Course's grass greens up

The course is looking greener and golfing is great at the Kenai Golf Course.

Alaskans are always up for a challenge and golfing is just that. Every course is different and golfers are constantly adjusting for those differences.

Only a few years ago, golfing was mostly unheard of in Alaska. Those who braved building a golf course in Alaska possessed, as all pioneers did, a vision as only they imagined it.

Yes, we would like to have the golf course lush and green the day it opens. But Alaska has its challenges, too. Only those who have personally maintained a lawn can really understand them.

The greens have been slit-seeded and everything is being done to get the course back in shape. We are golfing and it is great to be out on the Kenai Golf Course!

Kenai Cup

The Kenai Cup completed the first week of play. The winners in their matches who played the front nine were the team of Pam and Felix Martinez, the Tom Allison-Mark Azzara team and the Don Morgan-Dale Sandahl team.

There was a draw between the Dwight Kramer-Doug Haralson team and the Joe Deveaux-Greg Horton team. A draw also was carded between the Don Schreiner-Jim Wentworth team and the Doug Jung-Dustin Jung team.

The winners who played the back nine were the Rich Edwards-Noel Widmayer team, the Craig Jung-Jim Legner team, the Bruce Galloway-Jack Evans team and the Richard Martin-Jerry Norris team.

The Kenai Cup matches are scheduled on the front and back nine between 5:50 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. each Wednesday. The entire course is always open on the front and back nine for regular play each Wednesday.

The Kenai Cup has regularly scheduled tee times.

Coed Golf

A new coed team has made the scene in the Monday night coed golf. The team took all the honors when they took both the "mystery hole" and had the fewest combined putts for the nine holes. The team of Judy Buffington and Scott Shier made a great showing by cleaning up on all the awards for the evening.

Monday night is Coed Golf and all teams are invited to call in and secure a tee time starting at 6:30 p.m. It is a nine-hole event for the golfer who wants to get out and enjoy it.

Ladies Night

The ladies are encouraging all ladies interested in golfing to meet each Tuesday evening for a round of golf. It starts at 6 p.m. and is very enjoyable.

The organizers want all ladies to understand it is the best way to get familiar with the game. It is a scramble format and no matter what your skill level, you will fit in just perfectly.

Every golfer has to start somewhere. Please don't ever feel you are not skilled enough to play at Ladies Night.

Men's Night

The competition was keen in the Thursday Men's Night event. Men's Night starts at 6:30 p.m. each Thursday evening.

Four teams had to chip off for the top three honors. The team with 4-under, taking first place due to a chip from Jeff Johns, also included Billy Applewhite, Paul Nelson and Walt Krieger.

Taking second place with 4-under was the team of Dwight Kramer, Roy Bird, Terry James and EZ Hoyez.

The team with 3-under taking third place from the chip of John Bania also included Lorne Smagge and Butch Anderson.

Slugger of the week was Dan Cabrera, who had the longest drive on hole No. 2. Closest to the No. 5 pin was Richard Martin with 20 feet, 8 inches. Closest to the No. 9 pin was Billy Applewhite with 9 feet, 1 inch.

It was another night for the pure birdies to make a showing. It is difficult to birdie a hole alone in a four-person scramble but four golfers got their "pure birdies."

Dan Cabrera got his pure birdie on No. 2, Don Wright got his on No. 8, Lorne Smagge got his on No. 1 and Billy Applewhite (also known as Applebag) got his pure birdie on No. 9.

Junior Golf

The first session of junior golf is well under way. The juniors are enjoying golfing and it is great to see so many who are interested in golf. Juniors from 8 to 17 can sign up for the second session that starts on July 2. Each session includes 10 days of instruction and play.

Swing Clinics

Swing clinics for beginners and intermediate golfers will be offered on Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. for $15.

Chipping, pitching and putting clinics will follow from 11 a.m. to noon for $10.

This is a great way to either get started with your game of golf or to improve your game.

Closing Thoughts

The Kenai River Festival was a wonderful event held in Kenai over the weekend. The festival continues to grow each year and it is worth marking on your calendar. There were great free craft activities for kids of all ages and the many booths were super.

I hit my two buckets of balls on the range, chipped and putted on the practice green and then took in the festival. It was another wonderful day in Kenai!

See you on the back nine.