Women Golfers Meet for End-of-Season Brunch

DAYTON-Just what does "KP" refer to in golf parlance?

Many of us do not know, but it is a sure bet that the ladies in the Touchet Valley Women's Golf Club do.

The TVWGC members met recently at the LC at the Green restaurant for an end-of-season brunch, and to honor long-time members Janice Davis, Ellen Burris, and Marie Sullivan. Sullivan is the oldest member of the TVWGC, at ninety, and remembers golfing with her husband, Merle, at the Dayton Country Club and Golf Course in the 1940s and '50s.

President of TVWGC Kris Takemura said that the actual kick-off for the TVWGC season is in April when members begin gearing up for a fun season of Wednesday morning golf.

Wednesday morning golf for the ladies begins when two of the club members are asked to determine the Play of the Day, from among such offerings as Least Putts, Orange Ball, and Scramble.

The ante is 75 cents to play, and balls are purchased out of that. An additional 25 cents goes into another pot from the players who "get a chip in." At the end of the month the Player of the Day gets to keep the pot.

Nine-hole tournaments are also played and are held throughout the season, according to Takemura. The club members then travel away from home to other golf courses in West Richland, Kennewick, Hepner, Ore., and in La Grande, Ore.

Takemura said that membership in the TVWGC isn't just about having fun. It is also about serving others, which is the focus of their involvement in the Junior Golf program.

"Junior Golf gets kids interested in a sport they can do their whole life," said Takemura.

In June there were 33 students ages 7 through 17 who were taught golf basics by golf pro Max Reinlan, and his assistant Dakota Baker, who is a former Junior Golf student.

Takemura said some other service projects for the club members include beautification projects on the golf course, landscaping with flowers, and tending a memorial garden to honor some of their golfing friends who have passed away.

She also pointed out some of the positive economic impacts the TVWGC has had in the community, especially when the TVWGC hosts its own 9-hole tournament in August. She said that during that time there is an uptick in hotel reservations, shopping, and business for local restaurant owners.

The lady golfers all agree that LC at the Green restaurant is their favorite eatery and it is where they meet for their season kick-off brunch in April, as well as for the end-of-season brunch in October.

Now, just what does KP refer to, anyway?

"KP means closest to the pin or the flag," said Takemura.

In contests where designated par-3 hole distances are measured throughout the day, the person who puts her tee shot closest to the flag wins a prize at the end of the day, she explained.

Confusing? Why "klosest" and not closest?

Ask the ladies of the TVWGC. Maybe they know.

For further information about the Touchet Valley Women's Golf Club contact Kris Takemura at: (509) 520-5533 or the Touchet Valley Golf Course at: (509) 382-4851.