Eastern Washington Golf Tournements

Timberline's Birbeck heads to Hall of Fame

“It’s something that happened,” said Birbeck, Timberline High School’s longtime wrestling coach and former athletic director.

Birbeck’s years of service to wrestling at Timberline earned him recognition on a national level: He was one of 10 men recently inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame for the Washington Chapter, earning a Lifetime Service Award. Each award recipient from the June 11 banquet in Everett is recognized in the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in Stillwater, Okla., with an embossed name plaque, and each received a plaque and jacket to commemorate the occasion.

“In some ways, it was overwhelming,” Birbeck said. “In some ways, it was something after it’s all over you feel good about.”

Birbeck began his coaching career at Chinook Middle School in 1965, then coached at Mark Morris High School in Longview for two years before becoming the Blazers’ wrestling coach from when the school opened in 1970.

Success came quickly for Birbeck at Timberline. During his 16 years with the Blazers (1970-85, ’90), he had a dual-match record of 121-79-1. Along with the 1975 team title at state, Timberline won four league and four regional championships during the 70s. In all, Birbeck coached 28 state placers and three state champions. And for the past 19 years, he has been an assistant coach to his son, Jeff, whom he hired as the Blazers’ coach in 1991 when he was Timberline’s athletic director (1985-2000).

Birbeck wasn’t driven to win only on the mat, he also had a big interest in shaping the lives of the wrestlers he coached.

“You watch them grow and become competitors and gain confidence,” Birbeck said.

Birbeck had many notable memories from his years at Timberline – foremost among them the Blazers’ state title 1975, coaching all three of his sons in the 1980s, hiring Jeff as Timberline’s head wrestling coach and being Jeff’s assistant for the past 19 years. He was inducted into the Washington State Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame in 1987 and into Timberline’s Hall of Fame in 1989.

This past wrestling season was Birbeck’s final one as his son’s assistant coach, although he still will work behind the scenes organizing tournaments.

“It’s been a wonderful experience,” Birbeck said. “I’m glad I had a chance to do that.

Eastern Washington Golf Getaways|Washington State Golf & Wine ...

Eastern Washington Golf Getaways|Washington State Golf & Wine Getaways

Eastern Washington Golf Getaways incorporate some of the best conditioned and challenging courses in the Pacific Northwest.  Known for the region’s rich wine producing soils, Eastern Washington uses those same soils to produce spectacular fairways and greens.  Such is the case with the Walla Walla Country Club.  An impeccably maintained 18 hole layout that is both challenging and fun.  The course’s condition is among the best you will find anywhere.

With two vastly different nines, the Walla Walla Country Club starts out relatively flat with a few gentle rolling hills.  The back nine becomes intimidating with elevated greens and tee boxes that require a bit of local knowledge, if you have any hope of scoring well.

With several water features coming into play and a meandering creek, that seems to weave its way into play on more than one hole, course management is a must.

Due to the location of the Walla Walla Country Club and the rich wine history of  Walla Walla, a trip to this region will ensure you one of the best Washington State Golf & Wine Getaways you can hope to find.  With a thriving downtown full of tasting rooms and restaurants, the atmosphere is upbeat and welcoming.

A short road trip and scenic ride from Portland Or., Boise ID. or Seattle allows for a quick golf getaway to wine country.  Find out more about the Walla Walla Country Club by going to Walla Walla CG .

For more information on destination travel-golf and lodging, visit us at Travel-golfandlodging.com .  Secure tee times for your local or destination golf courses at  GolfNow Tee Times .

The African American woman golfer, her legacy

African Americans and Popular Culture: Theater, film, and television

Golf on $30 a day (or less), a bargain hunter's guide to great courses and equipment

Golf in America

The New York times index