14 minute read
Cascade Golfer Short Game
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SHORT GAME • 1
Yang notches first major at Sahalee — both put on a great show at KPMG Women’s PGA Championship
As far as we could see, there were four clear winners at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at Sahalee. The first, of course, was Amy Yang, the bucket hat-wearing, 34-year-old from South Korea who turned pro in 2006. Yang has now won nine times around the world with six victories on the LPGA Tour, but her win in Sammamish was her first major title after 75 starts and half a dozen top-five finishes in the biggest tournaments.
What a joy it was to watch her swing that weekend in late June. We’re sure she felt some nerves on Sunday and that her swing got a smidge quicker at some point on the back nine, but to the untrained eye, her sweet tempo appeared flawless throughout. Honestly, that move makes Fred Couples’ swing look hurried. It’s hard to see her ever hitting a poor shot.
That said, before arriving at Sahalee, Yang had endured an indifferent season with five missed cuts in 11 events and a high finish of T22 at the Tournament of Champions in January. Who knows what clicked at the KPMG, but whatever it was, Yang took home $1.56 million (93 percent of her 2024 winnings) and rose 20 places to fifth in the world rankings.
Also winning was ladies’ professional golf. The women’s pro game and LPGA Tour continues to grow here and around the world. And events like the KPMG only raises the profile even more.
The third and fourth winners were Seattle sports and Sahalee Country Club. We don’t get a lot of major championship golf here but when we do, it’s a very big deal. The economic impact from the KPMG will surely be significant and the area proved once again it can put on a fantastic show. As for Sahalee, it looked amazing in person and just as superb on NBC’s TV coverage. This will only add to the allure of golf in Seattle.
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SHORT GAME • 2
Do you believe in miracles? Big Lake golfer posts a pair of aces in one round in a banner day at Avalon
fter Steve Story made holes-in-one on the first two par-3 holes at Avalon Golf Links on a Friday afternoon in May, he still had one more par-3 on Avalon’s North Nine to go for three in a row.
Didn’t happen. He didn’t even hit the green on the par-3 8th.
Oh, well.
Let’s revisit, however, the first part of the lead sentence above, the part that says Story wrote “1” on his scorecard for No. 2 and again for No. 5.
Has that ever happened?
Certainly not for Story, whose first ace of the day was the first of his life.
“The first one was a total shock,” said Story, 70, of Big Lake near Mount Vernon. “I struggled around the next two holes. The last thing in my mind was I was gonna hit another one.”
Eric Ferrier, Avalon’s clubhouse manager and a PGA professional, has worked at Avalon for 30 years. He’s never seen anything like it. He said the odds against anyone collecting two holes-in-one in a single golf round are estimated at 67 million-to-one.
“I’ve got to believe this is the first time this has happened,” Ferrier said.
Story is a retired architect who’s played golf for about 25 years. He only had time May 17 for nine holes when he teed off at 11:50 a.m. on the North Course, one of three niners on Avalon’s 27-hole property.
His playing partners were Avalon regulars Dan Stoner, Randy Geoghegan and Rick Whalen, who would become witnesses to history.
At No. 2, Story’s rangefinder read 125 yards to the pin. He chose 9-iron and hit a nice, high shot, he said. It bounced once and landed in the cup.
“We all saw that one,” he said.
It was not the case on the 5th, 178 yards to the cup, which was not visible behind a false front to the green. Again, Story struck it boldly, with a 4-iron this time. He watched his ball check up and trickle over the false front. It had a chance.
Geoghegan took a cart up to the green … gave a yell and put a thumb in the air when he saw the result.
When he got to No. 8, his hands were visibly shaking, he said. He didn’t hit a good shot. It never had a chance. “I screwed that one bad, mishit it,” he said. Oh, well.
Proof! Steve Story aced Avalon’s 2nd and 5th holes.
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SHORT GAME • 3
Two new, high-tech facilities open around the Sound in Bremerton and Sedro-Woolley
In the rainy winter or sweltering summer when the weather drives you indoors, you might as well play golf in air-conditioned comfort.
Over the past two years, Washington state has witnessed rapid growth in indoor golf simulator businesses. Two of those are new and ready to make their mark. We welcome Pin Seeker in Bremerton and Backspins in Sedro-Woolley.
PIN SEEKER
Pin Seeker Indoor Golf is playing a part in transforming the golf and leisure scene in Bremerton with its business model and innovative golf simulator technology.
Opened in January 2024, Pin Seeker — located a little north of downtown Bremerton at 5960 Highway 303 N.E. — has quickly become a favorite among local golfers seeking a high-tech, year-round golf environment.
Manager Theo Miller says Pin Seeker features Golfzon TwoVision simulators with golf courses including Pebble Beach, The Old Course of St. Andrews, Bay Hill, Kiawah Island and more, all within a climate-controlled facility.
