The MDI Championship golf tournament isn't just for island residents anymore. For the tournament's 50th anniversary, the field will be expanded to allow golfers from all of Hancock County. The only requirement is a USGA handicap.

The medal-play event will take place on three area courses over two weekends. The first round is on Saturday, June 23 at the Causeway Club in Southwest Harbor. The second round is the next day, Sunday, June 24, at the Northeast Harbor Golf Club. The championship round is the following Sunday, July 1, at the Kebo Valley Golf Club in Bar Harbor.

Kebo Valley is the eighth oldest golf course in the U.S. It has been given four stars by Golf Digest and is ranked as a top-four course in Maine by Golf Week. GolfStyles Magazine calls it one of the 15 best public courses in New England.

The cost to enter the tournament is $75. The field will be limited to 96 participants, arranged by handicap into three flights: championship, first, and second. The overall champion will receive a cash prize approaching the maximum allowed by USGA amateur regulations.

There will be numerous other prizes for all divisions, including a hole-in-one prize each day, as well as a barbeque provided for the golfers on the first day. With a sponsorship from Linnehan's Auto Center, the tournament has a major sponsor for the first time. Linnehan's is also making a donation to the Island Junior Golf Program, providing free clinics for local youngsters.

"It's three great days of golf," said Peiter DeVos, the Kebo Valley Golf Club's head professional. "It gives people who haven't played the course before an opportunity to, and brings back some of those who have played but have moved off the island, all while kicking back a little bit to junior golf development."

Weldon "Bunny" Leonard is the tournament's defending champion. Brent Barker, Philip Norton, Charlie Sawyer, David Paine, Murray Johnston, Bud Hersey, and Tom and Peter Schuler are among the winners from year's past.

May 15, 2007 - The Bar Harbor Times