OK, we’re back at it for another summer of documenting all the silly and incredible things that happen at Birch Ridge Golf Course. So what’s changed since our last column in 2011?

Well, I’ve got a lot more color than usual for this time of year thanks to spending my winter in Las Vegas, although my girlfriend would argue that the wonderful golfer’s tan I’m sporting isn’t something to brag about.

Winter made its presence known this past week by knocking down a number of trees on the golf course, making my chain saw-loving, pyromaniac father extremely happy.

One of the trees, a birch to the right of green No. 6, was an unfortunate loss, but the rest weren't in relevant locations unless you spray the ball all over the map.

The dreary, cold weather has slowed things down quite a bit at the golf course, but hopefully Mother Nature will provide golfers with a handful of sunny days this month.

I hope I don’t disappoint the avid followers of this belligerent column, but I’m going to use this space to thank the people who made the first Kenai Peninsula Open at Birch Ridge Golf Course possible this past weekend.

Events like this can’t survive without sponsorship, and this year a number of local businesses contributed to the tournament’s success. So a special thank you goes out to Udelhoven, Jackson Oil and Gas, Arby’s, First National Bank, Odom, Buckets, Ryan Kapp of Edward Jones, the lovable ladies of Birch Ridge and Pete Sibolboro.

Bill “the thrill” Engberg and I wrapped up our final junior clinic last week.

I want to take a moment to thank the kids who continued to come out all summer long for the free clinics. I also want to thank the parents who were so wonderful in bringing their kids to the golf course week after week so I could chastise them when they lost their balance or looked for birds. Remember, we hate birds.