GOLF DURING THE shoulder seasons here on the North Olympic Peninsula is a treat for year-round residents.
With fall officially here in a few days, most of the tourist crowds have retreated leaving gaps on the tee sheets at area courses.
It’s still warm in the sun out in the fairway, but trending toward cool and crisp, perfect for an enjoyable, unhurried outing.
Plenty of golf remains on the schedule at area layouts as well.
Over in Sequim, registration is underway for the annual Knights of Columbus Golf Tournament at SunLand Golf & Country Club on Saturday, Sept. 26.
All proceeds from the tournament are directed to area charities.
Past recipients have included the Sequim Food Bank, Boys & Girls Club, Habitat for Humanity, Volunteer Hospice of Clallam County and many others.
Over the last 10 years this tournament has given more than $50,000 to area nonprofits.
The tournament is a four-person scramble, open to men and women of all abilities.
A shotgun start opens play at 1 p.m.
Golfers can sign up individually or as teams.
Entry is $55 per player, $30 for Sunland members, and $45 for Peninsula Golf Club members (cart fee included for Peninsula members).
Carts for nonmembers are $15 and can be reserved through the Sunland Pro shop.
SunLand member Henry Meyer sent along the information on the tournament.
“If you haven’t played Sunland, or haven’t played it recently, you are in for a treat, this charming course is in great shape,” Meyer said.
“Collars are wider, the rough is shorter, and the greens are in excellent condition.”
The entry fee includes green fees, prizes and more.
There are prizes for best teams, closest to the line and closest to the hole on par 3s.
There is also a putting contest before the tournament tees off.
For more information phone Fritz Field at 360-797-1275, or the Sunland Pro-shop at 360-683-6800, ext 13.
Anderson holes out
Tom Anderson recorded his first-ever hole-in-one on the second hole at Port Townsend Golf Club on Tuesday, Sept. 8.
Anderson is a retired educator who served as an administrator in the Port Angeles, Sequim and Crescent school districts.
Anderson aced the 125-yard hole using his 7-iron.
The shot was witnessed by Phil Brand, Terry Kahler and Mike Silva.
Danielson on target
Port Townsend Golf Club member Curt Danielson recently recorded his first hole-in-one in more than 60 years of play.
Danielson aced the 125-yard second hole with his 5-iron.
Witnessing the big shot were Early Boroughf, George Bush and Ron Niccoli.
Peninsula strikers
Glen Pizzuto notched his first ace in August on the 166-yard 14th hole at Peninsula Golf Club in Port Angeles on Aug. 13.
Pizzuto used his pitching wedge to record the ace.
Mike Hammel and Tory Clayton witnessed the shot.
Later in the month, Steve Hutchings tallied his second career ace on the 14th hole.
Hutchings also used a pitching wedge, but this time the hole was playing at 121 yards.
Tom Humleker witnessed the shot.
Drive deadline set
Register by noon Friday for the annual Drive for the Cure golf tournament put on by the SunLand Women Golf Association and the SunLand Lady Niners.
The tournament is set for Thursday, Sept. 24 at SunLand and is open to all.
A 9 a.m. shotgun start is planned for those playing 18 holes, with an 11 a.m. start for a nine-hole round.
Lunch will follow play, with a raffle for gift baskets held.
All proceeds from the tournament will go toward breast cancer detection for men and women in need here on the Olympic Peninsula through the Olympic Medical Center Foundation.
A minimum donation of $25 per participant is suggested.
The cost for the tournament and lunch is $38 for 18 holes and $28 for 9 holes.
The price for SunLand members is $18.
Power carts are available to rent for $15 per seat for 18 holes or $8 per seat for nine holes.
Anyone wanting to attend the lunch without golfing is welcome. The cost for lunch only is $14.
Funds raised from the sale of mulligans and magic putts also will go toward the foundation.
An anonymous donor will match cash donations at a rate of $1 for every $3 raised to a maximum of $3,000.
Last year more than $7,000 was raised by this event.
For more information, phone the SunLand Pro Shop at 360-683-6800 and ask to have Judy Flanders or Nonie Dunphy return your call.
Save the date
The annual Port Townsend Sunrise Rotary Glow Ball Golf Tournament is set for Saturday, Sept. 26.
The five-person scramble features nine holes of golf in the late afternoon, followed by a meal, and nine holes of glow-ball golf in the dark.
For more information, phone Port Townsend at 360-385-4547.
David on Spieth
Larry David, the star and creator of “Curb Your Enthusiasm and cocreator of “Seinfeld,” enjoys the game of golf.
He’s managed to work golf into major plot lines of his show, and the game also found its way into classic “Seinfeld” episodes.
David was interviewed recently by Golf Digest and touches on a variety of topics connected to the sport.
A neurotic, balding man who was the basis for the character of George Costanza on “Seinfeld,” David’s best quips concerned our balding Masters and national champion, Jordan Spieth.
“He’s going to be a bald man He’s going to be wildly bald,” David said.
“This makes him way more appealing to me.
“It’s one thing to handle the pressure of the back nine at Augusta; let’s see how he does when he sees all that hair in the tub.
“That’s pressure. I’ll be watching him very carefully. He’s 22. He’s got three years, maybe four. He’s done.”
The full interview can be read at tinyurl.com/PDN-LDSpeaks.
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Golf columnist Michael Carman can be reached at 360-417-3525, ext. 5152, or pdngolf@gmail.com.
