Cascade Golfer Dec. 2023 by Varsity Communications

VOLUME 17 • ISSUE 4 • DECEMBER 2023 • COMPLIMENTARY

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Eye on Ireland: Portmarnock Resort Seattle Golf Photographer Rob Perry Tito’s Travel the NW: Cedars at Dungeness Indoor Golf Wintertime Hotspots NO RTHWEST GO LF N E W S & VI E W S

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A LOOK

INSIDE

Departments 26 In The Bag

4 Publisher’s Pitch • Prelude to our Rob Perry feature

6 Short Game • KPMG Women’s PGA update • U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur • Duke’s Seafood 2023 scholars • CG Cup champions crowned • CG Match Play summary

20 Corona Premier Property • North Shore GC

• Callaway Paradym Star Driver • Mizuno T24 Wedges • Mizuno M.Craft Putters • TaylorMade P790 Irons • TaylorMade MG4 Wedges • Callaway Apex Pro Irons • Odyssey Ai One Putter • Foot-Joy Hydro-Lite X • Bag Boy Travel Covers • Titleist Pro V-1 Packages

36 Tito’s Travel the Northwest • Cedars at Dungeness

22 Risk vs. Reward • Gamble Sands | Hole No. 7

24 Monkey Shoulder 19th Hole • A Lazy River Cocktail

54 Save Some Green

Features

38 42 48

• Great Indoor Golf in Seattle

58 Michelob ULTRA Post Game

His Pictures are Worth a Thousand Words

The amazing career of Seattle photographer Rob Perry

Eye on Ireland

Portmarnock Resort and Jameson Links are a must stay and play in Dublin

Maui Miracle

After a devastating wildfire, Maui is open and rebuilding

PUETZ GOLF SAVINGS 30-35

• Ryder Cup reflections

ON THIS PAGE

This past August Cascade Golfer took a trip around Ireland and played seven courses, including Ballybunion Golf Club. Enjoy our teaser story on Portmarnock Resort this issue and read about our adventure in the April 2024 issue. Photo by Dick Stephens.

ON THE COVER

The 2024 holiday season is upon us, and Puetz Golf has everything your family and friends need and have on their wish list. Go to PuetzGolf. com or visit any Puetz location for these products and more. Design by Art Director Rob Becker.

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Enter to win some CG Swag and hit the links on us. Check out all these prizes we are offering up this issue. We love our readers and here’s a small way to say thank you!

Check out who won our recent CG Swag contests. Congratulations to these lucky readers from our August 2023 issue of Cascade Golfer magazine.

• Whidbey Golf Club Twosome • Page 12

Camaloch GC Twosome • Jon Juh • Everett

• Two Northwest Golfers Playbooks and six tickets to the 2024 Seattle Golf Show • Page 36

Foster Golf Links Foursome • Sharon Taylor • Seattle Highlander GC Twosome • Levi Ferguson • Chelan

DECEMBER 2023

Volume 17 • Issue 4 • DECEMBER 2023

CASCADE

GOLFER cascadegolfer.com Cascade Golfer is published and owned by Varsity Communications, Inc. It’s mailed via USPS to 50,000 homes and e-mailed to 100,000 golfers in Puget Sound.

VARSITY COMMUNICATIONS, INC. varsitycommunications.com

EDITORIAL STAFF P U B LI S H E R S Dick Stephens & Kirk Tourtillotte E D I TO R Tony Dear ART D I R E C T I O N & G R A P H I C D E S I G N Robert Becker W R I T E R S & C O P Y E D IT I N G Bob Sherwin, Bart Potter & Steve Hamilton FOR EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS AND INQUIRIES Dick Stephens • Publisher stephens@varsitycommunications.com FOR ACCOUNTING INQUIRIES Kirk Tourtillotte • Publisher kirk@varsitycommunications.com GOLF COURSE PHOTOGRAPHY Rob Perry Photography

ADVERTISING & MARKETING STAFF SALES/MARKETING MANAGER & TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR Simon Dubiel simon@cascadegolfer.com COPYRIGHT 2023 Cascade Golfer. PRINTED IN THE USA. All rights reserved. Articles, photos, advertising and/ or graphics may not be reprinted without the written permission of the publisher. Advertising and editorial contained herein does not constitute endorsement of Cascade Golfer or Varsity Communications, Inc. Publisher reserves the right to edit letters, photos and copy submitted and publish only excerpts. The publisher has made every effort to ensure the accuracy of all material contained in this issue. However, as unpredictable changes and errors do occur, the publisher can assume no liability for errors, omissions or changes. All photos are courtesy of the course or individual unless otherwise noted.

PRODUCER AND OWNER OF THE

DECEMBER 2023

PUBLISHER’S PITCH

DICK STEPHENS

Seattle’s Rob Perry is one of our heroes and is the best at what he does behind the camera lens

’ve had a special time with the sport of golf this year. One I’m sure to never forget. I’ll touch on our summer journey to Ireland in this issue, then take you on our trip around the whole of the Emerald Isle in the spring issue. To play golf anywhere is a blessing. To play it here in my home state of Washington is a privilege. And, to work and interact with the sport on so many levels — well, that’s an honor. And one I don’t take lightly. I travel a lot for work and find that the best time to write is when I am up in the air so to speak. Perhaps the quiet droning of the plane’s engines is what allows me to open my mind, heart and laptop. Or maybe not being tethered to my desk or Earth is what lets my thoughts run wild. But, for the nearly 20 years I’ve been writing this column, it’s always seemed to happen from the seat of an airplane. One thing is for sure, when I fly, I always seem to be a bit more grateful and a touch more romantic about my appreciation for golf as it’s given me my lifestyle, career and, more importantly, lifelong friendships and bonds with some special people on and off the course. The business of golf is more like a community and, like I’ve always said, if you play nice, and work, and do all you can, you keep bouncing into the same cast of characters year after year. Some stay where they are, some move on to the next thing, and some leave before eventually coming back to the golf biz. The sport is filled with good, soulful people. I love what I do even when it gets stressful. Given that, I want to write a little prelude here about one of the features in this issue written by one of our amazing storytellers, Bob Sherwin. For our lead story, we’re turning the spotlight on one of the shining stars in the golf world who is a Seattle man through and through. Rob Perry of Rob Perry Photography is, to me, not only one of the finest shooters in the industry, but also one of the nicest and most grounded dudes you will ever come across. I don’t want to do anything to take away from Bob’s story about Rob in this issue, but I would be remiss if I didn’t tee it up a smidge. I’m such a fan of his and deeply grateful for his photographical contributions to Cascade Golfer and Destination Golfer magazines over the years. I first met Rob nearly 30 years ago at a meeting along with our company founder Ozzie Boyle, the then PNGA Executive Director John Bodenhamer, Broadmoor GC’s Bill Tindall, and a couple other folks. We were discussing the 1996 USGA Senior Women’s Amateur Championship program, which we were honored to publish. During the meeting, Rob came into my focus as a peer and a friend. I knew of him, but it was there that we first met, and I have been impressed with him ever since. In our time here at Varsity, we’ve published countless im-

ages Rob has ‘made’, and no issue is complete without him being a part of it. Note that I used the word ‘made’ here — not ‘taken’. I’ve known many great photographers through my time in the trenches covering golf, soccer, college sports and culinary productions. Honestly, I am always impressed with the general demeanor of photographers. Rob, though, is special. He ’makes’ pictures using a combination of his trained eye, and a thorough understanding of golf course architecture, the environment, and light. Then, when the shutter clicks, he coaxes a golf course into its finest expression. Rob always greets me with a real, genuine, heartfelt handshake with eye contact, and a relaxed graciousness that makes you happy to reconnect with the man. Trust me when I say I don’t make that compliment often. But I make it here with ease and sincerity. Rob is a gentleman. He does good business and tells stories with relaxed gusto, panache, and in a vivid way that has taken him around the world. His work requires patience, persistence, and personality. If the top five golf photojournalists all took a shot of the same hole, I’m certain I could pick out Rob’s every time. His images have a signature that stands out. His use of light, lens work, and negative and positive space around the focal point of what he takes aim on is magical. The pictures he makes tell a story of what a course and a hole is, can be, and will be for you as a player. When I have played holes he’s shot, it makes the experience more interesting for me (now, some of these amazing holes he’s shot I am playing from the rough or woods, but you get the gist of what I mean). It’s my honor to call Rob a friend and an invaluable part of this magazine. I hope you enjoy Bob’s glimpse of Rob and check out all the Puetz Golf goodies in this holiday issue. I will meet you all again right here in the spring. AND AS ALWAYS, TAKE IT EASY. cascadegolfer.com

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SHORT GAME Sahalee is a ‘major’ backdrop again for the 2024 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship next June – tickets and volunteer opportunities available now BY BART POTTER • FOR CASCADE GOLFER

rooke Henderson will not be the defending champion of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship June 20-23, 2024, when it comes to Sahalee Country Club in Sammamish, Wash. But on this golf course, she might as well be the reigning queen. For the record, 21-year-old Ruoning Yin of China claimed the 2023 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, N.J. Yin, the world’s No. 1-ranked golfer (as of this writing) will be far from an afterthought at the next Championship. At Sahalee, Henderson is the player people know and remember. She was just 18 in June 2016, the first time the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship came to Sahalee, when her final-round 65 pulled her into a tie with Lydia Ko after 72 holes. Henderson won the tournament with a birdie on the first playoff hole. It was the Canadian-born Henderson’s first major championship victory. Later in 2016, she repeated as champion at the Cambia Portland Classic at Columbia

Edgewater CC (after having won in 2015 as a 17-year-old Monday qualifier). That same year, Henderson was a member of the Canadian Olympic golf team for the 2016 Summer Games in Rio, where she placed seventh. Since 2016, Henderson has remained among the world’s elite players. As of this writing, she ranks 13th in the Rolex Women’s World Golf rankings. She has 20 professional victories, including a second major — the 2022 Evian Championship, where she opened the Championship shooting two consecutive rounds of 64. “Brooke’s memorable performance in 2016 stands as not only a highlight in her own career, but also in the history of this championship,” said Championship Director Jackie Endsley. “With the incredible support of KPMG

and the LPGA, this event continues to grow and reach new heights. We are thrilled to return to Sahalee eight years later and provide a world-class experience for the players, spectators and community.” The other half of that 2016 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship playoff — Ko — was then the top-ranked player in the world. After a brief slide, Ko has regained top form. She has 19 LPGA victories, including two majors, and sits 10th in the current Rolex World Rankings. The 2023 season belonged to Yin Yin has ascended to the top of the Rolex list after winning the 2023 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at Baltusrol, where she birdied the final hole to best Yuka Saso by one stroke. Yin has one other victory in 2023, her first year on the LPGA Tour, and has amassed $2,683,616 in prize money. 2024 comes to Sahalee again The 2024 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship will bring 156 of the best players in the world to the picturesque Sahalee course next June. The PGA of America has announced that general admission tickets and corporate hospitality experiences to the 2024 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship are available for purchase. Volunteer registration is also open for the 70th edition of the Championship. “Sahalee Country Club has proven to be a tremendous host site for our Championships,” said PGA of America Chief Championships Officer Kerry Haigh. “The course and its intimidating tree line will once again provide a stern challenge to the best women players in the world. We are proud to return to Sahalee following a highly successful PGA Championship in 1998 and KPMG Women’s PGA Championship in 2016.” Visit kpmgwomenspga.com/tickets to secure your tickets today. If you are interested in hospitality options, contact Callum McLuckie, Corporate Hospitality Sales and Marketing Lead, at (425) 380-6274 or email cmcluckie@ pgahq.com for information. If you would like to find out more about volunteer opportunities, visit kpmgwomenspga.com/volunteers.

