AUBURN – Ricky Jones could feel something wasn’t right.

One quick look over his shoulder verified those feelings.

Jones, one of the top amateur golfers in Maine, was ready to tee off on the first hole of the final round of the Charlie’s Maine Open in the first group of the morning session.

Across the fairway, a shadow built, and then the bright red, white and blue canvas of the ReMax hot air balloon appeared from behind the trees.

Jones teed off anyway, and nearly hit the balloon, which landed in the rough about 100 yards from the tee in the long, wispy fescue grass.

“We’ve had rain and weather delays all week,” Maine State Golf Association Executive Director Nancy Storey said. “This is a new one, though.”

Afterward, a look to the sky showed more balloons headed toward Fox Ridge Golf Club, the host of the Maine Open. One touched down on Penley Corner Road, next to the course’s driving range. Another landed in the field adjacent to the second tournament hole, and another threatened to land near the 16th fairway, but popped back into the air at the last minute.

The ReMax balloon hovered 4 feet off the ground for several minutes as balloon and course staff escorted it around the clubhouse and through the partially-full parking lot to the side of the road, where the chase vehicles met up with the pilot and passengers.

And yes, the golf course was rewarded with the customary bottle of sparking wine, which by day’s end still sat unopened in the club’s main office.