Building a Better Bunyan

    ORONO/BAR HARBOR – One of Maine’s favorite golf events, the Paul Bunyan Amateur Golf Tournament will enjoy its 45th year of competition at two of Maine’s most storied golf clubs. Kebo Valley Club in Bar Harbor and Penobscot Valley Country Club in Orono are to host “The Bunyan” this year on Saturday, June 6 and Sunday, June 7.     Harris Golf, owners/operators of Penobscot Valley and four other clubs throughout New England, have stepped in as title sponsor of the tournament this year. “The Bunyan is near and dear to a lot of golfers’ hearts – and a great competitive venue as well,” said Chad Curley, Head Professional at Penobscot Valley. “We’re very excited to partner with a club like Kebo Valley to make sure this event continues to happen – and that it gets even better.”
    The tournament, which sees hundred of golfers from clubs all over New England and the Canadian Maritimes each year, is a gross and net score tournament, and the competitors are divided into four flights. Anyone with a USGA handicap may compete. Gross and net prizes will be awarded within each flight, with $500 in credit going to the overall gross winner.
    Twelve Maine State Amateur champions have won the Bunyan over the last 44 years-and two-time Mid-Amateur winner Joe Alvarez will be returning this year to defend his 2008 Bunyan title.
    There are some exciting new developments in 2009. The first is the Bunyan’s change from a three-day to a two-day format, meant to better accommodate golfers who travel from a distance or who may have difficulty taking a full three days off to compete. Former Fort Fairfield basketball coach Skip Chappelle directed the Bunyan for 16 years before handing it over to Harris Golf. Chappelle is looking forward to the upcoming changes. “Probably the most improved change is switching it from a three to two day tournament. Up until now, we played the Rockland, Kebo and Penobscot courses but we’re dropping Rockland this year.” Additionally, there will be starters, scorers and rules officials on-site at both Kebo and Penobscot Valley.
    “We’re excited with the new energy Harris Golf is bringing to the Bunyan,” said Peiter DeVos, head professional at Kebo Valley. “we’re really looking forward to hosting the Bunyan, the event that we consider to be Central Maine’s annual amateur ‘major’.”
    For competitive golfers, the most exciting news about the 2009 Bunyan will be the decision on the part of the Maine State Golf Association to sanction the Bunyan to count for Player of the Year, Tri State and USGA State team points. “We really pushed for this,” said Jeff Harris, president of Harris Golf. “It brings an already great tournament to an even higher level. I know a lot of golfers will be excited about this development.”
    The deadline for entry is May 29 and the field will be limited to 318 players. The fee for both days is $85 with final round A & B flights held Sunday, June 7 at Penobscot Valley. “Practice rounds will be available on Friday, June 5 at both Kebo and Penobscot for a reasonable 18-hold green fee,” said Chappelle, who encourages registrants to call the respective courses to schedule tee times for that Friday. Additionally, hotel and motel suggestions will be available on the website later this month. Entry forms and up-to-date information on the tournament may be found online at www.bunyangolf.com. Please call 208 442-8725 for more information.