Golf, may 30, 2014

, FRIDAY, MAY 30, 2014 , SPECIAL SECTION

GOLF WWW.SPOKESMAN.COM/GOLF

INSIDE » Directory of local courses, including updated fees | PAGES 9 & 10

Pictured: Pacific Dunes, one of four courses at Bandon Dunes Resort, boasts this oceanside par-3 No. 11, surrounded by sand and beach grass.

Sweet spot

Just a day’s drive away, Oregon’s Bandon Dunes Resort offers spectacular golfing experience | STORIES INSIDE

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The Spokesman-Review

Friday, May 30, 2014

2014 GOLF SECTION “There’s nothing better than having four guys together at the bar and they’re arguing which course is better “And none of them are backing down.”

Jeff Simonds, director of golf at Bandon Dunes

Picture perfect golf Two days, 72 holes and lasting memories at Oregon’s Bandon Dunes

By Jim Meehan jimm@spokesman.com, (208) 765-7131

I

changed the screensaver on my computer shortly after returning from a two-day, 72-hole golf marathon last month at Bandon Dunes.

It wasn’t an easy decision. I took a bunch of pictures. My older brothers Jack, Pat and Mike took a bunch of pictures. We had starters take the obligatory pictures of our foursome standing with drivers in hand on several tee boxes.

We have dozens of snaps of greens framed by stunning Pacific Ocean backdrops. We have pictures of rolling hills of gorse bordering the humps and bumps of a twisting fairway. We have visual evidence of bunkers meandering along the edges of cliffs high above the ocean. We have one of a stately Rolex clock near the practice center. We See ODYSSEY, K4

Courtesy photo

The brothers Meehan (from left Jack, Pat, Mike, Jim) at Bandon Dunes Resort for a spectacular two-day, 72-hole golf odyssey.

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Spokane, Wash. / Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

Friday, May 30, 2014

2014 GOLF SECTION

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The Spokesman-Review

Friday, May 30, 2014

2014 GOLF SECTION

Courtesy photo

Hole No. 6 at Bandon Dunes, a 161-yard par 3 with a spectacular ocean view, has all the makings of an impressive screensaver.

picture-taker but this place simply demands it. There’s no Continued from K2 place in the U.S. that compares to Bandon and its four 18-hole photographed three deer links courses, 13-hole par-3 wandering along a path. track and massive Punchbowl The first picture I snapped was on our first hole, a par-4 at putting course.

The four courses have their Old Macdonald. My drive was a tad left and all I saw in front of own identities. Green fees are the same at all four, which me was a raised bunker that made the bottom section of the speaks to the excellence of each flagstick disappear. The last one course. All four have earned I took was from the side of the their share of accolades.

“There’s nothing better than 18th green at Bandon Dunes having four guys together at the with our hotel in the bar and they’re arguing which background. course is better,” director of I’m not much of a

ODYSSEY

golf Jeff Simonds said. “And none of them are backing down.”

It’s pure links golf, or as the motto above one of the pro shops reads, “Golf as it was meant to be.” Players come from all over the world to play at Bandon. States represented the most, in no particular order, are California, Illinois, Oregon, Texas and Washington. Florida and New York are close behind.

“The most common response I get (from British and Scottish golfers) is, ‘You guys are every bit as authentic as we’d heard,’

” Simonds said. “They say, ‘We felt like we were playing at home.’ ” It was roughly a 10-hour drive for me and about 7 hours for Jack, who lives in western Washington. Flying into Portland, which leaves about 4½ hours of drive time, or into Eugene, which leaves about 2½ hours behind the wheel, can shorten your travel day.

It’s the longest trip I’ve taken by car for a golf story. I once drove, played two rounds at Suncadia in Cle Elum and drove back home, 18 hours. I once

drove, played three courses near I-90 and drove back home, 16 hours. I’ve driven to western Washington to play Chambers Bay, another links gem that will host the 2015 U.S. Open. I’ve made that drive four times now, another clue that I’m a huge fan of links golf.

It was mid April, mostly sunny and the temperatures were comfortable in Bandon.

Calm morning winds gave way to steady breezes in the afternoon. We thought it was See ODYSSEY , K5

Spokane, Wash. / Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

Friday, May 30, 2014

Page 5

2014 GOLF SECTION BANDON DUNES RESORT GREENS FEES

ODYSSEY

Continued from K4 windy. Everyone at Bandon Dunes informed us the conditions were pretty tame.

My right knee, which is in need of an upgrade, is about the only thing that voiced objections to this 2,400-acre masterpiece along the southern Oregon coast. It prevented us from sampling the par-3 course before our journey home.

I wasn’t able to play golf for the next two weeks, but it was worth every swing and every step.

I’m certain of two things. One, I’ll go back to Bandon someday. Two, I went with a screensaver of No. 6 at Bandon Dunes, a 161-yard par 3 with a spectacular ocean view.

The coastline jags along the left edge, red flag starched on a green with several distinct swales. A couple of yellow flags from Pacific Trails can be seen in the distance.

Just one of 72 holes worth remembering.

Rates for Bandon Dunes, Pacific Dunes, Bandon Trails and Old Macdonald:

JIM MEEHAN jimm@spokesman.com

Resort guest Non-resort guest Oregon residents January $75 $100 $75 February $95 $125 $95 March $125 $160 $125 April $170 $210 $170 May-June $235 $280 n/a July-September $250 $295 n/a October $235 $280 n/a November 1-23 $140 $185 $140 * Non-Resort Guest and Oregon Resident tee times can be reserved up to 21 days in advance of play.

More info online: www.Bandondunesgolf.com

Yardage books and caddies are highly recommended.

Golf Digest’s greatest 100 courses in America 19). Pacific Dunes 38). Bandon Dunes 49). Old Macdonald 70). Bandon Trails

No. 7 hole at Bandon Preserve, a 13-hole par-3 course in the Bandon Dunes Resort family.

Golf Digest’s greatest 100 public courses 3). Pacific Dunes 6). Bandon Dunes 12). Old Macdonald 16). Bandon Trails

Golf Magazine’s top 100 courses in the world RATES FOR BANDON PRESERVE, PAR-3 20). Pacific Dunes 63). Bandon Dunes 88). Old Macdonald

Jan-Feb $50

March-Apr. $75

May-Oct $100

Nov. 1-23 $75

Nov. 24-Dec.31 $50

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The Spokesman-Review

Friday, May 30, 2014

2014 GOLF SECTION

Courtesy photo

The par-5 15th hole is reachable in two and is the first of four great finishing holes at Old Macdonald.

Greens galore

Old Macdonald boasts largest greens complex in U.S. I encountered a few putts of 125 feet or longer. Old Macdonald’s greens cover 6.3 acres. By comparison, St. Andrews’ greens are 6.1 acres. Mike is ld Macdonald was first on our 36-hole opening day and it was probably the best putter of the four a pleasant way to break in. It’s a Meehan brothers. He missed two fairways and still shot in the mid-80s, tad more open and forgiving than its thanks to numerous three-putts. His three older brothers.

The green complexes are enormous. second shots usually found the green

By Jim Meehan

jimm@spokesman.com, (208) 765-7131

O

but were a cab ride away from the cup.

