WHILE ENJOYING LABOR Day on Monday, how about a moment of quiet contemplation for the working men and women that provide the top-notch golfing experiences we enjoy here on the North Olympic Peninsula?
Players might take a second this weekend to say thanks to those who help bring you those memorable times.
It takes so many parts to produce a quality golf product, from those who pick and clean and stock the range balls for the driving range and wash and maintain golf carts, others who mow and trim and landscape the grounds, and those who make the meal you grab at the turn.
We haven’t even entered the pro shop and there are lots of folks to appreciate in there.
I spent a summer break from college as a “cart rat,” or “Player Services Associate” in the parlance of Port Ludlow Golf Club.
Most evenings I could be found operating an old John Deere tractor while collecting range balls over the hills and swales of the Ludlow driving range.
The cage surrounding the driver’s seat had a duel purpose: to protect from practicing golfers who enjoyed a moving target, and to allow me an escape whenever I went up too steep an incline and put the tractor on its side (this only happened a handful of times).
I’d then head back up the hill to the cart barn, wash, park and plug the carts into their chargers and begin the task of washing trash cans filled with golf balls.
The Mariners were actually good that year (93 wins earned them third place in the AL West) so while running the washer I’d turn up the old radio in the barn and listen to Dave Niehaus call the action on the field.
I’d then refill the bin down on the range, and head up to wait for the final carts to come in off the course, often taking in a splendid sunset dropping below the Ludlow tree line.
Occasionally, I’d be surprised with a “tip” from these stragglers, unfinished beers from six packs and half-racks, often Tecate, a cheaper Mexican brand that I’ll still buy on occasion today.
A golf course is a great place to spend a summer, either at play or at work.
PT Golf Club events
Assistant pro Gabriel Tonan checked in with a host of details for events at Port Townsend Golf Club.
Up next for Port Townsend on Saturday, Sept. 7, is the annual Port Townsend Elks Scholarship Golf Tournament, a two-person best ball event with a 9 a.m. shotgun start.
There are awards for Elks members and nonmembers, plus individual and team awards for gross and net divisions.
This one also has a hole-in-one prize available.
Cost is $35 per player for members and $45 for nonmembers.
Phone Port Townsend Golf Club to sign up at 360-385-4547.
Make plans now for an entertaining evening of golf on Saturday, Sept. 21.
The eighth annual Port Townsend Rotary “Driving in the Dark” Golf Tournament features nine holes of late-afternoon golf and nine holes played in the dark with glow-in-the-dark golf balls.
Play gets underway at 4:30 p.m.
Cost for this one is $75 per player or $350 per five-person team.
Entries for a $100 putting contest is included in the fee.
There is a $10,000 cash hole-in-one prize at this tourney.
Entry also includes green fees, range balls, catered dinner, raffle and prizes, glow balls and a desert buffet.
Tonan says its “one of the most fun events of the year and the only five-person scramble at PTGC.”
Hole sponsorships are available.
For more info, phone Curtis Stacey at 360-302-0979.
Tonan also said that the Thursday nine-hole and Saturday 18-hole skins games are still going strong.
Entry is $10 (plus greens fees).
Tonan also relayed that the annual Lynda Constantine Memorial Relay for Life Golf tournament this last Saturday was a huge success, raising thousands of dollars for the American Cancer Society.
The course was filled to maximum capacity and Tonan wants to thank all the competitors. He especially wants thank “Judy Lundgren, Al West and all the people who helped make this event what it was.”
The team of Woody Woodley, Chad Woodley and Jim Fultz finished first in the gross division with a 57; Kurt Lake, Larry Fernandes, Doug Ceehorne and Doug Ceehorne Jr. teamed to win the net division with a 47.9.
In the women’s/mixed division, Rick Kelly, Lynn Pierle, Fred Haywood and Zack Glover were first in gross with a 64, and Barb Aldrich, Willard Aldrich, Diane Solie, Jim Solie finished first with a net 51.7.
Dave Lindsey, Tim Caldwell, Don White and Dan Swindler claimed the Callaway Division with a 64.
Dungeness ladies
Bonney Benson sent along a report from the Dungeness Women’s Golf Association’s (DWGA) annual “fun and sun-filled” club championship.
Fifteen ladies competed in the championship rounds at a “well-groomed” Cedars at Dungeness Golf Course on Aug. 13 and 20.
Benson reported that the “course played well and sometimes the ladies won and sometimes the course won out.”
Coming out on top in the gross division was Pat Harrop-Schumacher, while Joanie Oakes took the net division crown.
The next big event for the ladies at Cedars is the annual Days of Whine and Roses tournament on Sept. 16-17.
Monday, Sept. 16’s event is a scramble followed by dinner at 7 Cedars Casino.
The traditional wine and cheese set up will assist in creating a challenging putting contest.
Play on Tuesday, Sept. 17 is a partnered best ball with an 8:30 a.m. shotgun start.
Players should sign up for this event by Thursday, Sept. 5.
Phone Cedars at 360-683-6344.
Ludlow ladies title
The ladies of Port Ludlow Golf Club held its annual club championship tournament last week, according to member Sheila Schoen.
Participants and other members came out to congratulate the winners and gathered for a celebratory dinner party at the home of member Sally Lynum-Lee following the tournament.
The winners will be formally honored at an awards banquet on Oct. 16.
The three-day event was won by Lucinda Thompson with scores of 251/221 (gross/net).
Bonnie Vahcic was runner-up with a total of 258/225, and Linda Aho was low net of the field with a 286/211.
Barb Cason was low net of Flight 1 with a 261/213; Diane Kobz was low gross of Flight 2 with a 289/214; Beth Weaver was low net of Flight 2 with a 301/217 and Schoen was low gross of Flight 3 with a 316/229; and Ann Nugent had low net for Flight 3 with a 326/230.
Drive for the Cure set
SunLand Women’s Golf Association (SWGA) and SunLand Lady Niners are joining together to sponsor a Drive for the Cure Golf Tournament on Thursday, Sept. 26.
Proceeds from the event will pay for breast cancer detection services at Olympic Medical Center for women in need right here on the North Olympic Peninsula.
The event is open to all women, and will begin with a 9 a.m. shotgun start for those playing 18 holes and a nine-hole game at 11 a.m.
Cost is $36 for 18 holes and lunch, $26 for nine holes and lunch, and $12 for lunch only.
In addition, a minimum donation of $20 is suggested for the OMC Foundation.
Magic Putts and mulligans will be on sale for $1 each.
A delightful Raggedy Ann doll will be raffled off to a lucky winner.
This annual tournament has a reputation for collecting major funds to fight breast cancer. All donations are spent to help area women.
An anonymous SunLand member has once again committed to donate $1 for every $3 raised in this event.
The deadline to sign up is noon on Monday, Sept. 23.
For more information, call SunLand Pro Shop at 360-683-6800 ext. 13, and ask to have Kathy Tiedeman or Judy Kelley return your call.
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Golf columnist Michael Carman can be reached at 360-417-3527 or pdngolf@gmail.com.