This past week was busy one. Last weekend we watched Bob Darling and Mike Baker attempts to qualify for the PGA Championship through the Club Pro Championships.

We took our annual shot Tuesday at the Greater Portland Open pro-am and snuck away to Sugarloaf the next day for what was supposed to have been a relaxing round of golf. Thursday and Friday were devoted to putting these words together between trips to Riverside to see how our local favorites were doing in the GPO.

By now everyone should know that Darling, while among the leaders the first two days, ran into trouble and missed qualifying for the PGA. Baker, except for a brief hiccup, played steady and finished at even par for a coveted spot on the big stage of the PGA, where he will match his skills against the best in the world – Tiger, Els and the rest.

Naturally, that was the first topic when I talked with Scott Hoisington at Sugarloaf. But plenty more is going on at the popular mountain course. Golfers can see where land has been cleared for a new 5,500 square-foot clubhouse. The new facility will have a grill and restaurant, locker rooms, pro shop and an adjacent putting green which will overlook the ninth green. The building will overlook the 10th hole.

Early reports had the course surviving winter in great shape and we found that to be true. That didn’t help our scores much. I was quickly reminded why Sugarloaf doesn’t give up good scores easily. It was still great fun enjoying the views and as always hitting the tee shot on No. 11. I knew it was a two-club drop, but couldn’t bring myself to hit less than an 8-iron to a forward pin from 166 yards. It was a full club long landing on the back of that huge green, and, worse, on the upper tier with the pin on the lower.

Wednesdays are Maine days, with $49 green fees for residents, with a package available to promote the golf school. Any overnight guest can take a free one-hour clinic each day of their stay. Another package offers a night’s lodging, breakfast and two rounds of golf for $119 per person. It figures out to paying for the golf and staying free. And most of us need two cracks at Sugarloaf to get even.

While there we also learned of another unique tournament. The Women’s Senior Golf Championship at Sugarloaf was started by Evolyn Morrison almost 20 years ago and continues under Joni Blanchard. The 17th annual invitational takes place July 14-16 and the field is full with a waiting list. One of last year’s participants called this event, “Summer camp for Moms” in a letter to Hoisington. Blanchard says this event fills up early each year, but she encourages ladies to put their names in because there are always a few who have to cancel.

The event gets underway with a practice round on the 14th, with tournament rounds the next two days. The event is actually a getaway for ladies over 50 with a variety of lodging and meal packages.

After last week’s column mentioned John Mauro’s Tournament at Martindale we learned of another to benefit Alzheimer’s research. The Eric Weinrich Charity Golf Tournament and Auction takes place at the Woodlands on July 19. Weinrich, well known hockey player at NYA, University of Maine and the NHL, has teamed with the Maine Alzheimer’s Association to put on the event.

The event includes a pair of shotgun starts, morning and afternoon, dinner and an auction. Spots are available for players and sponsors, and anyone interested in getting involved should call association development director Susan Braziel at 772-0115.

Getting back to Riverside and the GPO, a familiar pro shared the low round of the day honors in the Pro-Am. Ron Bibeau who is well known around L/A for his work as assistant pro at Martindale is now assistant at Riverside. Tuesday he led his team with a 64.

It was fun watching the leaderboard to see how local pros we know were doing. Bibeau obviously would liked to have matched that 64 in the tournament but he missed the cut by a stroke. He said he still felt good, noting that he had a 64 on the books.

Another tournament we mentioned last week has been postponed. The Maine Golf Hall of Fame Tournament of Club Champions scheduled for next Tuesday has been moved to Monday, Aug. 9. According to Tournament organizer Blaine Davis, a conflict reduced the women’s field to a handful of entries and it was felt it wouldn’t be right to hold the event without a full ladies’ field. The change allows any club champion who had not previously signed up to get into the event at Penobscot Valley CC. For details call Davis at 207-799-0983.

Dave Irons is a freelance writer who lives in Westbrook.