The Birch Ridge Golf Report author is back after a week away in beautiful, sunny Palmer, Alaska. Birch Ridge hosted the Seward Seahawks Booster Club tournament over the weekend with great success. The folks from Seward are a great group of guys and gals! We’re very happy to provide a venue for their fundraising efforts!
In other news, Bill “The Thrill” Engberg was nominated into the Alaska Junior Golf Association Hall of Fame for his dedicated service to junior golfers on the Kenai Peninsula since he had hair on his head. That’s a good zinger! Seriously though, Bill has been at it for a long time, first at Kenai Golf Course and now at Birch Ridge, he’s earned the honor. We’re very happy to have Bill at our course. His work with the kids and out on the turf has made Birch Ridge a better place for golfers. What more can you ask? Congrats to Bill “The Thrill” Engberg.
I’d also like to thank everyone in our golf community that has supported our junior golfers in one way or another this year. I always like to say that providing the best possible turf conditions for our golfers is priority one, two, and three at Birch Ridge, but having a strong, healthy junior program doesn’t rank very far behind.
Your support helps these kids enjoy the great game of golf. How cool is that!? We wouldn’t have the dozens of kids out here golfing every day without the support and understanding of the golf community. Thank you.
Old Folks Golf
Seventeen old souls joined together Monday morning for a spirited golf foray. Pirtle “Snapping Turtle” Bates bested the competition, which included Chuck “Easy” Rider and his son Chuck “Not as Easy” Rider III, with a rejuvenating net 29. Pirtle’s score topped his nearest rival, Pat “Mad Hatter” McElroy, by 2 strokes. John “The Last DJ” Davis captured closest-to honors at the eighth. Davis also rolled in the long putt at the ninth as he sang songs of sorrow to his woeful playing partners.
Tuesday Morning Ladies League
The lovely ladies couldn’t determine a winner Tuesday morning, resulting in a heated shouting match! That didn’t actually happen, but it probably would have been entertaining. In reality, Carol Hussey, Diane Simmons and Vicki Hollingsworth paired to match Denise Cox, Susan Jelsma, Chiya Bazan and Beth Roseberry shot for shot. Margaret Stanley hit her shot way better than any other lady claiming closest to at the eighth.
Thursday Night Couples
The lovebirds weathered the rainstorm last Thursday evening to participate in the most romantic golf event on the Peninsula. Monte Roberts guided his wife, Stephanie, masterfully around the course to take low net with a dazzling 24.25. Lore Weimer paired with her husband, Charlie, to finish in a very respectable second place. Earl “The Pearl” Matthis teamed up with Carol Hussey to finish third, earning high-fives from their friends. Some credit should be given to Dan and Linda Murphy for shooting a gross 37 in a very challenging event, but not too much.
Golf Joke of the Week
While sitting at a table in the clubhouse after a round of golf, Padraig remarked to a fellow club member, “I’m not going to play golf with Jim Lawler anymore. He cheats!”
“Why do you say that?” asked his friend.
“Well, he found his lost ball 2 feet from the green,” replied Padraig indignantly.
“That’s entirely possible,” commented his friend.
“Not when I had his golf ball in my pocket!” retorted Padraig emphatically!
