Wynyard's Karen Anderson sunk an ace on Saturday to win a $30,000 prize in the club's Ultimate Ace event.
Clark Stork
Another scramble tournament in Saskatchewan and another big winner with a hole-in-one.
At the Ultimate Ace event in at the Wynyard Golf Club on Saturday, Karen Anderson put a one on her card on hole six and also cashed in a cheque for $30,000.
Anderson talked to Golf Saskatchewan’s Clark Stork about the shot and winning the prize sponsored by Midway Ambulance.
Foam Lake's Phil Johnson won $20,000 for his hole-in-one on Saturday during a local Elks tournament. (Photo/Foam Lake Golf and Country Club/Facebook)
Clark Stork
It was an exciting afternoon at the Foam Lake Golf and Country Club on Saturday after local retiree Phil Johnson sunk an ace during the sixth annual Elks Hole-in-One Tournament.
Johnson, 67, won a $20,000 prize for hitting his first hole-in-one. He said the moment was exciting for everyone at who saw his first ace.
“We were just getting started,” he said to Golf Saskatchewan. “We started on five, seven was the first shot and boom, it went in. It was unbelievable. There was another group of eight beside us that were watching, and the spotter, there was only 17 of us watching.”
Johnson said he spends the summers in Foam Lake and the winter in Florida and plays golf year-round. He admitted that he thought a one on his card might never come.
“I’m going to be 68-years-old, and I’ve golfed since I was 20-years-old and I’ve never had one,” he joked.
Not only was the shot exciting for Johnson, but his playing partners were also jubilant. They cashed in on the memorable shot as well. Johnson said they split the prize money and that’s something he’s always done when he plays.
“That’s all just being part of a team, one gets it and all of you get the opportunity of every hole, you get four cracks. We’ve always done a split, out of the $20,000 I got $8,000 and I’m ecstatic with that,” he said.
The kindness didn’t stop with his playing partners however, the group returned $2,000 of the prize money and contributed it to the “New 19 Building Fund” for a new clubhouse at the country club.
“Everyone of us uses the golf course and everyone of us wants to see a new clubhouse so it was a really good thing we all chose,” he said.
If you wish to donate to the Foam Lake Golf and Country Club clubhouse fund contact the town through their website.
Jonas holds off Johnson in thrilling Scotia Wealth finish
Dean Prosky (Scotia Wealth Chair) presents Phil Jonas with the 2021 championship trophy.
Clark Stork
Phil Jonas is the 2021 Scotia Wealth Open champion.
The 59-year-old PGA of Saskatchewan member outlasted Kade Johnson Sunday at Nipawin’s Evergreen Golf Course to win by a stroke and take his first championship in the province. Jonas, a four-time Senior PGA major competitor relocated to Saskatoon early last year.
He said after the round that Johnson pushed him through 36 holes.
“I was good for the first seven or eight holes and then I struggled coming in, I didn’t make any putts. My irons weren’t too sharp, I struggled. Kade made a few birdies, he made it tough on me. I actually didn’t know where I stood, I’d lost track, but it turned out okay. Really good golf course, this was a lot of fun,” he said.
The two were paired together the first day of the event as well, both shot 68 to sit tied for first. Jonas jumped out to a five-shot lead just three holes into the second round, but Johnson did turn his game around on the back including birdies on 12, 13, and 14 closing the gap to just a stroke. Johnson had a chance to force a playoff but came up shy with his birdie putt on 18. Jonas parred to claim the title.
“This course isn’t easy, a lot of good amateurs,” Jonas said about the strong field in the tournament that allows both professionals and amateur players. “I think Saskatchewan players need to prouder of how good they are when they play in other provinces. What I’ve seen this week and what I’ve seen at Saskatoon Golf and Country Club, I’m really impressed. I’m glad in my advancing years I am able to sneak this one out.”
Not to be lost in low-key celebration of Jonas’ win was the fact the event was back on the Order of Merit schedule after being cancelled due to COVID-19.
