I’ll ADMIT IT, I was a little bummed to learn that Garrett Smithson had decided to step back from coaching the Sequim High School girls golf program after eight years of successful instruction.
Smithson’s teams were always in the hunt for the Olympic League title, winning five in his eight years at the helm.
Many of his players progressed far under his tutelage, including a fifth-place finish at state for Zoey Zbaraschuck in 2010, which helped the Wolves place sixth overall as a team, and a third-place trophy this past season for freshman Alex McMenamin.
But with those successes came sacrifices for Smithson, in the time spent away from his wife, Bethany, and their two boys, Kellan, 4, and Cole, 9.
“It’s a really tough decision. Coaching is something I love to do,” Smithson said.
“I just want to be involved with my boys’ activities, spend time with my kids at home and get involved with little league.”
Smithson mentioned that his older son is getting the itch to play baseball.
And after growing up in a baseball-loving household — Smithson’s brother Grant played for Port Angeles High School and the Wilder Baseball program — Smithson loves the game and could see himself in a different coaching role in the next few years.
“Maybe it’s time to become a baseball coach,” he joked.
If he does make that transition, it could help him avoid missing what he felt were the two most satisfying aspects of coaching.
“Being able to share what these kids can get out of the game of golf and teaching the integrity and honor and the life lessons this game can teach, and watching the improvement the players would make from freshman to senior years was so rewarding,” Smithson said.
“We’ve had a good program, and a lot of that is getting them early and seeing them grow.”
Smithson also mentioned the bonds he built with the players and their families.
“I’ll miss the relationships we build with the parents and the golfers themselves,” Smithson said.
“It’s weird to think how long a period of time eight years is. I have former players that will come in [to the pro shop at Cedars at Dungeness] now that are 25 years old.”
But Smithson, the head golf pro at Cedars at Dungeness, will still be actively involved in the game of golf and willing to volunteer his expertise.
“The cool thing about it is I’m here every day, so I told the girls I will be around to help them with their swing, their putting, anything really.
“I just wont be the guy driving them to the matches or talking them up before they play.”
Whomever is selected when the Sequim School District opens the application process this fall will have some big Footjoys to fill, but will also step into a successful situation.
With All-Peninsula Co-MVP McMenamin just getting started on her high school career along with All-Peninsula honoree senior Brianna Kettel expected to return, the team is loaded for a good run.
And if senior Caitlin Stofferahn returns from an ACL injury that sidelined her in 2014, a run at a top-five finish at state isn’t out of the question.
“The team next year is going to be unbelievable,” Smithson said.
“Probably the best team in years; maybe the best Sequim team in history.”
I asked if Smithson were interested in returning to coaching high school golf after his kids had grown up a bit, just like Cedars general manager Bill Shea did a few years ago.
“Yes, if the athletic department will have me back when that day comes, I’d love too,” Smithson said.
“If they have their coach at that time and he wants to stay, then that’s fine too. I’ll just volunteer to help out.”
Immaculate at Cedars
Smithson mentioned that a host of North Olympic Peninsula golfers — like McMenamin, Sequim’s Jack Shea and Port Townsend’s Zack Glover and Patrick Morton — were playing in Tuesday’s Washington Junior Golf Association event.
“We’ve got a good crew of local talent going today [Tuesday],” Smithson said.
I’ll dig up results for Thursday’s edition.
The local kids were able to play a course in absolutely perfect conditions.
“It’s immaculate right now,” Smithson said of Cedars.
“Beginning back when we hosted that Washington State Senior Open [in early June], we have just had a run of great weather, and the course has responded so well.”
Smithson mentioned the Sequim course will host a TaylorMade demo from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, July 23.
I’ll have a column between now and then on the new TaylorMade JetSpeed Driver I was fitted for (early preview: I love it) back in late May.
Disco Bay events
Discovery Bay Golf Club near Port Townsend will offer $15 green fees Saturday, but players must visit the course website at www.discoverybaygolfcourse.com and print the corresponding coupon.
Beginning Monday, Discovery Bay’s two rounds of golf for the price of one deal will be offered each Monday through the end of July.
Course pro Dan Swindler also is offering a four-pack of golf lessons for the low price of $80.
The course will host the North Olympic Salmon Coalition Tournament starting at noon Saturday, July 19.
Entry is $75 for the four-person and includes golf, cart, lunch and prizes.
Proceeds will benefit the coalition, which works to protect and restore wild salmon stock on the North Olympic Peninsula.
Phone the golf shop at 360-385-0704 to register.
Discovery Bay also hosts a Thursday night skins competition, a nine-hole event with KP’s.
Entry is $10 with $10 green fees for nonmembers.
Start time for the skins is about 5 p.m., but call ahead to let the golf shop know.
SkyRidge hosts two
SkyRidge Golf Course in Sequim has two upcoming tournaments.
First, the ninth annual Lavender Golf Tournament, a two-person scramble event with a 9:30 a.m. shotgun start is planned for Saturday, July 19.
Players will play from multiple tees: the greens for pars, silvers for bogies and the black tees for birdies.
Cost is $35 per player, with chances at four KP’s, a long putt contest, along with golf, range balls and food.
Carts are $15 per seat.
A $10 per person honey pot will be available.
The 40-person Clallam Links “Open,” an individual medal play tourney conducted after “the [British] Open” concludes Sunday, July 20.
Lunch starts at noon, and the mini-shotgun event is at 1 p.m.
There are three divisions: a men’s amateur for players with handicaps from 0-14 that will go from the black tees; a men’s amateur 15 and Up, which will play from the green tees; and a women’s amateur from the silver tees, where only the net scores will count.
Players can come up with their own foursomes or let SkyRidge handle the pairings.
This event has a $1,000 payout based on a full amateur field, and 30 percent of the field will get a payday in each division.
Phone SkyRidge at 360-683-3673 or stop in to sign up.
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Golf columnist Michael Carman can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5152 or pdngolf@gmail.com.