Category Archives: Golf

Golfer Lee finding consistency at UCLA

Erynne Lee hasn’t won any tournaments in her freshman year at UCLA.
That doesn’t mean the golfer from Silverdale hasn’t found success for the top-ranked Bruins. In fact, she’s been one of the team’s most consistent players.

Following her third-place finish at last week’s Blue Wave Invitational in Tarzana, Calif., Lee now has placed third in her last three collegiate tournaments. She also took third at the Northrup Grumman Regional Challenge and the Arizona Wildcat Invitational in February.

Lee has been UCLA’s top finisher in four of the team’s past five tournaments.

Post to Twitter Tweet This Post

Former UW golfer Nick Taylor swinging on mini-tour

I asked myself the following question when I discovered the website for the All-American Golf Tour:

What the HECK is the All-American Golf Tour?

First of all, it’s not just for American players. It’s a mini-tour based in Arizona that is focused on player development. Think of it as the Nationwide Tour for the Nationwide Tour. Winners of All-American Golf Tour events (usually 54 holes) often earn sponsorship exemptions to the Nationwide, which is considered a proving ground for golfers looking to one day play on the PGA Tour.

If you think it’s a tour for scrubs, think again. I see at least three former University of Washington standouts on the money lists (Nick Taylor, Darren Wallace, Zach Bixler). Former Washington state prep standout Andrew Putnam, who went to Pepperdine) is also on there. Taylor has won over $11,000 (5th on the money list) and has cashed in all 10 of the events he’s played in, winning once.

Post to Twitter Tweet This Post

Tuesday Links and Updates on Kitsap Athletes

Bremerton’s Marvin Williams sometimes thinks “other people panic more than we do,” he said of all the negative talk about how the Atlanta Hawks were done after a 6-0 start. Read the story here.

Willie Bloomquist, a free agent, continues to be linked to the Washington Nationals. Here’s another story that indicates the Port Orchard native could fit in as a utility player with the Nats. Bloomquist has also been mentioned as the kind of player the Mets might be looking for.

This post on MLB.com suggests South Kitsap grad Aaron Cunningham could very likely start the season at Triple-A next year despite playing well for the Padres.

Finally, for the reader who wanted to know about how Central Kitsap grad Todd Linden fared this year in Japan, here’s the finals stats for Tohokou Rakuten Golden Eagles. Linden was injured early and never did get untracked. He hit .185 and played in just 53 games.

The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association hosts its annual awards banquet on Wednesday at the South Point Casino in Las Vegas. Silverdale’s Randy Corley, once again, is up for announcer of the year. The man with the smooth, velvet voice has done more to put the Kitsap Stampede on the map than anyone. Here’s a full list of nominees. Here’s 10 things you should know about the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, which runs Dec. 2-11 in Vegas. All 10 rounds will be broadcast on ESPN2, ESPN Classic or webcast on ESPN3.

ALSO

Bree Schaaf of Bremerton competes in her second World Cup bobsled race of the year on Friday at Park City, Utah. She’s coming off a sixth-place finish at Whistler, B.C. … Swimmer Nathan Adrian of Bremerton will compete in the U.S. Short-Course Nationals Thursday through Saturday in Columbus, Ohio, and heads to Dubai for the World Short-Course Championships on Dec. 15-19. The University of California senior established himself as one of the elite sprinters in the world and should be among the favorites for a gold medal in 2012 in London in the 50 and 100 freestyle events. …  I’ve been told golfer Troy Kelly is still experiencing some soreness, but is making progress after his hip replacement surgery. The Central Kitsap grad shot a 64 recently at the Plantation Golf Course in Palm Springs, Calif. Here’s some background on Kelly’s surgery, which took place in early September.

Post to Twitter Tweet This Post

Ooops! Lee Sisters Tee It Up Today at U.S. Girls’ Junior

Silverdale sisters Erynee and Katie start play in the U.S. Girls’ Junior today in North Carolina. We mistakenly said the tournament opened on Saturday.

