Seventh Pioneer Pass Golf Challenge Opens on Friday
YUCCA VALLEY – The eyes of Yucca Valley are looking north toward the mountains, where the Pioneer Pass, back road to Big Bear, will be coming alive with swinging clubs and flying golf balls in the world’s longest and only playable 19th Hole, the 7th Annual Pioneer Pass Golf Challenge Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Challengers from Southern California areas will match wits, stamina and golfing ability against the unique and unusual 28-mile fairway. The state of Texas has been alerted and challenged to compete with the daring California golfers but at this time, no brave takers have come out of the Lone Star state.
Walter Scott, Hollywood actor and member of Hollywood Life Inc. and “Miss Pioneer Pass,” Marsi Sipherd of Twentynine Palms, will officially open the 19th Hold play. Bob Purcell, a former president of KFWB, is scheduled to be the master of ceremonies at the kickoff dinner and awards banquet, both being held at the Yucca Valley Golf Club.
In addition to an extensive background in the world of show business, Purcell, a newcomer to the Queen City, has been connected with radio and tv for many years.
Among the highlights of the Friday night kickoff dinner will be a film short from Travel-World Productions, showing the past challenges and will be shown and narrated by Jerry Moore, Yucca Valley Park and Recreation director. Colored slides taken by Al Fisher, the Park Board president, features the beautiful scenery of the pass as well as on-the-scene shots of previous players and their follies.
The Hostess Committee whose function it is to welcome the players and many expected out-of-town guests, includes “Miss Pioneer Pass,” Louise Fredricks, Mrs. Iva Harris Ozenghar, Mrs. Jerry Moore, Virginia Nahhas, a newly appointed park commissioner, and Dorothy Pippitt, hostess chairman, who will turn over the chairmanship as she enters the competition to Mrs. Nahhas.
Eighteen holes of regulation golf at the Yucca Valley Golf Club proceeds the 19th Hole play, which begins Saturday morning down the Mane Street of Pioneertown, a former movie-town. Gala festivities will continue throughout the day in Pioneertown, including a 19th Hold Junior PPGC to be set up for children and adults who wish to try their hand at a “hole-in-one,” with prizes for those succeeding.
A barbecue field lunch, provided half-way up the pass at the site of the Old Rose Mine, will be handled by the Boy Scout troop of the Twentynine Palms Marnie Corps Base, in an effort to obtain funds for their summer camp program.
The challengers will hole-out Sunday for the grand finale at Peter Pan Lodge in Big Bear, and then return to the Yucca Valley Golf Club to receive a host of prizes and trophies in a triumphant celebration.
The public is invited to attend the 18 hole play on Friday, the spectacular 19th Hole tee-off Saturday morning in Pioneertown…and perhaps greet the ruggedest golfers in the world at Big Bear.
