THE RESORT AT Port Ludlow has changed the format for playing its golf course.
It will now be an 18-hole golf course instead of a 27-hole course.
Diana Smeland, the president of the of the Port Ludlow Associates, reports that they gave very serious consideration on how to operate the famous golf facility more efficiently, and a study was made of each of the three nine hole courses.
It was determined that the Tide Course and the Timber Course were best suited for operation as an 18-hole course.
Smeland said the management strategy is to ensure a high standard of course maintenance and value to members and guests.
With its unique beauty and diverse playing style, Port Ludlow is time and again listed as a must-play course by Golf Digest and Golf Magazine. Recently, it also made Golfweek’s list of top public courses in the state.
When the economy warrants a move back to the three courses again, the change can easily be reversed.
For more information, call 800-455-0272.
SkyRidge news
When you play the black tees from any of the nine holes at the SkyRidge Golf Course in Sequim, owner Jeff Pedersen intends for you to be play it as long, in terms of yards, as it will play.
That would be 6,710 yards from the men’s tees. The women’s challenge is silver tees, and they have a total of 6,070 yards for twice around the back nine.
Pedersen rarely uses the back tees for 18 holes more than once a year in a tournament.
On March 21, The Gut Buster Individual Medal Play Tournament will be played at SkyRidge, and the challenge is out for both the men and women to give it their best game.
The entry fee is $55. That includes green fees, four K.P. holes, the longest made putt on the 18th hole, lunch, range balls, and entry in the honey pot.
For this 18-hole event there will be two pin placements on every green except nine and 18. There will be both a men’s and women’s division with gross and net winners.
The first tee time will be at 9 a.m., barring any frost delay.
If you wish to ride in a power cart the fee is $15 per seat. An early entry is required for players wishing to create their own foursome.
For more information, call SkyRidge at 360-683-3673.
Golf camp
The annual SkyRidge Spring Break Junior Golf Camp will be held March 30 through April 1 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
The ages for students are 6 through 15, and instruction is given to both boys and girls. The cost is $50 per student, and additional family siblings are just $30 each.
This popular summer feature provides instruction by the staff at SkyRidge and will cover most of the details as to how the game of golf is played.
Featured items will be club grip, stance, posture, chipping, pitching, sand trap practice, putting, golf etiquette and rules of the game. Snacks and drinks will be furnished each day.
More information on this great experience for both boys and girls can be had by calling 360-683-3673.
Dungeness Ladies
Lindsay Busch is the publicity chairperson for the Lady Niners 2009 golfing program at the Cedar’s at Dungeness Golf Course in Sequim.
She reports that 14 members of the Dungeness Lady Niners squared off for the opening day of competition, and Pat Charters took first place in the low net game with a score of 32.
Lee Stanley was second with a 35 and Lori Purser was third with a 39. Lori Purser took home the “putting purse” with just 18 putts.
For more information on the women’s golf program at Cedars at Dungeness Golf Course, call 360-683-6344.
Peninsula championship
All seven golf courses on the North Olympic Peninsula held organizational meetings to structure the first ever Peninsula Championship for May 12 with a 9 a.m. shotgun start.
Ray DeJong is the chairman for this first-time event, and he reports progress was made.
Cedars at Dungeness Golf Course head PGA professional Bill Shea has agreed to host the event. and the very large silver cup will be the traveling trophy awarded to the winner.
This year’s winner will keep the trophy for one year on display at their golf course, and each annual winner that follows will do the same.
Twelve players will be selected to represent each team, and no professional players will be allowed as team members.
Prizes are yet to be determined along with individual awards and special awards to all team members of a winning team.
DeJong was pleased with the progress being made towards this newly-planned event, and he says 12 team members can now be selected by each golf course.
DeJong can be reached at his home (360-681-8093) or at work (360-582-0714), and he welcomes new ideas for this area-wide golfing program.
If you have good suggestions for this concept please give him a call.
Please don’t give up on the weather!
Yes, we will eventually have lots of sunshine, yards of green grass and nice smooth putting greens. Just hang in there a little longer.
This record-breaking winter has been terribly frustrating to all of us who are eager to be back on the golf course.
And please remember that, “Golf is an easy game, it’s just hard to play!”
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Billy Sallee is the golf columnist for the Peninsula Daily News. He can be reached, when he isn’t on the golf course, at 360-582-9799 or bmsallee@olympus.net. His golf columns appear on Wednesdays.