 They’re one of four sets of sisters in the 109-player field: Laura (17) and Lindsey (14) Murray of Tipp City, Ohio; Alexandra (17) and Anneliese (14) Newell of Tampa, Fla.; Mariana (15) and Sierra (14) Sims of Austin, Texas; and Katie (14) and Erynne (17) Lee. The Lee’s cousin, Cherokee Kim, 14, of Dupont, Wash., is also in the field.

As mentioned earlier, Erynee’s committed to UCLA. She’ll be a junior at Central Kitsap this fall. Katie will be a freshman at CK. Katie got in as an alternate. She shot a 76 at Woodburn Golf Course in Oregon during qualifying. Erynne, one of the top junior golfers in the country, led the qualifier with a 71.

You can follow the tournament at this USGA web site. The Lee’s tee off back-to-back at 8:40 a.m. and 8:50 a.m. on No. 10, making it convenient for their parents to follow them.

Post to Twitter Tweet This Post

Golf Notes: Katie Lee Joins Sister Erynne at U.S. Girls’ Junior; Husky Imposter, Jonson 12th at World Tourney

Silverdale sisters Erynne and Katie Lee will both tee it up at the U.S. Girls’ Junior  Championship that opens at the Country Club of North Carolina today in Pinehurst, N.C.

Eyrnne Lee is one of the top-ranked juniors in the country. She shot a 71 to lead qualifying at Woodburn, Ore. Katie shot a 76 and was an alternate. Evidently somebody dropped out, opening the door for Katie. Knowledgeable golfers in the area have told The Sun that Katie has the potential to emerge as a top player. She’s taken the last couple of years off to follow her sister, who committed to UCLA earlier this year. Erynne will be at junior at Centrral Kitsap. Katie will be a freshman.

Here’s the link to the U.S. Girls’ Junior website. An interesting note: Katie tees off at 8:40 a.m. and Erynne at 8:50 a.m., both on No.10. That’ll make it easier for Lee’s parents to follow their daughters.

Carl Jonson 12th at World Tourney

Cal Jonson of Bainbidge, who committed to UNLV, finished 12th at the Calloway World Junior Tournament in San Diego. He shot a final-round 76 on Friday and  finished 4-over 294. Canada’s Adam Svensson won the tournament with a 282 score.

UW Warns: Watch Out for Imposter

Husky golf coach Matt Thurmond text messaged Husky golf fans on Friday, warning about somebody who claimed to be a Husky golfer raising money for a trip. Thurmond said the golfer was targeting some of the UW’s home courses. The Huskies hold their invitational at Gold Mountain and have also held NCAA regional evens at the Bremerton course.

“If this person comes to your home don’t give  him anything and call the police,” Thurmond wrote, adding “and punch him in the face for me if you want.”

Thurmond said other scammers have done similar things in the past, claiming a connectionn to UW sports teams.

Post to Twitter Tweet This Post

Calloway Invite Coming to Gold Mountain

Some of the Pacific Northwest Golf Assocation’s strongest players will participate in the Calloway Invitational which will be held Monday and at Tuesday at Gold Mountain Golf Complex.
Fifty-seven teams, comprised of one pro and one amateur, will vie for $30,775 in prize money. They will pay the Cascade Course on Monday (1 p.m. shotgun) and the Olympic on Tuesday (8 a.m. shotgun). The event is individual stroke play for both pros and amateurs. The amateur division will pay both gross and net prizes.
Tom Sovay of Redmond Ridge GC is the defending champion. Ryan Benzel of Battle Creek GC (2008 champ and 2008-09 Pacific Northwest Section PGA Player of the Year), Jeff Coston of Semiahmoo G&CC (11 time PNW Section PGA Player of the Year, 2009 PGA Professional Champion), Brian Thornton of Meridian Valley CC (2009 Washington Open Champion) and Corey Prugh of Manito G&CC (2009 Rosauers Open Champion) are all entered.
Callaway Golf will be holding a demo day on Monday from 10 a.m.-1 p.m., which is open to the public.

Post to Twitter Tweet This Post