ALWAYS A BRIDESMAID and never the U.S. Open champion.
Such is the narrative for Phil Mickelson, likely the second-greatest golfer of his generation.
It’s a bit extreme to limit the focus on his accomplishments to a record six runner-up finishes in the U.S. Open.
He has come away with three Masters titles and another PGA Championship win in his career.
If he needs a pick-me-up he should head to his closet and wear one of his three Green Jackets.
Congrats to the Englishman, Justin Rose, for the first English major title since 1996 and first U.S. Open win in 43 years.
Back to Pinehurst No. 2, for a rare double-dip of men’s and women’s U.S. Open’s next year before our week in the sun comes in June 2015 at Chambers Bay in University Place.
I can’t believe it’s almost here.
Healthy Families event
Healthy Families of Clallam County is the beneficiary of an inaugural golf tournament at Cedars at Dungeness Golf Course in Sequim on Saturday, July 27.
Proceeds from the event will support survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse in Clallam County.
The event begins with a 1:30 p.m. shotgun start at Cedars, and entry is $90 for the public.
Cedars members should inquire at the pro shop at 360-683-6344 for their entry fee.
Entry includes a golf cart, green fees, box lunch, winner prizes and an awards ceremony. Several other contests are planned, and there will also be a hole-in-one prize.
Registration forms must be received by July 13 to ensure a spot.
A form is available at www.plmga.org/hfregistration.htm.
The tournament reflects an expanded effort by the Olympic Peninsula Boeing Bluebills to assist programs that address domestic violence and sexual assault.
The Bluebills, which include retirees from Boeing and other volunteers, donate time and skills to various community projects.
Last year, the Bluebills hosted a successful golf tournament at Port Ludlow on behalf of Dove House in Port Townsend.
“We appreciate the Bluebills for helping launch this tournament, and for being willing to help agencies that address these difficult issues,” said Becca Korby, executive director of Healthy Families of Clallam County.
“We expect that this will be an annual event to help our local communities.”
Korby said that tee-sign sponsors still can sign up, and she encouraged businesses and other organizations to stand with Healthy Families in supporting survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse.
Anyone interested in tee-sign or other sponsorships can request information by emailing hfgolf@wavecable.com.
Golfers also can contact that email address for information, or call the Healthy Families office at 360-452-3811. They can also register by calling the Cedars pro shop.
Disco Bay update
Discovery Bay Golf Course’s Randy White checked in to let folks know that “the golf course is in great condition” as we approach the official start of summer.
I can attest to this, as a I drive past the course each morning and afternoon during the work week.
And yes, I have thought about taking a right at Cape George Road and calling in sick a time or two for a nice early round.
White added that the greens are being rolled twice a week and verticut every two weeks.
Fairways and rough are being groomed, and the daisies have been attacked.
Junior golf camp
Discovery Bay will host a junior golf camp from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. July 9-11.
A snack and prizes are included in the $50 entry fee.
Phone the golf shop to sign up at 360-385-0704.
Summer league slated
Discovery Bay’s Summer League will begin its eight-week schedule with a team scramble on July 18, and wrap with a final on Sept. 19.
The weekly events will be held Thursday nights at 5:30 p.m.
Four-player teams are needed, and all teams are responsible for their own substitute players.
The format will be net match play, each hole will be worth one point, with one additional point awarded to the winner of the match.
A qualifying nine-hole score must be submitted before July 25, or the player will play as a zero handicap for the first week.
Handicaps will adjust weekly on an up-one, down-three scale.
Team entry fee is $200, nonmember green fees each week will be $10, with weekly honey pots and KPs.
Team entry fee will be paid out to the top team points leaders at the end of the season.
An end-of-season barbecue and KP shootout is planned for Sept. 19.
Summer skins game
Discovery Bay hosts a nine hole gross and net skins game with KPs each Monday at 5:30 p.m.
Green fees are $10 for nonmembers.
CASA tourney a hit
SunLand Golf & Country Club member Henry Meyer checked with results from the first Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Golf Tournament at the Sequim course.
The event raised more than $3,700 for abused and neglected children in Clallam County.
