Welcome to another exciting season at the Kenai Golf Course.
Even though the weather has been chilly and windy, Kenai Golf Course is in excellent playing condition for so early in the season. We are open on all 18 holes with carts. The greens have been plugged and top-dressed with sand, seed and lime. They are in terrific shape.
The course has dried out with the last few days of beautiful weather and the frost heaves are gone. Even the third is flat and green.
I do have one very sad thing to report. The tree in front of the No. 12 green has fallen down. It lasted a very long time. All good things must come to an end. I am sure everyone is very sad about this event.
We will miss the challenge of hitting a shot from 200 yards high in the air that must land softly and hold the green. Alas, we will no longer get to say, “Oh no, I hit that stupid tree.”
I am also sad to report that the tree will not be replaced. We have planted the area in grass. You still have to hit a high, 200-yard shot into a difficult green, but you will have one less obstacle. Indeed, it is a much different hole. When you pass where the tree was, remember how much Dick Morgan loved that tree and don’t forget he will notice how much you miss it.
There has been new trail work going from No. 7 green to the No. 8 tee box. Thank you Steve Honrud and Dan Young for making Debbie Drive a reality. We appreciate your dedication and hard work.
More trail work will be done in the future. We will start with trail work around No.1. All of this work will help us open the golf course sooner in the spring. Soon you will also notice the improvements around No. 6. As you can see, we have been busy with improvements despite the dreary weather.
Leagues and golf classes have begun. June 14 at 6:30 will be our first men’s night. Craig Jung will facilitate that group.
Senior League started last Tuesday, and will continue each Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. directed by Jerry Norris. Our Ladies’ League is Tuesday nights at 6 p.m. It started June 5.
All ladies’ and junior clinics have been scheduled, as well as all tournaments. Both schedules are available on our website — www.kenaigolfcourse.com or call the clubhouse at 283-7500. We are looking forward to a most successful season.
Senior League results for May 29 — It was a great opening to the Senior League season. Fifteen seniors participated. Low gross was won by Craig Jung with a respectable score of 40 in very windy conditions. Pat Bowen won low net with a great 33. Other notable scores included Demi Moore and Skip Dove with 34s, Craig Jung and Gary Brumley with 35s, followed by Bobby Bush with a 38.
Closest to the pin on No. 5 was won by Gary Brumley at 14 feet, 1 inch. Craig Jung won longest putt on No. 7 with 3 feet, 3 inches. Can you believe that a putt of 3 feet, 3 inches won longest putt? Only Craig Jung could have such luck. Skins were won by Bill Davis at the first, Skip Dove at the eighth and Jesse Wade at the ninth. Thank you to Jerry Norris for directing the Senior League.
Kenai Golf Course Association tourney played Sunday — Our low gross champion was Rene Alvarez with a tremendous score of 82 in very blustery conditions. Great job, Rene! Bill Davis won low net with a net score of 72. Second place went to Rene Alvarez with a net 73. Michael Houghton won third low net with a 74. Fourth low net went to Gary Brumley with a 74 also. Pat Bowen won fifth low net with 76.
Closest to the pin on No. 5 was won by Gary Brumley at 23 feet, 1 inch. Todd Eskelin won closest to the pin on No. 9 with a shot of 30 feet, 4.5 inches. Closest to the pin on No. 10 was won by Rene Alvarez at 13 feet, 1 inch. Michael Houghton won closest to the pin at the 14th with a great shot of 7 feet, 10.5 inches.
Low net in the Ladies’ Division was won by Lara Griffin with a net score of 76. Second low net was won by Tammy Maturro with a net score of 78. There were two skins in this event: Max Dye on No. 12 and Michael Houghton on No. 16. Thanks to all who participated and especially to Kirk Hyman, your KGA president, who set up and ran the tourney. Speaking of your KGA, you will notice new benches on most tee boxes. Thank you, KGA, for this most needed improvement.
The Ladies’ Clinic is directed by Gordon Griffin and scheduled for June 25, 26 and 27 from 6 to 8 p.m. Tommy Carver teaches the Junior Clinic, also scheduled for June 25, 26 and 27, from 10 a.m. to noon. Clinics are $50. Call or stop by the clubhouse to sign up. Look on our website for more information.
June Tournaments: Saturday — Elks Tournament; June 17 — KGA Tourney; June 22 and 23 — Morgan Classic; June 29 — Boys &Girls Club Annual Golf Classic.
As always, see you on the course!
