Northwest Notes April 28, 2020
Symetra Tour event, slated for Circling Raven, canceled for this season Governor says Washington golf courses can reopen May 5 Kellogg picks Davidian as new football coach
WORLEY — Due to concerns over the coronavirus pandemic, the Circling Raven Championship, a Symetra Tour “Road to the LPGA” event, has been canceled this season.
The inaugural event was scheduled for Aug. 24-30, the first in a three-year partnership with the Tour. It was to have featured a full field of competitors battling for $200,000 in prize money.
Because of this year’s cancellation, the partnership between Circling Raven and the Symetra Tour now extends through 2023.
The Symetra Tour is one notch below the LPGA Tour, with players vying for spots on the top ladies tour.
“We anxiously await the inaugural Circling Raven Championship in 2021,” said Mike Nichols, Chief Business Officer of the Symetra Tour. “As we reworked this year’s schedule, the goal has been to provide as many safe playing opportunities for our Symetra Tour professionals as possible, with an eye towards the future as well. While Circling Raven Golf Club and Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort have decided to postpone their event until 2021, we know their team is anxious to build a long and fruitful partnership.”
“This is the right thing to do, and we look forward to working with the LPGA in hosting the Symetra Tour’s Circling Raven Championship in 2021,” said Laura Stensgar, CEO of the Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel.
Dates for next year’s tournament have yet to be determined.
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announced Monday that golf courses throughout the state of Washington will be allowed to reopen on May 5.
Inslee ordered golf courses in Washington closed effective March 25, due to the coronavirus pandemic.
In the meantime, Washington golfers have been crossing over the border to play North Idaho courses, though recently North Idaho courses have not allowed Washington residents to play them.
Once they reopen, Washington courses will have to comply with COVID-19 worksite-specific safety practices, much like North Idaho courses have had to.
KELLOGG — Dan Davidian has been recommended for hire as Kellogg High’s football coach, pending school board approval.
Davidian, principal at Kellogg Middle School, would replace Dan Lucier, who coached the Wildcats for three seasons and compiled a 12-15 record, including state 3A playoff appearances all three seasons. In 2017, Kellogg won its first league title since 1973 and advanced to the state quarterfinals, finishing 6-3.
“I am excited for Kellogg football after talking with coach’s references,” Kellogg athletic director Mike LaFountaine said.
Davidian graduated in 1984 from Hoover High in Fresno, Calif., where he played two seasons of football.
He played two seasons at West Hills College in Coalinga, Calif.
Davidian was a high school assistant coach in California for six seasons, and was a head coach in the Boise Optimist Youth Football program for five seasons.
“On behalf of Kellogg High School athletics, coaches, staff and players we would like to thank coach Lucier for what he brought to our school and football program — integrity, heart, inspiration, just to mention a few,” LaFountaine said. “Coach will be missed.”