ALL SIGNS POINT to Port Angeles High School golfer Joey Barnes joining Sequim grad Ryan O’Mera and Port Townsend grad Sean Anderson on the Walla Walla Community College men’s golf team next season.
Barnes has yet to sign a letter of intent with the school but has been told there is a spot for him on coach Michael Rostollan’s Warriors squad.
He plans on studying in Walla Walla’s Professional Golf Management program where he can earn an associates degree after two years of study and a two-quarter cooperative training internship at an approved golf facility or a Professional Golf Management certificate after the first year of the program.
Academics aren’t an issue for Barnes, who took advanced placement courses and held a perfect 4.0 grade point average in his high school classes before enrolling in the Running Start program at Peninsula College.
Barnes has been contacted by numerous Division III colleges interested in having a player of his athletic and academic caliber, but at that level there are no athletic scholarships and private tuition costs are sky-high.
A chance at receiving some financial assistance for his golfing prowess, the ability to hone his game year-round in Walla Walla’s relatively mild climate and friendships with O’Mera and Anderson have played a role in his decision.
Right now the plan is for O’Mera and Barnes to room together next school year.
The program is no slouch either, having won five NWAACC titles in the past decade.
After playing football for the Riders this fall, Barnes decided to focus on golf rather than play basketball during the winter sports season.
Barnes and high school golfers around the North Olympic Peninsula will begin spring practice on Monday, Feb. 25.
27-hole Winter Links
SkyRidge will hold a 27-hole Winter Links event on Saturday, Feb. 2.
Tee time (barring frost) is 8:30 a.m.
“It’s a little technical but a really fun tourney,” SkyRidge’s Jeff Pedersen said.
Here goes: form a four-player team with a total handicap index of 24 or higher.
Divide the team into two squads for nine holes of scramble play, then switch partners and play nine holes of two-person best ball. For the last nine, switch to the final partner and play alternate shot.
Each team will end up with a 54-hole score after 27 holes of golf: the two scramble scores for the first nine holes is one 18-hole score, the two better ball scores after a partner switch for the second nine holes gives you another 18-hole score, and both alternating shots scores with the final partners for the last 18-hole score.
Then combine these scores for your 54-hole total.
A total of 216 is par for the 54 holes.
Cost is $160 for each four-person team, with lunch from Soren’s Grill at the new clubhouse, range balls, four KP’s and an LP contest. Optional honey pot is $80 per team.
Carts are $15 per seat for the 27-hole event.
Get in the game by phoning SkyRidge at 360-683-3673.
Sixkiller Super Bowl
Cedars at Dungeness in Sequim is offering a chance to play golf with University of Washington football Hall of Famer Sonny Sixkiller.
The Sonny Sixkiller Super Bowl Scramble will tee off at 9:06 a.m. (a nod to the No. 6 Sixkiller wore for the Huskies) on Sunday, Feb. 3.
The four-person scramble event is limited to 18 teams.
Why so few teams? It’s set up so Sixkiller can join each group for one hole and play as a fivesome.
Entry fee is $76 per player with $1,006 available in competition prizes, based on a full field of 18 teams.
If every member of a foursome wears football jerseys that foursome will have two strokes deducted off their score.
And don’t worry, the tourney will wrap well before the Super Bowl kicks off at 3:30 p.m.
Arctic Open signups
A format change has been made for Port Townsend Golf Course’s 27th annual Arctic Open golf tournament set for Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 9-10.
Port Townsend’s “major” tourney is popular with course regulars and golfers around the Peninsula.
This year, the format will be a two-person scramble for 18 holes followed by 18 holes of two-person best ball.
Entry fee is $200 per team and includes a Friday practice round, play on Saturday and Sunday with lunch both days.
Players will also compete for hole-in-one and KP prizes.
Golfers are encouraged to bring their all-weather gear and be ready to play since this tourney goes on regardless of snow, sleet, rain, freezing temperatures or wind.
Stop by the Port Townsend course or phone the pro shop at 360-385-4547.
Wide world of golf
Rory McIlroy’s announcement of a switch to all-Nike everything, including clubs, shoes, apparel and balls lasted all of one round.
He switched back to his Titleist Scotty Cameron putter after one round with a Nike Method flat stick.
McIlroy tried to pull a fast one, leaving the Nike head cover on the Titleist putter but zoomed-in photographers snapped a shot about halfway through the round.
I can’t fault him. Switching out all 14 clubs is a shock to the system that can only be cured through practice to achieve the right feel.
After 31 putts in his first round he felt he needed the security blanket of his old putter and fortunately for him it appears his contract is forgiving.
The switch made little difference, as he putted 30 times in shooting his second straight 75 and missed the cut.
“It’s the first week out. I wouldn’t look too much into [the new equipment],” McIlroy told media at the event.
“If anything it’s more the Indian than the arrow at this point. So a few hours on the range tomorrow and Sunday and a bit of work with [swing coach Michael Bannon] and try and clear a few things up.”
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Golf columnist Michael Carman can be reached at 360-417-3527 or pdngolf@gmail.com.