Two major changes have been instituted for the 38th R.H. Foster Energy/Mobil On the Run Paul Bunyan Amateur Golf Tournament this year.

Their effect on tournament entries will play out over the next couple of months.

This year’s Bunyan will be held June 14-16 at Bar Harbor Golf Course in Trenton, Bangor Municipal Golf Course, and Rockland Golf Club. Three divisions, determined by handicap, will rotate among the three courses each day.

One change is the entry fee, which goes up this year to $79. It had been $69 since 1996.

“The Bunyan has a lot of historical value,” said Mike St. Thomas of Bangor, a longtime participant in the event who finished ninth last year. “I don’t think there’ll be a lot of difference [in the number of players].”

St. Thomas, who ran the XL Tour for a year, understands the expenses associated with tournaments, also. He said that fees are going up for a lot of tournaments.

“But $10, I don’t think it’ll make that much difference,” he said.

The second change is an additional prize structure for seniors age 60 and over. Three gross and three net prizes will be awarded in each of the three divisions. Last year, 20 gross and 20 net prizes were awarded in each division regardless of age.

“We wanted to reward seniors [again],” said tourney director Skip Chappelle. “I think very easily we can do that.”

Until 1996, the C. Clinton Dill Trophy was presented to the player age 55 or older with the lowest three-day gross score.

St. Thomas applauded the move, but he had reservations, too.

“I think it’s a great move,” said St. Thomas. “But 60, I think that’s too old. You’ve either got to match the PGA [50 or older] or the USGA [55 and up].”

The entry form will be published in the Bangor Daily News on Saturday, according to Chappelle.

“There have been a lot of out-of-state early inquiries,” said Chappelle. Phone calls and e-mails to the NEWS, which used to sponsor the event, have come from Phoenix and Georgia, among other places.

The tournament, which has hosted players from Canada as well as the U.S., is open to the first 480 players.

Entries may be submitted by e-mail at the tournament’s new Web site, www.paulbunyangolf.com, starting Saturday. A printable version for regular mail is available.

Pro moves

John Hickson is becoming the teaching pro at Sunset Ridge Golf Links (formerly Westerly Winds) in Westbrook. The Hampden native, who has worked at Bangor Muni, Bethel Inn, Bath Country Club, and Dunegrass in Old Orchard Beach, has also qualified for the PGA Club Pro Championship at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Ky., June 20-23. The top 25 there advance to the PGA Championship Aug. 12-18 at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minn.

Gregg Baker, formerly the head pro at Kebo Valley Golf Club in Bar Harbor, has made a huge move. Baker left the easternmost state in the U.S. for a job in the westernmost – Honolulu, Hawaii. At least he’s still working on an island. Peter DeVos takes over at Kebo.

GolfPass available

The New England PGA is offering its GolfPass again this year, good for discounts at 55 golf courses throughout New England.

The fees charged by the clubs include substantial discounts on an 18-hole greens fee and cart (assuming two golfers per cart).

Seven golf clubs in Maine are included: Bethel Inn and Country Club, Cape Arundel Golf Club in Kennebunkport, Dexter Municipal Golf Course, Kebo Valley Golf Club in Bar Harbor (cart not included), Maple Lane Golf Club in Livermore, Point Sebago Golf and Beach Resort in Casco, and Samoset Resort in Rockport.

The GolfPass, priced at $34.95, is limited to the first 1,500 people who submit their application and payment.

Each club has restrictions for when the pass can be used. The pass may be used more than once at some clubs.

For more information, go to the Web site at www.nepga.com or call 508-869-0000.

Dave Barber can be reached at 990-8170, 1-800-310-8600, or e-mail dbarber@bangordailynews.net.