Articles
Jackson Park Report: Reflections on 2025 Season
By Matthew LipeGeneral Manager, Jackson Park Golf CourseReflecting on the 2025 season has been an interesting exercise. I assumed the General Manager role after the departure of Bo Lewis at the end of May. Transitions in leadership are always challenging, especially when they happen smack in the middle of a record-setting year: Total rounds at Jackson are up 6 percent this year to date, while revenues from instruction (up 59 percent YTD), driving range (up 18 percent YTD) and food/beverage (up 17 percent YTD) have substantially risen.We’ve done our best as a team to make the transition as seamless as possible. Our front-of-the-house team is top-notch, and their hard work has made my job infinitely more manageable.Bringing on Luc Birchfield as Head Golf Professional was probably the easiest decision I’ve had to make this year. He has proven himself a valuable resource not only for me on the operations side, but for the general public and our men’s club membership as well. His skills as an instructor, fitter and team leader have been invaluable.Superintendent Jon Fulmer and his crew have done an incredible job this year with limited resources. I’m sure you’ve all noticed the improved conditions out on the course this season around the greens and approaches. When all is said and done, roughly 73,000 rounds of golf will have been played at Jackson this year, and that wouldn’t have been possible without the hard work and dedication of Jon and his team.During the off-season we have a multitude of projects needing to get done– probably too many, but that’s inevitable with the age and condition of our pro shop and restaurant. We will focus on improving aesthetics and making Jackson Park as welcoming and accessible as possible. Here are a few of the projects, in no particular order:Replacement of rotting wood around the building exteriors and applying a fresh coat of paint.Upgrading the lighting around the general area.Paving the entrance and south side of the range.Repairing the fence along the 1st tee.Upgrading our security cameras in the pro shop and range.Adding additional seating/tables on the range.Expanding food and beverage offerings in the restaurant.I would like to thank the Jackson Park Men’s Golf Club leadership for their support this season, as well as the club membership in general. Your camaraderie, passion for the game of golf and support of Jackson Park are what make us a community and not just another golf course.
2025 JPMGC Competitions: It’s A Wrap
By Jeff SchoeningTournament Chairman, Jackson Park Men’s Golf ClubThank you to all the men’s club members and tournament players whose support and participation helped make 2025 a successful year for the club. This article highlights the year’s leading money-winners, tournament champions and most improved players. It also provides statistics on club memberships (up from 2024) and overall tournament participation (slightly down).In addition to our many tournaments, the club co-sponsored two charity events in 2025: the 2nd Annual Family and Friends Charity Golf Classic in June benefitting First Tee of Greater Seattle, and the 8th Annual JPMGC Charity Golf Classic in July benefitting Harvest Against Hunger. Those events collectively raised more than $10,000 for the beneficiaries.JPMGC also put on the 16th annual Jackson Park Junior Golf Classic in August, and organized two club outings (in February and December) to Chambers Bay. 2025 Leading Money-WinnersJack Hartley was the Saturday and Match Play lead money-winner, with 864 points. Bob Cameron was the Tuesday lead money-winner this year, earning 1,057 points. Mitchell Kane was the top Wednesday money-winner, with 351 points.The Tuesday Cup was won by Andy Graham. The Tuesday Champions were Karl Meier for Gross and Reed Johnson for Net. Here are links to final money lists:Saturday & Match Play Money List Tuesday Money List Wednesday Money List2025 Money Lists Composite. This is a composite spreadsheet for all three leagues, with worksheets for each league, which all can be sorted. The distribution of payouts across the handicap range looks equitable for all the leagues. To achieve that desired result, tournament directors use multiple flights based on handicaps and pay more net places than gross places.New this year in the Composite worksheet: columns for each league of the “points %” earned by each player, based on the total member points for the league divided into the player’s winnings. The different league percentages are totaled in a fourth column. Perhaps this is a better way to determine the Sandbagger of the Year. Your comments are welcome.Disclaimer: The stroke-play numbers for all the money lists are downloaded from Golf Genius. The match play numbers are added manually. Both sources may contain errors, especially regarding the number of tournaments played. Saturday League Tournament ChampionsJack Hartley became the Gross Stroke Play Champion for a