Old Macdonald is a tribute to famed American course architect C. B. Macdonald, who as a youngster played at links courses overseas and incorporated those characteristics See MACDONALD, K8

Old Macdonald Black tees Yardage: 6,944 Rating/slope: 74.1/133 Green tees Yardage: 6,320 Rating/slope: 71.3/127 Gold tees Yardage: 5,658 Rating/slope, men: 68.2/119 Rating/slope, women: 73.9/129 Royal blue tees Yardage: 4,258 Rating/slope, men: 62.6/104 Rating/slope, women: 66.4/108

Spokane, Wash. / Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

Friday, May 30, 2014

2014 GOLF SECTION

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Page 7

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The Spokesman-Review

Friday, May 30, 2014

2014 GOLF SECTION

MACDONALD

Continued from K6 into his designs on U.S. soil. Tom Doak and Jim Urbina followed similar tenets designing Old Macdonald, which opened in 2010.

“It probably most resembles what you’d find at the Old Course, that’s a comparison people make who have played both,” director of golf Jeff Simonds said. “Everything is right out in front of you. You hit it, find it and hit it again. It has the largest greens complex in the U.S. “That doesn’t necessarily make it easier. You look at it and want to think you can overpower it and you can’t. It’s important to understand the principles of the design. Keep it in the fairway and try not to cut corners and get caught in bad situations.”

Old Macdonald starts out gently with a 304-yard par 4. The second shot is the key with a raised sand trap in front of the green becoming an issue if you don’t have the proper angle. The second hole is a par 3 with a devilish pot bunker in front and a tough, back-to-front sloping green. A ‘3’ is worthy of celebration. I left the celebrating to two of my brothers after a faulty chip failed to reach a back pin location.

Aim your blind, uphill tee shot on the par-4 third just right of the cedar tree.

You’ll find plenty of open fairway space after walking to the crest of the hill.

The fifth hole is just 134 yards but mounds on the sizable green require a calculated tee shot. When we reached the green, we could hear the sound of ocean waves crashing and the temperature dropped several degrees.

Nos. 7 and 8 are flat-out gorgeous.

The seventh requires a placement drive and an uphill second shot to a wide, shallow green. Bring your putter and your camera to the green, which gazes out into the Pacific.

“We put the turnaround snack shop up there,” Simonds said. “We joke that it’s probably the best job at this place because of the ocean views and the smiles on players’ faces.”

The tee shot on the par-3 eighth had us scratching our heads and wishing we’d hired a caddy. With an elevated tee box, stout cross wind and a green that could double as a football field – aside from the swale in the middle – we made our best guesses on the distance and all four of us hit the green. Three of us three-putted. My second putt was from 12 feet.

The 399-yard 11th resembles the road hole at St. Andrews. I missed the

Courtesy photo

Bring your putter and your camera to the green on No. 7 at Old Macdonald, which gazes out into the Pacific Ocean.

angled green and found a bunker left. I had to hit it out sideways and scrambled for bogey.

The four finishing holes are memorable. The par-5 15th is reachable in two. I reached too far, with my second shot skittering over the green but just 30 feet from the hole. I was 65 feet away after a lousy chip. Three putts later I marked down a ‘6.’

The 16th, a 433-yarder into the wind, is a handful. A well-struck drive to the right side of the fairway will give you a view of the green, otherwise you’ll face a blind second shot. As you exit the green, ring the bell to let the group behind knows it’s safe to hit their approach shots.

No. 17, a 515-yard par 5, is reachable in two but you’ll have to navigate past numerous fairway bunkers and a large trap left of the green. The combination of a red pin and the wind at our backs left our foursome with long putts – mine from 140 feet.

The 18th is 426 yards but played shorter with a tailwind. Use the ridge on the back left side of the green to funnel balls toward pins located in the middle and to the right.

“That four-hole stretch is fabulous,” Simonds said.

The course is wonderful, and not just because I drained a 25-footer for birdie on No. 1. Old Macdonald was a close

second behind Bandon Dunes as my personal favorite.

“You can have golfers of all skill level and ability and you can play the same ball,” Simonds said. “It’s not tricked up.

There’s nothing to worry about other than where to hit the golf ball, no forced 2carries, just golf. You could play that place with a putter.”

Maybe that’s where we went wrong!

Spokane, Wash. / Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

Friday, May 30, 2014

Page 9

AREA DIRECTORY The following is a directory of area golf courses.

•Avondale GC (208) 772-5963.

18-hole greens fees: weekends/weekdays, $59.50, except Mondays at $37.50. After 1 p.m., $40.50. 9-hole weekends/weekdays, $31.50.

18-hole cart fee: $30; 9-hole: $15.

Tee times: no deadlines. www.avondalegolfcourse.com.

•Bryden Canyon GC (208) 746-0863. 18-hole greens fees: weekends $26; weekdays, $22.

9-hole: daily, $17. 18-hole cart fee: $14 per seat; 9-hole: $9 per seat.

Tee times: no deadlines. www.brydencanyongolf.com.

•Chewelah G&CC (509) 935-6807. Until May 15: 27 holes (includes cart), $50 on weekends, $45 M-Th.; 18 holes $40/$35. May 16-Sept. 1: 27 holes $60/$55; 18 holes $50/$45. Sept. 2-season close: 27 holes $50/$45; 18 holes $40/$35. Seniors $5 discount M-Th.; juniors $5 discount on 9 holes, $10 on 18 or 27 holes M-Th. Walking rates all season: 9 holes $17, 18 holes $35/$30, 27 holes $40/$35. Tee times: no deadlines. www.chewelahgolf.com.

•Circling Raven GC (800) 523-2464. 18-hole greens fees (with golf cart and use of practice range): Through May 15: Monday-Thursday: $65, Friday-Sunday: $75; May 16-Sep. 28: Monday-Thursday: $80, Friday-Sunday: $95. Sep. 30-end of season: Monday-Thursday: $65, Friday-Sunday $75. Tee times: 30 days in advance. www.circlingraven.com.

•Coeur d'Alene GC (208) 765-0218. 18-hole greens fees: weekends/weekdays, $28.30, $23.59 for seniors, $15 for juniors.

9-hole: weekends/weekdays, $16.04, $14.15 for seniors, $10 for juniors. 18-hole cart fee: $27; 9-hole: $17. Single person 18-hole cart fee: $16.04; 9-hole $9.43. Tee times: Friday-Sunday and holidays, call prior Tuesday; Mon-Thurs, prior Thursday. www.cdapublicgolf.com.

•Coeur d'Alene Resort (208)

$25, weekdays $22). 9-hole: weekends $32 ($13 after 3.p.m), weekdays $21 (with discount card weekends $25 after 3 p.m., weekdays $18). 18-hole cart fee: $10; 9-hole: $10. Tee times: weekends, call previous Friday starting at 2 p.m.; weekdays, call two days in advance by 2 p.m. www.spokaneparks.org.

•The Fairways GC (509) 747-8418. 18-hole: Tuesday-Friday greens fees $24; Monday $19 (high school students $11, senior citizens $19, everyday); weekends $29. 9-hole: weekends/weekdays $17. Everyday after 4 p.m. $19. Tee times: weekends/weekday tee time opening varies, call clubhouse for availability. www.golfthefairways.com.

•Hangman Valley GC (509) 448-1212. 18-hole greens fees: FILE The Spokesman-Review weekdays (Monday-Thursday), $29, weekend $31; rate for Spring at Indian Canyon, overlooking 1st and 9th holes. pre-book $35; county discount card $23 M-Th, weekends $26; 667-4653. 18-hole greens fees: $16, Junior $12. Tee times: Call one 9-hole: weekdays $22, weekend weekdays/weekends, April: $150 day in advance. $31; after 3pm $22. Seniors rate for day guests, twilight rate April www.colvillegolf.com. with discount card M-Th $21, daily $75, (after 2:00), •Deer Park G&CC (509) weekend $26; after 3pm $21.

