For the first time since 1978, Penobscot Valley Country Club in Orono will be one of the three courses that competitors in the Whited Ford Paul Bunyan Amateur Golf Tournament will play on this year.

PVCC, designed by noted golf course architect Donald Ross, replaces Bangor Municipal Golf Course for this year’s tournament, which is scheduled for June 9-11. The other two courses are Kebo Valley Golf Club in Bar Harbor and Rockland Golf Club.

Tournament Director Skip Chappelle hopes the change will increase the field.

“There is a chance [the Bunyan] could be filled,” said Chappelle, citing 360 players as the maximum.

That would suit Chappelle because he pointed out that the Bunyan has run in the red for the last three years.

“We’re throwing out [putting forward] our two best courses,” said Chappelle of Kebo and PVCC. “I’m interested in seeing what happens.”

In a letter sent to Whited Ford vice president Peter Webb, Bangor Muni pro Brian Enman, Bangor Parks and Recreation Department head Frank Comeau, and Rockland pro Keenan Flanagan, Chappelle said he kept Rockland over Bangor because the Bunyan “can better serve Rockland at this point.”

The entry fee is also going up this year, to $99 from the $84 of the past few years. Chappelle expects the first entry blank to appear in the BDN around the second weekend in April.

After Kebo’s departure following the 2000 Bunyan, the number of players fell from more than 400 in 2000 to 265 in 2004. The return of Kebo last year, Chappelle felt, was the primary reason for paid entries jumping back up to about 320 (other promotions brought the total to 345). Chappelle is hoping for a similar boost with the addition of PVCC.

Chappelle said it had been suggested that he make a presentation to the PVCC board to have the club be one of the hosts.

“We were surprised [to be asked],” said PVCC board of governors president Paul Newman.

After the presentation, the discussion among the board members was positive.

“It was enthusiastically endorsed,” said Newman, who said the deal was approved at the Feb. 21 board meeting.

That enthusiasm apparently extends throughout the club.

“Every member I’ve talked to casually has been very positive,” said Jim Maynard, the board treasurer.

Enman, who has been wintering in Florida, was also surprised by the move. He was called last week by Comeau after Comeau received his copy of the letter telling of the change. Enman had not yet received his letter.

“Up until that point, I didn’t know anything about it,” said Enman.

“I don’t think it’s ever left Bangor, and that’s too bad,” he added.

Bangor Muni was the only course that had been part of the Bunyan since its rebirth as an amateurs-only event in 1965. The other two were Pinewood Golf Club (now Lucerne Golf Course) and, ironically, PVCC.

Rockland Golf Club is now the longest-tenured venue for the event, joining the rotation in 1982.

Chappelle currently works with each club on a year-to-year basis. He stated in his letter that it’s possible he may try to work out some form of rotation.

“I don’t anticipate us chasing it, by any means,” said Enman.

Newman said, “We’re on board for one year, but I think we’d like to continue.”

Enman pointed out the benefits of showcasing the course to people from other golf courses, but he also said, “We may make more from greens fees not having the tournament than [from the fee] for having it.”

Enman said, “It’s certainly something I’ll miss. It’s a good tournament. I wish them well.”

“My number one thing is the golfers,” said Chappelle, later adding, “I’m anxious to see how we do.”

Pine Hill status quo

Pam Foss, co-owner with her sister Candice Morrill and brother Bob (J.R.) Little Jr. of Pine Hill Golf Club in South Brewer, said she is fighting rumors about the club again.

“Pine Hill will be open this year,” said Foss. “It hasn’t been sold.”

The club and some surrounding land are for sale, but nobody has bought it yet.

“Even if we sold it now, we’d be open for the summer,” she said, pointing out that dotting all the i’s and crossing all the t’s would take most of the rest of this year.

“And we are taking memberships,” said Foss. “I’ll be at the club [this Saturday and Sunday] and I can take memberships.

“We have a spring deal. [Single] membership is $420. If somebody puts one-third down, it’s $25 off, and $10 more off if they pay in full.”

Other tournament dates

In addition to the Bunyan, dates have been set for other major Maine golf tournaments.

The Maine Amateur is July 11-13 at Portland Country Club in Falmouth Foreside, the New England Amateur is July 18-20 at The Woodlands in Falmouth, the Greater Bangor Open is July 19-22 at Bangor Muni, The State of Maine Championship is July 25-26 at Sugarloaf Golf Club in Carrabassett Valley, the B&C Championships are July 25-26 at Boothbay Country Club, and the Charlie’s Maine Open is Aug. 8-10 at Fox Ridge Golf Club in Auburn.

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