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 Steve Scott. Photo by Jon Olson
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Steve Scott, head pro at Paramount CC in New City, will commemorate his 1996 U.S. Amateur Championship match with Tiger Woods with a visit to the site of the historic showdown, Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club near Portland, Oregon, on April 6-7, 2016.
The visit marks Scott’s first trip to Pumpkin Ridge since he lost to Woods in an epic, sudden-death playoff 20 years ago. To commemorate the famous match, Scott will host a clinic for Pumpkin Ridge members and share some of his recollections of the championship.
“I can’t wait to return to Pumpkin Ridge; memories and feelings that have been locked away the last two decades will undoubtedly come flooding back,” says Scott. “I remember so well how many people and cameras were there. If anything, that just made my focus and precision sharper because I didn’t want to look bad on national television.”
“I’m looking forward to reminiscing about the whole event and playing the course again. Hopefully, they’ll have some of the hole locations where we played them. It will be great just to look back at the major accomplishment that it was.” Scott adds regrets that his wife, Kristi, won’t be able to make the trip because their kids will be in school that week. Kristi caddied for him during the memorable match.
The championship match was an epic, with Scott ceding victory only at the 38th hole. Scott held a commanding 5-up lead over Woods after the first 18 holes of the 36-hole match. Woods closed the gap by going birdie-birdie-par to pull within two holes with 13 left to play, then finished with birdie-birdie-par to tie the match. The two players halved the first playoff hole but Woods two-putting from eight feet to clinch the title on the second hole of the tie-breaker.
“We’re honored to host Steve for his first visit to Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club since 1996,” says David McDonald, President of Escalante Golf, which purchased a controlling interest in the club last October. “His name and Pumpkin Ridge are inextricably linked with a legendary moment in golf history that we’re looking forward to revisiting.”
Opened in 1992, Pumpkin Ridge features 36 holes designed by Bob Cupp and John Fought. Witch Hollow has hosted the 1997 and 2003 Women’s U.S. Opens in addition to the 1996 U.S. Amateur. Its sister course, Ghost Creek, is a past venue of Nike Tour and LPGA events.
Adds Scott: “I’m really excited to see some old friends at Pumpkin Ridge and to meet some of the newer members and spend time at a place very near and dear to my heart. It’s great to be heading back to Oregon.”