The tournament is a highlight for many pros and top-end amateurs and is reflected on as the official start of the competitive golf season in Saskatchewan. Chair Dean Prosky said it was great to have the Open back in 2021.
“It’s just nice to be back, to see the guys, it’s nice to get the event going again. I think the guys really missed it. There were some tournaments last year, but it’s nice to see everyone again after two years. It is great to the golf talent we have, Saskatchewan golf is in a great place,” he said.
The field had 84 players entered this year including many former champions and college players as well as Saskatchewan’s top professionals. Having Jonas’ name added to the trophy will add some luster to its history.
“It’s great, there is a lot of guys that you’d like to see win, Kade is going to win this event one year for sure. It’s great to have Phil on there, he’s had a great career playing tour golf so it’s nice to have him on there. It’s kind of a who’s who that’s won this event so it’s nice to have his name on there,” Prosky added.
Nagy wins Scotia Wealth Open; Ziglo back on top at Ladies Northern
Josh Nagy (left) receives the Scotia Wealth Open trophy from chair Dean Prosky.
Clark Stork
Saskatoon’s Josh Nagy has his first “amateur” win after claiming the Scotia Wealth Open at Nipawin’s Evergreen Golf Course on Sunday.
The two-time Saskatchewan junior champion shot 71 and 73 on the weekend, his even score was a stroke better than Ty Campbell, Alex Swinnerton, Kade Johnson, and Kevin Dietz. Nagy said adding the highly coveted win to his resume felt great.
“This is kind of my first amateur win, I haven’t won anything since junior,” he said after the trophy presentation. “It feels great, the field was really tough, I’m just excited.”
The Scotia Wealth Open is an event that allows professionals and amateurs to compete for the same championship. Nagy said holding off the top players across the province was rewarding.
“Not just the amateurs like Roman and everyone like that but throw in Ty and Kade who are now pro Phil Jonas, Kevin Dietz, everyone like that, it’s definitely a little tougher than we get at the Amateur Championship, so it feels great right now,” Nagy said.
The winner of the tournament was awarded a sponsor exemption into the upcoming Elk Ridge Open. Nagy is already in the PGA Tour Canada event for the second year. The Scotia Wealth Open organizing committee decided on a playoff involving the four players tied for second, Campbell birdied hole 18 to secure his spot in the Open.
A notable finish in 52nd spot was Yorkton’s Ella Kozak. The 16-year-old shot 82 and 78 for a 36-hole total of 160.
left; andrea ring presents kathy ziglo with the 2022 ladies northern tropy. right; ring presents dianne bethune with the senior ladies morthern plaque. photos – cooke municipal wednesday ladies golf club/facebook
Saskatoon’s Kathy Ziglo won the Ladies Northern in Prince Albert for the seventh time and first since 2014.
Ziglo fought back from a three-shot deficit behind Sarah Grieve on day two to claim the trophy and start off the 2022 Women’s Order of Merit (OMT) with a win. She shot 82 in round one Saturday why Grieve posted a 79, Ziglo carded another 82 while Grieve shot 86 allowing the veteran a one-shot win.
Creighton’s Lauren Fox and Saskatoon’s Carrie Verishagen tied for third at 167. Fox shot 82 and 85, Verishagen shot 86 in round one and came back with an 81 on day two to climb the leaderboard.
Saskatoon’s Dianne Bethune was the senior champion with a score of 167 (83, 84), just three strokes back of the overall championship.
Elmwood Golf Club is hosting the Saskatchewan amateur golf championships next week.
Clark Stork
The Saskatchewan provincial amateur golf championships will begin next Tuesday (July 6) in Swift Current at the Elmwood Golf Club.
The Women’s Amateur Championship and Men’s Mid-Amateur (25 +) Championship will be played over 54 holes with the winners being crowned on Thursday. The Men’s Amateur Championship will be four days with a cut after three rounds.
Steve Ryde is the manager of championships for Golf Saskatchewan. He said the province’s top amateur players are in for an exciting week.