DECEMBER 2023

cascadegolfer.com

Major Championship Golf Returns to the Pacific Northwest 2024 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship Sahalee Country Club I Sammamish, WA I June 20 - 23, 2024

T I C K E T S O N S A L E N OW

KPMGWomensPGA.com/tickets

SHORT GAME

Photos courtesy of Rob Perry

Broadmoor Golf Club to host its fifth USGA event and Washington’s 29th national championship

roadmoor Golf Club in Seattle will host its fifth United States Golf Association (USGA) event next Sept. 21-26, when it stages the U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur Championship for the second time. The A.V. Macan-designed course, four miles northeast of downtown, opened in 1927 and held its first Senior Women’s Am in 1996 when Canadian Golf Hall of Fame member Gayle Borthwick beat fellow Canadian Hall of Famer Marlene Streit and former Olympic javelin thrower Karen Oldham by a single stroke, completing the 54 holes in 226. Besides its USGA history (which includes the 1961 U.S. Girls Juniors won by Mary Lowell, the 1974 and 1984 U.S. Women’s Amateurs won by Cynthia Hill and Deb Richard, respectively, and the 1996 Senior Women’s Am), the Douglas fir-lined course laid out on 200 acres of former Puget Mill Company land — and most recently worked on by Canadian architect Jeff Mingay — has hosted several prestigious professional and amateur tournaments. The Seattle Open — held at Broadmoor in 1945, 1961, 1962 and 1964 — produced four quality winners in Byron Nelson, Dave Marr, Jack Nicklaus and Billy Casper. Nelson won 18 times in 1945, including 11 in a row. His win in Seattle, No. 17 that year, was not part of the famous streak. Nicklaus’ win in 1962 was his second as a professional and came just three months after he defeated Arnold Palmer in a playoff at the U.S. Open. He’d win his third just a week later at the Portland Open, played at another Macan design — Columbia Edgewater.

DECEMBER 2023

At Broadmoor, the Ohio State grad pocketed $4,300, while Casper would win $5,800 in 1964. In 1952, a year after winning the first of her four U.S. Women’s Open Championships, Betsy Rawls won the Women’s Weathervane Tournament on the fledging LPGA Tour. Broadmoor has also hosted several important collegiate events, including the 1999 Men’s Pac-12 Championships, where the individual title was won by Arizona State’s Paul Casey, who shot 60 in the final round. Eight years later, Tiffany Joh of UCLA was the top individual at the Pac-12 Women’s Championship. This will be the 29th time the USGA has held one of its competitions in the State of Washington and the 51st

time the organization has visited the Pacific Northwest. The U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur, now an allmatch-play event, was inaugurated in 1962 for amateur women golfers aged 50 and older. Notable past winners include longtime Broadmoor member Anne Quast Sander, who claimed the trophy four times (1987, 198990, 1993), Alice Dye (wife of Pete Dye) who won there in 1978 and ’79, Carol Semple Thompson (1999 and 2002), and Streit in 1985, 1994, and 2003. Georgia’s Sarah Gallagher won the 2023 championship in the first week of October, defeating Brenda Kuehn 1-up in the final at Troon Country Club in Scottsdale, Ariz. The winner of the Women’s Senior Am wins a spot in the

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Cascade Golfer and Duke’s Seafood congratulate this year’s winners Philanthropists and gentlemen: John (right) and Duke Moscrip give back to the sport they love.

Duke’s Seafood Junior Golfer Scholarship winners in 2023 embody the best in spirit, character and citizenry

Esli Choi

Summit Trail Middle School

Girl’s Golf Team

Inglemoor High School

Kylie McGrath

Liberty High School 10

DECEMBER 2023

n the seven years that Duke’s Seafood has been awarding its Junior Golfer Scholarship, we’ve invariably felt a mix of curiosity, pride, and astonishment when reading the stories of our region‘s junior golfers. Curiosity, because we wonder how and why they first got involved with the game and how we can ensure every young person gets a chance to experience it. Pride, because these kids are from our neck of the woods. Astonishment, because we’re frequently amazed at the lengths to which the winners have gone to continue playing and improving and serving their communities. Our 2023 winners continued the trend, overcoming sizable obstacles to play the game they love or helping others who might not get the opportunity to play it themselves. The most recent recipient, 17-year-old Kylie McGrath, told us in June about how she was helping to organize an event called The Washington Cup, to be played at Sahalee Country Club in October. Twenty-four junior golfers from across the state would compete in a Ryder Cupstyle event, with each player raising funds for the First Tee of Greater Seattle — which Kylie had first joined at age 7 — and the American Junior Golf Association’s Liberty National ACE Grant program, which provides financial assistance to young people who aspire to earn a college golf scholarship through competitive junior golf. At the end of September, Kylie told us that not only had the tournament gone ahead as planned, but that it had also raised an incredible $43,000. Evan Johnson, the Director of Programs and Development at the First Tee of Greater Seattle, made it clear just how important a role Kylie had played. “This event would not have been possible without Kylie’s vision, persistence, and leadership,” he wrote. “This work started back in 2019, and even through the COVID years when outside events were nearly impossible to schedule, Kylie remained optimistic and always looking forward. And during that time, she continued to raise (more than) $5,000 each year through the AJGA Leadership Links program. I’ve had the honor of knowing Kylie since she joined First Tee, and to see her grow into the motivational leader that she is now is just so amazing.” May’s winner, the entire girls’ team at Inglemoor High School, likewise demonstrated the virtues of the driving force behind this quarterly philanthropic program, led by John Moscrip, CEO of Duke’s Seafood, and what he looks for when picking the scholarship winners. Besides the team’s strong play, their camaraderie, sportsmanship (they won the King County Sportsmanship Award as voted by players from within the conference), and hard work (they also won the WIAA Academic Award for the Outstanding Scholastic Team with a 3.58 GPA) proved very hard to ignore. Similarly powerful was First Tee coach Leslie Guzman’s description of 12-year-old Esli Choi in March. “Esli will be a great junior golfer with time,” said Guzman. “But more importantly, perhaps, she’s becoming a really outstanding individual. We’re very lucky to have her in our program.” And we’re lucky to have Esli, the Inglemoor Girls’ team, and Kylie McGrath in the pages of Cascade Golfer. cascadegolfer.com

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SHORT GAME

Cascade Golfer Cup 2023 Net Division Winners Nick Oliver, John Costigan and Kale Olson

New champions take home 2023 Cascade Golfer Cup crowns in one of best title races yet

total of 25 teams went to Chambers Bay on Sept. 30 for the Fall Classic, with several still hoping to capture a Cascade Golfer Cup Season Championship. In the end, however, only two teams could stake a claim to the title. In the net division, the team of Kale Olson and Nick Oliver — with a great assist from John Costigan — took home the trophies. Olson and Oliver had three top finishes during the season, while Costigan stepped in nicely as the alternate at Chambers Bay to propel the team to a 2nd place finish, earning enough points for the season title. In the gross division, it was seasoned veterans and brothers Tanner and Damon Parot, alongside plus handicap ace Michael Matson, who finished on top. Tanner and Michael won the gross division at both the Puetz Golf Shootout at White Horse in June, and the Michelob ULTRA Open in August at Oakbrook, while Tanner and Damon had three other top-three finishes. Packages to Bandon Dunes and PXG Clubs were just a few of the prizes the three of them won in 2023. This year marked the 14th year of the Cascade Golfer Cup. The 2023 season began back in April at The Home Course and finished on the last day of September at Chambers Bay and included five other stops in between. Players and teams competed in a variety of two-person formats including best ball, Stableford, scramble and stroke play. More than 150 players participated, competing for a massive prize pool that paid out the top 10 net and gross at each event, plus the overall. Prizes included stay-andplay packages and golf experiences to Hawaii, Las Vegas, Pinehurst, Bandon Dunes, Circling Raven, Central Oregon and more. Twosomes and foursomes of golf were handed out at Washington’s finest courses including Chambers Bay, Gamble Sands, Salish Cliffs, Apple Tree, Suncadia, and Port Ludlow. Additionally, Tour-quality drivers, putters, wedges, hybrids, balls, bags, push carts, and rangefinders were awarded. The Parot Brothers and Matson had been working towards their win for many years. They’ve played in numerous CG Cup events — and have won multiple times. However, they had never been the season champs. Would you like to be the 2024 champion and write your own history? Next year’s schedule is in the works and will be just as robust. Get a partner and check back at CascadeGolfer.com.

Cascade Golfer Cup 2023 Gross Division Winners Michael Matson, Tanner Parot and Damon Parot

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SHORT GAME

MATCH PLAY

CHAMPIONSHIP

CG Match Play 64-player bracket culminated with an Elite Eight for the ages at Salish Cliffs

very year, we enjoy watching the 64 golfers who are part of our Cascade Golfer Match Play event make their run through the bracket, hoping to make it to the Elite Eight at Salish Cliffs, which is a prize in itself. In some instances, we see names of proven CG Match Play veterans who have been there and done that. Every year, though, we see many new faces who make their run to glory, and 2023 was no different. Sixty-four players started off in May, playing matches against similar-handicap golfers in their geographic area. Win and advance, lose and it’s the end of the road. Win three matches, and you punch a ticket to the big time. After the dust had settled, the bracket battles arrived at Salish Cliffs on Aug. 25 with eight Northwest golfers — from Tumwater to Snohomish and points in between — who played to a range of handicaps, from low single digits to 18.

There was Nick Dammann, making his third appearance at the Elite Eight but still looking to make it to Saturday. We had our first female finalist, Tina Hillengass, make the Elite Eight, who joined 2022 CG Cup Champion Bryson Agnew. Alongside them were five others, all with hopes of taking home the trophy: Kyle Waltos, Michael Whittendale, Jon Rue, Nathan Dolejsi and David Clarke. After a Friday firework show of great shots and white-knuckle finishes these players won’t soon forget, Waltos and Clarke were left standing for the Championship Match on Saturday morning. Waltos brought his “A” game and jumped out early, with Clarke struggling to make a run. Waltos closed out the match on the 15th green, 4 & 3, winning both the Championship and a stay-and-play package to Maui. The match of the weekend may well have been the

quarterfinal encounter between the 3rd-place finisher Whittendale and the Cascade Golfer legend, Agnew. One hole down on the 18th green, Whitendale made a birdie to force extra holes. Then, playing the par 5 closing hole again, he threw a dagger with his second shot, leaving not much more than a tap in for eagle. Agnew, who made birdie, could only watch. Whittendale then took Waltos to extra holes in their semifinal, but a six-foot putt slid by, capping a rollercoaster day Whittendale will surely never forget. Memories are made from unique experiences, and more than a few were made at the CG Match Play. Congratulations to the 2023 Champion Kyle Waltos and thank you to all who participated. For information on the 2024 Match Play Championship, go to CGMatchPlay.com.

2023 MATCH PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP Round of 64 May 29 - June 26

Round of 32 June 26 - July 23

Sweet 16 July 23 - Aug. 21

Randall Hess

Elite 8 Aug. 25 Salish Cliffs

Hess 5 & 4 Avalon Bruce Benard Keith Stevens Sr.

