Birch Ridge Golf Course is wrapping up our final day of the BRGA Junior Golf Camp today. The pint-sized putters have been great to work with again this week.

We’re fortunate to have so many talented juniors in our program, including a couple Alaska state champions.

It’s amazing how fearless a 10 year-old can be standing over a 6-foot knee-knocker for par! I think I remember when I used to putt like that. It was a long time ago, in a galaxy far away.

The conclusion of the BRGA Junior Camp isn’t the end of our junior golf season. Next Thursday, Birch Ridge is hosting the BRGA Junior Golf Championship. The tournament is for juniors that have shown an aptitude for etiquette and rules.

Competitors don’t necessarily need to be skilled players, although many of them are, but they do need to have a firm understanding of how tournament golf is played. If you have a miniature duffer of your own and they’re interested in playing the signup sheet is available in the pro shop.

If you’re unsure if your junior golfer is ready for tournament play please contact myself (Nolan Rose) or Bill “The Thrill” Engberg at the golf course.

Our first adult tournament of the 2015 schedule is set for June 20 and 21. The Alaska Golf Association’s Peninsula Jackpot is a two-day event held at both Kenai Golf Course and Birch Ridge Golf Course.

Golfers pair in teams of two, and play six holes of best ball, alternate shot and scramble formats each round. There’s also a $50 side skins jackpot!

This event has become very popular with our local golf enthusiasts. You can enter the tournament by registering on the Alaska Golf Association’s website. Just click on the event link and sign your team up today!

Bill and his merry band of grass aficionados have done a marvelous job again this spring and we’ve done well to solve the worm riddle that had baffled the 5th green for the last couple seasons. I’m not sure if the golf course has ever looked better on June 12!

Old Folks Golf

Fifteen seniors meandered out to Birch Ridge on Monday morning to compete in senior vs. senior golf action! Sid “Vicious” Cox post a net 31 to crush the competition.

John “The Last DJ” Davis crooned his way to closest-to honors at the sixth. Sid matched Davis’ feat of dexterity at the eighth! Pat “Nine Lives” McElroy rolled in the long putt at the ninth.

Tuesday Morning Ladies League

Thirteen beauties paraded around Birch Ridge on Tuesday morning, pleasing throngs of supporters with dazzling displays of golf, leaving all the boys wanting more! Margaret Stanley delivered the finest performance of the morning, posting a score good enough for low gross while recording the fewest putts. JulieAnn Nye (one of our junior golfers) took closest-to honors at the eighth. Proving experience isn’t a requirement to play good golf! Susan Jelsma skillfully won the mystery hole.

Thursday Night Couples

The lovebirds were rained out last week, but with a hot weather forecast in the following weeks, we expect the golf to really heat up Thursday nights!

Joke of the Week

Bill and Tom step up to the first tee box the day after Mother’s Day. Bill says, “Hey, guess what! I got a set of golf clubs for my wife!” Tom replies enthusiastically, “What a great trade!”