SUNLAND MEMBER HENRY Meyer checked in with some information on the addition of a new set of more “player-friendly” tee boxes.
“The United States Golf Association has been emphasizing playing courses that are a good fit for your game,” said SunLand Golf & Country Club General Manager Tyler Sweet.
“For most people that means moving up at least one set of tees.
“Our women’s tees were the equivalent of 5,800 yards, which is too long for most women, so we created a new set of tees to make the course more fun for shorter hitters.”
Two main benefits arise from this bold move forward: Golfers have a much better chance at lowering handicaps on a shorter course, and it should take less time to play each round.
It’s already playing off for SunLand players.
“We have had great feedback in the first month,” Sweet said.
“We had a lady member break 90 for the first time, and another had one of her best rounds at SunLand. I truly believe that golfers will enjoy these forward tees as an alternative course set up.
“The men already have several options but the women and juniors don’t,” said SunLand Golf Chairman Jay Tomlin.
“Sweet suggested a shorter set of tees, and the Golf Committee decided to act on his suggestion.
“Our red tees were the shortest. and measure 5,479 yards. Sweet and I wanted a course of around 4,800 yards.
“We toured the golf course and identified areas to place a new set of forward tees.”
There is also a red/silver combination that plays to 5,180 yards to offer golfers another option, Tomlin explained.
Right now the changes are still in the experimental stage.
“We are experimenting with these shorter tees over the next six months before we make permanent changes,” Sweet said.
“The Washington State Golf Association has agreed to provide a temporary course rating and slope, so scores can be posted for handicapping.”
Discovery Bay info
Discovery Bay Golf Club will launch an Evening Twilight series on Thursday.
The weekly nine-hole event will alternate between the front and back nines but will tee off at 5 p.m. each Thursday.
Cost is $10 per person per event with 20 percent of paid entries held over for the points winner of the six-week series.
This week’s event is Fourball, featuring a two-person match play, Ryder Cup style game.
All four players play their own ball. The team whose player has the lowest score wins the hole. If the teams tie, they halve the hole.
The team that wins the match receives one point, and if the teams tie, they each get a half-point.
Moon in June scramble
Longtime Discovery Bay member and retired Chimacum teacher and football coach John Martin will be the honored guest at a nine-hole scramble tournament Saturday.
The event is called Moon in June as a nod to coach Martin’s nickname.
He and his wife, Gay, are planning a move to Bellingham.
Players will tee off in a 1 p.m. shotgun start.
A gathering for food and story-swapping will follow the round at Rosa’s Delicia Mexicana at Discovery Bay.
Cost is $25 per person and includes golf, Mexican food and cake, or $12 for dinner only.
Players can form their own team or call the course at 360-385-0704.
Prizes will be awarded for best team, closest to the pin and closest to the moon (accuracy drive).
Ladies golf clinic
Discovery Bay will host a Ladies Spring Golf Clinic at 9 a.m. Friday, June 8.
The session involves basic fundamentals, grip, stance and posture.
For more information, phone Dan Swindler at 360-355-0950.
Cedars Lady Niners
Members of Sequim’s The Cedars at Dungeness Golf Course Lady Niners had quite the thrill last Thursday.
Terri Green of Port Angeles carded her first hole-in-one on the 80-yard par-3 No. 8 hole.
Green used a 7-iron and a Nike ball on her sweet shot.
Lady Niners member Lee Stanley checked in with some more tidbits.
“Jan Boyungs, who was playing in that group with her, couldn’t contain herself and ran to verify that the ball was in the cup, and it was,” Stanley wrote.
“Terri herself was rather nonchalant until play began on the ninth hole when it suddenly dawned on her that she had just done what many others only dream of.
“Needless to say, the remainder of the day passed in a blur. Terri’s husband, Jerry, who was also on the course that day, heard of her feat from other players when they passed the terrific news on to him
“His chest puffed out with pride at his wife’s accomplishment.”
Terri has been playing golf since 2003.
Pirate tourney slated
Registration is underway for the Peninsula College Pirate Athletic Association Golf Tournament at The Cedars at Dungeness on Saturday, June 9.
Funds generated from this tourney provide scholarship opportunities to Peninsula student-athletes.
The four-person team scramble will tee off with a noon shotgun start.
An awards banquet will follow play.
Cost is $100 per player or $300 per four-player team, and includes greens fees, cart, awards banquet and a tee gift.
Singles will be paired according to handicap/average score.
Sponsorships are available.
For more information on the tourney, phone Lance Von Vogt at 360-417-6467 or email LVonVogt@pencol.edu.
CPOA tourney set
SunLand will host the seventh annual U.S. Coast Guard Chief Petty Officers Association tournament on Friday, June 8.
This four-person best ball tourney is open to the public, and will tee off at 1:30 p.m.
Entry is $65 per person, and includes greens fees, cart and dinner catered by Famous Dave’s BBQ.
A free golf club is also available if players wish to pay shipping and handling fees.
There are four hole-in-one prize opportunities, including a shot at a cool $10,000, a Sharp LCD TV, a set of Callaway Diablo irons and round-trip domestic airfare for two.
Sign-ups are due Thursday.
For more information, email Stephen.C.Prysock@uscg.mil.
Ludlow ESPN event
Port Ludlow will host an ESPN Challenge event Saturday.
The tourney has a 10 a.m. shotgun start.
Cost is $69 and includes entry, golf, cart and range balls.
To sign up, or for more information on Port Ludlow, phone 360-437-0272.
Port Townsend alumni
The annual Alumni Golf Tournament will be held at Port Townsend on Saturday, June 9.
Proceeds benefit the Port Townsend High School Alumni Association.
The four-person scramble includes KPs, long putt and a chance at a hole-in-one prize on No. 7.
Players will tee off with a 9 a.m. shotgun start.
Cost is $40 per player, or $25 for current high school students and 2012 graduates.
A bragging-rights duel between Chimacum and Port Townsend alumni is also a big part of this tourney.
Sign up teams or individuals by phoning the course at 360-385-4547.
SkyRidge ESPN event
SkyRidge Golf Course in Sequim will host the ESPN/Callaway Golf Challenge on Sunday.
The event will have divisions for 54 and younger and 55 and older golfers.
It’s a two-person better-ball event and cost is $45, which includes play and lunch.
Carts are $15 per seat.
One gross and one net team will advance to the ESPN Regional competition at Washington National Golf Club in Auburn.
Ninth anniversary set
Golfers can join SkyRidge in celebrating its ninth anniversary with the SkyRidge Chapman Tournament on Saturday, June 16.
The Two-Person Modified Chapman tourney will have a 9 a.m. shotgun start.
Cost is $60 per team and will include 18 holes of golf, range balls, lunch after play, KPs and long putt.
An optional honey pot is $20 per team.
In this format, each player hits a tee shot, and then hit each other’s ball for the second shot.
From there it becomes alternate shot, using the better of the two second shots.
The player whose second shot was not used would hit the third shot.
Players continue alternating until the ball is holed.
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Golf columnist Michael Carman can be reached at 360-417-3527 or at pdngolf@gmail.com.