Kenai Golf Report

The brief summer showers have afforded us an opportunity to take a breath and relax between fishing trips and rounds of golf. Everyone I know was pathetically grateful for the rain, most especially the golf course management.

Remember when we only had to choose between the Kenai Golf Course and Birch Ridge? Now we have the added choices of the Bird Homestead Golf Course on Funny River Road and Cottonwood Country Club in Nikiski. We should all experience the variety that the different courses offer us — someone told me that you can get complacent golfing the same course on a regular basis, but I wouldn't know since I never know what I am pulling out of my bag at any given time!

Of course, there are those that come for the fishing rather than the golfing. Our good friend, Bob Fischer, is here from California for his annual fishing adventure. The only problem is that his better half, Peggy, could not come this year as someone had to work to pay for the fun. Good luck with the fishing, Bob — too bad about the canceled charter out of Homer, but better things are probably in store for you and we hope that your allotment of kings and many reds will find their way into your boat during your visit (not to mention the toddies to keep you warm!).

Congratulations to Paula Crowley, Matt Matarrese, Josh Lansing and Chris Sonnichsen. These golfers have qualified for the Alaska State Championship next month. Best of luck to you!

The "Hook A Kid On Golf" program was held at the Kenai Golf Course from July 11 through July 15, with instruction provided by Don Moock and Gordon Griffin. Sixteen participants, 10 boys and six girls, participated in the program, which is intended to introduce the game of golf to children between 8 and 13 years of age. While the primary goal is to teach basic skills to these participants, no one can deny that the game of golf will instill valuable lessons that these kids will be able to apply to every aspect of their lives.

Participants received a hat, shirt, clubs, golf bag and golf balls. The program was funded by donations from Agrium, the Kenai Golf Association, the Kenai Moose Lodge, Schlumberger Oilfield Services and Tesoro Petroleum. Thank you sponsors, for your generous donations and for giving these kids the chance to learn this great game.

During the week, the participants received three hours of instruction each day. The exceptional weather and a fantastic group of kids contributed to the success of the program. The last two days, participants were able to play a few holes on Kenai Golf Course, although a somewhat abbreviated format was followed (anywhere from 150-200 yards from the green depending on the hole), but the course still afforded plenty of challenge.

Parents were invited to attend on Friday and walk the course with the participants, followed by a barbecue. We look forward to seeing these young golfers on the course in the future and would like to encourage parents and potential golfers to sign up next year.

The Kenai Cup results for July 13 play are as follows: the teams winning their matches were the OFG (Sonnichsen/Bennett), A&W (Allison/Widmayer), Jung/Nunamaker, Two Duffers (Evans/Kebschull), Mulligans (Reese/Duggin) and Sport'n Woodies (Ramsey/Marsh). Kenai Cup division leaders are: in the Butch Anderson division, the team of Tom Reese and Greg Duggin; in the Donny Morgan Division, the team of John Dahlgren and Spencer DeVito; and in the 19th Hole Division, the team of Keith Stuart and Dana Bassel.

The ladies met on Thursday. Low score goes to Kathy Heus — way to go, Kathy! Closest to the pin on No. 9 was Kim Christensen, while Kamichia Spisak took closest to the pin on No. 5. Judy Salo had the fewest putts and Nora Satathite took the mystery hole. Judy Salo birdied No. 8 — WOW — and while it was a small group, a great time was had and everyone enjoyed the fun and laughter.

Men's Night on Thursday featured the first-place team of John Johnson, Dana Bassel and Cal Larson edging out the team of Keith Stuart, Mike Newcomb and Ken Liedes, who came in tied for second with Barry Jackman, Cliff Vaught and Cliff Baker. A chip-off on No. 10 decided the second-place team when Keith Stuart left his ball 3 feet from the flag, which was also the shot of the week. Long drive went to Cliff Baker and closest to the pin on No. 5 was won by Cal Larson.

The Butch Anderson Senior Open was held on Saturday and Sunday. The gross champion was Doug Jung with Gordon Griffin following closely in second place. Both finished at 149 for the two days of play with the tie decided by a sudden-death playoff. Net champion of the first flight was Doug Jung (148) followed by second-place Gordon Griffin (149) and third-place Dwight Kramer (149). Net champion second flight was John Glidden (138) with Bill Burtram in second place.

Don't forget the remainder of the July events: Saturday, the Alliance Tournament; Sunday, KGA Members Only Event; July 30, the United Way Tournament, and July 31, the Rita Botelho Greens Tournament. The weekly events continue — Monday nights with Co-Ed golf starting at 6 p.m., Wednesday nights for the Kenai Cup matches, Thursday afternoons have the ladies on the course starting at 12:30 p.m., with the men on the course starting at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday night. There are still lots of opportunities to show your stuff on the course, so come on out and join the fun.

Of course, the reds are really running hot and heavy right now so there is that possibility as well. See you on the river if we don't see you on the course!