Tyee Golf Course Announces Closing

Back in the mid-1960's three friends - George Geyer, Airline Pilot; George Puetz, Astute Golfer; and Roy Moore, Trucking Professional; came together to brainstorm the idea of creating and operating a public golf course. In 1966 that dream became a reality as the Tyee Golf Course opened as a top shelf golf complex. 

For years the facility featured an 18 cup course with some interesting holes for championship caliber play; a driving range to hone a swing; a pro shop offering a rich assortment of golf related merchandise; a restaurant for entertainment and a lounge for improving one's recollection of the just completed round of golf - where the reported score probably improved with each new round of drinks! 

It was then as it is now, the noisiest course in the world with jets landing and taking off at just a few hundred feet overhead. And just about every golfer in this area has played Tyee, the unique track at the south end of Seatac Airport.


In 1990, Mark Olson was hired as the course Golf Pro where he operated the pro shop until 1999 when Roy Moore made the decision to retire and Mark decided to take ownership of the property lease.

In the past decade the course has adapted to changing conditions. In 1999 the restaurant and lounge were forced to close and the driving ranged was shuttered.  In 2001, the golf course was shortened to 17 holes; subsequently reduced to 12 and finally adjusted to 9 holes to make way for the airport expansion of the third runway and other various port projects.

In 2011 while entering the third year of a five year lease, the FAA had completed a study of Sea-Tac airport operations and advised the Port of Seattle to shut down the golf course at that time.  With the help of Jolene Culler, ‎Senior Property Manager at Port of Seattle and with additional support from City of SeaTac Parks Director Kit Ledbetter, an agreement was reached to let Mark continue Tyee Course operations through the end of the existing five year agreement.

November 2014 is when that 5 year lease agreement will expire and Mark Olson has announced that the Tyee Golf Course will officially close their doors for the last time on October 26th, ending a nearly 50 year run supporting the game of golf for local enthusiasts and organizations throughout the south end and to visitors passing through the airport looking for a quick pick up round during their travels.

The course will remain open through the month of October and is accepting Tee Time Reservations through the Tyee Golf Course Website.  An 18 hole round cost $15 or less, depending on day and time selected.

Once vacated, the land that is owned by the Port of Seattle will be transformed into a habitat to attract native animal species, discourage open space where Canada Geese prefer to accumulate and to expand the Ports beneficial insect program which encourages bee colony expansion and increased dragon fly populations.

It is always unfortunate to see economically viable businesses leave SeaTac. We'd like to take this opportunity to recognize Mark for his effort in continuing to operate this golf course in our neighborhood for the past twenty-five years and wish him all the best in whatever his future brings.

Steinke Wins Gold... Again... and Again!

Angle Lake neighbor Courtney Steinke achieved several top place finishes again this year!  

Courtney Steinke loves to compete in athletic events.  Year over year he has shown up to participate in the ALSC Bud Jones Memorial 5k Run around the Lake and year over year, Courtney has taken the award for first place finish in his division!  Quite an accomplishment for any athlete however, it is an extremely impressive achievement when you consider Courtney’s age – a spry 82 years old!

Mr. Steinke is also recognized as a perennial champion at the National and State level as well. In 2011, Courtney participated in the Korean War National Veterans Golden Age Games held in Des Moines, Iowa. Steinke competed in the horseshoe toss, high jump, bowling, discus, long jump and shot put winning medals in four of the six events. 


Courtney had also recently participated in the Washington State Senior Games held near Olympia, July 24-27. Steinke competed in bowling, long jump, standing long jump and a 50 meter race, garnering a gold medal, three silver medals and a bronze medal for his efforts.

Congratulations Courtney for your outstanding athletic achievements!  We look forward to presenting you with another First Place ribbon for senior men’s division again at next year’s Race around the Lake!

Are You Up For The Challenge?

Swimmers numbering in the hundreds will gather on the shores of Angle Lake on Saturday, September 20, 2014 eager to participate in a 1 and 2 mile open water competition swim! Have you got what it takes to be part of the contest?

Swimmers Gather For A Briefing Before The Race

The Last Gasp of Summer is the annual US Master Swimmers competition hosted by Blue Wave Aquatics and Valley AquaticsSwim Team and held on the East-West Leg of Angle Lake. Now in its 4th year, the organized swim is the last open water event of the season for youth and master swimmers to compete.

EVENTS
USMS Master Swimming
USA Youth Swimming
§  1 Mile wetsuit
§  500 Meter non-wetsuit [9-12 yrs]
§  1 Mile non-wetsuit
§  1 Mile non-wetsuit
§  2 Mile wetsuit
§  2 Mile non-wetsuit
§  2 Mile non-wetsuit


Day of Race registration is $80 and requires a One Day USMS registration fee of an additional $20. Entry includes one event, swim cap, participation gift and hosted lunch. Maximum number of athletes participating for the Last Gasp of Summer is 300. Family members are welcome to cheer on their swimmers and enjoy lunch after, donations will be accepted.

Early Registration includes everything listed above but also includes a long sleeve performance shirt included in the entry fee! Early registration closes at 11:59 PM PST on September 18th.



RACE DAY SCHEDULE
Saturday, September 20th
8:30 – 9:30 AM
Pre-race check-in for both races
8:45 AM
Briefing – Officials, Kayaks, Lifeguards
9:30 AM
Mandatory Meeting for ALL swimmers
10:00 AM
Start of 2 Mile Race
10:15 AM
Start of 1 Mile Race
10:45 AM
Start of 500 Meter Race (USA Swimming)
12:00 Noon
Awards, Picnic Lunch

Visit the Last Gasp of Summer Website for more race event information.

THAT IS SO UN-12!

Local favorite, the huge 12th Man Flag was taken down only after a few short days on display. 

The other night as I met with the May’s to talk about plans for the upcoming new ALSC Christmas Tree Lighting Event, I asked Rodger why he had taken down his iconic ‘12th Man’ flag? His response was troubling. Rodger informed me that someone had stole it!

He went on to explain that due to the damage left behind he was led to believe that someone climbed onto his fence to take down and remove the 18’ x 25’ flag – Yes, that’s right - eighteen feet by twenty five feet! It is an exact copy of the flag that is on display at Century Link Field in Seattle.

It is perplexing to me to consider how someone, on a busy main thoroughfare like South 188th Street, could even have the ability to climb up, straddle a flag pole to take this gigantic flag down, fold it up and cart it off down the street without ever being seen?  And that is where I’m hoping one or more of you may have witnessed some activity related to this crime!

If you happened to have been in the area of 42nd Ave South and South 188th Street on Sunday, September 7th between the hours of 9 pm and Monday 6 am and have any information relating to this crime, please contact Rodger May.  Any information leading to an arrest and/or recovery of the flag will be rewarded.  

I’m hoping the power of the REAL 12’s can pull together to recover this flag and get it flying again in it’s rightful spot – showing everyone that the Spirit of the 12’s is strong here on Angle Lake!