May/October: $150-$175, twilight 276-5912. 18-hole greens fees: Juniors – 9 or 18-hole $15. 18-hole $75-$90, June/September: $195, weekends $30 ($20 for sunset single cart fee: $15; 9-hole: $7.50. twilight $110; July/August: $220, rate after 3 p.m., with $10 cart Tee times: weekends, call the twilight $135. Fees include cart, fee); weekdays (Monday-Friday) previous Saturday by 7 a.m.; range balls and forecaddie, sports $27 ($22 for seniors). 9-hole: weekdays, call on Tuesday at 7 massage and complimentary bag weekends after 3 p.m., $18.50 ($17 a.m. tag. Best values: Golf packages for seniors); weekdays •Harrington G&CC (509) available, include lodging and (Monday-Friday) $18.50 ($17 for 253-4308. 18-hole greens fees: golf. Spring starting at $99 per seniors). 18-hole cart fee: $30; Wednesday-Friday $20, $18 for person based on double 9-hole: $15. Tee times: weekends/ seniors; $14 for juniors. 9-hole: occupancy. Specials will be weekdays, call one week in announced throughout the year. advance. www.deerparkgolf.com. $16, $12 for seniors, $10 for juniors.

Monday-Tuesday $17. 9-hole: $12.

•Downriver GC (509) 327-5269.

Tee times: no deadline if staying Weekends $24, 9-hole $18.

18-hole greens fees: weekends at hotel. Call for Good Neighbor 18-hole cart fee: $24; 9-hole: $14. $32, weekdays specials starting at $75.

(Monday-Thursday) $29, (with www.cdaresort.com.

•Colfax G&CC (509) 397-2122. discount card the weekends are Summer rates: 18-hole greens $25, weekdays $22). 9-hole: fees weekend/weekdays, $23. weekends $32 ($13 after 3.p.m), 9-hole: weekends/weekdays, $16. weekdays $21 (with discount card 18-hole cart fee: $20; 9-hole: $14. weekends $25 after 3 p.m., Tee times: weekends, call one day weekdays $18). 18-hole cart fee: in advance; weekdays, no $10; 9-hole: $10. Tee times: deadlines. weekends, call previous Friday •Dominion Meadows GC (509) starting at 2 p.m.; weekdays, call 684-5508. 18-hole greens fees: two days in advance by 2 p.m. weekends/weekdays $28/25; www.spokaneparks.org.

•Esmeralda GC (509) 487-6291.

Senior 18-hole: $25/$23. College 18-hole greens fees: weekends $23, Junior $12 (no weekend $32, weekdays rates), 9-hole fee: (Monday-Thursday) $29, (with weekends/weekdays $20/$18; discount card the weekends are Senior 9-hole: $18/$16. College

Liberty Lake’s Best Nine-Hole Course Practice Facility and Driving Range • Twilight Rates available Junior - Adult - Private Lessons • Men’s, Ladies & Junior Tees Fully Stocked Golf Shop • Authorized Club Fitters

Tee times: no deadlines. harringtonbiz.com/golf.htm.

•Highlands GC (208) 773-3673.

18-hole greens fees: weekends/weekdays $35; seniors weekdays/weekends after 1 p.m. $28; juniors, weekdays $15 and weekends $22 until 1 p.m. then back to $15; 9-hole: $22 weekdays/weekends after 1 p.m.; 18-hole cart fee: $14 per seat; 9-hole: $7 per seat. Tee times: weekends, call up to one week in advance; weekdays, up to one week in advance. Twilight time is after 4 p.m. and is $25 with cart, $20 without. www.thehighlandsgc.com.

•Idaho Club (208) 265-2345.

18-hole greens fees: $125 includes golf cart. Twilight rate (after 2 p.m.) $80. Tee times required.

•Indian Canyon GC (509) 747-5353. 18-hole greens fees: weekends $32, weekdays (Monday-Thursday) $29, (with discount card the weekends are

$25, weekdays $22). 9-hole: weekends $32 ($13 after 3.p.m), weekdays $21 (with discount card weekends $25 after 3 p.m., weekdays $18). 18-hole cart fee: $10; 9-hole: $10. Tee times: weekends, call previous Friday starting at 2 p.m.; weekdays, call two days in advance by 2 p.m. www.spokaneparks.org.

•Liberty Lake GC (509) 255-6233. 18-hole greens fees: weekdays (Monday-Thursday), $29, weekend $31; rate for pre-book $35; county discount card $23 M-Th, weekends $26; 9-hole: weekdays $22, weekend $31; after 3pm $22. Seniors rate with discount card M-Th $21, weekend $26; after 3pm $21.

Juniors – 9 or 18-hole $15. 18-hole single cart fee: $15; 9-hole: $7.50.

Tee times: weekends, call the previous Saturday by 7 a.m.;

See DIRECTORY, K10

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Page 10

The Spokesman-Review

Friday, May 30, 2014

AREA DIRECTORY Tee times: no deadlines.

Pull carts only: $2. Club rentals: $3 for a bag. Tee times: none. No •St. John G&CC (509) dress code.

648-3259. All-day greens fees: Continued from K9 weekends/weekdays $15.

•Prairie Falls GC , Post Falls weekdays, call on Tuesday at 7 (208) 457-0210. 18-hole greens • St. Maries GC (208) 245-3842. a.m. fees: $25. 9-hole: $15. 18-hole cart 18-hole greens fees: weekends •The Links GC , Post Falls (208) fee: $15 per seat; 9-hole: $8 per $24; weekdays $20 (weekdays 777-7611. 18-hole greens fees (all seat. Tee times: one week in juniors, $8). 9-hole: weekends $15; prices include tax): Friday, weekdays $13 (juniors, $8). advance.

Saturday, Sunday $36; Monday, 18-hole cart fee: $26; 9-hole: $13. www.prairiefallsgolf.com.

Wednesday, Thursday $31; 9-hole •Priest Lake GC (208) Tee times: no deadline.

Friday, Saturday, Sunday $26; 443-2525. 18-hole greens fees: •Stoneridge GC (208) Monday, Wednesday, Thursday weekends/weekdays high season 437-GOLF. 18-hole greens fees. $21; Tight-Wad-Tuesday: 18-hole: (June 20-Sept. 11) $30; 9-hole: May-Sept weekdays $35; $21; 9-hole: $14. Seniors 60+: $26 weekends and high season $30; weekends $35; 9-hole $27/$27. for 18 holes, $16 for 9 holes. off-season $30 for 18, $18 for 9.

Seniors 18-hole $27 weekends, Juniors: $17 for 18 holes, $12 for 9 Twilight (2pm) (June 20-Sept 11): $35 weekdays. Juniors 18-hole holes. 18-hole cart fee: $30; $36 18-holes, $20 9-holes; $18, 9-hole $10. Cart fee $15 Tee 9-hole: $15. Tee times: no off-season $20 18-holes, $10 times: call 14 days in advance. deadlines.

9-holes. Tee times: no deadline, www.stoneridgeidaho.com.

•MeadowWood GC (509) but time availability varies.

•Sun Dance GC (509) 255-9539. 18-hole greens fees: www.priestlakegolfcourse.com.

466-4040. 18-hole greens fees: weekdays (Monday-Thursday), weekends/weekdays $26.68; •Quail Ridge GC (509) $29, weekend $31; rate for weekends before 7 a.m. and 758-8501. 18-hole greens fees: pre-book $35; county discount Tuesday-Thursday between Noon weekdays (Monday-Thursday) card $23 M-Th, weekends $26; and 4 p.m. $15.18; Twilight (after 4 $25; weekends $28. 9-hole 9-hole: weekdays $22, weekend greens fees: weekends/weekdays p.m.) $13.80; seniors $22.54. $31; after 3pm $22. Seniors rate 9-hole: weekdays/weekends, all $18. 18-hole w/cart: $40, $43 on with discount card M-Th $21, weekends; 9-hole: $27. Tee times: 18-hole rates apply until 4 p.m. . weekend $26; after 3pm $21.

