Gunn was one of 12 players from Royal Dornoch, his home course in Scotland, invited to compete against a squad comprised mostly of Coeur d’Alene tribal members in Sept., 2004. Those Ryder Cup-style matches forged a bond that Gunn will carry with him to the first tee Thursday.
"I went over (to Circling Raven) as an amateur,” said Gunn, standing by a crowded putting green at Chambers Bay. “I was struggling, playing on the Gateway (tour), doing OK here and there, not great and Bob (Bostwick, Coeur d’Alene Casino director of public affairs) called and said, ‘Can you fly up tomorrow?’ I flew up and met the CEO, played golf, had a great time and we obviously got along.

“I think it was a one-year (sponsorship) deal that ended up being two or three, and last year on the Web.com they were on my bag again.”

Gunn, 34, worked on an oil rig, built houses and caddied at Royal Dornoch before turning pro in 2007. He’s been at it for eight years on mini tours, including the Gateway, Web.com and currently the eGolf tour, with some help from the Coeur d’Alene Casino. Full story, Jim Meehan, SR

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