SAHALEE OPEN

Special Section of The Seattle Times, The Issaquah Press and Sammamish Review

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Founders Museum highlights Northwest golf history, charities

U.S. Senior Open 2010 quick facts

By Tara Sackman

Dates July 26 to Aug. 1. First three days are practice rounds.

Tournament play begins Thursday.

Time Gates open 30 minutes to first tee and close 30 minutes following the final putt.

Place Sahalee Country Club in Sammamish

Course Ted Robinson designed the Sahalee course in 1969. Rees Jones led a renovation in 1996.

Sahalee has 27 holes, although only 18 will be used for the tournament. The South Course will be used for the front nine and the North Course for the back nine.

Tickets Prices start at $20 for a daily ticket to a practice round, to $250 for the 7-day pass Trophy Club. Children under 17 are free with a ticketed adult. Go to www.2010ussenioropen.com.

Parking Only at Marymoor Park in Redmond, with shuttle bus service to the course. No walk-up admissions. Parking is free with ticket.

Field Professional and amateur golfers at least 50 years old.

Entries closed in June with 156 golfers set to play, including modern legends Fred Couples, Fred Funk, Tim Kite, Ben Crenshaw, Hale Irwin, Tom Watson and Fuzzy Zoeller.

Purse At the 2009 U.S. Senior Open, the purse was $2.6 million. The winner received $470,000 and is automatically qualified to play in the Senior Open for 10 years.

Cover photo of Sahalee Country Club by Christopher Huber.

Golf fans will have more than tournament play to view during the 2010 U.S. Senior Open at Sahalee this summer. A Founders Museum will highlight the rich golf history in the Northwest, including the founding stories of the Sahalee Country Club, the United States Golf Association, and the Pacific Northwest Golf Association.

The theme of the museum is “Golf is a Good Thing.” On view will be replicas of the Wanamaker and Ouimet trophies — trophies for the PGA Championship and the U.S. Senior Open, respectively.

The museum will be displayed in an area near the 18th fairway in Sahalee Village. The museum will be open every day of the tournament, with each day featuring a different golfrelated charity with a display booth set up to tell its story.

The charities include The First Tee, Friends of American Lake Veterans Golf Course, The First Green Foundation, Evan Scholars, Special Olympics of Washington and the PNGA Foundation.

Karen Armstead, Executive Director of the First Green Foundation, is excited to get the opportunity to reach such a large group of people.

The First Green provides environmental education to

Photo courtesy USGA

The Francis Ouimet Trophy is presented to the winner of the U.S. Senior Open. A replica will be on display at the Founder’s Museum. teachers, schools and the community. They teach plant identification, water quality testing, soil sampling, and streambed restoration.

“It’s a great honor to be able to talk about what we do here at First Green,” Armstead said.

“Golf courses are a huge learning lab.”

Gene Lynn, one of eight founders of the Sahalee Country Club, sponsored and arranged for the Founders Museum to be on display throughout the tournament.

Leave cell phones home, but bring the sunscreen Wondering what to bring to this years’ U.S. Senior Open? The answer would be better said with what not to bring.

In an age where many people are attached to their phones, the U.S. Senior Open staff asks that spectators leave their cell phones in their cars during the events, said Billy Rodgers, marketing director for the tournament.

“It’s just about respecting the game of golf and the golfer,” he said. “This is what these guys do for their living. It’s tough to have a cell phone go off in the midst of their backswing.”

Other items that will be restricted are cameras/camcorders, chairs, signs, pets and food and beverages.

Most of the rules will be enforced all week, but cameras will be allowed during the practice rounds, July 26-28.

Recommended items to bring include sunscreen, sunglasses, one sealed water bottle, a jacket in case the weather changes and wallets with cash or credit cards.

There will be an ATM on site, Rodgers said.

For the full list of prohibited items and other spectator information go to www.2010ussenioropen.com/spectator-information.php.

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The golfers to watch include Couples, Lehman, Price Some might go to the U.S. Senior Open hoping to see their golfing heroes from decades past and present, but the tournament is not just a trip down memory lane. The top golfers in the PGA Champions Tour, open to pro golfers over 50, are coming to Sahalee.

