Kenai Peninsula Builders Association held their seventh annual Golfing For Scholarships Tournament at Bird Homestead Golf Course on Saturday. This tournament was a great success and a lot of fun.

Thirteen teams turned out Saturday morning to play an 18-hole scramble in the beautiful sunshine. It takes a lot of effort and people behind the scenes to make these tournaments a success. The KPBA has a very good group of people that make this tournament possible.

The morning started off with a continental breakfast provided by Sterling Custom Homes and the day ended with Black Jaxx barbecue provided by TDS Construction. Thank you to Kelly Griebel of Century 21 Realty Solutions for the 9th hole Oasis — it was a nice break midway through the match — and to Stewart Title for the complimentary beverage cart that kept us all with cool drinks and snacks on such a warm day.

M&J Plumbing sponsored all the power carts and provided a little surprise to a couple mystery number carts. The proceeds for this tournament go to senior students from our local schools for scholarships to further their education. What a great opportunity to help our young adults.

The KPBA tournament ended with a lot of excitement, with a chip-off for first and second place with both teams coming in 13 under par. Team Arby’s, consisting of Tommy Carver, Max Dye, Todd Eskelin and Harold Chambers, managed to land closest to the pin with their last shot to win first place.

Roy Bird, Trevor Baldwin, Betsy Knippling and Donald Davis took second. I was on the third-place team and was very grateful for my golfing partners Jeff Gillman, Travis Robertson and JE Wells. We had a great time.

Max Dye smashed a long drive at the fifth fairway and landed closest to the pin on No. 17. Betsy Knippling smashed a drive down the second fairway to win ladies long drive and Roy Bird landed closest to the pin at the sixth. Mark your calendars for the first Saturday in August 2018 for next year’s awesome event.

Bird Homestead’s next major event to be held on Aug. 19, with Caribou Hills Cabin Hoppers sponsoring the 13th Annual Fall Classic. This is a 18-hole, four-person team scramble. Registration will be at 9 a.m. and we will tee off at 10 a.m. There will be long drive, closest to the pin and hole in one prizes, along with cash prizes for winning teams.

The famous pig roast dinner follows the tournament. Entry forms are available at the clubhouse and on the course website at birdhomesteadgolf.com. Carts are limited so call the clubhouse to reserve early.

Men’s night was another great success with 27 guys playing a nine-hole scramble Tuesday at 6:30. Mark Orth, Travis Robertson, Rob Robertson and Ken Ubben took home the first-place honors at 5 under par. Second place went to Roy Bird, Paul Zimmerman, Harold Chambers and Marty Radvansky at 3 under.

Dave Kerkvliet went home with some winnings, taking the long drive at the ninth fairway and pure birdie at the fifth. Mark Orth beat out Roy Bird for closest to at the sixth and Roy managed to hold his winnings on No. 8.

The season will soon be coming to an end. If you haven’t been out to see the course, you should take the beautiful drive 11.9 miles out Funny River Road and give it a try. The ladies in the clubhouse are here to assist from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Hurry, before we run out of summer.