AUBURN – Local golfers will get a closer look at some of the top professional golfers in New England and from across the country next summer. The Charlie’s Maine Open, played in recent years at Riverside Municipal Golf Course in Portland, is coming to Fox Ridge Golf Club beginning with the next installment of the tournament.
“We look forward to working with the people at Fox Ridge, which we consider one of the best new golf courses in the state in the past few years,” Maine State Golf Association Executive Director Nancy DeFrancesco said. “We know that Fox Ridge Superintendent Eddie Michaud and his crew will have the course in impeccable condition for the tournament, and we look forward to working with pro Bob Darling and his staff as well. All of the people at Fox Ridge are so nice to deal with, and we really feel like we’ve been received by welcoming arms for this event, which obviously is one of the major events of our summer.”
The last time the Maine Open was played outside the Portland area was in 1996 and 1997, when it was played at Point Sebago. The last time it was close to the Lewiston-Auburn area was from 1984-86, when Springbrook hosted the event.
“I am very excited,” said Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce President Chip Morrison. “This is huge for this area. As long as I can remember, the tournament has always been in Portland. This is a big-time golf tournament. I’ll be out there watching for sure, if not playing (in the pro-am).”
The Fox Ridge golfing community is also excited about the move.
“Though we’ve hosted other MSGA championships, this will be our first chance to see Fox Ridge set up for the best players in the Northeast,” said Michaud. “With four sets of tees, the championship set gets very little use. It will be fun watching the long hitters work their way around Fox Ridge Golf Course. We relish the opportunity to host Maine’s premier golf event and to work with the staff of the MSGA.”
“I am delighted with the exposure we will receive from hosting the premier golf event in Maine,” added Fox Ridge General Manager Ed Balboni. “The MSGA is the best amateur tournament golf association in the country, and our entire staff and membership are anxious to put on the best tournament possible.”
Morrison said his office will be working with the MSGA to promote the event to potential sponsors in the Lewiston-Auburn area.
“It’s a good thing for the area,” said DeFrancesco. “There will be 150 golfers, plus 50 or so MSGA staff and rules officials, not to mention the media coverage. It’s going to put the spotlight on the area.”
The move is one of several changes to the Maine Open being made for the 2006 tournament. In addition to the venue change, the MSGA is also going to change the format next year.
Citing a decrease in participation due to conflicts with the Cleveland Tour, the MSGA has decided to focus more on Maine players by reinstating a Maine Pro cut. The committee has also established senior divisions for both the professionals and the amateurs.
The field will be limited to 150 players – 50 open professionals, 50 Maine professionals and 50 amateurs. Any amateurs must be MSGA members, but amateurs from outside the state are eligible to play by invitation only. Also, to accommodate more Maine professionals, the tournament has been moved to the beginning of the week. The Pro Am will be contested on Monday, with the tournament itself being held Tuesday through Thursday.
“That will make it easier for the Maine club pros,” said DeFrancesco. “They can have their events on the weekends like usual and still play in the tournament.”
The Maine Open is the MSGA’s primary fund-raiser for its scholarship fund, which gives away more than $40,000 each year to deserving high school students.
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