Ricky Jones of Thomaston and the Bangor Women’s Golf Association will open defense of their titles today in a pair of widely different golf tournaments.

Jones will attempt to become the first amateur to repeat as Maine Open golf champion in 60 years.

The Bangor women, meanwhile, will be trying to keep the Tee Cup, a Ryder Cup-style contest between the BWGA and the Penobscot Valley Country Club Women’s Golf Association in Orono.

Last year, Jones posted a three-day total of even-par 216 at Fox Ridge Golf Club in Auburn to edge Hermon native Mike Baker by a stroke.

The fact Jones is defending against a field loaded with pros hasn’t raised any butterflies.

“I feel the same as I do for every one,” said Jones. “I don’t do anything different for any tournament.”

Jones also has another tournament on his mind, the U.S. Amateur at The Olympic Club in San Francisco. That starts Monday with two rounds of medal play. The top 64 move on to match play.

“I’m hoping to get some practice at least [on fast greens],” he added, “and maybe [have time for] a few last-minute things to work on.”

He pointed to his driver as one of them.

“My driver is getting better. I’m hitting more fairways,” said Jones.

That has led to more confidence on the course.

Playing at Fox Ridge adds to Jones’ confidence level.

“There are courses you always play well,” said Jones. “My last round last year [3-over-par 75] was the worst round I’ve ever played there.”

Potential challengers in the field of 120 include pros Rich Parker of Lebanon, N.H., who finished third last year; John Hickson of Topsham, who tied for sixth; Shawn Warren of Windham, who won the Maine Open in 2004; Jeff Seavey of Warren; and two-time Greater Bangor Open champ Matt Donovan of Pittsfield, Mass.

Tee for two (teams)

Marilyn Rice of Holden and Sherrie Thomas of Orono, presidents of the BWGA and PVCC WGA, respectively, came up with the Tee Cup last year.

“We’ve always been friendly with PVCC. We come from the same community, and [everybody] knew everybody,” said Rice.

The two-day event has an 8:15 a.m. shotgun start today at Bangor Municipal Golf Course with nine holes of scramble play and nine of best ball. Wednesday, the competition moves to PVCC for nine holes of alternate shot and nine of individual matches, with another 8:15 shotgun start.

Turnout for the inaugural event was impressive.

“We had 72 players last year [36 from each club], which I think surprised a lot of people,” said Rice.

This year, there are 40 from each club.

“It’s impressive to think there are that many women who want to come out and compete, and it’s fun. That’s the philosophy,” said Rice.

Players for each team are paired up against the opposing club’s players by handicap. That means matches are fairly even. Some were hesitant to play, said Rice, until they found out they were competing against golfers of equal ability.

“We have a lot of competitive women and some who are not. It’s a nice blend,” said Rice, who stressed the friendly aspect of the competition.

“Our slogan is ‘Golf among friends,'” said Rice.

PVCC jumped out to a 23-12 lead last year going into the individual matches. The first three matches are worth a point apiece for a win, but individual play is two points per match. Bangor came back to win by a point.

But, said Rice, it’s more about the camaraderie.

“We play, then we have lunch together, then we do it again the next day,” she said.