4th of July tourney draws 'scratch' players
Fourth of July Tournament
The annual Fourth of July Tournament at Whitefish Lake Golf Club began as an "open" event, which allowed golf professionals to participate and win prize money. In fact, most of the first winners were golf professionals from around the Pacific Northwest.
Today's tournament is still a marquee event, attracting the best players from around the West (and a few of us not so prime players). This year, the field will host some of the best college players in both the men and women's championship flights.
Last year's winner, Scott Anderson, will not be returning since he has turned professional. Nick Obie, a past contender, will also be missed as he also just competed in his first ever professional event in Southern California.
In the past few years, the field has attracted more than 20 players each year that are "scratch," — zero or better handicaps. Last year's winning score was one of lowest ever posted, at eight below par over the three-day tournament. Scott Anderson set a course record 64 for the South Course, eclipsing the mark set by Derek Denning and Spencer Hughes at 66.
This year, some of the local players will contend for the title in each of the various flights. In the Championship flight expect to see Jason Johnstone, Carroll Lilly, Steve Gold and Sean Tucker at or near the top of the leader board. Also you might not want to overlook the younger set of players who will contend, including Tyler Holtet, Derek Denning, Sam Krause and Zac Wooten.
The Fourth of July tournament offers the opportunity to see some great golf, so come on out and follow the best players around to witness some excellent shot-making.
Golf professional Tim Olson and his staff do a tremendous job every year running the Fourth of July Tournament with more than 200 players. Some players have participated for nearly 40 years. A men's and ladies derby will be contested on Thursday and Friday after the daily rounds are complete. The derby is composed of the top-20 low scores from the first day of competition.
Junior stars
Chelsea Ray became the first Whitefish junior girl to win the state of Montana junior championship in more than 20 years. Chelsea made a great come-from-behind charge to capture the individual honors at Green Meadow Country Club, in Helena.
Ray shot the low round of the tournament for girls at 81 on the second day. She is also the reigning women's club champion at Whitefish Lake Golf Club.
Sam Krause finished second in the boys division with rounds of 71-74 and was just one shot out of the medallist honors. Both Krause and Ray will represent Montana in the Junior America's Cup later this summer.
Tyler Holtet was on the boys America Cup team last summer. Breanna Cameron represented Whitefish well in the younger category at the short but difficult Green Meadow course.
Larry Iverson, of Kalispell, won a playoff for fourth place and will join Krause on the America's Cup team in Utah.
Rules of the game
Rakes in or out of the bunker, which is best? Courses vary on where they place the rakes, either in or out of the bunkers.
The USGA, at their championships, place the rakes outside the bunkers and parallel to the expected line of play. However, they do not specifically recommend where the rakes are best placed.
A problem that happens with a rake in the bunker is that the ball may come to rest against the rake part way up the slope of a bunker. When the player moves the rake, the ball may move.
Golfers must replace the ball where it came to rest against the rake. Sometimes that seems very unfair, especially if you have a tough stance or impossible shot.
Just remember that "fair" is not in the rules of golf — "fair" is where you take a pig to be judged.