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About Columbia Gorge news. (The Dalles, OR) 2020-current | View Entire Issue (April 21, 2021)
Columbia Gorge News www.columbiagorgenews.com Wednesday,April21,2021 15 Golf can be a grind sometimes, but not if you play with a smile Petshow ■ By For Joe Columbia Gorge News golfing struggles of late are on the putting green. “When it comes to golf, just a little weakness can mess HE EVOLUTION OF with your game because it 15-year-old Tora Jo can get inside your head and Timinsky’s young doesn’t want to come out,” golfing career has progressed she said. “My biggest struggle from her first clubs — a pink, recently with golfing has Barbie set — to a single-digit been my putting. Inside of handicap. And, if indicators about five feet I don’t seem are correct, there should to have that strong putting be more progression in her confidence I used to, instead future. I seem to just push it to the That should benefit Dufur right side of the hole. High, where Timinsky is a “Putting used to be one sophomore, and part of the of my stronger suits … and school’s first (hopeful) season now it’s on the low side, but of girls and boys golf teams. I have some good drills and The sport is hardly new for equipment to help me get my Timinsky, who is a regular confidence and skill back. on the state junior circuit. Even though positivity is one She plays year-round, having of my strengths, sometimes finished second earlier this confidence can be one of my year at a tournament in San weaknesses. It’s really nice Antonio, Texas, where her knowing I have all of these dad, Bill, was her caddie. people that believe in me, but That’s who introduced sometimes I can get inside of Timinsky to the sport. “My my head and it messes with dad got into golf a little bit my confidence out on the before I was born,” she said. course.” “Later, he thought it would A summer family road trip be a good sport to get me and in 2020 help fuel Timinsky’s my sister into. love of golf and family. “My “At first, I didn’t play that family and I took our camp much on the course. Instead, trailer and traveled for golf I just rode around in the golf tournaments in Oregon,” cart and watched movies, while hitting a few shots here Dufur High School sophomore Tora Jo Timinsky takes a swing on the practice range in August 2020. she said. “(We were) all on and there. But that’s what Timinsky, who plays year-round, finished second at tournament in San Antonio, Texas earlier this year. the course together, just kept it fun; I wasn’t forced to Contributed photo having a great time. It’s also fun when we play in practice or play constantly.” Friday night scrambles at At about age 6, Timinsky said she participated in the Salem. Timinsky shot 79 and congratulate myself on each The Dalles Country Club. We the First Tee program under First Tee of Greater Portland the tutelage of Ron Moseley, won the age 15-18 division. good shot, and I make myself take our red, four-seater cart out and play a scramble as a program, which introduces “My putter was on fire that believe that I can, and I will, and more recently plays high family.” youngsters to the game of day and I was just draining all play well. school golf under the guid- Family, at least some of golf. Closer to home, she “My favorite thing about of them,” she said. ance of Coach Travis Kane. it, was a big part of her most participated in Bob Sproule’s She attributes her positive golf is that it’s a lifelong Timinsky practices five recent competitive junior junior golf program at The enjoyable sport. When you days a week, she said. Those attitude and her short game golf round in early spring in Dalles Country Club — smile on the inside is when as important factors of her sessions include the use of San Antonio. “I had never where Amy Wilson also you really know you enjoy golf success. “My pitching a simulator in the family’s helped mentor Timinsky. what you’re doing. That is the been to Texas before and it wedge, 9-iron, and 8-iron, workshop — when winter was an amazing, unforget- “As I got older, I started feeling I get on the course, I feel good when I need to weather doesn’t allow out- to like the game even more, a strong smile on the inside hit a shot with those clubs, table experience,” she said. door play. so we started to play in little that also shows outside.” because the swing is just in “My dad and I walked on the “Normally I look back tournaments here and there,” and reflect off of my pre- Despite this, Timinsky is me by muscle memory,” she river walk every afternoon she said. “I would practice not immune to golf’s many said. “I’ve hit so many good and had our fill of