Favorite stories

Favorite story from pro Adam Witt

Adam Witt, who joined Mariners as head golf pro in February 2008, has had a pretty good run on the course. His best score has been 67, which is five under par.

But that skill and luck doesn't always rub off on his teammates. In Witt's favorite story from the course, another player could have used a touch of luck.

About two months ago, Witt and three others were playing a round of golf. When they arrived at the 10th hole, they were standing on the tee box, waiting for one of the players to tee off.

"He started his backswing and as he made a swing towards the golf ball, the head of the driver flew off, bouncing down the cart path," said Witt. "Needless to say, he missed the ball."

Witt said the player looked at the group, mystified.

"Everyone in the foursome, except him, was on the ground laughing," said Witt. "He threw what was left of the club and said a few words you cant publish, but it was a great laugh I will never forget."

Favorite story from pro Mark McKee

Mark McKee has been in the golf business since 1995 and the resident pro at The Waterfront since 2006. His favorite memory on the course happened during a member-guest tournament.

As McKee looked on, one of the players hooked his ball into the woods. McKee said the man was racing the clock to find it, and he was facing some tough competition: Ron Willard, owner and developer of The Waterfront.

"He [the player] had about 30 seconds left to find it or he would have to go back to the tee box," said McKee. "He was going to get a 1-stroke penalty."

The player's son-in-law found the ball just in time and the man was able to finish out the hole. And though he gave it his best shot, Willard, to no one's surprise, still won, said McKee.

Favorite story from pro Ed Currin

In the 14 years since Ed Currin joined The Water's Edge as golf pro, he's seen a few celebrities teeing off. Most recently, Kenny Perry, who plays on the PGA Tour and was a member of the 2008 Ryder Cup team, played June 7 in the American Cancer Society's annual Swing Fore A Cure tournament.

"Kenny Perry, I think, is unusually nice to be as big a celebrity as he is," said Currin.

Steve Williams, Tiger Woods' caddie, also was at the June 7 tourney. Currin said Perry and Williams held a question-and-answer session for attendees.

In August 2005, Currin got to rub shoulders with Michael Jordan when the retired professional basketball star played the course numerous times over three days.

"He was very nice," said Currin. "He's a pretty good golfer, too."

Favorite story from pro Billy McBride III

When Billy McBride III came to The Westlake in January 2004, his first pro position since getting in the golf business in 1996, he quickly established a program to get children interested in the sport. The resulting The Westlake Junior Camp is a source of pride for McBride.

"The funnest time that we have out here is when we have the junior camps," said McBride. "Watching the kids play, especially when they hit a good shot, seeing that expression -- that's basically what our profession is all about."

He said it's fun and rewarding to see children as young as 7 years old getting involved with golf and finding something in it that keeps them coming back. About half the campers return each year.

McBride said the camp is held twice yearly. Students are taught the basic rules of golf as well as etiquette. On the final day of the five-day program, the children participate in an abbreviated tournament, trying their hand at a couple holes, said McBride.

"Probably 99 percent of them have a smile on their face when they leave here," he said.