Figuring out where the little white ball is going to fly when it’s struck 4,800 feet above sea level at Soldier Hollow Golf Course in Midway, Utah? OK, that’s a concern.

“I believe it’s the longest Public Links course ever. The front nine alone is over 4,000 yards and it’s between 7,800 and 7.900 for the whole thing,” Bilodeau said. “But the ball is going to travel. That is probably going to be the biggest adjustment. I played in Colorado probably eight or nine years ago. I couldn’t hit the ball to save my life back then.”

Bilodeau, 28, departed Friday on what promises to be the most memorable golf vacation of his life.

He played practice rounds Saturday and Sunday, sandwiched around a welcome-and-awards banquet put on by the United States Golf Association.

Starting today, he’ll be grouped with Paul Misko of Thousand Oaks, Calif., and Alex Edfort of Somerset, N.J., for 36 rounds of stroke play.

That will whittle a field of more than 150 down to 64 for six rounds of match play to determine the national champion for players of a 4.4 handicap or lower that are members of public courses.

Past winners include 2008 Masters champion Trevor Immelman and PGA Tour veterans Brandt Snedeker, D.J. Trahan, Billy Mayfair, Tim Clark and Ryan Moore.

Bilodeau earned the right to represent the state with his victory in a qualifier at Brunswick Golf Club last month.

“That was 36 holes, two rounds in one day,” Bilodeau said.

Consistency punched Bilodeau’s ticket to the national stage.

He shot an even par-72 for the first 18 holes, then made an early run in the afternoon to 3-under with six holes remaining.

“I wasn’t making too many birdie putts, but I was right around the hole,” Bilodeau said. “Most of my pars were tap-ins. I hit the ball solidly all day.”

Bilodeau found out from a course marshal that his lead had grown to five shots.

“At that point I knew I was in pretty good shape and tried not to do anything drastic coming in,” he said.

That left the dramatics to Ricky Jones of Thomaston, a past Maine Open champion and Public Links qualifier.

With Bilodeau looking on from the fairway, Jones punctuated his finishing kick with a birdie on No. 18, forcing the Martindale Country Club member to make par and avoid a playoff.

True to his daylong form, Bilodeau hit the green in regulation and two-putted.

“I made a 4-footer to seal the win,” Bilodeau said. “I think my dad (Phil) was more nervous than I was.”

Bilodeau played in past Public Links state qualifying tournaments in an effort to gain experience but never considered himself a serious threat.

He has found a rhythm this summer.

“I’m putting better. I still don’t make a lot of 12 or 14-footers for birdie,” Bilodeau said. “Driving the ball is the best part of my game and my wedges are really good. It’s important for me to hit fairways.”

There is only one drawback to this week’s journey for Bilodeau: The timing.

Playing in the Public Links will prevent him from teeing it up in the Maine Amateur, which begins Tuesday in Newry.

“It’s at a great venue, too, at Sunday River,” Bilodeau said. “I’m sorry to miss it, but when the USGA invites you to something like this, you don’t say no.”

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