AS FAR AS streaks go, my 77 consecutive weeks of providing a golf column didn’t approach Cal Ripken Jr. status but it was a source of pride to try and keep readers plugged into the golfing world each week.
I was planning on breaking 100 before taking a break and enjoying a late summer Labor Day week off.
Unfortunately, one of the nastiest cold/flu combo platters to have ever invade my immune system won a quick victory and knocked me out of three days of work and one golf column.
I wasn’t the only one stricken at the PDN. Coming back last week the office sounded like an infirmary.
Thankfully, most of the afflicted seem to be back on track, including me.
Here’s to another 77 in a row.
Disco Bay open house
Discovery Bay Golf Club in Port Townsend will host an informal open house from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday.
The club will introduce new head golf professional and Chimacum High School graduate Mark Wurtz, and new food concessions operator Leonard Johnson of Mystery Bay Seafood and Catering.
Light fare will be provided at the open house.
Wurtz is arguably the greatest golfer to ever come from the North Olympic Peninsula, having played college golf at New Mexico and competing on the PGA and Nike (now Nationwide) Tour in the 1990s and early 2000s.
I pushed for a Saturday open house and I’ll be there to meet Wurtz and sample some snacks.
Johnson’s been getting a ton of business from gala’s and other soirees across the Peninsula, so I’m excited to see what he cooks up.
The public is invited to help kick off the season and the move in the new direction the golf course is embracing.
Don’t worry, I don’t think I’m contagious any longer!
Port Townsend events
Port Townsend Golf Club will host its annual St. Patrick’s Day Two-Person Best Ball Golf and Feast on Saturday.
This tournament costs $35 per player, and corned beef and cabbage from the course’s Hidden Rock Cafe will follow play.
Tee time is 9:30 a.m.
The Northwest Kiwanis Camp will be the beneficiary of the 2011 Northwest Kiwanis Golf Tournament and Fundraiser at Port Townsend on Saturday, March 26.
Northwest Kiwanis campers range in age from 6 to 60 and have physical and/or developmental handicaps.
This tourney is a two-person scramble with gross and net prizes.
Like all tournaments, ladies are more than welcome to come and support a great cause.
Cost is $45 per player, and players can receive a tax deduction for a donation.
Port Townsend’s 2011 Commercial League is taking sign-ups for players who would like to be placed on a team, and those interested in sponsoring a squad.
The Port Townsend Commercial League competes on Tuesday evenings during the spring and summer.
It will be the league’s 25th anniversary this year.
For more information on Port Townsend events, phone 360-385-4547.
Cleveland rocks!
Port Angeles’ Peninsula Golf Club will host a Cleveland Golf Fitting Day from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday.
Visitors can check out the new CG16 wedges and CG16 irons with “laser milled technology,” find the right weight with Cleveland’s new Launcher Ultralite series and check out other products from the manufacturer and Srixon and Never Compromise.
If you need more information, call the Peninsula pro shop at 360-457-6501.
SkyRidge tourneys
Sequim’s SkyRidge Golf Course will hold its fifth annual Shamrock Scramble for Charity set for 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 19.
The four-person scramble will include 18 holes of golf, range balls, a traditional Irish “Mulligan” stew with all the fixing’s, dessert, an on-site cart girl to spread some good cheer, hot dogs at the turn and a pot o’gold for a lucky duffer.
A “Big Break” style skills challenge will follow play.
Cost is $180 per team or $45 per player.
SkyRidge will also hold its annual “Gut Buster” Tournament on Saturday, March 26.
Swing from the hips in this one as male players will play the black tees at 6,710 yards while the ladies will take a crack at 6,070 yards of golf course.
Players will receive golf, range balls, lunch, entry into a honey pot, four KP holes and a long putt competition on the 18th hole.
Cost for this individual medal-play tourney is $55 per person.
Cedars 9-hole ladies
Sequim’s Cedars at Dungeness Golf Course Lady Niners golf group has opened its season.
The group plays each Thursday and welcomes all players, those new to golf or with years of experience, to join them for fellowship and fun at one of the area’s most celebrated courses.
To get in the game, phone Pat Charters at 360-681-8653 for times and any other question.
St. Patty’s tourney
Dungeness also will host a St. Patrick’s Day Golf Tournament starting at noon on Thursday, March 17.
Wear your green and come out for a day on the links.
Stymies, the course restaurant, will also serve corned beef and cabbage, shepherd’s pie and green beer from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
For more information, phone the pro shop at 360-683-6344.
Peninsula Cup opens
The third annual Peninsula Cup will be held at Port Ludlow Golf Club on Saturday, May 21.
Teams of golfers from North Olympic Peninsula golf courses will try to win the cup and the year-long bragging rights that come with it.
Teams will consist of 12 amateur players with a 9 a.m. shotgun start.
Scoring will be stroke play with each team utilizing the two best gross scores and eight best net scores from their 12-member team.
Lunch and tee prizes are included with each entry fee.
Cost per player is $50 plus $15 per player wishing to use a cart.
For this one, players should talk with golf staff at their club of choice to try and make the team.
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Michael Carman is the golf columnist for the Peninsula Daily News. He can be reached at 360-417-3527 or at pdngolf@gmail.com.