“Registrations for all the tournaments have been coming in for a couple months and every field is full of quality players, past and present champions, and players set to take that next step. The golfers will see course that has hosted championships in the past plus the Elmwood Golf Club and the City of Swift Current have all the necessities to make this a great week. At the end we will recognize several champions for their great play and look back on a fantastic week of golf and comradery,” he said.
Golf Saskatchewan is back at Elmwood for a provincial event for the second consecutive year. Mike McEvay is the new general manager at the course. He said having the best amateurs in the province challenge his course in his first year is compelling.
“Absolutely it’s exciting, we get to see some of the best players in the province come to play the facility and see what they can do here,” McEvay said earlier this season. “It’s an opportunity to see how the superintendent can get the course ready and see how tough the course can play with the best players in the province. It’s exciting times right now, there’s a lot of buzz and it’s not just from the people coming, it’s the members and the public as well. These are exciting times, especially during the pandemic to be able to host something like this is something I look forward to.”
The deadline to register for the championships is 5 p.m. Friday. The details on all three tournaments, including the fields can be found here.
Players to watch:
Women’s Amateur Championship –
Brooklin Fry – The reigning junior and women’s amateur champion comes in as the favourite. Has two impressive wins already on the Women’s Order of Merit Tour this season.
Ella Kozak – The Yorkton youngster is coming off a Maple Leaf Junior Tour win at Elmwood, finishing ahead of Fry for the first time this season.
Autumn Neiszner – The 2019 junior champion and Keiser University commit was second last week on the MJT and eager to win another Saskatchewan title.
Kim Walker – The 2019 senior women’s Saskatchewan champion returns to the competitive field in 2021 after not playing on a provincial level in 2020. The Wascana Country Club veteran was the 2016 Saskatchewan amateur champion.
Lorie Boyle – A Saskatchewan Golf Hall of Fame inductee, Boyle also brings a wealth of experience and lengthy list of championships, the Moose Jaw resident knows how to win.
Men’s Amateur Championship –
Ty Campbell – The reigning champion and recent college graduate has continued to play great golf. He placed tied for third in Nipawin at the Scotia Wealth Open and is coming off a win at the Saskatoon Amateur.
Kade Johnson – The 2018 winner went toe-to-toe with professional Phil Jonas earlier this year in Nipawin to just fall shy of the win. The Yorkton product is always in the hunt.
Danny Klughart – Back-to-back mid-amateur champion is always near the top of leaderboards including a third in Nipawin this year.
Josh Nagy – Nagy has another year of college golf under his belt and his last trip to Swift Current was a 2020 junior championship.
Payton Ochitwa – Currently tied for seventh in the OMT standings, Ochitwa is quietly finding himself in the hunt at every event this year.
Mid-Amateur Championship –
Danny Klughart – The trophy has been in the Prince Albert product’s hands for a couple years.
David Stewart – A two-time amateur winner and the 2015 mid-am winner took last year off provincial events to focus on his education, Stewart is back and excited to chase another trip to nationals.
Ty Wright – A mid-am winner in 2016, Wright is already a Hall of Fame inductee and has a Mid-Masters Championship (2019) on his resume.
Scott Thompson – Back-to-back amateur winner in ‘09 and 2010, Thompson was in the hunt last year in Warman at The Legends in this event.
Justin Wood – The 2016 amateur winner is a contender every year in both the amateur and mid-amateur field.
Canada’s Nick Taylor goes wire to wire to win Pebble Beach Pro Am
PEBBLE BEACH, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 09: Nick Taylor of Canada poses with the trophy after winning the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am at Pebble Beach Golf Links on February 09, 2020 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. – Canada’s Nick Taylor faced increasingly windy conditions, a hard-charging Phil Mickelson, and his own struggles in the back nine to come out on top at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
Taylor led by as many as five strokes heading into the back nine before bogeys on holes 11 and 12 followed by a double bogey on No. 14 seemed to give Mickleson a window on Sunday. But Taylor, from Abbotsford, B.C., remained unperturbed for birdies on Nos. 15 and 17 for a 2-under 70 round and a four-stroke win over Kevin Streelman, with Mickleson fading to five shots back with three bogeys on his back nine.