Tee times: call one week in one week in advance.

Juniors – 9 or 18-hole $15. 18-hole advance. www.sundancegc.com.

•The Creek at Qualchan GC single cart fee: $15; 9-hole: $7.50. (509) 448-9317. 18-hole greens •Tekoa GC (509) 284-5607.

Tee times: weekends, call the fees: weekdays 18-hole green fees: $20. 9-hole previous Saturday by 7 a.m.; (Monday-Thursday), $29, $12. Cart rental $20; pull cart $3.. weekdays, call on Tuesday at 7 weekend $32; rate for pre-book Tee times: none. a.m. $35; county discount card $23 •Twin Lakes Village GC (208) www.meadowwoodgolf.com.

M-Th, weekends $25; 9-hole: 687-1311. All rates from G Mirror Lake Municipal Golf weekdays $21, weekend $33; after June-August: 18-hole greens fees: Course, Bonners Ferry, Idaho 3pm $22. Seniors rate with all week $35; seniors (208) 267-5314. 9-hole greens discount card M-Th $21, weekend (Monday-Friday) $25. 9-hole: fees: $16, weekends and holidays $25; after 3pm $21. Juniors – 9 or Monday-Friday and weekends $18, juniors $9. 18-hole: $23, 18-hole $13 weekdats, $24 after 3 p.m. and before 8 a.m. weekends and holidays $25, weekends. 18-hole cart fee: $30; $22; seniors (Monday-Friday) $18. juniors $13. Cart trail fee: $5.

9-hole: $15. Tee times: weekends, Monday-Friday 18-hole for juniors • Palouse Ridge GC (509) call the previous Saturday by 7 is $18, 9-hole is $12; twilight rate 335-4342. 18-hole greens fees for a.m.; weekdays, call on Tuesday $28 after 3 p.m. 18-hole cart fee: residents (live within 40-mile at 7 a.m.. www.spokaneparks.org. $14 per seat; 9-hole: $7 per seat. radius): $50. Non-residents: $99. •Ranch Club Golf Course (208) Tee times: call one week in Seniors (60+)/Faculty and Staff: advance. www.golftwinlakes.com.

448-1731. 18-hole greens fees: $40. Students: $40 weekends/weekdays $21. 9-hole: •University of Idaho GC (208) (Monday-Thursday $30). Juniors weekends/weekdays $15. 18-hole 885-6171. 18-hole greens fees: (17-): $20. Twilight: $40. 9-hole cart fee: $20; 9-hole: $15. Tee Weekends $28. Weekdays $26, greens fees: $40 before 8 a.m. times: on weekends reservations students $17, seniors $22, juniors and after 3 p.m.. Cart fees: all $15. 9-hole weekends: $17 after 2 are needed a couple of days in rates include a cart. p.m.; 9-hole weekdays: students advance. www.palouseridge.com. $12, juniors $10, seniors $16.

•Ritzville GC (509) 659-9868.

•Pine Acres (509)466-9984.

June-September twilight 18-hole greens fees: weekends 18-hole greens fees: (weekdays after 3:30 p.m.) $21. $22; weekdays $20; senior weekends/weekdays $13; 18-hole cart fee: $13 per seat; (Monday-Thursday) $17. 9-hole: seniors/juniors (weekdays only) 9-hole: $9 per seat. Tee times: weekends $16; weekdays $15, $12. 9-hole: weekends/weekdays senior (Monday-Thursday) $12. accepted one week in advance. $9; seniors/juniors (weekdays www.webs.uidaho.edu/golf.

High School students and below only) $8. Pull carts $1. Tee times: can play unlimited rounds for $5 •Trailhead GC (formerly Valley none. Range bucket prices: 135 (Monday-Thursday). Unlimited View GC) (509) 928-3484. balls for $11, 90 balls for $8, 60 all-day $25. 18-hole cart fee $20, 9-hole: $15 every day, $10 juniors, balls for $7.

9-hole $10. Tee times: no $12 seniors; second 9: $8 adults, deadlines. Subject to change $6 juniors, $7 seniors; Pull cart $4.

G Pinehurst GC , Pinehurst, because of city council.

Club rental $10. Power cart: Idaho (208) 682-2013. 18-hole 9-hole: $7 per seat, 18-hole: $14 •Sandpoint Elks GC (208) greens fees: weekday and per seat. Every day after 5 p.m., weekend $25, 9-hole $15. Seniors 263-4321. 18-hole greens fees: unlimited play $11 (with cart $16). and juniors $1 off. Play Monday or weekends/weekdays $26.50.

9-hole: weekends/weekdays •Wandermere GC (509) Thursday for $14 all day fee. $17.50. 18-hole cart fee: $24; 466-8023. 18-hole greens fees: 18-cart fees: $25; 9-cart fees: $7.

9-hole: $17. Pull cart (unlimited): weekends $29; weekdays $25, •Pomeroy GC (509) 843-1197. $5. Tee times: none. seniors $21, junior $18 flat rate 18-hole greens fees: (regardless of 9-hole or 18-hole, weekends/weekdays $18. 9-hole: •Shoshone G&TC (208) after 3 p.m. on weekends).

784-0161. 18-hole greens fees: $13. Tee times: none. weekends/weekdays $56, senior 9-hole: weekdays $19, seniors $16.

•Ponderosa Springs (208) 18-hole cart fee: $28; 9-hole: $14. $20, junior $17 (under 18 years).

664-1101. 9-hole: 9-hole: weekends/weekdays $15, Tee times: weekends, call one weekends/weekdays $12, $6 to week in advance; weekdays, call play again. Weekdays: seniors (55 senior $12, junior $9. Monday except holidays, all day $20. one day in advance. and over) $10, juniors (17 and www.wandermere.com. under) $10. Ten-play passes: $90. 18-hole cart fee: $26; 9-hole: $13.

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Friday, May 30, 2014

Page 11

2014 GOLF SECTION

Young masters Area golfers have shot at fame at Augusta

By Jim Meehan

The Masters, perhaps the best event annually on the golf calendar, was even better this year.

In addition to the azaleas, perfectly groomed Augusta National and Bubba Watson donning a second green jacket, the tournament embraced the next generation of golfers.

The inaugural Drive, Chip and Putt national finals were held at Augusta on the Sunday entering Masters week for 88 youngsters who made their way through local and regional qualifying.

Adam Scott was on hand for the awards ceremony, Watson greeted competitors on the range and Jordan Spieth did the same on the practice green, according to a golfweek.com article.

Shortly after the winners of the 7-9 age division for girls and boys divisions were announced, their names went up on the leaderboard near the 18th green.

The Creek at Qualchan will be the site of a local qualifier for the second straight year. The date will be Sunday, July 13.

Registration is available at drivechipandputt.com.

Richland and Missoula are the next closest sites. The lone qualifier in Idaho will be in Nampa. Participants are limited to one local qualifier.

“We had about 160 that signed up last year and about 75 percent showed up,” Qualchan pro Mark Gardner said. “It was a lot of fun and the kids really get into it.”

More than 17,000 youngsters participated nationally a year ago.

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Organizers have added more qualifying sites and they anticipate more than 50,000 competitors.

“The head pro from Augusta came up last year to help us out for the day,” Gardner said. “They’re really committed.”

