SHORT GAME

CG Cup kicks off in DuPont April 29 trips to Bandon Dunes, Maui and Pinehurst on the line

Perhaps the most consistent and highest compliment we get about our Cascade Golfer Cup is ‘can I play with so and so again? We met them at the last event and they were awesome to play with.’

Although we don’t take pairing requests, we love to hear how enjoyable the experience has been for the folks that tee it up in our CG Cup events. Sure, the prizes are totally bonkers, and yes, the courses are fantastic and the formats terrific, but in the end having fun is what matters.

This year we changed it up a bit, teeing off our first CG Cup event, our Season Opener on April 29 at a Northwest favorite, The Home Course in DuPont. If you want fun, this track is about as enjoyable to play as any, plus the two-person best ball is an exciting format.

From there we take the show on the road to one of Washington’s most pristine tracks, May 20 at Salish Cliffs in Shelton with our 13th annual Cascade Golfer Challenge. If you like good course conditions, that’s the place

We love shambles and that’s the format for the season’s third event, the Puetz Golf Shootout June 10. Kingston’s White Horse Golf Club is the host, which sets up nicely for this format, a beautiful, forested course that can be a tough test for all skill levels.

Making the turn, the Cup’s fourth event keeps it on the Peninsula, July 8 at Port Ludlow. This might be the most underrated course in the state as the conditions there have been nothing short of spectacular these last few years.

The Michelob ULTRA Open, an aggregate Stroke Play event, will be Aug. 12 at Oakbrook, quite a fun course as just about any golfer in Lakewood and the south end can attest.

This is followed by another two-person best ball, Sept. 9 at The Classic, the Spanaway layout that is a tough and tight challenge.

Of course, our schedule wouldn’t be complete without our annual pilgrimage to Chambers Bay, with the Fall Classic Sept. 30.

Prizes and the CG Cup go hand in hand, since, well, nobody does it better. Just like we have done over the past 14 years, a ton of loot is handed out at every event. Once again, we will prize out the top 10 teams in both the Net and Gross Divisions (all teams are entered into both).

These aren’t just your run-of-the-mill book money from the pro shop. We are sending folks all over the country, including half a dozen stay-and-play packages to

Maui, golf packages to Bandon Dunes, Central Oregon, Myrtle Beach, Pinehurst and several other destinations. Plus, we have dozens of products, including drivers, wedges, putters, bags and, of course, a ridiculous amount of great golf to offer, such as twosomes and foursomes sent off to Gamble Sands, Chambers Bay, Suncadia, Salish Cliffs, Home Course, Loomis Trail, Port Ludlow, Cedars at Dungeness, The Classic and Oakbrook. The list is long.

In addition to prizing out each event, the CG Cup is also a season points race, so there are prizes for the top 10 teams in Gross and Net on the season. Plus, you are allowed to have an alternate, so when you have a conflict and your buddy still wants to grab a partner and play, no problem. Consider it a three-person team for the season.

Nothing is more fun than playing golf with your favorite golf partner. Each event is a two-person team game, varying from best ball, best ball Stableford, stroke play and shamble.

Sounds like a good time? Time to get a partner and get inside the ropes. Anyone can play. You just need an established handicap, a playing partner and the desire to have fun. Visit CascadeGolfer.com/Cup or email simon@ cascadegolfer.com. We hope to see you in the fairway.