Was Taylor really as steely as he seemed, though?
“On the inside? Probably not,” said Taylor with a laugh. “I did feel calm all week and today, but I definitely started feeling some nerves middle of the back nine with really difficult holes and making some bogeys.
“Phil was making bogeys alongside me so it’s not like I was making bad bogeys, it didn’t feel like. It was just playing so difficult.”
Playing as the final pairing of the day, Taylor had Mickleson and his legion of fans in lockstep with him through the storied course. A partisan crowd was clearly hoping that Mickleson would win a record sixth tournament at Pebble Beach, his home course.
Both players had a disastrous No. 14 – Taylor double bogeyed and Mickleson bogeyed – but Taylor recovered with his two late birdies and Mickleson didn’t shoot below par again.
“It’s disappointing certainly to have not won, but I got outplayed,” Mickelson said. “I mean, Nick played better than I did. He holed a couple of great shots. That eagle on 6, the putts he made on 4, 5 and 7 … he just really played some great golf.”
Instead, Taylor won a PGA Tour event for the second time of his career and set himself up for an exciting 2020 season.
He’ll now join Adam Hadwin, Corey Conners and Mike Weir at the Masters, the most Canadians to ever play at Augusta. He also joins Hadwin and Conners as a potential member of Canada’s Olympic team at this summer’s Tokyo Games. Canada’s two highest-ranked male players in the world golf rankings will compete in the Olympics.
Winning at Pebble Beach guarantees Taylor a full exemption for the 2021 PGA Tour season.
Having won the Sanderson Farms Championship in November 2014, Taylor joined Mike Weir and Stephen Ames as the only Canadians in the modern era to win twice on the top men’s tour.
He’s also the first player to lead all four rounds at Pebble Beach since Mickleson accomplished the feat in 2005.
“It’s a unique week with having three different golf courses to play on,” said Taylor. “Each day is a new challenge, totally different. I think that helped a little bit. I won the Canadian junior championship before I went to college, pretty sure I went wire-to-wire there but it doesn’t happen very often to have a great start and back it up with another good round.
“It’s very rare and makes for a tiring week. Now I know 0.1 per cent of what Tiger Woods does every single day, having to talk to media and stuff like that.”
Taylor and Mickleson – who finished the day 2-over 74 – weren’t the only players to struggle with the wind.
Dustin Johnson shot a 78. Matt Every, in the third-to-last group, shot 80. Jason Day closed with a 75.
The best round and best finish belonged to Jordan Spieth, who chipped in to save par on his final hole for a 67. It was the low round of the day and enabled Spieth to finish in a tie for ninth. That narrowly moves him back into the top 50 and makes him eligible for a World Golf Championship in Mexico City in two weeks.
Streelman also left with a trophy. He teamed with Arizona Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald to easily win the pro-am for the second time in three years.
Michael Gligic of Burlington, Ont., shot a 3-over 75 to finish tied for 55th at even par.
Canada’s Hadwin earns Presidents Cup captain’s pick
JERSEY CITY, NJ - SEPTEMBER 29: Adam Hadwin of Canada and the International Team plays his shot from the first tee during the Friday four-ball matches during the second round of the Presidents Cup at Liberty National Golf Club on September 29, 2017, in Jersey City, New Jersey. (Photo by Scott Halleran/PGA TOUR)
MELBOURNE, Victoria, Australia – Ernie Els has selected British Columbia’s Adam Hadwin as one of his final four picks for the International Team at next month’s Presidents Cup, the captain announced today via teleconference. Hadwin joins Jason Day of Australia, Joaquin Niemann of Chile and Sungjae Im of South Korea as the final international representatives.
The Presidents Cup returns to Melbourne, Australia and The Royal Melbourne Golf Club for the third time, December 9-15, when the International Team will take on the U.S. Team led by Captain Tiger Woods.