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Page 12

The Spokesman-Review

Friday, May 30, 2014

2014 GOLF

Bandon’s original course c Long course has way of making confident golfers humble

BY JIM MEEHAN R jimm@spokesman.com, (208) 765-7131

T

he last round on our two-day, 72-hole odyssey came at Bandon Dunes, the first course to open at the resort.

In my mind, we saved the best for last.

You’ll get plenty of arguments from your buddies on their preferences, but Bandon Dunes would be my pick.

It’s a fairly easy walk, the layout is clever and the views are often beyond description.

Bandon Dunes strikes a perfect balance: challenging and enjoyable. The credit goes to Scotland’s David McLay Kidd, who made a wildly successful debut as a designer at Bandon Dunes. The course turned 15 this spring.

“The thing that stands out is at the other three courses if you make a mistake you can bring a big number into play,” director of golf Jeff Simonds said. “Bandon Dunes is kind of sneaky good. It’s very straight forward and there’s probably not a huge blow-up hole out there. But you can get on the bogey train.”

It can play as the longest of Bandon’s four courses in terms of yardage (7,212). Whatever tee box you choose, judging the impact of howling winds will be a priority.

No. 1 was a prime example. Facing a headwind, I belted a driver into a fairway bunker that I thought was unreachable. Hello double bogey.

The uphill, 189-yard par-3 second stung me, too. I hit just short of the green and my ball tumbled back down a slope some 50 yards. The par-5 third yielded two short birdie putts – one of which dropped – but the gorse along the left edge of the fairway

swallowed up a hooked second shot.

The dogleg-right, 362-yard fourth starts innocently. We mis-clubbed and our drives bounded through the fairway into high grass. The second shot is straight out of a postcard, into a green surrounded by the Pacific.

“I still get excited for that second shot,” Simonds said. “That green looks like it’s floating in the ocean. You might hit a hybrid off the tee and you’re not expecting much. And then it’s, ‘Whoa.’ ” The fifth and sixth holes stay along the coastline, a rarity in that both run in the same direction.

The sixth is 161 yards, but gusting winds stretched it to roughly 185.

No. 7 turns away from the ocean and offers maybe the most generous landing zone on the premises. The test starts on the second shot. Keep your drive to the left for the best angle into the elevated green. From the right, the hill becomes a factor and keeping your ball on the proper tier of the green is a chore.

We didn’t have many eagle putts in two days, but one came on the downwind, 558-yard ninth.

See BANDON, K14

The views on the 15-year-old Bandon Dunes course are beyond description, many of which take in the P

Friday, May 30, 2014

Spokane, Wash. / Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

SECTION

challenging, yet enjoyable Bandon Dunes Tournament tees Yardage: 7,212 Rating/slope: 76.8/150 Black tees Yardage: 6,732 Rating/slope, men: 74.1/143 Green tees Yardage: 6,221 Rating/slope men: 71.7/139 Gold tees Yardage: 5,716 Rating/slope, men: 69.5/133 Rating/slope, women: 75.9/136 Royal blue tees Yardage: 3,945

Courtesy photo

Pacific Ocean. This photo takes in holes 15, 12 and 5.

Page 13

Page 14

Friday, May 30, 2014

The Spokesman-Review

2014 GOLF SECTION Cool million for fan if tour player gets ace at Congressional Quicken Loans didn’t waste time getting fans involved in its PGA Tour event.

The new title sponsor of the Quicken Loans National will pick one person to receive $1 million if a PGA Tour player makes a hole-in-one on the 10th hole at

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The finishing touch on Bandon is a par-5 that takes you back toward the clubhouse.

“We try to remind people if the wind is BANDON Continued from K12 blowing 40 mph it’s not a par 72.

Suddenly a 400-yard par-4 is now a The 384-yard 11th was into the teeth of the wind. 600-yarder.”

It’s one of the toughest par-4s on the course.

One of the toughest par 3s is the 199-yard 12th, in part because of a front-left pot bunker. If 12 wasn’t the toughest, 15 just might be. It’s 163 yards, but we were pulling 4-irons into a brisk wind. Do not mess with the deep bunker off the right side of the green.

The closing stretch is memorable, beginning with the scenic 16th, a 301-yard par-4 that is drivable and also doubleand triple-bogeyable.

There are two fairways separated by a mound of high beach grass. The upper fairway is probably the preferred route and affords a shorter second shot but not an ideal angle into the green.

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He played in heavy rain and high winds on his first venture to Oregon.

“We try to remind people if the wind is blowing 40 mph it’s not a par 72,” Simonds said.

“Suddenly a 400-yard par-4 is now a 600-yarder.

Most people if they play on a desert course it’s tough to remember the shots you hit. You have that day here where it’s blowing and you hit a 4-iron on a 120-yard shot, you remember.

“That gentleman from Pittsburgh had horrible weather (last year), but he came back.”

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The par-5 18th takes you back toward the clubhouse. Nobody in our group was close to reaching in two. It’s possible your view will be blocked on the second shot so use the clubhouse as an aiming point. The green happily accepted the last of my many three-putts.

On one of our shuttle rides we ran into a gentleman from

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Friday, May 30, 2014

Spokane, Wash. / Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

2014 GOLF SECTION

Page 15

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Friday, May 30, 2014

The Spokesman-Review

2014 GOLF SECTION

Courtesy photo

No. 4 is a difficult 449-yard par 4 that runs adjacent to the bluffs overlooking the Pacific and requires accuracy off the tee.

Short layout can fool you Penalties severe on Pacific Dunes course that demands accuracy

By Jim Meehan jimm@spokesman.com, (208) 765-7131

After a morning round at Old Macdonald and a quick lunch – the dining is nearly as good as the golf at Bandon – we took on Pacific Dunes.

There’s no confusing the two courses. Pacific Dunes isn’t as intimidating on the scorecard at 6,633 yards from the tips, but tighter fairways demanded more accuracy and smaller greens, in my case, didn’t necessarily translate into fewer putts.

The penalties are more severe for wayward shots. By the time we teed off the breeze had freshened into a two-club wind, making crisp ball-striking essential to steer clear of trouble.

“The layout is short enough to give every golfer hope,” architect Tom Doak says in Old Mac’s yardage book, “but its rugged nature will test every facet of your game.”

Pacific Dunes, which opened in 2001, is beautifully crafted and a visual treat. It’s typically the highest ranked of Bandon’s

measures 449 yards and runs four courses by national adjacent to the bluffs publications.

“He (Doak) moved the least overlooking the Pacific. The beach awaits drives off line amount of dirt,” director of communications Erik Peterson right and a series of bunkers gobble up errant tee balls left. said. “He said, ‘Here’s the lay The green on 436-yard of the land, let’s follow it and seventh is heavily contoured take what the land gives us.’ ” and guarded left and right by The first two holes are shorter par 4s, followed by the bunkers. Good luck finding a 476-yard par 5 that becomes a prettier hole than the 390-yard 13th – yet another screensaver scoring opportunity if your candidate. It played roughly drive avoids a pair of fairway 430 yards into the wind. The bunkers, spaced roughly 40 yards apart in the landing area. fairway is bordered by a little Nos. 4, 7 and 13 are long, difficult par 4s. The fourth See PACIFIC, K17

Pacific Dunes Black tees Yardage: 6,633 Rating/slope: 73.0/142 Green tees Yardage: 6,142 Rating/slope: men 70.7/133 Rating/slope, women: 76.3/143 Gold tees Yardage: 5,775 Rating/slope, men: 68.6/129 Rating/slope, women: 74.2/138 Royal blue tees Yardage: 3,920

Friday, May 30, 2014

Spokane, Wash. / Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

Page 17

2014 GOLF SECTION back-center pin.

The 17th is 189 yards Continued from K16 and a large, sunken bunker gathers water hazard called the everything short and left.

