IT ONLY TOOK until the final round of the final major of the year but golf fans finally got the edge-of-your-seat ending we’ve been waiting for in Sunday’s PGA Championship.
The final round had it all: a weather delay that softened up the course and contributed to low scores, multiple major winners dueling with up-and-comers, and a strange foursome finish in near darkness to wrap the festivities.
And yes, on a warm and sunny day on the North Olympic Peninsula, I was thankful for having a deck with a direct view of my television to catch all the action as well as some sun rays.
Phil Mickelson found another way to lose a major championship, while Rory McIlroy proved he can win one while coming from behind.
His mammoth approach on the par-5 10th and the subsequent eagle putt was flat-out superb.
Rickie Fowler showed once again that he is a dangerous player, but may need to win a few more regular tour events and really learn how to close out a tournament in order to lift a major championship trophy.
McIlroy playing through into Mickelson and Fowler’s group on the 18th hole in a bid to beat the dark was not something I think we will soon see again.
But the circumstances and the ability of these players shown through and made for riveting television
All eyes will now be trained on McIlroy as he vies for a career grand slam at Augusta National in April.
Raab aces twice
Port Angeles resident Charles Raab has had a good little run out at Cedars at Dungeness Golf Course in Sequim.
How good? Two aces in just more than two weeks.
Raab picked up his first-ever hole inone on the 133-yard par-3 17th hole on July 20.
He then singled out again just 15 days later, on the 139-yard par-3 11th hole.
Raab used a Precept ball on the shots.
Witnesses were Karl Spees and Donna Raab.
Hackers Cup date swap
The date of SunLand Golf & Country Club in Sequim’s Hackers Cup has been moved to Saturday, Sept. 27.
The medal-play format event with outsized 15-inch cups was originally planned for Friday.
“I have played in a 15-inch cup event before and the fun level is the highest as it can go,” Sweet said.
The event now has a 9 a.m. shotgun start and entry is $60.
Overall gross and net champs are guaranteed $200 apiece, and a full field of 80 players will yield a prize fund of $2,100.
Stop by the pro shop at SunLand or phone 360-683-6800, Ext. 13.
SunLand check-in
Nancy Harland of the SunLand Women’s Golf Association checked in with information on the Sequim club’s activities.
SunLand Golf & Country Club just completed its 11th annual “The War of the Roses,” tournament, a contest between the SunLand Men’s Golf Club and SunLand Women’s Golf Association.
The ladies side came out on top of the two-day match play event, besting the men 26-22.
“Rivalry was high, and chivalry was out the window,” Harland said.
“However, when it was over, everyone had lots of good laughs at their own expense over lunch on the final day of play, where the winners were announced.”
The women have earned bragging rights for the next year.
The SWGA also celebrated and honored their past captains with a tournament and luncheon. There were 15 past captains present, with Kit Nill (1984) representing the earliest year.
She was proud to announce that she was 95 years old and had input into naming the organization.
Each past captain was presented with a red rose at the event.
SunLand’s “Beat the Pro” event also was held in July.
Tyler Sweet, the SunLand pro, used his gross score against the ladies’ net score.
Eileen Larson, Nan Godfrey, Witta Priester, and Alice Myers were all able to top Sweet’s score and beat the pro.
Congratulations, ladies.
Port Angeles Invite
Sign up soon for the 37th annual Port Angeles Shotgun Invitational at Peninsula Golf Club on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 30-31.
The two-person team tournament features a best ball format on both days with an eight stroke differential and 1/2 combined handicap.
Tee times are 8 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
If the field fills a total of $13,000 in prizes will be up for grabs.
There will be merchandise prizes and gross and net prizes in two men’s divisions and one ladies division.
Entry is $240 per team and is limited to 104 men’s teams and 16 ladies teams with a max handicap of 36 per team.
Entrants must be 21 years of age or older and the Aug. 16 GHIN handicap index will be used.
A practice round for all contestants and their spouses is part of the entry fee and is set for Friday, Aug. 29.
An evening of hors d’oeuvres will follow at 6 p.m. with a Calcutta auction set for 7 p.m.
Power carts are available for $40 per day, let the Peninsula Pro Shop know well ahead of time if you need a cart so they can plan accordingly.
To get signed up for the tournament, visit the pro shop or phone 360-457-6501.
At it again for Guild
Port Ludlow assistant golf pros Darren Posey and Adam Barrows will team to play an 180-hole, two-man scramble golf marathon to raise funds fr Seattle Children’s Hospital.
The third-year fundraiser, a partnership between the Port Ludlow Guild of Seattle Children’s Hospital and Port Ludlow Golf Club, is set for Wednesday, Oct. 1.
The guild is selling raffle tickets for $1, with a number of prizes being offered by local businesses.
All proceeds benefit the children at the hospital.
For more information including ticket sale locations, phone Susie Baldwin at 360-379-3034.
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Golf columnist Michael Carman can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5152 or pdngolf@gmail.com.