Everybody knows your name
I was sitting on the deck at the pro shop on a sunny afternoon with a friend realizing that the golf course is not just a place where people go to play golf, but it is a part of the community. One of our up-and-coming girl junior golfers, Ava Gabler, showed up with her friend to hit balls and practice. I had not seen Ava since this past spring and it gave me an opportunity to visit and find out what she was going to be doing over the summer months, besides golfing, of course.
Birch Ridge Golf Course not only provides the community with green space but is a place where we congregate to see friends, attend weddings and host social activities. Besides the human benefits, the golf course also provides economic and environmental benefits to our community. Golfing is an added bonus, with the tournaments and weekly activities giving us a chance to see friends and to make new friends.
Senior League continues to see an increase in the number of players. This week 21 seniors showed up with Gordon Briscoe taking home top honors. It was reported that Gordon "beat us all up" with a low net 30. Congratulations, Gordie -- you gotta love it when all the parts of your game come together and on the same day! Unlike last week when one individual, who will rename unnamed this week, took home all the honors, this week the seniors were into sharing. Jon Tongen nuzzled in close on hole No. 6 with Ed Robinson getting the best of the bunch on hole No. 8. Hole No. 9 was the site for longest putt with Randy King drilling it home.
I understand the Tuesday Morning Ladies were placed on the clock this week and did a great job of getting the job done. Playing the back nine, Shirley Johnsrud, Jana Query, Tanna Chenault and Cheryl Hammerstrom teamed up to play a fantastic round. After hearing that Jana and Shirley had birdies while Tanna was closest to the hole on No. 6, I see why they took home the low net team score.
Tuesday Night Couples saw 15 couples turn out to play "Two-Person Best Six Holes" on the back nine. Beside seeing which couple could combine the best six holes to come up with the winning score, we also played for "most flaggies." Flaggies are putts made which are longer than the flag stick.
Tanna Chenault continued her winning ways from the morning, and partnering up with her husband, Mike, came in with the low score for the night. Dan and Linda Murphy were second, with Pat and Myrna Cowan taking third place. A number of teams got flaggies, including my partner, but no one got more than one. Drawing from the hat, Kathy and Dan Gensel dropped in the winning putt.
Sue and George Stein do a fantastic job of getting Couples Night organized. Thanks for making Tuesday nights such an enjoyable evening.
"Hook-a-Kid-on-Golf" began on Monday with 24 young people. This week-long event is sponsored by Birch Ridge Golf Association. The association gives each of the participants a golf bag, five golf clubs, balls, tees, a hat, a shirt and every day provides snacks. Initially the program was only going to take 16 young golfers but when over 60 signed up, the association increased the number. It is great to see this level of interest!
Three teachers are providing the instruction and teaching the kids -- Bill Engberg, Tom Walsh and Zac Cowan. Bill and Tom are golf pros, while Zac is currently working on getting his PGA card by completing the PGA's Professional Golf Management Program at New Mexico State. Zac has a couple of years left to complete the program but once he is done, Zac will be the second junior golfer from Birch Ridge Golf Course to complete this program and get a PGA card.
Junior Golf clinics begin June 8. This is for youths between the ages of 8 and 17. Bill Engberg and Tom Walsh will be aiding the junior golfers along with Nolan Rose. For further details contact the pro shop. It is time to put together your team for the 31st Annual June Scramble. With tee-off set for 8 a.m. on Saturday, June 13, there will be two divisions competing for bragging rights and prizes.
Rally for the Cure, which raises funds for breast cancer, will be hosting its fourth annual tournament on June 28. Contact Judy Keck-Walsh at 262-1560 if you are interested in playing on a team, being a hole sponsor or donating prizes for the auction.
As of June 6, the pro shop will be open on weekends from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. On weekdays the pro shop is open from 8 a.m. until 8:30 p.m.
Weekly Events (please check in at least 15 minutes prior to the time shown below):
* Monday's at 9 a.m. -- Senior League
* Tuesday's at 10 a.m. -- Tuesday Morning Ladies League
* Tuesday's at 6 p.m. -- Couple's Night
* Wednesday at 6 p.m. -- Men's Night
* Thursday's at 6 p.m. -- Ladies Night
Upcoming Events:
* Saturday, June 13 -- 31st Annual June Scramble
* Saturday, June 20 -- Best - Rotary Midnight Scramble
* Thursday, June 25 -- Ninth Annual Birch Ridge Golf Association Junior Golf Tournament (ages 8 to 17)
* Sunday, June 28 -- Rally for the Cure
Birch Ridge Golf Course can be reached by calling 907-262-5270 or by visiting the Web site at www.birchridgegolf.com.