Final Four

Aug. 25 Salish Cliffs

Hess 1 Up Avalon

Final Four

THE ROAD TO SALISH CLIFFS

Elite 8 Aug. 25 Salish Cliffs

Round of 64 May 29 - June 26

Round of 32 June 26 - July 23

Sweet 16 July 23 - Aug. 21

Mark Fitzgerald Albedyll 2 Up Echo Falls Mark Albedyll

Aug. 25 Salish Cliffs

Tang 2 Up Washington National Tang 2 Up Washington National

Stevens Sr. 3 & 2 Harbour Pointe

Christopher Morgan

Jerry Wabey

Rue 2 Up West Seattle Mel Brenden

Wabey 1 Up Everett G&CC

Rue 19 Holes Druids Glen

Andrea Hudson

Jon Rue Dammann 3 & 2 Avalon

Michael Cox

Rue 6 & 5 Jefferson Park

Dammann 1 Up Avalon

Van Loen 2 Up West Seattle

Nick Dammann

Maxden Regalado Noah Van Loen

Waltos 1 Up

Dolejsi 3 & 2

Jeff Forville

Nathan Dolejsi Noonan 5 & 4 Port Ludlow

Dolejsi 4 & 3 West Seattle Peter Bennett

Kyle Noonan Dolejsi - Withdraw

Noonan - Withdraw Jack Cullen Prokopenko 4 & 2 Everett CC

Willetts 4 & 3 West Seattle

Waltos 19 Holes

Elijah Prokopenko

Benjamin Willetts Jake Hoelzle

Waltos 5 & 4 Home Course

Dolejsi 3 & 1 Druids Glen

Kyle Waltos

Josh Jarrett Jarrett 7 & 5 Willows Run - Eagles Talon

Waltos 4 & 2 Snohomish

Oren Shalev

Larry Hurley Waltos 1 Up Harbour Pointe. Sung Kim

D. Parot 1 Up White Horse

WINNER

Martinez 3 & 2 Willows Run - Coyote Creek Phi Tiesoetter Martinez 4 & 3 Willows Run - Coyote Creek

Damon Parot Tanner Parot

Waltos 4&3

Chris Martinez

Justin Naughton

Jarrett 3 & 2 Salish Cliffs

Championship Match

Christ-Kim 2 & 1 Legion Memorial

Joe Christ-Kim

Timothy Bailey Chan 3 & 1 Riverbend Sam Chan Chan 2 Up Maplewood Taylor 2 & 1 Riverbend

Naughton 4 & 3 Willows Run - Coyote Creek

Tyler Foote

John Taylor Jeff Byers

Clarke 4 & 3 Washington National

Agnew 3 & 2 Eagles Talon Bryson Agnew

Clark 5 & 4

Agnew 3 & 2 Willows Run - Eagles Talon

Janho 5 & 4 Tacoma G&CC

Dustin Mccreary

Stephen Janho Steve Murphy

Agnew 5 & 4 Willows Run - Eagles Talon William Horosky

Clarke 6 & 5 Washington National Clarke 2 & 1 Home Course

Horosky 3 & 2 Everett G&CC

David Clarke Kelly Hillengass

Brandon Agnew Clarke 1 Up

Whittendale 19 Holes Joe Siegel

Shawn Vetterick Vetterick 2 Up Port Ludlow

M. Whittendale 6 & 5 Willows Run - Coyote Creek

Joseph Nys

Michael Whittendale M. Whittendale 1 Up Druids Glen Patrick Carter

Hawkins 5 & 4 Trophy Lake Golf & Casting

Lastuka 21 Holes Home Course

Hawkins 2 & 1 Druids Glen

PRESENTED BY

Chris Lastuka M. Whittendale 2 &1 Druids Glen

Dalton Emerson Joe Vaccaro Vaccaro 20 Holes Capitol City

A. Whittendale 6 & 4 Druids Glen

Marvin Prince

Austin Whittendale A. Whittendale 3 & 2 Druids Glen Marc Michalson

Marshall Hawkins

Hillengrass 4 & 3 Tumwater

Russ Hanscom

Rider 5 & 4 Washington National

Hillengrass 3 & 2 Capitol City Tina Hillengass Hillengrass 1 Up Tumwater GC Rich Hawkins

Michael Rider

Truong Tang Gary Gallaher

Dammann 5 & 4 Echo Falls

DECEMBER 2023

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GAMBLE SANDS

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CONTACT • Simon Dubiel • simon@cascadegolfer.com • (206) 778-7686 16

DECEMBER 2023

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Two Amazing Days

of Golf at Gamble Sands

Two Day Competition Two-Person Best Ball Net and Gross Divisions Daily and Overall Payout Over Thirty Team Prizes! SPONSORED BY

P R ESENTED BY

North Shore Golf Course is now transformed

PROPERTY A Tacoma favorite for 62 years

n August 2016, Marine View Ventures (the economic development arm of the Puyallup Tribe of Indians) reclaimed a part of the Tribe’s reservation when it purchased North Shore Golf Course in Tacoma. North Shore’s original developer and owner were Jim Bourne, one of Ping’s first ever sales reps, and Larry Proctor. The Tribe soon set about making several upgrades that golfers and staff members regarded as being long overdue. David Wetli, a PGA professional and North Shore’s general manager who has worn various hats at the course since joining the staff in 1982, told The News Tribune he was excited it would now benefit from much-needed investment, as it had grown “a little long in the tooth.” Projects that are part of “The Transformation,” now completed, include a new golf shop and covered driving range featuring a grass tee area, plus upgrades to the maintenance equipment and cart fleet. “And the Tribe continues to invest in the property,” says Wetli. “It is currently planning a new clubhouse and restaurant in addition to a new irrigation system and renovations to the course.” The front nine at North Shore opened in 1961 and was designed by Al Smith. Smith’s other designs in western Washington include the highly acclaimed Glendale CC in Bellevue and Maplewood in Renton. Larry Proctor, and his brother Glen, designed the back nine which opened in 1979. North Shore now records an impressive 50,000-plus rounds a year, making it one of the region’s most popular courses. Here’s the lowdown on its 6,305 yards, courtesy of Wetli.

A Bucket with GM • David Wetli Toughest Tee Shot — 5th hole Hole No. 5 has water on the right side and trees and out-of-bounds to the left. The length of this par 4, at 425 yards, almost always causes players to choose driver, which can make it a dangerous, nerve-wracking shot.

Best Birdie Opportunity — 7th hole The best birdie opportunity is generally No. 7, a short par 4 that plays 301 yards from the regular tees and 311 from the back. The hole is pretty straight, and a relatively flat green makes putting fairly straightforward.

Best Par 3 — 6th hole

Of the five par-3 holes, I think No. 6 is the best. It has a slightly elevated tee, and bunkers at the front-left and front-right of the green frame the tee shot, inviting the player to shoot straight at the flag.

Favorite Hole — 15th hole My favorite is number 15, a shortish par 4 hole playing 351 yards from the blue tees and 366 from the blacks. A good tee shot that carries the water and avoids the large evergreen trees on both sides of the fairway sets up a short to medium-length approach shot to a green guarded in the front by bunkers right and left. A birdie here helps on the way to the clubhouse with both Nos. 16 and 17 being par 3s.

Emergency Nine — front or back? The front is my go-to for an emergency nine. It is an easier walk and it’s easier to get on as well.

Go-To Lunch Item On The Menu

North Shore Golf Course 4101 North Shore Blvd. N.E. • Tacoma, WA 98422 (253) 927-1375 • NShoreGolf.com

HOLE

Right now, while we wait for the new clubhouse and restaurant to be built, the go-to lunch items are hot dogs and hamburgers from our snack shack (open in season only).

18 TOTAL

MEN

COURSE RATING

WOMEN

PAR

RATING

SLOPE

RATING

SLOPE

Black

322 362 497 174 429 172 311 383 517

517 302 480 180 342 366 174 225 554

6305

70.8

129

74.4

128

Blue

312 352 487 161 425 152 301 371 497 511 286 457 160 330 351 159 185 542

6039

69.8

127

Orange

268 331 444 142 396 126 274 311 448 464 256 432 135 301 295 143 150 526

5442

66.1

119

70.8

120

Yellow

242 278 367

4505

62.0

113

65.5

113

DECEMBER2023 2023 DECEMBER

327 122 225 246 376 408 249 297 120 295 221 102 128 403

cascadegolfer.com

Drink responsibly. Corona Premier® Beer. Imported by Crown Imports, Chicago, IL Per 12 fl. oz. serving average analysis: Calories 90, Carbohydrates 2.6 grams, Protein 0.7 grams, Fat 0.0 grams.

RISK vs. REWARD A Gamble Sands great — the 473-yard 7th hole in Brewster

Gamble Sands Hole No. 7 Par 5 473 yards (Orange Tees)

BY SIMON DUBIEL • SALES/MARKETING MANAGER & TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR

The Setup

The Risk

The Reward

The rumors that you can make birdies at Gamble Sands are true, and if you have navigated the first six holes in decent shape, the 7th tee is where the fun really begins. Holes seven through thirteen have no less than four “birdie” holes, and this dogleg right is daring you to get home in two. It is defined by a deep, large bunker that runs along the entire inside elbow of the dogleg and serves as the border between the wide fairway and the desert death land. The uphill approach needs to favor the left side of a tight opening to the green or must cover the massive greenside bunker that will eat up all shots that are short right. If you do carry the bunker, good things can happen. A steep hill leading to the 8th tee can be used as a back stop for any shot long right. Sometimes big birds roll down that hill.

How good is your bunker game? Many-a-golfer has watched in horror as his or her tee shot, or approach, spins from left to right and down into the sand, shattering all hopes of making four. Miss right off the tee and you are hoping the bunker snatches your golf ball before the wasteland seals its fate. At best, you are taking the stairway to hell, down into that same spot almost moments before you were saying, “just don’t hit it there.” If you do split the fairway, hitting the bunker short and right with your approach is no way to make a living either. Additionally, the large and sloping green can lead to some very long and challenging lag putts.

Find grass with your tee ball and you are without question in the “go zone.” Take an extra club, or two, as the approach plays slightly uphill and most of the trouble is short. Middle of the green is always a good spot to aim, but anything long and right off the hill can be a fun roll of the dice as well. On a windy day, there is enough room left of the green to run something up and watch it trundle right onto the large, back-to-front, sloping green.

Final Call Several pieces go into making Gamble Sands the magical place it is. This undoubtedly includes the forgiving nature of the course and the ability to put a birdie on the scorecard — sometimes several. At only 473 yards, and perhaps less if you have the nerve to cut some of the corner of the dogleg off, we like these odds. In fact, we can’t wait to get our chips into the middle. Driver to a wide fairway, 6-iron, putt, putt, bird. Some days, golf can be that easy. Now go back it up with another birdie on eight!

