Cd'A Casino-sponsored Gunn gains U.S. Open berth

Jimmy Gunn, a native of Dornich, Scotland, who was sponsored by the Coeur d'Alene Casino on Arizona's Gateway Tour and for a year on the Web.com Tour, earned a spot in the U.S. Open this week at Chambers Bay.

Gunn was an alternate following a sectional qualifying event in Memphis, Tenn. The call from the USGA confirming his entry came Sunday.

His connection to North Idaho and the Inland Northwest began with a unique event at Circling Raven Golf Club in September 2004. A 12-man team from his home course, the revered Royal Dornoch Golf Club, spent a week at the casino resort and Circling Raven Golf Club, playing a Ryder Cup-style competition against a team comprised mostly of Coeur d'Alene tribal members.

That connection became a bond three years later when Gunn cast his lot to the professional ranks and began competing on the Gateway Tour. He did so not only with a blessing from the CdA Casino and the Coeur d'Alene Tribe, but with a sponsorship that provided enough for him to stay afloat financially - over a three-year period - and work to achieve his dream.

He emerged from qualifying in late 2013 to reach the Web.com Tour, seeing only marginal success on the tour in 2014. Throughout, he has continued competing in various events, continued working to improve his game. His connection to the resort, the tribe and to Circling Raven is permanent.

"I can never repay that debt," Gunn said last year. "I will be forever grateful for the support I've received. I could not have continued in the U.S. without it."

"We are excited and very proud of Jimmy and the opportunity he has worked so hard to have," said Coeur d'Alene Casino Resort Chief Executive Officer Dave Matheson. "He plays this week with our blessing, and with our own true hopes of success in the tournament and beyond."

Gunn will tee off Thursday at 3:12 p.m., starting on the 10th hole, and Friday at 9:12 a.m., starting on the first hole, playing with Jared Becher and Sam Saunders.

Ex-Lake City standout Baker lands coaching gig at Wisconsin

Former Lake City High standout Katie Baker has accepted a position as graduate assistant coach for the University of Wisconsin women's basketball team, the Missoulian reported.

Baker, who went on to star at Montana, and played pro ball in Luxembourg in 2013-14, was an assistant coach at UC Colorado Springs last season. Colorado Springs reached the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Division II tournament last season.

Baker is the fifth-leading scorer in Lady Griz history.

Baker is currently working in Thailand for an organization called NBC camps, the Missoulian said.

Harris Field to host Area Code tryouts

LEWISTON - Less than three weeks after hosting the NAIA World Series, Harris Field will host the 2015 Area Code Baseball Tryouts.

The event, which determines which high school players from the Pacific Northwest will compete at this year's code games, takes place today from noon to 4 p.m. on the Lewis-Clark State College campus.

It is one of 20 invitation-only tryouts happening around the country this summer.

This year's tournament takes place Aug. 4-11 in Long Beach, Calif.

Approximately 250 players will compete at the Games as a member of one of eight regional teams, each of which is sponsored by a major league club. The Kansas City Royals sponsor the Pacific Northwest team.

The rosters of the teams competing at the Games are determined during tryouts, like the one taking place at Harris Field today. Invitations to tryouts are sent to nearly 3,000 high school players from the classes of 2016, '17 and '18 based on recommendations from major league scouts and the Major League Scouting Bureau. Players from Idaho, Washington, Oregon and Montana will contend for one of approximately 30 roster spots on the Pacific Northwest team.

Ex-Chief Ryan signs with NHL's Carolina Hurricanes

SPOKANE - Former Spokane Chief Derek Ryan, a Shadle Park High graduate, signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Carolina Hurricanes.

Ryan, named to the organization's Top 30 Chiefs in 30 years, played three seasons for Spokane from 2004-07 and led the team in scoring in back-to-back seasons in 2006 and 2007. Ryan, 28, will be reunited with Bill Peters, the current coach of the Hurricanes, who served as Ryan's coach in Spokane in his final two seasons.

Ryan totaled 15 goals and 45 assists in 55 games for Orebro of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) in 2014-15.

Shock activate Arvell Nelson

SPOKANE - The Shock activated quarterback Arvell Nelson from the refuse to report list.

Nelson (6-foot-5, 225 pounds from Texas Southern) joins the Shock for his third Arena Football League season and his second in Spokane. During his rookie season with the Shock in 2013, Nelson served as a utility player for the team and was the backup quarterback to 2013 AFL MVP and Offensive Player of the Year Erik Meyer, while also playing at jack linebacker, wide receiver and on multiple special team units.

He completed 16 of 20 passes for 162 yards and five touchdowns while rushing for four scores. At receiver, he had nine receptions for 67 yards and six touchdowns. Defensively, he added 16 tackles.

In other moves, the Shock placed offensive lineman Kaycee Ike and defensive lineman Alex Magee on reassignment.

Spokane travels to Portland to play the Thunder on Sunday at 7 p.m.