Due to the downsizing or closing many large companies in Maine have experienced in the past year, some golfers in eastern and northern Maine have had to rethink their involvement in the sport.

Skip Chappelle, tournament director for the Whited Ford Paul Bunyan Amateur Golf Tournament, has come up with a program that he believes may allow them to play at least some golf this year.

“For years I’ve recognized [the Bunyan] as a blue-collar tournament,” said Chappelle.

That’s why Chappelle came up with his Golf Retention Program, a takeoff on the University of Maine’s student retention program.

A waiver entry fee will be awarded to a past Bunyan participant who has lost his job in Maine because of an employer’s decision either to make a reduction-in-force or to close.

At the time of the reduction or closing, the business must have employed a minimum of 20 workers in the same company location and the reduction or closing must have occurred after June 14, 2002, the closing date of last year’s tournament.

“I think with what’s been happening with displacements, I think it’s an opportunity for someone who has been displaced who has been in the Bunyan to keep playing,” said Chappelle. “Golf [money] is usually discretionary funds, and discretionary funds have shrunk.”

This year’s Bunyan is scheduled for June 13-15 at Rockland Golf Club, Bar Harbor Golf Course in Trenton, and Bangor Municipal Golf Course.

The entry fee is $79, and close to 200 people have signed up already, according to Chappelle. The tourney limit is 480.

Several local companies have stepped in to help Chappelle with the program.

“I checked with the Holiday Inn Odlin Road to see if they could help with the lodging,” said Chappelle, “and I checked with Randy Wadleigh at Governor’s, and he offered a free breakfast each day.”

Chappelle said Larry Green at Best Western in Bucksport also offered rooms.

“I talked to them about this, and it wasn’t even an ask, I just talked about getting a meal while in the area or lodging,” he said.

They signed on to the program.

“Everybody wants to help out,” said Chappelle.

Pete Webb, general manager of Whited Ford, which specializes in larger trucks, is very much in favor of the program.

“I thought it was a very good idea,” he said. “Millinocket comes to mind right quick, but there’s a lot of it around.

“People up there have been a big part of our success. The logging industry is a core part of our business.”

Keenan Flanagan, pro at Rockland Golf Club, has seen first-hand the effect of such a closing.

He pointed to the closing of Nautica Clothing of Rockland, with about 300 employees.

“Some had been members, but they have not rejoined,” said Flanagan, who thinks the program will be used.

“People who are displaced workers, I think they would take advantage of it,” he said.

He believes it will be good for the tournament.

“I think it’s a positive thing for everybody,” said Flanagan.

Chappelle isn’t sure how many people will avail themselves of the offer.

“I don’t know how this will unfold,” he said.

He’s not even sure how many people it will apply to, but he thinks he can handle any eventuality.

“Even if 100 people applied, I think we could find lodging for everyone,” said Chappelle.

Chappelle would like to see others in the sport start similar programs.

“I’ll throw out a challenge to the people in golf to see if they could come out with some ideas for these displaced golfers to keep them participating [in the sport],” he said.

Speirs’ hot hand continues

Jesse Speirs of Bangor was a semifinalist in the U.S. Challenge Cup Junior Match Play Championship held over the weekend at Ledgemont Country Club in Seekonk, Mass.

Dave Marino of Cumberland, R.I., defeated Speirs 3 and 2.

Correction

Jim Crowley of Moose River pointed out an error in last week’s column.

In addition to the five courses I listed, Crowley said that Moose River Golf Course is owned by the town, which is north of Jackman.

Pardon me for that, and for any others I may have inadvertently missed.

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