June is finally here and with it the grass is turning greener by the day. A quick Google search reveals a handful of quotes about summer, including this one:

“Everything good, everything magical happens between the months of June and August,” said Jenny Han.

Things weren’t so magical last weekend at the Creek, where many a sorry face moped off the 18th green and complained about the highest scores they shot in years. I played with Marcus Dolejsi and watched him hit the ball beautifully on his way to an 85 that made no sense. Jung Han was the hero of my foursome, making a long par putt on the 18th to shoot a 79. The Creek has a way of adding strokes to a scorecard in a hurry.

Ringleader Herschel Deaton is still the Bisector, apparently. He fired a 39 on the front nine. Aaron Roth shot a 74, which led the Deaton Gaggle. Rich Teders shot a 76.

As for a little course-condition update, the chatter in the clubhouse revealed that Anchorage Golf Course greens are the best in years, the Hill, the Creek and Palmer still have room to improve and Settlers Bay still has the best greens around. Having played Settlers, I can confirm that its greens are nearly Lower 48 quality already.

There have been no challenge matches so far this season. Teders set a black-tee course record at Settlers last month with a 74. Sean Walsh reportedly shot a career-best 70 at Palmer last week. Rob Nelson, still No. 1 in Alaska, posted a 69 at Palmer last week, so maybe Walsh should be preparing for a big challenge match.

Challenge matches are always in effect, so if you feel like you belong in the Top 20, challenge someone to a match and test your skills.