Royal Oaks Country Club is celebrating its course, its tradition, and amateur golf, all in one big event this weekend.
The 60th Royal Oaks Invitational Tournament starts Friday. The three-day event features some of the best local and regional amateur golfers.
“It’s a big event that includes members going head-to-head against some of the best amateur golfers in the Pacific Northwest,” said Debbie Hall Friede, marketing director of the club. “We don’t have a lot of outside events here. This is one of our big events to showcase.”
The course, she said, is in pristine shape, which includes “the best greens in the area.”
New this year is the green on the par-5 15th hole. Earlier this week, when Royal Oaks hosted a U.S. Open Sectional Qualifier, the 15th hole was the toughest of the four par-5 holes on the course.
Hall Friede said she expects the greens to be rolling at least a 13 on the Stimpmeter this week, which will make for a lot of challenging, speedy putts.
The ROIT often brings in top college players from the west.
Nigel Lett, the defending champion, is a member of the University of Oregon golf team. He is expected to play in the ROIT.
In fact, the past three champions are in this year’s field. Jesse Heinly, who is from Bend, Ore., and played college at Concordia in Portland, won it in 2014. Beaverton’s Ryan Fery was 36 when he took the 2013 title and is scheduled to compete.
Some of the best high school golfers are in the field, as well. Spencer Tibbits, who recently won the Class 3A state title for Fort Vancouver, has a 9 a.m. tee time Friday. Brian Humphreys of Camas will tee off at 9:20 a.m.
The Royal Oaks Invitational Tournament is free for spectators.