Pacific on the left and an One ball in our group assortment of bunkers on plugged near the top of the right. that bunker and required No. 9 fooled all four us. playing a second shot We felt pretty good after away from the green. The sending our tee shots Jeff Simonds, shelf on the right is more toward a hidden landing director of golf at Bandon hospitable if your ball area. We expected to be Dunes stays away from two in the fairway but the traps. right-to-left slope steered The par-5 18th is an “You’re working with our balls off line. We had smallest green (at No. 11) intriguing closing hole. A to search for a few on the property,� director massive natural bunker minutes before discovering that two of us of golf Jeff Simonds said. skirts the left side but a long, accurate drive sets “Usually the wind is in were in a menacing up a birdie opportunity. bunker and I was close to your face and you have “One of my favorite big bunkers facing you. a steep lip. I was things is watching people It’s tough to commit to fortunate to barely clear pull out their scorecards hit a great shot there.� the face of the trap and and think it’s easy,�

The 338-yard 16th salvage a par.

The back nine is unique offers two options: Try to Simonds said. “People find the little course has crush driver and thread with four par 3s, three some teeth. It goads you your ball on or near the par 5s and two par 4s. shelf green or maneuver a into hitting driver on The 10th is 163 yards holes and that brings but required an extra club long iron/hybrid to a trouble into play. It’s all favorable yardage for an into the wind and extra about playing the finesse approach shot. I went concentration with game around Pacific stunning ocean scenery in with the latter and still Dunes.� made double bogey, in your field of vision. The My highest score on part because my second 11th is only 131 yards, but the four courses came at shot sailed over the the tiny green sits on a Pacific Dunes. Paging my green, leaving a near bluff and is surrounded by sand and beach grass. impossible chip shot to a finesse.

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Friday, May 30, 2014

The Spokesman-Review

2014 GOLF SECTION GOLF HUMOR R Jerry Zezima, McClatchy-Tribune News Service

Stanford’s Rodgers padding resume

Golf sounds like an easy sport to take up

Patrick Rodgers was selected to receive the Ben Hogan Award as the nation’s top college golfer. His 11 career victories ties Tiger

“If Tiger Woods could win the Masters at 21, and Jordan Spieth could almost win s a guy who has this year at 20, the opposite could always loved Mark Twain’s definition of happen and a geezer like me could win. golf as “a good walk Then I could sign my AARP card and get spoiled,” I had never aspired to be the next a green jacket.”

How hard can it be?

You can use a cart

A

Tiger Woods, either on or off the course, which is why I’m not rich but am, fortunately, still married.

But lately, at the ripe old age of 60, I have had a hankering to take up the sport, which is more sensible than tennis because in golf you don’t have to run after the ball.

In fact, you can use a cart, which is fine on a golf course but would be kind of clunky on a tennis court.

So I went to the Bergen Point Golf Course, a beautiful waterside public course in West Babylon, N.Y., for a lesson with instructor Kevin Lisi.

“You’ve never played golf before?” asked Kevin, who is 23 and has been playing since he was a kid, which to me he still is.

“No,” I replied. “But if Tiger Woods could win the Masters at 21, and Jordan Spieth could almost win this year at 20, the opposite could happen and a geezer like me could win.

Then I could sign my AARP card and get a green jacket.”

“Show me how you think a golf club should be held,” said Kevin, who handed me a pitching wedge on the driving range, where I was among about a dozen people in the group lesson.

“I’m guessing this isn’t the right way,” I said as I grabbed the club by the head.

“You really are new at this,” said Kevin, who nonetheless was impressed when I wrapped my fingers around the handle and, with a little guidance, held the club correctly.

After showing me how to plant my feet, bend my back and knees, and angle the head of the club, Kevin said, “Now take a practice swing.”

I raised the club parallel to the ground and lifted the head a bit higher, then brought it back down and followed through beautifully, a fluid motion that would have impressed Ben Hogan had the legendary golf champion, known for his perfect swing, not been currently deceased.

“Very good,” Kevin said.

“Now let’s see if you can hit a ball.”

I lined up the little white sphere and drove it about 90 yards.

“Are you sure you’ve never played golf before?” asked Kevin.

“Just miniature golf,” I replied. “My kids beat me.”

I drove my second shot the same distance.

“Do you think I can win the Masters?” I asked.

“You’re just getting started,” Kevin cautioned.

“Golf’s addictive, but it’s a tough game.”

He wasn’t kidding, because those two shots were my best of the day. I steadily regressed, with some of my worst shots dribbling off the mat.

Kevin was wonderful, treating me with kid gloves (or, rather, golf gloves) and trying to get me back in my original groove when he wasn’t giving pointers to the other newbies.

When the hourlong lesson was over, Kevin said, “You’re not bad. You just need to practice.”

Later, in the pro shop, head pro Paul Rollo, who saw me on the driving range, said, “The basic principle is to move the ball forward. If it moves in the direction you want it to go, you’re doing OK.” Pro shop employee Ken Klevitz added, “If you see water in front of you, forget it.”

Bob Miller, director of the Bergen Point Golf Course, ambled in with his dog, a 5-year-old black Lab named Lucas.

“Are you a dogleg right?” I asked Lucas.

“He’s a scratch golfer,” said Kevin.

“He does a lot of scratching,” Bob noted.

“And he scares away the geese.”

“I’d be good at that,” I said. “Maybe I could do it at the Masters.”

“Sure,” said Paul. “But if you want a green jacket, you may have to buy it yourself.”

Stamford Advocate columnist Jerry Zezima is the author of two books, “Leave It to Boomer” and “The Empty Nest Chronicles.” Visit his blog at www.jerryzezima. blogspot.com. Email him at JerryZ111optonline.net.

Woods for the most in Stanford history. Rodgers was part of winning American teams in the Walker Cup and the Palmer Cup. – AP

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Spokane, Wash. / Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

Page 19

2014 GOLF SECTION

Courtesy photo

Proceeds from Brandon Preserve benefit projects on Oregon’s southern coast.

Bandon Dunes still growing which supports projects on Oregon’s southern coast that are committed to conservation, community and economy.

“It fits anyone’s schedule,” director of

By Jim Meehan golf Jeff Simonds said. “It’s a great way jimm@spokesman.com, (208) 765-7131 to warm up and get an introduction to links golf. You get to experience the firm Bandon Dunes Golf Resort is 15 years conditions, fescue greens and how it old and still growing.

The four 18-hole links courses opened looks and putts.

“And you get a feel for the wind. It in 1999, 2001, 2005 and 2010. The newest might be a 130-yard hole but it’s blowing additions are Brandon Preserve, a 13-hole par-3 course, and the Punchbowl, 20 mph and you realize you could hit a 5-iron or a 7. There are a lot of ways to an 18-hole putting course that sits near get the ball close to the hole.” the first tee at Pacific Dunes. There are The Punchbowl spans 2.3 acres, also plans for a 27-hole links course slightly larger than two football fields. about 10 miles south of the existing Old Macdonald designers Tom Doak and courses.

Brandon Preserve and the Punchbowl Jim Urbina mapped out the putting course, which is free to resort guests. are wise choices if a 4-hour round isn’t “You can’t always play 36 holes and an option. you might need something to do in Brandon Preserve, designed by Bill between,” Simonds said. “There are 100s Coore and Ben Crenshaw, debuted in of different hole locations.”

2012. Holes range from 63-150 yards There is no timetable set for the from the back tees (1,609 total yards) and 27-hole course. Gil Hanse, who designed 40-119 from the front tees (1,121).

