GOLF FANS ARE in for a treat this weekend.
The U.S. Open returns to arguably the most beautiful golf course in the world, Pebble Beach Golf Links, for the first time since 2000.
That year, Tiger Woods decimated the field, finishing at 12-under par, a major championship record 15 strokes clear of the nearest competitor.
Woods was wonderful that weekend but I hope for more of a duel down the stretch on Sunday.
The drama of the round needs to match the dramatic seascape backgrounds the course offers.
A duel would pay the course the respect it, its architects and those responsible for its upkeep, deserve.
What really makes Pebble Beach special is its availability.
Yes, its expensive, at $495 a round but I imagine the memories of playing a round there are priceless.
It’s certainly near the top of my “To-Play” list of courses.
Another view of Pebble
An article that provides a peek behind the curtain of The Swallows, an exclusive annual tournament for the upper crust held at Pebble Beach, can be found at www.golf.com/golf/tours_news/article/0,28136,1995056,00.html.
It was written by former Pebble Beach cart kid and current Sports Illustrated golf writer Alan Shipnuck.
The tournament is called The Swallows because the players flock from all over the globe to participate.
Shipnuck was lucky enough to be invited to participate in the tournament.
Sometimes golf writers get all the perks.
I can’t complain, I’ve been able to play Sahalee Country Club and will play Chambers Bay Golf Course next Tuesday after attending a Media Day event for the upcoming 2010 U.S. Amateur.
Asmundson plays role
At Chambers Bay, I’ll be able to hear from Discovery Bay Golf Club owner and course architect Michael Asmundson, who has been invited to speak at the media day.
Another Asmundson creation, The Home Course in DuPont, will host 36 holes of U.S. Amateur medal qualifying.
The tournament whittles 320 golfers down to 60 for match play competition that is all held at Chambers Bay.
More from Disco Bay
Discovery Bay Golf Club of Port Townsend will offer a Father’s Day Special on Sunday.
Golfing dads will get a half-price round along with a half-price breakfast or lunch at Putter’s Bay Café when accompanied with a family member.
The course will also host its first Junior Golf Camp of the summer from next Monday to Thursday.
Youth ages 6-17 will receive some tips on their games from local coaches.
Chimacum High School coach Mitch Black, and Don Rogers will be the primary instructors.
The camp’s format puts an emphasis on fun, not on creating the next robot golfer.
Cost is $50 for the sessions.
Register soon to reserve a spot for your youngster.
Boxing’s days may be numbered but Discovery Bay is bringing back “Friday Night Fights” starting this Friday.
Foursomes with members of both sexes will compete in a nine-hole scramble format followed by a light dinner at the club’s Putters Bay Cafe.
Also, the Discovery Bay men’s and women’s clubs are running a special.
For $40 and $35, respectively, the clubs are offering year-long memberships along with membership in the Washington State Golf Association and the GHIN handicap system (a $25 value).
June registrants will receive a free round of golf good at any time this year.
That’s a nice deal to be sure.
For more information, or to register for any of these events, phone 360-385-0704.
The Discovery Bay Commercial League wrapped its first session last Thursday, with Betty Ford, Code Blue and Tollefson Builders taking top honors.
Eight teams participated in all, playing a round robin of team-modified match play.
The second session of the season begins in two weeks.
The course itself is getting into shape quickly, prodded along by a few days of sunny weather.
Their totals recorded six inches of rain in May and early June.
“We have finally gotten a break and we are catching up on maintenance and the course is coming into its prime for the season,” course Manager Randy White said.
Tee off, help tutors
The Port Angeles Education Foundation, Kiwanis Club of Port Angeles and the Kiwanis Foundation of Port Angeles will present the Tee Off For Kids! Golf Tournament on Saturday, July 10 at Peninsula Golf Club in Port Angeles.
This event will raise funds to support the tutoring and mentoring efforts of programs like North Olympic AmeriCorps in the Port Angeles School District.
Funds will supply equipment, supplies and enhancement opportunities that can make the entire tutoring and mentoring program more effective.
The four-person scramble event will tee off at 10:30 a.m.