PRESENTED BY

DECEMBER 2023

cascadegolfer.com

K Ā’A N A PA L I I S C A L L I N G YO U . A R I C H H I STO RY A N D LOT S O F F U N AT K Ā‘A N A PA L I G O L F CO U R S E S Kā‘anapali Beach Resort Maui, is ideally situated on the protected leeward coast of Maui, where residents and visitors enjoy paradise weather year-round, and the fit and fun lifestyle that comes with it. Around the world, when people think of Maui, it’s images of Kā‘anapali that come to mind. The idyllic lifestyle is found in full force on the two resort-style 18-hole Kā‘anapali Golf Courses layouts, where championship golf has been played for decades. The Royal Kā‘anapali Course, designed by the renowned Robert Trent Jones Sr., opened in 1962, and was the first resort course on Maui. One of only two courses in Hawai‘i designed by Jones, Sr., the course has hosted the best players in the world over the ensuing decades, with luminaries such as Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus participating in tournaments. General Manager Karl Reul comments, “Our Royal Kā’anapali Golf Course hugs the shoreline before winding its way to the West Maui Mountain foothills. While the greens are heavily bunkered and undulating, if you keep the ball below the hole and on the same level as the pin, you’ll be rewarded with a makeable birdie putt. Take the time to come play both our amazing Royal Kā’anapali Golf Course and Kā’anapali Kai here on the beautiful Island of Maui; you’ll be glad you did!” It’s not only “where the world comes to play”, but “where Kā’anapali is calling you.” 8 0 8 . 6 61 . 3 6 9 1

T H E R E ’ S O C E A N F R O N T G O L F, AND THEN... There is Hōkūala, an Award Winning Jack Nicklaus Signature Course. One signature hole after another. One picture postcard after another. Here, where the ocean meets the land, is as good as a golfer’s life gets. The Ocean Course at Hōkūala is the longest stretch of oceanfront golf in Hawaii and the recipient of several awards, making Hōkūala the premier golf resort on Kauai, Hawaii. “I think of Kauai as a laid-back tropical paradise. The 16th hole at the Ocean Course at Hōkūala is a standout. Be careful playing the drivable par-4. It challenges you to make the right club selection. If your tee ball travels down the slot, then you have a chance to drive it on the green and putt for an eagle. A tee shot miss and you have a tricky pitch to the green. The smart play is usually to hit a hybrid or a 3-iron, leaving you a little wedge down to the green.” – Jack Nicklaus. Ocean Course at Hōkūala winds through mango and guava groves to dramatic seaside cliffs. It’s an experience you’ll never forget. 8 0 8 . 241 . 6 0 0 0

W W W.G O L F H O K U A L A .CO M

W W W. K A A N A PA L I G O L F CO U R S E S .CO M

19TH HOLE Stay warm all winter with

The Lazy River Monkey Shoulder Scotch Whisky sips smooth over the holidays at the bar or at home by the fire BY BART POTTER • FOR CASCADE GOLFER

Mixology Master

Timothy Skondin As a professional mixologist, Timothy Skondin, keeps track of current trends in sweetness and palates among local alcohol consumers. He knew Seattle drinkers tend to favor cocktails on the drier side, so he let that guide him in determining what ingredients should join Monkey Shoulder in his new cocktail. So, he started with a tart, dry peach puree. “Honey instead of white grain sugar kind of changes where in the palate that sweetness lands because of the different kind of fructose,” he said. “The lemon, the ginger and the Monkey Shoulder all play really nicely together to kind of bring it away from that overly sweet side.” He named it the Lazy River to capture the laid-back feeling of floating on a river in summertime. The drink debuted in time for Seattle’s July 4 fireworks show viewable from the rooftop bar at Mbar, a Mediterranean-styled restaurant. Skondin works now at Sushi by Scratch at Sixth and Battery in Seattle. But before he left Mbar, he taught the bartenders there how to make the three syrups that go into the Lazy River.

mid-priced blended Scotch known for its mixability is the basis for the Lazy River, a cocktail created by a Seattle mixologist as a peachy summer refresher for a rooftop bar. Now, as the calendar moves toward winter, the Lazy River — made with Monkey Shoulder Scotch Whisky — has demonstrated staying power as a popular drink for all seasons. Bartender/mixologist Timothy Skondin created the Lazy River when he worked as beverage director at Seattle’s Mbar, located at 400 Fairview Ave. N., in South Lake Union. It started out, Skondin said, as a collaboration with Jordan Vega, on-premise specialist for Washington for William Grant and Sons, distributor of Monkey Shoulder (and Glenfiddich, Balvenie, and Tullamore Dew, among many other spirit brands). Skondin wanted to create a cocktail with a brand in Vega’s portfolio, and Monkey Shoulder turned out to be ideal. There aren’t nearly as many mixed-drink cocktails made with Scotch as with bourbon or American whiskey, but Monkey Shoulder, with its flavor profile of honey and barley not found in other Scotches, makes it “approachable” for mixing, Skondin said. And its affordable price (about $45 retail for 750 milliliters) makes Monkey Shoulder better suited for mixing than more expensive Scotch blends or single malts. The Lazy River remains on the drinks menu ($18) at Mbar — a refreshing reminder of summer as the days get shorter, and the air gets colder.

At Home Bar Mixology

Lazy River

By Timothy Skondin INGREDIENTS • 1.5 ounces Monkey Shoulder • 1 ounce peach puree • .5 ounce honey syrup • .5 ounce lemon juice • .25 ounce ginger juice

INSTRUCTIONS • Serve over ice with a river tube garnish.

DECEMBER 2023

cascadegolfer.com

IN THE

BAG

PRODUCT REVIEWS and equipment news you can use

BY TONY DEAR • CG EDITOR

Roll it and hole it with these perfect holiday gift ideas

hristmas is coming so it’s time to start thinking about what the golfer(s) in your family wants or put your order in with loved ones. And if you’re not in the habit of specifying exactly what you want, then it’s time to drop a few hints by leaving this magazine, open at this page, on the kitchen island or dining room table with a big, fat, red circle around the items that take your fancy. You’ve spent the year making new(ish) clubs old, wearing out your golf wardrobe, not looking after your golf shoes (possibly), being ill-prepared for changes in the weather, missing greens or putts, and losing golf balls (again, possibly) so now you need to rethink and restock. As we say in every issue, there’s no better place for your family members to purchase your holiday golf stuff — or for you to buy golf gifts for others, of course — than Puetz Golf where you’ll always find what you need. The gifted golfer, or rather the golfer with gifts, is a happier golfer and one that will stride confidently into the new year eager to lower his/her handicap, shoot a course record perhaps, or make their first hole-in-one. So, we wish you a very happy golf gift-buying/receiving season, and hope that whatever you purchase for your family or friends, or whatever Santa leaves under the tree for you, will help you all play more, and better, golf in 2024.

DECEMBER 2023

CALLAWAY

Paradym STAR Driver1 PUETZ GOLF PRICE

$699.99 driver • $399.99 fairway • $349.99 hybrids $249.99 per Iron

hile ‘speed’, ‘low-spin’, ‘dispersion’, ‘multi-material’, ‘AI’, and a few other well-worn buzzwords continue to pepper club reviews, it’s better players and equipment geeks that tend to air them in public. The most important term for the new golfer or higher handicapper, though, is ‘lightweight’. ‘Forgiveness’, ‘stability’, and ‘Moment of Inertia’ are significant too, certainly, but it’s the influx of ‘lightweight’ clubs that is having a marked effect on the industry with premium lightweight components — head, shaft, grip — being used to create clubs that are considerably easier to swing than standard clubs. The reason, of course, is that lighter clubs make it possible for golfers with moderate swingspeeds to get the ball off the ground and carry it farther down the fairway. That allows those players to hit shots that resemble those of better players which makes the game a lot more fun. A few companies are making ultra-lightweight clubs now (not too light though — there’s a point at which too light a club gets diminishing returns, failing to generate speed and power) though it’s a couple of Japanese brands — XXIO and Beres (a Honma model) — that have been leading the way. Callaway joined in a couple of months ago with the release of their Paradym Star family of clubs led by the Star driver (10.5-degree, 12-degree lofts with a UST Mamiya Attas Speed Series shaft) which is 38 grams lighter than the standard Paradym driver. Star fairway woods, hybrids and irons (33 grams lighter than the Paradym iron) are also available.

Order online at puetzgolf.com • Call Toll Free (866) 362-2441 cascadegolfer.com

IN THE BAG

2 MIZUNO

T24 Wedges

MIZUNO 2

M.CRAFT OMOI Putters

TAYLORMADE

P790 irons 2024 4

PUETZ GOLF PRICE

$179.99 each

$349.99

$199.99 per club

edges whose Center of Gravity is raised to affect a flatter, more penetrating trajectory have been a thing for a while now. Loft gets the ball up in the air, but the higher CG prevents the ball from ballooning and coming up short. Modern wedges create the shot where the ball flies relatively low but grabs quickly spinning to a halt somewhere near the flag. The flared upper portion of the blade does that for Mizuno’s T24 wedge introduced in August. Like the Japanese company’s highly acclaimed irons, the T24 Wedge is Grain Flow forged for exquisite feel. Mass has been taken from the toe area and the hosel altered slightly to create a smaller profile wedge which better players appreciate. Hydroflow micro-grooves between the main grooves prevent moisture from reducing the amount of greenside spin you can put on the ball while the main grooves, called QuadCut, increase spin (techy part — adjusting the camber of the groove shoulder and tapering the groove profile allowed engineers to move the grooves closer together which results in more spin. With lofts from 46-60 degrees, levels of bounce ranging from four to 12 degrees, and five different sole profiles (S, D, C, V, and X) you will find a wedge(s) that suits your angle of attack and the type of turf/ground at the course you play (higher bounce for softer ground and steeper attack angle, lower bounce for firm conditions and shallower attack angle). Available in three finishes — Soft White Satin, Tour Raw and Denim Copper.

izuno’s popular M.CRAFT putters, forged from 1025 carbon-steel and CNC-milled, arrived in 2020 with the first M.CRAFT Omoi models being introduced early last year. In the very simplest terms and for the purposes of using short words that can fit on a golf club (and with apologies to our Japanese-speaking readers for any inaccuracies), ‘Omoi’ is Japanese word meaning ‘heavy’ but more in the sense of deep thought or willpower than elevated weight. That seemed perfect for a range of putters that had taken much thought to create, and which did, in fact, feature heavier heads — yes, ‘heavier’ in the sense of weighing more. Depending on the model, Omoi putters weigh as much as 28 grams more than the original M.CRAFT. The extra weight comes predominantly in the head though, with a lighter shaft (KBS Tour Black Ion-plated) and grip preventing the overall size and weight of the putter from exceeding what’s acceptable. The newest models are the 04, 05, and 06 which are available in three finishes: Double Nickel, Blue Ion, or Black Ion. Weight ports in the toe and heel (with interchangeable weights), that enable you to find the exact weight/feel you’re most comfortable with, add to that sense of stability. The three 2023 models are the 04, an Anser-style head with extended, square back and 40 degrees of toe hang (good for players with arcing strokes); the 05, a center-shaft, face-balanced mallet; and 06, a winged mallet with slant neck and 30 degrees of toe hang.

Order online at puetzgolf.com • Call Toll Free (866) 362-2441 cascadegolfer.com

aylorMade’s best-selling iron, the superb player’s-distance P790, was first introduced in 2017 and has been updated three times. The fourth and latest generation has all the features that have made it so popular. Features include: elegant, sophisticated looks; hollow body filled with TaylorMade’s proprietary SpeedFoam Air to improve the sound of contact and dampen vibration; speed pocket to help the face flex and create greater ballspeeds; internal tungsten weighting to raise the Moment of Inertia (MOI), making it more forgiving. Additionally, the wrap-around L-Face to improve feel and ensures the highest possible ballspeed — but the new club uses AI (but, of course) to create a thick-thin back wall which optimizes the position of the Center of Gravity (called ‘Fltd CG’). The CG is lower in the long irons which helps you launch the ball and rises steadily as the club gets shorter to flatten the shot’s trajectory keeping it out of the wind and making it easier to control. A new internal sound stabilization bar combines with the SpeedFoam Air to improve the club’s feel (as if it needed improving), and the 4140 carbon-steel face is just 1.56 millimeters thick at its thinnest location. Combined with the new internal shaping, this incredibly thin face (gets slightly thicker in places) creates what TaylorMade is calling an ‘Intelligent Sweet Spot’ which is said to ‘capture more shots ensuring consistent ballspeed across the face’. That means even when you hit the ball off-center, it still leaves the clubface at a speed not dissimilar to that following a solid strike.

