When my friend Evan Johnsen asked me to help support The First Tee and join the Chambers Bay Solstice party. I jumped out of my chair and boarded an airplane as fast as humanly possible.
The Chambers Bay Solstice is an event designed to raise money for The First Tee by having golfers play as many golf holes as possible in a single day. Supporters can pledge money per hole or just donate a lump sum. It is an excellent way to celebrate the game while doing something great for junior golf.
My personal record for the most golf holes played in one day is 70 and was set during the 2018 solstice at Little Bennett Golf Club. I had my sights set on 72 holes. Would I be able to break my record?
I was prepared to make it happen. Since there are no golf carts permitted at Chambers Bay I knew this was going to be a tall task. The course requires just over 7 miles of walking during a normal round and would require almost 30 miles in order to complete a 72 hole marathon. Please enjoy my preparation list.
4 changes of socks
1 change of shoes
2 different Waggle Golf polos
55 gallon drum of lube to avoiding chaffing
3 gallons of sunscreen ( establishing anti chaffing lube as 18.3x more important )
6 Vice Golf balls
3 radical golfing buddies
1 golf push cart with fresh coat of WD-40 on the wheels.
75 bottles of water
1 golf pocket devoted specifically to Aleve.
Sadly, I would end up packing very few of those things as the event was limited to 36 holes due to record setting temperatures in the Seattle area. Apparently, it is dangerous to spend the entire day walking around in an old sand and gravel mine during a 103 degree heat wave. The good news is that we still got to treat ourselves to a CTP influencer challenge on hole #15 and play 36 holes of amazing golf.
Over the course of 36 holes, our crew did experience some greatness. Clearly this list would have grown exponentially over an additional 36 holes. Be sure to check out the full day on the Instagram Stories.
1 hole out for eagle from Ben Garrett at 180 yards on #14
136 “Holy Crap is it getting hot.” comments
1 wake up call at 1:45am.
1 ace on #15.
1 pretty solid GIR from Patrick Koenig on #15
$100k raised for The First Tee
1 bald eagle sighting
7 trains a rumbling
0 incidences of heat stroke
3 exhausted golfers
Even though the event was cut short, we were still exhausted. I don’t think we would have been able to go another 36 in that heat. However, we were able to raise a tidy sum of money for The First Tee. Not that we needed it, but our golf hearts were warmed by this accomplishment alone. Personally, my zest for the 2022 Chambers Bay Solstice has only intensified.
To make a difference in the lives of junior golfers, you can donate right here.