No tournament ever will replace the Maine Amateur as the crown jewel of amateur events in the Pine Tree State, but the Maine State Golf Association’s Match Play Championship, scheduled Tuesday through Thursday at Fox Ridge, has become a popular event in this, just its fourth year of existence.

Unfortunately, only one of the past champions, 2010 winner Joe Alvarez of Penobscot Valley, is in the field of 32 players, who come from the top 16 in the Maine Amateur and the other 16 based on Player of the Year points. Ryan Gay (2011) of Augusta has turned pro, and 2012 champ Johnny Hayes IV of Prouts Neck has returned to college at the University of Colorado.

In match play competition, anything can happen, which means that Ricky Jones of Samoset, the reigning Maine Amateur champion and No. 1 seed, is no better than a slight favorite.

Sable Oaks has the most players in the field with five, with the home course having three representatives — Craig Chapman, Chris Cloutier and Andrew Slattery.

“Fox Ridge will be fun,” said Mike Doran, the MSGA’s director of player development and tournament administration, who qualified to play and is seeded No. 13. “It is a very difficult course.”

For many years, the format of the Maine Amateur switched back and forth between stroke and match play. When it settled on stroke play, Alvarez, a member of the MSGA board of directors, proposed that a separate match play championship be created. It was a pleasant coincidence for him that he won the inaugural title.

“We are planning to schedule the tournament earlier next year,” said Nancy Storey, executive director of the MSGA. “In addition to Johnny Hayes not being able to play, there are a half dozen other amateurs who could not play because they are returning to college.”

“And the MSGA likes it because, it represents another level of championship play,” she added.

That makes it a perfect MSGA combination.

Tuesday matches, tee times with seeds in parenthesis.

7 a.m. — (1) Ricky Jones, Samoset vs. (32) Rocco Spizuoco, Falmouth; 7:10 a.m. — (16) Craig Chapman vs. (17) Judd Parsons, York; 7:20 a.m. — (8) Curtis Jordan, Woodlands vs. (25) Bobby Myers Sable Oaks; 7:30 a.m. — (9) Joe Alvarez, Penobscot Valley vs. (24) Malcolm Oliver, Bath; 7:40 a.m. — (4) Andrew Slattery, Fox Ridge vs. (29) Denver Jallette Waterville; 7:50 a.m. — (13) Mike Doran, Sable Oaks vs. (20) Jeff Cole, York; 8 a.m. — (5) Len Cole, Penobscot Valley vs. (28) Joshua Hogan, Falmouth; 8:10 a.m. — (12) Matt Greenleaf, Sable Oaks vs. (21) Jamie Boulin, Samoset; 8:20 a.m. — (2) Jack Wyman, Portland vs. (31) Thomas Murray, Bangor Muni; 8:30 a.m. — (15) Chris Cloutier, Fox Ridge vs. (18) Ashley Fifield, Sable Oaks; 8:40 a.m. — (7) Brian Bilodeau, Martindale vs. (26) Scott Sirois, Woodlands; 8:50 a.m. — (10) Joe Walp, Falmouth vs. (23) Peter Wright, Dunegrass; 9 a.m. — (3) Mark Plummer, Augusta vs. (30) Reese McFarlane, Purpoodock; 9:10 a.m. — (14) Erik Fitch, Kebo Valley vs. (19) Jordan James, Bath; 9:20 a.m. — (6) Scott Weymouth, Woodlands vs. (27) Luke Ruffing, Natanis; 9:30 a.m. — (11) Mike O’Brien, Sable Oaks vs. (22) Steve Lycette, Falmouth.

Noteworthy

• The Western Maine Veterans Advisory Committee is conducting its third annual golf tournament August 24, with a 9 a.m. shotgun start to a scramble at Fairlawn. All proceeds go to the support of activities for residents of the Veterans’ Administration Home in South Paris. This is the primary fund-raiser for the committee’s $25,000 annual budget, according to Ron Snow, co-chairman of the event.

Three significant prizes are being offered. Players will get to hole a 165-yard shot on the 18th for an opportunity to win $1 million annuity. Goodwin Chevrolet in Oxford is offering a vehicle for a hole-in-one on No. 2, and Aaron’s Furniture of Oxford has donated a recliner for an ace on the 11th hole.

Interested individuals and foursomes can receive information by telephoning Ron Snow at 744-9156 or online at rsnow5@roadrunner.com. Any fundraiser for United States military veterans is worthy, and this truly is a being held for a great cause.

• On the MSGA tournament schedule this week are the regular Friday-Saturday tournament at Springbrook and the Mixed Championship next Sunday at Riverside.