Ryder Cup Annual SHOWDOWN

DAYTON

-- Dayton golfers sizzled in the heat and on the course last weekend, claiming victory in the second annual Touchet Valley Ryder Cup with a final score of 29-19.

The Waitsburg team was anxious to claim vic­tory over Dayton, last year's winner, with a final score of 28.5-24.5. But Dayton retained their tro­phy in this annual match­up of Walla Walla versus Columbia county golfers, coordinator Evelyn Him­melberger said.

"Waitsburg is really go­ing to be out to get them next year," she said.

Despite the heat, the men were excited to golf and happy to help the ju­nior golf program.

"The men are just won­derful," Himmelberger said. "And they're so sup­portive of the junior golf program."

The tournament fea­tured raffles for prizes and all the proceeds went to the junior golf program, a five-day course for young golfers.

Coordinator Kim Lyon­nais said there were 46 golfers registered to play in this year's Ryder Cup. She said the event was a huge success.

" Something special happened," Lyonnais said. "It was a great combi­nation, a great marriage between purpose and par­ticipation. The guys en­joyed the rivalry, but they especially enjoyed helping the junior golf program."

Coordinator Patty Eng said this was her first Ry­der Cup, but she has been helping with junior golf for three or four years. Like the junior golf program, the Ryder Cup started as a fun rivalry game but becomes more structured with each year, Eng said.

"The junior golf pro­gram first started on the football field because no­body really wanted the kids on the course," Eng said.

Now, the junior golf program has grown, host­ing more than 60 kids this year. Funds from programs like the Ryder Cup help make it possible, Eng said.

Himmelberger said the event was a huge success. While the total amount of money brought in to support the junior golf program hasn't yet been finalized, she said it looks like they made enough money to secure the junior golf program for next year.

Several sponsors con­tributed to that success, Lyonnais said.

"Windemere really was the backbone that got the program going," Lyonnais said.

Nealey & Marinella and Columbia Rural Electric Associations were also major sponsors.

Himmelberger said the Walla Walla Veterans Memorial Golf Course donated a putter and 18 holes of golf, which she said junior golf program Instructor Max Reinland helped secure.

She said many of the sponsors realize how im­portant the junior golf pro­gram is and this prompts them to keep supporting kids on the greens.

"They all want to be more involved with the ju­nior golf program," Him­melberger said.

Golfer Jay Takemura said he played two days last year in Ryder Cup and he was a substitute again this year. He said he has enjoyed participating in the tournament so far.

"It's a great tourna­ment," Takemura said.

He said Dayton played well last year, so the pres­sure was on for both sides to play well.

"Everybody was al­ready talking about next year," Lyonnais said. "They were all looking to support the kids -- it was a great feeling. Even though a lot of us lost, we all won by supporting the junior golf program."