Making the Turn

Four high school golfers walk down the fairway of hole 7 at Peninsula State Park, as Gibraltar played host to their first home conference meet of the season before the course opened to the public.

Our frozen peninsula has finally thawed and it’s “game on” for the game of golf. A pleasant and unexpected mild spring allowed some early birds out earlier than usual. On occasion, we even enjoyed spring weather as good as those that ventured south to a surprisingly chilly Florida.

The high school golf teams have been enduring the cool and breezy conditions for several weeks now, as their season is already on the back nine (see photo).

All operating Door County golf courses are now open for business. Bay Ridge in Sister Bay has most likely enjoyed the most rounds of the season so far with its honor system of $10 unlimited play, available from January, yes January, through April.

Although it was quiet around here, the professional golf scene kept us entertained through a dark and golfless winter. If the Golf Gods would have told me last fall that all of the following will happen while my clubs sit dormant, I never would have believed them:

Tiger Woods will disappear from the game of golf after an incredible fall from grace; senior golfer Jim Thorpe will go to prison for tax evasion; Wisconsin native Steve Stricker will climb to number two in the world; John Daly will become an underwear model; 50-year-old Fred Couples and 60-year-old Tom Watson will contend in yet another Major; and for the second time in three years, the LPGA will lose its number one golfer to retirement, Lorena Ochoa.

Although the professional golf news bridged the gap nicely for us during our down time, it is now time for some local golf news. In our next issue, published May 14, the golf page will be in full swing. In its second year, “Making the Turn” is a regular page dedicated to Door County golf news, highlights, tips, photos, events and happenings.

We do our best to cover as much fun and fresh local golf news as possible, but we could always use our reader’s help with ideas and contributions. Below is a brief run-down of what to look forward to in upcoming issues, and an idea of what we welcome for submissions:

• Event Announcements – important facts of upcoming events

• Outing Outcomes – the results of tournaments and outings

• Golf News – news and feature stories

• League Play – announcements, updates, team and individual scores

• Player Profile – a question and answer of local golfers

• Short Shots – individual feats, for example hole-in-ones, eagles, great scores

• Tips From the Pro – submissions of golf tips from our local pros

• Where Are They Now? – checking in on relocated local golfers

Feel free to email any ideas, suggestions, news, photos, etc. to [email protected]. Also, please visit our recently launched website http://www.doorcountygolfers.com for regularly updated golf news.