The Weyburn Golf Club has stood for over a century (Est. 1919) but is moving into a new era under ‘The Sixty-Seven.’
In late April, the club announced a new partnership with the R.M. of Weyburn No. 67, where the course is located just outside the “Opportunity City.” The naming rights partnership is for 10 years. General Manager Krystle Fedoretz said discussions on a renewed partnership with the rural municipality started approximately two and a half years ago, about a year before she took the role at the club. With a background in municipal governance; she was asked to assist with a grant application, which led to a new business plan. She added that while this all took place, discussions continued leading to the decade long agreement.
“The R.M. of Weyburn No. 67 ended up being the perfect partner for that,” she said. “The partnership provides the course with long term revenue.”
According to the news release, the new name, The Sixty-Seven, pays tribute to the rich agricultural and municipal heritage of the region, grounding the facility firmly within the RM of Weyburn No. 67. The partnership formalizes a collaborative effort to invest in the long-term sustainability and growth of the course, while supporting broader community priorities. The goal is to elevate the golf course experience while ensuring it remains accessible and a valuable recreational asset within the region.
New to the golf industry, Fedoretz spoke with other administrators across the province. She learned Weyburn relied on green fees and members for most of their revenue, while most other clubs’ main income source is sponsorship. The then Weyburn Golf Club turned to updating sponsorship packages leading to the partnership.
Weyburn is a larger Saskatchewan centre with just under 12,000 residents with many recreational facilities. The two hockey rinks are the main attractions like most Saskatchewan communities, but The Sixty-Seven is the hub in the summer months making this agreement for a more viable future more important.
“Yes, we are a golf course, but for the community with so much more. We provide other community groups with the ability to fundraise, we provide recreation, obviously with golf. There’s also the social side of it; we are public club so lots of people use for a social outing. It’s not necessarily about the scores, it’s about connecting with people at the course,” Fedoretz said.
Open for the season now, Fedoretz said the chatter at the club has been great.
“The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive,” she beamed.
The R.M. partnership is a big step in completing the course’s irrigation system on the back nine holes, a project that began several years with the construction of a new system on the front.
Along with the course naming rights, the rights to the name of the clubhouse were also purchased. Visitors will now see the Jerry Mainil Clubhouse. Hole sponsors are also being sought.
The club’s annual general meeting is coming up on Thursday (May 7) with two spots open on the executive.
Southeast College Collaboration
Another exciting aspect of the rebrand and future according for Fedoretz is the partnership with some business students at Weyburn based Southeast College.
The group of students used the golf course as a case study and according to Fedoretz they came up with “wonderful ideas.” Generating revenue, operational savings, and other financial streamlines. Fedoretz said hearing ideas from younger citizens is a fresh aspect.
“The students are a different generation than me, so they provided us with wonderful feedback. The amount of work and thought they put into it was wonderful and we are looking forward to continuing to work with them and implement some of those ideas,” she added.
Other highlights include hosting the Saskatchewan Oil and Gas Show Tournament which has funded the purchase of some equipment. The Weyburn Young Fellows Club has also helped purchase equipment.
“it’s wonderful to see these groups working with us and giving back,” Fedoretz said.
Season programs
The club has a once a week junior program ran by volunteers with over 100 kids attending each Monday. The Mryglod’s, a long time golf family in the area runs the junior program.
Fedoretz said the ladies club has also revamped their board and program. She said over the last couple years that’s exploded on Tuesday nights.
“We went from minimal numbers and now we are over subscribed, we run out of carts every week,” she chuckled.
To learn more about what’s happening at the course, visit their website.