DECEMBER 2023 2023 DECEMBER

IN THE BAG

5 TAYLORMADE

MG4 Wedges

PUETZ GOLF PRICE

CALLAWAY

Apex Pro 2024

ODYSSEY

PUETZ GOLF PRICE

$179.99

$215 per iron • $299.99 utility wood $279.99 per club

n it’s fourth generation is TaylorMade’s Milled Grind Wedge which has a more refined shape than its predecessors and which was inspired by the company’s Tour staff players, and in which the mass has been redistributed to ensure better feel. Milled Grind is all about precision though, each club milled to create tolerance levels difficult for a human to repeat. The grooves have laser-etched diagonals on the flat areas between each scoreline which increases spin on partial shots and prevents spin-loss when conditions are wet. TaylorMade says up to 65 percent of a shot’s spin was being lost when moisture got trapped in the grooves of previous MG wedges, but that the 45-degreee angle of the diagonal mini-grooves on the MG4’s face, together with the Raw finish which increases friction between club and ball, creates a 50 percent improvement. The process is like what happens when tires prevent skidding on wet roads — hence TaylorMade’s name for their groove technology — ‘Spin Tread’. The MG4 line introduces six more loft/bounce options than the MG3 possessed, and the flange has been thickened slightly (a lot of wedges these days add weight by increasing the height of the toe to raise the CG) which is designed to improve the sound of contact. MG4 wedges are available with 46 to 60 degrees of loft and 7 to 14 degrees of bounce. The head is made from soft-feeling 8620 carbon-steel, and it comes with a chrome finish. The True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue is the stock shaft. These wedges will be some of the most popular for the coming season at Puetz.

DECEMBER2023 2023 DECEMBER

allaway purchased the Ben Hogan company in 2003 and sold it in 2012 while retaining the rights to famous Hogan brands such as Apex and Edge. In 2014, Callaway launched its first version of the Apex along with a model for better players called the Apex Pro which had less offset, a narrower sole, and a thinner top line. The Apex Pro has evolved into one of the most popular player’s-distance irons on the market, the newest version featuring a multi-material construction and Callaway’s patented urethane microspheres inside the hollow body to improve feel. The progressive face ensures each club can do the job it’s designed for. The long irons have a forged 455 face-cup to increase forgiveness and help get the ball airborne while everything from the 6-iron on up is built with 1025 soft carbon-steel to enhance the performance of the scoring clubs. The Dynamic sole design has a pre-worn leading edge to cut through the turf and a trailing edge that ensures a clean exit. The Utility Wood has a mix of fairway-wood and hybrid technologies to form a club that looks like a wide, flat-bottomed hybrid but which flies higher than a hybrid with relatively low spin for soft-dropping approach shots. Callaway’s Jailbreak with Batwing technology stiffens the face to impart more energy — available in 17-, 19- and 21-degree options. The forged 455 face-cup in the Apex Utility Irons aids with both distance and forgiveness. Though powerful, it remains workable — available in 18-, 20- and 23-degree models.

Ai-One and Ai-One Milled Putters 7 PUETZ GOLF PRICE

$299.99 Ai-One • $499.99 Ai-One milled

I-designed driver faces are built using technology that allows manufacturers to create tens of thousands of possible scenarios very quickly allowing clubs to evolve considerably faster than they would have otherwise. The tech helps companies create clubfaces with larger sweetspots, meaning they perform better on off-center hits than they did a few years ago. Though the gains are much smaller with a putter because better contact is made more often than it is with a driver, Odyssey still believed, after years of testing and with a lot of feedback from PGA Tour players, that it was worth borrowing the tech from sister company Callaway to minimize the effect of off-center hits. Odyssey says it produced 50,000 designs to get to the asymmetrical shaping on the back of the faces of the Ai-One, shaping that’s visible through a clear window on the back or sole of the new putter — the tech will not be visible on the Ai-One Milled putters. The Ai-One features a co-molded insert with a grooved urethane layer and aluminum backer, designed to produce a feel similar to Odyssey’s famous White Hot inserts. The Ai-One Milled is made from titanium and paired with a milled, stainless-steel head. In Odyssey robot testing, the contours on the back of both inserts resulted in putts that finished 21 percent closer to the hole. There are five Ai-One style and eight Ai-One Milled. The lightweight SL 90 shaft has 20-30 grams (depending on the grip) of counterbalance weight in the butt end.

Order online at puetzgolf.com • Call Toll Free (866) cascadegolfer.com 362-2441

IN THE BAG

8 FOOTJOY

Hydro-Lite X H20

BAG BOY 8

PUETZ GOLF PRICE

$194.99 jacket • $164.99 SS jacket $144.99 pants

inter rain tends to be cold, of course, and in Scotland and Ireland it seems to be cold no matter what time of year it is. But what if it rains during a golf trip in Hawaii or Mexico where the wet is usually a bit warmer? For times like that, FootJoy has developed a line of waterproof garments that are designed for warmer playing conditions with specifically placed knit panels in the arms and back that let you swing the club with a much wider range-of-motion than waterproof gear traditionally has. The Hydro-Lite X jacket has a seam-sealed, 2.5-layer construction that is stretchable, waterproof, breathable and easily packable. It comes with a two-year waterproof warranty. The front zipper is waterproof as are the cuffs which are also adjustable — available in six colorways (Charcoal/Black, Black, Navy, Blue, Acid Green, and Navy/ Gray). The Hydro-Lite X SS Jacket has the same construction and waterproof abilities of the mother jacket but with short sleeves. It may seem odd to offer waterproof clothing with short sleeves, but the SS lets you swing with freedom while keeping the rain from your body — likewise available in six colorways (Gray/Navy, Black, Blue, Acid Green, Charcoal/Black, and Navy/White). Hydro-Lite X Rain Pants are constructed from advanced materials that deliver 100 percent waterproof, breathable protection for golfers in cool, windy, and rainy conditions. Like the jackets they allow unrestricted movement with a lightweight, flexible fabric. They, too, are seam-sealed and come with a two-year waterproof guarantee — available in black only.

Freestyle/ZTF Travel Covers 9

10 TITLEIST

Pro-V1/Pro-V1X holiday packages 10

PUETZ GOLF PRICE

$179.99 freestyle • $159.99 ZTF

$99.98 for two dozen

ith cross-country and international golf travel booming following the miserable, stuck-at-home, COVID years, a golf travel bag has become an absolute necessity. Though videos of baggage handlers carelessly throwing around golf travel bags and other large items of luggage lack context and the images we see are never entirely trustworthy, it’s probably a good idea to get a top-quality product that not only eases your passage through the airport, but which also provides dependable protection. Bag Boy’s Freestyle Travel Bag weighs 9.5 pounds and has six wheels for easy upright or tilted rolling. The side panels fold into the base to keep it compact, and an internal compression strap stabilizes the bag during travel. The top is thickly padded, and the corners reinforced. A lockable, full wrap-around zipper simplifies access and packing, and deluxe skid bars on the back add to the bag’s durability. There is an oversized shoe/garment pocket, and its folded dimension are (in inches) 16 x 14 x 12 — available in three colorways (Black/Charcoal, Navy/Red, Black/Royal). The lighter (6.4 pounds), less-expensive, two-wheel (tilted rolling) ZTF Travel Bag shares many of the Freestyle’s features — the lockable full wraparound zipper, internal compression strap, thickly padded top, and deluxe back skid bars — but it also features interior Diamond/PVC protection on all four sides, exterior anti-burst straps to keep the bag secure in transit, and an exterior stash pocket big enough for a pair of shoes. The ZTF is durable and made with 800d polyester.

cascadegolfer.com FREE SHIPPING on orders of $99 and more • exceptions apply

dozen Titleist Pro-V1s has become the go-to gift for golfers, be it a major outlay from kids aged 12-20, say, or for stockings filled by spouses and partners. A box of Pro-V1s checks boxes if you know what we mean. They are always in good supply so easy to get hold of, and if the numbers are to be trusted, by far the most popular golf ball on the planet. This year’s version of the ball that has been the best-selling golf ball in the world since it was first introduced in 2000 is very similar to the version it replaced. That’s not entirely surprising, of course, because when you make something this good and this successful there’s very little reason to change it. The only reason Titleist does so is because the competition gets ever-better meaning Titleist must make changes, however minor, just to stay in the lead. The major difference between the previous model and the latest is the new ‘high-gradient’ core which is softer in the middle and becomes increasingly firm as you move outward. This type of core has become common in high-end balls and reduces spin with the longer clubs which, along with the number, size, and depth of the ball’s dimples (388 tetrahedral-designed dimples), creates greater ball-speeds — and players love greater ballspeed. The Pro-V1x is a higher-compression version of the Pro-V1 thus preferred by players with extremely fast swingspeeds who need a higher compression to retain some control of the ball. This holiday offering of $99.98 for two dozen balls will be a bestseller this season. DECEMBER 2023 2023 DECEMBER

29 29

DECEMBER 2023

cascadegolfer.com

DECEMBER 2023

cascadegolfer.com

DECEMBER 2023

TRAVEL THE NORTHWEST

Visit the dry side

Cedars at Dungeness is among the driest courses in western Washington Cedars at Dungeness • Sequim

t’s hard to not be pessimistic about our winter weather, but scrutiny of the stats suggests Seattle’s “Rain City” nickname might actually be a little harsh. According to a 2019 article on the American Council of Science and Health’s website, Seattle doesn’t even rank in the top 30 for rain among the U.S.’s 50 largest cities. The 37.7 inches it gets puts it 32nd. Seattleites know, however, it’s not the total that really matters, but the drizzle’s persistence that gets under your skin. Seattle gets a little rain -- but enough to count — on many days (149 per year, in fact), good for fifth place in the country. That said, it can get grim in the winter when we’re working on our 53rd straight day of heavy cloud cover, ceaseless wet, and temperatures that try but usually fail to top 45 degrees. Conditions like that can make golf outdoors an unpleasant experience (see the indoor golf article in this issue for those seeking cover). What you need, at times like these, is a good rain shadow where the golf course is situated on the leeward side of a highly elevated region. Thanks to the Olympic Mountains, there are a few good ones on the Olympic

Peninsula in Clallam County, and none better than the Cedars at Dungeness. Head Professional Garrett Smithson tells us that only 14-16 inches of rain falls on the course each year, including about nine between the months of November and April. That’s roughly the same as Salt Lake City, and even Los Angeles. It’s not hard to see, then, why Dungeness has a reputation for being the driest course in western Washington, with very few days lost to weather each year, and golfers can expect mostly dry fairways and few plugged balls. “We will close the course if there’s snow on the ground,” says Smithson, “but we might only get five days a year when the weather’s bad enough for us to close.” Dungeness not only sits in a rain shadow, but it also benefits from a wonderful sandy loam soil, not unlike that at Bandon Dunes, says Smithson. “The drainage here really is some of the best in the Pacific Northwest.” He also notes that the turf at Dungeness is perennial ryegrass with poa annua greens. Unlike most superintendents in the country, Mike Snyder changes his operation very little in the winter. “The maintenance crew stays pretty much on schedule during the winter,” he says. “And because there isn’t

much growth, we roll a lot rather than mow.” As we reported in the June issue, The Cedars at Dungeness committed to a new irrigation installation earlier in the year. In fact, the project began during the last week of September. “We’re on pace to be done around early May,” says Smithson, who adds that any resulting hole closures will be offset by a new Par 3 on the existing chipping green. “It will be about 130 yards long (100 yards from the forward tees) and will allow golfers to play 18 holes at all times.” We asked users of the Western Washington Golfer chat group on Facebook what other courses in our part of the state remain dry in winter. Those who responded agreed Dungeness was the driest, but a few others received mention: Oakbrook, Whidbey Island, Chambers Bay, and Gold Mountain. The Home Course also got a few votes, but it was Capitol City in Olympia which came up most often. Indeed, the tree-lined course designed by prolific Canadian architect Norman Woods (opened in 1963), thinks it remains the most playable. “With excellent drainage,” it says on its website, “our golf course provides the driest playing conditions in Western Washington year-round.” 2024 NORTHWEST

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Stadium at PGA West • La Quinta, Calif.

