Cascade Golfer June 2020

VOLUME 14 • ISSUE 2 • JUNE 2020 • COMPLIMENTARY

@cascadegolfer

cascadegolfer.com

PUMPED UP KICKS NO RTHWEST GO LF N EW S & VI E W S

Gamble Sands adds second course Courses feeling impact of COVID-19 CG Cup Kicks Off at Druids Glen

Heaven

A little slice of

Bandon’s new Sheep Ranch is a welcome getaway 2020 NORTHWEST

GOLFERS

PLAYBOOK

Washington Edition

GREAT DEALS!

2020 Players Car Chambers Bay

Apple Tree Reso

Highlander GC

Leavenworth

GC

Mt. Si GC

ualmie Falls GC

Snoq

Whidbey GC

Camaloch GC

Salish Cliffs

Special Rates Discounts 2-for-1s Bonus Offers

d

rt

GC

OVER

The Home Course

$4,700

Eaglemont GC

rs at Ceda Wine Valley

IN SAVINGS

Dungeness

Get Your Book Now! JUST

$3995 Sun Country Golf

Port Ludlow

& RV

GC

Save thousands on golf with the CG Players Card and NW Golfers Playbook!

STILL ON SALE!

SEE PAGES 9 & 13 FOR DETAILS!

A LOOK Departments 4 6

PUBLISHER’S PITCH

SHORT GAME

• COVID-19: What you need to know • Gamble Sands building par-3 course • Eaglemont shuts down due to virus • Boeing Classic postponed to 2021 • Local youth wins $1,000 scholarship from Duke’s • Players Card, Playbook offer summer savings • CG Cup gets underway this month • Local PGA TOUR stars back in action

18 IN THE BAG

INSIDE

Features

PUETZ GOLF SAVINGS 20-25

28

40

A Whole New World

Get Away From It All

As golf courses re-open around the state, we’re finally able to assess the impact of COVID-19 so far.

Opening a new course is always tricky.

Doing so in the middle of a pandemic — as Bandon is this summer with its stunning new Sheep Ranch — is unprecedented.

STORY BY JOSH KERNS

• Callaway MAVRIK Irons • Cleveland Launcher Turbo • Mizuno ST200 Driver • Cobra Speedzone • Nike, ECCO’s newest kicks

STORY BY TONY DEAR

27 RISK VS REWARD

• Gamble Sands Hole No. 18

52 SAVE SOME GREEN • Northern lights

56 POSTGAME

• Your first stops

Prospector at Suncadia Resort • Hole No. 10

ON THE COVER Bandon Dunes’ newest course, the Sheep Ranch, is a sight to behold. Story on page 40.

Photo courtesy Bandon Dunes Resort

cascadegolfer.com

THIS PAGE In addition to our local favorites, the state’s destination courses — like Prospector at Suncadia Resort, seen here — have been devastated by the loss of tourism and travel dollars. Story on page 28.

JUNE 2020

3

Volume 14 • Issue 2 • JUNE 2020

CASCADE

GOLFER cascadegolfer.com

Cascade Golfer is published and owned by Varsity Communications, Inc. This publication is e-mailed free to over 100,000 readers throughout the Seattle area.

VARSITY COMMUNICATIONS, INC. varsitycommunications.com

EDITORIAL STAFF

P R E S I D E NT / P U B LI S H E R Dick Stephens E D I TO R Brian Beaky ART DIRECTION Robert Becker GR APHIC DESIGNERS Robert Becker, Joal Chiu FOR EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS AND INQUIRIES: Brian Beaky editor@cascadegolfer.com

ADVERTISING & MARKETING STAFF VICE PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR OF SALES Kirk Tourtillotte

SALES & MARKETING Simon Dubiel, Ian Civey, Elijah Prokopenko FOR ADVERTISING INQUIRIES, CONTACT: Simon Dubiel simon@cascadegolfer.com

ACCOUNTING STAFF

DIRECTOR OF FINANCE Bobbi Kramer ACCOUNTS PAYABLE & RECEIVABLE Pam Titland

COPYRIGHT 2020 Cascade Golfer. PRINTED IN THE USA. All rights reserved. Articles, photos, advertising and/ or graphics may not be reprinted without the written permission of the publisher. Advertising and editorial contained herein does not constitute endorsement of Cascade Golfer or Varsity Communications, Inc. Publisher reserves the right to edit letters, photos and copy submitted and publish only excerpts. The publisher has made every effort to ensure the accuracy of all material contained in this issue. However, as unpredictable changes and errors do occur, the publisher can assume no liability for errors, omissions or changes.

All photos are courtesy of the course or individual unless otherwise noted.

PRODUCER AND OWNER OF THE PROUD CHARTER MEMBER

PUBLISHER’S PITCH

Golf Can — And Is — Pivoting With The Best Look for exciting new digital issues in your inbox all summer long!

T

here’s one word that keeps coming up more and more in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic: pivot.

“How are you pivoting?”

“What’s your strategy with a pivot?”

“Wow, what a great pivot that is.”

I hear it all the time with co-workers and clients. It’s a great word, and no matter what your business is, there’s surely an adapt-or-die mentality right now. The pivots and non-pivots will change all of us in many ways.

Golf, to me, is being seen in a new light. It’s a lifeboat, and is relevant in the media. It’s one of the few sports that you CAN do. You don’t need a crowd, a coach, a league, a commissioner, or a whole new set of rules – you just need you, your sticks, the ball and the course. The pivots — and there are some, which we discuss on page six — don’t really affect the sport all that much. And, at least for now, golf is not fighting to find participants.

In fact, golf is the cool sport right now, the one you can play. As you’ll learn about in Josh Kerns’ feature starting on page 28, many courses are seeing more casual golfers than ever.

To the courses and retailers here in Washington state that fought through the crushing blow of the shutdown — I applaud you for your pivots, humility and toughness. And, per-

JUNE 2020

sonally, to all the many clients that have stuck with Cascade Golfer, the Cascade Golfer Cup and all of you that support Puetz Golf — you are not just patrons. You are LIFEBLOOD to us as we survive, rebuild and pivot.

If you are reading this, then you know that we are currently publishing a digital version of Cascade Golfer. It’s exciting, uncharted territory for us. But, the printed magazine is still a part of our spectrum. We are carefully reviewing a return to it when and if that’s best for us and our loyal readers. Please, stay with us, enjoy all that’s here in the digital version and all the linking and user-friendly features. Share your thoughts, too.

I am excited for the return of the PGA and LPGA Tours, as they kick off their own pivots. I’ve had my fill of 1999 Open Championship and 1986 Masters reruns. I will say, I did enjoy seeing Tiger and Phil compete with Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. It was a little reprieve and a cool pivot.

My favorite part of that wasn’t seeing Tiger and Phil play live, though — it was seeing Brady as a mortal man, slicing, hooking, skulling and topping balls like the rest of us.

It’s June, and we’re just a few weeks away from the longest day of the year — my favorite. The Northwest is the coolest place on the planet to play this great game. Keep the notes and social media comments coming and, as always, TAKE IT EASY.

Congratulations to the Winners of May’s Enter-To-Wins!

Some readers may have had a tougher time finding our first-ever digital issue in their inbox instead of their mailbox, but they certainly had no trouble finding the enter-to-win link on CascadeGolfer.com. Hundreds of you entered to win a host of prizes, including Boeing Classic tickets and rounds of golf all over the state.

Boeing Classic Tickets • Heather Gerst • Tacoma Twosomes to The Home Course & Auburn G.C. Larry Silber • Issaquah Twosomes to Wine Valley, Highlander & Whidbey G.C. Larry Stuart • Edmonds

4

DICK STEPHENS

Didn’t win, or forgot to enter? No worries, we have more giveaways this month, including golf adventures to all corners of the state!

Just log on to CascadeGolfer.com and click the “Enter to Win” tab for your chance to win!

• Twosomes to Salish Cliffs, Alderbrook & Auburn G.C. • Page 15 • Twosomes to Whidbey G.C. • Page 17 • Twosomes to Wine Valley & Highlander • Page 36

cascadegolfer.com

2020

Cascade Golfer Cup Over $10,000 in prizes at every tournament

Muckleshoot Casino Players Championship at Druids Glen June 27 • 12 pm Cascade Golfer Challenge at Washington National July 18 • 7:30 am Michelob ULTRA Open at The Home Course August 15 • 1 pm Puetz Golf Shootout at White Horse Sept. 5 • 8 am

Net and Gross Prizes 2-Player Format

“The most fun an amateur golfer can have playing tournament golf”

Great Competition • Great Camaraderie

Great Fun!

To register or for more information visit

cascadegolfer.com Click on the Cup! PRESENTING

Contact: Simon Dubiel simon@varsitycommunications.com

SUPPORTING

SHORT GAME Golf In the Time of COVID A quick primer on what you need to know before heading to the course this summer

A

s we all start to get back on the course this summer, we’re going to notice some things that are a little different than what we’ve been used to. With seemingly different guidelines coming out every single day, and constant changes to what is and isn’t allowed, we thought it would be a good idea to answer some of the most basic and common questions about what to expect when playing golf in Washington state over the next few weeks ... months ... years? Jeez, let’s hope not. But, the better we are about sticking to these guidelines, the safer we’ll keep our community, and the sooner we’ll all get back to life as normal.

Can I play with my buddies?

Yes! Currently, foursomes are allowed at all Washington golf courses, though some cities and counties (the City of Seattle, for example) are still taking more cautious approaches and only allowing twosomes. When playing in a group, all the standard social distancing guidelines still apply, so you shouldn’t share clubs, rangefinders, towels, etc., and you’ll have to give virtual high-fives after those long birdie putts.

Do I have to wear a mask?

Each facility has the right to require any specific attire they desire. Just as a golf course can require you to wear a collared shirt, pants or certain kinds of shoes, a golf course can require you to wear a mask. If you would normally wear one when you go out, then it’s advised that you do so while golfing as well. If you do not normally wear a mask when leaving the house, be sure you’ve checked with the course as to their requirements so that you’re not surprised when you pull into the parking lot.

Can I take a cart?

You can, though, if you are capable of walking, you should strongly consider doing so.

While it is now O.K. to share a cart with someone not from your household, many courses are still working with limited staff, which means it takes a little longer to turn the carts over from one round to the next. If you can walk, 6

JUNE 2020

not only will you save yourself a few bucks, but you’ll also leave a cart for those players who really need it, and will make life a little easier on course staff who are working hard for us around the clock.

Can I go into the pro shop?

Most courses do currently have their pro shops open. However, to limit time in pro shops and keep waiting to a minimum, all rounds must be booked in advance — courses are not currently allowing walk-up business. In addition, all payment must be done online or by credit card — no cash — so make sure you come prepared.

Can I buy food?

Courses not yet in Phase 2 of the state’s Safe Start reopening program will not have sitdown restaurant service, nor on-course food service in the form of a beverage or snack cart.

However, most courses do have grab-and-go foods (hot dogs, sandwiches, etc.) available for purchase. Again, all purchases are credit-card only.

Can I practice?

