PORT TOWNSEND — Summer-like weather greeted Discovery Bay Women’s Golf Club members gathered to celebrate one of their own June 3 — the 102nd birthday of club member Patricia (Pat) Burns.
Burns was surprised by her teammates, who decorated her golf cart and crowned her with a tiara before going out for nine holes of Burns’ favorite golf game, Bingo, Bango, Bongo.
In this game, players are awarded one point each for whomever in their foursome reaches the green first, lands their ball on the green closest to the flagstick and to anyone who has a one-putt.
Club captain Dee Sweeney reported that Jane Peoples played exceptionally well, winning the competition with 12 points while setting a new club scoring record of 33 from the course’s Silver tee boxes. Peoples’ round consisted of three birdies — including one near-eagle — and six pars.
Sweeney was second with 10 points, while Terry Graham and Wanda Synnestvedt tied for third place with nine points apiece.
Burns scored seven points to finish seventh out of 16 players.
Sweeney said the club continued Burns’ celebration with a party where they laughed and shared fun stories about her.
“Pat has been such an inspiration to all the members of the Discovery Bay Women’s Golf Club for more years than anyone there can remember,” Sweeney said. “She was the reason behind former captain Lynn Pierle’s persistence in having the forward Silver tee boxes [added] recently at the course. The members lovingly refer to them as Pat’s tees, but now everyone is starting to try them out.
“Pat is still very active. She typically plays golf at least once or twice a week even if the weather is chilly or threatens to rain. Maybe that is the reason she has kept her wit and stayed so fit and charming all these years.”