This is a very special week at the Kenai Golf Course. Hook-a-Kid-on-Golf is a national program that involves youngsters 8 to 14 years of age for a week of golf instruction. At the conclusion of this program, our 24 students will receive a complimentary set of golf clubs and free passes to the Kenai Golf Course for a week of play.
I would like to thank the instructors: Keith Stewart, Noel Widmayer, Tommy Carver, Craig Jung, Mary Starrs Armstrong, Max Dye and Jack Focose. Keith, Craig and Noel teach chipping and pitching, while Max and Tommy instruct students in the long game on the driving range. Mary and Jack work on students’ putting skills.
Thursday, the Kenai Golf Course closed down the back nine for three hours so students may play golf there. Bob Sizemore is our liaison with the national program and we appreciate his efforts on our behalf. I would like to thank all members of the Kenai Golf Association for funding this great event. Kirk Hyman, president of the KGA, has been instrumental in supporting and improving our Hook-a-Kid program as well as other programs for our junior golfers.
Junior Mentorship Program
The Kenai Golf Association is once again providing a free mentorship golf program for all juniors who have received golf instruction previously. Juniors who wish to participate need to be at the course Thursday mornings at 9 a.m. They will be given time to practice prior to their 9:30 tee time. Each group is supervised by a Kenai Golf Association adult member.
Greens fees are paid by the Kenai Golf Association, but Juniors will need to bring their clubs unless special arrangements have been made. Parents can pick up their golfers at noon. It is a great opportunity for juniors to play with their peers, learn golf etiquette and get a little instruction if needed. We thank Jerry Norris for heading up this weekly event, which begins June 23rd.
KGA June Event
Twenty-eight golfers participated in this monthly tourney. In the women’s division, low net was won by Shawna Cooper with a net score of 80. Lara Griffin won second low net with an 83. Way to go, ladies! Also in the ladies’ division, Shawna Cooper won low gross.
In the men’s division, Chris Morin won low gross with a score of 81. Other notable gross scores included Mark Azzara with an 82, and Greg Harrington and Brian Wodarek with 83s, and Todd Eskelin with an 84. Low net was won by Charlie Rehder with a 70, followed by Keith Stacek with a 72. Third place was won by Mark Azzara in a card-back with a 73. Brain Wodarek finished fourth, also with a 73.
Closest to the pin at the fifth was won by Mark Azzara with a shot of 8 feet, 4 inches. No. 9 was won by Kirk Hyman with 17—1. Kirk also won the 10th with a shot of 14—11. Todd Eskelin won No. 14 with 14—8.5 left to the pin.
There were five skins won at this tourney. Chris Morin took No. 1, Todd Eskelin took No. 6, Brian Wodarek took No. 11, Charlie Kahakauwila took No. 15 and John Gibson took No. 16. This has been an outstanding monthly event and we thank the Kenai Golf Association and Kirk Hyman for their sponsorship and organization. In addition to the $15 entry fee, KGA contributes $100 in prize money.
Kenai Elks Tournament, Saturday
The whole community should thank Jack Focose for working so hard for a wonderful tournament. The winning team, Tesoro’s Team #2, finished with a score of 62. Team members included Sean O’Reilly, Kelly Riechert, Scott Batchelder and Doug Jung. Second place net with a score of 63 was the Peninsula Clarion team of Greg Harrington, Eric Trevino, Kelly Sullivan and Eva Peterson. The third-place team with a net of 69 was Magnum Motors: Travis Burnett, James Dye, Mark Gillis and Eric Redford.
In the gross division, the first-place team, winning in a card-back, was Mykel’s Restaurant with a score of 63. Team members included Alice Kerkvliet, Josh Kerkvliet, Susan Wells and Max Dye. Second-place gross winner also with a 63, was United Rentals: Sepa Nicholas, Dusty Steinbeck, Stan Pitlo and Papapa Silvira. Third-place gross with a 64 was won by Fire Control Systems. Team members included Mark McComsey, Bob Tepp, Kirk Hyman and Tim Bornowski.
Closest to the pin on No. 5 was won by Greg Harrington at 10—6.5. No. 9 was won by Max Dye with a shot of 47—9. (Max, did you make the putt?) The 10th went to Dusty Steinback with a shot of 19—5. (They made the putt). Stan Pitlo won No. 14 with an outstanding shot of 16 inches. In the long drive contest at the 17th, Josh Kerkvliet won. The long drive for women was won by Heather Pietro on No. 12. The long drive for seniors on No. 2 was won by Bob Tepp. This was a tremendous tournament. Thank you Kenai Elks, #2425, and Jack Focose.
Senior League, June 7
Twenty seniors took to the course. There was a tie for low gross between Craig Jung and Jesse Wade with outstanding scores of 37. Keith Stuart won low net with a score of 32. In this competition the shortest putt was holed by Tom Allison. Congratulations, Tom. I’m glad it was a short putt.
There were two skins won: Keith Stuart at the second and Doug Jung at the ninth. Other notable gross scores included Keith Stuart with a 38, Kirk Hyman with a 41, and Dwight Kramer and Gary Brumley with 44s. The pin placements for this event were in very unusual positions per request. These seniors were certainly up to the challenge.
Men’s Night, June 9
The first-place team included Mark Azzara, Aaron Cooper, Skip Dove and Greg Harrington with a great score of 6-under par. Max Dye, Steve Fickes, Jason Wood and Dusty Steinback won second place with another great score of 4-under. The third-place team, at even par, included Doug Jung, Noel Widmayer, Brian Wodarek and Kevin Stalker.
Closest of the pin on at the 10th was won by Aaron Cooper with an amazing shot of 4 inches. The 14th was won by Brian Wodarek with a shot of 9—8. Many thanks to Mark Azzara for all his help and support for our Men’s Night. By popular demand, Men’s Night will now begin at 6:30 p.m. instead of 6. This will allow more time for golfers to get to the course after work.
The next junior clinic is Monday to Wednesday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Please let us know at 283-7500 if you want your child to participate. Class fee is $25.
The next beginning ladies clinic is June 27 to 29 from 6 to 8 p.m.
The course is in excellent shape and with 18 holes, there’s plenty of room. See you on the course.
