Interest in women’s golf in Port Townsend was on the rise in August as more club women turned out for weekly golf play on Tuesdays at Camus Prairie Golf Park and on Thursdays at Discovery Bay Golf Club.

A big part of the reason for that was the Camus Prairie Golf Park-hosted golf clinics for women new to golf on Wednesday nights for four weeks in July and three weeks in August.

Volunteer members from both women’s clubs conducted the one-hour clinics, which were followed by a one-hour social hour in the golf club pro shop and restaurant. For July, small groups of three to four women were instructed in driving, chipping and putting. In August the students were accompanied by a woman volunteer golf coach in three or four holes of play on the course. 

The focus of these groups was to teach golf course rules and etiquette. Plans are in the works to start up similar clinics in the spring of 2025.

Club weekly competitions and play have continued at both Discovery Bay and Camus Prairie courses. Three consecutive weeks were set aside for championship rounds. Each player completed two 18 hole rounds for a 36 total score for the championship. The final round of the club championship was played at Discovery Bay on Thursday Aug. 22. 

Winners of the 2024 crown were Wanda Synnestvedt with a total gross score of 179; 2nd place with 180 was a tie between Cindy Breed and Jane Peoples. The net score champion with a score of 137 was Eileen Stretch and 2nd place net with 138 was Jane Guiltinan.

In addition to the championship round at Discovery Bay, club members played a game called “Mutt and Jeff” in which only par 3 and par 5 holes are counted for scoring in the 18 hole round. Since there are only eight of these holes combined, Hole # 4 — a difficult long par 4 — was also included. Competition was keen with first place taken by Cindy Westwood with a net score of 32. A close three-way tie for second place with 34 was awarded to Barb Aldrich, Cindy Breed and Terry Graham. Low putts, with 28, was won by Cindy Westwood.

Meanwhile, at Camus Prairie, the club had its highest turnout of the season with 17 players, who competed in a scramble match.  Teams were well matched with similar handicaps (HCPs). First-place team, with a score of 22, was Barb Aldrich, Terri Leach, Shelley French and Rita Beebe. Second place, with a score of 23, went to Starla Audette, Diane Solie, Linda Deal, Jayne Neu and Vicki Young.  Women’s golf continues into the fall. The scramble format will be used on Thursday, Aug. 29, when the Discovery Bay Women host the annual Memorial Tournament to celebrate and remember past players and members. After play, the women will adjourn to hold a luncheon and award prizes. 

The club championship rounds in Port Townsend will take place on three consecutive Tuesdays in September.

Play at both clubs will continue into October. Newcomers are encouraged to join Discovery Bay on Thursdays for 18 holes, starting at 9 a.m., and at Camus Prairie on Tuesdays for nine holes at 9:30 a.m. Contact the golf courses for more information.