Local favorite Fred Couples, 50, Fred Couples Tom Lehman is the tournament’s honorary chairman and events and has finished in the the top ranked player on the Top 10 seven times and in the Champions Tour. After turning Top 25 in every tournament he’s pro in 1980, Couples earned entered. $21.7 million. This is his first Tom Lehman, 51, is right year on the Champions Tour. In behind Couples at No. 2 in the tour events, he’s entered nine Champions Tour. Lehman turned tournaments and earned $1.3 pro in 1982, and earned a tad million. He’s averaging 67.17 more than $21 million. He startstrokes at Champions Tour ed on the Champions Tour last

Germany, is fourth on the Champions Tour. Langer turned pro in 1972 and earned $10.1 million. He started on the Champions Tour in 2007, where he made $5.5 million. This year he’s played in 11 tournaments averaging 69.2. He has six Top 10 finishes and 10 Top 25 finishes.

Nick Price Bernhard Langer Dan Forsman Rounding out year where he racked up another earned $20.5 million over his the top five is Dan Forsman, 52. $1.4 million. This year, he’s career. He started on the Forsman has been a pro golfer entered seven Champions Tour Champions Tour in 2007 where since 1982 and earned $8.7 miltournaments where he’s averaghe’s made $3.7 million more. lion. He started on the ing 68.5 strokes. He has finished This year, he’s averaged 69 Champions Tour in 2008 and has in the Top 10 six times and in the strokes in the 11 events he’s made $2.3 million there. This Top 25 six times. entered. He’s finished in the Top year, he’s entered 13 events and South African Nick Price, 53, is 10 eight times and in the Top 25 has finished in the Top 10 eight ranked No. 3 on the Champions 10 times. times and in the Top 25 all 13 Tour. He turned pro in 1977 and Bernhard Langer, 52 of times.

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Sahalee course is in tip-top shape

Spectators can watch the long approach to the 16th green from the grassy open seating area.

Those in the small grandstand will also be able to see players tee off at the 17th.

Fast greens, narrow fairways challenge the world’s best

By Christopher Huber

In preparing to host the 2010 U.S. Senior Open golf tournament, the folks at Sahalee Country Club have been working hard to live up to the course’s name, which means “high heavenly ground.”

But if the weather cooperates July 26-Aug. 1, Sahalee might simply speak for itself to the expected approximately 125,000 spectators who meander along the fast greens and narrow, treelined fairways.

“This golf course is exactly where we wanted it this year,” said Tom O’Toole, of the United States Golf Association.

Sahalee has been rated among the top 100 courses in the nation for the past 34 years, event officials said. Not only will it challenge the 156 golfers, but it will wow spectators with its sweeping views of the surrounding nature and up-close perspectives of championship golf.

Located on Sahalee’s East 9 course, between the first and 18th holes of the championship course, the majority of spectator amenities are just a few steps from the field of play.

“Eighteen is probably one of the best spots… because you can watch every group come through,” said Billy Rodgers, the event’s marketing director.

Visitors can hop over to take a break at the merchandise and hospitality tents, the Founders Museum, Trophy Club or to make a phone call.

“You’re really close to the golfing action,” said Nick Sheldon, marketing coordinator. Not only

does Sahalee’s tight-knit course layout make for easy navigation, it also offers dynamic views. One particular spot visitors might want to stake out is the open grass seating and grandstand area at the 16th green, which allows fans to peak through to the 17th tee. From the 17th green grandstands, event-goers will enjoy sweeping views looking uphill at the lake and tiered tee box while also getting an intimate view of the 18th tee box.

When it’s all said and done, Sheldon and other event officials stressed that visitors will be able to see a lot and move with relative ease from hole to hole.

“Sixteen, 17 and 18, on the weekend, are critical holes,” Sheldon said.

The heavily tree-lined course serves up a challenge for even the best players in the world, according to event organizers.

“It’ll create a really tight, funnel atmosphere,” Sheldon said.

“You don’t see a lot of courses with this many trees that play at this caliber.”

Come Senior Open time, spectators are sure to appreciate spectacular views — and competitive golf. And once the players get over the aesthetics and natural ambiance, Sahalee is sure to make them work for the title of 2010 U.S. Senior Open champ.

“The scale of everything is just so big there,” said Fred Funk, 2009 Senior Open champ, via Skype at a May press conference.

“Sahalee speaks for itself.

Speaking for the players, we all look forward to coming out there.”

Photos by Christopher Huber

Senior Open visitors will even get to watch the pros warm up from the practice range bleachers.

Event-goers watching from the first-hole tee box area will have a clear view all the way to the pin.

Holes with seating South 9 ◆ Hole 1 tee ◆ Hole 5 green/Hole 6 tee ◆ Hole 8 green/Hole 9 tee ◆ Hole 9 green ◆ Practice range tee area

North 9 ◆ Clubhouse/Hole 10 tee ◆ Hole 11 green ◆ Hole 13 green ◆ Hole 14 green ◆ Hole 15 green ◆ Hole 16 green ◆ Hole 17 green/ Hole 18 tee ◆ Hole 18 green

The 18th hole is home to 1,500 seats that surround the final green.

