GOLF SEASON IS here, even if winter weather is stubbornly hanging around all over the state.
I was re-minded of this while crisscrossing Washington last week in trips to and from Spokane to cover the state B basketball tournament.
During my trip I passed the home of the annual Champions Tour event, the Boeing Classic at The Club at Snoqualmie Ridge. Considering the interstate exit had a nice dusting of snow, I would imagine the higher-elevation course was covered with the white stuff.
Eighty miles later I passed the exit for Roslyn, home of Suncadia Resort’s excellent Prospector, Rope Rider and Tumble Creek golf courses, all three closed for winter.
Spokane is known for the quality of its city-owned courses, but only one, Downriver, is open thus far.
Good thing I had responsibilities inside Spokane Arena.
Courses around the North Olympic Peninsula are waking up from their long winter’s nap with scheduled tournaments, the formation of commercial leagues, the first meetings of the season for men’s and women’s clubs and a demo day.
St. Patrick’s Day Scramble
Port Townsend Golf Club is the first to don the green with its annual St. Patrick’s Day Scramble set this Saturday.
The two-person scramble features a 10 a.m. shotgun start and a corned beef feast following play.
The cost is $35 per player, with $10 green fees for nonmembers.
For more information, phone the pro shop at 360-385-4547.
Cedars hosts demo
Equipment reps from TaylorMade, Ping, Callaway and Cleveland/Srixon will be on hand for the first demo day of the season at Cedars at Dungeness Golf Course in Sequim on Wednesday, March 15.
The event will run from noon to 4 p.m.
Attendees will receive complimentary hot dogs and beverages, and will have the chance to try out new products used by tour professionals.
Cedars’ head pro Garrett Smithson said everything will be on sale.
SkyRidge tourneys
SkyRidge Golf Course in Sequim will host its 11th annual St. Paddy’s Day Scramble on Saturday, March 18.
The four-person scramble event will include 18 holes of golf, a mulligan stew lunch and range balls.
An optional honey pot is $40 per team. The entry fee is $160 per team ($40 per player) and prizes for the best-dressed golfer will be awarded.
Players will compete for KP prizes and a long putt prize on the 18th hole.
Cart seats are available for $15 a seat, $30 per cart.
To sign up, phone 360-683-3673.
Gut Buster slated
SkyRidge will host its toughest tournament of the year, the annual Gut Buster, on Saturday, March 25.
The individual medal play event has men playing the links course from the Black Tees (6,529 yards), seniors 65 and older playing from the Green Tees (5,960 yards) and women hitting from the Silver Tees (5,737 yards).
The first tee time is set for 9 a.m. barring any frost delay.
The $65 entry fee includes a shot at three KP prizes, a long putt opportunity on the 18th hole, 18 holes of golf, lunch, range balls, honey pot entry and a practice round on the Friday before the event.
Gross and net winners will be awarded.
Carts seats are $15, $30 per cart.
To sign up, phone SkyRidge at 360-683-3673.
March Madness special
Port Ludlow Golf Club is offering a March Madness special during the entirety of this basketball-crazed month.
Walkers can pay $25 for 18 holes and get a hot dog, soda and chips.
Use of a GPS cart ups the price to $35, still a steal and a slam dunk for those looking for a good golf value.
Discovery Bay
Discovery Bay golf pro wintered in the drier Tri-Cities and has plans to be back at Discovery Bay mid month.
Those looking for a jump start on lessons can leave a message for him at 360-385-0704.
The Discovery Bay Men’s Club plays on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Dues are $55, which includes GHIN fees for handicap tracking.
Discovery Bay Women’s Club members tee off on Tuesdays (9-holers) and Thursdays (18-holers).
Dues for the women’s club are $51 and also include GHIN fees.
A preseason meeting for the Discovery Bay Women’s Golf Club will be held in the clubhouse at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 16.
All 9- and 18-hole members are encouraged to attend.
Dues can be paid at the event.
Any woman from beginner to experienced golfers are invited to join the club. Lunch will be available at the clubhouse with nine holes of golf following if the weather is decent.
The registration deadline for active members for each club is March 31.
Golf league forming
Discovery Bay’s Thursday evening golf league is starting up in April and will run for fourth months. Players still have time to get four-person teams together in advance of opening night.
For more information, phone the course at 360-385-0704.
