Kenai Golf Report: Finding balls has become easier

  • By Gordon Griffin
  • Wednesday, July 13, 2016 12:16am
  • Sports

The Kenai Golf Course is in excellent condition. The greens are outstanding and the tee boxes and fairways are perhaps the best in the state of Alaska. When you play the Kenai Golf Course, you will notice many striking improvements.

With the addition of a new Brush Hog, our crew has done a remarkable job of clearing most of the rough on the front nine. Now that the dogwood and high brush are gone, it is much easier to find balls. Unless you hit the ball out-of-bounds, you will be hard-pressed to lose a ball. The front nine is now complete. The back nine work has begun this week. It will not interfere with play and you will immediately notice the improvement. We invite you to come out and enjoy the most beautiful golf course in the state.

July 4th Red, White, and Blue Tournament

This annual event has been very popular over the years. I would like to thank Rich Edwards for bringing this concept to our course. This year the team of Brian Wodarek and Richard Harmon finished first with an outstanding score of 8-unde-par.

The second-place team, with a great score of minus-6, included Doug Jung and Keith Stuart. The third-place team at minus-3 was Mark McComsey and Jimmy Holliman. The fourth-place team at 1-under-par was Shawna and Aaron Cooper. Congratulations to all.

Closest to the pin at the fifth was won by Brian Wodarek with a shot of 7 feet, 4 inches. The ninth was won by Aaron Cooper with an outstanding shot of 5—2. The fifth was won by Greg Harrington with 11—8. No. 14 was won by Keith Stewart with a shot of 58 inches.

The Memorial Tournament

The Memorial Tournament in an annual tourney when we all come together to honor those who have played at and contributed to the Kenai Golf Course and have passed away. We all remember the good times, the good shots and the great camaraderie that we have had with those people.

Our teaching professional, Tommy Carver, won low gross. Speaking of Tommy Carver, we would like to thank him for all his lessons and free help on the driving range. Low net during this two-day event was won by Tom Reese with a score of 144. Second place was on by Jim Holliman in a card-back with Keith Stuart at 148. Fourth place went to Kirk Hyman with a 149. Fifth place was won by Bobby Bush with a score of 153. There was a sixth-place tie between Pat Bowen, Greg Maturro and Gordon Griffin.

Saturday’s closest to the pins: No. 5, Tommy Carver 5—9; No. 9, Mark McComsey 41—9; No. 10, Bobby Bush 15—10; No. 14, Greg Maturro 13—10.

Sunday’s closest to the pins: No. 5, Kirk Hyman 30—11; No. 9, Keith Stuart 32—11; No. 10, Tom Reese 9—10; No. 14, Greg Maturro 10—9.

Skins on Saturday were won by Keith Stuart, Bobby Bush, Tom Reese, Gordon Griffin and Greg Harrington, each with one skin. Skins on Sunday were won by Tommy Carver and Mark McComsey, each with one. I would like to thank all of the participants in this very special event.

Senior League, June 14

Low gross was won by Bobby Bush with a great score of 33. Low met was won by John Davis with a net score of 32. Closest to the pin on No. 5 was won by Noel Widmayer. On this day, Noel also had the only two skins. Other notable net scores included Bill Haese 33, Bobby Bush 33, Pat Bowen 36.

Senior League, June 21

Skip Dove and Dwight Kramer tied for low net with scores of 32. Ron Frison and Kirk Hyman tied for low gross with scores of 37. Closest to the pin on the second shot on hole No. 6 was won by Noel Widmayer with a shot of 4—10.

Senior League, June 28

Low gross was won by Doug Jung with a gross score of 37. Bobby Bush and Gary Brumley tied for low net with 32s. Other notable net scores included Keith Stuart 33, Doug Jung 34, Craig Jung 36 and Jerry Norris 37. Fewest putts on this day was won by Gary Brumley with a total of just 12 putts for nine holes. Gary also won the only two skins.

Senior League, July 5th

The brave seniors played in pouring rain on this day. Jerry Norris won low gross with a score of 34. Low net was won by Doug Jung with a 32. The longest putt on No. 9 was carried over to the next week. Skins were won by Jerry Norris on No. 2, Doug Jung on Nos. 4 and 5, and Keith Stuart on No. 6.

