of $1 per gallon gas and a $50 a night hotel room are long gone... To have 70 guys show up and have a small purse isn't worth it for them or for the golf course."

Tournament names

• 1967–1971: Jordan Open
• 1972–1980, 1992–2016: Greater Bangor Open
• 1981–1991: Miller High-Life Bangor Open

Winners

Source:

References

1. ^ "28 Jul 2007, 12 - The Bangor Daily News at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
2. Stewart, Jason (May 28, 2019). "After 52 Years, The Greater Bangor Open Is No More". Q106.5. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
3. "29 Jul 1991, 12 - The Bangor Daily News at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
4. "3 Aug 1987, 26 - The Bangor Daily News at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
5. "5 Aug 1985, 8 - The Bangor Daily News at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
6. "30 Jul 1984, 12 - The Bangor Daily News at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved October 6, 2021.
7. "1 Aug 1987, 17 - The Bangor Daily News at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
8. "2 Aug 1982, 16 - The Bangor Daily News at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved October 6, 2021.
9. "Before and after". The Bangor Daily News. August 4, 1981. p. 14. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
10. "20 Aug 1973, 19 - The Bangor Daily News at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
11. "1st champ Waitr still a battler". The Bangor Daily News. August 1, 1980. p. 19. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
12. "Greater Bangor Open". treeoflifeworkshop.com. Retrieved October 23, 2021.

• Golf tournaments in Maine
• Defunct golf tournaments
• Sports in Bangor, Maine
• 1967 establishments in Maine
• 2016 disestablishments in Maine