Hadwin will make his second consecutive Presidents Cup appearance and first as a captain’s pick. The 31-year-old finished with five top-10 finishes during the 2018-19 PGA TOUR season but made his best case for a captain’s pick after finishing runner-up in his first start of the 2019-20 season at the Safeway Open. That was followed up with a T4 at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open.
“With this Presidents Cup approaching and me starting to play some good golf again, I was just hungry for a second chance,” Hadwin said. “That’s not how I would like my contribution to The Presidents Cup to be remembered and I’m looking forward to having a second chance down at Royal Melbourne, a part of an incredible International Team, and hopefully we can right some of the wrongs that we’ve had in the past and do Captain Els proud.”
The Abbotsford, British Columbia, native is just one of three Canadians to compete in the Presidents Cup, joining 2019 captain’s assistant Mike Weir and Graham DeLaet.
Hadwin finished with a 0-2-1 record in his Presidents Cup debut at Liberty National.
The International Team has 22 previous Presidents Cup appearances amongst its members with six players making their Presidents Cup debuts, which matches the second-most first-timers in team history (7, 2013).
Hideki Matsuyama, Adam Scott, Louis Oosthuizen, Marc Leishman, Abraham Ancer, Haotong Li, Cameron Smith and C.T. Pan round out the rest of the international team. Corey Conners of Listowel, Ont., was strongly considered by Els to join the team but just missed the final cut.
“Between (Hadwin) and Corey Conners, it was a very, very tight race,” said Els. “One of the difficult calls I had to make was to Corey. He was very gracious and he wished us good luck heading into these matches.
“But Adam, I love his game. He’s just very solid all around. There’s not really any weakness there.”
Conners missed the cut at the Sanderson Farms Championship but then tied for 13th at the Safeway Open, tied for 12th at the CJ Cup at Nine Bridges, tied for sixth at the ZOZO Championship and tied for 20th at the World Golf Championship-HSBC Champions. He’s ranked 55th in the world _ one spot below Niemann _ and 24th on the FedExCup rankings.
Dustin Johnson, Justin Thomas, Brooks Koepka, Matt Kuchar, Xander Schauffele, Webb Simpson, Bryson DeChambeau and Patrick Cantlay will represent the United States. Tiger Woods will announce his four captain’s picks _ potentially including himself _ on Thursday.
Captain Els will lead the youngest International Team in Presidents Cup history, with the average age of his 12 players totaling just over 29 years old. This is the fourth consecutive International Team that has been younger than the previous team.
Beat Phil Mickelson, 4 & 3, in singles in 2000. Beat Tiger Woods, 1 up, in 2007.
Graham DeLaet
2013
3-1-1
Beat Jordan Spieth, 1 up, in singles.
Adam Hadwin
2017
0-2-1
Halved his fourball match with Hideki Matsuyama against Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed.
THE TWENTIES
Golf historian Lori Harvie takes a look at golf in the 1920's.
After the war people had more time for recreation and golf grew in popularity. The Saskatoon Phoenix reported in 1921 that the popularity of the royal and ancient game was increasing every year. There were now 188 golf courses in Canada, with 25 in Saskatchewan. The Swift Current area exemplified the extraordinary formation of new clubs – last year there were only clubs in Swift Current and Maple Creek but this year nine-hole courses were available in eleven other towns in the area. (Saskatoon Phoenix, 1921, Aug. 17, p. 9)
In 1926 Saskatchewan Golf Association President Bob Charlton surveyed the province, reporting that there were 100 golf clubs in Saskatchewan. Twenty-two of these were affiliated with the SGA and 78 were not. Calculating that there were an estimated 3,000 golfers in the three major cities of Regina, Saskatoon and Moose Jaw, and that smaller clubs had from 20 to 100 at each, he declared that there were about “8000 wielders of driver and mashie in Saskatchewan.” (Morning Leader, 1926, Apr 27, list of all 100 clubs).
