Junior Tour concludes at Eagle Bend

The Eagle Bend stop on the Junior Tour was Aug. 4, and this is the one of the season. Some local players have played quite well during this year's tour events.

Reed Platke, Joel Mallams, Ryan Zalucky, Hunter Holmes, Iaian Cameron, BreAnna Cameron, Kiley McConnell, Nicole Heavirland, Claire Tayler, Erin Tavish and Ellen Scheffer have been regulars at most of the events.

Once again, it's time to say thanks to the golf courses throughout the valley for hosting, and especially to the Whitefish Credit Union for sponsoring the medals for the players.

All total, the tour had approximately 350 players participate this year at the seven different courses, from Libby to Whitefish to Mission Mountain.

Hole-in-one

Randy Ray carded a unique hole-in-one during the Fourth of July tournament this year. Randy hit the perfect shot on number 15 of the North Course with his six iron from 165 yards.

This was Randy's first hole-in-one. Karen Jacobson, one of the contenders in this year's club championship, reminded me that she has had a hole-in-one as well.

High school golf

The first practice for the 2008 Bulldog golf team will be at 9 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 18. The first tournament is scheduled for Aug. 25-26 in Great Falls, so players must attend at least five practices to be eligible to participate in that tournament.

Qualifying rounds will be played starting the very first day to set the varsity team for the Great Falls tournament. Players are reminded that all their paperwork and physicals must be turned in before they are eligible to practice.

Fairway topdressing

Fairway topdressing improves the quality of the fairway by improving the drainage, allowing for easier aerification, improving the lie of the ball and offering the chance to over-seed at the same time.

Rules of the game

What happens when your swing path is obstructed by a man-made object? Whether it's a cart path, irrigation station, sprinkler head, building or anything man-made that is in-bounds and not in a hazard, the player is entitled to free relief to a point that no longer interferes with their swing.

The player takes their stance and then is allowed an additional club length where they can drop their ball. If the ball does not end up closer to the hole and is less than two club lengths from where it first hit the ground after being dropped, the player may then play the shot.