HEBRON — More than a month has passed since the biggest win of Leslie Guenther’s summer golf career.

She has celebrated a milestone birthday. Returned to her busy life as an athletic director and coach at Hebron Academy.

Yet every time she checks her phone or email, Guenther finds somebody who still wants to talk about the Maine Women’s Amateur.

Not that she is complaining.

“It’s so nice to know that people are pulling for you,” Guenther said. “I’ve had more people call and write to congratulate me since I won. That’s what I appreciate most about golf in Maine. It’s just a great sport. I’ve made so many friends through it.”

Guenther’s title, won in the final days of July at Waterville Country Club in Oakland, was a long time coming.

She has been a member at Norway Country Club every summer since moving to Maine 24 years ago. Four times, Guenther won the equivalent Southern Maine Women’s Golf Association title.

The Women’s Maine State Golf Association crown eluded her, however. When the WMSGA and SMWGA merged their championships in 2012, it created one state title for the ladies, comparable to the men’s Maine Amateur.

“I was honored to win the southern championship. Both of them would have been great to win,” Guenther said. “But with the Maine Women’s Amateur being the only game in town, now there’s no ambiguity about which one is the ‘real’ championship.”

Emily Bouchard won in 2012 and 2013 and was considered the favorite entering this summer’s showcase.

But after the first round of what was scheduled to be a 54-hole event was rained out, Guenther shot a second-day 75 and supplied a lead that nobody could erase.

“It was one of the best rounds of golf I’ve ever played,” Guenther said. “I hit 14 or 15 of the 18 greens in regulation. I was in nearly every fairway. I shot 75 with a four-putt and a three-putt. I just played so steadily. It felt great. It’s so easy when it’s easy and it can be so hard when it’s hard.”

Between the WMSGA and the Women’s Amateur, Guenther had played in every Central Maine state championship since 1994 without a victory.

“I led going into the final day at Purpoodock and going into the final day at Augusta,” Guenther said. “I’d had my chances. I’d finished in the top five a bunch of times. I was beginning to think it might never happen.”

Guenther took care of that unfinished business without playing much competitive golf through the early summer.

She is a dual member at both Norway and Mingo Springs in Rangeley, where she and husband David Stonebraker own a summer camp.

“People would see me and say, ‘Where have you been?’ I kind of pick and choose my tournaments,” Guenther said. “I work in the pro shop at Mingo Springs and play a lot up there. I like people and I like golf, so it’s a perfect thing for me.”

In the weeks leading up to school, Guenther has returned to the weekly circuit and played well.

“At least I know it wasn’t a flash in the pan,” she quipped.

Guenther turned 50 two weeks after the amateur.

She has spent most of her adult life playing at Norway under the watchful eye of longtime owners Dave and Gail Mazzeo. Guenther credits their support and encouragement for her prosperity in the game.

“They are so good to me. So kind and supportive,” Guenther said. “If something goes wrong I can always count on Dave to straighten me out. He’s great. He won’t say anything unless I ask.”

These days, it’s everyone else that wants to bend the ear of Maine’s newest state champion.

koakes@sunjournal.com