Our time is coming.

Labor Day may be a little late but most of the tourists are already gone and the next two months are the best time of all for us to take advantage of some great local golf. And if weather patterns follow the week just past, we can expect more sunny days which will allow us to make up some of those days lost to rain. There are also plenty of tournament opportunities.

The WMSGA schedule continues through Oct. 12 and the MSGA schedule through Oct. 14.

The big event is the 11th Annual Maine Golf Hall of Fame Tournament and Banquet Friday, Sept. 10. In addition to inducting two very deserving Maine golfers, Gary Rees and Cindy Choate, Maine’s various champions for 2004 will be recognized along with one of the state’s golf course superintendents.

Some have yet to decide, but those we know will give many golfers a reason to attend the banquet.

The Southern Maine Women’s Champion is Mary Brandes of the Woodlands with the SMWGA Senior champion to be decided Sept. 7.

The MSGA junior winners are Girls, Shannon Mitchell, Brunswick, Boys 12 and under, Zack Sweet, Madison, Boys 13 & 14, Chris Tucker, Bath, and Junior Champion Jesse Speirs, Bangor. Senior Champion, Paul Pelletier, Martindale and Maine Amateur, Ricky Jones, Rockland

The WMSGA Champion is Lori Frost, Penobscot Valley CC, Senior, Pennie Cummings, Springbrook, GC. Mark Plummer won the Maine Chapter, New England PGA State of Maine Championship. Shawn Warren, Gorham CC was the first junior in years to win the Maine Open. Also to be recognized is the Central Maine Seniors champion not yet decided.

These champions and the two inductees deserve the recognition and a full house of golfers at the induction banquet. There are two ways to participate. The annual tournament, a scramble will have a shotgun start at 11 a.m., Friday, Sept. 10 at Sable Oaks. This is open to four golfer teams. The banquet will take place in the evening starting with a reception at the Marriott Hotel next to the course. Cost is $360 per team, $90 per individual for tournament and banquet. The banquet only is $45 per person.

Anyone interested can get details by calling the Hall of Fame at 207-799-0983 or email to [email protected].

Another option as we enter September is the chance to play some new courses. Recently we have had the opportunity to play one and ride around another. Tuesday we played nine holes at Highland Green, the new nine in Topsham.

I had played eight of the holes on a rainy evening a few weeks ago, but now the new layout is open to the public and for a few more days is free. As a part of an Adult Resort Community, this course was going to be 18 holes but environmental issues reduced it to 9. Those same issues in the form of ponds and wetlands resulted in 9 holes covering the same territory as 18, which means it can be a long way between holes, and no chance of hitting into another fairway. From the back it plays 2910 yards dropping to 2071 for the ladies.

The holes are interesting and varied with some forced carries and ledges to play over in places. Play has been free for the past month, but greens fees will be in effect as of the 1st.

Highland Green is also having their first tournament. Monday, Sept. 13 there will be an 18-hole scramble to benefit the Mid-Coast Maine Chapter of the American Red Cross.

For information on the tournament or the course call 866-GOLF-TEE (465-3833).

The course we rode around is one everyone is waiting for, Sunday River.

Two weeks ago, we stopped by the new clubhouse and Jeff Harris let us take a cart and take a look at the front nine which if all goes well, we’ll get a chance to play this fall. The rainy summer has slowed construction and delayed the opening, but with the weather this past week and continued warm dry days a lot of progress will be made. The day we were there the front nine looked ready except for a few places where the rain had made a mess of bunkers and washed away some small pieces of fairways or turf near cart paths.

The plan is to open nine early this fall, possibly within a week or two, with the entire course opening next summer. Obviously, everything depends on favorable weather, so don’t drive up with the clubs before calling. The number at the pro shop is 207-824-4653.

From what we saw, this Robert Trent Jones Jr. layout will be taking its place among the best in New England. There are dramatic elevation changes and fantastic views from almost every hole. Jones had plenty of room on a mountainside with some gullies and ravines to traverse and he made the most of it.

Four tee boxes on every hole vary the distance enough to accommodate a wide range of golfers, and unlike Sugarloaf, Jones’ work familiar to most of us, there are generous landing areas. This is a golfer friendly course, but there are plenty of places for trouble. Let’s hope for good weather, because this is one I want to play this fall.

Dave Irons is a freelance writer who lives in Westbrook.