Low isn’t just for the limbo.

The Charlie’s Portland Maine Open, now in its second year after combining the Charlie’s Maine Open and the Greater Portland Open, has always been a favorite destination for several of New England’s top aspiring touring professionals, as well as several of Maine’s top club professionals.

One big reason: Gaudy numbers.

“Everyone loves playing the course because you can hit driver in a lot of places and you have a lot of wedges, and the greens are usually in very good shape,” defending champ Jim Renner, of Plainville, Mass., said. “I think everyone has the mentality that birdies are certainly on everyone’s minds.”

Shortened from three days to two, the event puts a premium on going low early, and often. Last year, Renner was 8-under on his final round, and 14-under over two days to win by three shots. He’ll be one of seven former Maine Open champions in the field. Joining him when the tourney starts with a full field on Tuesday will be 2008 champion John Hickson, 2006 title-holder and top amateur Ricky Jones, 2004 champ Shawn Warren (who also won it as an amateur and has since turned pro), and 2002 winner Ryan Ouellette.

David Cummings, the 1994 champ, and Kyle Gallo, winner in 1999, are also in the field of 156 (120 professionals, 36 amateurs).

“John Hickson, who won two years ago, is back in the field again this year, as is Jim Renner who won last year,” MSGA Executive Director Nancy Storey said. “And our local favorites are all playing as well. Sometimes the mini tour players move on, but we need to expect that. It is their goal, after all.”

The other gaudy number that many area professionals enjoy is the prize money. Last year, for the first time, the winner’s share was $10,000.

“Well, by filling the field for two years, I would say that having a prize purse for a two-day event that’s bigger than for a three-day event was a positive move as well,” Storey said.

“They’re well-run events, they have good field and the entry fees aren’t exactly staggering,” Renner said, “and the payouts are pretty good. I know a lot of people have the Maine Open marked down on their schedule. It’s one of those tournaments, it’s a great deal.”

Renner will have to battle a pretty good field for a couple of days, and will also see a golf course playing its best in a while. With the mild spring and early warm temperatures, Riverside has come through the winter in better shape than most years.

“We played the U.S. Public Links qualifier there last week,” Storey said, “and the greens were just beautiful. There are still some bare spots in the fairways where they had some washouts this spring, but overall the course is ready for the championship … I hope the residents of the City of Portland realize what an asset the golf course is to their community.”

Renner, as the defending champion, will lead the field onto the course Tuesday in the competition’s first round, joined by two other previous winners, Warren and Hickson. Jones and Gallo will go off at 12:10 p.m., also off of the first tee.

Other local golfers competing include defending senior pro champ Bob Darling of Lewiston, the director of golf at Fox Ridge Golf Club in Auburn, Keegan Fennessy of Minot, Jace Pearson of Auburn, Tim Millett of Poland, Allan Menne of Poland Spring, Andrew Slattery of Minot and John Emerson Jr. of Lewiston.

After Tuesday’s first round, the field will be cut to the top 50 plus ties, or anyone within 10 shots of the lead, as well as the top 10 Maine pros, the top 10 senior pros and the top 20 amateurs. In the event of a tie for the championship, play will immediately continue hole-by-hole until a winner is determined.

“Since we saw seven Maine pros sign up two years ago and have 21 in the field this year, I think the decision (to play two rounds instead of three) gives the players who make their living in the business of golf a better chance to play,” Storey said. “After all, it is the open for Maine pros. That we can be more accommodating for our own guys means a lot to us.”