Birch Ridge Report: Showers postpone scramble
If you think you missed out on the Best/Rotary Midnight Scramble, think again. That rain we had last Saturday that left you without having to water the lawn, but deterred you from playing golf, caused a rescheduling of the event. It's now slated for July 9.
Next time you're out playing your round, stop in to sign up; or give the pro shop a call at 262-5270.
Although the reds are in, forty players showed up for last Wednesday's Men's Night! (I, of course, not being a man, went fishing. Thousands of fish leaping, hundreds of people casting and limiting out in record time. What about me, you ask? NO!)
Walt Krieger, Guy Hayes, Tony Azarra and Pat McElroy comprised the winning team. Second placers were Phillip Ivarie, Duane Tachick, Dave Stein and Pete Wolfe. Coming in with third were team members Jay "I Want Another Hole-in-One" Kriner, Tom Janz, Ju Kim and Mike Hollingsworth.
Steve Horn admirably came closest-to on No. 6, as did Tom Maloney on No. 8. Kevin Downs showed how-to with longest drive, while Bob Sizemore scored a pure birdie. Last week's Michelob prize of a shoe bag was won by Pete Wolfe and he won by placing his name in for the weekly drawing. You can do the same every time you play a around. Before or after posting your score, fill out the provided form so you, too, can be a winner.
In my personal thesaurus, I gave up counting after 72 listings of synonyms for the word "old" appeared. The word "senior" was probably the nicest adjective I found. So here they are for this week's Monday Morning long-lives: Placing first as low net winner was George Collum with a 33, followed by Mo "Bob" Redford with a 35. Chuck Obendorf and Buster Gunn were our closest-toers on Nos. 6 and 8, respectively. George McDowell had long putt kudos for No. 9.
The Ladies of Tuesday Morning are our favorite die-hards. Kathy Herring beat out all others in the play of the day with three pars.
You're aware, of course, of how proud we are here at Birch Ridge of our junior golfers. Each one has a great future ahead. This year's two-week Junior Golf Program saw 50 students participating in the 8- to 15-year-old group.
It was another huge success and we wish to publicly thank the following sponsors and volunteers, without whom our program could not get off the tee box. First in a long line is Tom Walsh, along with Matt Matarrese and his cadre of volunteers, who coach and encourage.
The following donate time and money, tees, bags, ball markers and junior golf sets. They deserve a round of applause along with heartfelt thanks: Enstar, Amerigas, River City Dental, The Golf Shop, Agrium, Richard Galloway, Shirley Johnsrud, John Dombovy, the Birch Ridge Golf Association and the Birch Ridge Golf Course. Make sure you come out and watch the 5th Annual BRGA Junior Golf Tournament today — tee-off is at 8:30 a.m.
This coming weekend kicks off the longest continuous individual competitive golf tournament on the Kenai Peninsula. Saturday and Sunday marks the 32nd Annual Peninsula Amateur Tournament.
Over its long history the format has changed little. Until handicaps became the etre de rigueur (oh, look it up), participants had to play a qualifying round in order to determine their appropriate flight position. This required a three-day tournament.
Now that schedules are what they have become, flights are determined by handicaps and a two-day, 36-hole weekend is preferred to the historic 54-hole challenge. Do not think for a minute that your game isn't good enough for this competition. I've played twice. (Of course my name isn't on this list — haven't you been paying attention?) Every one of the competitors in the information box can claim to be the best amateur golfer on the peninsula — at least for the day.
As noted, Todd Smith has the majority lead with six wins for the men's division. Sharon Peterkin has an impressive 13 wins. Peterkin holds the 36-hole record for women with a 160 score; Jim Curley and Don Turner both with a 147. The historic 54-hole records are held by Tim Walsh with a 218, and Kerry Leides with a 210. It's not too late to sign up for the most prestigious tournament on the peninsula — call the pro shop at 262-5270.
Well, I'm off to practice. I just learned something new after playing this game for 15-plus years — follow-through. What a concept. See you on the back nine!