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On a sunny day, it’s awfully hard to make par on the wacky holes at North Park Miniature Golf Course. But under the lights, it’s nearly impossible to perfectly putt a brightly colored ball through the windmill.

North Park Miniature Golf will host its first mini-golf tournament Saturday night, starting at 10 p.m. Two-thirds of the $15 entry fee will be split among winners.

The idea was born after owner Jon Williams watched a group of golfers stage their own tournament a few weeks back.

“This group of young fellows held their own and it was so much fun,” said Williams, whose family has owned the course and its adjacent batting range for more than 40 years. “Thought we’ll try it and see if anyone is interested.”

I DIDN’T SEE IT. I’m in California for a family wedding and reception that took place during yesterday’s entire third round of the U.S. Open.

So I didn’t see the drama of Tiger Woods’ painful march across Torrey Pines unfold. I didn’t see the errant drives and the frequent grimaces. The knee is clearly overstressed. Even the stoic Woods can no longer hide it now.

I didn’t see the downhill bomb for an eagle on 13, or the one-hop birdie chip on 17. I missed the final dramatic stroke on 18, another eagle that gave Tiger a one-shot lead heading into today’s final round.

What can possibly happen today? What can the gimpy Woods do for an encore? I wouldn’t begin to try to guess.

One thing is certain: I’ll be watching.

AFTER ALL THE DEPRESSING NEWS about a certain someone’s knee, I want to lighten it up a bit as we head into the weekend. Spend time with your family and play golf if you can. Both are good for your health.

Following are excerpts from Divot Mix, an e-publication of GCSAA, on the longevity benefits of playing golf.

“The death rate for golfers is 40 percent lower than for other people of the same sex, age and socioeconomic status, according to a study in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports. This equates to a five-year increase in life expectancy said the scientists, led by Anders Ahlbom and Bahman Farahmand at the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm.

“‘A round of golf means being outside for four or five hours, walking at a fast pace for about four miles, something which is known to be good for health,’ said Ahlbom.”

(It is for people who actually walk the course. I do.)

“People play golf into old age, and there are also positive social and psychological aspects to the game that can be of help.”

I was thrilled to play the last two days with my 81-year-old pops, something I rarely get to do since he lives in California and I reside in Virginia.

I fly home tomorrow, but being on the golf course with my dad has been a special treat and has brought back memories of the many enjoyable afternoons we spent together on a golf course.

IF YOU CAN SPARE seven and a half minutes, I’ll point you to a great slice of golf history, a rare on-camera interview with Ben Hogan.

It’s edited, with only Hogan speaking. I’m not sure of the source, but it may be the CBS interview conducted by Ken Venturi in the early 1980s.

Hogan expounds on:
• Why he feels sorry for rich kids
• How he was a “terrible” player
• Why he had to practice and play “all the time”
• A hook so bad he couldn’t get a 4 wood off the ground
• The biggest check he ever received in his life ($385)
• Who told him he couldn’t complete his career without
playing in the British Open

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