There is PLENTY of links action here on the North Olympic Peninsula in the form of a number of benefit tournaments, and on television this weekend as the 147th Open Championship, aka the British Open, tees it up at likely the most difficult tournament venue in rotation, Carnoustie.
That’s at least what Tiger Woods said earlier this week as he prepares to play in the British Open for the first time since 2015 and fourth time ever at Carnoustie.
“From my first time coming here as an amateur to being back now, it’s just amazing how this course doesn’t change,” Woods told ESPN golf writer Bob Harig. “It is right in front of you. It’s hard. It’s probably the most difficult one we play in the whole rotation.”
And apparently Scotland is in the middle of its warmest, driest summer stretch of weather in decades, turning the course a shade of brown last encountered at Chambers Bay during the 2015 U.S. Open and frying the fairways and greens.
The winner will need imagination, patience and as always … a wee bit of luck.
Sixkiller tourney set
The eighth annual Sonny Sixkiller Celebrity Golf Classic will tee it up to raise funds for the Olympic Medical Center Foundation at Cedars at Dungeness on Friday.
The golf tournament format is a Florida scramble, in which a participating foursome will be paired with a University of Washington athletic legend.
In a Florida scramble, one golfer on the team skips each stroke played, except for the hole’s drive, which all golfers hit. After that, until the ball is holed, the golfer whose shot is selected skips the next shot.
The night before the tournament Thursday, a cocktail reception/pairings party plus a dinner and auction will be held at 7 Cedars Casino.
The live auction will include several Huskies items and experiences.
More than 35 Huskies athletics celebrities will join Sixkiller, including former head football coaches Keith Gilbertson and Jim Lambright, and former players such as Damon Huard, Steve Emtman, Lincoln Kennedy, Jason Chorak, Greg Lewis and Port Angeles’ Scott Jones.
The event is sponsored by Wilder Automotive Center, with 7 Cedars Casino and Cedars at Dungeness also serving as major sponsors.
For more information, call 360-417-7144.
Clallam Links Open
Once the British Open concludes, players will tee it up in the Clallam Links Open at SkyRidge Golf Course in Sequim on Sunday.
A mulligan stew lunch with all the fixings will be served at noon.
A mini shotgun will start at 1 p.m. on holes one and seven.
The event features three divisions: Men’s Amateur (0-14 handicap) will play from the black tees; Men’s Amateur (15 and up) will tee from the green tees and a Women’s Amateur group will play from the silver tees.
There will be a $1,000 payout based on a full field and 30 percent of the field will get paid in each division.
Cost is $55 per player ($20 for golf, $25 for a honey pot and $10 for lunch and prizes). The fee includes 18 holes of golf, range balls, KPs, longest putt and lunch.
Carts are an extra $15 per seat.
To get in on the game, phone SkyRidge at 360-683-3673.
Discovery Bay info
Discovery Bay’s current special is doing so well head pro Jeff Kent said the course near Port Townsend has extended it for another week.
That means golfers can enjoy a twilight special of 18 holes for $30 including a power cart beginning at 2 p.m. everyday through July 22.
Mention the special at check-in to receive the discount.
When I was first learning the game of golf back in my teens, I had some friends who lived near Discovery Bay and we would walk down and play the course during summer twilight hours. The back nine at Discovery Bay is nicely shaded in the evening hours and the views of an already picturesque course are amplified with the sun setting on the water.
Then we would march back to my friend’s home and enjoy some of the home-grown raspberries or blackberries we had picked, our “payment” to our friend’s parents for hosting summer sleepovers.
“This beautiful weather is matching the condition of our golf course right now,” Kent said. Course is about as awesome as it has ever been, come on out and see for yourselves.”
Discovery Bay also has $12 super twilight specials everyday and a two for one special on Tuesdays. Mention the two for one special on Tuesdays and play 18 holes for $19 through October.
And youth golfers who are members of the Washington State Golf Association can play Discovery Bay for $5 per round as part of the WSGA’s Youth on Course program. Junior golfers can show their GHIN card at check-in to receive the $5 rate.
Kent said the course’s Men’s Club Championship will be taking place in about a month and that it’s not too late to join the men’s club and participate in the championship.
The course is running a British Open pick-em pool this week, provide your picks in person or call the pro shop at 360-385-0704 before play begins Thursday morning for a shot at winning the pool.
Weekly Tuesday afternoon golf clinics continue at 3 p.m. These clincs are $10 per person and advance sign-up is required due to limited spaced.
Discovery Bay golfers also are allowed to bring their dogs out with them during their rounds.
“They must be well mannered and leashed at all times (the dogs, not the customers),” Kent said. “And obviously you must clean up after them.”
OCS Friends tourney
The Friends of Olympic Christian School will host their sixth annual Charity Golf Tournament at Cedars at Dungeness on Saturday.
Check-in runs from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., with a 9 a.m. shotgun start opening play.
The scramble format event is for all types of golfers from casual players to experts.
There will be two chances to win through Low Gross and OCS Eagle flights.
The tournament is $120 for the public and includes green fees, use of cart, range balls and a lunch featuring Cedars’ delicious Kobe beef hamburgers.
Cedars at Dungeness members can receive a discount by registering through the pro shop.
All proceeds benefit Olympic Christian School students.
Sponsorship opportunities also are available.
For more information, phone Jason Meyer at 360-670-8811 or email golf@olympicchristian.org.
Bob’s Cup July 28
Registration is open for the third Bob Cup Golf Tournament, a fundraiser for the creation of Mosaic House, a permanent location for Clallam Mosaic, a nonprofit celebrating 20 years of empowering individuals with special needs.
The tournament was created in memory of longtime Sequim resident Robert ‘Bob’ Duncan.
It will be held at Cedars at Dungeness in Sequim on Saturday, July 28.
Player/team check-ins begin at 7:30 a.m., with a shotgun start at 9 a.m. The barbecue lunch and live auction begin at 2:30 p.m.
Cost is $100 per player and includes lunch. Tickets for the barbecue only are $20 with advance registration, and $25 at the door.
Registration forms are available online at www.clallammosaic.org/bob-cup/.
Secure payments, and donations, can be made online through Clallam Mosaic’s Square Marketplace at squareup.com/store/clallam-mosaic
Alaska Airlines has donated two round-trip airline tickets to anywhere the airline flies (excluding Cuba). The tickets will be auctioned live during lunch.
For more information, or to register, go to www.clallammosaic.org/bob-cup/, call 360-681-8642 or email bobcup@clallammosaic.org.
