Golf’s Family Of Fore State Tourneys Keep Holts Running Between Courses To See Ben, Britney

Marcy and Gary Holt hope they have a chance to get even with their children.

Britney and Ben are among those teeing off this morning in the WIAA/U.S. Bank State AAA golf tournaments in Spokane. That means the Holts have to decide who watches Ben at The Creek at Qualchan and Britney at Downriver.

“We’ll split the duties,” Marcy said. “If they both make it to the next day, we’ll probably switch. It makes it hard, but interesting. I would like to have to make the decision.”

Ben, a senior, is among the contenders for the individual title behind favored Kyle Kelly of North Central and his Mead team has a good chance for the team title. Britney, a sophomore, is probably the favorite among the girls, although Ferris is the favored team.

This is the first year the boys 36-hole tournament will be split into two days and the first time the girls title will be determined over 36 holes.

Two days lost to golf is nothing new for the Holts.

“Basically, that’s all we do,” Marcy said.

Gary’s passion for golf started when he played professional hockey. An Ontario native, Gary played professional hockey in the 1970s, making stops with the Cleveland Barons, California Golden Seals, St. Louis Blues and Salt Lake City Golden Eagles. However, it was a golf course introduction that led to his job in the mining industry when he retired in Salt Lake in 1979. He transferred to Spokane in 1988.

Marcy took the game up so she wouldn’t be left out, and it was a natural for the children. Now vacations and some of Gary’s many business trips are planned around tournaments.

Family outings generally involve a Ben-Marcy vs. Britney-Gary match, with the guys having a few side bets going.

Gary admits if he had his life to do over again, he would rather be a pro golfer than a National Hockey League player.

“In team sports, you don’t have everybody kicking on the same cylinder all the time … that’s kind of frustrating,” the self-described grinder said. “Golf is such an individual sport. If you mess up you kick yourself, if you do a good job, you pat yourself on the back. If you get out and work hard on it, you’ll get something out of it.”

That’s why there was no remorse when Ben hung up his skates a year ago after a season with the Spokane Braves.

“I figure I got some money to play at Eastern Washington University and I kept getting injured playing hockey,” said Ben, who has separated a shoulder three times and missed his sophomore season after the first one. “I knew I wouldn’t get injured playing golf. Golf is the sport of the future - you can play it forever. I don’t miss hockey.

“I think me giving up hockey didn’t bother him (dad) at all. It made him happy, we’re such a golf-oriented family.”

Ben and Britney, of similar temperament at home, are different on the course.

“Ben has more highs and lows, he gets emotional on the course,” Marcy said. “Britney is more subdued; whatever happens, happens.”

Both think their short game, particularly putting, is the key to success.

“I’m hitting it well, I need to get my putting going,” said Ben, a strong iron player. “I haven’t putted well all year. It’s so mental. It’s tough on you. It’s so short you think you should make it most of the time, but you don’t. That’s why it’s a tough game.”

Still, he’s confident going into state, though he added, “Kyle has a big advantage. It’s his home course. He’s probably the favorite, in my book, to win individually. If I play as good as I can and he beats me, that’s fine.”

Britney’s strength is distance (215 yards) and accuracy off the tee.

“I hope to shoot my handicap and hopefully win it,” said Britney, whose handicap just dropped to three. “Actually, my expectations are to win state.”

She made state as a freshman but “lost her composure” and never challenged. With 36 holes, she thinks she’ll have a better chance.

“It’s more of a true test,” she said. “Some girls can go out and shoot their best round, but playing 36 holes shows who’s the best, more consistent. It’s a good test.”

Just like this tournament will be a good test for the Holts.

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: TEE TIMES The State AAA golf championships begin today with the boys at The Creek at Qualchan and the girls at Downriver.