FLIP THAT CALENDAR page to March and the golf events surely follow, signaling the coming end of winter, and an uptick in play at North Olympic Peninsula courses.
Although, with the mild winter weather and the ample amounts of life-affirming sunshine we have seen, that uptick in play likely started early this year.
St. Patrick’s events
There’s a wealth of St. Patrick’s Day-themed tournaments coming soon to North Olympic Peninsula courses.
SkyRidge Golf Course in Sequim will host its ninth annual Shamrock Scramble on Saturday, March 14.
The four-person scramble has a 9:30 a.m. shotgun start, and a $160 ($40 per player) team entry fee.
Entrants will compete for KP’s and a LP on the 18th hole.
Range balls, green fees and an Irish lunch of mulligan stew also are planned.
Best-dressed prizes also will be offered.
Carts are $15 per seat, and an optional honey pot is $40.
Phone SkyRidge at 360-683-3673 to get in the game.
St. Patty’s in PT
Port Townsend Golf Course will host its annual Saint Patrick’s Day golf tournament at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 14.
A catered dinner will follow the two-person scramble event.
Cost is $35 per player, plus $10 in green fees for nonmembers.
Port Townsend also will host the two-person best ball Camp Beausite Northwest Golf Tournament benefit on Saturday, March 28.
That Port Townsend Kiwanis Club-sponsored event raises money to provide camp scholarships for people with special needs and other youth projects.
Cost is $60 per person including green fees.
Members of Port Townsend Golf Course will pay $50.
The entry fee is tax deductible less green fees and lunch, which will be provided.
Port Townsend also hosts weekly skins games on Thursdays and Fridays.
Players pay a $10 entry fee and a $10 green fee to get in the game.
Skins games are nine holes and may be played at any time during business hours.
For more information on any Port Townsend activity, phone 360-385-4547.
Cedars shootout
The Cedars at Dungeness will host a St. Patrick’s Day Shootout event on Thursday, March 19.
The par-3 challenge will run from 10 a.m. to noon, and feature individual gross and net divisions.
Players will receive range balls, a shot at KP’s on every hole, drink specials and an Irish dinner.
Cost is $55 for the public, $38 for Cedars members.
The event is open to all players with a handicap, but players should wear green or else be assessed a two-stroke penalty.
The tourney will pay out $750 gross and net based on a full field of 45 competitors.
Honey pots and giveaways also are planned.
For more information, phone 360-683-6344.
Cedars night golf
Cedars will present a night golf tournament, “the second-most fun thing to do in the dark,” on Friday, March 13.
The two-person scramble will open with nine holes played in daylight starting at 4 p.m.
A dinner and party will follow in the clubhouse’s Legends Room from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Then golfers will hit the course for nine holes of glow ball golf on Cedars’ par-3 holes.
An awards party will wrap the event at 9:30 p.m.
Cost is $80 per person, which includes green fees, party, awards and equipment.
Awards will be given to the golfer sporting the most outrageous outfit, as well as for KP’s and a long drive.
This event is open to the first 60 players.
For more information, phone 360-683-6344.
Cedars junior camp
Cedars will present its Junior Golf Camp for ages 5-16 from Monday through Wednesday, March 30-April 1.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 30-31, and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 1.
The first two days, players will rotate between learning putting, chipping, the full swing and etiquette.
The final day, campers will participate in a tournament, followed by a pizza party and awards presentation.
Cost is $80, $50 for resort employee juniors.
Space is limited to 45 children.
For more information, phone 360-683-6344.
Discovery ladies meet
Sheila Kilmer passed along that the Discovery Bay Ladies Golf Association will hold its preseason meeting at the Port Townsend-area club at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 12.
If you are a member or would like to become a member, please try to attend this meeting.
This meeting is intended for both the nine and 18 hole golf groups.
Plans for the coming year will be discussed including new rule changes, upcoming tournaments, committee signups, group lessons and other items.
Lunch will be available at the clubhouse.
Weather depending, golf will follow the meeting.
Wagner holes out
Cedars at Dungeness assistant pro Chad Wagner recently recorded his first career hole-in-one.
Wagner aced the 124-yard par-3 eighth hole on Feb. 21.
He used a wedge and a Titleist Pro-V I .
The shot was witnessed by Frank Erkkila and John Hickman of Redmond.
Benapfl cards ace
Sequim’s Patrick Benapfl picked up his second career single with a hole-in-one on Cedar’s eighth hole Monday, March 2.
Benapfl used his 9-iron and a Titleist to sink the shot.
It was witnessed by Ed Warner.
________
Golf columnist Michael Carman can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5152 or pdngolf@gmail.com.
