Birch Ridge is hosting some very cool events in the next week. The Pink Ribbon Rally is set for Sunday. You can’t really say enough about the rally and the wonderful job its organizers do to put this golf tournament together. Over the years the rally has raised well over $100,000 for local cancer care! We’ll take plenty of pictures and post them on the Birch Ridge Facebook page for golfers to peruse.

Next Monday and Tuesday, Birch Ridge is hosting the Alaska Junior State Championship. Sixteen local miniature duffers will be participating in the tournament in addition to all the golfers traveling in from Anchorage, the Valley and Fairbanks. This will mark the first time the State Championship has been held on the Kenai Peninsula. Obviously, we’re very excited about this opportunity.

Our first Wine Night, hosted by Gene “The Dream” Diamond, will be held on Aug. 7. It’s $30 to participate. We’re changing things up a bit this year. In place of golf instruction following the wine tasting, we’ll have a number of unique golf “contests” for winos to attempt with the winner taking home their favorite bottle of wine! We’ll have a mix of red and white wines at each Wine Night. The fun will start at 6:00 p.m. The sign-up sheet is available in the pro shop.

The ninth annual Phil Turkington Golf Classic hosted by the Soldotna Elks is scheduled for Aug. 8. This is a four-person scramble tournament. Teams are put together by handicap ensuring a competitive field.

If you’re interested in playing in this event please call the golf course and we’ll pass along the tournament organizers’ contact info. Registration forms are available at the pro shop. Golfers can turn forms in at 4D Carpet One, the Soldotna Elks Lodge or at the golf course.

On July 24, Mike Chenault aced the par-3 eighth. Mike rolled in a 7-iron from 150 yards out to post his third hole-in-one at Birch Ridge. Chenault moves into a tie with his brother in-law Derrill Weaver for most hole-in-ones at the 42 year-old golf course.

The weather has been a bit challenging lately, but the upcoming forecast looks like we’ll have some great golfing opportunities in early August. Our merry band of grass aficionados have the golf course in great condition. As miniature duffers say, “The greens are cherry!” Come check it out and putt for yourself!

Old Folks Golf

Our oldest golf swings, most forged during the Bronze Age, were out in force Monday morning. Sid “Vicious” Cox continued his run of sublime ball striking to post a delightful net 31. Sid’s score was good enough to blow away the competition. Vic Hussey took closest to at the eighth. Steve Hammarstrom matched Hussey’s accomplishment with closest-to honors at the sixth. Earl “The Pearl” Matthis rolled in the longest putt at the finishing hole.

Tuesday Morning Ladies League

Denise Cox paired with Tanya Boedeker and Louise “Rock the Cradle” Schadle to post a winning score of 37. Vicki Hollingsworth, Cheryl Hammarstrom and Sally Tachick combined their golfing talents to produce a solid 40, good enough for a second-place finish. Tanya Boedeker hit her shot closer than any other golfer at the eighth and Louise Schadle calmly rolled in the 30-foot birdie putt.

Thursday Night Couples

Inclement weather left the couples field with only three pairings but the golf proved more than entertaining. Tanna Chenault carried Mike to a net 30 in the two-person scramble format. Pat and Myrna Cowan finished second with a net 33. The Fightin’ Boedekers, Tom and Tanya, participated in the evening and reportedly had an excellent time.

Joke of the Week

“Doctor, we’ve got an emergency! My baby just swallowed my golf tees.”

“I’ll be there at once.”

“But tell me what to do till you get here, doc?”

“Practice your putting.”