second time, topping the field at the Jackson Classic June 21-22. Jack’s dominance in stroke play was also demonstrated by his winning Low Gross of Field in the Spring, Summer and Fall field days. Kyle Miller repeated as the Gross Match Play Champion. Mark Ohrenschall repeated as the Senior Gross Stroke Play Champion and also won his second Senior Gross Match Play Championship. All of them qualified to play in the Champion of Champions Tournament at The Home Course, in April in 2026 and 2027.The Net Match Play Champion was Brian Larson, the Two-Man Net Champions were Ken Smith and James Wang (their second time winning this title) and the Legends Net Champion was Reed Johnson, accomplishing a three-peat.Four players have qualified to compete for the 2026 Gross Match Play Championship: Dylan Fitzgerald, Jack Hartley, Kyle Miller and Mark Ohrenschall. The remaining 12 spots will be filled based on the Spring Field Day 2026 gross performances from the blue tees.More details are available at: 2025 Tournament Champions Saturday League’s Most Improved PlayersAccording to Golf Genius, the following 10 Saturday league players showed the most improvement lowering their handicaps in 2025. NameFirst Handicap Index®Last Handicap Index®Improvement factorFierro, Adam12.42.31.706LeCompte, Jeffrey31.517.71.465MacFarlane, Kevin9.35.91.190Wise, Jonathon11.57.81.187Nelson, Travis32.726.01.176Lewis, Jesse21.617.21.151Galvin, Bruce19.015.11.144Spacciante, Anthony14.811.51.140Croghan, Dale15.512.21.136Fisher, Sam7.35.01.135 Top TwentiesThis list recognizes the top money-winners and participants across all the club tournaments. Members who play more on Saturdays and Tuesdays have an advantage in winning money, because those leagues pay more than the 9-hole Wednesday league. Still, some people playing lots of Wednesdays fared quite well. On the other hand, if percentages of league points were combined to determine the Sandbagger of the Year, Robert Cowan would have edged out Bob Cameron with 5.505 percent to 5.466 percent.Bob Cameron led in “Points” and “Total Points & Purse,” Jeff Schoening led in “Purse” and Oliver Rutz led in “Tournaments Played.” Because Bob led in points, he is the “Sandbagger of the Year” for 2025. He was won the Order of Merit for the Tuesday League. Top Twenties 2025 Stats: Club Membership Up, Tournament Participation Slightly Down from 2024The club grew in 2025; total membership was up 3.9 percent, rising from 537 in 2024 to 559 members this year.Meanwhile, tournament participation slightly decreased overall from 2024, although the Tuesday league recorded a participation increase. The upshot is that overall club tourney rounds were down 1.9 percent; the number of payouts dipped 6.9 percent; the tournament fee collection was down 3.4 percent; the club contribution was down 0.5 percent; and the club percentage of payouts was up 2.2 percent. Overall, total payouts were down 2.6 percent. Jackson Park Sum–the total of estimated tournament green fees and tournament payouts collected by the course–was up 9.9 percent . Tournament directors adjust the club contribution to payouts to keep tournament finances at a sustainable level for the club. Here are statistics for 2025 and 2024 (Bold denotes 2025 numbers larger than 2024 numbers):2025 StatisticsSaturdays & Match PlayTuesdaysWednesdaysCombinedTourney Rounds9791,3101,1373,426No. of Payouts4378625361,835Paid Player Pct.44.64%65.80%47.14%53.56%Player Purse Fee$22,784$22,680$9,096$54,560Club Contribution$9,707$9,234$3,380$22,321Club Percentage29.88%28.93%27.09%29.03%Total Payout$32,491$31,914$12,476$76,881Honey Pot$5,930$8,450$5,192$19,572Jackson Park Sum$98,631$88,244$52,271$217,527 2024 StatisticsSaturdays & Match PlayTuesdaysWednesdaysCombinedTourney Rounds1,1291,2151,1493,426No. of Payouts5588006121,970Paid Player Pct.49.42%65.84%53.26%56.40%Player Purse Fee$26,200$21,105$9,192$56,497Club Contribution$10,064$8,745$3,626$22,435Club Percentage27.75%29.3%28.29%28.42%Total Payout$36,264$29,850$12,818$78,932Honey Pot$6,820$8,470$5,172$20,462Jackson Park Sum$101,508$72,178$43,841$217,527
Treasurer’s Note: JPMGC Finances Remain Solid As Club Faces Challenges of Rising Costs, Loss of Key Revenue Source
By David ForemanTreasurer, Jackson Park Men’s Golf ClubAs the golf season comes to an end, we like to look back and assess our performance, good and bad–what we did right and where there is room for improvement.This also holds true for the financial performance of our club. Overall, the finances of our club remain solid. There are, however, challenges on the horizon that will test the ongoing strength of our financial position. Rising costs in two areas in particular, and a loss of revenue from a key source, will pose ongoing challenges to our fiscal state. In 2026, the club will no longer be receiving revenue from associate members. WA Golf’s decision to retain membership revenue from associate members will result in an approximately $5,000 annual loss to our club, or close to an 