February 15, 2025
Two Benefit Tournaments, Junior Classic, Seattle Cup.
Jackson Park Men’s Golf Club played a central role in four special events this past golf season. Here is a summary of each.
Family and Friends Charity Classic
The 1st Annual Family and Friends Charity Classic took place at Jackson Park on Saturday, June 8, attracting 90 participants for a special day of golf among family and friends.
Co-sponsored by JPMGC, Jackson Jills Golf Club and Jackson Park Golf Course, the two-person scramble raised $4,300 for First Tee of Greater Seattle, which impacts the lives of young people from all backgrounds by providing educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices through the game of golf. First Tee runs programs at Jackson Park throughout the year, serving several hundred local youth annually.
Kudos to tournament co-chairs Lee Jones and Jeff Schoening for organizing, and to sponsors, donors, volunteers, Jackson Park staff and participants for making this inaugural tournament a success.
7th Annual Charity Golf Classic
JPMGC and Seattle Northeast Rotary co-sponsored the 7th Annual Charity Golf Classic benefiting Harvest Against Hunger, which took place Tuesday, July 23, at Jackson Park with 27 four-person teams playing a scramble format.
While golf competition was part of the event (see results here), the day’s most important came in raising $9,700 for Harvest Against Hunger. This will provide many 40,000-pound truckloads of fresh fruit and produce to our region’s food banks, along with supporting community-based hunger relief and food-waste solutions.
This popular event over the years has now raised about $60,000 total to benefit Harvest Against Hunger, a 42-year-old Seattle-based non-profit (a program of Rotary District 5030).
Thanks to co-chairs Lee Jones, Jeff Schoening and John Claus, and a shout-out as well to sponsors, donors, volunteers, Jackson Park and Harvest Against Hunger staff, and participants.
15th Annual Jackson Park Junior Golf Classic
The 15th Annual Jackson Park Junior Golf Classic attracted 55 young people to Jackson Park on Monday, Aug. 12, for a day of tournament golf.
The field included 27 juniors ages 5-12 who played the Jackson par-3 course and 28 juniors ages 13-17 who teed it up on the 18-hole course.
Jack Conway was low boy with a 74 on the regulation course while Poppy Leigh came in as low girl with an 82. On the short course, Jenn Moon led the boys with a 28 while Chloe Than was low girl with 44.
According to tournament organizer Dan Puetz Sr., thanks are due to many JPMGC members who donated $25-$100 of pro-shop credit for prizes; numerous local businesses who donated gift cards as well as cash; and help from JPMGC members, Jackson Park staff and others.
Kudos also to Dan for his work over the years in organizing this event and giving local youngsters an opportunity for golf competition.
Seattle Cup
Jackson Park Men’s Golf Club participated in the 2024 Seattle Cup over the last two weekends in August, competing in this Ryder Cup-style match-play event against teams from the men’s clubs at West Seattle, Jefferson Park (recently renamed Bill Wright Golf Complex at Jefferson Park) and Interbay.
It was tough sledding this year for Jackson Park, winning only 1.5 points (out of a possible 6) in the Chapman format at Jackson Park and also finishing in last place for the overall event. The 24-member JPMGC team (plus one pro) had a sliver of hope heading into the final day’s singles at Jefferson/Bill Wright and early in the round it looked like the team was ready to rise to the challenge. Alas, many of our early match leads disappeared over the back nine, and our fate was sealed.
Looking ahead to 2025, Captain Brian Asplund and Assistant Captains Dave Foreman and Mark Ohrenschall have received feedback from this year’s team and will be making some adjustments, including how pairings are selected for matches. Please be on the lookout for an announcement email prior to the JPMGC 2025 Spring Field Day for more information on next year’s Seattle Cup.
The winner of this year’s Seattle Cup was West Seattle, with 18 points, followed by Interbay with 15, Bill Wright/Jefferson with 14.5 and Jackson with 12.5.