Bing Crosby, Kenny G, Vince Gill, even Alice Cooper all combined good measures of musical flair with passion for the golf links. I’ll let you in on a secret: Moses Lake is a favorite of another talented guy, who, like the aforementioned, can read greens as well as sheet music. Allow me to introduce Mr. Dave Irish.
Well known within the contemporary Christian music genre, Dave is a singer/songwriter par-excellence from Bellevue with several CDs to his credit. With a voice I would describe as part raspy/part silky/part magic - much like a bunker shot deftly splashed to within tap-in range—he has written and performed a broad range of musical styles from spiritual to jazz standards, and been backed by some of the top people in the business.
During the past two years I’ve had the pleasure of spending a fair amount of time with Dave during his frequent visits to Moses Pointe. His personal best score is 71 at Bellevue Municipal Golf Course. On a quiet morning earlier this summer, we took in the Moses Pointe 18, where Mr. Irish displayed perfect pitch with the driver, splitting nearly every fairway on his way to tidy 76. This guy can sing AND play. He’s coming back to do an October 31st dinner performance at The Steakhouse at Moses Pointe (you’re all invited), and we’ll try to squeeze in an encore nine before dinner.
His introduction to the game was through a school friend, who just happened to be a member at Sahalee, site of the 1998 PGA Championship and next year’s US Senior Open.. Sahalee is still his favorite, but says Moses Pointe is right behind it in second. Like many good players from the west side, Dave believes Moses Pointe to be very under-rated, an absolute gem of a course. Its signature par 4 ninth hole, with an approach shot over water and spectacular view of Moses Lake in the distance, is one of Dave’s favorites anywhere.
Bill Porter, Director of Golf for The Links at Moses Pointe, has an interest in music as well, and recognized Dave on one of his earlier visits to the course. That began their friendship, which has seen Dave visiting the Porters and performing backyard concerts for family and friends. Bill also helps Dave with his game from time to time. Dave recalls a time when he and 3 friends came to Moses Pointe for a 2 day golf clinic with Bill. They went out to the chipping green where Bill was going to teach short game fundamentals. “He stepped up to demonstrate and knocked it in…At that point he had us all convinced he knew what he was talking about.”
Dave will be performing at The Steakhouse at Moses Pointe this Saturday, October 31st. Expect a mix of popular cover tunes plus his own compositions. Call 764-2275 for reservations or more information.