18-percent decline in total membership dues, which are by far our biggest revenue category.Meanwhile, the cost of our tournament software program Golf Genius, since its initial Implementation for our club five years ago, has risen 53 percent, from $2,800 annually to $4,275 (before tax), increasing on average a little over 10 percent each year. It does not show any signs of abating for the future. The lack of viable alternative software and our dependence on Golf Genius’ ability to manage our large number of tournaments deem this service a high priority for the use of our club resources.The other cost to our operations that has risen substantially in the past six years is the number of stipends for club leadership. The use of Golf Genius has substantially increased the efficiency of managing tournaments, which in turn has allowed us to increase our offerings of a wide range of competitions, thus requiring an increase in the number of tournament directors. Fortunately, I believe this number has stabilized and I do not anticipate any significant increase in costs in this area.To help address these issues, the JPMGC board in November voted to increase tournament fees for stroke-play events by $1 per tournament in 2026, which should largely offset the rising costs of our operations.. Wishing you a happy holiday season, and looking forward to another fun season of this game we enjoy so much.
Birdies of Jackson Park (Avian Variety)
By Dana Greeley Member, Jackson Park Men’s Golf Club If you find yourself having a birdie-less day on the course and you don’t want to spoil a good walk … there are usually real-life birds to hear and see. Here’s a quick snapshot/hole-by-hole guide to some of the birds found at Jackson Park Golf Course. On the way up to the clubhouse, near the area of the rental pull carts, look in the trees in the springtime and you may see a Red-breasted Sapsucker pounding away on the trees. Driving Range While hitting that warm-up bucket and dreaming of upcoming eagles during your round, scan the sky for what is likely your only eagle of the day, the Bald Eagle. Front Nine The 1st hole is a good chance to hear (and possibly see) a Pileated Woodpecker. Another woodpecker, one often cursed for drilling into the side of your house, is the Red-shafted Northern Flicker. This species can be seen all over the Seattle area, but lately seems to like (in addition to ants) the area around the 2nd hole. The pond down at the bottom of the 3rd hole is not only a great area to collect your wayward shots; it’s also a good place to see a Hooded Merganser. Hole No. 4, when that semitruck on the freeway isn’t downshifting in your backswing, offers a chance to hear the faint high call of the Cedar Waxwing. The 5th fairway is a favorite haunt of the American Robin, also known by its Latin name: Turdus migratorius. The left side of the 6th fairway is a good spot toward which to aim your drive, but if you happen to end up a bit farther left, the trees are a good place to see and hear the Red-breasted Nuthatch. As you are sometimes apt to wait on the 7th tee, scan the sky for possible migrating Turkey Vultures. The 8th hole seems to be a good spot to hear the raucous call of the Steller’s Jay – RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF YOUR BACKSWING!!! Behind the 9th tee one can often hear, if not see, Kinglets, both Ruby-crowned and Golden-crowned. Back Nine The 10th tee box is a notorious spot for the Jackson Park Crow. You may hear a golfer yell fore, but more likely the uninitiated will be yelling, “That damn bird’s got my hot dog!” The trees right of the green on No. 11 are a good spot for the House Finch. Often flying low over the ground on the fairway of the par-five 12th are Barn Swallows, catching bugs on the wing. The trees behind and around the 13th tee often hold Washington state’s official bird, the Goldfinch. To the left of the 14th tee has been the on-again, off-again nesting site of a Cooper’s Hawk, and further in the past the closely related Sharp-shinned Hawk. Also on the 14th, while searching for your playing partner’s ball in the pond, be on the lookout for a smallish duck called the Lesser Scaup. The trees between the 15th and 6th fairways are a locale for wayward golf balls, but also for both Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers. Whether you drive into the pond or hit the middle of the fairway on No. 16, look up beyond the green to find a favorite nesting area for the Red-tailed Hawk. While not as common as hitting the green on No. 17, on more than one occasion I’ve heard a Western Wood-Pewee in the trees right of the green. Down in the pond between the 18th and 1st fairways one can usually see many water birds; one of my favorites to hear and see is the tiny Pied-billed Grebe. Your round is over and you’re loading up your car. Be on the lookout for a tiny falcon called a Merlin. They occasionally make fly-bys through the parking lot looking for small birds and large insects to eat.