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Friday, May 30, 2014

The Spokesman-Review

2014 GOLF SECTION

Courtesy photo

The elements are very much in play once you hike the vista to the tee box on No. 14 at Bandon Trails.

Into the woods we go

Bandon Trails

Black tees Yardage: 6,759 Rating/slope: 73.7/133 Green tees feel and approach shots golf Jeff Simonds noted, “and it’s more stock in Trails as their

By Jim Meehan Yardage: 6,247 generally held more so than at like leaving one room and going favorite course,” Simonds said. jimm@spokesman.com, (208) 765-7131 Rating/slope, men: 71.1/129 the three other courses. It wasn’t outside.”

Decision-making begins on Rating/slope, women: 77.4/138 top me if you’ve read this as windy, but that changed as we Brandon Trails, designed by your first swing. No. 1 is 356 Gold tees before – none of Bandon’s hiked the vista to the tee box on Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, yards and driver isn’t necessary Yardage: 5,751 four courses are alike, other No. 14. The elements were very opened in 2005, the third to reach an ideal location in a Rating/slope, men: 69.0/124 than the shared sandy, hilly much in play for the final five offering at the resort. bowled fairway. Accuracy is terrain and unmatched views. holes.

“A lot of our guests that come more important than an extra 20 Rating/slope, women: 74.5/132 Royal blue tees Case in point: Bandon Trails.

“You make the corner and out annually, the more times Yardage: 3,827 See TRAILS, K21 It’s more inland, has a woodsy start heading north,” director of they visit it seems like they put

Landscape changes at woodsy Bandon Trails, but elements still a factor

S

Friday, May 30, 2014

Spokane, Wash. / Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

2014 GOLF SECTION

Courtesy photo

Advice from the pros on No. 3 at Bandon Trails: Aim at bunker in middle of fairway.

TRAILS

Continued from K20 yards off the tee. Keep it between the fairway bunkers left and right and you’ll probably have a wedge for a second shot between several sizable mounds covered in high grass.

The par-3 second hole brings more variables into the equation. Elevated tee box, red flag on a 166-yard shot and a five-yard wind to consider. We had one ball on the green and one ball lost in the cabbage left.

The par-3 fifth is just 114 yards but even at that short distance we didn’t pick up on its nuances. We could see the deep, recessed bunkers in front of the green but it looked like there was a backstop beyond the red pin.

Appearances can be deceiving. There was actually a depression that guided Pat’s shot from the 20-foot range to a testy 45-footer from an upper tier. Somehow we managed three ‘3s’.

“You miss about 10 feet of the green, maybe more, and it dives down and away from you and it blends in so well,” Simonds said.

Another friendly reminder: hire a caddy.

“When you’re playing any of the courses they

help you read the greens, they can explain or see some of the things you wouldn’t see playing a course you’ve never played before,” director of communications Erik Peterson said. “And a type of course you’ve never played before.”

The eighth is a drivable 299-yard par 4 but there is risk-reward with abundant sand traps and a right-to-left sloping fairway. Jack’s drive nearly reached the green and he made birdie. Pat’s ball caught a trap on the left and took a while to locate.

The back nine is a sequence of one interesting hole after another. The par-4 11th is 429 yards, but plays shorter as drives feed hard downhill and to the right. If you don’t keep your drive well left you could end up in a sizable trap or water that spans the right side of the fairway.

The longest par 3 we encountered is the straight-forward, 235-yard 12th. A nice drive on the downhill par-4 13th sets up the right angle to avoid a cavernous green-side bunker.

The par-4 14th offers a wonderful panoramic view and the possibility of driving a green about as wide as your driveway.

Drives off line will require a deft touch on a second shot from a tough angle.

The par-5 16th is 494 yards but a head wind and the fact that the last 275 yards are straight uphill made it a three-shot hole.

“One of my favorite quotes Bill Coore said is, “Not all par-5s can be reachable in two.

Downwind, 16 isn’t a difficult hole, but into the wind you’re not going to get home in two. Nowadays a par 5 is a birdie opportunity because you can two-putt for it,” Simonds said. “No. 16 is a great example of a par 5 where you’d better get that third shot in the right position because par is a good score.”

No. 18 features a partially blind tee shot to a fairly wide, heavily undulated fairway. The second shot is an elevated green with a false front.

“The complete green complex at Trails is just fantastic, a lot of subtle breaks,” Simonds said. “It uses some false fronts to keep from chasing (the ball) as much as Old Macdonald.

“The playability is so strong. The fact that it’s missing an ocean and it’s still that good … it has ocean views but you’re not so much playing along it.”

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Page 22

Friday, May 30, 2014

The Spokesman-Review

2014 GOLF SECTION

Being No. 1 has prestige, but little else

Resting at No. 1

A look at the 57 times there has been a change at No. 1 in the world ranking, and what the players did the week they reached No. 1: April 6, 1986 — Bernhard Langer: Did not play.

April 27, 1986 — Seve Ballesteros: Runner-up in the Madrid Open.

Sept. 14, 1986 — Greg Norman: Scott reached pinacle during week Won the European Open. off, but he’s not the first to do so Nov. 22, 1987 — Seve Ballesteros: Tied for third in the Dunlop

By Doug Ferguson Phoenix.

Associated Press Nov. 29, 1987 — Greg Norman: Won the Australian Open.

Last Sunday in the Bahamas, Adam Scott should Oct. 30, 1988 — Seve Ballesteros: have hit the practice green and thrown a ball Runner-up in the Volvo Masters. down about 10 feet from the cup, whispering to Nov. 6, 1988 — Greg Norman: himself “this putt to go to No. 1 in the world.”

Associated Press Lost in a playoff at Australian The alternative would have been to follow what Idle Adam Scott sits atop of World Golf Rankings. PGA Championship.

Nick Faldo, Ian Woosnam and Lee Westwood did Nov. 13, 1988 — Seve Ballesteros: the first time they reached the top of the world Won the Taiheiyo Masters Woods was ranked No. 1 and on the course, ranking.

March 26, 1989 — Greg Norman: closing out Duval on the 17th hole. Both took the Nothing.

Tied for second in the USF&G rest of the week off, and thanks to the This is the official nightmare of the Official mathematical wonder of the world ranking, Duval Classi.

World Golf Ranking.

April 2, 1989 — Seve Ballesteros: went back to No. 1.

Scott had four mathematical chances over the Tied for third in the Houston Not that Duval cared how he got there. last two months to replace Tiger Woods at No. 1 in Open.

“I guess that’s the story right there,” he said. “I the world and couldn’t get it done. Then he had a Aug. 20, 1989 — Greg Norman: don’t remember.” week off and, boom, No. 1.

Won The International.

He remembers the first time he got to No. 1. In Woods kept losing points without being able to Sept. 2, 1990 — Nick Faldo: Did front of a hometown crowd, and on the same day replace them because he is recovering from back not play, wrist injury his father won on the Champions Tour, Duval surgery and has not played a tournament in more Oct. 14, 1990 — Greg Norman: won The Players Championship to replace Woods Did not play. than two months. atop the ranking.

Is it awkward? Sure.

Feb. 3, 1991 — Nick Faldo: Did not That’s a lot more fun than being at home.

Unprecedented? Not even close. play.

Rory McIlroy reached No. 1 for the first time by April 7, 1991 — Ian Woosnam: Did Of the 17 players who reached No. 1 for the first time, Scott is the fifth who did not play that week. winning the Honda Classic. Luke Donald made his not play.

The list includes Bernhard Langer, who was No. 1 debut at No. 1 when he won the BMW PGA March 22, 1992 — Fred Couples: Championship at Wentworth in a playoff over in the inaugural world ranking on April 6, 1986.

