As the University of Maine golf team prepares for its final two tournaments of the season, the program prepares for the final two tournaments in its history.

Maybe.

Golf, which has been a varsity sport at UMaine since 1938, has been a male-dominated sport. Three years ago, it became a victim of Title IX, federal legislation which seeks to guarantee men and women athletic representation in relation to a school’s enrollment for those institutions which participate in federal programs.

Chris Emerson, a senior co-captain from Hampden, said he would like to help bring back the program in a few years, and he knows the solution.

“Adding women’s golf would be the logical step,” said Emerson. “There’s just not the demand for it right now. It’s sad. I’d like to see more women involved.”

The addition of women’s golf will be more difficult, he pointed out, since there won’t be a men’s team already in place.

Emerson thinks it can happen, though.

“With the growing enrollment [at UMaine], it’s a possibility,” he said.

Emerson thinks there will be enough women golfers in Maine to make it happen eventually.

“We’ve had some great [female] golfers in the state,” he said. “Maybe if we had a women’s team, we could keep some of them.”

Emerson has nothing but positive thoughts, though, as his UMaine experience draws to a close.

“I’ll have fond memories,” he said.

Emerson pointed out that everything has been handled up-front.

Three years ago, the team was called into a meeting, said Emerson, and Director of Athletics Sue Tyler said the program would come to an end after the current players’ senior years.

The team sat in stunned silence, according to Emerson.

“That night it sank in,” he said.

They were grateful to get the chance to finish their golf careers at UMaine, though. And the school maintained the program as it always had.

“The athletic department has given us full support. I’m very appreciative,” said Emerson.

The final two events are next week’s New England Div. I Championships in Dover, N.H., (weather permitting, according to Woodward and the America East Conference tournament April 29-May 1.