News and Notes: JPMGC Annual Meeting; Club Exchange Program; And More
By Mark Ohrenschall, President, Jackson Park Men’s Golf Club Mark Your Calendars: JPMGC Annual Meeting Coming Jan. 24, 2026The annual meeting of Jackson Park Men’s Golf Club will take place Saturday, Jan. 24, at Hellbent Brewing Co. on Lake City Way, near Jackson Park.This late afternoon/early evening gathering will include food/beverages, a business meeting, election of officers/trustees, a raffle and all-around camaraderie. We are also looking into inviting a guest speaker (TBD). These festivities will follow the 18-hole Clyde Carlson Winterfest outing at Jackson Park. Please mark your calendars and stay tuned for more details/information coming soon via email.Exchange Used/Unwanted Clubs for Book MoneyJackson Park Golf Course has launched a new program for golfers to trade in used or unwanted clubs for course credit (“book money”)–and at the same time, help others discover the game.Through a partnership with the Pacific Northwest PGA Foundation and its affiliate Flipwedge, these trade-ins will directly support programs providing free golf clubs to juniors in our communities. Flipwedge is a mission-driven platform offering high exchange values and risk-free transactions, with all proceeds reinvested into growing the game. The club-exchange program is available via all four Premier Golf locations in Seattle, including Jackson.Here’s how to participate:Online: Visit premier.flipwedge.com, click “Get Started,” and follow the simple steps to value and ship your clubs. Choose Jackson Park to receive your credit. In person: Bring your clubs to the Jackson Park pro shop, where staff can help you start the process. The shop can also provide boxes and printing labels for easy shipping. For questions or assistance, contact Jackson Park General Manager Matt Lipe or Head Professional Luc Birchfield: 206-363-4747; mlipe@premiergc.com; lbirchfield@premiergc.com. Congratulations, Jon Rue and Jay Clark!For the third year in a row, a two-man team connected with JPMGC made it to the final weekend of the 2025 WA Golf Men’s Net Four-Ball Match Play event, held Oct. 17-19 at Gamble Sands. JPMGC member and board trustee Jon Rue and partner Jay Clark, former longtime JPMGC member, advanced from an original statewide field of 256 teams all the way to the semifinals, where they were ousted 1-up by eventual champions Dan Kleckner and Adam Kleckner.Congratulations are in order for Jon and Jay, who followed in the footsteps of JPMGC duos Jack Hartley and Jake Zingler (2023) and Dan Fabela and Tim Rowe (2024) in reaching the final weekend and making a tremendous run at the Net Four-Ball statewide title.Who among us will make it to Gamble Sands in 2026? Stay tuned …Thanks: Walt Dickhoff, John Dealy and Tom StaigerMany thanks to JPMGC members Walt Dickhoff, John Dealy and Tom Staiger for regularly volunteering this year to fill sand/seed bottles and the container at the “Rack That Walt Built,” located at the confluence near the 7th tee, 15th green, 6th green and 16th tee. Their efforts, although hard to measure, surely helped improve playing conditions at Jackson Park, by enabling golfers to stock up on sand/seed to fill divots around the course.The club looks forward to providing further and future opportunities for members to pitch in to make a difference at Jackson Park. Stay tuned for more details.