Mike Dugas, the pro at J.W. Parks Golf Course in Pittsfield, is not one to sit still.

Since he and his wife Dawn, her parents Stan and Linda Kitchin, and Dawn’s brother Chip and his wife Kathy purchased the course in late 1995, Mike’s devotion to golf and his attempts to make it more enjoyable for the people who play continue to be recognized.

As part of that determination, he has been named Golf Professional of the Year by the Maine chapter of the New England Professional Golfers’ Association for the second straight year.

“His hard work ethic and contributions to the chapter” are what make him stand out, said Bangor Municipal head pro Brian Enman, head of the chapter’s awards committee.

Dugas was president of the Maine chapter for the last four years.

“He helped get us on the right path,” said Enman of those four years, “and he has worked hard for the other pros in the state.”

Dugas said, “I think they see what I try to give back to the game. It’s not just for me but what’s good for the game and to make good decisions based on that.”

He realizes J.W. Parks is a business and has to be handled as any other business would be.

“You just have to decide where your priority is” in any business, said Dugas. “Mine is golf holes. If I have quality golf holes, people will want to be here.”

The problem he sees for his course, any golf course for that matter, is the wide variety of options available for leisure and recreational pursuits.

“Golf courses are going to have to be more creative in fighting for disposable income,” said Dugas.

One way is to increase the number of potential players. His first season at J.W. Parks (1996), he helped the town organize a junior golf program.

“We had 65 kids,” he said. “It was the largest youth program the town had that year.”

He still runs youth clinics, and he was the MCI high school golf coach from 1997 through 2004, including Class B coach of the year in ’97 and ’98.

He would like more women and girls to become involved in the game.

“Six years ago the PGA said we need to increase the number female golfers,” said Dugas. “We’re still waiting for when that generation of young females comes along [as consistent players].”

Other roles he has taken on include running a golf cart business and working to develop 24 townhouse units and an additional nine golf holes on 50 acres next to the current nine holes.

“[The townhouse] project should be getting under way this year,” said Dugas, who added that the revenue from the townhouses will help pay for the golf course expansion, which he hopes to start in the fall of 2007.

“I can’t wait. I’m excited,” he said.

And it’s that excitement that continues to get him recognized.

Two years ago, he won the Maine chapter’s Bill Strasbaugh Award, which is presented for integrity, commitment to mentoring PGA professionals, and making a significant impact on the careers of PGA professionals. That led to his winning the New England PGA’s Strasbaugh Award last year.

“There are 730 golf pros in New England [not including Connecticut, which has a separate chapter]. To be considered out of that many is quite an honor,” said Dugas.

The other Maine chapter award winners this year were: Jason Hurd of the Bethel Inn and Golf Course as Teacher of the Year; Tony Decker of The Woodlands in Falmouth as Junior Golf Leader; Frank Leary of Megunticook Golf Club in Camden for the Horton Smith Award; Bryce Roberts of Prouts Neck for the Strasbaugh Award; and Peiter DeVos of Kebo Valley Golf Club in Bar Harbor, Colin Gillies of Penobscot Valley Country Club in Orono, and Scott Hoisington of Sugarloaf Golf Club in Carrabassett Valley as Merchandisers of the Year for public, private, and resort courses, respectively.

Laser light show

Another rule change that the USGA has OK’d this year is the use of laser measuring devices for tournament play.

The instruments are similar to a monocular scope and measure the distance from the user to an object such as a flagstick or bunker.

They can only be used, however, if a club issues a local rule allowing them.

The Maine State Golf Association has decided not to seek such permission for their events, said tournament director Romeo Laberge.

“The board felt it would slow up play too much,” he said.

“If there is only one in a group, the feeling was that everyone would want to borrow it,” he added.

On the other hand, Enman said they might be allowed for the Greater Bangor Open.

“It hasn’t been brought up before the board yet, but I would probably say yes [they will be allowed],” said Enman.

“I don’t anticipate it being a big thing anyway as far as the GBO is concerned because most of the pros have played here before and they already have their yardages,” he added.

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