WHEN YOU START hearing lawn mowers running on sun-splashed afternoons it’s hard not to think baseball/softball season has arrived.
The professionals are just getting going. High school baseball and softball (and golf) players get started on Monday.
And after that first week of practice, a golf tournament benefit to help support the Sequim High School softball program is set for SkyRidge Golf Course in Sequim on Saturday, March 7.
The four-person scramble will tee off at 9 a.m.
It will help raise money for equipment, fees and expenses.
The Wolves, who won the 2011 Class 2A state championship with a 28-0 record, are usually a lock to make the state tournament in Yakima.
So players should know their golfing dollar is going to support a solid cause.
Cost is $50 per person, which includes 18 holes of golf, range balls and lunch.
Carts are not included and are $30 each ($15 per seat).
Entrants can form their own team or call SkyRidge at 360-683-3673 and ask to be added to a team.
Teeing things off
Sheila Kilmer passed along that the Discovery Bay Ladies Golf Association will hold its preseason meeting at the Port Townsend-area club at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 12.
If you are a member or would like to become a member, please try to attend this meeting.
This meeting is intended for both the nine and 18 hole golf groups.
Plans for the coming year will be discussed including new rule changes, upcoming tournaments, committee signups, group lessons and other items.
Lunch will be available at the clubhouse.
Weather depending, golf will follow the meeting.
Hole-by-hole preview
KCPQ-13 started its weekly preview of Chambers Bay’s 18 holes in advance of June’s U.S. Open.
Station sports director Aaron Levine played the course recently with USGA agronomist and Peninsula High School golf coach Larry Gilhuly.
They opened on the flexible first hole, which will play as both a par-4 and par-5 during the U.S. Open.
On days it plays as a par-4, the 18th hole will serve as a par-5, and vice versa.
On the first hole, or “Puget Sound” as it has been named, most tour players will land their drive up on a ledge and shoot an approach shot down where the smart golfer will favor the right side and use contours to find the putting surface.
This is a green that was redesigned after most participants in the 2010 U.S. Amateur saw their approach shots unable to hold the green.
To view the first hole, visit tinyurl.com/PDN-Chambers1.
Fox Island serves as the backdrop for “Foxy,” the short 399-yard par-4 second hole.
U.S. Open players will leave driver in their bag, opting for a hybrid or even a long iron on this one.
A bunker guards the front left of the green but should be no matter for players of high ability.
The green slopes right to left with a large ridge in the middle.
Depending on pin placement, this hole should provide an early-round birdie opportunity.
View the second hole at tinyurl.com/PDN-Chambers2.
Open tickets sold out
The USGA gave word that Thursday-Sunday U.S. Open tickets had sold out.
Tickets remain for all practice-round days, including a three-day Gallery practice-round ticket package for $100 per person.
Prices of available tickets start at $50 for a daily practice-round Gallery ticket and range up to $250 for a daily practice-round 1895 Club ticket.
Each buyer is permitted to purchase up to four tickets for each day. All tickets include complimentary parking and shuttle transportation to and from the championship entrance.
Junior tickets will be available on-site at will call and at all admission gates during the championship.
Juniors, age 12 and younger will be admitted free of charge any day when accompanied by an adult ticket holder.
Tickets for juniors, age 13 to 17, will be available for purchase on-site at a reduced rate of $20 for practice-round days and $40 for championship-round days.
There is a maximum of two junior tickets per one adult ticket holder.
For more information, visit www.usga.org/tickets.
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Golf columnist Michael Carman can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5152 or pdngolf@gmail.com.