AUGUSTA NATIONAL MADE the delayed leap into the 20th century last August when they admitted their first female members.
I kid, I kid. But it was long past time.
Condoleeza Rice and Darla Moore will be sought after by scribes, photographers and television camera operators this Masters week, but if I was down south to cover the event I’d ask a different question.
Namely: when will this storied course host female players for an LPGA Tour version of the Masters?
I can understand an aversion to hosting another annual tourney at Augusta National.
It’s already asking a large sacrifice of the membership’s playing privileges to host what I consider the best golf event of the year each April.
But hosting an LPGA major event every four years or so would be a wonderful way in which to grow the women’s game and garner big television ratings and ad revenue.
I’d tune in to watch that course anytime, and especially so with a major title on the line.
It’s not for a lack of trying by the ladies tour, as its commissioner, Mike Whan, has apparently asked Augusta National Chair Billy Payne about hosting an LPGA event each year since Whan took over in 2009.
There’s precedent and history for a ladies tourney in the town of Augusta: Augusta Country Club hosted the Titleholders, a long-running female tour event, 27 times from 1937 to 1966.
Another regular LPGA Tour event was held at a nearby course in the early 2000s.
It didn’t take off and was shelved.
A ladies major at Augusta though, that would be something to see.
Enjoy this week’s Masters, I know I will.
PT women’s club starts
The Port Townsend women’s club held their first competition of the 2013 season last Tuesday.
Nine ladies in attendance played a low net game for nine holes.
Marianne Ott bested the field with a 32.5, followed by Barb Aldrich with a 34, a tie for third with Vicki Handside and Barb Matter at 34.5 and Vicki Young fifth with a 42.
These ladies meet on Tuesdays at 10 a.m. through April before switching to a 9 a.m. tee time in May.
Club members welcome all players for a “get acquainted” round this month.
Aldrich reports that the “course is in very good condition with the greens in top shape this early in the season.”
For more on the Port Townsend Women’s Golf Club, phone Barb Aldrich at 360-385-5465.
Cedars Lady niners
The Lady Niners at Cedars at Dungeness will hold their annual Memorial Scramble Tournament on Thursday, April 25.
Proceeds from the event will go to Volunteer Hospice of Clallam County.
Last year’s event raised $887 for the hospice group in memory of dearly departed lady golfers.
This year’s nine-hole game will cost $40 for walkers and $50 for those using a cart.
The cost includes green fees and a light lunch of sandwich, chips and dessert, with the majority of the fee being donated to Hospice.
Participants will gather at 7:45 a.m. for an 8:30 a.m. shotgun start.
Club members invite all lady golfers to join in this worthy endeavor, whether a member of the golf club or not.
The only requirement is a handicap and GHIN number.
Applications can be obtained from Jan Boyungs at 360-797-1452.
Registration closes Thursday, April 18.
The Lady Niners played a low net game last Thursday, dealing with some drizzle and wet conditions.
First division winner was Pat Conway with a 31 and new member Lisa Ballantyne with a 33.
Lee Stanley topped the second division with a 31, followed by a tie at 34 by Kitty Gross and Pat Charters.
Another newcomer, Sandy Deckman, was first in the second division with 18 putts.
Vernice Quigley birdied Hole No. 8 during the outing.
The Lady Niners will meet at 9:30 a.m. and play at 10:30 a.m.
The game is “Math 303,” which I may have had to take once or twice back in college.
Cedars women golfers
Cedars at Dungeness Women’s Golf Association started their season March 5.
Association member Bonney Benson reports that “attendance has been low, mainly due to weather and awaiting our snowbirds to return. However, the brave have been out there every week, playing a well groomed course.”
“New restrooms out on the course are a few of the great improvements that have been made since last year.”
The ladies group elected their 2013 officers with Pat Conway as captain and tournament chair; Marlene Erickson, co-captain; Carolyn Gill, secretary; Nancy Schoessler, treasurer; Barb Burrows, handicap chair; Pat Schumacher, rules chair; Ruth Wade, phone chair; and trustees Bonney Benson, Pat Conway, Lilli Gomes.
New members are welcome to join the “golf and camaraderie of a very special group of gals.”
For more, phone the pro shop at 360-683-6344 or Conway at 360-683-8980.
Disco Bay ladies begin
The Discovery Bay Ladies Golf Club hosted their first event of the year last Thursday.
Eight ladies split into two squads for a four-person scramble game.
The teams tied with identical scores of 45.
Team members were Pat Burns, Diane Solie, Vicki Young and Sheila Kilmer competing against Barb Aldrich, Marianne Ott, Mary Pat Griswold, and Lynn Pierle.
The Ladies Club is open to all women golfers. Those interested can phone Discovery Bay at 360-385-0704 or visit www.discoverybaygolfcourse.com.
Peninsula update
Peninsula Golf Club member Paul Reed checks in with some info on the Peninsula Summer League and the club’s annual “Beat the Pro” tourney.
Summer League play begins today, but don’t fret, there is still space available by phoning Sunny Carter in the pro shop at 360-457-6501.
The first two weeks of the league are for acclimation and getting rosters in order, and don’t count in league standings.
Peninsula Head Pro Chris Repass will take on all members in the annual “Beat the Pro” event this Sunday.
Repass will match his gross score against the net scores of others and reminds everyone that this is “Beat the pro, not tie the pro.”
PT Golf Club events
Some events have been rescheduled and moved around the calendar at Port Townsend Golf Club.
For more information or to sign up for any Port Townsend event, phone the club at 360-385-4547.
■ The Brad Brown Memorial Golf Tournament will be held Friday.
Cost is $50.00 per player, and includes golf green fees, lunch and skins game.
The tournament format is a four-person scramble skins game.
■ The men’s club’s Spring Fling Scramble and steak feed is now set for Saturday, April 27.
Entry is $30 per player, with only $5 green fees for nonmembers.
Format is a blind draw scramble and will begin with a 9 a.m. shotgun start.
■ The Relay For Life Linda Constantine Memorial Golf Tournament is being reschedule for a later date. Call for details.
■ The men’s club Matchplay Championship was moved to May 4.
Entry fee is $30 per player with discount green fees for nonmembers at only $12.
This is a double-elimination all-net match play format tournament that lasts through the summer.
SkyRidge opener set
I jumped the gun last week and put the wrong date for SkyRidge Golf Course’s Spring Opener.
This two-person scramble event is set for this Saturday.
The tourney has a 9 a.m. shotgun start with both gross and net divisions.
Three drives must be used on each nine by each playing partner, so the weaker player will have to use at least six tee shots in total.
Cost is $60 per team, which includes the round, range balls, KP’s and lunch.
A team honeypot is an additional $20.
Carts are an additional $15 per seat.
To get in on the game, phone SkyRidge at 360-683-3673.
Mark your calendar
SunLand Golf & Country Club will host a Demo Day event with representatives from Callaway Golf and Adams Golf visiting the Sequim course from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, April 25.
A lot of positive chatter surrounds this year’s new Callaway Razr Fit Extreme driver, so go and see for yourself out at SunLand.
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Golf columnist Michael Carman can be reached at 360-417-3527 or pdngolf@gmail.com.