At most courses, you can use the driving range and practice greens. Note that practice greens will likely not have cups or pins, while golfers are encouraged to avoid touching the range balls as much as possible. Use your club to set the next ball in place whenever possible.

What’s up with this cup?

As part of the social distancing guidelines, players are encouraged to limit what they come in contact with. As such, flagsticks are to be left in at all times. Most courses have modified their cups with PVC or foam so that your ball only drops down a little bit, making it easy to remove without touching the flagstick. At other courses, the cup is pulled slightly out of the ground; in these cases, you should consider your ball holed if it strikes the cup and comes to rest within a short distance.

Where are the rakes?

Most courses have also removed rakes from all bunkers, again to limit what golfers touch.

Some courses may have modified rules for bunkers that allow golfers to take a drop, or consider bunkers as part of the general area (meaning you may ground your club and follow all other rules that apply in regular areas of the course); be sure and check beforehand so that you know what rules to apply. After playing your shot, do your best to smooth out the sand with your club or foot (not your hand).

What other changes will I notice?

As with the rakes, just about anything golfers can interact with have been removed from most courses, including ball washers, water dispensers, garbage cans, benches, etc.

Can I post my scores?

With so many on-course changes, it’s fair to wonder whether your scores are legal for the purpose of posting to an official handicap. In fact, the USGA has passed a temporary measure allowing golfers to post scores from rounds at courses with modified cups, alternate bunker rules, etc.

So, yes — you may (and should) post your scores just as you always have. This measure will remain in effect until the USGA announces otherwise. cascadegolfer.com

2020 NORTHWES T

SHORT GAME Time On Your Hands?

Save Big On Golf With a CG Players Card or Northwest Golfers Playbook

I

n past years, we generally find that we play most of our golf from April to June. Once the kids get out of school, and the summer vacations, beach trips, day hikes, boating excursions, etc., kick in, our play starts to wind down just a little, before petering out almost entirely by the time the cold and rain return in October.

This year, though? Shoot, there’s nothing to do BUT golf. Which is making it easier than it has ever been to take advantage of all of the deals to be had in our Northwest Golfers Playbook and Cascade Golfer Players Card.

The Playbook is basically an entertainment book for golf, packed with free carts, discounted rounds and lessons, Puetz Golf credit, 2-for-1s, 4-for-3s, etc., to nearly 100 of the best courses in the state of Washington. If you play most of your golf in the Puget Sound area, then you’ll find dozens of deals that you can use on your own or with a friend (or three). Likewise, if you’ve been itching to take a trip across the mountains, but have been turned off by the drive or the greens fees of the state’s top destination tracks, the Playbook can save you and your buddies a healthy chunk of change on that bucket-list round. As for the drive? Well, it’s not like you have anything else to do.

Restrictions vary on all of the deals, so it’s a good idea to go to NWGolfersPlaybook.com and review the specific restrictions for the courses you’d be most excited to play before making your plans. But, with all of us working from home for the foreseeable future, it won’t be hard to fit any round into your schedule.

The book retails for $39.95, and with $10 in Puetz Bucks included in every book, it takes using just one or two deals to make back your investment. Shoot, we’ll even knock off another $5 if you use the discount code SAVEBIGONGOLF. That means you just need to find $24.95 in value

cascadegolfer.com

GOLFERS

PLAYBOOK

Washington Edition

GREAT DEALS! Special Rates Discounts 2-for-1s Bonus Offers

Chambers Bay

OVER

The Home Course

$4,700

2020 Players Card Apple Tree Reso

Highlander GC

IN SAVINGS

rt

Get Your Book Now!

Wine Valley

Whidbey GC

Camaloch GC

$39 95

Eaglemont GC

Mt. Si GC

Snoqualmie Falls

JUST

Salish Cliffs GC

Leavenworth GC

GC

s Cedars at Dungenes

Sun Country Golf

& RV

Port Ludlow GC

in a book packed with over $4,700 in savings to look like the smart guy or gal in your foursome.

As for the card? We printed 220, and they’re usually long gone by the time Father’s Day rolls around. But, with golf shut down for most of the spring, we still have a few laying around, and we’d love to put one in your hands. Each card includes greens fees to 11 courses, including Salish Cliffs, Apple Tree, Port Ludlow, Cedars at Dungeness, Whidbey, Highlander, Sun Country, Leavenworth, Mount Si, Snoqualmie Falls and Camaloch. And, since Eaglemont — which was originally included on the card as well — has unfortunately had to close since cards were printed, we’re throwing in a Northwest Golfers Playbook as well. That’s more than $700 in greens fees, plus a Playbook — all for just $250. And, just like the Playbook, we’ll even give you a discount — $25 off using the code 225, or two for $400 with the code 2FOR4.

Do the math — that’s less than $22 per round to play some of the best courses in the state. Salish Cliffs, at its peak rate, is $115. Apple Tree runs $65 in the summer, Port Ludlow $55. Use just those three rounds, and you’ll have paid for the card — and, you’ll still have eight more rounds to play, plus an entire Playbook’s worth of deals to take advantage of. Cards are limited, though, so get ‘em while you can.

The fact is, you’re going to play a lot of golf this summer. So, make sure you’re stretching that dollar as far as you possibly can. To learn more, visit CascadeGolfer.com and click on the Playbook or Card icons at the top of the page.

JUNE 2020

7

SHORT GAME

Gamble Sands Goes All-In With New 14-Hole Short Course Opening This Fall

W

hoever said that more isn’t always better has obviously never played golf at Gamble Sands.

When the destination track on a slope overlooking the Columbia River valley opened in Brewster in 2014, we thought it couldn’t get any better — a fun, fantastic, links-style, David McLay Kidd course that brought the feel of Bandon Dunes or Chambers Bay to one of our favorite destination golf regions, Central Washington.

Our readers agreed, and by 2017, Gamble Sands had supplanted Chambers Bay atop our rankings of the state’s top public courses (a title, it should be noted, that Chambers grabbed back in 2019). That same year, Gamble Sands opened The Inn at Gamble Sands and built the 100,000 square-foot Cascade Putting Course, a thrill ride of a green reminiscent of Tom Doak’s Punchbowl at Bandon Dunes. With the No. 1 public golf course in the state, beautiful on-site lodging and an incredible putting course on which to settle those post-round bets, we figured Gamble Sands had it all.

Well, Kidd had other plans. Last year, Kidd returned to Brewster to break ground on Quick-

8

JUNE 2020

sands, a 14-hole short course that will open for preview play later this summer. Built just to the north of the current course, on the slope down from the current driving range (just left of the road as you drive up to the clubhouse), Quicksands promises to be one of Washington’s most enjoyable golf experiences, with a range of par-3 holes that challenge golfers to make creative decisions at every turn — just like the “big” course up above.

“It’s wild,” Kidd says in a video tour of the property that you can watch here. “It’s maybe the best piece of terrain on the whole property.

We didn’t use it for the big course because it is wildly contoured; it was pretty difficult to figure out a full-scale hole for it. But, [for] fourteen short holes...it was perfect.”

Kidd hints that many of the holes will have unique features that golfers likely haven’t seen before, including one — Crater — in which the green surface sits down inside a large crater, with only the top of the flag visible from the tee.

Golfers will have to drop their tee shots into the crater, then hurry up the hill to see how close they are to the pin. Other holes are named

Plinko, Corkscrew, Donut and Boomerang (to name a few), each a hint as to the design of the green. In the linked video, Kidd says that “golfers will be shaking their heads and chuckling to figure out how to get golf balls close.”

In addition, a course-wide sound system will pump music into the course, while a bar will be situated at the center of the property, for easy access from several holes.

Quicksands is the first short course Kidd has ever designed, and the first of its kind in Washington state. Golfers who have made the trek down to Bandon — where Kidd built the resort’s first course, Bandon Dunes, in 1999 — will no doubt be thinking of that resort’s Preserve, a 13hole, par-3 course designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw that serves as a thrilling complement to the now 90 championship holes on-site.

Kidd and Gamble Sands staff no doubt hope that Quicksands will become a similar amenity to Gamble Sands as the resort continues to expand.

And, expand it will. In the video, Kidd mentions that Quicksands is “course two, of the three that are planned so far.” So, stay tuned, golf fans.

The best may, indeed, be yet to come. cascadegolfer.com

11 ROUNDS OF GOLF NOW JUST $225 OR 2 FOR $400!

Good for one 18 hole greens fee at all 11 courses!

Apple Tree Resort

Camaloch GC

Cedars at Dungeness

Highlander GC

Mt. Si GC

Leavenworth GC

Port Ludlow GC

Salish Cliffs GC

Snoqualmie Falls GC

2020 NORTHWEST

Sun Country Golf & RV

Whidbey GC

BONUS!

GOLFERS

Washington Edition

PLAYBOOK

GREAT DEALS! Chambers Bay

Over 120 Pages of Golf Discounts and Deals!

The Home Course

Special Rates Discounts 2-for-1s Bonus Offers

OVER

$4,700 IN SAVINGS Get Your Book Now!

Wine Valley

JUST

$3995

To Purchase or for more information visit

cascadegolfer.com

cascadegolfer.com

$10 Off Discount Code

JUNE 2020 2020CGPlayer

9

SHORT GAME

B

Win Trips to Bandon, Maui and More in the Cascade Golfer Cup

etter late than never. The Cascade Golfer Cup may have had to wait until June to get the ball rolling this year, but we’re coming strong out of the gate with a return to where it all started — Druids Glen — for the Muckleshoot Casino Players Championship on June 27. Druids hosted our very first tournament more than a decade ago, so it’s fitting that it will also host the first tournament of the new era we all find ourselves embarking on this spring.

Of course, returning to Druids Glen for the first time in seven years isn’t the only change to this year’s Cascade Golfer Cup. Just as with every aspect of our lives, we’ve had to make a few changes to this year’s Cup schedule and format as a result of COVID-19. So, whether you’re a series regular, or a first-timer thinking of dipping your toe into the fun world of two-player tournament golf, here’s what you can expect this year.

What’s Different?

The first thing you’ll notice, of course, is the schedule. We’ve kicked off every year but one at Chambers Bay (2015, when it was shut down in advance of the U.S. Open), but the virus wiped out our date this year, and there isn’t another weekend that we could make work. The same is true for Salish Cliffs, which would have hosted our third event just last weekend. But, we’ve managed to put together what we think is a rock-solid, four-tournament run to get you through the summer, starting at Druids Glen, then continuing to Washington National (July 18), The Home Course (Aug. 15) and White Horse (Sept. 5), all courses that regularly rank high in our bi-annual rankings and have proven to be outstanding tournament venues over the years.

The second most noticeable change in this year’s series will be the way each tournament is conducted. With courses seeking to limit the number of players arriving at any one time, we will use tee times instead of our regular shotgun format, at least while current restrictions are in place. For the same reason, we also will not be able to have our usual post-round meal. Instead, players will arrive before their scheduled tee time, turn in their scorecard at the end of the round, and be notified if they won a prize. We’ll definitely miss hearing your stories after the round and sharing a beer in the clubhouse, but we’re happy to have any way to play, even if it’s a little different than what we’re used to.

