The Maine State Golf Association has a new name. It is called Maine Golf.

That said, this involves more than a name change. The MSGA has taken over the Freeport Country Club, where it has established the Maine Golf Center. It has nine holes, a practice range and a putting green.

From that facility, there will be instructional programs for men, women and juniors, under the direction of AJ Simokaitis, who has the title of director of golf, Maine Golf Center.

Right now, it is offseason, so greens fees are $15 for nine holes and $22 for 18, with a $10 fee for a nine-hole cart and $18 to play 18 holes. Individual season dues are $600, with another $250 for range privileges. For a couple, it is $1,000 with $400 for the range. And there is a junior membership for $100.

The MSGA continues to maintain offices at the Val Halla Golf Club in Cumberland, and it will continue to conduct its extensive tournament schedule. Eventually, the entire operation eventually could be located in Freeport, according to Brian Bickford, executive director of the MSGA/Mane Golf.

“The MSGA is not going away,” Bickford said. “We are doing business as Maine Golf. We are trying to grow the game and expand our offerings.”

The MSGA website (MESGA.org) remains active, and the Maine Golf website is mainegolfcenter.org. To contact members of the staff via email, use that person’s first name “@mainegolfcenter.org.”

Summed up: Lots of what the MSGA has done for decades remains the same, but the creation of the Maine Golf Center means there are new developments.

For the MSGA and Maine Golf, the 2022 golf season should be exciting.

*****

At the MSGA Club Championship May 22 at Belgrade Lakes, two area teams finished in the top 10 among 37 entries.

The Fox Ridge foursome of Craig Chapman, Chris Cloutier, James Frost and Dylan Rodrigue tied for fifth with a score of 134. In seventh place, from Martindale, were Brian J. Bilodeau, Kelly Cates, Bradley Myers and Jace Pearson, posting a 136.

At the Senior Club Championship May 23 at Belgrade Lakes in a field of 26 foursomes, the Martindale unit of Stephen Gallagher, Bobby Myers, Roland Myers and Russ Scudder tied for seventh with 140.

*****

The MSGA/Maine Golf upcoming golf tournament schedule includes the Mid-Amateur Championship May 31 at Waterville.

Men’s Play Days are June 3-4 at Sheepscot Links, while the Women’s Play Day is May 31 at Springbrook. Questions regarding the women’s events should be directed to Barb@mainegolf.org.

Bill Kennedy, a retired New Jersey golf writer and editor now residing on Thompson Lake in Otisfield, is in his 10th season as Sun Journal golf columnist.

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