Chelan, Manson golfers highlight tradition at 2025 Golf Binge in British Columbia

OLIVER, B.C. — A group of friends from the Chelan and Manson area joined with fellow golfers from Idaho for five days of competition in British Columbia this month, continuing a tradition more than two decades in the making.

Ten of the 11 participants in the 2025 Golf Binge, held Sept. 8–12, traveled from the Chelan Valley. One player came from Sandpoint, Idaho. Another member from Western Washington was scheduled to attend but canceled shortly before the trip.

The event was founded more than 20 years ago by Chelan Valley friends Ron Hanken, Don Valentini and Larry Wold. What began as a casual outing has grown into an annual competition that draws golfers from across the region. Each year, the players compete for daily honors and for the week’s grand prize, the Memorial “Wold Cup,” awarded in memory of Wold.

“This gathering has always been about friendship first and golf second,” organizers said in the event summary. “The camaraderie and the shared experiences are what make people come back year after year”.

This year’s trip returned the group to the Kelowna area for a second straight year. Members played five courses: Nk’Mip Canyon Golf Course in Oliver; Sunset Ranch Golf & Country Club; the Quail Course at Okanagan Golf Club; Harvest Golf Club; and Gallagher’s Canyon Golf & Country Club. Weather conditions were described as ideal throughout the week.

Competition was a central part of the outing, with contests each day for closest to the pin, long drive, low gross and low net scoring. Other formats included Stableford scoring, two-man best ball, fewest putts and team events.

Chelan’s Doug Grout captured the Wold Trophy for lowest net score of the week. Fellow Chelan golfer Matt Froman earned the “Golfer Lamp” award for lowest gross score. The two traded runner-up honors in opposite categories. Stark finished with the most long drive wins, while Stark and Scott McDonald tied for most closest-to-the-pin shots.

Froman also teamed with Gil McKinnie to win the annual putting contest, while he and Stark combined to win the annual chipping contest. Weekly match play competitions went to McKinnie and Ellis Nierenberg.

Evenings were spent in downtown Kelowna, where the group dined together and attended local events, including Country Music Week. Members also took time to enjoy the favorable exchange rate, food prices and hospitality in British Columbia.

Planning the trip was a group effort. Chelan Valley members handled logistics including handicaps, tee positions, course check-ins, game formats, contest signage, award presentations and meal reservations. Others designed T-shirts, compiled winners, organized the putting and chipping contests, and managed cash awards.

“The teamwork off the course is just as important as the teamwork on the course,” the event summary noted. “Everyone has a role, and that’s what keeps the Binge going strong”.

Golfers from the Chelan and Manson area who were unable to participate this year included Hanken, Bob Lindeman, Brian Dougan, Bob Ludeman and Tom Fagerholm.

The 2026 Golf Binge is scheduled to take place in September.