Finally, we will not be assigning points and conducting a season-long Cup. With just four events, there’s too much variability — frankly, a team could do well in just two tournaments, skip the other two, and still take home the prize. What that means for you,

cascadegolfer.com

though, is that we’ll have even more prizes shifted into our regular prize pool, which leads us to ...

What’s The Same?

The short answer — just about everything else. We’re still going to play four amazing golf courses. We’re still going to keep those scoring formats — best-ball, Stableford and stroke play — that you’ve told us you enjoy the most. We’re still going to have free beer on the course. All tournaments will still be open to anyone with a handicap, with two-player, team formats that give you the chance to team up with a family member, friend, coworker or neighbor to take a run at golf immortality. We will still carefully vet each individual handicap, too, ensuring the integrity of our events and protecting our players.

We are still going to give out amazing prizes at every event — in fact, as noted above, since we initially planned enough prizes for seven tournaments and a Year-End Awards Party, and now only have four tournaments on the schedule — well, each of those tournaments are going to have the deepest prize pools we’ve ever had. Grand prizes include trips to Bandon, Maui, Mesquite and Central Oregon, while up to 25 additional teams at each event will take home other stay-and-play packages, twosomes and foursomes to courses all over the state, and more. Each event prizes out the top-15 net and top-10 gross-scoring teams, plus six additional hole contests; with fields limited to 64 teams per event, that means that nearly half the field could prize out at each tournament.

And, most importantly, we’re still going to have fun. What’s helped this series grow over the last decade into the region’s most popular amateur tournament series is a laser-focus on keeping things fun and social, plus the commitment to professionalism and quality that you’ve come to expect from the Cascade Golfer brand. This series was created by daily-fee golfers, for daily-fee golfers — it’s not stuffy, or intimidating, or intense ... just five hours of fun in the sun with a generous and sociable group of Seattle-area golfers like yourself.

Whether you’ve played in dozens of events, or never crossed into the world of tournament golf, we can’t wait to see you. We’ve missed you these last few months, and we look forward to being back with you at Druids later this month. To learn more or to register, visit us online at CascadeGolfer.com/Cup. You’ll be glad you did — and we’ll happy to put one of those sweet prizes in your hand this summer.

JUNE 2020

11

SHORT GAME Eaglemont Golf Course in Mount Vernon Closes Its Doors

F

ootball is often said to be a game of inches.

Golf, meanwhile, is a game of millimeters — a subtle difference in clubhead design, a tiny scratch on the surface of the ball, or the slightest change in your swing path or face angle at impact can be the difference between a ball that lands on the green and rolls up next to the pin, or one that lands short in the greenside bunker.

It’s no different on the golf course management side of the business. Most golf courses, even the big corporate ones, run on relatively thin margins, with pro shops, restaurants and banquet venues often doing more than their part to offset the significant costs of operating and maintaining a championship golf course.

12

JUNE 2020

Eaglemont Golf Course • Mount Vernon

For the smaller, family-run courses that serve primarily their local communities only, that margin is usually even slimmer.

It’s no surprise, therefore, that some of our local golf courses were not able to survive a twomonth loss of business right at the start of the peak playing season. Frankly, it’s only surprising that there weren’t more.

In April, owners of Eaglemont Golf Club in Mount Vernon announced that the course would immediately be ceasing operations, with no plans to resume.

In a letter to staff posted to the golf course website, Pisit Singhachaithandej — writing as a representative of the golf course’s Thailand-based

ownership group — wrote, “While this may not be the right decision, I really appreciate your efforts, professionalism, hard work and dedication.”

The letter notes that troubles with the Thai economy had led Eaglemont owners to seek new investors for several months prior to the onset of COVID-19; the pandemic, and its resulting economic impact, was simply the final knockout blow.

In recent years, Eaglemont had made significant investments into golf course infrastructure, re-routing its 18 holes and building a beautiful new clubhouse atop a ridge overlooking the Skagit Valley.

But, whether it was a peak summer greens fee of around $75 (higher than nearly every other course within a 50-mile radius), a relatively remote location on a hilltop more than an hour north of Seattle, or a reputation as one of the area’s tougher tests, those investments unfortunately weren’t enough to draw in enough players from outside Skagit County, and when the tough times came, Eaglemont wasn’t able to survive.

From the outpouring of support on the golf course’s Facebook page, it’s obvious that we aren’t the only ones who will mourn the loss of one of Western Washington’s more dramatic tracks. Hopefully, new investors will be found down the road some day, and Eaglemont will rise once again.

cascadegolfer.com

SAVE BIG ON GOLF! Chambers Bay • Salish Cliffs • $10 Puetz Bucks

Huge Savings 2020 NORTHWEST

GOLFERS

GREAT DEALS!

The Home Course

2020 NORTHWEST

GOLFERS

PLAYBOOK

Only $20 Bucks

Washington Edition

PLAYBOOK

Chambers Bay

FOR

Special Rates Discounts 2-for-1s Bonus Offers

OVER

$4,700S IN SAVING

Your Oregon Get & k Now! Boo SW Washing ton Edition

2020 Northwest Golfers Playbook SAVE THOUSANDS 2-for-1s, 4-for-3s, Discounts, Free Carts & More!

JUST

$3995

Wine Valley

GREAT DEALS! Stone Creek

Mt Hood Oregon Resort

Special Rates Discounts 2-for-1s Bonus Offers

OVER

$4,700 IN SAVINGS Get Your Book Now!

Langdon Farms

JUST

$3995

OVER $4,700 IN SAVINGS Get Your Book Now!

In the “Sun Belt” PGA TOUR Champions Tour Boeing Classic Postponed to 2021 At The Golf Course

Voted #1

in Washington for Best Value

by GolfAdvisor.com Featuring some of the best and most well maintained greens in the area!

Located in the Sunbelt of Western Washington We receive less rain during the wet season and less heat during the summer

Offering Discount Punch Cards No Expiration

Remember, we’re only 15 minutes from I-5exit #212, in the “Sun Belt” on Camano Island.

Like us on Facebook

Camaloch Golf Course

(360) 387-3084

camalochgolf.com 14

JUNE 2020

W

ith the PGA TOUR returning to play in June, our attention naturally turned to the PGA TOUR Champions Tour’s Boeing Classic at The Club at Snoqualmie Ridge. The highlight of the summer golf schedule in the Puget Sound region, and a favorite of Champions Tour players like Fred Couples, John Daly, Bernhard Langer, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Davis Love III, Lee Janzen, Retief Goosen, Rocco Mediate, Colin Montgomerie, Mark Calcavecchia and others who keep it on their schedule year after year, it’s a three-day party for Washington golf fans.

Not only do we get to walk right alongside true legends of the game (or, in the Korean Air Pro-Am, even play alongside them), but we get to do so at one of the prettiest golf courses in the state, on what’s typically an incredible summer weekend, and in one of the most fan-friendly spectator environments you’ll find, with food trucks, kids’ activities (and a pro-led youth clinic), reasonable prices and more. There’s also a large charitable component to the event, with the Seahawks Rumble at the Ridge and other events that raise thousands for local non-profit agencies.

Currently, golf has returned to the Puget Sound region, but it’s a big step from social-distanced foursomes at Jackson Park to 40,000 spectators for a PGA TOUR event at Snoqualmie Ridge. While current PGA TOUR events are being played without spectators, even Phase 4 of Governor Jay Inslee’s “Safe Start Washington” plan, which allows gatherings of more than 50 people and large sporting events, still encourag-

es physical distancing. And, in the best-case scenario, King County wouldn’t enter Phase 4 until at least early August — any more slippage on that timeline puts it distressingly close to the day that Boeing jetliner would typically be flying over the Snoqualmie Ridge clubhouse to kick off the Boeing Classic.

As such, tournament director Brian Flajole announced just this week that, in fact, the Boeing Classic will be postponed until 2021. Flajole says tournament and PGA TOUR staff, and state and local health officials determined that there’s no guarantee the event will be able to take place; as such, the prudent move is to postpone and focus on coming back strong in 2021.

“While we are deeply disappointed to cancel the 16th annual Boeing Classic, this is the right thing to do given the uncertainty for large public gatherings in our state and the need to protect our players, fans, sponsors and volunteers,” Flajole says. “The Boeing Classic is a community tradition in the Puget Sound region and a charitable event showcasing some of the greatest senior golfers in the world. The health and wellbeing of fans, players, staff and volunteers is of utmost importance to The Boeing Classic and all our partners. We are looking forward to the return of the Boeing Classic in August of 2021.”

The good news is, we can do our part to make it happen. Stay home, stay safe — unless, of course, you’re getting 18 holes in at your local track. Them we can all come together at Snoqualmie Ridge next August to celebrate a job well done. cascadegolfer.com

SHORT GAME Chambers Bay Teen Caddy Joel Noren Earns $1,000 Scholarship from Duke’s Seafood

W

hat would your young golfer do with $1,000?

That’s the question that Duke’s Seafood COO John Moscrip first asked four years ago, when he conceived of the idea of creating a quarterly scholarship that would reward hard-working junior golfers throughout the Puget Sound region, and allow them to pursue their golfing dreams.

A former junior and college golfer who dabbled in the professional ranks before embarking on a business career, Moscrip understood the financial barriers that young golfers face, and hoped that the Duke’s Junior Golf Scholarship would help put a new set of irons in a young golfer’s hands, allow a developing golfer to enter competitive tournaments around the state, or just help fund the lessons and on-course practice that it takes to be successful.

And, boy, was he right.

In the four years since, Duke’s has awarded nearly $20,000 to young golfers throughout the state, including boys and girls ranging in age from 10 to 18, many of whom have gone on to join college golf teams and otherwise advance their golfing interests.

This month, however, marks one of the first times that Duke’s will award someone who is already working in the golf industry. University Place’s Joel Noren is not only a distinguished golfer — with a litany of WJGA and PGA Junior League credits to his name

T

— but he works in his spare time doing loops at Chambers Bay, carrying bags, fetching lost balls and reading breaks for the golfers who regularly traverse its hallowed grounds. In addition, Joel, 17, is an excellent student, with a 3.9 grade-point average at UP’s Curtis High School and a National Honor Society membership, and an active community volunteer, giving time to the Carol Milgard Breast Center, the Lake City Community Church and the University Place Presbyterian Church food bank. Oh, and he also helps run the local PGA Drive, Chip and Putt competitions, mentors elementary school students and plays in the Curtis High School pep band.

So, how does he find time to play golf? We can’t really figure it out, but the evidence is there — Joel is a three-year varsity golfer at Curtis who has twice earned All-South Puget Sound League honors, won the third flight at the 2019 PNGA Junior Boys Championship, has earned two top-five finishes in WJGA tournaments, and is a regular in the Tacoma Golf Association Junior City Amateur and the annual Webb Simpson Challenge in North Carolina. Joel has also been one of the PGA Junior League’s strongest competitors, winning (with his partner) the 2019 Western Washington PGA Junior League Championship, and leading Western Washington to victory at the 2019 Pacific Northwest PGA Junior League Tournament.

And, while it certainly wasn’t the deciding factor in his nomination, we can’t say it hurt — he loves Duke’s mac-and-cheese.

