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Hello again, golfers, and happy July! What happened to June?

My better half and I enjoyed the company of Gordon Griffin on the front nine last week. Gordon is just as easy going and good company out on the course as he is in the pro shop and certainly embodies the best of what this frustrating game is all about -- sportsmanship and attitude. He was more patient with my game than I was as I continually struggled from shot to shot, much less hole to hole. Gordon hit a slightly wayward shot on hole No. 9 (I could only wish my wayward shots were as well behaved) and believing his ball to have landed in the bunker to the left of the green, (it didn't) was heard to exclaim, "Whose idea was it to put a bunker there? We need to move that thing!" It was a very enlightening insight into the fine art of golf course design.

There is a lot happening this month at the Kenai Golf Course. The next Ladies Clinic is from July 6-9 from 6 to 8 p.m. and the next Junior Clinic will be held on July 13-14 and July 16 from 6 to 8 p.m. Both the Ladies and Junior Clinics cost $50 for the multiple-day sessions. There are tournaments galore to participate in with the Alliance Tournament leading the pack on Saturday, July 11, followed by the KGA Monthly Event on July 12. The Firefighters Tournament will be held on Saturday, July 18. Saturday, July 25, the Tesoro United Way Tournament will kick off followed by the Ladies Only EZPZ Tournament on July 26. Show your support for any or all of these great tournaments by signing up in the pro shop or by calling 283-7500 for more information.

A very hearty congratulations go out to Jake Eubank and Tyler Yamada, who came in first and second place, respectively, in the Junior Tournament held at the Birch Ridge Golf Course last Saturday. Jake shot a 46, while Tyler had a 49 for the nine-hole event. Excellent results, guys, way to go!

A birdie told me -- Gary Rogers set a new course record on June 25 for the Kenai Golf Course -- 90 holes in one day. For pete's sake, that's five rounds of golf in one day? Did the guy stop to eat or drink? Congratulations, I think. I wonder if he has recovered yet?

The General Manager's Report -- Rain and sunshine -- what a great combination for a golf course. Our course is in great shape and improving each day. The greens are really filling in and the next three months are going to be special. Work continues around the hole No. 3 green as several trees and stumps in the area have been removed and topsoil hauled in to level the area allowing more sunlight to reach the green. Thank you, Bill Burtram, for your continued work on this project. When you finish there, I have plenty of other things to keep you busy.

Rita's Tournament this past weekend brought back many memories of a very special person. It was nice to share old stories and to remember her many dreams about the Kenai Golf Course. I would like to thank everyone who participated and extend my congratulations to the winners.

Welcome back to Micah Rogers, who has rejoined our grounds crew. He is doing an outstanding job for us. Jerry Norris and Dwight Kramer, thank you for your hard work and dedication to the Kenai Golf Course. Your hard work and attention to detail is noticed by all.

As always, see you on the course.

- Gordon Griffin

Men's night results for June 18 had Bob Sizemore with the closest-to-the-pin on hole No. 10, Charlie Kahakauwila was closest-to-the-pin on hole No. 14 and Dana Bassel had the long-drive honors on hole No. 11. The members of the winning team were Todd Eskelin, Keith Stasek, Joe Bryant and Steve Tachick.

On Tuesday morning, June 23, nine players gathered for the Senior League. Jim Bradford had low gross and closest-to-the-pin, while Pat Bowen was the low-net winner again this week.

Kenai Cup action continued on June 24, with a beautiful evening for golf. The Metsox (Derek Kaufman/Andy Hanson) won their match by a comfortable margin over the R&R team (Randy Kornfield/Jim Zirul, sub). The G-Men (Jerry Norris/Gary Katsion) defeated the J&K team (Kirk Hyman/Doug Jung, sub), as did the Eagles (Noel Widmayer/Tom Allison) over the Back Page Team (Greg Harrington/Daryl Palmer). The Two Duffers (Jack Evans/Bruce Galloway) also had a win against the G&G Team (Gordon and Mark Griffin).

R&R (Rich Edwards/Randy Kornfield) remains in first place, but with only half-a-point between them and the second-place team of the Eagles (Noel Widmayer/Tom Allison). Two teams are tied for third place, the G&G Team (Gordon and Mark Griffin) and G-Men (Jerry Norris/Gary Katsion), but there is only a point-and-a-half separating these teams from the first-place team. It is clear that the Cup action will be very closely contested.

The ladies took their games out on June 25. Lynda Dahlgren was the golfer with the low net score, while Trena Richardson had the closest-to-the-pin on hole No. 5. Kathy Heus had the fewest putts and Denise Cox won the mystery hole.

Men's Night for June 25 was won by the team of Bob Sizemore, Derek Kaufman, Andy Hanson and Rudy Zaboroskie. The second-place team was composed of Todd Eskelin, Jeff Gilman, James Dye and Barry Jackman. Charlie Kahakauwila had the closest-to-the-pin on hole No. 10, while Andy Hanson took hole No. 14. James Dye had the long drive and Andy Hanson had a pure birdie on hole No. 14 (a three-week carryover).

Rita's Tournament was held on Saturday. Golfers in two divisions battled it out with Derek Kaufman being named gross champion. In the First Division, first-place net went to Charlie Kahakauwila, while Rich Edwards won second place and Truckee LeMay won third. Skins in the First Division went to Derek Kaufman and Mark Griffin, each winning two, and one skin apiece going to Todd Eskelin, Charlie Kahakauwila and Bob Sizemore. In the Second Division, first-place net was won by Randy Kornfield, with Cliff Baker in second and Mike Kebschull taking third. Truckee LeMay won the long drive on hole No. 8 and the closest-to-the-pin on hole No. 14. Bob Sizemore had closest-to-the-pin on hole No. 5, Gordon Griffin on hole No. 9 and Rich Edwards on hole No. 10.

I would like to remind tournament sponsors to PLEASE turn your results into the pro shop so that I can include the information in the column. It is a very nice way to give public recognition to the individuals and businesses that are kind enough to support the various causes that these tournaments benefit.

The golf course is in wonderful condition and if you have not been out lately, you really should play a round to check out the work on all the projects that are ongoing. We are truly fortunate to have such a wonderful facility in our community and many thanks go out to the Griffins, their staff and those involved golfers that work so hard to make the Kenai Golf Course the slice of golfing heaven it is.

Have a safe and happy Fourth of July and hopefully some of this holiday weekend can be spent at the Kenai Golf Course.

Happy golfing! I will see you there.