POSTGAME

Thanks For The Memories — You Always Remember Your First

hile I certainly can’t remember the first time I ever picked up a golf club — my Dad used to love showing off a picture of me W shaped everything I have accomplished since. For almost 15 years, I’ve felt a pull to pass on that gift. In November — about 10 months earlier than expected — that opportuto help grow the game in our corner of the world. It’s the PGA and LPGA Tour pros, golf course architects and other local celebrities who are always willing to pick up swaddled in baby clothes, no older than a year, with a tiny nity finally arose. the phone and contribute their thoughts on our local plastic golf club in my hands and a (mercifully unlit) cigar To pursue that dream, though, meant leaving behind golf scene. It’s the CG Cup regulars whose faces I look in my mouth — I can definitely remember plenty of my this one. It would be easy if Cascade Golfer were just a forward to seeing each spring at the golf show and tourother golfing firsts. At nine, I won my club junior putting magazine to me, but it’s not. nament series. You are all more than just clients or cuschampionship — my first (and, other than a repeat victory It’s Dick Stephens, whose relentless energy and vi- tomers — you are our friends. the following year, last) taste of golf glory. At 11, I made sion brought it to life, and who gave me the chance to And, it’s the thousands who write us letters, commy first birdie. At 31, I finally broke 90 on a par-72 (thank be its caretaker for the last 12 years. Dick’s faith and trust ment on our social media pages, call our office, or say you, Cedars at Dungeness). At 33, I birdied four holes in carried me for over a decade, and I’m sure they will for hello out in public and let us know what you think of the same round for the first and only time — and still shot whomever is lucky enough to take over this role. the magazine. Every time someone told me they used 91. And, of course, I’ll never forget my first eagle … actual- It’s Kirk Tourtillotte, whose steady hand on the tiller the magazine to plan a golf trip, or found a new favorite ly, wait, that last one never happened. Oh, well … there’s has helped Cascade Golfer succeed where so many oth- course from one of our recommendations, or fell in love a first to look forward to still. er print publications have failed. Kirk has the heart of a with a product we featured, or saved a few bucks, or even

And I vividly remember my very first issue of Cascade lion, and everyone who is around him feels his love. just played a little more, or a little better, thanks to our Golfer. It wasn’t Issue No. 1 — no, I arrived in time for Issue It’s Rob Becker, whose graphic art and creative de- advice, it truly made my day. No. 3, in April 2008, which included features on Cham- sign skills bring the words we write and pictures we col- When I look at an issue of Cascade Golfer, I see all of bers Bay being awarded the U.S. Open, junior golf oppor- lect to life. Rob is the most talented art director I’ve had that — all of you — in every page. And, that’s why it so hard tunities in the region, and a profile of golf business mogul the privilege to work with, and I am glad the magazine to walk away. Scott Oki. It had a few good reads, but the impression it remains in his hands. Cascade Golfer has brought me some of the best left on me at the time was, “People are counting on you; It’s Bobbi Kramer and Pam Titland, whose business memories of my professional life — interviewing my childyou need to get better at this.” Hopefully, I did. acumen keeps the lights on, and whose wise counsel in hood idol, Edgar Martinez; sharing mai tais and poetry in

Yes, firsts are easy to appreciate. Lasts, though … difficult times meant more than they’ll ever know. a Kauai dive bar with Robert Trent Jones, Jr.; playing 88 lasts you sometimes don’t see coming. It’s Simon Dubiel with whom I planned almost every holes in one day at Avalon; epic (some might say idiotic)

My Dad flew out to visit in May of 2013, and I took single editorial piece, big and small, that has appeared in one-day road trips to Wine Valley, Palouse Ridge, Gamble him to Snohomish Golf Course. I didn’t swing the club this magazine for the past 12 years — often while waiting Sands and other far-flung locales; being among the first to particularly well, but he gave me a few tips (as he, a for- on a tee box somewhere in Western Washington. More play Rope Rider and Gamble Sands, months before they mer ASU Sun Devil and single-digit handicapper into his than any of us, Simon has made this community what it opened; spreading my dad’s ashes on the ninth tee box at late 70s, was apt to do) and then flew back to his home is. And, he made this a place I wanted to come to every Chambers Bay in May 2015; and, thinking of him a month in Sacramento a day later. It was the last round we’d ever day. I’ll miss our camaraderie most of all. later as I traversed the course’s hills and slopes for four play together. It’s also incredible writers like Tony Dear, Bob Sher- epic days as the entire golf world looked on.

And, last November, I edited my last issue of Cas- win, Steve Kelley, Jim Moore, Craig Smith and others I will never be able to say thank you enough to everycade Golfer. who have lent their byline to Cascade Golfer over the one, so instead I will say that to be this magazine’s editor,

It wasn’t totally out of the blue. I’ve been pursuing a years, and photographers like Rob Perry, who provided and to see it thriving as the centerpiece of this incredible Master’s in elementary education for the past couple of so many of the images we’ve used. It’s the hundreds community, has been an absolute joy. Every single peryears. The most influential person in my life was a teach- of golf course staff members manning pro shops and son reading this has helped make that possible, and I will er — Janet Wendt of Monument, Colo. — who fostered in caddyshacks, operating lawnmowers, and leading of- be forever grateful for all that you have given me. me a love of writing and a dedication to the craft that has fices around the state, who have worked alongside us I still would have liked to have made an eagle, though.

By Brian Beaky • CG Editor • 2008-20