Won estle Invitational.

Westwood, whom he replaced at No. 1. Donald has March 29, 1992 — Nick Faldo: This is the 57th change at the top, and the 13th gone to No. 1 four times, three of them by winning. Tied for second at The Players time that a new No. 1 didn’t play the week before Greg Norman won five times out of the 11 he got there. That includes Woods — twice.

Championship. occasions he got to No. 1 — with four of those wins April 5, 1992 — Fred Couples: Did Faldo won the Masters and British Open, and on different continents. Woods won six times to tied for third in the U.S. Open in 1990. He still not play. get to No. 1, including two majors, the ideal way to July 19, 1992 — Nick Faldo: Won didn’t get to No. 1, back when the formula was reach the top of the ranking. Then again, he first different and the ranking moved at the speed of the British Open. reached No. 1 with a tie for 19th in the 1997 U.S. Kevin Na. Faldo injured his wrist at the PGA Feb. 6, 1994 — Greg Norman: Open. Pretty riveting.

Championship, where he shot 80 in the third Won the Johnnie Walker Classic.

Ultimately, it doesn’t matter how a player gets round and tied for 19th. He took off three weeks to Aug. 14, 1994 — Nick Price: Won to No. 1. let it heal, and when he showed up at the the PGA title.

And ultimately, all of them would just as soon European Open, he was No. 1.

June 18, 1995 — Greg Norman: win a major than be No. 1. Scott, a former Masters Runner-up, U.S. Open.

And don’t forget about Westwood. He champion, said as much. completed only two tournaments in a April 20, 1997 — Tom Lehman: “I think it’s a nice feather in the cap,” Scott said. Tied for fourth at the MCI . three-month stretch in 2010 because of a calf “I mean, if I was never world No. 1 when I’m this injury. Coming off the Ryder Cup, he took off April 27, 1997 — Greg Norman: three weeks and went to No. 1 while watching TV close, I’d be disappointed. But I’d also much Runner-up in the Spanish Open. rather win the U.S. Open and not be No. 1 at all at home in England.

June 15, 1997 — Tiger Woods: this year. That’s what it comes down to.”

The most confounding of all was in 1999, the Tied for 19th, U.S. Open.

Even so, being No. 1 should not be dismissed. It June 22, 1997 — Ernie Els: Won summer when Woods and David Duval were the doesn’t define the best player in the world, rather the Buick Classic. best two players in golf. They were so good that who has performed the best over the most recent IMG created a made-for-TV exhibition on June 29, 1997 — Greg Norman: two-year period. And as Westwood correctly Monday night called the “Showdown at Won St. Jude Classic. noted when he got to No. 1, “It’s a fairly elite list.”

Sherwood,” a battle between No. 1 and No. 2.

July 6, 1997 — Tiger Woods:

Won Western Open.

Sept. 7, 1997 — Greg Norman: Runner-up at the Canadian Open.

Jan. 11, 1998 — Tiger Woods: Tied for second in Mercedes Championship.

April 12, 1998 — Ernie Els: Tied for 16th in the Masters.

May 10, 1998 — Tiger Woods: Won BellSouth Classic.

May 17, 1998 — Ernie Els: Tied for 63rd in the Byron Nelson Classic.

June 14, 1998 — Tiger Woods: Did not play.

March 28, 1999 — David Duval: Won TPC. July 4, 1999 — Tiger Woods: Won Western Open.

Aug. 8, 1999 — David Duval: Did not play.

Aug. 15, 1999 — Tiger Woods: Won PGA title.

Sept. 6, 2004 — Vijay Singh: Won the Deutsche Bank Championship.

March 6, 2005 — Tiger Woods: Won Ford Championship.

March 20, 2005 — Vijay Singh: Lost in a playoff at the Bay Hill Invitational.

April 10, 2005 — Tiger Woods: Won the Masters.

May 22, 2005 — Vijay Singh: Did not play.

June 12, 2005 — Tiger Woods: Did not play.

Oct. 31, 2010 — Lee Westwood: Did not play.

Feb. 27, 2011 — Martin Kaymer: Runner-up in Match Play Championship.

April 24, 2011 — Lee Westwood: Won the Indonesian Masters.

May 29, 2011 — Luke Donald: Won the BMW PGA Championship.

March 4, 2012 — Rory McIlroy: Won Honda Classic.

March 18, 2012 — Luke Donald: Won Transitions Championship.

April 15, 2012 — Rory McIlroy: Did not play.

April 29, 2012 — Luke Donald: Finished third at the Zurich Classic.

May 6, 2012 — Rory McIlroy: Lost in a playoff at the Wells Fargo.

May 27, 2012 — Luke Donald: Won the BMW PGA Championship.

Aug. 12, 2012 — Rory McIlroy: Won the PGA Championship.

March 25, 2013 — Tiger Woods: Won the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

May 19, 2014 — Adam Scott: Did not play.

Friday, May 30, 2014

Spokane, Wash. / Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

Page 23

2014 GOLF SECTION

Making sure the club fits body will start compensating,” said the 51-year-old Crumpler, a former respiratory therapist who got into the fitting business five years ago.

“Most golf pros, most fitters don’t look at that aspect of golf and fitting,” Crumpler said.

Crumpler certainly has the tools: 50

By Jim Allen different shafts for irons, 20 more for jima@spokesman.com, (509) 459-5437 woods, and dozens of grips and heads.

“It’s hard to tell someone that they olf science is advancing faster want this grip when all his buddies are than the eye can see. using another grip,” Crumpler said. “A At the workshop of Kelly 15-to-20 handicap may not notice, but a Crumpler in Nine Mile Falls, it’s 5-handicap will notice that difference.” moving at 50,000 frames a second, fast Crumpler’s philosophy is to build the enough to capture every hitch and club first, and all by his own hand. In a every loss of swing speed. typical session, the golfer takes swings “It’s a great little $10,000 – always addressing the ball in the investment,” Crumpler said of his flight same manner – while Crumpler scope, which uses a Doppler radar analyzes the results and makes small system to spot the imperfections that but important changes in equipment. over 18 holes, can cost a A typical session last three hours 20-handicapper half a dozen shots. “because I haven’t learned to quit “The differences are subtle, but they talking,” said Crumpler, a golfer add up,” said Crumpler, who recently himself. He also listens: where does the was named one of the World’s Top 100 golfer like to play. There’s a world of Club Fitters by equipment maker KZG. JIM ALLEN jima@spokesman.com difference between Hangman and The equipment is nice, but it’s Golf fitter Kelly Crumpler works on a club in his shop in Nine Mile Falls.

Downriver, he noted, citing differences Crumpler who earned the award in soil that can determine the best head through his ability to take that data and shape for an iron. those, Crumpler adds at least 15 more your body?” apply it to any golfer who walks into The cost is $200 for a full-bag fitting, components, methodically measuring In a typical three-hour session, his business, H2c Golf Custom Club but Crumpler credits that cost toward the changes in swing from each Crumpler proceeds to answer that LLC. That application goes far beyond the question by looking at several variables: variation in equipment. In other words, the purchase of clubs from his shop. he builds the club around the golfer, club length, grip size, the club’s lie typical question posed to a novice: Contact H2c Golf Custom Club LLC at not the other way around. angle, the balance of the shaft and the “Which golf club do you like best?” www.H2c-golf.com or call (509) “If I put a golf club in your hand design of the head.

According to Crumpler, the real 688-9075 that’s not the right club for you, your And those are just the basics. To question is: “Which is the best club for

Kelly Crumpler analyzes golfer before fitting with clubs

G

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Page 24

Friday, May 30, 2014

The Spokesman-Review

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