Pro-Am Golf Narrows Field To Speed Pace

Being able to golf in the dark may no longer be a talent needed to compete in the Washington Trust Bank Pro-Am series this season.

Large fields and slow play have frequently left golfers in the pro-am stumbling in long after sunset during early season rounds in the past.

This season - opening Monday at Clarkston Golf and Country Club - the fields have been trimmed by about 20 to help it move smoother.

“We’re also going with 10-minute intervals on tee times rather than 8 or 9 so we can keep it moving,” said Gary Lindeblad, Indian Canyon pro. “We think the whole thing will be a little more professionally run.”

Sundance pro Chris Mitchell and Liberty Lake amateur Kent Brown were the top finishers in last year’s point standings.

The series will again feature 24 events, but each pro gets to select a maximum of 16 events in which he wishes to participate and must be placed on a waiting list to gain entry in more than that.

The remainder of the schedule:

April - 3, Esmeralda; 10, Bryden Canyon; 17, MeadowWood; 24, Highlands.

May - 1, Fairways; 8, Hangman; 15, Downriver (Pro-Lady); 22, Wandermere.

June - 5, Twin Lakes; 12, Qualchan; 19, Spokane C.C.; 26, Chewelah.

July - 10, Stoneridge; 17, Hidden Lakes; 24, Manito C.C.; 31, Indian Canyon (Pro-Junior).

August - 7, Sundance; 14, University of Idaho; 21, Lewiston C.C.; 28, Avondale (Pro-Lady).

September - 11, Liberty Lake; 18, Coeur d’Alene; 25, Hayden Lake C.C. (Pro-Senior).

New face at The Highlands

Dave Edel, new pro at The Highlands, brings an exotic background to the Post Falls course.

Edel has made five tours of South America and worked at a golf school in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

“The Scottish railroads came through Argentina, and wherever there was a water stop, they put in a golf course,” Edel said. “There’s 70 courses in Buenos Aires.”

The Highlands will feature expanded roughs and new cart paths this season, Edel said, adding that the course is offering a two-for-one special on green fees on Mondays and Tuesdays with cart rental.

Edel’s predecessor, Kathy Gildersleeve-Jensen, is giving lessons out of The Fairways, Edel said.

Scent of Lilac

For the past several years, the Lilac Open has been split between The Fairways and Downriver - two days at each course.

John Durgan of The Fairways, citing a long friendship and association with Qualchan pro Mark Gardner, said tournament organizers are looking to shift two of the days from Downriver to Qualchan.

City approval will be necessary.

The Fairways, Durgan said, has bumped its green fees to $18 for 18 holes. “It’s very difficult for private enterprises like ours to match municipal or county rates, with the increased costs in fertilizers and chemicals,” Durgan said.

Mondays are still two-for-one days at The Fairways, Durgan said, with kids golfing free after 2 p.m. on Tuesdays through Fridays when accompanied by a paying parent or grandparent. And, because of the wet weather, The Fairways is offering $13 green fees until the end of this month.

Chip shots

Fees at county courses have inched up a buck to $13.50 for residents and $18 for non-residents.

County courses again will take tee times on Tuesday for the following seven days. Starting at 7 a.m., tee times are given on an alternating basis between golfers on the phone and those in line at the pro shop… . Spokane city courses take tee times a day in advance for weekdays and on the previous Saturday for weekends… . The Fairways Open Best-Ball has been moved to April 1-2 because of weather conditions… . Pro Kaye Walker said MeadowWood, now open on 17 permanent greens, should go to the full 18 when the No. 16 green is ready in roughly a week.