Enter To Win A Summer Golf Extravaganza!

“Joel’s accomplishments on the golf course are already impressive, and it’s clear from how successful and dedicated he has been in all areas of his life that he is on the path to achieving his goals,” says Moscrip. “We’re excited to add Joel to our list of scholarship recipients, and to see what he’ll accomplish in the future.”

Added Joel: “I am honored to receive this scholarship from Duke’s. Thank you for recognizing me. My plan is to invest in equipment and enjoy a round at Bandon Dunes. Thank you to my parents and grandparents for encouraging me in my passion for golf and to Pastor Jim for nominating me. I am thankful for each of the golf coaches that have helped me improve my game.”

In Joel’s case, it was Pastor Jim who recognized his efforts and sent an email to Cascade Golfer. Do you know a young golfer — perhaps a child, grandchild, nibling, student or family friend — that you think deserves $1,000 to put towards their overall development? Send your nomination to editor@ cascadegolfer.com, and be sure to include any academic, community service and other information that you feel might bolster your case.

Alderbrook G.C. • Union

he only thing better than 18 holes on a beautiful golf course under the summer sun with your best friends, is 54 holes on three beautiful golf courses. That’s what one lucky reader will enjoy with this package, which includes twosomes to both Salish Cliffs, Alderbrook and Auburn G.C. — three of our favorite south Puget Sound tracks — for both you and your favorite playing partner! Plan one crazy day, or spread ‘em out to make the fun last even longer — it’s up to you!

Log on to CascadeGolfer.com for your chance to win!

JUNE 2020

15

SHORT GAME PGA TOUR Returns With No Fans, But Plenty of Home Teamers

T

Nick Taylor

16

JUNE 2020

Two months ago, when UW alum C.T. Pan (“His Father’s Son,” CG, May 2020) pulled out of The Players Championship over concerns about COVID-19, there were plenty of critics on social media who said that he was being overdramatic. Less than 24 hours later, the golf season as we knew it was over.

Flash forward three months, and professional golf is set to return, starting June 11 with the Charles Schwab Classic at Colonial Country Club.

The Tour will play a modified schedule for the remainder of the 2020 season, a hodgepodge of 13 rescheduled tournaments, and others contested on their usual weekends. With the R&A’s decision to cancel The Open Championship for the first time since 1945, there will be one fewer major for Brooks Koepka to win this year; the PGA Cham-

pionship, which was supposed to move to May in 2020, will instead occupy The Open’s usual spot later in the summer (Aug. 6-9 at TPC Harding Park, to be exact), followed by the U.S. Open, Sept. 17-20 at Winged Foot, and the Masters, Nov. 12-15. Other dates of interest include the Tour Championship on Labor Day weekend, and the Ryder Cup, Sept. 25-27 at Whistling Straits.

Assuming, of course, that all goes well.

Players and caddies will be tested regularly, masks and sanitizer will be abundant, and courses will continue to practice the social distancing measures that have become second nature to all of us by now. It will certainly be strange to watch PGA TOUR golf without crowds — remember how odd Chambers Bay’s eighth hole seemed during the U.S. Open, with no crowds anywhere?

cascadegolfer.com

— and a Masters without azaleas is hard to comprehend, but we’re just excited for the chance to watch Rory, Tiger, DJ and the gang again.

We’re excited, too, for our Home Teamers, who followed up an outstanding 2019 — combining for eight top-125 finishes and a total of $17 million in PGA TOUR earnings — with a terrific start to the 2020 campaign.

Tops among all Home Teamers is former Husky and B.C. native Nick Taylor. Taylor was one of the final players to earn a Tour card for the 2020 season, placing 120th in last year’s FedEx Cup standings (the top 125 players each year start the following year exempt), just one year after placing 123rd.

He’ll have a much easier time qualifying next year after a wire-to-wire win at the PGA TOUR’s Pebble Beach Pro-Am in February, holding off a Sunday charge from Phil Mickelson in the final group. The win — Taylor’s second career PGA TOUR victory, and first since 2015 — was the first wire-to-wire victory by a Canadian in modern Tour history, and earned Taylor a two-year exemption on Tour — and a cool $1.4 million.

Taylor and the other seven Home Teamers to finish in the top-125 in 2019 are all back on Tour

this year, joined by Kevin Chappell, who missed nearly all of the 2019 season after undergoing back surgery last winter. Chappell (whose wife hails from Kirkland, and who considers Aldarra his home course), couldn’t walk in November 2018, and could barely manage nine holes in May of last year. By September, playing in the PGA TOUR’s season-opening Military Tribute at Greenbrier, he was draining nine-straight birdies en route to a career-best 59 in the tournament’s second round (wearing an Aldarra hat the entire time). Go ahead and sign us up for that same surgery please.

Other Home Teamers to keep your eye on include Tony Finau, whose caddy, Greg Bodine, lives in University Place and is a cousin of fellow Tour players Michael and Andrew Putnam (CG, Apr. ‘19, “One Shining Moment”); the aforementioned Pan (who earned his first PGA TOUR win last summer); Jordan Spieth (whose caddy, Michael Greller, also calls University Place home); Puyallup’s Ryan Moore; former Husky Joel Dahmen and Gig Harbor’s Kyle Stanley.

The PGA TOUR is back, and our Home Teamers are chomping at the bit. We can’t wait to go along for the ride.

Leavenworth Golf Course

Whidbey Golf Club Oak Harbor

Win A Twosome To Whidbey Golf Club

I

...Located in the beautiful Washington Cascades

n this issue, we’re sending readers to all points of the compass — east over the mountains, around the south end of Puget Sound, and north to experience the true island lifestyle at Whidbey Golf Club. A private course for nearly all of its first 50 years, Whidbey has become one of our favorite northern destinations since opening to the public a few years back. Let yourself be treated like a member as you enjoy a day on a pristine golf course in a beautiful setting — on us! Log on to CascadeGolfer.com and click the “Enter to Win” banner for your chance to win!

15% OFF Coupon Book your tee time today!

(509) 548-7267 Leavenworth Golf Course 9101 Icicle Rd. Leavenworth, WA 98826 Offer not valid with any other discount offers

Leavenworth Golf Course • (509) 548-7267 • 9101 Icicle Rd., Leavenworth, WA 98826

cascadegolfer.com

18-Hole Golf Course located just one mile from the Bavarian Village of Leavenworth JUNE 2020

17

2

IN THE

BAG PRODUCT REVIEWS and equipment news you can use

BY BRIAN BEAKY — CG EDITOR

Get In The Game

I

t’s been an odd few months for all of us. If you’re one of the lucky few to have a nice, big field to hit balls into, or maybe a practice net in your backyard, then your swing is probably as sharp as it has ever been. The rest of us, though, are just now pulling out our clubs for the first time in perhaps as long as eight months, and trying to remember just what it was we were doing that was working so well at the end of the last summer.

It’s not all that different for retailers like Puetz. Typically, they’d have cleared out much of the year’s hottest new merchandise this spring, first to the gearheads fulfilling their pre-orders in March, then to the rest of us who’d slowly trickle in through April and May as we got our seasons underway. By the time June rolls around, they’d be making way for the 2020 summer releases (PING can always be counted to put out new sticks in July and August).

This year, though, we’ve all been stuck inside, unable to hit the stores, pro shops or golf courses — as a result, there’s a backlog of brand-new 2020 product on the shelves, but those new summer releases are still coming down the pike. And, as anyone who studies economics knows, when supply exceeds demand, it’s a buyer’s market. Puetz currently has significantly more clubs, apparel, bags and shoes in stock than they’d like at this time of year, which means they’re making deals you wouldn’t usually see on top-of-the-line sticks.

We’re all hoping never to find ourselves in this situation again — so take advantage of these rare deals while they last.

18

JUNE 2020

CALLAWAY

1

Mavrik Irons

1

CLEVELAND

Launcher Turbo 2

PUETZ GOLF PRICE

$114.28 per club (steel) $128.57 per club (graphite)

PUETZ GOLF PRICE

C

O

allaway inched a nose ahead in the technology game last year with the A.I.-designed face on the Epic Flash driver that looked like Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride on the underside, but produced incredibly long and consistent hits, rocketing the Flash to the top of the 2019 driver heap. The same technology has been applied to this year’s Mavrik irons, which feature not only a unique face for every loft, but a tungsten weight that is repositioned to maximize the performance of each club. That extreme customization has allowed Callaway to create irons with lofts and shaft lengths that mimic a longer club — for example, a 7-iron with the loft of a 6-iron — without sacrificing spin rate or trajectory. What does that mean for you? Irons that you can hit one club longer, with the same ability to stop the ball on the green as you had before. The new Mavriks come in three models — the Pro, with a slimmer topline and a little more workability; the Max, with a draw bias and higher spin rate that will be good for slicers and others who struggle to get the ball in the air; and the standard Mavrik. While you may be tempted to go for one of the specialized versions, consider sticking with the standard — it’s actually a little longer than the Max, with similar forgiveness benefits, but plays a little easier than the Pro.

Driver $349.99 FWay $229.99 Irons $899.99 (7-piece graphite) utside of their top-of-the-line wedges, you won’t see a lot of Cleveland clubs in the hands of your favorite PGA TOUR pro. But, you will often see them in the hands of the guy taking your $20 in your weekend Nassau. That’s because Cleveland makes high-performing, reliable clubs at a lower price point than many of its competitors, making them extremely popular with daily-fee golfers looking to break 80 without breaking the bank. This year’s Launcher Turbo line is the lightest, fastest and most forgiving that Cleveland has yet produced. In the metalwoods, that’s accomplished with a Turbocharged Cup Face and a redesigned crown that produce a high, consistent ball flight — good for mid-handicappers or anyone who plays in cool, damp environments and can’t rely on roll-out to add distance. The irons, meanwhile, take on more of a hybrid shape, with a Hi-Bore crown that will give a mid- or high handicapper more confidence at address, and increase MOI for greater forgiveness, producing a high-launching, straight ball flight, even on off-center hits.

The entire line is especially good for slicers, with the driver slightly draw-biased (and available in a draw version as well for those with extreme slices) and the hybrids generally of a low-spin nature, reducing the punishment for a mis-hit strike. There’s no sliding weights or adjustability in the Launcher line — just consistent, affordable clubs for those who need them. And these days, that’s all of us.

Order online at puetzgolf.com • Call Toll Free (866) cascadegolfer.com 362-2441

3

GET YOUR KICKS Nike may have gotten out of the club manufacturing game, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still have a little Northwest flair in your golf game:

4

COBRA

King SZ Driver PUETZ GOLF PRICE

I

NIKE

I

$449.99

n 2019, Bryson DeChambeau tied for 34th in driving distance on the PGA TOUR, at 302.5 yards, while Rickie Fowler was 122nd in driving accuracy. Flash forward to 2020, and DeChambeau went into the break No. 1 in distance at 321.3 yards, while Fowler gained nearly 70 spots in accuracy to rank 54th. What do they have in common?

