First Tee of Maine will be conducting its second annual tournament Aug. 22 at Fox Ridge, and this is a pitch for Lewiston-Auburn area golfers to participate. The tournament helps to support what arguably is the greatest golf charity in Maine, and there can be no argument that that a golf charity to benefit children is important.

Ron Bibeau, executive director of First Tee since 2012, can list dozens of reasons why his organization should be supported by the Maine golf community. How about this one?

“Ninety-six percent of the funds taken in by First Tee fundraising activities go straight to programming for the kids,” he said.

For the Monday, Aug. 22, event, which is a scramble, teams are needed, as are sponsors, which are vital to the success of the tournament. Registration can be done online at www.thefirstteeofmaine.org, or by telephone at 890-9030, or by sending a check payable to: First Tee of Maine, 58 Val Halla Road, Cumberland, ME, 04021.

Applications also are at Fox Ridge.

An example of what First Tee funding does for the youth of Maine was on display this weekend at the South Portland Municipal Course, where 75-80 Maine kids played in the South Portland Junior Tournament.

First Tee also has an Outreach program for the Boys & Girls Clubs, it is involved in YMCAs, and it is in 46 schools’ physical education programs throughout the state, reaching more than 16,000 pupils.

“Overall, 21,000 Maine kids are reached by First Tee,” said Bibeau, pointing to the fact that this state’s program is among the top 15 percent in the nation in terms of “kids reached.”

As important as golf instruction is First Tee’s efforts to teach life skills. Bibeau takes more pride in developing citizenship among the kids than golf-playing skills.

This summer First Tee programs are thriving at 10 golf courses in Maine, including Fox Ridge, Val Halla, South Portland Municipal, Augusta, Rockland, Deer Isle, Bangor Municipal, Barnes Brook, KeboValley and Dune Grass.

Bibeau constantly is organizing fundraisers and approaching individuals and companies for contributions.

Perhaps the most unique contributor to First Tee recently sent a check for $10,000. That was from the Leisure Man Triathlon, held June 22-23. On June 22, 68 participants engaged in bowling competition at Easy Day in South Portland. The next morning they played a round of golf at the Falmouth Country Club, and after golf they played poker in a tent at Falmouth. The point system was simple. The winner of an event scored 68 points, and the last place finisher scored one.

Clearly that was a fun way to raise money for a great cause. Bibeau said he is hopeful that fun will be the order of the day at Fox Ridge on Aug. 22.

*****

On July 15 at Samoset, Susan Vincent of Langhorne, Pennsylvania, did something only 17 other women have done in the recorded history of golf. She had two holes-in-one at the Rockport course.

With a 7-wood on the uphill 115-yard fifth hole, she bagged her first ace, and swinging a 3-wood on the 128-yard 13th hole, she had her second hole-in-one.

Vincent, whose father, Blair Wentworth, was a Skowhegan resident, spent many summers in Maine as a child and then at Samoset time-shares as an adult. She is overwhelmed by her accomplishment and modestly said: “I would rather be under a rock,” after which she added: “It was just kind of dumb luck.”

She made those comments because she considers herself anything but an accomplished golfer. Vincent has a 30.1 handicap, and never has broken 100. With the two aces, she posted a score of 101. She was playing with her husband Peter, a 7.9-handicapper, who never has had a hole-in-one. Figure that.

*****

The Fairlawn team of pro David Bartasius, playing with Dave Van Baars, Reco Arnoldy and Brian Bilodeau, captured first place Aug. 1 at Augusta in the Maine Chapter PGA Team Stableford, by posting 65-62—127 for 109 points. The Martindale team of pro Kyle Bourassa with Felix Lincoln, Rich Schrepper and Andy Bedard was third with 66-64—139 and 99 points.

Tied for third in individual pro results were Bob Darling of Fox Ridge (40-34—74, 35 points) and Bartasius (35-39—74, 35 points)

*****

Martindale member Jace Pearson, playing with Pennie Cummings of Spring Brook, won the Team Gross of the Maine State Golf Association Mixed Championship on July 31 at Martindale. They posted a 67/65. In third place were Will and Kristin Kannegeiser of Minot and Martindale (70/68), while Andrew Slattery and Melissa Johnson of Martindale (71/68) were fourth.

Team Net was won by George Dedonna and Linda Kelley of Mechanic Falls, who play at Summit Springs (84/58). David Stonebreaker and Leslie Guenther of Norway (72/63) were fifth.

*****

Ricky Jones of Samoset has won his 11th Dr. Leonardo Buck MSGA Player of the Year award, which puts him on the Maine state team playing in the Sept. 9-10 Northern New England Tri-State Championship against New Hampshire and Vermont at Belgrade Lakes.

He also becomes eligible for the USGA State Team Championship later in September at a club in Birmingham, Alabama, where he will be teamed with Andrew Slattery of Martindale and Jack Wyman of Portland.

*****

Among area players who did well Aug. 2 in the MSGA Senior Tour event at Lake Kezar were the teams of Jack Milo (Fox Ridge), Vic Gaudreau (Poland Spring), Bill Freedman (Fox Ridge) and Chip Larlee (Martindale), along with Cy Thompson (Poland Spring), Ken Luce (Poland Spring), Rich McCann (Spring Meadows) and Reggie Gammon (Spring Meadows), who tied for third place in team net.

Milo also won a net skin on the fifth hole and a pin on that hole with his shot 18 inches from the cup. Luce won a skin on the 13th hole. In individual net age, Wade Trudel of Poland Spring was second (87/63), and Ron Cronin of Fairlawn was third (92/66).

*****

The golf schedule for the week is highlighted by the Aug. 8-10 State of Maine Championship at Sugarloaf. Also on tap is the MSGA B and C championships Aug. 9-10 at Point Sebago, and the association’s weekend tournaments Aug. 12-13 at Penobscot Valley. The MSGA Jr. Tour continues with events Aug. 8 at Rockland and Aug. 11 at Toddy Brook.

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