Sometimes past traditions need to be resurrected. In an effort to bring the community together in a combination of favorite local pastimes—golf, socializing and competition—the Sun Valley Ketchum Chamber & Visitors Bureau is bringing back the Ketchum Wide Open.
The miniature golf tournament will take place Saturday, May 17, with a shotgun start at 2 p.m. at participating Ketchum establishments—Grumpy's, McClain's, Sushi on Second, Lefty's, the Sawtooth Club, The Roosevelt Grille, Whiskey Jacques, the Casino and Smoky Mountain Pizzeria Grill. All will design their own holes.
"The shotgun start is at any one participating bar or restaurant," said Stefany Mahoney, chamber membership and visitor services director. "Each restaurant will have scorecards. The scorecard has to be turned in at Ketchum's Forest Service Park, which is the last hole."
Kids from Ketchum Parks & Recreation are building the last hole at the park, which will have a $5 penalty stroke. The money made in penalty strokes will help buy equipment and support the Ketchum Parks & Recreation golf program.
Cards have to be turned in by 6 p.m. to be considered for the awards ceremony. There will be prizes for the best score, costume and hole. Prizes include a gift certificate from the Gold Mine for best costume, and best score will win a round of golf for two with a cart at the Valley Club. The tournament will end in time for Mountain Ride's last bus to Hailey and Bellevue at 7:30 p.m. "We are starting a new tradition," Mahoney said. "The winning hole from the participating establishments will have their name embroidered on a golf bag."
In addition, there will be beverages, including beer, as well as a DJ until 7 p.m. at Ketchum's Forest Service Park. Participants will also have a chance to win half the money raised during raffle ticket sales. Players need their own putters and golf balls. Teams of two are $20 and can be paid at any of the holes.
"You can take a penalty shot (a shot of alcohol) and get points marked off your score at every hole," Mahoney said. "Everyone will have something different."
If there is a Tiger Woods among us, come out and help keep this incarnation of the Ketchum Wide Open here to stay.
For more details, call 725-2101 or visit visitsunvalley.com.
The last known photograph of the Ketchum Wide Open, circa May 2001, features Jeff(ina) Chaney and Brian Langorgen, volunteers for the Angel of Hope Foundation. Photo by Mountain Express
