Autumn officially arrives Monday, but first, golfers will tune in to the 37th Ryder Cup Friday through Sunday, Sept. 19-21 at the Valhalla Golf Course in Louisville, Kentucky.
Some of the Wood River Valley's best men's golfers will not only tune into the Ryder Cup, they'll also be playing a Wood River version of the American and European challenge.
For two days, the Wood River Ryder Cup will match some of The Valley Club's best against several of Sun Valley Golf Club's finest. Kevin Cincotta, an organizer and participant, said, "It will be kind of fun."
On The Valley Club are Neil Bradshaw, David Cropper, Dave Hutchinson, Dick Coleman, Larry Lloyd, Carmen Bradley, Jack Dies and either Baird Gourlay, Dick Nelson or Todd Conklin.
Striking the ball for Sun Valley will be Cincotta, Sam Williams, Shawn Aicher, Mike Pirzynski, Walter Littenberg, John Manocheo, Rick Filkins and Nils Badenduck.
They'll play 18 holes at The Valley Club on Friday starting at 1 p.m., and 18 more at Sun Valley Tuesday, Sept. 23 starting just before noon. Four foursomes will play each day. Nine holes will be two-man best ball match play, and the other nine holes will be singles medal play with index.
Meanwhile, in Louisville, the Ryder Cup will feature foursomes and four ball on Friday and Saturday, and singles play on Sunday at noon.
Try putting at Sun Valley
Sun Valley Resort continues its unprecedented year of exciting additions by unveiling its new Sawtooths Putting Course at the brand-new Sun Valley Club clubhouse facility.
Joining a handful of similar quality that exist across the world—most notably the Himalayas at Scotland's St. Andrews, golf's hallowed birthplace—Sawtooths received its name and design inspiration from the nearby Sawtooth Mountains.
Like the Himalayas at St. Andrews, the new Sun Valley putting course is for everyone, from accomplished golfers to beginners, from individual to families as well.
"People who don't play golf can participate in the golf experience via the Sawtooths Putting Course," said Sun Valley general manager Wally Huffman. "Accomplished players will find the challenge to be top-notch as this is a true course and not simply several holes cut into a relatively flat, constricted putting green.
"People can enjoy cocktails and have a round of putting on Sawtooths before lunch or dinner."
The 18-hole putting course is located near the Sun Valley Club's new state-of-the-art, 58,000 square-foot golf clubhouse which doubles as a Nordic center during the winter.
Bigwood Open
Wray Farmin (78-82 for 160) was the Men's Championship Flight winner of the 36-hole Bigwood Open Golf Tournament Sept. 13-14. Billy Tryder (76-71 for 147) won first net.
Tying for gross stroke honors among the women were Carolyn Wolfe and Jackie Damerel, 195. Wolfe was the first net winner at 68-71 for 139.
Winners qualified for the 36-hole Idaho Golf Association Tournament of Champions on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 27-28 at Sun Valley Golf Course.
Men's Flight Flight—Gross: 1—Tim Carter 90-81 for 171. Net: 1—Josh Solly 84-76 for 160.
Men's Second Flight—Gross: 1—Bob Gordon 84-87 for 171. 2—Bob Wolfe 89-88 for 177. Net: 1—Mose Shrum 66-76 for 142. 2—Steve Haims 76-72 for 148.
Sun Valley Resort finals
Kevin Cincotta and Britt Palmedo were the men's and women's winners of the Sun Valley Resort Club Championship Saturday and Sunday.
Terry Fowler was the overall net winner.
Men's First Flight—Gross: 1—Kevin Cincotta 151 ($135). 2—Sam Williams 151 ($90). Net: 1—Phil Doerflein 141 ($135). 2—Rick Filkins 148 ($90).
Men's Second Flight—Gross: 1—Jim Hopkins 174 ($130). 2—Ron Miller 179 ($70). Net: 1—Ken Whelan 153 ($130).
Senior Men—Gross: 1—John Manocheo 150 ($145). 2—Walter Littenberg 156 ($105). Net: 1—Terry Fowler 138 ($145). 2—Page Jenner 143 ($105). 3—Ron Runge 147 ($70).
Women—Gross: 1—Britt Palmedo 167 ($60). Net: 1—Jill Brennan 149 ($60).
Valley Club Senior finals
The Valley Club held its annual Senior Club Championships Sept. 11-12 in a 36-hole stroke play format.
Men's Senior champion was Jeff Mansoor (76-79 for 155). Super Senior Champion was Lou Mace (86-81 for 167). Women's Senior champion was Marilyn Celano (92-88 for 180). And Women's Super Senior winner was Elsie Cheston (223). Here are the top golfers in gross and net totals:
Men's Championship (black tees)—Gross: 1—Jeff Mansoor 76-79 for 155. 2—Colin George 80-77 for 157. Net: 1—Jay Cooper 71-70 for 141. 2—Mitch August 75-72 for 147.
Men's Regular (blue tees)—Gross: 1—David Almond 93-76 for 169. Net: 1—John Ashton 76-73 for 149. 2—Steve Malkmus 84-71 for 155 and Bill Tingue 79-76 for 155.
Men's Super Senior (blue tees)—Gross: 1—Lou Mace 86-81 for 167. 2—Richard Emery 87-91 for 178. Net: 1—Doug Taylor 82-67 for 149. 2—Bill Hill 78-72 for 150.
Women's Senior—Gross: 1—Marilyn Celano 92-88 for 180. Net: 1—Gundl Haskell 75-67 for 142. 2—
Sue Woodyard 79-76 for 155.
Women's Super Senior—Gross: 1—Elsie Cheston 112-111 for 223.
Senior sectionals at Valley Club
The Valley Club will host the Rocky Mountain PGA's 2008 Senior Section Championship and Senior Professional National Qualifier on Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 16-17. Tee times begin at 10 a.m. There will be a field of about 25 golfers for 36 holes of stroke play.
Sun Valley Resort men's champion Kevin Cincotta poses Monday near the new Sun Valley Club clubhouse up Trail Creek.
Photo by Willy Cook
