Fourth of July tourney coming up
The annual Fourth of July Tournament is now in its 84th year, having first been hosted in 1934 and at that time it was open to golf professionals along with amateurs. Some of the early Professionals traveled around the Northwest playing in every tournament they could enter and for very little payouts for the winners.
This year the Fourth of July tournament will host some of the best amateur players from around the region including Canadian participants. This year’s event features another full field of competitors with players grouped in flights depending on their handicaps. Expect to see some of the best college players, men and women, competing for the Championship Trophy along with some standout high school players too. Joey Moore and Ryggs Johnson, two high school players tied for the title last year with Joey edging Ryggs in a playoff. Ryggs Johnson will be a senior this fall at Libby High School and off to Arizona State on a full ride golf scholarship next year, while Joey will head to San Diego State to play college golf.
In the Senior Division it will take some stellar play to unseat Carroll Lilly from the top spot.
The ladies division features some very competitive players including Karen Jacobson, Tracey Whisenand, Coral Schulz and others as well.
Junior Golfers Welcome
The Annual WLGC Junior Golf Program for ages 6 to 17 is in full swing on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at the course and new players may still register to participate in the program. Please call the Golf Shop at 862-5960 for additional information and to register you junior player. The program as always remains totally free to all participants thanks to the Gary Norby Junior Golf Foundation and the Bulldog Open Golf Tournament.
Pace of Play
As we get into the busier part of the season it becomes even more important for player to be aware of pace of play. Eighteen holes of golf should be played in roughly four hours or even less when players follow the simple rules of pace of play.
First, always keep up by being only one shot behind the group in front of you. When you finish putting out be ready to go to the next tee and hit away when the fairway is clear.
It also helps to follow the continuous putting procedure instead of marking the shortest putts. Play a provisional ball if you think your original shot may be lost or out of bounds, that way you don’t have to return to the teeing area to hit again.
Pace of Play is critical for everyone to enjoy the game, but too often players want to blame others instead of managing their own play. Be ready to hit when it is your turn having selected your club and knowing the yardage.