The Oxford Casino has released some news that might surprise you: it is very much involved in area golf.

Deedee Allen, the casino’s executive administrative assistant for community relations, outlined what her employers have done for golf in 2016, and it is an impressive resume.

In began in June when a casino group played in the Fenn-Ross Tournament at Poland Spring for the benefit of the Poland Spring Preservation Society. In that month, the casino also supported the Camp Sunshine Tournament at Point Sebago, along with the Jay-Livermore Falls tournament at Maple Lane, the Bethel Area Golf Classic at Bethel and the St. Mary’s Hospital Tournament.

Last month, the casino lent support to the Oxford Hills Chamber of Commerce Tournament at Bethel and the United Way Tournament at Fairlawn.

September will be the most active month of the year, as the Maine golf season begins to wind down.

In some of these events the casino will supply prizes, while in others it will send players and prizes. They include: Maine Restaurant Association, Sept. 7 at Spring Meadows; Maine State Chamber of Commerce, Sept. 9 at Samoset; Tee It Up for A Veteran, Sept. 12 at Falmouth; Fire and Slice Tournament, Sept. 15 at Poland Spring; Make A Wish Foundation, Sept. 21 at Natanis; Golf For Food, Sept. 22 at Poland Spring; and Fishbones American Grill Scholarship Tournament, Sept. 25 at Martindale.

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That is a total of 14 events that the casino has supported, which prompted Allen to say: “Jack Sours (casino vice president and general manager) likes to stay involved with the community. He is really big on supporting the community and agencies that support the community. We all take helping the community seriously. We like to do stuff in our own back yard.”

This philosophy comes from the casino’s corporate headquarters in Kentucky — Churchill Downs.

Allen was asked if there has been any thought given to the creation of a golf course on the casino property, which has more than enough property for it.

“There are not any immediate plans to build a golf course,” she said with a smile. “It would be nice.”

The current casino plan for expansion currently is focused on the construction of a 100-room hotel adjacent to and on top of the casino, and on that work Allen said: “We hope to get started soon and to open it next summer.”

Could a golf course be next?

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In the Aug. 30 Maine Chapter NEPGA Pro-Lady at Cape Arundel, Bob Darling of Fox Ridge played with Diane Darling, Stephanie Rodrigue and Hannah Farrington in the two best balls of four gross and finished third (75-73—148, +9). Martindale’s Kyle Bourassa teamed with Susan Gilpatric, JoAnn Ray and Caren Ledener to win the two best balls of four net (62-66—128, -12)..

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Jesse Speirs, the only Maine resident ever to qualify for the Web.com Tour, shot 68-76—144 and failed to make the cut at the WinCo Foot Portland (Ore.) Open Aug. 25-28. That left him at No. 140, which does not qualify him for the 2017 tour.

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A 14-man Maine squad will attempt to win the Tri-States championship Sept. 10-11 at Belgrade Lakes. It would be the states first title at the tournament since 2013, when the Mainers took that crown at Martindale.

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This year’s squad includes: Ricky Jones, Samoset; Andrew Slattery and Joe Baker, Martindale; Mike Doran and Jeff Cole, Sable Oaks; Jack Wyman, Portland; Joe Walp, Falmouth; Curt Jordan, Woodlands; Joe Alvarez, Webhannet; and Lance Bernier, Boothbay Harbor. Senior players on the team are: Mark Plummer and Tom Bean, Augusta; Ron Dery, Biddeford-Saco; and Lowell Watson, Boothbay Harbor.

The first day will be alternate shot and the second day singles matches.

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On Sept. 11 there will be a Maine Junior Girls Invitational at Natanis Arrowhead. Information on how to enter is available at JuniorGolfMaine.com. … The Maine State Golf Association will conduct its weekend tournaments at Toddy Brook on Sept. 9-10.


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