delicious vious tournament to help more and get lessons, then challenges, physical and shots with those clubs that Mexican food.” As for the golf, me decide what I should the rest just kind of played mental. The legendary golfer Timinsky finished second practice,” she said. That ethic my mind just goes to full out.” Bobby Jones once said, “Golf to medalist Abra Richmond has helped lower her United confidence. Timinsky travels to Lake is a game that is played on “Another thing I’m strong of Los Angeles in the age States Golf Association hand- Oswego every couple of a five-inch course — the with is staying positive on 15-18 division at Willow icap to 9.1. Her best 18-hole weeks to receive instruc- distance between your ears.” Springs Golf Course, near competitive score was in the the course. A lot can go Timinsky said most of her AT&T Stadium. The tourney fall of 2020 at the Oregon Golf wrong when you start to get tion from Meurig Morgan, down on yourself or start Association Tournament of who operates Dragon to become negative on the Champions at Illahe Hills Golf Instruction. She also course. So, I just try and Country Club in South continues to participate in T was part of the US Kids Golf Foundation Teen Series. Away from the course, Timinsky has been on the Dufur High cheer squad and also enjoys dance — jazz, musical theater, and tap. “Sometimes it can give you a good break from reali- ty,” she said. “With dance (pre-COVID), I would go to different dance conventions and those were a blast.” Timinsky said one of her goals is to consistently shoot in the 70s for 18 holes, which should get her noticed by col- lege coaches. “Golfing in col- lege is one of my goals for the future,” she said. “My hopes are to work hard enough to receive a golf scholarship, and if not, I still would like to play on a college golf team.” A year-round golfing climate would be ideal, she said, of her college location. “Even though I can, and do, play golf year-round here, it can get a little chilly,” she said. “So going somewhere where the weather is nice sounds good to me.” Timinsky, a sophomore class representative at Dufur High, continues to ponder her future. “My mind seems to bounce from career to career when I think about what I want to do … what I should study in college to help get me there,” she said. “As of right know I’m thinking about majoring in business, because it’s always good to have a solid base … I’ve bounced from thinking about being a chiroprac- tor, to a teacher, to being a photographer.” If that career trifecta pans out, it should benefit her golf game. She will be equipped to treat the occasional back injuries which sideline some golfers; she can instruct her way out of slumps; and when she wins, she can snap self-portraits holding the trophies. KLICKI GIVE THE GIFT OF LIFE! Join Skyline Foundaon for its annual virtual event “SHINE ON!” KLICKITAT COUNTY TAXPAYERS NOTICE: e nt s Please call if you have any questions. (509) 773-4664 * (800) 766-5403 www.klickitatcountytreasurer.com Greg Gallagher- Klickitat County Treasurer IMPACT We are proud to say that since the incepon of this fund, Skyline has provided nearly 60 paents with mammograms and/or diagnosc tests. These are paents who otherwise would not have access to these live-saving exams. In addion, it helped to purchase a 3D mammography machine – giving Skyline the latest breast health THANK YOU 2021 technology available locally. SHINE ON! PARTNERS n /e v • Delinquent Taxes: Please confirm amount SUPPORTING This year’s event will support Skyline’s Breast Health Program. This essenal and life-saving program provides assistance for breast cancer screenings and diagnosc tests for under/uninsured individuals – regardless of age or gender. It also supports the purchase of the latest breast health technology, which is vital for early detecon. d a o • Additional Options: Go to the Treasurer’s web page fo u n • Drop Box: Located at the bottom of the ADA ramp . o rg / • • • • • Mail: Include your coupons & Post mark accepted ealth • • • • lineh APRIL 30, 2021 N Be Ready! Sign in! Explore the event! Make a donaon! View & Bid on Aucon Packages! my s k y Reminder first half of real and personal property taxes is due on: Saturday, May 15, 6 p.m. through Sunday, May 16, 9 p.m. CHAMPION PARTNERS: A&E Heang The Stevenson Family Trust WARRIOR PARTNERS: Best Western PLUS Hood River Inn First Interstate Bank FLYNN BEC, LP USI ADVOCATE PARTNERS: Columbia Bank Skyline Health Medical Clinic PARTNERSHIPS & IN-KIND DONATIONS ARE BEING ACCEPTED For more informaon, please contact Dawn Nielson at dnielson@myskylinehealth.org or 509-637-2603. @MySkylineHealth @skyline_health My Skyline Health