The simulators offer realistic game play, Miller said, plus precise ball tracking and customizable settings for golfers of every skill level. Pin Seeker can be especially good for beginning golfers who can play in a more informal setting with fewer performance expectations, Miller says. Pin Seeker is also a rep and authorized club fitter for PXG golf clubs.
Hourly simulator rates are set at $65 during prime hours (after 4 p.m. weekdays and all-day weekends) and $55 during non-prime. The hourly rate is good for up to six golfers per bay. More details at pinseekerindoorgolf.com.
Punchcard packages start at $500 for 15 hours, discounted at $400/15 hours for PXG Heroes (retired or active military and first responders), plus a $350 rate for 12 hours for juniors (under 18) and seniors (65 and up).
The 19th Hole café area offers a Pour My Beer tap with locally made Rainy Daze and Seven Seas of Gig Harbor, plus two ciders, and a range of shareable food items, including pizza, wings, loaded tots and nachos created to be eaten while playing on the simulators.
BACKSPINS
Scheduled to open later in 2024, Backspins is an indoor golf destination and full-service restaurant ready to make a splash in the golf leisure arena in Sedro-Woolley.
Located at The Depot at West Sedro Station on Hodgin Street, Backspins will blend cutting-edge technology, community commitment and a passion for golf.
At the core of Backspins' offerings are Full Swing Golf's simulators, which offer the best technology available and a spectrum of games. Backspins’ guests will be able to play full rounds of golf or just practice, as well as play soccer, football, baseball and other sports.
Led by local golf and hospitality professional Josh Williams and longtime Skagit Valley restaurateur Billy Elms, Backspins is a homegrown organization that values community involvement, recreation and a dedication to economic development.
“Our partnership with Full Swing Golf ensures a premium experience for patrons, setting us apart as the first indoor golf facility in the area while providing a fun and safe social atmosphere for all of our patrons,” said Williams, who has spent more than 20 years leading golf operations at a variety of courses and studios in King, Skagit and Whatcom counties.
In the restaurant, Backspins will be serving a full menu of favorite pub fare designed by Elms, with beer on tap and signature cocktails available at the bar.
Memberships, group packages and hourly rates are available to ensure everyone can afford to check out the newest addition to the Sedro-Woolley community.
For more information, visitbackspins.com, check out the business on social media, or contact marketing@ backspins.com.
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SHORT GAME • 4
Still plenty of sunny days to save huge with the Northwest Golfers Playbook – save $20 with summer sale
Here we are. The best stretch of weather us Northwesterners will get all year is upon us. We wait through the dark and rainy winter days dreaming of August golf with beautiful sunsets as we sneak in a few last holes before darkness takes back over.
As many of you have probably noticed, the price to do so has taken a big jump this year. Courses are as packed as ever and the cost to operate one has gone up as well. Green fees reflect all of this.
This is where the 2024 Northwest Golfers Playbook comes in, making sure you can still have a few coins in your pocket for the 19th hole.
Whether you want to play the who’s who of top 20 courses — such as Gamble Sands, Wine Valley, Suncadia, Apple Tree, White Horse, Port Ludlow, Loomis Trail, Avalon, The Home Course or your local favorites (too many to list), we’ve got your back.
Even after the weather heads south for the winter, don’t let your golf game follow. Plenty of indoor golf facilities are wanting you to come check them out, including Five Iron Golf on Capitol Hill, Kutting Edge Fitness in Redmond, Loft Golf out of Olympia, Back 9 Parlor in Lynnwood, Stadium Golf in Tacoma and Evergreen Golf Club in Redmond. All have an offer in the Playbook. Oh, and, of course, Puetz Golf. You get $10, as usual, with other offers included.
What type of offers are in the book? Well, you name it, it’s in there. You will find 2-for-1s, 4-for-3s, percentage discounts, free carts, lessons, range balls, twosome specials, foursome specials, simulator time specials, food and beverage offers, etc. All putting money back in your pocket so you can PLAY MORE GOLF.
With more than 120 pages of golf deals, you simply need to use a coupon or two and you’re already in the black. And now, we are offering the book for almost half off. Yes, you read that correctly — $20 off today!
You can purchase a book online for $44.95. However, use the code Savetwenty and save another $20! Put the book in your golf bag and count your savings for the rest of 2024. Maybe even open it up and head to a new track or indoor facility you have never played. Either way, pick one up at NWGolfersPlaybook.com and start saving today!
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SHORT GAME • 5
Golf gear, Mexico trip still up for grabs at CG Cup events at White Horse and Oakbrook
Two prize packages featuring golf equipment and a golf trip to Mexico are still available to a fortunate twosome in this summer’s 15th Annual Cascade Golfer Cup competition.
