Merchants Golf Tournament this weekend

By Tim Devaney
FORT KENT—As anticipated, the 23rd annual Fort Kent Merchants Golf Tournament will occur once again at the Fort Kent Golf Club on Saturday, July 14. Tee-off is 7:30 a.m.

The cost for this event is $35 for non-members and $30 for members. To register, participants must sign-up by Wednesday, July 11, and can do so by phone (834-3149), mail (P.O Box 436), or in person. Only the first 99 people will be accepted.

Eighteen holes will be played, and according to Bert Boucher, director of the event, officials will divide golfers into four divisions based on personal handicaps. The first division will consist of golfers with handicaps between 0-8. Golfers with handicaps between 9-13 will be placed in the second division. While the third division is reserved for golfers with handicaps between 14-17.
Finally, the fourth division will consist of golfers with handicaps of 18 and above.

Within each division two awards will be given out: one for the gross amount and another for the net amount. Special awards will also be given out.

The Special Hole-in-One Prize on hole three will feature a brand new 2007 Chevrolet Silverado and is sponsored by Valley Auto.

A new Webber Q Gas Grill with a stand will be given out to the golfers who are closest to holes three and twelve, sponsored by the Dead River Company and Quigley’s.

The Fort Kent Radio Shack is offering a Delphi XM Satellite Car Radio with a Home Dock award for the golfers who are closest to holes five and 14.

Dr. Tim Rioux is sponsoring an award for the golfer who hits the longest drive on hole 18, for the first and second divisions.

Chasse Chiropractic is sponsoring the same competition for divisions three and four.

Finally, Jim’s Custom Hats and Tee-Shirts is sponsoring the championship jacket.

Last year’s gross winner, Mike Rioux, will defend his title against the slew of competitors.
According to sports writer Legs Labbe, former SJVT sports writer Don Arnold, Sr., of Madawaska was the winner for the first four years of the tournament (1975-1978). Dave Plourde, also of Madawaska, is also a four-time champion. Phil Pelletier, Jr., formerly of Fort Kent, won the title five times.

For more information about the tournament, call 834-3149.