THINK OF CEDARS at Dungeness’ upcoming 34th annual Best Ball tournament as practice for the state’s U.S. Amateur Four-Ball qualifier this fall.
The Sequim course will hold its four-ball stroke play tournament Friday through Sunday, April 15-17.
Players will receive three rounds of golf, a tee prize, range balls, plus dinner Saturday, April 16, and lunch for the final round Sunday, April 17.
A practice round can be scheduled after 9:30 a.m. Friday, April 15. A horserace open to the first 30 teams is scheduled for 5 p.m. that day.
Shotgun starts are scheduled for 9 a.m. for Saturday and Sunday’s rounds.
The entry fee is $350 per two-person team.
A maximum handicap index of 34 is in effect, and 90 percent of the handicap can be used for the competition.
To register, phone Cedars at 360-683-6344.
Call it what you want, four-ball, better ball or best ball, but the game remains the same.
Each team is made up of two players. Unlike alternate-shot tournaments, every player plays their own balls through to the cup, and the lower score among the team is counted for each hole.
The side with the lower score wins each hole, but each team’s low total counts toward its 18-hole score.
The four-ball format is an old one, but the United States Golf Association got into the game in a big way last year when it conducted the inaugural U.S. Amateur Four-Ball and Women’s Amateur Four-Ball.
Four-ball is a great way to make the ultimate individual sport more of a team competition.
Qualification for the following year’s tournament is held in the fall, so the field already is set for the 2016 USGA four-ball championships.
To apply for 2017 qualifying, visit champs.usga.org.
Special-needs tourney
Camp scholarships for those with special needs and other youth projects will be funded in part by Saturday’s 20th annual Camp Beausite Northwest Golf Tournament at Port Townsend Golf Club.
The tournament is put on by the Port Townsend Kiwanis Club.
The two-person best ball event will tee off with a 10 a.m. shotgun start.
Cost is $60 per person including green fees, KP, long-putt, long-drive and lunch.
Members of Port Townsend Golf Club will pay $50.
Brad Brown Memorial
Port Townsend also will host the annual Brad Brown Memorial Golf Tournament on Saturday, April 16.
The tournament raises funds for scholarships for Jefferson County high school students.
For more information, phone Port Townsend Golf Club at 360-385-4547.
First month free
Port Ludlow Golf Club is offering a special for new members throughout March.
New members who join the club in March will receive their first month of golf for free.
For more information, phone the Port Ludlow pro shop at 360-437-0272.
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Sports reporter Michael Carman can be contacted at 360-452-2345, ext. 57050 or at mcarman@peninsuladailynews.com.