Both players switched to Cobra’s new King Speedzone driver in 2020, which promises longer distance and greater forgiveness through the application of six “zones” of performance. There’s the Power Zone, represented by the club’s CNC Infinity Milled Face that increases the size of the club’s sweet spot, and the Aero Zone, represented by the club’s aerodynamic Speedback shape. The Strength Zone features a Titanium T-Bar Speed Chassis that is both lighter and stronger than that in Cobra’s King F9, increasing ball speeds and reducing twisting, and works in tandem with the Stability Zone (i.e., perimeter weighting) to increase forgiveness on mis-hits. The Light Zone — this is where marketing started running out of cool names, it seems — is seen in the lightweight 360 Carbon Wrap Crown that further redistributes weight for higher clubhead speeds and greater forgiveness, while the Low CG Zone (now we’re just calling things what they are) features adjustable weights that can be swapped forward or back to adjust launch and spin. The marketing may need some work, but the club itself certainly does not — as DeChambeau and Fowler will attest.

$139.99

f, like the rest of us, you’ve spent the quarantine watching ESPN’s “The Last Dance,” then you might find yourself with a little bit of MJ nostalgia. Well, do we have the golf shoe for you. Nike’s new, spikeless Jordan ADG2 shoes are made of plush leather, with a flexible overlay to keep out water and mesh features to enhance breathability. With their spikeless design and high-end feel, these are going to be your “summer” shoes — not only will they perform better, but it’d be a sin to get these beauties dirty.

MIZUNO 3

Jordan ADG2

PUETZ GOLF PRICE

ST200 Driver PUETZ GOLF PRICE

Y

4

$399.99

ou don’t often see a PGA TOUR player put a game-improvement driver in their bags. That said, when the name on that driver is Mizuno, it starts to make more sense. Mizuno has been making high-performance clubs for the world’s best golfers for years, so it stands to reason that even their most forgiving of drivers would still be high-quality enough for the PGA TOUR. Chris Kirk’s ST200X is one of three new drivers in the ST200 line, including the standard ST200 and the lower-spinning ST200G. All three feature up to four degrees of loft adjustment; a new, beta titanium face that is both stronger and lighter than that on last year’s ST190 — resulting in higher ball speeds — a carbon composite crown that produces a higher launch and low spin; as well as a lightweight WAVE sole that improves MOI and adds more forgiveness on shots struck low on the face.

Extra forgiveness is built into the ST200 and ST200X in the form of a back weight, while sliding weights in the ST200G allow golfers to dial-in the ball flight that works best for them, including draw/fade, spin and forgiveness. Each produces higher ball speeds and less spin than its predecessor, resulting in more distance and a tighter dispersion; combined with a flatter crown and sleeker profile that looks like a Tour club, maybe we shouldn’t be surprised to see them on the PGA TOUR after all.

cascadegolfer.com FREE SHIPPING on orders of $99 and more • exceptions apply

NIKE

Infinity G

PUETZ GOLF PRICE

I

$69.99

f you do invest in some Jordans for your summer rounds, maybe the Infinity G can be your “mudders.”

The price point makes them an excellent pairing to the ADG2, while their synthetic leather construction will keep your feet warm and dry. They come in four different colors, including three white versions — with red, blue or black accents — and an inverse that’s black with white. Comfy and stylish, we wouldn’t blame you if you wore them all year ‘round — even when you’re not on the course.

ECCO

Street 10

PUETZ GOLF PRICE

I

$149.99

t was 10 years ago that Fred Couples made one of his trademark runs at Augusta, while TV viewers everywhere zeroed in on his sweet kicks. That weekend launched ECCO into the mainstream; a decade later, they’re rolling out the Street 10, which features a new midsole for greater comfort, and an enhanced traction system for better grip in all conditions, plus cool bronze stylings to celebrate the anniversary. Maybe it’s time for Boom-Boom to make another run.

JUNE 2020 2020 JUNE

19

20 20

JUNE 2020 2020 JUNE

cascadegolfer.com cascadegolfer.com

cascadegolfer.com cascadegolfer.com

JUNE JUNE 2020 2020

21 21

22 22

JUNE 2020 2020 JUNE

cascadegolfer.com cascadegolfer.com

cascadegolfer.com cascadegolfer.com

JUNE JUNE 2020 2020

23 23

24 24

JUNE 2020 2020 JUNE

cascadegolfer.com cascadegolfer.com

RISK vs. REWARD Gamble Sands

By Simon Dubiel

Hole No. 18 Par 5 469 yards (Green Tees) The Setup Welcome to golf as it was meant to be played, FOR FUN! Although finding the fairway is always important, failure to do so on this hole might be your biggest regret of the day. The speed slot on this hole can get your golf ball rolling ... and rolling, and rolling. How would you like to have 165 in on your second on a par 5?

That can happen. Or, you can find one of the fairway bunkers guarding each side and end up trying to grind out a five. Yep, welcome to Gamble Sands No. 18.

The Risk Unless you find the fairway bunker, you should find yourself in that 170 to 230-yard range, which for most screams “GO FOR IT.” But, don’t count your

money just yet — you haven’t quite left the table. Anything left of the green is trouble, either finding the huge sand trap that covers the entire left side of this deep green or, even further left, in the native wasteland, where a good lie is hard to find. If you have poor contact and end up short, a nasty bunker may leave you with one of those 40-yard bunker shots that nightmares are made of.

The Reward It is not often you will have the opportunity to hit a mid- or short iron into a green on a par-5. Split the fairway with your tee shot and that is exactly what you will have at the finishing hole on the Sands Course. Anything within reason just right of the green

may kick left or, at worst, give you a great look to put your third close. Don’t be afraid to finish your round with a circled four.

Final Call This hole is designed to put a smile on your face when you order a cold one at Danny Boy bar after the round. Although the Sands Course is filled with great holes, perhaps none are as fun as the last. It begs you to get home in two. Does this hole put the “gamble” in Gamble Sands? I don’t know, but did you really make the long drive to play one of the best tracks in the state and decide to lay up? Neither did we. Time to push your chips into the pot and take dead aim at the flag. Giddyup!

PRESENTED BY

cascadegolfer.com

JUNE 2020

27

Gamble Sands • Brewster

28

JUNE 2020

cascadegolfer.com

Chambers Bay • University Place

After three months of layoffs and lost revenue, our local golf courses are back in business — and demand has never been greater

BY JOSH KERNS

TALK ABOUT AN EXPLOSION. When Washington Governor Jay Inslee gave the go-ahead for golf to resume following his nearly six-week COVID-19 stay-at-home order, it was like someone had shaken a bottle of champagne and popped the cork.

Golfers across the state inundated courses, and from local munis to the

cascadegolfer.com

big dogs in the business, tee sheets have been booked solid from dawn to dark. And, it couldn’t have come any quicker for players and industry professionals alike.

“That six-week shutdown was terrifying. We didn’t know what to expect,“ says Scott Barter, General

Manager of the family-owned Mount Si Golf Course in Snoqualmie. “It was getting scary and things were getting tight. But, since May fifth (when golf courses could again operate with stringent safety measures in place), we’ve been as busy as I’ve ever seen it. Maybe Tiger-era busy.”

JUNE 2020

29

Prospector at Suncadia • Roslyn

I Bellevue Golf Course • Bellevue

Considering all that was happening, coming out of the quarantine I would have never guessed we’d reach our goals.

30

JUNE 2020

t has been the same story for all the courses we connected with in our totally unscientific survey.

“It just blew me away how busy we’ve been,” says Bruce Christy, General Manager at White Horse Golf Club in Kingston.

Christy says the course was nearly 1,200 rounds over budget forecasts for the month of May. “It was the busiest May in 14 years the course has been open,” he says.

That’s the case at Chambers Bay as well, according to Director of Golf Brent Zepp.

“We did right around 4,000 rounds for the month of May, despite losing four days, and that’s pretty much what we budgeted for. It was pretty amazing,” Zepp says. “Considering all that was happening, coming out of the quarantine I would have never guessed we’d reach our goals.”

Even more remote destinations like the acclaimed Gamble Sands in the north-central part of the state have seen a big uptick, according to General Manager Brady Hatfield.

“I’ll throw some rough stats at you,” he says. “On a three-day weekend, we’d normally do 300 to 325 rounds. On Memorial Day weekend this year, we did almost double that.”

Industry insiders attribute the new golf boom to several factors.

With school, Little League, soccer and other organized activities on hold, golf is one of the few formal activities in which people of all ages, from all walks of life, can partake. Furthermore, everyone has a lot more free time available since they aren’t commuting, shuttling kids around or traveling.

And, we’re all sick of being stuck in the house. cascadegolfer.com

at Swinomish Golf Links!

FIRST-CLASS SERVICE

CONVENIENT LOCATION AFFORDABLE GREEN FEES

BACK & BOOMING

“Golf is such a unique sport, and it’s one of the few healthy activities you can do these days,” says longtime Northwest golf industry pro Ryan Whitney, now Senior VP of Operations for OB Sports/Troon Golf. In his role at OB/Troon, Whitney oversees numerous courses, from the Premier Golf munis to other public and private clubs.

“We’re seeing not only the regulars, but people who probably haven’t played for a long time or lost track of golf in their life, and even first-timers giving the game a shot because they don’t have that many outdoor options,” Whitney says. “Between a focus on fitness and health, the long days, and beautiful scenery around the golf course, we’re in a super-strong position to connect with people in a way many other activities and industries can’t.”

B Mount Si Golf Course • North Bend

32

JUNE 2020

ut, getting back on course wasn’t easy. The challenges have been unprecedented. Golf professionals have had to become epidemiologists and public-health experts, getting a crash course in everything from identifying public touch points to personal protective equipment for employees.

“I’ll tell you, just figuring out the best way to get pool noodles or plastic disks for the holes took me a ton of time,” laughs White Horse’s Christy, about the jerry-rigged ways courses are coming up with to limit touching the cup, along with prohibiting contact with the flag, removing bunker rakes and other new procedures adopted in the wake of the outbreak (see page six for

cascadegolfer.com

Your Destination Awaits Your Destination Awaits

STAY STAY & & PLAY PLAY WITH WITH WINE WINE VALLEY VALLEY GOLF GOLF CLUB CLUB

Play golf Play Wine Wine Valley Valley Golf Golf Club, Club, one one of of the the premier premier golf experiences experiences in in 43 STAY & PLAY WITH WINE VALLEY GOLF CLUB the Pacific Northwest.

Recently ranked the # Course You Can Play the Pacific Northwest. Recently ranked the #43 Course You Can Play by GolfWeek, Wine Valley something for by GolfWeek, Wine Valley Golf Club has something for everybody. everybody.

Play Wine Valley Golf Club,Golf oneClub of thehas premier golf experiences in the Pacific Northwest. Recently ranked the #43 Course You Can Play Book your next Play or check Book your next Stay Stay & & Playhas orsomething check out out our our

by GolfWeek, Wine Valley Golf Club for everybody.

Consecutive Day Specials and we’ll see you on the Consecutive Day Specials and we’ll see you on the course! course!

Book your next Stay & Play or check out our Consecutive Day Specials and we’ll see you on the course!

