SEQUIM ALUMNI AND former Peninsula Golf Club head pro Jacob Lippold added to his growing list of accolades Tuesday after he was named the recipient of the 2020 PGA Merchandiser of the Year-Public Category for his efforts at Chambers Bay Golf Course in University Place.
Lippold previously was recognized by both the Pacific Northwest PGA Section and the Western Washington PGA Chapter as Merchandiser of the Year in the Public Category.
The national award recognizes PGA Professionals who have excelled in business and merchandising in the promotion of golf. There are an estimated 11,000 to 12,000 public courses in the U.S., including famed layouts such as Pebble Beach, Pinehurst and Bandon Dunes.
“The coolest thing about that is it’s your peers doing the voting,” Lippold said of the national vote back in April. “And especially to be recognized in merchandising when you are the one who does the buying, receiving and merchandising here.”
“Lippold is regarded as a detail-oriented merchandiser who is diligent, with a strong work ethic and always focused on the betterment of the bottom line,”a PGA of America press release said.
“His philosophy of flexibility enables him to seamlessly transition to a new merchandising idea at any moment. He also keeps a close eye on retail trends on the local, regional, national and international levels.
His diligence with vendors and reps is best realized through continued communication and open dialogue, which allows his team to establish strong relationships. He maintains close personal communication with members and guests looking for specific products, as he believes that personal touch goes a long way in repeat business.”
The award is even more remarkable when you consider all the hats Lippold had to wear — and sell — last year.
In 2019, Lippold’s his first season purchasing all inventory and handling merchandising for the course, Chambers Bay moved its re-opening date back a month to April, the course’s director of golf instruction took a leave of absence and the head pro moved on.
More from my deeper dive with Lippold from April is available at tinyurl.com/PDN-Lippold.
Jefferson women
The Discovery Bay and Port Townsend women’s golf clubs have been in “full swing” this summer with weekly golf competitions, reports Dee Sweeney.
“Phase 2 COVID-19 restrictions are in place and the women are thankful that they can now golf in foursomes with social distancing,” Sweeney said. “The weather has been cooperating and participation has been picking up each week.”
Both clubs will tee off Thursday for their annual Memorial Scramble Tournament to be held at Discovery Bay Golf Course.
The tournament is in honor members who have passed away from both clubs, most recently Naomi and Janie Marcus, mother and daughter, who died in January and May.
Sweeney said a bench will be installed in their memory at the Port Townsend Golf Course at a later date.
The Port Townsend Women’s 9-hole Golf Club meets Tuesday mornings.
Discovery Bay’s ladies group meets Thursday mornings.
For more information on their activities, email Sweeney at deeand terrysweeney@gmail.com.
Audubon tournament
Cedars at Dungeness in Sequim will host the second annual Dungeness River Audubon Center Golf Tournament between Friday and Sunday.
Players can form their own groups for the two-person scramble event. Tee times are available on any of the days.
Entry fees are $80 per person and include green fees, range balls, a $10 food credit, a sleeve of Srixon golf balls and prizes.
Proceeds support Dungeness River Audubon Center programming.
For more information, call the pro shop at 360-683-6344.
Cedars Crab and Crabbette
Cedars will present the 47th annual Crab and Crabbette Mixed Chapman the weekend of Aug. 7-9.
A practice round is available after 9:30 a.m. on Aug. 7. Tee times for the 36-hole competition are 8 a.m. Aug. 8-9.
Entry fees are $160 per player, $320 per team, and include three days of golf, range balls for the Saturday and Sunday rounds, a tee prize and food vouchers.
The maximum handicaps are 33.8 for men, 34.6 for women. There will be a handicap allowance of 60 percent for the low-handicap player and 40 percent for the higher handicap.
In Mixed Chapman play, both golfers hit drives, and each player plays the other’s ball on the second shots. The better of the two second shots is picked, and the partners play alternate shot into the hole.
Best Ball Ludlow
Port Ludlow Golf Course’s first Men’s Best Ball Tournament will be held the weekend of Aug. 8-9.
Entry fees are $350 per team ($175 per golfer) and include an Aug. 7 practice round, two tournament rounds, tee prizes and lunch after each tournament round.
Putting and chipping contests also are planned.
All players must have an established USGA handicap of no more than 35 strokes.
The deadline for entry is Thursday.
For more information, call the pro shop at 360-437-0272.
Member-Guest
Peninsula Golf Club will hold its Member-Guest and Member-Member Tournaments the weekend of Aug. 7-9.
A practice round is available after 9:30 a.m. Aug. 7. Tee times begin at 9 a.m. for the competitive weekend rounds.
The Saturday format is 18 holes of Shamble play, while the Sunday format is 18 holes of best ball.
The entry fees are $175 for member-guest teams and $150 for member-member duos and include three rounds of golf, two drink tickets, a tee prize and range balls.
To register and to set up a tee time, call 360-582-4917.
________
Sports reporter Michael Carman can be contacted at 360-406-0674 or at mcarman@peninsuladailynews.com.
