If pull-carts had odometers, there’s no telling how high the mileage on Barry Patzer’s might be.
But what is known is that, in 2026, Barry has played (and posted) in excess of 323 rounds of golf as of September 30, the most rounds of any WA Golf member. And he’s still going.
He has lived in Walla Walla since 1984, when he began his career as a pharmacist after graduating from Washington State University. He joined Walla Walla Country Club in 1994, introducing himself to the opportunity to play plenty of golf. But family and career occupied most of his time during those earlier years, and he didn’t play much more than a handful of rounds a month back then.
But when Barry retired in 2019, he became better versed in the act of posting scores and maintaining a Handicap Index, which is always encouraged by Walla Walla CC. Since then, his goal has been to play 27 holes in a given day, and all of it while walking.
“I don’t ride in a cart at all,” he says. “What I want to do is walk.”
He’ll play rain or shine, and if his home course happens to be closed for an event, he’ll go to one of the many nearby courses to play.
Barry is retired, but his wife is not, and she works from their home. The need to give his wife the space gives Barry plenty of time to be on the course and contributes to his extensive log.
“When she retires, I maybe won’t do so many rounds,” he said.
As anyone who’s been to Walla Walla and its surrounding area can attest, what it lacks in size it makes up for in communal cohesion. Barry is originally from Alberta, grew up mostly in B.C. and obtained his college degree at WSU, the first time he had lived in Eastern Washington long-term. Acquiring his job in Walla Walla County soon after, he met his wife, started a family, and the rest is history.
When Barry is on the course, he’s usually joined by his regular golfing buds. His 300-plus rounds are all accounted for in the USGA Golf Handicap Information Network (GHIN). They’ve got Barry’s Handicap down to 14.0 as of September 30, 2026, and he appreciates the nature of the GHIN system.
“I can see other people in Washington and Idaho play,” Barry said. “It motivates me to keep track and see I’m doing a little better in some years, and some years not so much.”
As for the trademark heat that smothers the state’s southeastern portion during golf’s prime season?
“The hotter weather doesn’t really affect me,” he said. “I don’t mind it. If the course is open, I’m basically playing golf.”
In other words, one of his hands is certainly bound to be tanner than the other.