WWW.WINEVALLEYGOLFCLUB.COM WWW.WINEVALLEYGOLFCLUB.COM || 509-525-4653 509-525-4653 WWW.WINEVALLEYGOLFCLUB.COM | 509-525-4653

a list of these and other changes you’ll notice at courses this summer).

All the courses have implemented rigorous health and safety standards to protect players and staff alike. Federal and state regulations have had to be learned and followed.

“There have been quite a few sleepless nights trying to figure it all out,” says Christy.

The list is a mile long. Bathrooms must be cleaned far more regularly. Hand sanitizer has to be made available at strategic places. Tape on the floor, keeping customers socially distanced, has become the standard. Driving ranges must be altered to maintain social distancing. Courses have had to put up plastic to separate employees from paying customers (at the Golf Club at Newcastle, they’ve even implemented a remote system where players speak with the pro shop and pay outside over the phone, while the staff stays inside.) And, courses have to intercede when players don’t adhere to the safety standards.

“It’s definitely created some pressure situations for us,” Christy says. “Whether it’s on the range or the course, there’ve been a few times where we’ve had to gently remind people to stay six feet apart and stuff like that. But, for the most part, everyone has been really good about it.”

Some of the steps have had an unintended and surprisingly positive impact on the game. Courses report pace of play has significantly increased.

“Not having rakes in the bunkers, you can’t take the flag out of the hole ... suddenly, we’re seeing pace of play improved by 15 to 20 minutes per round on the average,” Chambers Bay’s Zepp says. “We all would love to have faster golf in America.

That’s beautiful.”

It’s been the same at Mount Si, says Barter.

“Pace of play has been exceptional, which is kind of one thing that has always been a little thorn for us. We’re teeing off golfers from daylight to dark and keeping it under four hours. I’m ecstatic, and we’re getting lots of kudos from our customers,” he says.

Another silver lining to the shutdown is course conditions. With six weeks to aerate, mow and let the grass grow at the perfect time without any foot traffic, courses across the state are in the best shape they’ve possibly ever been.

“The course is fabulous,” says Hatfield, at Gamble Sands. “We had our earliest opening date on record the last week of March, five or six days before the shutdown.

And then we were able to really buff it out during the closure. The grass is growing like crazy.”

Golfers and course operators alike are reporting the same thing. The shutdown gave even the usually hammered and high-traffic courses across the area a chance to heal and grow. Everyone had a chance to aerate greens, trim tee boxes and do a lot of the things they wouldn’t normally.

“It’s been a great spring for growing golf courses,” says White Horse’s Christy. “Even before we reopened the golf course, it never looked this good. I guess the weather and rain have been just optimal. And then, when you rest the course for five or six weeks, divots grow back on the range, in the fairway, and on the tee box. It’s just really stunning to see.”

Barter, at Mount Si, agrees.

“I hired my wife, my mom, my mother-in-law, my dad to just get it dialed in. I wanted it to be perfect. And, yeah, we put some time in the landscaping and the superintendent has the greens and tees beautiful, like he normally does. It’s probably as good as it’s ever been.” cascadegolfer.com

Jefferson Park Golf Course • Seattle

White Horse Golf Club • Kingston

Chambers Bay • University Place

With six weeks to aerate, mow and let the grass grow at the perfect time without any foot traffic, courses across the state are in the best shape they’ve possibly ever been.

JUNE 2020

35

BACK & BOOMING

White Horse Golf Club • Kingston

B

ut, it’s not all puppy dogs and rainbows for the golf business. Most courses were forced to furlough or lay off all but the most essential staff. Courses that rely on tournaments, weddings, banquets and other outside events faced widespread cancellations, costing hundreds of thousands — if not millions — of dollars in lost revenue. And, that means scores of staff members who rely on those events are out of a job.

“I don’t want to be laying anybody off,” says Mount Si’s Barter. “We’ve got a lot of long-tenured people. It’s been incredibly stressful. We’ve had to leverage some stuff and take some big cuts ourselves to do what we can to support our staff.”

“It’s been really tough,” says Zepp, at Chambers Bay. “We’re doing all we can to help people tap into unemployment, and we’re supporting a caddy fund that was started to help some of our caddies.”

The restrictions have also had a devastating effect on organizations that rely on golf events to raise money to sustain their operations. Many non-profits report crippling losses that threaten their survival.

“It’s heartbreaking,” says Christy, at White Horse. “We ended up having to cancel the 10th anniversary of Seahawk legend Kenny Easley’s tournament. And, former Seahawk Jacob Green cancelled his. Those events raise a ton of money for places like Mary’s Place and the children’s foundations and uncompensated care for sick kids. So, the impact is far greater than golf.”

Things should start to get better as restrictions are eased across the state, restaurants are allowed to re-open in at least reduced operations, and people get more comfortable going back out. Many courses report they’ve begun re-hiring staff in anticipation of the slow reopening of restaurants and other services.

Escape Across The Mountains — On Us!

T

he idea of throwing the clubs in the car, leaving our stresses behind and driving off to a golfing paradise seems more appealing than ever. For one CG reader, that won’t just be a dream — shoot, we’ll even send you off to do it twice. We’re giving away Highlander G.C. twosomes to Wine Valley, in Walla Walla, and East East Wenatchee Wenatchee’s Highlander Golf Course — where the views stretch for miles and the temperature never dips below 70 degrees — and all you have to do is enter your name at CascadeGolfer.com! Someone reading this issue will be making those trips this summer — why not you?

36

JUNE 2020

cascadegolfer.com

COME SPEND THE SUNNY DAYS WITH US!

EAST WENATCHEE

Highlandergc.com 1 (509) 884GOLF

And, every day things seem to improve across the industry. Hatfield, at Gamble Sands, says the course and adjoining lodging are beginning to get more bookings for the summer. Those destinations with lodging could get an extra bump as people continue practicing social distancing.

“We’re seeing a lot more people booking single rooms,” Hatfield says. “Instead of groups booking doubles, they’re opting for their own accommodations.”

And, with so many people cancelling summer trips to far-flung destinations or other activities, Chambers Bay’s Zepp says bookings from out-ofstate visitors are noticeably increasing.

“I’m actually surprised. I’m not ready to get on a plane yet, but we have started to get groups from California and elsewhere booking trips for July and August,” he says.

T

he golf industry talks ad nauseum about growing the game, but countless efforts have never seemed to make a marked difference. Could all this be the catalyst for a new golf boom? While golf is enjoying the spotlight now, Whitney wonders what happens when we get back to some semblance of normalcy.

“Obviously, people have time on their hands,” he says. “But, when camping, traveling, sporting events and normal working conditions come back, we don’t know how many people will continue to play golf the way they are now. Is this just a bridge, or will they stay? That’ll be the real test.”

And, everyone we talked to admits that they’re not about to make any predictions given the uncertainty of everything happening in the world.

“I think I’m using my budget as scrap paper,” White Horse’s Christy says. “No one knows what’s going to happen this month or next month, let alone next year. We’re just doing the best we can.

But, right now, it’s a pretty great time to play.”

“I would say we’re doing pretty okay. That’s a great way to put it,” laughs Mount Si’s Barter.

“We’re just taking it one day at a time and rethinking the entire business model. But, at least we’ve weathered the storm for now.”

Josh Kerns is an Edward R. Murrow and Emmy Award-winning journalist and a longtime fixture on the Seattle area golf scene. He is the host of “Golf Talk Washington” on Sportsradio 950 and Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

This is his first contribution to Cascade Golfer.

cascadegolfer.com

Where Golf Meets Family, Friendship and Community

Redeem this ad for

2-FOR-1 GREEN FEES! WhidbeyGolfClub.com (360) 675-5490 2430 SW Fairway Lane

Valid 7 days a week after 1pm on

Oak Harbor WA 98227

Regular open play green fee of $55.

JUNE 2020

39

Missing

The

Bandon’s new Sheep Ranch is one of its most ambitious designs yet — and, according to one notable local, it just might be its best

T

BY TONY DEAR

hough he certainly never sought it, Mick Peters is enjoying his 15 minutes of fame.

The Bandon barber (a great name for a song or film, but used here simply to denote that Peters cuts hair in the coastal Oregon town, something he’s done for 55 years at his business, Mick’s Hair Surgeons, on Baltimore Avenue) has been the subject of half a dozen interviews, TV and print, since hitting the first official shot on the Sheep Ranch, the fifth 18-hole course at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, on Mon., June 1.

That’s a nice little moment in itself, certainly, but it’s

40

JUNE 2020

only one-fifth of the story. In fact, Peters has hit the first shot on all five courses – Bandon Dunes (1999), Pacific Dunes (2001), Bandon Trails (2005), Old Macdonald (2010), and now the Sheep Ranch. He also hit the first official putt on the Punchbowl putting green in 2014.

“All the attention has been way more than I ever expected,” says the 75-year-old, who now manages a few holes with his grandson on Shorty’s, the resort’s first short course, when he’s not hitting ceremonial tee shots. “It’s been on the local news several times a day since Monday, so we’ve had a lot of people come in to the shop talking about it.”

cascadegolfer.com

Links

cascadegolfer.com

JUNE 2020

41

T

he Sheep Ranch – or just Sheep Ranch if you prefer, either works – was created by the highly-acclaimed design duo of Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, whose impressive portfolio of original designs goes back to 1986 and includes some of the very best, not to say most important, courses of the last four decades (they’ve performed a few major renovations, too – Pinehurst No. 2, most notably).

The 18 holes they laid out on this relatively small parcel at Bandon were born of an original 13-hole “course” that existed here for 20 years before its owners — Mike Keiser, the brains, energy, and money behind the resort, and his busi-

42

JUNE 2020

ness partner of nearly 50 years, Phil Friedmann — decided in the Fall of 2016 that the time was right to transform it into a standard 18-holer.

The term “course” is used loosely — the original Sheep Ranch wasn’t really a course at all, more an open meadow, stretched out over the site of an old wind farm, that doubled as a playground for those golfers lucky enough to know where it was and how to gain access (a couple of phone calls to the right people and the caretaker would come out and unlock the gate).

Once on-site, golfers could navigate their way around the greens any which way they pleased.

Those original putting surfaces — arbitrarily positioned it seemed — were built by course

architects Tom Doak and Jim Urbina around the time they were finishing up work on Pacific Dunes. Because of the success of that course, plus Old Macdonald (which Doak also co-designed) and Australia’s Barnbougle Dunes, where Keiser had played a major developmental role, Doak looked the most likely candidate to design the new Sheep Ranch, but Keiser had other options. Gil Hanse, whose star was rising rapidly but who had never worked for Keiser, made multiple visits with his design partner, Jim Wagner, to route a course, while Coore and Crenshaw took a stab as well, having authored the resort’s acclaimed third course, Bandon Trails, as well as its second short course, the phenomenal, 13-hole Bandon Preserve.

In the end, Keiser — with Friedmann’s blessing — went with Coore and Crenshaw, saying their track record made them the most trustworthy of a stout list of contenders. Though certainly welcome, the decision put Coore, an uncommonly modest and gracious man, in something of an awkward situation.

“I respect both Tom and Gil tremendously,” he says, “and I consider them great friends. I called them both to ensure there were no hard feelings.”

