AUBURN – Richard Paradis skipped half of his second high school golf practice of the season Tuesday.

His coach didn’t mind a bit.

Paradis is one of several local golfers who have the chance this week to play alongside some of the best professional golfers in New England and beyond at Fox Ridge Golf Club during the 89th Charlie’s Maine Open.

“It just gives me a lot of experience, playing with these guys,” Paradis said. “It gives you a better opportunity to meet new people in the game.”

Others, like Steve Jordan, who belongs to Martindale Country Club, played in their first Maine Open this week. Jordan’s son, Curt, also played.

Curt bested Steve by two strokes as both attempted to make the amateur cut.

“I probably wouldn’t play it if it was on a completely unfamiliar course, because let’s face t, there are such good sticks in this thing, in order to do well, it helps if you know the course a little bit,” Steve Jordan said.

“You know the shots to play, the yardages, you know the shots to play,” Paradis said. “I think even that can give you two or three strokes.”

Jace Pearson, the Fox Ridge club champion, had a rougher day with an 8-over-par 80. Other top local golfers included Keegan Fennessy with a 76, pro Garett Copp with an 80, pro Sean Barrett of Bethel with an 81, amateur Craig Chapman with an 82, pro Blake Eldridge with an 83, and amateur John Emerson with an 87.