DECEMBER 2023

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Seattle golf photographer

ROB PERRY is one of the world’s best and his passion for his craft is his signature

BY BOB SHERWIN • FOR CASCADE GOLFER

ob Perry was on a road trip last year, visiting Waterton Lakes National Park. Waterton Lakes is about 45 minutes from the U.S. border, 60 miles north of Montana’s Glacier National Park. He was there in the Canadian Rockies to photograph the wondrous scenery and wildlife, but what he got was serendipity. “I stumbled across a golf course sign. I didn’t know there was one here,” Perry says. “I think to myself, ‘a golf course with this amazing background, I need to come back and photograph this.’” It’s what he does… and did. Just a couple months ago, when returning to the U.S. from Waterton Lakes(he Golfdrove Course • Waterton Park Alberta a photo shoot in Jasper, Alberta, Canada, six hours back to that• spot) to Waterton Lakes Golf Course. Yes, he was driving, but he was also driven. “I knew it was more of a morning (sunlight) course, not an afternoon course because of the mountains. So, I got up early, went to this one hole, and waited,” he says. “The fall colors and the clouds in the sky, everything just kind of lit up. It was like, ‘yes, this is going to be a cool shot.’ And I got rewarded.” “Sometimes you see it in the camera when it’s happening, and you just know it. All the elements had just come together for me to get this great shot,” he explains. “It takes planning. That’s why you scout. You figure out what hole is going to get the first light of the day and where do I want to be when that hits this course. And is that going to be a dramatic, awesome, spectacular shot, or is there going to be another hole that’s going to offer that? You’re going to need to make decisions, and hopefully, get lucky.”

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DECEMBER 2023

Sherwood CC • Thousand Oaks, Calif.

Lahinch Golf Club • Lahinch, Co. Claire, Ireland

R Stadium at PGA West • La Quinta, Calif.

Druids Glen Golf • Covington, Wash.

DECEMBER 2023

ob Perry is a lucky man. He’s one of those fortunate individuals who, for 30 years, has made a living doing what he loves and which most of us would consider play. Born and raised in Bellevue, Perry — who recently moved to Montana — is one of the nation’s finest golf course photographers. You’ve probably seen many of his signature pieces in golf magazines, course brochures, or on the front of a scorecard without knowing it. He’s the guy with an eye behind the lens, perpetually seeking the dramatic, awesome, and spectacular. His life’s work can be summed up in dazzling fashion on his website, RobPerryPhotography.com. It’s a bit of a world tour of some of the most scenic and evocative golf holes on the planet. He has built his reputation to such a degree that hundreds of golf courses — in 14 states and six countries — have hired him to showcase their properties over the years. No matter where he goes or what a course might offer (not all golf holes are so inspirational), Perry has one outcome in mind: To make the viewer think, “I would love to play that hole.” To do that, it takes explicit planning and a healthy degree of patience. Sunlight is a golf photographer’s most abiding friend, and cloud cover his most persistent adversary. Perry was once authorized by the USGA to take some advance shots of a Tulsa golf course but was grounded for a full week because of clouds which stubbornly refused to move. “Once you get on the course, it’s a matter of assessing the architectural features and monitoring the direction of sunlight while looking for clean backgrounds,” Perry says. “There are things you have to deal with, like maintenance staff getting the course ready early in the morning, or dodging golfers in the afternoon,” he adds. “I try not to let anyone know when I’m shooting, because the viewer can then picture themselves playing the course. Once you see a person in the shot, your eye automatically goes to them instead of the course.”

Perry always uses a tripod for a secure and stable shot. Height provides an enhanced perspective, so he’ll use a ladder, a high point on the hole, a balcony on the clubhouse or even a nearby building. He has been invited to use a helicopter three times — once in Missouri and twice in Washington — at both Newcastle and Alta Lake. He has recently purchased a drone but needs to pass the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) test to shoot commercially. He warns that “once you get too high, the ground tends to flatten out and you lose the sense of undulation.” After graduating with a business degree from Seattle University, Perry worked in his family’s food distribution business until it was bought out by Kraft Foods. The transition to working for a large corporation changed his perspective on life, and after two years, he made a change. During that time, Perry took pictures for a friend’s apparel company catalogue. That friend suggested he think about doing it for a living. “Photography wasn’t even on my radar as a career,” he remembers. “It was something I was doing just to help him out.” Perry eventually took the idea seriously and, at age 29, began a three-year program at the renowned Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, Calif. “I wanted to do something I enjoyed and was passionate about,” he says. “If I could combine photography with golf and create a job, that would be awesome.” This was before digital cameras, so Perry was required to use a 4-by-5 view camera that only had two-picture capability on the film holder. He said that allowed the students to slow down, be patient, and compose the picture before pressing the shutter. Before he graduated from Brooks, Perry needed to put together a portfolio of work. It was up to him to coldcall prospects and ask permission to shoot a course in the hope the operators would be impressed enough to purchase his images. cascadegolfer.com

Photos courtesy of Rob Perry

TPC Danzante Bay • Loreto, Mexico

Furry Creek Golf & CC • Furry Creek, British Columbia

The first course he photographed was Sandpiper Golf Club in Goleta, Calif. That led to other opportunities in SoCal, including the prestigious Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks — where The Shark Shootout was held from 1989 to 1999 — and the Hero World Challenge (then sponsored by Chevron) was hosted by Tiger Woods from 2000 to 2013. Perry’s images caught the eye of the USGA, and he was hired to shoot courses around the country where championship events were to be held. Perry settled back in Bellevue, and his reputation followed with several Northwest course operators wanting his touch for their brochures. KemperSports, which manages more than 150 courses worldwide (including Chambers Bay), commissioned him. Oki Golf used him to artistically promote new, and newly acquired, courses around Puget Sound. He had what he sought: a job and a reputation. He had made it. Not really. “I’ve never looked at myself and thought, ‘I’ve made it,’” Perry says. “It’s more of a passion than it is work for me. And it’s not financially driven. Getting paid for what you do is great, but the job stability isn’t great. I made it work, though. You do it because you love it.” Perry’s motivation is neither centered on monetary return, nor acclaim, nor kudos. It’s inner-driven. It’s how he feels when the light is right, the angle is flawless, and conditions are most favorable. It’s a fleeting flash, a kismet. Something that will never be exactly the same again. It’s at that precise moment that he gets his reward. “Going on to a new golf course that has incredible scenery is like Christmas morning for me,” he says. “It’s fun to hopefully capture images that evoke emotion and a response from the viewer.” Editor’s Note: For years, Cascade Golfer has had the great fortune to feature countless images by Rob Perry of courses here in the Northwest and around the world. We’re blessed to publish Rob’s photos and call him a friend. cascadegolfer.com

Sahalee CC • Sammamish, Wash.

DECEMBER 2023

GLOBAL GOLFER IRELAND PART 1

Seaside

Splendor Ireland BY DICK STEPHENS • CG PUBLISHER

here are slivers of locales on the global golfing map where bliss, abundance and solitude all exist. One could add the words ‘comfortable decadence’ to this

list, too. And in the case of Portmarnock Resort and Jameson Golf Links in the seaside, suburban Dublin town which bears the destination’s name, all those words push together neatly and most appropriately. And, yes, that Jameson. These are hallowed grounds as this place is the original home of the Jameson whiskey dynasty. Wherever you might go to play bucket-list golf in Ireland or anywhere for that matter, you may have to make tradeoffs to fulfill your desires. A true links runs alongside the ocean or a large body of water and to experience that, you must travel to the coast, which could mean a bit of a drive or stretch of rail to get you there. And what surrounds many links courses, might lack resort amenities. When it comes to comforts, cuisine and character, it’s rare to find a single pin-drop course that has all that. And let’s do it one better — legend and historical significance on the very grounds where you walk, play and stay. If you can relish a spot that has that, too, with all items outlined above, you are in a place that would be called a true sliver. 42

DECEMBER 2023

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DUBLIN’S

dor cascadegolfer.com

PORTMARNOCK RESORT & JAMESON GOLF LINKS

GLIMMER ALONG THE SHORE OF THE IRISH SEA

DECEMBER 2023

Photos courtesy of Portmarnock Resort

This place will test every golfer. It’s fair and the design allows for punchouts when errant shots need to be put back in play. But the rolling beach hills, and bunkering can gobble up risky or sloppy play.

DECEMBER 2023

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y second trip to Portmarnock Resort — the last one being 15 years ago — was even more memorable than the first. And the first made such a fond, indelible mark on my memory bank, that I knew on my return to Ireland, this place had to be on the list. In the next issue of Cascade Golfer, I will take you on a journey that my good friend and co-owner of this magazine Kirk Tourtillotte and I made just this past August. The trip was a 2,000-mile circumnavigation of Ireland and Northern Ireland. It took us 10 days and we played seven times along the way at some of the world’s best courses. Both Kirk and I knew where we wanted our last stop to be and Portmarnock was a perfect exclamation point to our experience there. Why might you ask? Simply put, we wanted our games to be tested, the wind in our hair, and for us to be in the lap of comfy luxury where we could heal up a little before Aer Lingus bought us back home from Dublin. Let’s make a note about luxury. The Latin root word “lux” is part of the slogan of this lovely locale that sits right on the Irish Sea. ‘Lux Amor Pax’ is inscribed tastefully all over the grounds there. The English translation is ‘light, love, peace’. Perfect. Not to be confused or compared to the historic Portmarnock Golf Club just down the county road from the newly rebranded Jameson Golf Links (formerly called Portmarnock Links), it’s hard to believe that this rustic spot is nestled so neatly in the Dublin metro area. When Kirk and I played these links 15 years ago they were as special, tight, natural, and memorable as our time at The European Club or The Island Golf Club. Now, with five new green complexes and four brand new tees we both felt and saw the changes. All this was done ahead of schedule and reports were all favorable. The original Bernhard Langer design here was already dialed in to stand the staunch Irish golf critic’s test of time and playability. The new links routing and modifications to the natural coastal undulations provide great sightlines of The Velvet Strand, Lambay and Ireland’s Eye. This place will test every golfer. It’s fair and the design allows for punchouts when errant shots need to be put back in play. But the rolling beach hills, and bunkering can gobble up risky or sloppy play. Wind is a major part of your experience here — so bring an open mind to what Mother Nature can dish out during your round. It will affect your day, so embrace it.

