IT’S RYDER CUP week, and again the American side hopes to avoid another biennial beating from its European counterparts.
Team USA has won just once this century, in 2008, compiling an awful 1-5 record in the process, including the “Meltdown at Medinah” in 2012.
Up 10-6 heading into the final day of play and needing to earn 4½ points to take back the cup, the Americans blew it, winning just three of 12 matches as the Europeans retained the cup and bragging rights.
Complicating matters this year is the location of the contest, the par-72 PGA Centenary Course at Gleneagles in Scotland.
Team USA, which is a +170 underdog, has not won the Ryder Cup in Europe since 1993 when a Tom Watson-captained team won 15-13 at the Brabazon Course at The Belfry in Sutton Coldfield, England.
Watson is the captain for the American side again this time around, so maybe lightning strikes twice for Team USA.
And in full reverse-jinx mode, meaning I hope what I pick jinxes their chances, I’ll go with the Europeans to keep the cup.
You’ll have to be either a night owl or an early riser to watch much of the event.
Four fourball matches will begin at 11:30 p.m. Thursday night on the Golf Channel.
Another four foursomes matches tee it up on the Golf Channel at 5:15 a.m. Friday.
NBC takes over coverage with fourball matches at midnight Saturday, and foursome matches at 5:15 a.m. Saturday.
Sunday’s the big day, with the 12 singles matches starting at 3:36 a.m.
Brew a pot of coffee or tea or buy a case of energy drinks because it looks like we will need them.
Options at SunLand
SunLand Golf and Country Club general manager Tyler Sweet let me know that the Sequim club is trying something different for the last weekend of each month.
The course will put in two holes on each green, a regulation-sized cup, as well as a 15-inch diameter “big cup.”
“Players will be able to play the traditional game of golf or go outside the box to play something different,” Sweet said.
Those outsized, forgiving cups should help everyone putt like a champion this weekend.
Tourney for vets
The first Clallam County Veterans Charity Golf Tournament is set for Saturday, Oct. 11 at SunLand.
The four-person scramble tournament will benefit the Voices For Veterans, a nonprofit group based in Clallam County that puts on three Stand Down events each year on the North Olympic Peninsula.
The golf tournament will have a 10 a.m. shotgun start.
Cost is $60 per player, or $240 per team, and lunch will follow play.
Contest prizes will be awarded to the winner of long drive, closest to the pin and putting contests.
Tee box sponsorships are available for $100 and green sponsorships also are $100.
To register for the tournament, phone Sweet at 360-683-6800, ext. 12 or email tyler@sunlandgolf.com.
Registration forms are found at www.sunlandgolf.com.
The next veteran Stand Down is set for the Clallam County Fairgrounds from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 2.
If you know a vet that needs assistance, phone 360-683-6495 or visit www.voicesforveterans.org.
Course reopened
Weather conditions required Discovery Bay Golf Club to move up its aerification schedule one day.
The course’s greens have been punched, and all 18 holes will open for play today.
The club’s aeration greens fees will be in affect now through Wednesday, Oct. 1.
All adult rounds will be $10 plus tax during this period.
Friends for Gina
A special fundraiser to help cancer patient Gina Valaske of Sequim, is planned for SkyRidge Golf Course in Sequim on Saturday.
The four-person scramble format event will tee off with an 9:30 a.m. shotgun start.
Cost is $40 per player, plus an optional honey pot available for $10.
The fee includes a barbecue after play.
Fun activities for those who wish to attend and support Valaske but not golf are planned.
To get in the game, phone SkyRidge at 360-683-3673 or email
skyridgegc@olypen.com.
Cedars plays host
Cedars at Dungeness in Sequim will be busy through Thursday, as the course plays host to the 28th Washington State Senior Men’s and the 7th Super Senior Men’s Amateur Championships.
Both events are put on by the Washington State Golf Association.
There are a number of Peninsula residents in the field for the 54-hole stroke play events, so look for results at tinyurl.com/PDN-golfresults.
Whine and Roses a hit
More than 100 ladies participated in the Days of Whine & Roses, the annual golf invitational hosted by The Dungeness Women’s Golf Association.
Players took over the Cedars at Dungeness course, tackling a challenging putting course made up of wine glass-shaped sand traps, wine bottle obstacles and enjoying a little wine and cheese.
Following the putting contest, the ladies all went to their respective carts and headed out for nine holes of two-person scramble competition.
After golf, the ladies dined at a hosted buffet in the Salish Room at 7 Cedars Casino.
Tuesday’s two-person best ball play started early and the day featured “good weather, good food, good competition and many good friends,” according to association member Bonney Benson.
Benson said that the ladies wish to thank Cedars Director of Golf Bill Shea, head pro Garrett Smithson and all the Cedars staff for such a fun-filled day, and the casino for its great food and excellent service.
A raffle was held during the award luncheon on Tuesday with about 29 baskets or gift certificates donated by members and area merchants.
Organized play continues on Tuesday mornings for another month, and election of officers for next year is set in October.
It’s never to late to join these golfers, so phone the Cedars pro shop at 360-683-6344 to get in the game.
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Golf columnist Michael Carman can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5152 or pdngolf@gmail.com.