Three events have already been held, with the Puetz Golf Shootout at White Horse GC in Kingston the fourth on the list. It will be held Aug. 10 and played under the two-person shamble format. Both golfers tee off separately, then they take the best drive for their second shot. Each player will then use his/her own ball to finish the hole. The winning team is awarded a Mexico stay and play.
Finally, the summer CG Cup concludes with the fifth event Sept. 7 at Oakwood GC in Lakewood. This will be another two-player best ball. The winners receive PXG drivers.
Prizes will also be given to all teams finishing in the top 10 in the gross or net divisions at every event in the series. Season standings will will be used to crown a champion in both our gross and net divisions.
Each tournament, limited to 64 amateur two-player teams, will be a separate event.
The first competition was April 27 at Chambers Bay, a two-person best ball Stableford format which included a grand prize of a Hawaiian Stay and Play package.
Salish Cliffs used a best ball format over the challenging 7,269-yard layout for the second event June 1. Both net/ gross teams received a 36-hole package at Bandon Dunes.
Then on June 29, the Michelob ULTRA took place at The Home Course GC. It was a two-person stroke play aggregate Stableford with a grand prize of a Central Oregon golf vacation.
It’s not too late. Get a partner and register by visiting CascadeGolfer.com/Cup or email simon@cascadegolfer.com.
CG CUP SCHEDULE
Three events done and two remain
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April 27, Season Opener at Chambers Bay:
Two-person best ball Stableford.
Prize:
Hawaii stay-and-play package
Winners:
(Gross) Cameron Hanke/Brandon Agnew;
(Net) Maxden Regalado/Jake Johnson.
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June 1, Cascade Golfer Challenge at Salish Cliffs GC:
Two-person best ball.
Prize:
Bandon Dunes Thirty-Six
Winners:
(Gross) Tanner Parot/Damon Parot;
(Net) Luke Hiatt/Jonathan McCallum.
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June 29, Michelob ULTRA at The Home Course GC:
Two-person stroke play aggregate Stableford.
Prize:
Central Oregon Fifty-Four
Winners:
(Gross) Paul Carey/Alex Diaconou;
(Net) Luke Hiatt/Jonathan McCallum.
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Aug. 10, Puetz Golf Shootout at White Horse GC:
Two-person scramble.
Cost: $340. Tee times start at 11 a.m.
Prize:
Mexico stay-and-play package.
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Sept. 7, The Fall Classic at Oakbrook GC:
Two-person best ball.
Cost: $300. Tee times start at 10:30 a.m.
Prize:
PXG drivers.
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SHORT GAME • 6
Puyallup’s Hannah Thill earns Duke’s Junior Golf Scholarship
We’re always a little wary when grandma nominates her grandson/granddaughter for the Duke’s Junior Golf Scholarship. Is it a legitimate recommendation or would meemaw, gram, nana, etc. put forward her progeny regardless of how deserving they were, or even if they didn’t actually play golf (yes, it’s happened)?
Most of the time, granny can be trusted, though, and Puyallup’s Sig Ray was absolutely right about her granddaughter, Hannah Thill.
A junior at Rogers High School, Hannah has played on the girls’ golf team since she was a freshman. Coach David Johnston says no one outworks her, adding that she is humble and a tremendous role model for the younger players. Nicholas Pike, general manager at Lake Spanaway Golf Course, where Hannah cleans carts, picks the range, and does whatever else needs doing to keep the place looking its best, is also extremely impressed.
“She sets the standard for our outside services team,” he says. “Her positive attitude is infectious and motivates fellow team members to do their best. She’s a joy to work with and very deserving of the scholarship.”
Hannah has a 4.0 GPA and plays three musical instruments. She’s also a junior ski instructor, active member of her church youth group, and an avid hiker. The Puyallup teen plays most of her golf at Lake Spanaway but also enjoys the odd round at Meadow Park in Tacoma. The best thing about golf, she says, is being able to spend fun time outside with her friends and family, adding that she loves meeting new people and getting paired up with golfers she’s not met before when playing as a single.
Like a lot of girls her age, Hannah names Nelly Korda as her favorite golfer and was extremely excited to learn she was coming to Washington to play in the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship.
“It is so inspiring to see how many victories she has,” Hannah says, “and to see how much she enjoys playing.”
ACCEPTING NOMINATIONS
Win $500 For Your Young Golfer
The Duke’s Junior Golfer Scholarship is a $500 scholarship awarded three times this year in Cascade Golfer to a deserving young player from the Puget Sound region. If you know of an area youth that loves golf and has a desire to take their career to the next level, submit your letter of inquiry for scholarship consideration to both tonydear71@comcast.net and stephens@varsitycommunications.com — subject “Duke’s Scholar.”
