BOLTON, Mass. — As the long-drive contest at the New England Patriots’ Charitable Foundation golf tournament was wrapping up late Monday morning, there was a surprise appearance at the driving range.

Vince Wilfork.

The nose tackle, who has been absent from voluntary organized team activities in recent weeks in protest of the status of his contract renegotiation, said, “Maybe I will, maybe I won’t” when asked at an event promoting his own charity last week whether he’d be at this week’s mandatory minicamp.

But the golf tournament is a must for Pats veterans, so Wilfork’s presence on Monday could be a sign that he will be on the field in his familiar No. 75 on Wednesday.

Since he is under contract — the coming season is the sixth and final of the rookie deal Wilfork signed when he was drafted in 2004 — New England could fine him for staying away from mandatory events.

And that fine could be hefty for Wilfork. The Boston Globe reported that due to language in his contract, Wilfork could forfeit $500,000 by not showing up for minicamp. Whether or not he’d be out that sum would be contingent on the Patriots pursuing it.

While Wilfork did not comment to team beat writers at the golf course, he did speak on WEEI’s “Dale and Holley Show,” which was doing a remote broadcast from The International.

“It’s nothing personal towards the organization, it’s nothing personal toward my coaches or anything like that. It’s just basically what made the most sense to me at this point in time,” Wilfork said of his OTA absences.

And he reiterated his comments from last week that he’d like to remain with his friends and teammates on the Patriots.

“I’m not looking to sign this big-time, going-down-in-history, the best contract there is,” Wilfork said. “I want to be comfortable, but at the same time, I want to be with the guys that I go to war with. That’s Ty Warren, that’s Richard Seymour, that’s [Tedy] Bruschi. I don’t think I’ll find any better group of guys or coaches out there. So I don’t want to leave. I’m pretty sure we’re going to do everything in our [power] to make it work.”

New England owner Robert Kraft noted that the matter is business, but expressed a fondness for the former first-round draft pick.

“Look, I’m a big fan of Vince Wilfork, and unfortunately this is the business part of the game. This is something that goes on every year with most teams,” he said. “We’re happy to have Vince. I hope he’s here for the long term. These things have a way of working out.”

Tempered excitement

In other comments, Kraft expressed excitement about the coming Patriots season, and said he likes the new players New England has acquired. He knows, however, that it is very early.

“I’m excited about where we are now,” he said. “But I’ve learned to [temper] my excitement.”

The Pats’ younger players have impressed Kraft with their work ethic and camaraderie.

“You can see it in the OTAs. We have a group of young players with great pride and confidence, and a lot of that comes from preparation,” he said. “Whether I’m around early in the morning or late at night, you’d be surprised at the number of young players, in all the different rooms, watching film or talking in the locker room.”

Kraft indicated that he’s played a round of golf with Tom Brady since Brady’s knee surgery, saying the quarterback still hits the ball “pretty long and pretty straight.”

“I really liked what I see [from Brady and the offense on the field], but in the end, we know it’s not what happens now, but the Monday after Labor Day,” in the regular-season opener against Buffalo, Kraft said. “That should be fun. It’s the start of the 50th season of this franchise, we’re opening against the Bills in our retro shirts, and they have a fellow [Terrell Owens] who commands a lot of respect, and it’s the 40th anniversary of ‘Monday Night Football.’ ”

Bragging rights

Bruschi won the long-drive contest, as his 287-yard effort outpaced that of several teammates, including Dan Koppen, Chris Hanson, Terrence Wheatley, Sammy Morris, David Thomas and Tyson DeVree. Brady, who won the contest two years ago, stepped up to the tee last and struck a 281-yard drive on his first try, but couldn’t get past Bruschi.

Bruschi later joked that earning bragging rights was an early birthday gift to himself. He turns 36 on Tuesday.

Wes Welker was third, at 275 yards.

Quick kicks

Stephen Gostkowski said dinner will be on Lonie Paxton when New England travels to the long snapper’s new home in Denver this season. “It should be; I brought him to Hawaii” for the Pro Bowl, Gostkowski quipped. … Matthew Slater confirmed that he will be spending this season working as a defensive back, after learning both defense and offense last year. He’s glad to be able to focus on one side of the ball, and said new special-teams coach Scott O’Brien has given him a lot of confidence as a kickoff returner. Slater struggled on a couple of occasions last year, most notably fumbling a kickoff against Pittsburgh. … Logan Mankins has contemplated petty theft in the name of a good joke. Asked what the reaction to Brady’s Smartwater ads has been, the guard said, “I see the ads all the time in Stop & Shop. I’ve always wanted to steal one and put it up in the locker room, but I don’t think they’d like me taking one of their posters.” … Fred Taylor lamented that he lost $90 before even stepping onto the course — he arrived without a collared shirt and had to pick one up at the pro shop.

smanza@projo.com