PHIL MICKELSON SEIZED the opportunity to change the narrative of his career with his remarkable performance in the final round of Sunday’s (British) Open Championship.
His charge down the back nine at Royal Muirfield may pay dividends for our viewing pleasure about 23 months down the road at the U.S. Open at Chambers Bay in University Place.
Everything, of course, is dependent on what occurs at Pinehurst next June, but we may have the chance to see Lefty finally raise the U.S. Open trophy, earning his sixth major trophy and the career grand slam in the process.
Is that the office air conditioning finally working today or are those goose bumps from imagining that scene — Phil and the wife and kids and a big hug right by the shore of the Tacoma Narrows? Both, actually.
Early in his career he struggled to adapt to links golf, with its tricky bounces, nightmarishly deep bunkers and all that wind and wet leading to missed cuts or low finishes.
Those difficulties seemed crazy to me, as Lefty has always had a knack for improvisational shot making, especially around the green, exactly the kind needed to do well in links golf.
He improved mightily in the early 2000s, even finishing third in 2004, the year he won the Masters and finished second at the U.S. Open, and tied for second place with Dustin Johnson two years ago.
Mickelson long-ago locked up a legacy as one of the greatest golfers of his generation, but the fifth major, tying him with all-timers like Seve Ballesteros and Byron Nelson, cements him as a legend.
When you factor in the disappointment and heartbreak from June’s U.S. Open defeat at Merion and all his past shortcomings at British Open’s over the past 20 years, the ability to come back and put forth such a delightful-to-watch effort is just what a legend of the game would do.
I can see the Torrey Pines event in his hometown of San Diego becoming the Phil Mickelson “Insert name of corporate sponsor here” Classic in about 20-30 years.
Well-earned, Lefty.
9-9-9 tourney slated
Port Townsend Golf Club’s men’s club will host a 9-9-9 tournament Saturday, with nine holes of best ball, nine of scramble and nine of alternate shot.
All three of Port Townsend’s tee boxes will be used, white, black and coral.
The cost of the event is $35, plus $15 green fees for nonmembers, and there is an 8:30 a.m. shotgun start.
Players can also take advantage of nine-hole Thursday skins and 18-hole Saturday skins games, with $10 competition fees added to green fees.
This is also the last few days of Port Townsend’s free junior round with paid adult round offer. This runs through next Wednesday.
SunLand member/guest
SunLand Golf & Country Club member Henry Meyer wrote in with details on the club’s 27th Men’s Club Member/Guest Tournament.
Thirty-two teams competed in the event with Mike Novotny and Leonard Hines winning the overall gross championship, and Jerry Hurd and Ryan Phelan taking the overall net championship.
Teams played one practice round and then two competitive rounds, with team best ball the format for play.
Meyer said that guests came from around the country to participate on SunLand’s course, known for “tight fairways and fast, tricky greens.”
John Sims and John Magee were first-place gross winners in the first flight, while Jim Coulter and David Vassar won first-place low net in the same flight.
First-place gross in the second flight was won by Tom Chirhart and Dennis Varni. They also won the horserace held after the practice round.
First-place net in the second flight went to Wayne Nordyke and Ray DeJong.
Next year’s member/guest event is set for July 17-19.
Daisy and Duke tourney
SkyRidge also will host the second annual Daisy and Duke Golf Scramble, a four-person event that will benefit Chapter EP of Philanthropic Educational Organization (PEO) on Sunday, Sept. 8.
The ladies in this organization advocate for the education and advancement of women through grants, scholarships and awards.
Entry for the tourney is $65 per player, with cart, green fees, lunch and snacks, such as muffins and chocolate chip cookies.
“Daisy and Duke” attire is optional, but each team must have at least one female golfer.
Registration will start at 10:30 a.m., with lunch from 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., a putting contest with honey pot at noon and a 1 p.m. shotgun start.
Awards for golf and best costume will be presented following the tournament in the SkyRidge clubhouse.
For more information, phone Lucille Blydenstein at 360-582-3136, or SkyRidge at 360-683-3673.
Dove House benefit
Last year’s Dove House Bluebill Golf Benefit was such a success that organizers will host the second installment at Port Ludlow Golf Club on Saturday, Sept. 7.
Proceeds from the event benefit Dove House Advocacy Services, a Port Townsend-based provider of crisis intervention, emergency food and shelter, medical advocacy, legal advocacy, individual support and counseling support groups and therapy for child and adult victims. Dove House also maintains a 24-hour crisis line at 360-385-5291.
Organizers of the event are the Boeing Bluebills, a Boeing-supported group of Boeing retirees and other volunteers who work with local agencies and schools to improve the lives of people in our communities.
Cost is $90 for the public and $45 for Port Ludlow members.
Players will receive use of a golf cart, box lunch, raffle opportunities and awards ceremony with hor d’oeuvres.
Registration is due by Thursday, Aug. 15.
For more information, phone Michael Graham at 360-437-5052 or Port Ludlow golf course at 800-455-0272.
Viva Las Vegas events
The SunLand Women’s Golf Association is set to host Viva Las Vegas-themed events on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 16-17.
A nine-hole “Best Poker Hand” scramble will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, followed by casino games, food and a no-host bar at 4 p.m.
A continental breakfast will kick things off at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, followed by an 18-hole two-woman better ball competition.
This round includes tee prizes, raffle prizes and low gross and net prizes that will be awarded during a luncheon following play in the SunLand ballroom.
Participants are encouraged to wear attire that carries out the Viva Las Vegas theme (such as an Elvis jumpsuit).
Prizes will be awarded for the best theme attire.
Practice balls will be provided both days at the SunLand driving range.
Handicap numbers are required and ladies need a partner.
The cost to play Friday and Saturday is $90 per person.
Golf on Saturday only is $75 per person.
Golf cart rentals are available for $15 per seat for 18 holes, and $7.50 per seat for Friday’s nine-hole event.
The entry deadline is Aug. 9.
For information or a registration form, call the SunLand Pro Shop 360-683-6800, ext. 13, and ask to have Cheryl Coulter or Carol Goodman return your call.
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Golf columnist Michael Carman can be reached at 360-417-3527 or pdngolf@gmail.com.