Entry fees are $240 per team with lunch included.
Prizes will be awarded to winning teams, and also for the winner of the closest-to-the-pin and longest drive competition on particular holes.
There also will be an opportunity to bid in a silent auction on holes throughout the course.
Carts aren’t included, so if you would like a cart, phone the pro shop at 360-457-6501.
Interested sponsors can get in touch with tournament chair Andrew Fitch at afitch@portangelesschools.org or by phone at 541-350-6083.
Rally for the Cure
The Port Ludlow lady golfers will host their 11th annual Rally for the Cure Golf Tournament on Thursday, July 8.
This is a nine-hole tournament to support the Susan G. Komen Foundation, which is dedicated to bringing the breast cancer awareness message to women.
The event begins with a 9 a.m. shotgun start.
It includes some unique fundraising opportunities where participants are encouraged to buy their way into the winner’s circle through the purchase of mulligans and drives.
This is a tournament with an important message but a fun focus and has strong support from the local businesses through sponsorship of holes and donations, as well as the Port Ludlow Men’s Club that provides assistance in many ways from hefting bags to measuring KPs.
Following play there will be a luncheon at the Port Ludlow Bay Club where attendees can buy raffle tickets for several theme baskets and win door prizes.
Proceeds will go to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
Entry fees are $45 for members and $65 for nonmembers, which includes green fees, cart, a pink rally visor, prizes, lunch and a one-year subscription to a selection of magazines.
The tournament is limited to 80 participants, so sign up now at the Port Ludlow Clubhouse or call Carol Katuzny at 360-437-1157.
Soroptimist’s tee it up
The Port Angeles Soroptimist Noon Club will host its sixth annual Soroptimist Tees Off for Cancer golf tournament at Peninsula Golf Club on Saturday, June 26.
Proceeds from the four-person scramble support Operation Uplift, a grass roots support group for both women and men with all types of cancer on the Peninsula.
The cost for the event is $75 for the public and $50 for Peninsula members.
The golf package includes lunch and a ticket to a dinner and silent and live auctions at Port Angeles Crabhouse restaurant.
For more information, or to register, call the Peninsula pro shop at 360-457-6501.
YMCA tourney at PT
Port Townsend Golf Club will also host a two-person best ball format benefit for the Jefferson County Family YMCA on Saturday, June 19.
Entry Fee is $45 per player with $10 greens fees for non-members.
Port Townsend continues its weekly Thursday afternoon skins games between 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. each week.
Entry fee for the skins game is $10 plus $10 reduced greens fees for nonmembers.
Bring your GHIN handicap. If you don’t have one, they will give you an 0.0 for the skins game.
For more information on anything related to the Port Townsend Golf Club, phone the pro shop at 360-385-4547.
Save the date
Cedars at Dungeness Golf Course in Sequim will host the fifth annual Claws and Paws Golf Tournament — a benefit for the Olympic Peninsula Humane Society — on June 26.
The event features two divisions: handicap and Callaway.
Entries are limited to the first 100 players.
The $100 entry fee includes cart, range balls, tee prizes, longest drive prizes, KPs, raffle tickets, luncheon and a prize field of $1,500 (based on 100 players).
Tickets for the luncheon only are $15.
All proceeds go to the Olympic Peninsula Humane Society, and all donations are tax deductible.
For more information, or to register, call Garrett Smithson at 360-477-2718 or Andy Anderson at 360-809-0144.
Tournament directors are also seeking sponsors.
For more information about becoming a sponsor, call Kandace Schmidt at 360-461-2810 or Marsha Robin at 206-650-5431.
For more information on golfing at Cedars, call the pro shop at 360-683-6344, ext. 1.
A thank you
The Golf Fore Graduates Tournament to benefit the Sequim High School Class of 2010 grad night party was a big success.
The organizers raised $4,500 for the event, which is dedicated to keeping grads safe and sane on graduation night.
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Michael Carman is the golf columnist for the Peninsula Daily News. His column appears on Wednesdays. He can be reached at 360-417-3527 or at pdngolf@gmail.com.
