The Kenai Golf Course, the only fully equipped, 18-hole golf course on the Kenai Peninsula, has been open for three and a half weeks now. This is amazing when you consider that it is still May. What is even more amazing is that we are on all 18 greens and carts are allowed on all 18 holes.
The greens are getting green with no sand to impede play. The greens have been verticut and overseeded, and are in great shape. They are watered nightly from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. by a great watering crew consisting of JD and Henry. Nos. 14 and 16 are in the best condition they have ever been and it is the earliest we have been on those greens. What a great early season start!
Last year we still had some snow on the ground at this time. The golf course is in great shape in all areas and it will continue to get better.
The projects we started last year will be completed this year. New tee boxes for ladies on Nos. 3, 13 and 17 will be completed. The new 18th green is in excellent shape and people are enjoying hitting to that green. It is rolling very well.
The new tee box on No. 3 will be completed soon giving the golfers options of playing that hole from either of two tees. It is a great addition. Thank you, Doug Haralson, for such a great idea.
Thanks to Doug, also, for rating our course based on all the positive changes we have made throughout the last seven years. Also, thank you, Dale Sandahl, for your continued interest in the changes made on No. 18. A great idea, implemented so successfully by our terrific grounds crew Dusty Culbreath and Willy Perkins. This area will continue to improve throughout the year.
Chris Kimball will continue to extend the cart path on No. 3 from the tee box to the ladies tee box all the way around to the green. This is a big job! I would like to thank Gilbert Arellano and Best Transit for all their support. The gravel and screened pit run has been invaluable to this and other projects. Thank you so much for your kind support and continued assistance with our improvement efforts at the Kenai Golf Course. Without your help and support many of these projects would not be possible.
This new cart path, although a big project, will be really special when it is completed at the end of this year. Cart paths, in general, will be improved throughout the course of this year due to the continued support of Best Transit and Gilbert.
As you can see, all systems are go. Men’s League has started. It is every Thursday night at 6 p.m. Senior League is underway every Tuesday morning at 9:30. There are two leagues for ladies: Tuesday nights at 6 p.m. and Thursdays at 12:30 p.m. Each of these leagues offers nine-hole play in various formats and includes prizes and door prizes.
We’ve had our first KGA Tournament and our first two-day tournament, the Dick and Shirley Morgan Kick Off Tournament, is scheduled for June 7 and 8. Shirley Morgan passed away recently. This is a big loss for the golf community in Kenai and for the Kenai Peninsula. She was a great person with a big heart. She was loved and respected by everyone and will be missed greatly. Our condolences go out to her family. She will always be remembered. A special memorial plaque and a tree will be planted in the near future in her honor.
The first KGA tournament was held May 18. Low gross was won by Chris Murray with a sizzling hot 75. Congratulations Chris! First low net was won by Joe Deveaux with a red-hot 68, low gross of 83. Way to go, Joe! Second low net was won by Chris Murray with a 69. Third low net was won by Kerry Collins with a net score of 73. Fourth low net was won by Chuck Rupenthal with a low net of 74. Closest to the pins were won by Ken Liedes (2) and Jesse Wade (1).
In the women’s division, first low net was won by Lara Griffin with a net of 70. Second low net was won by Shawna Cooper with a low net of 76. The long drive was won by Shawna Cooper and the closest pin on No. 5 was won by Tammy Maturro. Speaking of Tammy Maturro, she got an eagle on No. 2 the other day. It was her very first eagle! Congratulations Tammy, we are proud of you!
Men’s Night on May 15 — The first-place team consisted of Greg Harrington, Bill Haese and Kevin B. The second-place team included Rene Alvarez, Dusty Steinbeck and Larry Grant. Closest to the pin on No. 5 was won by Greg Harrington at 20 feet, 8 inches. Closest to the pin on No. 7 was also won by Greg Harrington.
Men’s Night on May 22 — First place was won by the team of Doug Jung, Joe Deveaux and Kevin Stalker with a score of minus-3. The team of Chris Murray, Bill Haese and Tim B., and the team of Greg Harrington, Hunter Sirois and Jeff tied for second place at minus-1. Closest to the pin on No. 14 was won by Chris Murray with a shot of 11-10. Closest to the pin on the second shot on No. 18 was won by Greg Harrington with 6-1. Congratulations, guys!
Ladies Day on May 22 was held on the front nine. Trena Richardson won closest to the pin on the second shot on No. 7. The secret game prize was won by Irma Peterson. Ladies will play the back on May 29.
Atigun Cup — Chris Murray takes the early lead in the Atigun cup by shooting an awesome 75 in the opening KGA Tournament. Full results we be listed in the next news column. The Atigun Cup is sponsored by Atigun and Bob Sizemore. The winner of this season-long points race wins $500 toward a regular season pass. So far we only have a gross division.
Mr. Sizemore and Atigun have offered to expand this program to include a net division if we can get 10 participants in the net division. So far, we have six persons signing up for this division. Come on golfers, let’s get the 10 needed so Mr. Sizemore and Atigun can fully fund this next division. Thank you, Atigun and Bob, for your support. The Atigun Race includes eight tournaments throughout the season. It is a great competition with great prizes.
Jerry Norris, our senior league director, will be having knee surgery this coming week. We wish you well, Jerry, and look forward to seeing you back on the course. Gary Brumley will be running the senior league while Jerry is recovering. Thank you, Gary, for stepping up to the plate. Thank you also to Doug Haralson for stepping in for Dusty and Willy, who will be vacationing this next week. T Dusty and Willy, have a great time in Vegas! We also wish for a speedy recovery for Bobby Bush. Bob, we miss you and hope to see you on the course soon.
As you can see, it has been a great start to our season. The course is in great shape and will continue to get better. Come out and enjoy the exciting golf course on the peninsula. Enjoy the great views and the wildlife that abound on the course.
Clinic Schedule
Our Beginning Lady Golfer Clinic is Monday through Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. This clinic is for ladies who are beginning golfers or who would like a good review of basic golf skills. Teachers will help you with your long game, short game, sand traps, hazards and knowledge of the game. We keep it fun and low-pressure, and will have you out on the course by the third class. You will even become proficient in power carts. No clubs? No problem. We have clubs to get you going.
The Hook-a-Kid on Golf program is full and runs Monday through June 6.
See you on the course …
