The Maine State Golf Association has instituted a few changes for its weekly tournaments this year, including having to compete under one handicap system.

That system is the Golf Handicap and Information Network approved by the U.S. Golf Association. Other systems for computing handicaps are also available around the country, and the MSGA has accepted them in the past, but the GHIN system has been updated for this year and the MSGA will only accept GHIN-based handicaps for its tournaments.

“It’s the only system we can be sure of is USGA approved,” said MSGA executive director Nancy DeFrancesco, who pointed out that some clubs weren’t always updating their systems.

“The systems are only as good as the material you put in it,” DeFrancesco said. “If you don’t update as you should, it’s not as accurate.”

Of the more than 100 golf clubs in Maine that are members of the MSGA, there are only 11, according to DeFrancesco, that don’t use the GHIN system. One of those is Rockland Golf Club.

“[The GHIN cost] is $10 per person per year,” said Rockland pro Keenan Flanagan. “That would be $5,000 each year every year.”

Instead, the club bought a system three years ago called GolfNet that it likes.

“Our handicap system is exactly the same, it’s just not called GHIN,” said Flanagan. “It’s a lifetime deal. They keep up with the USGA changes.”

A partial solution is available.

Club members who participate in MSGA or Women’s Maine State Golf Association events can pay the extra fee for GHIN and compete as usual, as long as the club is willing to do that for them.

That’s the case at Rockland, where approximately 25 women and approximately 50 men are affected, according to Flanagan.

More clubs around the country are converting to GHIN because of the convenience of being able to post a score at an away club.

“Eventually, I think we’ll convert,” Flanagan said. “It’s the convenience of it.”

Also, the MSGA fee for entering individual and team scoring plus the special contests of pins and skins will be the same as last year, $35, but now everyone will pay for the special contests. Last year, participating in nearest-the-pin and skins (lowest score on a hole) competitions was optional.

“Ninety percent of the players were already in skins and pins,” said DeFrancesco. The change will be easier for the scorers.

And the MSGA membership fee went up to $25 this year, except players can join at the old $20 fee if they mail in their registration ahead of time rather than signing up at their first tournament.

“More than 800” signed up in advance, according to DeFrancesco, but Jane Gildart of the MSGA office said, “Still at the first tournament, we had 153 register.”

The weekly events began last weekend in the southern division and will start this weekend in the central division.

Bangor to host Publinx qualifier

Bangor Municipal Golf Course will be the site June 18 for one of the sectional qualifying tournaments for the U.S. Amateur Public Links Golf Tournament.

The winner of that 36-hole qualifier advances to the tourney final July 15-20 at The Orchards Golf Club in Washington, Mich.

Last year’s qualifier was Ryan Day of Lamoine.

The tournament is open to amateurs who, since Jan. 1, have been public course players with up-to-date USGA Handicap Indexes not exceeding 8.4 under the men’s handicapping system.

Players may not have held, since Jan. 1, privileges at any course which does not extend playing privileges to the general public or held privileges at any private club which maintains its own course. There are possible exceptions for students, members of the federal armed services, and employees of certain industries.

The fee is $30 and forms are available at Bangor Muni or by calling the local tournament director, Austin Kelly, at 947-7726.

Mailed forms must arrive at the U.S. Golf Association offices by 5 p.m. on May 29 or completed online at www.usga.org/champs/apply. The USGA will not accept telephone, telegraph, or fax entries.

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