The history of the Walker Cup continues to grow with each passing year. After 10 years of competition, Kenai leads the series 5 1/2 to Birchridge’s 4 1/2. As you can see, it could not be much closer. This year’s competition was not close with Kenai winning 20 1/2 to 3 1/2. The final score is not indicative of the spirit of the competition. Each team member competed to the best of his ability. Each team celebrated every victory and each team member was respectful of each other. After the final day of competition we all got together and enjoyed a great banquet that was planned and carried out by Debbie and Lara Griffin. Kirk Hyman was the grillmaster and he did an excellent job. On the first day of the Walker Cup it was wet, rainy, windy, and cold. Six points were at stake at the Alternate Shot competition. Kenai ended that first day with a 3 1/2 to 2 1/2 lead, very close. The six pairs of teams finished as follows: Kenai’s Gordon Griffin and Todd Eskelin won 2 and 1 against Zack and Nick Beeson; Chris Murray and Derek Kaufman of Kenai beat Mike Hollingsworth and George Stein 2-up. Birch Ridge’s Kevin Downs and Jesse Scott beat Doug Jung and Gilbert Arellano 1-up; Kenai’s Bob Sizemore and Greg Harrington finished tied against Paul Zimmerman and CJ Henley; Birch Ridge’s Pedro McCall and Tyler Yamada beat Rene Alvarez and Chris Morin 2 and 1; and Kenai’s John Dahlgren and Aaron Cooper won against Jeff Hetrick and Gene Minden 5 and 3.
The second day best-ball competition was won by Kenai with a score of 6 to 0 to take a commanding lead into the singles competition on Sunday. In the singles competition Kenai’s Mike Houghton and Craig Jung picked up forfeits. Kenai’s victories included: Chris Morin over Jesse Scott 6 and 4; Gilbert Arellano over Tyler Yamada 6 and 5; Chris Murray over Max Dye 4 and 3; Todd Eskelin over Nick Beeson 7 and 5; John Dahlgren over Paul Zimmerman 4 and 3; Doug Jung over Mike Hollingsworth 2 and 1; Rene Alvarez over Kevin Downs 4 and 3; Bob Sizemore over Pedro McCall 2 and 1; and Greg Harrington over Del Hoagland 6 and 4. CJ Henley got the only singles victory for Birch Ridge, defeating Gordon Griffin 1-up.
At 5 1/2 to 4 1/2 overall and through the last ten years, this is still a very close competition. I am sure that it will be very difficult for us to hold that lead when we play next year at Birch Ridge.
My thanks and congratulations to Mike Houghton, Joe Deveaux, and Aaron Cooper for participating in their first Walker Cup competition. They each did an excellent job. We look forward to their participation in future years.
I agree with Tom Walsh that this is a great event and I sincerely hope that this event has a long future. It is important to understand that each team will have their moments in time. When you’re down you have to fight and strive to get back on top. This was true in Kenai when we lost so many events in those early years. Our guys never gave up and certainly had no thoughts of quitting. They fought hard and got better and finally moved into the lead this year.
I would like to congratulate Pedro McCall for his heroic play in the Walker Cup. He had a difficult task and performed really well. I would also like to congratulate CJ Henley for his victory in the singles competition. Considering all that he has endured, his victory over Gordon Griffin was extremely impressive. He shot 37 on the back nine to overcome a three-hole deficit.
SENIOR LEAGUE RESULTS,
JULY 22ND:
Low Gross was won by John Dahlgren with a great score of 37. Skip Dove continued his great play with a low net score of 31. Closest to the pin on hole 5 was won by John Dahlgren. Skins were won by Jim Legner on hole 2, Pat Bowen on hole 3, and Demie Byronon hole 6.
In addition to the Walker Cup this past week the Kenai Golf Course had a busy time. The Alliance Golf Tournament was held on Saturday. This 25 team event was very exciting. The directors of this event did an outstanding job in all areas. Our cart expert, Neal Baldwin had all 45 carts ready for this 100 person event. Great job, Neal. Our carts have never run better.
The Stanley Chrysler/United Way Tournament was held on Sunday. Courtney Stanley did a terrific job organizing this event. They had a great sunshiny day and put on a wonderful tournament for those who participated.
The Kenai Golf Course, the only 18-hole golf course on the Kenai Peninsula, continues to improve each and every day. Great weather, with just the right amount of rain and sunshine, has really made our course come alive. I would like to thank Dan Young, KS, Jerry Norris, Charlie Waguespach, Chris Kimball, and Doug Haralson for their continued dedication to the Kenai Golf Course. One individual continues to amaze me with his dedication to the course. Ron Goecke puts his all into everything he does. He can be a plumber, an electrician, a structural engineer, a master of tack, a super organizer that keeps everyone organized. Thank you, Ron, for all that you do.
AUGUST TOURNAMENTS
Saturday, August 2: 20+ Tournament
Friday, August 8: KGC Employees Tournament
Saturday, August 9: Habitat for Humanity Tournament
Sunday, August 10: KGA Tourney
Sat. & Sun., August 16 & 17: Donnie Morgan Memorial Club Championship
Sat. & Sun., August 23 & 24: Kenai Open
Sat. & Sun., August 30 & 31: Atigun Cup Finals
AUGUST CLINICS
August 4 & 5: Ladies Intermediate On-Course Clinic
August 11—13: Ladies Beginning Golfer Clinic
Join us for some wonderful August golf, 7am to 10pm. As always, see you on the course!
