With three events remaining in the Atigun Cup — a season-long points race which encompasses eight golf tournaments — Greg Harrington and Jesse Wade have taken commanding leads. In the Gross Division, Harrington has 70 points. Doug Jung has 53 points, followed by Chris Morin at 39 points. Gilbert Arellano has 30 points, Tommy Carver has 29 points. Mark Griffin has 25 points, Ken Liedes and Bob Sizemore are tied with 23 points, and Gordon Griffin has 22 points. In the Net Division, Wade has a strong lead with 70 points. He is followed by Skip Dove 66 points, Pat Bowen 50 points, Kirk Hyman 48 points, Michael Houghton 38 points, Steve Fickes 33 points, Chuck Rupenthal 26 points, Eric Hardesty 24 points, Chuck Rehder 10 points, and Mike Kebschull 9 points. The top six in the Net and Gross Divisions will participate in a season ending playoff competition. The three remaining events include the August Kenai Golf Associaion Tournament, the Donnie Morgan Club Championship, and the Kenai Open. The Atigun Cup is sponsored by Bob Sizemore and Atigun, and Gordon and Debbie Griffin of the Kenai Golf Course. Many thanks to Kirk Hyman for keeping track of the Atigun Cup standings throughout the season.
The Junior Program at the Kenai Golf Course is going strong. On June 22, the following students graduated from our Junior Clinic: Matthew Gryzbowski, Lizzie Gryzbowski, Andee, John Heinez, Zach Harden, Megan Harden, Lee Leedens, Lance Kramer, Maccpi Castico, Talon Wicker, Owen Wicker, Kayoni Wicker, Jack Heintz. The July Clinic started Monday the 27th and runs through Wednesday. We will report the graduates in our next newsletter. I would to like to thank Tommy Carver, Ron Goecke, Keith Stewart, Mark Griffin, and Jakeb O’Brien for their excellent instruction during these clinics.
The Junior Mentorship Program is another example of encouraging youngsters to get out and play golf at the Kenai Golf Course. Girls and boys ages 8 through 15 play nine holes free of charge every Thursday starting at 9:30 a.m. These Juniors are accompanied by experienced adult golfers. This program is designed to give juniors who have had some golf instruction more experience on the course. They learn course strategy and etiquette froom adults who know the course well. Greens fees are paid by the Kenai Golf Association. Parents are welcome to walk along or they may pick up their golfers between 11:30 a.m. and noon. Tee times for juniors start at 9:30 a.m. so Juniors should be in the clubhouse by 9:15 a.m. I would like to thank Kirk Hyman, Jerry Norris, and Noel Widmayer for their great instruction for our Mentorship Program. All Junior golfers are invited to participate in this program. Thank you to the Kenai Golf Association for their most generous support.
Senior League, July 14: Fifteen seniors took to the links. Low Gross was won by Craig Jung with a score of 38. Low Net was won by Pat Bowen with a 32. There was one skin in this competition and it was won by Craig Jung on hole No. 3.
Senior League, July 21: Fourteen players participated. Low Gross was won by Ken Liedes with a 35. Low Net was won by Bill Haese with a score of 29. Ken Liedes won two skins and Noel Widmayer won one skin. Closest to the Pin on hole No. 5 was won by Keith Stewart with an outstanding shot of 2 feet.
The Annual Firefighters Golf Tournament played on Saturday, July 24, was won by the team of Tommy Carver, Doug Jung, Truckee LeMay and Gordon Griffin with a score of minus-10. The second place team was Doyle Petroleum with a score of minus-8. The third place team was RMP Consulting with a score of minus-7. The fourth place team included Ken Liedes, Karl Liedes, Josh Liedes and Jesse Wade and scored a minus-6. The fifth place team was Country Foods and they shot minus-5. The Waddell-Reed team finished sixth with a minus-4. Closest to the Pin on hole No. 5 was won by Skip Dove with a shot of 11 feet, 4 inches. Tammy Maturro won Closest to the Pin on #9 won with a shot of 13 feet, 9 inches. Hole No. 10 was won by Ian Wilson with a shot of 19 feet, 3 inches. Hole No. 14 was won by Paul Frazier with 11 feet, 1 inch. I would like to thank Tommy Carver, the Kenai Fire Department, and all their sponsors for putting on such an outstanding event. The gimmicks were great. I enjoyed putting with a mallet, with one foot in the air. Most of all I enjoyed trying to hit the ball across the gully with all that heavy, heavy fireman’s equipment on. Needless to say, I did not hit it over the gully however Tommy Carver, used to wearing all that gear, did hit it over the gully as did the young, strapping Truckee LeMay. We birdied the hole which gave us the winning stroke. Thanks Tommy. Great tournament for a great cause!
Men’s Night July 23: The team of Tommy Carver, Sean O’Reilly and Greg Maturro won first place with a score of minus-4, birdying holes 11, 12, 15 and 16. The second place team included Greg Harrington, Brian Wodarek and Bill Haese with a score of minus-3, birdying holes 11, 14, and 18. The third place team was made up of Mark Azzara, Skip Dove and Dave Litchfield with a score of minus-1, birdying hole No. 15. Closest to the Pin on hole No. 10 was won by Brian Wodarek with a shot of 25 feet, 6 inches. On the second shot on hole No. 18 was won by Sean O’Reilly with a great shot of 9 feet, 8 inches. There was no winner on hole 14. The prize money for that hole will carry over to next Thursday. Next Thursday at 6 p.m. is BIG THURSDAY at the Kenai Golf Course. The entry fee is $25 per person. Big Thursdays are always BIG at the Kenai Golf Course. Come out and enjoy all the fun.
On August 10, 11 and 12, the final Ladies’ Beginning Golfers Clinic will take place. This is our fourth such clinic this year. These clinics are for ladies who are beginning golfers or who would like a good review of basic golf skills. Teachers will help students with their long game, short game, sand traps, hazards and knowledge of the game. We keep it fun and low pressure, culminating out on the course in a scramble on Wednesday evening. No clubs, no problem. Class fee is $50.
August Tournaments
Saturday, August 1: Kenai Rotary Club 20+ Tournament
Sunday, August 2: KGA Tourney
Sunday, August 9: Habitat for Humanity Tournament
Sat. & Sun., August 15 & 16: Donnie Morgan Memorial Club Championship
Sat. & Sun., August 22 & 23: Kenai Open
Sat. & Sun., August 29 & 30: Atigun Cup Finals
As you can see, the Kenai Golf Course is a very interesting and busy place. We have activites for all levels of golfers. The golf course is in great condition. The fairways are lush and well defined, and the greens are simply outstanding. We invite you to come out and play. See you on the course!
