BANGOR – When the Greater Bangor Open Golf Tournament opens with its pro-am today at Bangor Municipal Golf Course, it will mark the start of the 35th edition of the $50,000 event.

Every year, it’s held at the same time, and every year there’s a late rush of entries as the tournament approaches.

“A couple of weeks ago, we had 100 entries,” said Brian Enman, head pro at Bangor Muni. “Since then, we’ve had almost 70. In the last four to five days, we had 40-45.”

Enman, as tournament director, takes it in stride, though. He understands the reasons.

“Some of these guys are playing week to week, as far as money is concerned,” said Enman. If a player does well in a tournament, it gives him the cash to enter more events down the road.

Inquiries were still coming in to the pro shop Tuesday afternoon. The regular portion of the tournament runs Thursday through Saturday, 18 holes each day.

Defending champion Billy Downes of Hampden, Mass., heads the list of contenders in the 168-player field. Downes tied the tournament record with a 54-hole total of 8-under-par 199 to win by two strokes over Jim Gilleon of Summerfield, Fla.

Gilleon is also back, along with past champions John Connelly (1999) of Stow, Mass., Joe Cioe (1998) of Crystal River, Fla., John Hickson (1997) of Old Orchard Beach, Eric Egloff (1995) of Rockville, Md., Rich Parker (1988) of Lebanon, N.H., and Bangor assistant pro Mike Baker (1986 co-champ) of Bradley. All are threats to win again.

Former Maine Open victor Rodney Butcher of Orlando, Fla., who won the Greater Portland Open last month and the Vermont Open earlier this year; former New England Amateur winner Jim Salinetti of South Lee, Mass.; and Rusty Stocker of Homosassa, Fla., should also vie for the $10,000 first-place check, according to Enman.

Back for a second time is Angel Franco of Paraguay, one of two players Cioe defeated in a playoff for his win. Franco’s brother, Ramon, is also playing. Their brother Carlos Franco competes on the PGA Tour.

Other international players are coming from Canada, Japan, and Bermuda.

“I think it’s a very good field as far as depth is concerned,” said Enman.

The amateur side includes former Paul Bunyan Amateur Golf Tournament champions Mike Norris (1999) of Newburgh and Ryan Day (2000) of Lamoine. Greg Hanna of Augusta, runner-up in the Maine Amateur in 1999, and 14-year-old Jesse Speirs of Bangor are on hand, too.

“I think the amateur field has really got some good players in it. There are 8-10 who could win it,” said Enman.

Winding up the festivities today is the driving contest starting at approximately 5:30 p.m.

PAST CHAMPIONS

2000 ? Billy Downes,199

1999 ? John Connelly, 202

1998 ? *Joe Cioe, 206

1997 ? John Hickson, 203

1996 ? *Brian Lawton, 200

1995 ? Eric Egloff, 201

1994 ? Jason Widener, 202

1993 ? Gus Ulrich,199

1992 ? *Jeff Julian, 206

1991 ? Mike Colandro, 205

1990 ? Andy Brock, 202

1989 ? Gus Ulrich, 205

1988 ? Richard Parker, 203

1987 ? Bob Mattiace, 208

1986 ? **Mike Baker, Marc Arnett, 136

1985 ? Jeff Lewis, 203

1984 ? Chip Hall, 206

1983 ? *Jeff Grygiel, 207

1982 ? Jeff Lewis, 207

1981 ? Peter Teravainen, 208

1980 ? Jack Ferenz, 205

1979 ? a?Mark Plummer, 207

1978 ? *Rocky Thompson, 213

1977 ? Bruce Douglass, 207

1976 ? Mike Buja, 206

1975 ? Mike Shea, 207

1974 ? Bruce Ashworth, 205

1973 ? *Marion Heck, 207

1972 ? *Paul Barkhouse, 209

1971 ? Lanny Wadkins, 201

1970 ? George Johnston, 207

1969 ? Jerry Abbott, 209

1968 ? Joel Goldstrand, 203

1967 ? Ed Wiatr, 207

(a?amateur) (*?won playoff)

(**?co-champs, tourney halted by rain)