PORTLAND, Maine — Seven-time Maine Women’s Amateur state golf champ Abby Spector has been named the new golf pro at Riverside Golf Course.
Spector will run Riverside’s junior golf program, clinics for new adult golfers, and teach private and group lessons, according to a news release from the city of Portland.
“We are pleased to welcome Abby to Riverside and we know that she will be instrumental in teaching the game to our members and guests,” Ethan Hipple, Portland’s director of recreation, said in the news release.
“She has run a highly successful camp for girls here at Riverside for several years, and we’re thrilled that she will be introducing the game of golf to all our youth. Finding the right golf professional to suit the character of Riverside was important to us. Abby is a solid choice and we look forward to having folks get to know her,” he added.
“Since I joined the Council, Riverside Golf Association members have suggested that it was important for Riverside to have a golf pro on staff, and I’m excited that we’re now able to bring Abby Spector, a well respected Maine pro, on board,” said District 5 Councilor David Brenerman.
A PGA member since 2013, Spector has competed in 250 golf tournaments and has given more than 2,000 golf lessons. She was inducted into the Maine Golf Hall of Fame in 2007 and the Maine Sports Hall of Fame in 2014. A Waterville High School grad, she attended the University of North Carolina on an athletic scholarship for golf from 1999 to 2003.
“I am excited to continue the tradition of junior golf and women’s golf at Riverside Golf Course,” Spector said. “My first junior golf tournament and first professional golf tournament were here, and I was the only female to play in both. Riverside has a great facility for instruction and I am looking forward to a great season.”
Spector will be a full-time employee during the golf season of April to October, and a part-time employee from October to April. During the off-season she will be responsible for marketing golf programs, after-school programming, pro-shop hours and preparing for summer programs. She will report to golf course manager Ryan Scott.