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DECEMBER 2023

Photos courtesy of Portmarnock Resort

’d like to note that I witnessed Kirk break 80 here (78) in windy and firm conditions, which was the best round either of us carded over the 10 days we were in Ireland. The Jameson Links had its way with me as I went 4743 (90). I admired how Kirk kept his ball low and piercing all day — he played Portmarnock like a linksy champion. Jeff Lynch of ReGolf Design, together with DAR Golf Construction, Aquaturf Solutions and the resort’s grounds team masterfully delivered the changes to Langer’s original design. The original Jameson Estate of St. Marnocks has played host to professional and amateur events including the 2008 and 2009 Ladies Irish Open and the 2021 Irish Challenge. These new improvements will likely bring more championship play here in the future. As for the accommodations, food, drink, spa, sights and sounds — we will put Jameson against other lovely places here in Ireland such as the K Club or Castlemartyr. The hotel has just over 130 rooms that range from standard to luxury suite, all with lovely vistas of the championship links, Irish Sea and the quaint surroundings. The vibe of the hotel is a confluence of elegance, coastal ambiance, and history with modern edges. It’s a respite feeling there. The food in the Jameson Bar and The 1780 is fantastic. The steak, chops and seafood we paired with a flight of Jameson whiskey was a dinner we will never forget. A couple of special things to add are the windows in the bedroom — a stunning way to wake up each morning (I loved keeping the drapes open to let the sunshine in at sunrise, followed by a walk on the beach), and the proximity to Dublin’s city center and airport, both just 15 minutes away. Free parking and more than reasonable rates for everything here makes this a must-stay and play for every golfer. Visit Portmarnock.com for complete details, bookings and interesting reading about the Jameson family.

DECEMBER 2023

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Welcome to the newly renamed Jameson Golf Links Jameson Golf Links is an 18 hole course spread across 203 acres and is set on the grounds of the old Jameson Estate of St. Marnocks.

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the course. The next morning wake to a delicious breakfast alongside that vital cup of coffee.

MAUI

EVER LASTING

DECEMBER 2023

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Kã’anapali’s family and fanbase showcase support and a spirit that never ceases as Maui is open and marches on after the wildfires

Photos courtesy of Kã’anapali Golf Resort

cascadegolfer.com

t 3 p.m. on Oct. 28, on the broad practice range at the Ka’anapali Resort in Maui, the University of Oklahoma’s Luke Kluver received his award after taking individual honors at the ninth Ka’anapali Classic, hosted by the University of Hawaii. A redshirt senior, Kluver had shot a closing 64 to complete his three rounds in 195, 18-under-par, and help his fellow Sooners share the team title at 810 (-42) with East Tennessee State. Though the scores the team competition’s co-winners and, indeed, much of the field put together were truly remarkable (15 of the 20 schools in attendance finished under par on the 6,700-yard Royal Ka’anapali layout, and three individuals broke 200 for the 54 holes), this tournament wasn’t really about the trophies, records, rivalries, and stats of a typical collegiate event, but something considerably weightier. Just two and a half months before the tournament, the world watched heartbroken as devastating wildfires swept through west Maui and the beloved coastal beach town of Lahaina. Close to 100 people tragically lost their lives, and the University of Hawaii’s Pacific Disaster Center estimated the cost to rebuild would exceed $5.5 billion. The most likely response would surely be to cancel something as comparatively trivial as a golf tournament. After much consideration, however, it was decided the event would be a good opportunity to raise funds for individuals who had lost everything in the fires and bring some sense of normalcy to the grief-stricken community. “Every head coach and SID (sports information director) expressed their heartfelt condolences and desire to support Ka‘anapali’s affected workers,” says Pate Clarson, the tournament’s media contact. “Each team was eager to play and do what it could to help. All 20 teams selected lodging within a six-mile radius of the course, which kept their money local.” In partnership with charitable organizations Spare for Change and Member for a Day, the event was centered around a fundraising campaign to benefit Ka‘anapali Golf Courses’ own associates who had lost so much. As of Nov. 1, over $15,000 has been pledged by competing teams, alumni and fans, every dollar of which stays on Maui. DECEMBER 2023

ollowing the trophy ceremony on the range, many of the head coaches and players that had performed so admirably over the previous three days led a clinic for kids in the Maui Junior Golf Association and Lahaina Junior Golf Association, dispensing swing tips, course management techniques, and valuable information on college recruiting opportunities. Leading the clinic was the host team’s head coach Scott Simpson, a seven-time winner on the PGA Tour and the 1987 U.S. Open champion, who had been in contact with all the coaches in the weeks preceding the Classic. “The debate centered on being sensitive to the recovery versus raising funds for those affected and creating a positive boost to the local economy,” Simpson said. “I think we made the right decision. Everyone was excited to come, and each team donated to the relief effort. It was a somber yet joyous event.” Ryan Hybl, coach of the impressive Oklahoma team, won his 40th college title and spoke for many when he said he and his team felt “so much sorrow for the wonderful and caring people of Hawaii” adding “We will continue to support them in any way that we can.” Maui, and Lahaina in particular, suffered a traumatic setback and the loss of life has obviously been the hardest aspect to deal with. But the fires also had a disastrous effect on the local economy, with visitor arrivals dropping by 75 percent in the weeks following the fires, and the island losing an estimated $13 million a day in revenue.

DECEMBER 2023

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The Royal Kã‘anapali Golf Course is the original resort course hosting Tour events such as The Champions Skins Game on Maui and features a unique Robert Trent Jones, Sr. design. Stretching 6,700 yards, this par 71 course begins at sea level with a par 5 hole extending 550 yards, hugging the shoreline before winding its way to the West Maui Mountain foothills. Arnold Palmer called the 18th hole (par 4) one of the best and most challenging finishing holes he’d ever played.

cascadegolfer.com

DECEMBER 2023

Besides contributing to any of the dozens of organizations accepting donations, a great way for Cascade Golfer readers to show support and get the economy stirring again is by booking a vacation at the Ka’anapali Beach Resort which is located about six miles north of the worst-affected areas and was, thankfully, unharmed. Like the resort’s other outstanding hotels, the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa, sandwiched between the Ka’anapali Beachwalk which overlooks TripAdvisor.com’s No. 1 beach in the U.S. for 2023 and 16th fairway of the Kai Course, wasn’t physically impacted by the fires and was thus able to provide temporary shelter to displaced colleagues, community members, and recovery teams. The Hyatt also prepared meals for locals and transformed meeting spaces into a Family Assistance Center to provide essential resources and aid to those in need. Its Wildlife Team is currently assisting bird rescue groups and nonprofit organizations. Krystle Alcain, the Hyatt’s Director of Marketing and Communications, says the property is honored to launch the “Return to Maui: Travel with Aloha” offer where $100 from each new reservation will be donated to the Hawaii Community Foundation’s Maui Strong Fund (see above). “Guests who take advantage of this offer will enjoy daily breakfast at Swan Court, receive a welcome Makana (gift) from a local Maui business, and receive a $100 resort credit,” she adds. The offer is available for booking from Nov. 1, 2023 to Dec. 31, 2023, for stays between Nov. 17, 2023 to June 15, 2024. Discounted green fees or Stay and Play packages are available at the resort’s 11 hotels or luxury condominium/villa options, and there are two extremely popular, highly acclaimed layouts to choose from.

Enter to Win Twosome to Whidbey Golf Club

Whidbey Golf Club

DECEMBER 2023

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An open invitation from your friends in

Maui!

The Robert Trent Jones-designed Royal Course opened in 1962 and has hosted the Champions Tour, Shell’s Wonderful World of Golf, the Canada Cup, and LPGA Kemper Open as well as college golf’s Ka’anapali Classic. The shorter (6,400 yards) Kai Course hosted the Golf Channel’s ‘Big Break’ show in 2008 and was designed by respected architect Jack Snyder, who moved to Hawaii in the late 1960s to consult on various courses’ Bermuda turf (he created his own – Snyder Bermudagrass – which is still used at a few older courses today) and ended up controlling Ka’anapali’s grounds and redesigning the existing executive course in 1976. The Kai was then redesigned in 2005 by Robin Nelson, who worked with Robert Muir Graves in the 1970s and designed or redesigned close to 30 courses in the Aloha State. Despite what happened, Shelley Kekuna – the Executive Director of the Ka’anapali Beach Resort Association, is keen to point out the Lahaina and Ka’anapali communities are strong and ready to move forward again. “As visitors return to West Maui, we extend our heartfelt gratitude for support and respect, and hope all will make new cherished Maui memories,” she says. “Welcoming visitors not only aids in the recovery of our local economy but also reinforces the spirit of aloha in our community.” Krystle Alcain at the Hyatt Regency is likewise excited to see familiar faces again. “We want the message to be positive,” she says, “and focus on supporting the community and welcoming back guests.” If you’re a regular visitor to Ka’anapali, the resort will be looking forward to your return in late 2023 or early 2024. If you’ve never been, however, and are thinking about how best to escape the Seattle winter for a spell, may we suggest this gloriously sunny, friendly destination where the golf is great, and you know your vacation dollars will be put to very good use. cascadegolfer.com

Amidst the breathtaking beauty of Maui, we invite you to experience something beyond the fairways and greens. Playing at Ka’anapali Golf Courses is an opportunity to immerse yourself in the spirit of Aloha — a warm, welcoming embrace from the moment you step onto our property. It’s a chance to connect with the island’s essence, to slow down, and to savor the moments that truly matter. As you tee off against a backdrop of swaying palms and azure seas, you’ll find more than just a game; you’ll find a sanctuary where the rhythm of your swing aligns with the tranquility of the Hawaiian Islands. Come, let your soul breathe, and discover why playing here is an invitation to embrace Aloha and create memories that will stay with you long after you’ve left.

Useful web sites HawaiiCommunityFoundation.org/ strengthening/maui-strong-fund KaanapaliResort.com KaanapaliGolfCourses.com

DECEMBER 2023

SAVE SOME GREEN

Back 9 Parlor • Lynnwood

Seattle’s indoor golf scene is as diverse as its outdoor one with endless offers from these high-tech hangouts

BY TONY DEAR • CG EDITOR

here’s neither a typical, nor likely, nor official age at which golfers stop playing in the snow, rain, and 35-degree temperatures of winter, but the vast majority will at some point. It was sometime in my mid-30s when I called “time” on practicing in frigid downpours and going out for an evening nine with icicles forming on the clubhouse roof. Some do it sooner, others last a little while longer, but most of us will have become fair(er)-weather golfers by the time we’re into our 40s. Oh sure, a few hearty souls relish the cold, knowing that tee-times will be available and courses far less busy than they were just a few months before when they had to be up at the crack of dawn to get their name on the tee sheet. Most clubs and courses will have a few winter events on the calendar — Turkey Trots, Frostbite Fourballs, and the like — which are usually great fun so long as you prepare for them and know what to expect. And though I’ve played in a few fun and enjoyable Turkey Trots, some can turn miserable if the weather really does get unpleasant. You might even find your garment layering wasn’t quite up to the task of safeguarding you from the elements. Thank goodness, then, for the collection of indoor golf facilities that have opened in western Washington over the recent years. These places enable us to keep swinging in t-shirts and shirt sleeves throughout the year, and come complete with cozy bars, quality restaurants and other forms of entertainment, which means the rest of the family, a bunch of friends, or your colleagues and co-workers can all be involved. Here are three of our favorites in greater Seattle. 54

