McCormick Woods Golf Course became part of a new company, RMG Club, in January. McCormick’s owners, Jeff Mehlert and Shawn Cucciardi, joined forces with PGA pro Ryan Moore and his father, Michael, to create the new company — which is named after Ryan Moore.

“We formed a new way to look at golf,” Cucciardi said. “What we’re trying to do is allow more golfers to get into the game of golf.”

The Moores’ golf club, The Classic located in Spanaway, was added to the joint portfolio, and together they acquired Oakbrook, previously a private club, in Lakewood. read more »

Lee Murray has been surfing since the late 1960s, starting out at age 12 in California. But several years ago, Murray discovered standup paddling — and that was pretty much the end of his surfing days. Now, he no longer has to wait for the right wind and other conditions, and can go out on the water any time.

“The paddle completely changes it. Surfing is a difficult sport and windsurfing is the same, because you have to learn so many things,” he says. “Flatwater paddling is the easiest sport to learn that I’ve seen. It’s simple — you need a board, a paddle and a swimsuit.”

Murray was so hooked into his new hobby, last October he decided to start a new business in downtown Gig Harbor, Lee’s SUP. read more »

The Gig Harbor Fly Shop, less than four years old, has created a following all over Puget Sound. Popular with both beginner and experienced anglers, the shop offers everything needed for a successful fishing outing — from gear, DIY fly-tying supplies and insulated clothing, to classes, guided trips and fishing kayak rentals.

For owner Blake Merwin, the shop’s many offerings are a way to get more people attracted to the sport of fly fishing. That’s why he keeps his class fees low — he says he has among the lowest class prices in the country read more »

For the past few years, the Kitsap Peninsula has been working on its reputation as much more than Seattle’s neighbor “only a ferry ride away.” Outdoor adventure sports enthusiasts are “discovering” the area and its rich water and land opportunities.

Last year’s visit by nearly 300 Microsoft employees for a play day is one example. The company-sponsored outing included golf and kayaking. And it’s not the first time groups of several hundred people have descended on the peninsula for some organized recreation read more »

Gig Harbor’s 7 Seas Brewing has consistently topped expectations and projections since opening its doors less than three years ago. The microbrewery expanded its capacity within the first year, and before turning two years old it became the first microbrewery in Washington state to can beer.

Recently, 7 Seas hit another milestone before its third birthday: It has expanded to a new, larger facility that will give it a bigger tap room as well as position it for growth.

“The timing is pretty good. This is a big step forward,” said Travis Guterson, owner of the business with Mike Runion. read more »

In a typical week, Soks Martz spends as many as 20 hours on community service work, in addition to working full time and running a farm with her husband — a self-sustaining farm with about 130 animals from pigs to cows.

Her main activity outside of work is running the Christmas in the Country annual self-guided arts and crafts tour on Bainbridge Island, and she’s also involved with Relay for Life, Kitsap Arts and Crafts and other organizations.

“I allocate time (to volunteering) every day after work,” said Martz, who is a branch office administrator for Edward Jones Investments in Kingston. “I go home and my day is just starting. I also commit my weekends to community work.” read more »

Declan Krafsky is only 11 years old, but he already understands the ups and downs of the stock market. The sixth-grader, who is homeschooled, saved up $80 from birthdays and odd jobs and a year ago invested it into Intel stock. He has reinvested the money continuously, and figured he probably made a few dollars. Now, he’s considering whether to invest another $100 he has saved up.

“I don’t like spending money that much,” he said. “If I save enough, maybe I can get through college, start doing something and then retire early.”

Declan was partially inspired to invest money by his grandmother, who purchased $50 worth of stock when she was young and by the time she remembered about it, the stocks were worth $10,000, he said. read more »

Craig and Wendy Gurney have been in business for five years, providing tile installation service. Their Poulsbo business, Gurney’s Tile Work, has done well despite being a startup in a downturn — so well, in fact, that the couple decided last year to expand by opening a showroom.

“The timing was good. We felt like if we didn’t do it, somebody else was going to capitalize on it,” Craig Gurney said. read more »

Scott and Stacy Ryan are the type of entrepreneurs who are hard pressed to turn down a new idea. The couple, who own six Hallmark stores including three in Kitsap County, always have their ear to the ground for new opportunities.

Their latest one was too good to pass up. After all, it involved a well-known local business located just a few miles away from where both of them grew up.

Last December, the Ryans became the new owners of Harvey’s Butter Rum Batter, a business started in Bremerton in the early 1960s by the late Harvey Hudson. The renowned brand is a common sight at area grocery stores during the winter holiday season and is also shipped all around the country. read more »