AUBURN – Even pro golfers need help, and sometimes it can be a surprise where it comes from.

Rich Parker of Lebanon, N.H., is packing more fun into this week’s Charlie’s Maine Open than he otherwise might.

In addition to playing in the 54-hole event at Fox Ridge Golf Club, he’s also getting in some fun time at Turner Highlands Golf Course.

“I’m staying with my old [Plymouth State] college roommate,” said Parker. “He has a house right on the golf course.”

But Parker’s not just staying there, he’s playing there.

“I played 14 holes [Tuesday], then I subbed into the men’s league. I gave my guy 101/2 strokes – and I beat him,” said the gregarious Parker with a hearty laugh.

He also learned something.

Parker, who is about to start his second year as the Dartmouth College coach, liked the way a couple of the older members were putting.

Parker, who had not putted well at Fox Ridge and finished with a 75 on Tuesday, asked for help.

“They saw I was lifting my hands up,” he said.

He switched to emphasize the use of his left hand instead of his right in the putting stroke, pulling the club through impact instead of pushing it.

It worked. He shot a 5-under-par 67 Wednesday and his 142 total is one stroke off the lead heading into today’s final round.

“I made all of the putts I should have made except two,” Parker said before heading back over again Wednesday afternoon.

It may be just what he needs to win the only New England state open which has eluded him.

Opportunities abound

The play and course demeanor of 15-year-old amateur Ryan Gay of Pittston impressed his playing partner for the first two days, 44-year-old pro Mike Baker of Glen, N.H.

“He’s very … I guess … ahead of his time,” said Baker, who noted Gay’s golf etiquette and how he conducted himself on the course. “He didn’t pitch a fit when he made 8.”

What floored Baker, also, was his tournament schedule.

“He’s playing in the New England Junior next week, then he’s off to Oregon, I think,” said Baker. “The week after that is the World Junior Classic, something like that.”

Baker saw that Gay has way more opportunities to play junior tournaments.

“All I had was the Milk Train Open at Carmel Valley,” Baker said. Now there are entire tours devoted just to junior golfers, which was the route Jesse Speirs of Bangor took.

Baker thinks Gay will turn out OK as well.

“He has a level head and a good golf swing,” said Baker, who thought he’d try to help.

“I just started reading a book [about the development of female golfers in Sweden]. I was going to tell him, and I found out he already read it,” said an amazed Baker.

There can be a down side to a lot of tournament golf at an early age.

“Sometimes, players don’t know how good they are,” said Baker. “If they don’t play well in one tournament, they just give up.”

It can be a must, though, for young golfers who are considering playing in college.

“Parents should know, if they do well in junior tournaments, that’s where the college coaches are,” he said.

“It could lead to a nice scholarship,” added Baker. “Girls, especially. There are a lot of schools in New England that have money to give because of Title IX.”

Open season

Fox Ridge could host the Maine Open for the next two years as well.

“It will probably be back here again,” said Nancy DeFrancesco, executive director of the Maine State Golf Association, which conducts the Maine Open and a number of other golf championships.

While the contract was for three years, it’s also annually reviewed.

On the Maine Amateur front, the tournaments are set for the next four years – Waterville Country Club in Oakland next year, Biddeford-Saco Country Club in 2008, Kebo Valley Golf Club in Bar Harbor in 2009, and Martindale Country Club in Auburn in 2010.

Stat check

The number of balls lost on the par-3 fifth hole was down significantly Wednesday.

The tee blocks were moved forward to about 190 yards instead of the 202 that the hole is from the back. And there was no wind.

Only 26 balls went in the pond which hugs three sides of the peninsular green.

Also, there six rounds under par Wednesday, compared to four on the first day. Another four players matched par, which no one did Tuesday.