DECEMBER 2023

cascadegolfer.com

Topgolf Swing Suite

Bellevue part of the Forum Social House

Topgolf Swing Suite • Bellevue

he timing was hardly perfect for opening a brand-new bar, restaurant and entertainment facility. COVID was about to rear its very ugly head and shatter everyone’s world, but in December 2019 — after years of forming dreams and making sacrifices — Noah Garoutte and his two business partners decided to go ahead with their plan to open the Forum Social House on Bellevue Way. The 20,000-square-foot space in Lincoln Square houses two full bars, a restaurant (serving tacos, sliders, flatbreads, chicken, and salads), a nightclub — featuring a dramatic and beautifully built mini golf course with several fun games like Koi Pond and Iron Throne — and four Topgolf Swing Suites. One of the suites has the full clubhouse look and vibe, and can accommodate up to 50 people to gather, watch, play and socialize. Garoutte hopes this is just the first of several Forum Social Houses. “We’re definitely looking to scale up… and are currently looking at two or three new locations.” Though Garoutte and his partners certainly run Forum Social House with a corporate mentality, like any other 21st century business, the co-founder says he wants to bring a mom-and-pop approach. “We’re a family here,” he says. “We have people in marketing and accounts, but everyone has a say in the way the company operates. We want to be the sort of business we would have wanted to work for years ago.” It’s a refreshing attitude with which to do business, and it shows. Everyone is welcome at Forum Social House whatever their age, and the objective — to have fun. Pure and simple. The Topgolf Swing Suite allows you to work on your swing and play the usual games you get at outdoor Topgolf facilities like the one in Renton. Patrons also have the option to play several other games: Quarterback Challenge, Baseball Pitching, Hockey Shots, Soccer, Carnival Classic (where you throw balls at targets on the screen), and Zombie Dodgeball, which younger customers find especially entertaining. Hours are 5-11 p.m. on weeknights, 5 p.m.-2 a.m. Fridays, noon to 2 a.m. Saturdays, and noon to 8 p.m. Sundays, with two-hour Swing Suite reservations starting at $160. Visit ForumSocialHouse.com for more information.

cascadegolfer.com

DECEMBER 2023

Five Iron Golf Seattle

ive Iron Golf was born in New York City in 2017 and currently has 24 locations throughout the country, with more on the way. The 12,000-square-foot Seattle venue opened on Capitol Hill in March of last year and operates 12 Trackman golf simulators that enable you to play 261 amazing courses, including several of the world’s best: St. Andrews, Valderrama, Pebble Beach Muirfield Village, Royal Birkdale, Royal St. George’s, Royal County Down, Royal Portrush, Lahinch, Ridgewood, and Scioto. Golfers get all the most important metrics for their swings, including: clubhead speed, ball speed, smash factor, lateral curve, club path, face to path, face angle, launch direction, plus Swing Plane. And are allowed to practice in comfortable surroundings. You can also work on your short game with tools such as Puttview and SAM Putt Lab to work on distance control, green reading, your stroke, and more. Besides the amazing simulators, Five Iron offers golf leagues as well. In stroke play, each team signs up for a time slot and arrives at that time for eight weeks of the regular season. There is also one week of playoffs, which everybody makes. A newsletter is sent out to players detailing the next week’s course, that week’s competition format, drink specials, and prizes. Players can compete for a chance to win a four-night stay at Casa de Campo in the Dominican Republic. Five Iron has a bar and restaurant, with all the food and drink choices a birthday party group, or a lone golfer, might expect for having a good time. The venue also offers a couple of things the other indoor golf facilities don’t: lessons and club fitting. There are two teaching professionals at Five Iron, Alex Race and Charles Lee. Race grew up in Seattle, attended The Golf Academy of America in San Diego, earned a degree in journalism at Cal-State Long Beach, and has worked both as an assistant pro and private instructor — as well as playing mini-tours in Southern California. Lee, meanwhile, was a touring pro in Asia, where he played in 50 world-ranking events. A half-hour lesson with either pro cost $75 or a full hour is $140. Simulator prices range from $30 per hour at quiet times (weekdays and Saturday from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. and weekends between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m.) to $90 at peak times (Friday 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday noon to 8 p.m., and Sunday noon to 4 p.m.). Five Iron opens at 6 a.m. during the week and closes at 11 p.m. On Fridays, you can start at 6 a.m., and go all the way through to 1 a.m. It opens at 8 a.m. on Saturdays and closes at 1 a.m. On Sundays it’s open between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. See all their offerings at FiveIronGolf.com/Seattle-Capitol-Hill and book an appointment today.

DECEMBER 2023

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Back 9 Parlor Lynnwood

ast year’s Monday League Golf Night at Back9 Parlor got a bit rowdy by all accounts. The indoor golf establishment on Alderwood Mall Blvd. in Lynnwood, which opened in March 2019, has a lot of regulars. Its most loyal married couple, Amanda and Troy Van Hook, were about to win the league title for the third straight year. Troy can play a bit, but the running joke is that he rides his wife’s coattails. “Amanda is as consistent as the day is long,” says Back9 Co-owner Rian Cool. Cool, Back9’s digital marketing specialist, opened the business with three fellow-investors in the space that had been occupied by the Clubhouse Golf Center. At the time of writing, the Back9 website showed the Van Hooks in a tie for fifth with four weeks of the regular season remaining. Back9 also runs Fall leagues on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. These start around the middle of September and finish with Championship brackets in mid-December. The maximum handicap per pair is 27, though that drops to 18 for the playoffs. The format is one team versus another, alternate shot with men playing from the pro tees and women from the forward tees. Seniors play from the amateur tees. A different course is used each week. The itinerary includes Sea Island, Firestone, Mauna Lani, and Greywolf, with championship games played at The Belfry. Prizes for the winning teams include Back9 swag and free entry for the following season. Winners also have their names etched on the Back9 League Champions plaque. There’s a bracket for losing teams, too, so interest remains constant for three months each season. The cost to enter a league is $120 per team, and each player pays a $35 green fee each week. Each night’s league books out quickly, and handicaps — this fall, at least — range from one to 27. “The leagues are a lot of fun,” says Cool. “They can get quite competitive with a ton of regular customers and a few new teams each season. It’s always great to see which team will win the playoff each season and have their names added to the growing winner’s plaque.” Back9 hosts both corporate and public events. The venue features an appetizing food menu and offers many drinks, including beer, wine, and a nine-strong list of cocktails. Visitors can enjoy a John Daly with Tito’s vodka, Cointreau, lemonade, and iced tea or a Juan Daly, which replaces the vodka with Espolon Tequila. There’s a children’s menu as well, as everyone in the family is welcome at Back9. “We pride ourselves on our accessibility,” says Cool. “Both with our price points on simulator rentals and food, and the atmosphere we create for families, particularly kids who really enjoy our multi-sport simulator functionality, headlined by the ever-popular Zombie Dodgeball.” Cool says Back9 is currently preparing for an influx of holiday traffic. “We expect to see a large boost in numbers playing our six Full Swing simulators ($60 per hour from 5 p.m. on Friday to 7 p.m. on Sunday; $45 per hour at all other times) as the weather worsens and golf outside becomes less and less likely.” Business hours are 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. during the week, 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Fridays, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturdays, and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays. Visit Back9Parlor.com for updates and specials.

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DECEMBER 2023

P R ESENTED BY

USA Captain Zach Johnson

Photo courtesy Shutterstock

Did Luke Donald play his trump card in the Euros’ landslide Ryder Cup win?

BY TONY DEAR • CG EDITOR

here are plenty of plausible reasons why Europe won this year’s Ryder Cup so convincingly. Could they all be distilled into one overwhelming advantage, though? “Strong U.S. Team Set to Dominate Next 10 Years” is a headline I wrote in this magazine following America’s record-breaking win at Whistling Straits in 2021. Oops! To be fair, I wasn’t the only one suggesting America would be very hard to beat for the foreseeable future. But here we are, just a few weeks on from Europe’s win in Rome, where the home team’s victory margin may not have been as great as that of its opponent’s two years previously — or even as great as Europe’s victory in Paris in 2018 or the U.S.’s win at Hazeltine in 2016 — but where they outplayed the visitors so convincingly, there were times when you genuinely wondered where the next American point was coming from. How did the Blue and Yellows turn it around so quickly? What happened to the Red, White and Blue team that won the last Ryder Cup by more points than any other team since Continental Europeans were first added to the Great Britain/Ireland team in 1979?

DECEMBER 2023

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Europe’s three best players — Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, and Viktor Hovland — showed up for Donald big time, and his rookies performed magnificently. Plus, he had a very partisan crowd on his side, which Padraig Harrington didn’t have at Whistling Straits because of COVID-related restrictions.

Photos courtesy Shutterstock

Where to start? Was it naming Zach Johnson as Captain? The 47-year-old Iowan, now a resident of Georgia, is a popular figure on the PGA Tour. And with a much better professional record than most people might guess — two majors (2007 Masters and 2015 Open Championship), 12 PGA Tour wins, and five Ryder Cup appearances — there was little doubt he deserved the call. But was he the sort of no-nonsense leader American players would line up behind and fight tooth and nail for? In an interview with The Athletic’s Brendan Quinn just one week before leaving for Rome, Johnson himself appeared to question the decision. “I thought I might (potentially) be in line for a President’s Cup a few years

DECEMBER 2023

down the road,” he said. “But not this.” He might have avoided accusations of keeping it in the “boys club” had he picked form players like Keegan Bradley and Lucas Glover, rather than Sam Burns and Justin Thomas, who had missed 10 cuts and had just four top-10s between them since April. He probably should have done more to ensure his team arrived in Italy better prepared. Only three players – Max Homa, Brooks Koepka, and Thomas – had played in the five weeks since the end of the FedEx Cup playoffs. One suspects a stronger, more resolute, character, might have done a better job of downplaying Patrick Cantlay’s “Hatgate” nonsense, thus preventing Joe La

Cava’s unseemly spat with Rory McIlroy on Saturday evening. Keeping Xander (and his father, Stefan) Schauffele’s dispute with the PGA of America under wraps might also have avoided further bad press and blood. The departures of 2021 team members Dustin Johnson and Bryson DeChambeau to LIV didn’t help either. Koepka, another LIV player, had earned his spot by winning the PGA Championship in May. By contrast, Luke Donald’s handling of the European team seemed exemplary. The Englishman — who replaced Henrik Stenson as Captain in July of last year after the Swede signed with the LIV Tour — certainly copped his share of criticism after leaving Poland’s inform Adrain Meronk out of his captain’s picks, but thereafter, enjoyed a smooth ride without ever seeming to put a foot wrong. Donald leaned heavily on the ghost of Seve Ballesteros. The talismanic Spaniard, who died in 2011 after doing so much to revive interest in the Ryder Cup, had long been a source of inspiration for Team Europe. Donald knew even his rookies and youngest team members were well aware of Ballesteros’s impact on European golf, so he commissioned students at the Rome University of Fine Arts to design a huge banner to be unveiled on the 1st tee before the first day’s play. There for the unveiling (next to Donald in the crowded stands) were Seve’s son, Javier, and his frequent Ryder Cup partner Jose Maria Olazabal, a vice captain for the match in Rome. Olazabal, according to fellow vice captain Edoardo Molinari who related the story on the “No Laying Up” podcast, told the players he’d happily give back one of his two Masters victories to play in one more Ryder Cup. That’s what this event, and Ballesteros’s contributions, means to European golfers. Donald’s masterstroke was plugging into that unified passion, not only by creating the banner, but also by reserving a 13th locker in the European team room for Seve, a five-time major champion who played in eight Ryder Cups (non-playing Captain in 1997) finishing with a 20-12-5 record. Europe’s three best players — Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, and Viktor Hovland — showed up for Donald big time, and his rookies performed magnificently. Plus, he had a very partisan crowd on his side, which Padraig Harrington didn’t have at Whistling Straits because of COVID-related restrictions. Rousing speeches and his heavy Ballesteros play might well have been Donald’s most potent ammunition, however. As this generation of players passes the baton to the next, and so on, fewer players will have any connection to Seve. He’ll never be forgotten, of course, but captains will be able to leverage the influence he still has less and less. In Rome, the memories were still vivid, however, and Donald used them to perfection.

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Cascade Golfer Short Game • KPMG Women’s PGA Championship

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Save Some Green • CG Indoor Golf Guide

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Global Golfer • Ireland • Part 1

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RISK vs. REWARD

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