The winner will receive his trophy at the 18th green, as well.

From the 17th green grandstands, spectators will enjoy sweeping views of the signature par 3, as well as the tee box and fairway of the 18th hole.

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Bring your children for free

By Paige Collins

Children are not only welcome, but have free admittance to this years’ U.S. Senior Open at the Sahalee Country Club. The United States Golf Association is welcoming all children 17 and younger when accompanied by a ticketed adult. Each ticketed adult may bring in up to nine children. And since children might be a little shorter, the front row of every section of bleachers is reserved for people 17 and under.

The main mission of the USGA is to grow the game of golf, said Billy Rodgers, marketing director.

“Making this a very familyoriented event is a great way to do that,” Rodgers said.

The children are welcome every day of the weeklong championship with no advance

registration necessary, but special junior events will be held on Tuesday, July 27.

Beginning at 2 p.m., Fred Couples will hold a junior exhibition for the young golfers.

Here he will go over shots, talk about his story and how his career as a golfer developed from the same position the children are in, Rodgers said.

“Whether it’s a kid who has golfed a lot and is able to get near their favorite pros, or one who hasn’t, this would be a great introduction,” he said.

The First Tee, an organization that promotes character development and life-enhancing values in children through the game of golf, is planning to bring a busload of kids for the junior exhibition. The organization’s facility is located at Jefferson Park, home course of Fred Couples, in Seattle, so

meeting him will be a treat, said Kimberly Brown, assistant director of The First Tee of Greater Seattle.

“Being able to see him in person and hear how he started exactly where they were and how he excelled is really exciting,” she said.

One of the corporate sponsors of the event, CA Technologies, envisioned bringing children in as a chance to give back to the community, according to Margie Moore, director of marketing for the company.

CA Technologies donated all its tickets to the kids, and is working with the Boys and Girls Club of King County to bring about 75 children to Sahalee.

“It’s a great opportunity,” she said. “Especially for kids who want to see and get to meet the greats of golf.”

Military families receive free admission for practice rounds Military personnel, both retired and active duty, and their families will be admitted free to the U.S. Senior Open at Sahalee July 26-28 for the tournament’s practice rounds.

Military families also enjoy a 20 percent discount on tickets for the rest of the tournament. All discounts require proper military identification.

Wednesday, July 28, will be Military Family Day. This will include a wounded warriors exhibition starting at 2 p.m., according to Billy Rodgers, marketing director.

At the exhibition, personnel with war related injuries will be on the range with champions to demonstrate how they have rehabilitated through the game of golf.

Throughout the week there will also be honorary starters and

soldiers doing announcements of players entering the course, as well as presenting the colors.

The programs are part of an effort to honor the importance of the U.S. Military.

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Family-friendly concessions keep hunger at bay while the golfers play

By Paige Collins

U.S. Senior Open staff members have done their best to make concessions for this year’s event both family-friendly and conscious of peoples’ needs.

Concession stands will be interspersed throughout the golf course to allow for easy access to refreshments, said Billy Rodgers, championship marketing director. No outside food or beverages will be allowed into the event.

Concessions will be provided

by Prom Catering of Minnesota, which follows USGA events across the country. The golf organization pushes them to keep prices reasonable and family friendly, Rodgers said.

Spectators who have specific dietary requirements will be taken care of by the catering company.

“We’re very conscious of that and do have options for vegetari-

ans and others,” Rodgers said.

While the general concession food was described as “sporting event type food” there will be upgrade options in Sahalee Village, the main gathering area.

The Trophy Club section is air conditioned with flat screen televisions and upscale food and beverages, Rodgers said.

“Rather than a burger and soda you may be able to get a steak sandwich and a cocktail,” he said.

Only Trophy Club ticket holders are admitted.

Sahalee Village will also include a Merchandise Pavilion, Lexus Performance Drive, Founders Museum and Corporate Hospitality Center.

The Merchandise Pavilion will include all types of golf memorabilia with the U.S. Senior Open logo, in children’s and adult sizes.

There will be hats, golf shirts, Tshirts, sweaters, jackets, artwork, lapel pins, golf balls, divot repair

tools, ball markers, towels and more.

No autographed merchandise will be available, however autographs are allowed outside of a player’s round.

An ATM will be included within the merchandise tent, but the merchandise venue will also accept traveler’s checks, American Express, Discover, MasterCard and VISA. Personal checks will not be accepted.

