THE FIELD IS nearly full, final preparations, such as installing the United States Golf Association-owned lockers and putting together a grandstand near the practice tee, are coming together, and the weather forecast looks wonderful.
With U.S. Open week beginning with the first of three practice rounds Monday, it’s time for Chambers Bay golf course to take its close-up, and for the sport of golf in Washington to shine like the sun glinting off the waters of the Tacoma Narrows in back of the course.
Closer to home, North Olympic Peninsula residents are readying themselves for volunteer shifts at the event.
I’ll be down at Chambers Bay to speak with a couple of them in person during Monday’s first practice round.
U.S. Open special
Port Ludlow is embracing the U.S. Open spirit with a month-long special.
A round of golf for two players and use of a cart is $115 this month, in recognition of Chambers Bay’s status as the 115th U.S. Open.
Those fans attending the tournament who may not wish to make the full trip back and forth to University Place also can take advantage of another Ludlow deal.
A deal for two includes a night’s accommodations at the Resort at Port Ludlow, 18 holes of golf per person, use of a cart, unlimited range balls and a $50 gift certificate to use at the course.
Port Ludlow Director of Golf Vito DeSantis will play an important role in the run-up to the tournament.
He said he “jumped at” the opportunity when he was asked to be a practice round starter on Monday and Wednesday.
DeSantis lives across the Tacoma Narrows Bridge from the course in Gig Harbor, so the U.S. Open is mere minutes from his home.
“[I’m] very excited about being able to take my family over and watch the best players in the world in our backyard,” DeSantis said.
“Cant wait! My pick for the winner is Phil Mickelson or Dustin Johnson.
“I think the winner will need to hit it high and long, and if Phil gets hot with the putter he could run away and hide from the field.”
Another Lefty vote
Port Townsend Golf Club head pro and general manager Gabriel Tonan said that he will setup the course for a tough, U.S. Open-style challenge.
“Tough pins and to lengthen the course,” Tonan said of his guiding setup strategy.
“As always, I hope Tiger wins the Open, but I think the multi runner-up Lefty (Mickelson) is going to win and finish his tour grand slam.”
Mickelson, well known for his penchant to tip tremendously, courted some good karma in advance of Chambers Bay before his opening round last week at the Memorial in Dublin, Ohio.
The Columbus Dispatch reported Mickelson purchased a $1 lemonade with a $100 bill from brother and sister duo Roland and Elise Van Karsen, ages 6 and 8 respectively, and told the kids to keep the change.
A story on the big tip, complete with an interview with the pint-sized proprietors is available at tinyurl.com/PDN-GolfTip.
Cedars teams up
Cedars at Dungeness in Sequim has partnered with Salish Cliffs Golf Club near Shelton and White Horse Golf Club in Kingston on an Olympic Peninsula Casino Golf Card.
For $149 per person, the card allows for a round of golf with cart and a small bucket of range balls at each facility.
Players also receive 10 percent off merchandise (except clubs) and food and beverage.
The card allows for rounds from noon to 7 p.m. through Oct. 31.
There were only 100 of these cards left as of June 6.
It’s called a Casino Card because Cedars at Dungeness is part of the Jamestown S’Klallam tribe’s 7 Cedars Resort; White Horse is owned by the Suquamish tribe, operators of the Clearwater Casino and Salish Cliffs and the adjacent Salish Cliffs Casino is owned by the Squaxin Island tribe.
SkyRidge turns 12
SkyRidge, the North Olympic Peninsula’s links-style course, celebrates its 12th anniversary on Saturday.
The course will hold a two-person modified Chapman SkyRidge anniversary tournament that will start with a 9 a.m. shotgun start.
Cost is $70 per team and includes 18 holes of golf, range balls, lunch after play, KP’s and a long-putt entry.
Carts are $15 per seat.
A horse race also is possible after lunch for $10 per team.
In a modified Chapman, each player tees off and the teammates hit each others ball for the second shot.
The player whose second shot is not used hits the third shot and the teammates alternate shots until the ball is holed.
For more information, phone SkyRidge at 360-683-3673.
Wagner giving lessons
Cedars at Dungeness assistant pro Chad Wagner, last seen zipping about the course on a GolfBoard for a piece I wrote on the product’s new addition to Cedars, is now offering golf lessons.
Wagner said a single lesson is $35, while a series of five lessons is $140.
To contact Wagner, phone 360-683-6344, email cwagner@7cedarsresort.com, or visit the pro shop.
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Golf columnist Michael Carman can be reached at 360-417-3525 or pdngolf@gmail.com.