Neither Doak nor Hanse has ever commented publicly on the subject. Though, because the respect is reciprocal, it’s probably safe to assume that if they weren’t going to get the job, they were comfortable with Keiser’s appointment of Coore and Crenshaw. cascadegolfer.com

one destination. four distinct courses.

CROSSWATER STAY & PLAY STARTING AT $179* INCLUDES: Lodging • Unlimited Golf at Meadows, Woodlands & Caldera Links • Play on Arrival & Departure Days • Unlimited Cart Use & Practice Balls • One Round Per Day at Crosswater • Advance Tee Times • Complimentary Golf Experience GPS at Meadows, Crosswater & Woodlands *Priced per person, based on double occupancy. Two night minimum stay.

Offer based on availability, prices subject to change.

2020 BEST GOLF RESORTS IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST Golf Digest Editors’ Choice Award Winner

TOP 25 GOLF RESORTS FOR BUDDIES TRIP Golf Magazine Award Winner

866.504.8263 | SunriverResort.com

Missing Links

Coore acknowledges the land on which the course sits was among the best he had ever seen for a golf course.

“It really was made for it,” he says. “The views, the undulations, the wind, the vegetation or lack of it ... everything was what you’d hope for.”

Not quite everything, perhaps. For one thing, space was at a premium. No, it wasn’t a

44

JUNE 2020

confined parcel insufficient for a full course, but at 140 acres, it wasn’t terribly big, either, and certainly the smallest of the five courses. And, to make matters more complicated, Keiser wanted several holes to play to, or along, the cliffs.

“Considering the size and the course’s start and end points, routing multiple holes on the coast was hard to do,” says Coore.

Then, there was the soil — predominantly a redshot clay that’s present on the other courses, where it underlays the sand.

“It’s far more evident at the Sheep Ranch,” says Coore. “It drains fairly well, certainly better than really heavy clay, but not as well as sand itself.”

Successfully overcoming the problems of limited space and less-than-ideal soil would perhaps have been a hill too steep to climb for the average course architect. But, as his work at Kapalua, Friar’s Head, Streamsong, Sand Valley, Sand Hills, Trinity Forest, Cabot Cliffs, and numerous other outstanding courses has shown, Coore is far from average.

The routing he devised with the greens of nine holes (the third and 16th holes meet on a huge double green situated on the glorious FiveMile Point) perched on the cliffs overlooking the

cascadegolfer.com

ocean, beach and Whiskey Run — a creek that separates the Sheep Ranch from the rest of the resort — is, in a word, genius. Not only do you visit the cliff’s edge nine times (more if you add the back tees at a couple of other holes), you also encounter the wind from all angles and, besides the ninth and 13th holes, no holes run parallel to the preceding hole, a fault of many mundane and unimaginative routings. It’s really no surprise that Crenshaw named his partner as perhaps the best router of golf courses that ever lived during a recent podcast with former Golf Channel presenter Matt Ginella.

Coore solved the puzzle by creating that huge double green, and building a number of teeing grounds that served more than one hole, with those holes running in different directions to each other. He admits there were days when

he doubted he and Crenshaw would be able to find 18 holes while satisfying all the other criteria.

“I wouldn’t say it was the trickiest routing we’ve ever done,” he says. “But, it’s definitely top two or three.”

Conquering the soil issue was slightly less taxing.

“We simply needed to cut more underground drainage channels than the other courses have,”

“Considering the size and the course’s start and end points, routing multiple holes on the coast was hard to do.”

Bill Coore

OFF SUNDAYS

Each Player Must Present Coupon

Just 60 Minutes From Bellevue

TUES.-THURS. Cart Rental Separate

• An Alpine Course that Challenges Every Golfer • Stay a Day or Stay a Week in our RV Park • Six Miles West of Cle Elum. Exit 78. Golf Course Road.

• Golf Course Home Sites Starting at $59,950

Call ahead to guarantee your tee time (509) 674-2226

GREEN FEES Valid Tuesday thru Thursday

golfsuncountry.com cascadegolfer.com

841 Saint Andrews Dr., Cle Elum, WA JUNE 2020

45

#1 Golf Course in Idaho that you can play – Golfweek Magazine, 2019

Stay & Play BOOK NOW TO GET THE BEST SUMMER GOLF SEASON DEAL! PACKAGES FOR TWO STARTING AT

$249

Make your getaway this summer with our Stay & Play Golf Package.

You’ll enjoy golf for two at our scenic, championship golf course plus a one-night stay at our premier resort.

CALL 1 800-523-2464 TO BOOK YOUR PACKAGE TODAY. All packages and offers subject to availability. All rooms incur a 7% Tribal tax. Stay & Play packages available throughout the season. The Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort reserves the right to modify or cancel this promotion at any time.

W E LC O M E H O M E .

HOTEL | C A SINO | DINING SPA | CHAMPIONSHIP GOLF 3 7 9 1 4 S O U T H N U K WA LQ W • W O R L E Y, I D A H O 8 3 8 7 6 1 800-523-2464 • CDACASINO.COM

Missing Links

“It really was made for it,” Coore says of the land at the Sheep Ranch.

“The views, the undulations, the wind, the vegetation or lack of it ... everything was what you’d hope for.”

says Coore, who also conceived the notion of building grass bunkers, a quirk of the Sheep Ranch that Keiser, and Friedmann especially, needed time to ponder.

“Actually, Mike got on board fairly quickly,” says Coore. “But, Phil took some convincing.

He lobbied for sand bunkers initially, saying we could have built some of the world’s most beautiful hazards at the Sheep Ranch. And, he was right. But, while you could just dig a bunker out of the sandy terrain at the other courses, we couldn’t do that as effectively at the Sheep Ranch because of the redshot.”

Coore says he and Crenshaw had long thought about designing a course without bunkers, but had never found the appropriate site.

“In his book, The Links, Alister Mackenzie’s California design partner, Robert Hunter, wrote that someday a site would be found whose con-

cascadegolfer.com

tours were so good that sand bunkers wouldn’t be necessary.

“Well, we think the Sheep Ranch is it.”

There was another, perhaps more compelling, reason for the turf bunkers, however. The wind can blow hard everywhere at Bandon Dunes, but it will likely be felt most at the Sheep Ranch, where the sand in traditional bunkers would have often blown away.

“And, that would have meant time-consuming and expensive repair work,” says Coore, who adds that he and Crenshaw had built plenty of bunker-less holes, just never an entire course.

The coastal holes at the Sheep Ranch — specifically the sixth and 17th, which both require exhilarating tee shots across the cliffs from all but the forward tees — will obviously get the most clicks, but it’s an indication of Coore and Crenshaw’s wisdom, skill and creativity that the

inland holes pose just as many interesting questions as their neighbors to the west. The short, par-4 second, par-4 eighth, par-5 11th, and exacting finishing hole deserve special mention and, together with the cliff holes, make up a 6,636-yard adventure you won’t soon forget.

Assistant Superintendent Eric Langford, who joined the Sheep Ranch maintenance team under Greg Harless and the resort’s Director of Agronomy, Ken Nice, in September of last year, oversaw much of the grow-in period and confirms conditions couldn’t have been much better.

“The COVID-19 lockdown made things tougher, certainly, as a lot of our staff were unable to work,” says the 2016 Iowa State University graduate, who worked at the Pinehurst Resort before moving across the country to Bandon Dunes in 2018. “But, we had just about the right amount of moisture over the winter and early spring.

JUNE 2020

47

And, the temperature started rising nicely about three weeks ago.”

The result was a course that, by the middle of May, looked absolutely immaculate. And, the fescue greens (like Old Macdonald, the Sheep Ranch is wall-to-wall fescue), cut at 0.19 inches, were rolling perfectly. Perhaps it was a little green for pure-links lovers, but the surfaces were firm and definitely promoted the ground game so revered at Bandon Dunes.

I

caught up with Coore as he drove to the airport to fly to Oregon a couple of days before opening day. He’d seen hundreds of photographs of the course and was pleased with all the reports he’d been getting.

“Everything looks great,” he said. “The thing I’m really interested to see is the mowing lines and how we might tweak them to make the course more interesting and playable.”

Chris Keiser, the younger of Mike’s two sons – brother Mike Jr. is seven years older – was present for opening day in place of his father,

cascadegolfer.com

“Alister Mackenzie’s design partner, Robert Hunter, wrote that someday a site would be found whose contours were so good that sand bunkers wouldn’t be necessary,” Coore says.

“We think the Sheep Ranch is it.” who was engaged elsewhere. He says 264 golfers turned out, with the first fourball — including Mick Peters, his two sons, and a good friend, teeing off at 6:20 a.m. — and the last group heading out at 5:30 p.m.

“Bill Coore, Phil Friedmann, Bob Johnson (the real estate broker behind many of Mike Keiser’s Bandon land deals), Don Crowe (the resort’s General Manager), myself and many other team members were present for the first tee shot,” says Chris Keiser. “We made an effort to see as many groups as possible tee off and hear where they were from, and we also sat in the bowl surrounding the 18th green to watch groups come in as we wanted to get their immediate, unadulterated feedback.”

JUNE 2020

49

Missing Links

Not surprisingly, the response was almost entirely positive, with people commenting on the quality of the design, the superb conditions, and the amazing views.

“It really was a successful day,” says Chris Keiser who, like Coore, was looking out for comments on the rough and mowing lines. “Over time, we’ll be able to define the fairways a little

more while also thinning out the rough to make it more playable.”

As for Coore, he, too, had approved of everything he’d seen.

“I thought it was very enjoyable, and playable even with a decent wind,” he says. “I played it the day before opening day and finished with the same number of balls I started with.”

Foster Golf Links The grass isn't greener on the other side, it is here at Foster Golf Links. Swing in and putt around with friends and the native wildlife.

Established in 1925, continuous improvements keep the course challenging and fun. Located a short distance south of Seattle just off I-5 and I-405 in Tukwila. #fostergolflinks

And, what of Mick Peters; what did he think?

“Oh, I absolutely loved it,” he says. “It’s nice and wide off the tee which is good for an amateur like me. But, it’s so interesting on and around the greens too.

“In fact, of all the courses at Bandon Dunes, it might be my favorite.”

Tony Dear is an award-winning journalist and author, and a regular contributor to Cascade Golfer. His August 2019 story, “The Battle In Seattle,” received first place in the 2019 Society of Professional Journalists’ Northwest Excellence in Journalism contest.

10% Off

Green Fee and Cart Good Monday-Friday (excl Holidays)

Bring this ad to receive your discount off published rates Expires 7/15/2020

Follow us on....

FosterGolfLinks.com | 206.242.4221 50

JUNE 2020

cascadegolfer.com

SAVE SOME GREEN PLAYING ON ISLAND TIME

BY BRIAN BEAKY • CG EDITOR

A

s we hopefully ease back into our routines over the rest of the summer, we are going to be able to start expanding outward from the local courses that have welcomed us with open arms in recent weeks, to some of the more far-flung tracks that we love to play, but haven’t had the freedom to drive to yet this year.