Sixty-four golfers teed off at SunLand on Saturday, June 8, for the CASA fundraiser.
Winners of the scramble were Alex McMenamin, Jake McMenamin, Mary Anne Murdock and Sally Wellborn.
The second-place team was composed of Tom Chirhart, Mike Main, Mike Phelan and Ryan Phelan.
Closest-to-the-pin prizes went to Alex and Jake McMenamin, Mike Main, Penny Dickin and Ray DeJong.
Gary Griswald won the putting contest.
Longest-drive prizes went to Ryan Phelan and Alex McMenamin.
Helping to increase the total raised, the McMenamin family donated their prizes back to CASA to support children in foster care.
Based on this year’s success, the CASA Golf Tournament has already been scheduled at SunLand for next year.
Clallam best ball
SunLand Golf & Country Club in Sequim and Peninsula Golf Club in Port Angeles will co-host the second annual Clallam County Best Ball.
SunLand will host play on Saturday, June 29, with Peninsula hosting the final round on Sunday, June 30.
Shotgun starts are planned for 9 a.m. each day.
Entry is $50 for SunLand and Peninsula players, and $80 for nonmembers.
A $4,800 purse (based on full field) is up for grabs.
To sign up, phone SunLand at 360-683-6800, ext. 13, or Peninsula at 360-457-6501.
SunLand junior camp
SunLand is taking registrations for its junior golf camp, set for 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. July 22-25.
Golf skills, sportsmanship — including rules and etiquette — golf and “near-golf” experiences will be taught.
Kids will be able to participate in fun games and activities, including a water-balloon toss, and each student will receive a PGA Sports Academy book and bag tag.
Cost is $75, and registration is available at the clubhouse or at www.sunlandgolf.com.
The camp is limited to the first 25 who register.
Ludlow golf camp
Youth ages 6-16 can participate in Port Ludlow’s inaugural golf camp, from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. every Saturday from June 29 to Aug. 3.
Cost is $100 per participant, and includes shirt, hat and lunch on the last session.
Call the golf shop to sign up at 360-437-0272
YMCA tourney in PT
A benefit golf tournament to raise funds for the Jefferson County Family YMCA will be held at Port Townsend Golf Club on Saturday.
This four-person scramble event has an 8:30 a.m. shotgun start.
Fees are $40 per player plus $12 greens fees for nonmembers.
Entry includes lunch, tee prize and tournament prizes.
Carts are available on a limited basis.
For more information on Port Townsend Golf Club events, phone 360-385-4547, or stop by the course.
Port Townsend reports skins game fields on Thursdays and Saturdays are getting larger.
Players in gross and net divisions can play for $10, plus reduced green fees for nonmembers.
Thursday is a nine-hole event, and Saturday is an 18-hole competition.
Players will need a GHIN handicap or play as a zero handicap.
Friends of OCS tourney
Players can sign up to play in the inaugural Friends of Olympic Christian School Charity Golf Tournament set for Cedars at Dungeness on Saturday, July 20.
The scramble format event has a 9 a.m. shotgun start, and the $85 entry fee includes green fees, a bag of goodies, use of cart and a buffet lunch.
Players will have the chance to win a $10,000 prize for a hole-in-one on Cedars’ fourth hole, and a new Nissan courtesy of Wilder Auto Center on the Cedars’ 17th hole.
Sponsorships also exist.
Diamond Level sponsorships are $1,000, and include on-course GPS advertising, large tee-box and green advertising signs, dominant recognition on course banners and all external advertising (radio, newspaper, posters displayed throughout Sequim and Port Angeles), and free golf for up to four players.
Platinum sponsorships are $500, and include on-course GPS advertising, large tee-box and green advertising signs, dominant recognition on course banners and all external advertising displayed throughout Sequim and Port Angeles, and golf for two players.
There’s also a $100 Gold Level sponsorship with on-course tee-box and green advertising, and external advertising.
To sign up or for more information, stop by the Cedars pro shop, visit www.olympicchristian.org, phone the Olympic Christian School office at 360-457-4640, or email ocs@olympicchristian.org.
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Golf columnist Michael Carman can be reached at 360-417-3527 or pdngolf@gmail.com.