Senior League, July 12

Low gross was won by Chris Kimball with a great score of 35. Ron Goecke won low net with a wonderful score of 28. Closest to on No. 5 was won by Chris Kimball with a shot of 15 feet. Kirk Hyman won the carryover on the ninth hole from the previous week. Chris Kimball, who had an outstanding day, also won the only skin with an eagle on hole No. 7. Congratulations, Chris!

Men’s Night

Before I give you the results, I would like to thank the sponsors of Men’s Night: Arby’s, Chevron, Big John’s Chevron, Jersey Subs, Gas Land, Kenai Golf Course, Mark Azzarra and Salmon Catcher’s Lodge, Paradisos, Country Foods, Mykels and Kenai River Lodge.

Men’s Night, June 30

The team of Josh Kerkvliet, Richard Harmon and Keith Stuart won first place on Big Thursday with a score of minu-4. Four teams tied at minus-3. In a card-back the team of Bob Sizemore, Aaron Cooper and Charlie Kahakauwila won second. Third place went to Max Dye, Steve Fickes, Chris Kimball and Brian Wodarek. Fourth place went to Dave Kerkvliet, Tyler Yamada and Matt Federrle. Fifth place was won by Greg Harrington, Jim Hollimon, Greg Maturro and Mark McComsey.

As you can see from these results, Mark Azzara is doing a great job of seeing that teams are well matched for men’s night. I would like to encourage you to come out and enjoy our men’s night, which gets bigger every week. Closest-tos were won by Bob Sizemore on holes 10 and 14. Jimmy Hollimon won closest-to on the second shot at the 14th.

Nine ladies participated in our latest short game clinic. It was taught by Gordon Griffin and Keith Stuart and featured all the skills needed to move the ball from 100 yards out to the hole. It is so fun to see the ladies being successful in the chipping and putting. All proceeds from this clinic go to junior golf. We will continue to hold clinics for women and junior golfers throughout the summer as noted on our website.

Please stop by and say hello to Ron Goecke, who is visiting for a few weeks. It is great to have him back, playing golf at the course, even if it is just for a little while.

July Tournaments: Friday: Alliance Tournament; Sunday, KGA Tourney; July 23: Brown Bear Tournament; July 30: Monfor Salamalof Tournament.

As always, see you on the Kenai Golf Course!

More in Sports

Ninilchik's Kade McCorison moves to shoot over attempted blocks by Aniak's William and Troy Morgan during a basketball game at Ninilchik School in Ninilchik, Alaska, on Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Ninilchik’s Kade McCorison, CIA’s Ian McGarry make all-state first teams

The Alaska Association of Basketball Coaches sent out its all-state basketball teams… Continue reading

Roope Tuomioksa of the Kenai River Brown Bears attacks Payton Nelson and goalie Nick Erickson of the Minnesota Wilderness on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Saturday: Brown Bears finish sweep of Wilderness

The Kenai River Brown Bears completed a two-game sweep of the Minnesota… Continue reading

tease
Friday: Brown Bears win 2nd straight

The Kenai River Brown Bears defeated the Minnesota Wilderness 4-1 on Friday… Continue reading

tease
Friday: Seward boys fall to Barrow in 4th-place game

The Seward boys basketball team lost the fourth-place game 66-42 to Barrow… Continue reading

Me working in the Alaska House of Representatives on Tuesday, March 12, 2024 in Juneau, Alaska. (Mark Sabbatini/Juneau Empire)
Out of the Office: Juneau

It was kind of happenstance that I spent the last month living… Continue reading

Greg Fallon, Kenai, receives his gold medal for his team’s 4x400m relay 2005 or later mix effort from Mat-Su Borough Mayor Edna DeVries. (J. David McChesney/Frontiersman)
Peninsula athletes compete, win at Arctic Winter Games

23 athletes from the Kenai Peninsula, representing Kenai, Soldotna, Nikiski, Sterling and Homer, brought home 31 Ulus

tease
Thursday: Seward boys hold off Houston to make 4th-place game

The Seward boys basketball team defeated Houston 51-43 on Thursday to advance… Continue reading

tease
Thursday: Sitka girls knock Homer from Class 3A state tourney

The Homer girls basketball team was eliminated from the Class 3A state… Continue reading

tease
Wednesday: Grace Christian defeats Seward in 1st round

The No. 3-seeded Grace Christian boys basketball team defeated No. 6 Seward… Continue reading

Most Read