The British Open, which starts Thursday at the Old Course of St. Andrews in Fife, Scotland, has prompted some tri-county golf course personalities to make predictions on the outcome. Their commentary is insightful and humorous.

“I know who is not going to win,” Dave Bartasius, who is the head pro at Fairlawn, said, referring to the ankle injury of Rory McIlroy. “But I think (Henrik) Stenson is going to win. I’m a huge Stenson fan.”

Stenson has had a strong 2015 PGA Tour season with four top 10s and a total of seven top 25s, which makes him a solid selection.

Dave Mazzeo, head pro at Norway, said: “I’m going to say someone over 40 will win. I like Graeme McDowell. He is a links-type player.”

McDowell, struggling a bit this season, has had just one top 10 finish with two top 25s.

Greg Perry, Sunday River’s golf manager, quipped: “As a joke I say I am picking Lanny Wadkins. But as a serious selection, I will take Justin Rose because he is playing consistent good golf, and he won’t hurt himself.” Rose has a PGA Tour championship under his 2015 season belt.

Nick Glicos, Martindale’s head pro, agreed. “Justin Rose — because I like someone who is familiar with links golf.”

Spring Meadows’ head pro Ben Morey, also selected Rose, he said, “because he is due for a major championship.”

Bob Darling, head pro at Fox Ridge, said: “It’s hard not to go with Jordan Spieth. But I think we will get some noise from Phil Mickelson. And I like Patrick Reed, because I like his attitude. He gets pumped up.”

Alan Menne, head pro at Poland Spring, concurred on Spieth. “He’s a smart bet and has to have the odds in his favor. I cannot go with anyone else now.”

Especially with McIlroy sidelined, Spieth, having won the season’s first two majors, is the favorite. But in golf majors, favorites are not regular winners unless your name is Tiger Woods. Based on how he has played this season, the oddsmakers will not give Woods much of a chance in this tournament.

Local juniors shine

Several tri-county players competed in a Maine State Golf Association Junior Tour event July 6 at Gorham.

In the boys’ 15-17 division, A.J. Parisi of Auburn shot an 87 to finish in 10th place, while Nicholas Gammaitoni of Auburn carded a 97 for 18th. In boys’ 13-14, Iain Frumiento of Auburn was fourth with an 89, Evan Glicos of Windham (Martindale) was eighth shooting a 94, and Demetri Gammaitoni of Auburn had a 99 for ninth.

Stephanie Rodrigue of Lewiston finished with 89 to capture first place in the girls’ 15-17 bracket, as Janelle Bryant of Gray was third with 94. In girls’ 13-14, Markella Gammaitoni of Auburn carded a 97 for second place, while in the nine-hole division for 12 & under boys and girls, Colin Merritt of Auburn was first with 57.

MSGA schedule resumes

After the Fourth of July weekend and Maine Amateur week, the Maine State Golf Association tournament schedule will resume its great activity this week with today’s “mixed” championship at Boothbay Harbor. Tuesday and Wednesday at Dutch Elm there will be the always-popular B & C Championship.

The Weekend Tournaments competition will be Friday and Saturday at Naples. Junior Tour events this week are tomorrow at Rockland and Thursday at Natanis. There is no Senior Tour of Mid-Week Special events this week. However, on Tuesday there will be a U.S. Amateur Qualifier at The Ledges.