Ryder Cup Heats Up Rivalries

DAYTON - It's that time of year again, when the gentlemen of the Touchet Valley lay down their daily tools and pick up their clubs to defend the honor of their respective communities.

The fourth annual Touchet Valley Rider Cup kicks off at the Touchet Valley Golf Course in Dayton on June 27. The winning team at the end of the three-day, four-round tournament will bring the cup home for another year.

Dayton has won the Ryder Cup each of the three years it's been held. Dayton captain Kim Lyonnais says he has no doubt the winning streak will continue.

Each year, more than 50 golfers participated in the tournament, which consists of four 18-hole rounds. The format of play will be the same as it has been in previous years:

Friday play - Morning and afternoon rounds of two man teams, alternating shot

Saturday morning play - Two man team best ball

Saturday afternoon play - Two man team scramble

Sunday play - Individual match play

Like the Ryder Cup between American and European players, points are accumulated for each of the two teams. "It almost always comes down to the last day," Lyonnais said.

"Players do not have to participate in all four matches," Lyonnais says. "Play what you can."

According to Lyonnais, all of the proceeds from the Ryder Cup support Junior Golf in the Waitsburg and Dayton areas. "The Waitsburg Lions Club stepped up with a tremendous donation," he said. "Blue Mountain Realtors continued their support by supplying all of the food for the entire weekend." Also supporting the event are Portland General Electric, Nealey & Marinella law firm and Blue Mountain Environmental and Consulting Company.

Junior Golf is a one-week kids' golf camp, held every April, run by a golf pro from Walla Walla. Lyonnais says he hopes enough funds can be raised in coming years to expand the camp to two weeks and held kids in other ways, including paying for memberships and providing equipment.

Sign-up sheets for the Ryder Cup are posted at the golf course. For more information about the Ryder Cup, call Lyonnais at (509) 540-2626, or Waitsburg captain Mike White at (509) 540-8255.