RED, WHITE AND blue.
Golf has imprinted all three colors on myself at some point, both literally and figuratively.
Too much time in the sun and too little sunscreen while playing rounds in the summer sun have produced red.
Friends say I turned white when my errant drive on Port Townsend Golf Club’s eighth hole strayed into the path of a Dodge Caravan’s windshield.
Did I mention there was a baby in said minivan’s front seat? Thankfully, no harm was done, though I packed in the golf game for the day. Too close for comfort, there.
And the entire Tiger Woods saga since I started writing the golf column before his 2009 meltdown has made me feel blue.
But this weekend and this month golfers have a chance to celebrate the red, white and blue of our nation’s stars and stripes while enjoying a round.
SkyRidge Golf Course in Sequim will host its annual Stars and Stripes Golf Tournament Saturday.
The three-format, 27-hole, two-person event will open with a 10 a.m. shotgun start.
Players will begin with nine holes of better ball golf from the green tees.
A switch to the scramble format begins on the back nine — also from the green tees.
Golfers will alternate shots on the final nine holes while playing from the silver tees.
The cost is $80 per team and includes golf, range balls, good.
Use of a cart is $15 per person.
Only 28 spots are available, so players should phone SkyRidge at 360-683-3673 to get in the game.
Ludlow donates balls
Port Ludlow Golf Club recently donated 2,500 range balls to Lakewood’s American Lakes Veterans Golf Course.
The Pierce County course recently expanded to 18 holes with the opening of its new Jack Nicklaus-designed Nicklaus Nine earlier this month.
The course allows veterans, be they blind, disabled, emotionally troubled or of sound mental and physical health, the chance to play in an open and accepting atmosphere.
Ludlow specials
Port Ludlow is offering a month-long “Red, White and Green” special of 18 holes of golf for two and use of a GPS cart for $99.
The Ludlow pro shop also will hold a 4th of July sale from Friday through Monday on various apparel.
Golfers who buy a golf bag (Callaway, TaylorMade, Ogio or Sun Mountain) will receive a dozen Nike PD Soft balls with purchase.
Port Ludlow also offers some great super twilight rates.
Walking golfers can play for $20 after 3 p.m., while a round and use of a cart is $29 after 3 p.m.
Clallam Amateur
Monday is the last day for entries for the three-round Clallam County Amateur.
The amateur will be held from Friday through Sunday, July 8-10, at Peninsula Golf Club in Port Angeles, and SunLand Golf & Country Club and The Cedars at Dungeness in Sequim.
A maximum of 80 golfers with valid USGA handicaps will compete for $3,500 in prize money across three divisions in the medal, or stroke, play event.
Raffle prizes totaling $1,500 will be given away during the tournament.
The entry fee is a steal by itself — a chance to play three high-quality courses is just $110 for the public and $90 for members of any of the three courses.
Range balls and a meal on the final day of the tournament are included.
A $5,000 cash prize will be on the line each day for potential hole-in-one hitters.
For more information, phone 800-447-6826 or 360-683-6344.
Support salmon
Support the next generation of environmental stewardship by playing in The North Olympic Salmon Coalition’s annual golf tournament at Cedars at Dungeness on Saturday, July 9.
A 9 a.m. shotgun start will start the tournament.
Entry fees have been trimmed to $80 for the public, $45 for Cedars members or employees, and include green fees, use of cart, tournament prizes, a goodie bag, drinks and an awards lunch following play.
Thousands of dollars worth of cash and prizes will be given away and there will be games galore.
Players will have a shot at winning a brand-new Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck courtesy of Ruddell Auto with a hole-in-one on a designated hole.
Proceeds will support the coalition’s place-based, restoration and engineering middle school education program across the North Olympic Peninsula.
Registrations forms are available at www.nosc.org, or phone Cedars at 360-683-6344.
Kobe beef burgers
The fourth annual Friends of Olympic Christian School Charity Golf Tournament is set for Saturday, July 16, at Cedars at Dungeness.
The cost is $90, which includes green fees, cart, range balls, and for the second year in a row, a gourmet lunch featuring hamburgers made with Kobe beef.
This year, the tournament also serves as an official Lavender Weekend event.
A total of $30,000 in prizes, including shots at two big hole-in-one prizes, will be up for grabs.
This includes a swing for $10,000 for a hole-in-one on the fourth hole courtesy of First Federal.
Players also will shoot for a new 2016 Dodge Dart courtesy of Wilder Auto Center if they can hole out on No. 17.
A scramble format with a 9 a.m. shotgun start is planned .
There will be two divisions for scoring prizes: a low gross and the OCS Eagle flight.
All skill levels will have fun at this tournament.
Sponsorships, which include free golf also are available.
Register as a sponsor, or as a single player through a foursome at www.olympicchristian.org, or phone 360-477-0802.
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Sports reporter Michael Carman can be contacted at 360-417-3525 or at mcarman@peninsuladailynews.com.