JEFF KENT, THE new PGA head professional at Discovery Bay Golf Club, is enjoying the elevation changes at the 18-hole course near Port Townsend.
While Discovery Bay isn’t exactly located high atop a mountain, it does offer some splendid views of the Olympics and there’s at least one switchback on the climb to the 10th tee box.
Kent has spent 25 years as a golf professional, the majority of those years coming in the Tri-Cities, including his most recent stint as the pro at West Richland Golf Course.
“It’s a good test,” Kent said of Discovery Bay.
“I came from a fairly flat course where the lies were pretty standard.
“But here you can encounter every kind of lie in the same round. Uphill, downhill, sidehill, you never know how you’ll end up.”
As a high school freshman growing up in Marysville, Kent injured his elbow throwing curveballs while playing baseball, necessitating a switch to the links.
“I got out of the cast and the doc said my baseball days were behind me,” Kent said.
“I had played golf a few times and wasn’t too good at it, but the bug bit me.”
Kent played for the Central Washington University golf team while earning a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Management.
“I knew if I pursued a career connected to my degree I’d just be a weekend golfer, and I didn’t want to leave the game,” Kent said.
“I knew I could always fall back if golf didn’t work out, but its been working out pretty good for me.”
Kent started in the Tri-Cities as an assistant pro at Meadow Springs Country Club, crossed the Columbia River to serve in the same position at Sun Willows in Pasco, before spending time at Horn Rapids Golf Course.
He also owned and operated his own driving range in Umatilla, Oregon and worked at a course in Santa Fe, New Mexico before returning to the Tri-Cities.
“Now I’ve got to learn to hit the ball high again,” Kent said with a laugh.
“East of the mountains you want to hit it low and let it get some roll.”
He’s been playing the course as much as he can, including going out for rounds on Mondays with the Discovery Bay Men’s Club.
“The greens are very difficult and offer a really good test,” Kent said.
“I don’t think I’ve played a round without a three-putt. But I’m hoping to break that string sooner rather than later.”
So far, Kent’s a fan of the 379-yard par-4 15th hole.
“The 15th where you have to split the trees off the tee,” Kent said when asked what hole was his early favorite.
“I like that hole it sets up well for me. It’s not too long, so I can hit a two-iron off the tee and get off to a good start in the center of the fairway.”
Kent’s been busy working to get to know the course’s members and regular players.
“Everybody has been really friendly,” Kent said.
“The staff is fun to work with, everybody has been really easy going and fun to work with.
“I’m looking forward to getting to know Port Townsend better.”
Kent, who has provided more than 15,000 golf lessons in his career, plans on upping that number during the summer season.
“We are going to do some ladies clinics and some juniors clinics in June and July,” Kent said.
“I just want to promote golf and to get more folks out to play Discovery Bay.
“I’m going to try and see what we can do to have a few more events out here and have a good season.”
Discovery Bay is a dog friendly course, golfers are encouraged to bring their pets along for a round.
Weekly skins games start at 5 p.m. each Thursday. –
The course also is a great value, particularly for twilight rounds.
It’s tough to top the views of the sun setting behind Discovery Bay from the course’s back nine — my personal favorite time to play the course.
To sign up for a tee time or for more information on course activities, phone the clubhouse at 360-385-0704.
Peninsula Ladies Club
Sandy Granger of The Peninsula Golf Club’s Ladies Club checked in with a note that the club opened its 2016 season on April 27.
“A breakfast social followed by a nine-hole scramble was enjoyed by all in attendance,” Granger said.
Club members welcomed new member Lynn Vernon, along with snow bird returnees and guest Sue Priest.
Captain Ruth Thomson announced the scramble winners; the team of Rena Peabody, Helen Arnold, Gloria Andrus, and Lynn Vernon.
The Peninsula Ladies Golf Club plays at 9 a.m. each Wednesday.
“Guests are welcome to join us and enjoy our beautiful course,” Granger said.
Ladies play Tuesday
The Port Townsend Golf Club Women’s Group meets every Tuesday morning at 8:30 a.m.
For more information, call Katherine Buchanan at 360-379-1598 or the pro shop at 360-385-4547.
CASA Golf tourney
Registration is underway for the fourth Court Appointed Special Advocates Golf Tournament at SunLand Golf & Country Club in Sequim on Saturday, June 4.
All proceeds benefit children who have been removed from their families due to abuse or neglect.
More than 240 Clallam County children have been placed in foster care for their own safety through the CASA program.
The tournament is a four-person scramble open to players of all abilities.
Golfers can sign up individually or as teams. Entry fees are $50 per player, $25 for SunLand members.
Carts for non-members are $15 and can be reserved through the SunLand Pro shop.
More than 120 players raised over $8,000 for CASA in last year’s tournament.
For more information, phone Henry Meyer at 360-683-4783, Jennifer Petty at 360-565-2644, or the SunLand pro shop at 360-683-6800, ext 13.
Spring Shotgun
Peninsula Golf Club will host the 55th annual Port Angeles Spring Shotgun over Memorial Day Weekend.
This two-day stroke-play event features the biggest prize percentage payout on the North Olympic Peninsula.
Practice rounds are included in the $120-per- player entry fee.
A shotgun start will open play at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 28-29.
PC athletics tourney
Cedars at Dungeness will host the Peninsula College Pirate Athletic Association Golf Tournament on Saturday, June 4.
The four-person scramble is $100 per player and include green fee, cart, tee prize and lunch.
Three men’s divisions and a women’s division are planned.
Players will have a chance to win one of four hole-in-one prizes including a shot at $10,000.
A $20 extras package including two mulligans and two raffle tickets also can be purchased.
Tee sponsorships also are available.
For more information, phone Peninsula College men’s basketball coach Mitch Freeman at 360-417-6467 or email mfreeman@pencol.edu.
Father’s Day Best Ball
Cedars at Dungeness seeks to start a new Father’s Day tradition with its first Father’s Day Best Ball Tournament on Sunday, June 19.
The 18-hole four-ball stroke play event will feature handicap and Callaway flights.
It will begin with a 10 a.m. shotgun start.
Partners must be related, i.e. a father/son pairing, a father/daughter duo, or a grandfather/grandchild team.
The tournament is $65 per player and includes green fees, cart rental, range balls, prizes and a barbecue rib lunch.
For more information, phone 360-683-6344.
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Sports reporter Michael Carman can be contacted at 360-452-2345, ext. 57050 or at mcarman@peninsuladailynews.com.