As Lexus is an official partner of the USGA, the company will make an appearance in the Sahalee Village with its Lexus Performance Drive. Lexus will bring a car and big trophies for people to take pictures with, Rodgers said.

No chairs can be brought in to the event, but bleachers will be present throughout the course for spectators to sit and watch players come through during the tournament.

Photo courtesy USGA

The Trophy Club will allow spectators a more upscale place to have refreshments.

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Volunteers help keep tournament running behind the scenes

By Caleb Heeringa

Photo courtesy USGA

A volunteer at the 2009 U.S. Senior open helps a fan with her bracelet.

It’s not every day that Fred Couples, Tom Kite and Tom Watson are in your backyard.

Avid golfer Terry Axe, 64 of Bellevue, intends to take advantage by volunteering at Sahalee during the U.S. Senior Open, working at will call.

“These are the guys from my generation,” Axe said. “It’s really a thrill to see them play up close.”

An estimated 2,800 people, many of them local residents, are signed up to volunteer at the event, handling everything from taking tickets at the entrance to updating scoreboards to security on the course, Volunteer Manager Sally Shonk said.

The volunteers range from adolescent to elderly and come from 32 states and four different countries, including China, England and Canada.

Shonk estimates that 90 percent of the volunteers are from Washington and close to 95 percent of those are from the Seattle area.

“They run the spectrum from peo-

ple dedicated to supporting a community event to avid golfers to retired seniors – even people who know nothing about golf,” Shonk said.

Organizers began recruiting volunteers in early 2009 and closed recruitment in early July. Volunteers had to pay $125 for their official U.S. Senior Open shirt and hat, but receive tickets for every day of the event and free food in exchange for 16 to 20 hours of work, Shonk said.

Axe said he hoped the event would help put the area on the map when it comes to golf tournaments in the future.

“It’s nice that they’re bringing attention to Seattle,” Axe said. “There are so many great courses, it’s kind of a jewel. I tell as many people as I can about it, but at the same time I don’t want to tell too many people.”

Axe said he’ll be pulling for Watson, a fellow Kansas City native. He said he is excited to enjoy some world-class competition in one of his favorite sports.

“It’s a great game when you’re play-

Photo courtesy USGA

A volunteer at last year’s U.S. Senior Open carried a small scoreboard along with golf legend Greg Norman. ing well and it’s a great walk in the park when you’re not,” Axe said.

A volunteer at the 2009 U.S. Senior Open helps direct fans around the course.

Photo courtesy USGA

Learn the lingo of the links Golf, like pretty much every sport, has a language all its own. Here are some of the most common and some not-so-common terms.

Ace — Scoring a one on a hole. Another term for a hole-in-one.

Birdie — Finishing a hole one under par.

Bogey — Finishing a hole one over par.

Caddie — The person who carries the golfer’s clubs.

Chip Shot — A shot from close to the green where the golfer pops the ball up into the air and tries to land it close to the hole.

Divot — A piece of ground dislodged by a golf club during a swing. Golf etiquette calls for the player to replace his divots.

the grass is not as short as on the green, but shorter than the other grass nearby.

Green — The area around the hole where the grass is cut very short.

Hook — When the ball is hit to the right and then curves around to the left. For a lefthanded golfer, this is reversed.

Par — The number of strokes in which a golfer is expected to finish the hole. Par for a hole can be three, four or five, depending on the difficulty of the fairway and the distance from the tee to the hole.

Putt — Hitting the ball along the ground on the green.

Dogleg — A sharp bend on the fairway.

Rough — The area off the fairway with high grass and other obstructions. It is difficult to hit the ball out of the rough very well.

Double Bogey — Finishing a hole two over par.

Sand Trap — A pit filled in with sand.

Hitting the ball out of a sand trap is difficult.

Double Eagle — The very rare feat of scoring three under par on a hole.

Scratch golfer — A golfer who hits par or better.

Drive — The first stroke on a hole, played from the tee.

Eagle — A score of two under par.

Slice — When, after hitting the ball, it flies to the left and then curves around to the right. For a left-handed golfer, this is reversed.

Fairway — The area between the tee and green where the grass is manicured.

Stroke — A swing that is meant to hit the ball, even if it doesn’t.

Fore — If you hear this, duck. “Fore” is called by a player whose shot has strayed toward another person.

Water Hazard — A body of water such as a lake or stream. If the ball goes into it, the player is assessed a penalty stroke and permitted to place a new ball near the edge of it.

Fringe — An area round the green where