As the new executive director of the Maine Golf Hall of Fame, Gary Rees of Newport has taken over an organization with a number of projects looming on the horizon.

And he’s eager to take them on.

“When Blaine Davis retired [at the end of last year], I thought it would be kind of a challenge and fun at the same time,” said the 62-year-old Rees, who was inducted in 2004.

“With my background, I thought it would be a good fit,” added Rees, a PGA golf pro for more than 30 years and golf coach at Greely High School of Cumberland Center and Dexter High School for 28 years.

His teams won nine state titles, but he gave the players the credit.

“They made me look good,” he said with a smile.

He currently works at Golf Country in Bangor.

“Mike [Clendenning, one of the owners] has been great,” said Rees. “I’ll work three days a week this summer [at Golf Country] and the rest of the time I’ll be on the road promoting the Hall of Fame.”

Rees is looking forward to raising the profile of the organization as well as being part of starting a Maine Golf House – a potential combination that could include the Golf Hall of Fame, a golf information center, office space for interested state golf organizations, and display area for memorabilia.

“I’ve always been interested in antique equipment and the history [of golf],” said Rees.

That dovetails with the mission Rees sees for the hall.

“People see the inductions, but it’s also about preserving the game and the history,” he said.

The nomination process for this year’s 15th class reaches its conclusion tonight when the 2007 selections are finalized. Those chosen will be inducted at the annual banquet and golf scramble on Sept. 7 at the Marriott Hotel and Sable Oaks Golf Course in South Portland. Eighty people have been enshrined so far.

Several of the state’s golf organizations – including the Maine State Golf Association, the Maine chapter of the New England PGA, the superintendents, and the state’s golf coaches – are working with the Maine Golf Hall of Fame to develop Maine Golf House, which looks like it will be sited at Highland Green Adult Resort Community and Golf Club in Topsham.

“Highland Green is donating the land,” said Rees, adding that there will be no strings attached.

“It’ll be set up so anybody can come in, spend some time,” Rees said. He also pointed out that there are plans for a short, par-3 type course so parents and children can play together.

Rees’s wife, Toni, is behind his efforts, even pitching in herself by keeping up the Web site (mainegolfhalloffame.com).

“They [the board of directors] are actually getting two for the price of one,” said a smiling Rees.

While the induction dinner and golf tournament is the biggest fundraiser, he plans to include more scramble tournaments. A second one is set for June 24.

As for future inductees, he wants to set up a veterans committee (just like major league baseball) so pioneers of the sport in Maine can receive their due.

The Maine Golf Hall of Fame was started in 1993 by longtime sportswriter Vern Putney, Dr. Carman Pettapiece, fellow sportswriter Dick Doyle, and accountant Joe Stillman.

“I think they’d be very proud of the organization and the way the thing is going,” said Rees.

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