A DOZEN SUNLAND Golf and Country Club members of Sequim recently traveled to Snake River canyon country in southeast Washington to compete in the Clarkston Golf and Country Club’s Banana Belt Seniors Tournament.
Steve Zipser notched overall low-net honors for the First Flight with a total of 218; Lee Cox was second in gross for the Second Flight with a total of 283; Cheryl Coulter was second in gross for the Second Flight and Dorene Berard was third in the ladies First Flight division.
As the tourney’s name implies, Clarkston and neighboring city Lewiston, Idaho sit in a banana-belt climate zone, at least in winter and early spring.
There’s plenty of sunny days and warm-enough temperatures for year-round golf.
Before construction of Palouse Ridge Golf Course, the Washington State University men’s golf team would travel the 35 miles down the Lewiston grade to practice and host tournaments.
In summer, the weather turns the valley into what my dad and I would jokingly call “the blast furnace” when we would head down from Pullman for the annual pre-fall semester Costco trip.
If you find yourself in the area and want to golf, there is one public course, Quail Ridge, in Clarkston, or Bryden Canyon and Lewiston Golf & Country Club in Lewiston.
Clarkston Golf & Country Club is open to all players in January and February but only open for members and guests the rest of the year.
I’d also suggest the Tomato Brothers Italian restaurant for a pre-or-post round meal.
ESPN Best Ball slated
SunLand General Manager Tyler Sweet passed along word that there is still some entries available for Saturday’s ESPN Best Ball Qualifier.
Entry is $45, including greens fees. Players must have a GHIN handicap.
For the scoop, phone Sweet at 360-683-6800.
This weekend will also be the last for SunLand’s $34.95 golf and cart special.
Take advantage!
Thursday events wrap
Discovery Bay Golf Club will wrap its April series of Thursday night golf competitions this Thursday.
Play is $11.
Players should arrive at 4:30 p.m. for a 5 p.m. shotgun start.
Grand opening Sunday
Discovery Bay’s restaurant, Rosa’s Delicia Mexicana, or Rosa’s for short, will hold a grand opening event on Sunday.
Rosa’s hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.
A tale from the tees
Discovery Bay’s Randy White passed along this hole-in-one from regular golfer Tom Jurack.
Jurack used his 5-iron to ace the 150-yard Par 3 No. 3 hole from the gold tees on April 10.
“The ball landed about six feet in front of the hole, bounced once, rolled to the hole, hit the pin, and dropped in,” Jurack wrote.
“I watched it all the way and it was beautiful. I started playing at age 15, so it only took me 51 years to get my first hole in one.”
Buoyed by his single, Jurack kept up his solid play for the rest of the round, carding a 75.
“This should keep me coming back for awhile,” Jurack joked.
The shot was witnessed by Jurack’s friend, Dennis Young.
For more information on anything Discovery Bay, visit www.discoverybaygolfcourse.com.
Relay benefit tourney
Port Townsend Golf Club will host a Relay For Life benefit golf tournament on Saturday.
The four-person scramble will have a 9 a.m. shotgun start.
Cost is $45 plus $10 in greens fees for nonmembers.
The price includes golf, lunch and prizes.
A special raffle will also raise funds for Relay For Life.
Carts are not included and are very limited.
Green and Tee sponsors are available.
For more information, phone 360-385-4547 or stop by the golf shop.
Demo days in May
Port Ludlow Golf Club will host three demo days in May.
Reps from Cleveland, Adams and Ping golf will visit the course from noon to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, May 9.
Cleveland will have full sets to use that day as part of their “Demo” experience and Cleveland is now taking sign-ups for personal club fittings.
To sign up for a fitting, phone Port Ludlow Golf Club at 360-437-0272.
Director of Golf Vito De Santis wanted to pass along that anyone who comes out and mentions the Peninsula Daily News on May 9 will receive a two-for-one golf coupon valid at Port Ludlow.
See, there is a benefit to reading my column!
Nike reps will visit from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, May 18 and Callaway Golf’s Tour Fit Van will cruise on in to Port Ludlow on May 25.
Anyone who makes a purchase of $200 or more on May 9, 18 or 25 will receive a free round of golf at Port Ludlow.
I’ll have more details on the demo days in upcoming columns.
Send in your golf items
Have a golf event coming up and want to see it listed in the golf column?
Did you recently take a vacation and have a golf trip report or photo to share?
Send it to me, Michael Carman, Golf Column, Peninsula Daily News, P.O. Box 1330, Port Angeles, WA 98362; phone, 360-417-3527, fax, 417-3521; email pdngolf@gmail.com.
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Golf columnist Michael Carman can be reached at 360-417-3527 or at pdngolf@gmail.com.