A 36-hole day at any two of these tracks is a perfect way to spend a sunny summer afternoon. If you can, include Whidbey on the agenda so that you have an excuse to take the ferry over from Mukilteo. Twenty minutes on the water is the perfect tonic for our current high-stress lives — and just what you need to get your mind right for golf.

52

JUNE 2020

1

Camaloch Golf Course CAMANO ISLAND

Mix a prominent golf course architect, half the rainfall the Puget Sound sees and people that volunteer to keep their treasured grounds neat and tidy, and you get Camano Island’s Camaloch Golf Course. Located in western Washington’s sun belt, only 15 minutes off of I-5 and accessible by car (no ferry needed), Camaloch is not just an easy-towalk, well-maintained 18-hole, par 72 course — it’s also a way of life for some locals.

In the 53 years of its existence, Camaloch has rarely been the most celebrated course in the region. Most golfers from outside the area who’ve traveled up north to play golf have usually been drawn by the bigger-name courses in the region like Harbour Pointe, Avalon or the gone-but-not-forgotten Kayak Point and Eaglemont.

And, that’s just fine. The fervent loyalty that Camaloch has engendered among Camano Island locals has been enough to keep the course going strong for more than half a century, even as some of those bigger-name courses have struggled to make ends meet.

Any golfers who make the trip from out of town are simply a welcome bonus.

“Welcome” is the right word, because it’s just how they make you feel at Camaloch.

You may not be one of the locals who show up to install drainage, help cut the grass, do carpentry, paint or whatever other odd jobs are needed in between trips around the track, but you wouldn’t know it from the friendly smiles of staff and players alike that

make golfers feel right at home.

Perhaps its that atmosphere that’s always helped us play well at Camaloch. It’s not a particularly long course, at 6,234 yards from the tips, but a rating of 71.3 and a slope of 125 offer hints of the challenge in place for players of all skill levels, including plenty of trees lining (and, occasionally, screening) the fairways and greens, and a creek that winds across and alongside multiple fairways, gobbling up wayward shots. While the par-5s are short (none longer than 497 yards), the par3s are long (three over 170 yards), a mixture that rewards solid iron play more than pure distance off the tee.

Renowned for its greens, its weather, and an island climate that stays cooler in the summer than most mainland tracks, Camaloch is one of our favorite hidden gems at any time of year, devoid of the crowds that pack the more popular tracks — and the accompanying greens fees those tracks can charge. Peak-season rates at Camaloch top out at just $35 and drop as low as $20 at twilight times, with a peak rate of $28 for seniors and juniors.

You can probably find a fancier course.

But, we challenge you to find a friendlier one.

YARDAGE (PAR) 5,192-6,234 (72) RATES $21-$35* TEL (360) 387-3084 WEB camalochgolf.com * Check website for current rates cascadegolfer.com

cascadegolfer.com

JUNE 2020

53

2

Whidbey Golf Club OAK HARBOR

For most of its 58 years of existence, the average golfer didn’t have the chance to play Whidbey Golf Club. That’s because, until just recently, Whidbey was a private course, known only to the members lucky enough to call it home.

Now, though, with daily rates as low as $30, golfers of all kinds can enjoy Whidbey’s tip-top greens, impeccable conditions and creative layout. Nearly every hole challenges the golfer to take on a creek, pond or other water feature, with suitable rewards for those who can execute a well-played shot. Given the trouble, its 6,500-yard length from the tips is more than enough for most players, with four shorter tees to accommodate those looking to bite off a little less. Be sure to refuel at the turn — the back nine plays a full 200 yards longer than the front, including three par-4s longer than 410 from the tips, a 200-yard par-3 and a 530-yard par-5.

Similar to Camaloch, much of the work establishing Whidbey was done by locals. It was

54

JUNE 2020

locals who first acquired the land in 1961 — buying out a family dairy farm — and converted the dairy barn into a clubhouse, and the calf barn into a pro shop the following year. And, it’s locals who have kept the course thriving through recessions, rainy winters and other setbacks, finally opening the track to non-member play within the last decade.

Nearly due west of Camaloch (were it not for Oak Harbor, you could drive between them in probably 15 minutes’ time) Whidbey also enjoys the same relatively dry conditions, and the same relaxed, laid-back feel that anyone who has ever visited an island can immediately conjure up. It’s alluring — and it does wonders for your golf game.

While the course is open for public play, it still

holds vestiges of its private days; memberships are available, granting preferred tee times and other benefits; the course remains in excellent condition; and course staff treat everyone who walks in the door as a potential member. It also hosts a number of tournaments throughout the year, including the upcoming Ladies Invitational (June 25-26) and Melnick & Sons Painting 5-Person Best Ball (July 25-26). Complete information can be found on the golf course website.

YARDAGE (PAR) 4,252-6,537 (72/73) RATES $30-$55 TEL (360) 675-5490, Ext. 1 WEB whidbeygolfclub.com * Check website for current rates

cascadegolfer.com

3

Swinomish Golf Links ANACORTES

Some courses just can’t catch a break.

In May of 2018, just as the peak season at Swinomish Golf Course was kicking off, vandals sprayed chemicals onto 16 of the course’s 18 greens, rendering them unplayable. The Swinomish Indian Tribe, which owns both the course and the nearby Swinomish Casino & Lodge, had to shut down operations for a month over the summer to repair the damage, losing an estimated $400,000 in the process.

Less than 24 months later, Swinomish found itself shut down once again — this time, by COVID-19, which forced the golf course to close for over two months, again in the peak playing season.

Here’s hoping that 2021 will be a little smoother.

Fortunately, Swinomish is currently open for business, meaning golfers can once again take advantage of one of the state’s best bargains.

Located between Fidalgo and Similk Bay, with Mount Baker in the background, the former Similk Beach G.C. has been transformed by the Swinomish Tribe since their purchase in 2013, including upgraded facilities, the reconditioning of all 18 greens and tee boxes, and more.

At just a shade under 6,200 yards from the tips, and mostly level besides a couple of moderate hills, Swinomish won’t wear you out, while its peak greens fee of just $40 will leave you plenty left over to take into the casino for a nightcap.

Fairways are fairly wide, though a level lie can be hard to find; the same is true for the greens, which pitch and roll, putting a premium on shot placement and accurate putting.

Make it your second round of the day to save a few bucks — the twilight rate of $20 kicks in after 1 p.m., leaving you eight hours of sunlight in which to scoot around a track that shouldn’t require more than four, even on a busy day. Better yet, if you’re driving up from the south, plan to stay overnight at the lodge — stay-and-play packages start as low as $189, and include unlimited golf.

4 CAN PLAY FOR THE PRICE OF 3!

Scenic 18 Hole Public Golf Course In Fall City, Washington, East of Seattle

Golf Digest Best Places to Play in 2004 and 2008!

S G O L F

YARDAGE (PAR) 5,609-6,177 (72) RATES $20-$40* TEL (360) 293-3444 WEB swinomishgolflinks.com * Check website for current rates cascadegolfer.com

FALLS C O U R S E

4 CAN PLAY FOR THE PRICE OF 3!

Online Tee Times and Web Specials Available at snoqualmiefallsgolf.com 425-441-8049 or 425-222-5244 Only good for 4 players with same day tee time.

Not valid with any other offers or discounts.

Good Monday - Thursday. Expires 7/31/20 Not valid on July 4th JUNE 2020

55

P R ESENTED BY

FIRST THINGS FIRST

A

By Brian Beaky

t the start of every golf season, I make a list of courses that I want to play in the year ahead. It’s usually a mix of local favorites and destination delights, including some — like Apple Tree, or Gamble Sands, or Suncadia’s Prospector and Rope Rider courses — that I try to hit every year, and others (like Wine Valley, Palouse Ridge, Coeur d’Alene or Circling Raven) that I rotate through every few years as my travby Brian Beaky el schedule allows. As the season rolls along, I plan days off and weekend trips that will allow me to cross off as many of those wish-list courses as I can, with the goal of zeroing out the list by year’s end.

This year, my schedule looks a little different than most. Not only has time become a nebulous concept, defined only by scheduled Zoom meetings, my kids’ online school lessons and whether or not my wife (deemed an essential worker) is home, but money is tighter, too, and leaving the house comes with a host of real-life and social complications.

“Home Course was great today, but windy.

Also played The Nile — it’s in great shape!”

Sam Cameron “Played Sunlands in Sequim, then Port Ludlow.

Tomorrow playing Eagles Pride.”

Edward Baze “Was at the Classic on Tuesday. Course is in incredible shape right now. The closure was definitely good for the golf course.”

Shane Meador “First course back was Legion Memorial.

I played okay, but was definitely rusty.”

Greg Stackhouse

56

JUNE 2020

That said, the courses that I usually support need me more than ever. So, what do I do? Do I hit up the smaller, local tracks that rely so much on community support? Or, conversely, do I visit the destination courses, like many of those I’ve listed, that are often in smaller communities, and rely instead on out-of-town visitors to survive? And, what about the resort courses, like Suncadia, that haven’t been able to host guests in their hotels? Or the munis like Jefferson Park, Auburn Golf Course or Chambers Bay, operated by city and county governments whose budgets have been battered by the COVID-19 crisis? I’d be just as devastated if, say, a Prospector closed as I would be if Snohomish Golf Course or West Seattle shut its doors, so where will my golf dollar do the most good?

The reality, I think, is that there is no right answer. And, while that may sound like a cop-out, the fact is that all of our courses need our love now more than ever. So, I’ve pieced my list back together, and plan to get to as many different “On the 5th I played Eagles Pride; the place is in awesome shape, absolutely beautiful property. Next up was The Home Course — 12 months of the year this place is superb! Dennis Roque and his crew are real professionals. Yesterday, I played the American Lake Veterans GC, where 250-plus volunteers keep it running. No one draws a paycheck. Imagine being on the grounds crew just for the love of it. Oh, and I eagled the No. 7 hole.”

Mike Devine “Auburn on Tuesday, Salish Cliffs yesterday, good times!”

Fred Courtney “Camaloch. Had not played since July.

Needless to say, it did not resemble golf.”

Jason Francis

“Almost my first ace on my favorite course and home, [Chambers Bay!]” — Ryan A. Davis

courses as I can in 2020.

To that end, we wanted to know what your priorities have been. What was the first course you wanted to hit when the shelter-in-place ban was lifted? We asked our readers on our website and social media pages, and share some of your thoughts below. (Ryan Davis, in particular, almost had a VERY memorable return to action!)

In the coming weeks, keep sharing with us where you’re playing, and how you’re doing.

We love seeing our fellow Cascade Golfers out on the course — and our courses love seeing us there even more.

“I played Oakbrook on re-opening day. I played great; actually, since taking the six weeks off or so, my game has been the best it’s been in over five years!”

Josh Fernandez “Played Snohomish Golf Course and it was awesome. Short game needs some guidance.”

Travis Scudder “Gold Mountain Olympic Course. Not a great score but it was awesome to be back on the course.”

Larry Peterson “I played Battle Creek the day after reopening.

After not swinging a club for about six weeks, I had my worst round in about three years.

Definitely have improved since that day, though.”

Kevin Kraxberger

cascadegolfer.com