Fall is near, which means this is the best time of year to play golf. Not only is the golf course here at Blueberry Pines in great shape, but we are also now offering fall rates. Book your tee time today at 564-GOLF or (1-800) 652-4940.
We held our Blueberry Pines Club Championship last weekend. Tadd Usher won the Men's Club Championship and Shelly Miller won her third straight Women's Club Championship.
In the Club Championship, players competed Saturday in absolutely miserable conditions: cold, rainy and windy. On Saturday in the men's division, Ron Litzau jumped out to an early leading carding a 79 in the inclement conditions. Eric Castren and Ryan Steinert finished just one stroke behind at 80, Tadd Usher and Andy Williams fired rounds of 82, and Rory Smith shot an 83.
On Sunday, the weather was chilly, but 1,000 percent better than Saturday. Tadd Usher jumped ahead of the pack scoring an even-par 72 Sunday for a two-day total of 154. Tadd's nearest competitors, Ryan Steinert and Lee Davis, were six shots back at 160 and Rory Smith finished at 161 entering the final nine holes of play. The six-shot lead proved to be insurmountable as Tadd Usher won the Men's Club Championship by seven strokes ahead of the competition. Ryan Steinert claimed second place with a 45-hole total of 200, winning a scorecard playoff over Rory Smith, who also finished at 200.
First place net in the Championship Flight and the new Men's Net Club Champion went to Eric Castren, who carded net rounds of 69 and 73 for a 142. Second place net in the championship flight went to Lee Davis firing net rounds of 76 and 70 for a 146.
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In the Men's First Flight, first place gross went to Jerry Wisuri carding rounds of 93 and 85 for a total of 178. Second place went to Nate Wittenburg firing a 92 and an 89 for a 181 to win a scorecard playoff over Jeff Massie. First place net in the First Flight went to Mark Andersen finishing with net scores of 78 and 70 for a 148. Second place net went to Ron Usher scoring net totals of 80 and 70 for a 150.
In the Senior Men's Division, Arland Waters out dueled Ken Makela in a one-hole sudden-death playoff after both players finished 36 holes with a total of 171. The Senior Men's Club Champion is Arland Waters carding rounds of 85 and 86 for a two-day total of 171. Ken Makela won the Senior Men's Net Club Championship carding net totals of 79 and 74 for a 153.
In the Women's Division, Shelly Miller jumped out to an early lead scoring an 88 in the bad weather Saturday and defended her Women's Club Championship scoring an 87 on Sunday for a two-day total of 175. Second place gross went to Brenda Keller shooting rounds of 115 and 110 for a 225.
First place net and the new Women's Net Club Champion is Shirley Potter, who scored net rounds of 71 and 87 for a 158. Second place net went to Karen Weappa carding net rounds of 85 and 79 for a two-day total of 164.
We also held our men's and ladies shootouts last Friday. In the men's gross shootout, Eric Castren outlasted the competition finishing in first place. Second place went to Gary Marjama. In the men's net shootout, Terry Ristinen finished in first place and second place went to Ron Husby. In the women's net shootout, Myra Haldorson outlasted the group to finish in first place. Second place went to Brenda Keller.
We hosted the 6th annual Sons of Norway "Norsk Open" four-person scramble last Saturday. This event is organized and run by Don and Clarice Schieck and played in memory of Ken Erickson and Ken Underwood. Players battled the elements, playing in constant rain, wind and cold. First place in the nine-hole division went to the team of Rod Westrum, Bill Cowman, John Holtz and Jerry Swedburg scoring a 34. In the 18-hole division, first place went to the team of Rick Schroeder, Brian Schroeder, Robin Fischer and Hunter Schroeder firing a 14-under par total of 58. First place net went to the team of Dan Christenson, John Phillips, Jerry Phillips and Charlie Moore carding a net 68. We thank all the participants for their dedicated support of this event.
The Men's Night event on Sept. 5 was low putts plus individual low gross and low net. In the First Flight, first place low gross went to Nate Wittenburg firing a 38. First place low net went to Ron Litzau carding a net 34. First place low putts went to Mark Anderson with only 12 putts. Tying for second place in low putts, all with 15, were Nate Wittenburg, Mark Schik and Ryan Steinert. In the Second Flight, first place low gross went to Don Dearstyne firing a 41. First place low net went to Jack Bloomquist carding a blistering net 26. First place low putts went to Russ Weappa and Ellard Tomte with 15 each. Second place, tied with 16 putts, went to Pat Foss and Don Dearstyne. Eric Castren remains in the top spot on the Men's Night money leader list. Closest to the pin from off the green on hole No. 1 went to Steve Susich, closest to the pin on hole No. 8 went to Terry Ristinen and the longest putt made on hole No. 9 went to Alex White.
The Ladies' Night event on Sept. 6 was cancelled due to the weather. Karen Weappa has the lead on the Ladies' Night money leader list.
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Tip of the week: Complete your turn. The difference between a good ball striker and a bad ball striker is constant rotation. Good ball strikers never quit turning and bad ball strikers tend to quit turning near impact. Finish your turn by finishing your swing in good balance with all your weight on your front foot, back foot up on its toe and back knee near your front knee.
If you need more help with your golf game, please contact Jim, the PGA golf professional on staff here at Blueberry Pines, or call your local PGA professional.
Good luck and good golfing.
