BANGOR, Maine — Raoul Menard had barely turned pro last year when he made his debut at the Greater Bangor Open. The golfer from Quebec finished a strong fifth.
Menard of Ange-Gardien, Quebec, parlayed the confidence gained from that performance into a first-round 64 on Thursday to claim a share of the Greater Bangor Open first-round lead at 5 under par.
Matt Saglio of Clearwater, Florida, and Jesse Larson of Mendon, Vermont, also carded 64s as the 50th edition of the Greater Bangor Open began in hot, breezy conditions at Bangor Municipal Golf Course.
The low-key Menard had six birdies and one bogey, including birdies on Nos. 12, 13 and 18. Bangor Municipal Golf Course is a course he adapted to quickly in 2015.
“It prepared me really well for this year, I think,” said Menard, who plays on the PGA Tour Latinoamerica. “The course is kind of a similar course to what I grew up on back home.”
He said the course conditions were excellent and that he was solid in all aspects of his game.
“I didn’t play crazy great, but I tagged along and played well,” Menard said.
Saglio of Clearwater, Florida, played a bogey-free round that included birdies on three of the first five holes. He was the 2010 Greater Bangor Open runner-up.
While Saglio and Menard scored well playing early, Larson shot 5 under in the penultimate threesome. He churned out birdies on Nos. 4, 5, 8, 9, 12, 13 and 15, but lost his chance for the outright lead when he bogeyed 16 and 18.
Maryland native Charlie Winegardner and Ryan McCormick of West Long Branch, New Jersey, are one stroke back at 65, and Pittston native Ryan Gay, Daniel Augustus of Bermuda, Canadian Ted Brown and Carl McCauley of Parkland, Florida, all shot 66.
Another contingent carded 67s, including Mike Dugas of Pittsfield; 2008 Greater Bangor Open champion Shawn Warren of Windham; Robb Royland of Old Orchard Beach; John Elliott of Bristol, Connecticut; John Jackopsic of West Hartford, Connecticut; and Evan Harmeling of Andover, Massachusetts.
Defending champion Jon McLean of West Palm Beach, Florida, shot a 1-over-par 70. He said he was unable to find his putting stroke.
Two amateurs are in the hunt. Matt Andrews of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, is tied for 16th at 68 after posting four birdies and three bogeys.
Andrews, who plays at Embry-Riddle University in Arizona, has Brewer roots.
“I consider this my second home,” said Andrews, whose family summered in Brewer for many years. “My parents [Rob and Ellen] grew up here, went to school here.”
He also is entered in next week’s Charlie’s Maine Open at the Augusta Country Club in Manchester.
Gavin Dugas of Pittsfield, who won the Downeast-Metro Amateur last month, fired an even-par 69.
“My putter saved me on a lot of holes. I had a lot of good up-and-downs,” said Dugas, who competes at Southern New Hampshire University.
He is happy to be holding his own in a field of pros and other top amateurs.
“It’s just good to see that I can shoot the numbers that these guys are shooting and know that I can do this,” Dugas said.