The Second Links Traveler

Retribution Ridge hosts the Winter Whack tourney benefiting Relay for Life

With tournament season in full swing (see what I did there?), Retribution Ridge is gearing up to host their first major tournament as a course in Second Life, and I’m pretty darn excited about it! Not only is more competitive golf nothing but fun, and Retribution Ridge one of my favorite courses, but this tournament benefits a really important cause.

I was lucky enough to sit down with the very awesome Aly Tungsten Monday afternoon to talk about the tournament, Relay For Life as a cause and the American Cancer Society, as well as a little update on how things are going at Retribution Ridge.

(Sidebar – how do you all feel about using ‘Ret’ as a shorthand for Retribution Ridge? Like, “Wanna get together for a round at Ret?” I think it sounds really fun and cool – let me know what you think in the comments!)

Keyli Daltrey: For people who maybe haven’t heard of Relay for Life or don’t know much about it, could you tell me a little bit about the cause?

Aly Tungsten: Relay for Life is a campaign as a part of the American Cancer Society. They raise money to go into cancer treatment research, hopes for some of the research to be able to find a cure, as well as to help patients with getting to and from treatment. They do so much for those with cancer. I am a cancer survivor so the ways they try to be there for patients, raise awareness, and so many other things really makes it hit home.

KD: The RFL Winter Whack at Retribution Ridge starts on February 16th – what kinds of things will the golf course and the motorcycle club be doing to raise funds and promote awareness during the tournament here and elsewhere in SL?

AT:  Oh we have so much planned! That same kick off day we are having a Paint the Grid Purple party (RFL in SL starts officially on the 15th). We are having a rally over the weekend of February 21-23 where people can decorate mini-campsites and play games. We have concerts, dance shows, auctions, parties, a ball, and so many things planned between the RFL Winter Whack and then Relay Weekend in June.

One of our members and fellow golfers has even made some special Magic of Hope golf gear that will be on sale starting opening day.

KD: That’s awesome! Where can I pick that up?

AT: The official Relay for Life Vendors will be set up here at the Club House on February 15th.

KD: You know, I think that helps to at least partially answer my next question. I’m a golfer in Second Life and I want to help, whether it be with a donation or helping to get the word out or…whatever, what can I do?

AT: Donations are great, but just education for anyone who is interested or has questions helps the cause as well. There are still a lot of people who do not know what the ACS or Relay for Life does, especially here in Second Life. This is the American Cancer Society’s 21st year in Second Life, and our all-time fund raising total stands at nearly six million dollars. In 2023, our event was ranked 8th among more than 2600 Relay Events nationwide. Each year, the American Cancer Society helps nearly one million people via phone, email, or online chat. By calling 1-800-227-2345 or visiting Cancer.org – 24 Hours A Day EVERY DAY of the Year…even those who cannot afford to donate can still help by giving a way for those affected to reach out and get help.

KD:  If I remember correctly, your MC also supports Homes for Our Troops and the National Alliance on Mental Illness – do you think you’ll have future events at Retribution Ridge dedicated to those two extraordinarily worthy causes?

AT: Of course we will. 🙂 We are already thinking of the dates for May and October.

KD: That’s such great news! I’m excited for the events – we’ll have to chat again about them as the year goes on.

Speaking more about Retribution Ridge as a golf course – y’all have been open a little more than a month now. How are things going?

AT: We have hiccups like every course, like this morning and the discovery of the tee boxes, but other than the normal oops or ‘Oh this would be an improvement’ thing, I think it is going very well. Everyone so far has been great with providing feedback if they run into an issue and seem to be enjoying what we have built. Plus, we are having a blast getting to know the golfing community even more.

KD: You’re going from one tournament, the RFL Winter Whack, directly into another, the SLPGA Invitational, which starts on March 1. How’s everyone at Retribution feeling with like three straight weeks of tournament on the horizon?

AT: We are excited! I am the type of person who has to have something going on or be doing something in order for my brain not to go completely insane. We have a great group of people here who help make sure anything that needs doing gets done. And being a part of both the SLPGA and the Charity circuit is a fun busy bonus.

KD: I think it’s going to be such a great time and a really positive experience; I can’t wait to play in both tournaments. Speaking of which, I am LOVING the trophies you made for the Winter Whack! Those have such a cool, non-traditional vibe!

AT: Thank you so much. I love to build and think outside the box. Our RFL team’s theme this season is Magic & Mayhem, so I wanted them to have that type of vibe, but still be worthy of showing off for those who win them.

KD: Last one! How’s your golf game going?

AT: Oh I cuss a lot, but every game I find a way to improve myself and love every moment of both good and ‘OMG what was I thinking?’ shots.

KD: Thanks again for taking some time to sit down with me. I’ve lost friends and family to cancer, and there’s someone really special to me who is in the middle of that fight; RFL is hugely important to me, personally, and it means the world to see the course and the MC really going all out for the cause.

AT:  My prayers will be with you and your friend, and if you need anything just yell! The RFL community here is amazing.

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It really is an absolute treat to get to hang out and chat with Aly. She’s one of my favorite people in the golf community and Retribution Ridge is one of the first courses I recommend to people looking for a new place to play. (If you haven’t played a round there yet, you owe it to yourself to play 18 holes there.)

I really hope to see all of you at the Winter Whack tournament. And even if you don’t participate, I hope you’ll stop by Retribution Ridge to support their campaign for Relay for Life.

GIVEAWAY!!!!!!!!!! We still have a giveaway going!!! Go check out the ‘From Casual to Competitive‘ post and drop down to the bottom. Leave a comment there! I’ll choose a winner at random from everyone who left a comment, and the winner will get their choice of a Steelhead Golfboard or a L$500 Steelhead/TrueGolf gift card.

I’ll draw the winner on February 16 at noon SLT, so get your comment in there now!

Until next time, Fairways and Greens!

Keyli