1920:Regina Golf Club, August 3-6
Alex Weir of Weyburn was a popular winner of the Saskatchewan Men’s Amateur as he had been the runner-up or a semi-finalist for five previous years. More women than ever before were entered in the ladies’ championship. Mrs. Parry of Regina won the title over Effie MacDonald. The mixed foursomes’ event was popular with 23 couples entering and it needed a tie-breaker the next day to determine the winner. A new competition was added for veterans which attracted 19 entries. This eventually evolved into the Senior Men’s Championship.
George Ayton, Regina Golf Club professional, won the Open Championship then left immediately to take part in the American golf championship starting on August 7 in Toledo. Later in August he competed at the Canadian Open in Ottawa.
1921:Saskatoon Golf Club, August 16-19
During the qualifying round for the Saskatchewan championship Alex Weir set a new amateur record for the Saskatoon Golf Club when he scored 73. However, he didn’t hold that title long as he was surpassed two days later by Harry Bruce parring the course at 72. Immediately following his Saskatchewan Amateur win, Bruce headed to Winnipeg for the Canadian Amateur competition.
In the women’s event, four golfers played off to fill the final spot in the sixteens of the championship event. Mrs. Boyd of Saskatoon won the title. Thirty-two teams entered the mixed foursomes’ competition.
1922: Moose Jaw Golf Club, August 21-25
Moose Jaw Golf Club members and their professional Sandy Middleton worked hard over several years to have an eighteen-hole course in good shape to host a provincial tournament. All but two greens were grass, fairways were in good condition, and the course was well bunkered. A few days before the tournament a work bee of over 100 filled hollows and gopher holes on the course. They were rewarded with favourable comments from the 148 entrants. The course played at par 70 over 6,020 yards.
During the competition, Effie MacDonald of Saskatoon set a women’s course record of 93. Moose Jaw members were thrilled when their clubmate, Marion Hunt, won the women’s championship after a runner-up finish a few years earlier.
The first Saskatchewan Junior Men’s championship was held for boys 16 and under. Ten entered the competition, with the final match played between Reg Young and W. Kinnear Jr, both of Saskatoon. Unfortunately, on the nineteenth hole, Kinnear picked up his ball, assuming that a short putt had been conceded. It had not been and the match went to Young whose name went on the trophy donated by E.G. Cook of Moose Jaw.
1923: Wascana Country Club, August 6-11
The Wascana course played at par 70 over 6,001 yards. On the first day of competition 146 men teed off in pairs at five-minute intervals from 8:30 a.m. to 2:35 p.m.
The Professionals’ event attracted twenty competitors: eight came from Winnipeg, two from Edmonton, one from Brandon, and nine from Saskatchewan. Large galleries followed the players as they vied for over $500 in prizes. Joe Land, the green-keeper at St. Charles C.C. in Winnipeg, scored 148 to win the two-round event, beating George Daniel from Winnipeg by one stroke.
It’s never fun to golf in bad conditions, and the newspaper reported: “Under appalling weather conditions the ladies set out in the morning for the second round of their championship, facing a downpour of rain driven along by a tempestuous wind.” (Morning Leader, Aug 11, p.16) Mrs. Hunt of Moose Jaw defended her title.
The SGA announced that Eilers’ Ltd. had presented a cup for competition among the veteran players. S. Crookson, Regina GC, won the 1923 event over J.K. Hunter of Wascana.
Delegates from Manitoba, Alberta and Saskatchewan formed the Western Canada Golf Association (WCGA), adopted a constitution, and agreed to hold its first tournament in Saskatchewan next year.
1924: Western Canada Golf Association – 1st tournament, Saskatoon, August 9-16
The Western Canada Golf Association held its first tournament in Saskatoon. The President of the organization was R.C.S. Bruce of Winnipeg and directors represented the three prairie provinces. A 15-member tournament committee oversaw eight separate championships plus a driving competition held on the final day. Players paid a five-dollar entry fee to compete in all events for which they were eligible. Competitions were held at Riverside Country Club, playing at 5920 yards and Saskatoon Golf Club, playing at 6034 yards, both at par 70. The committee set the caddy fee at 75 cents a round and needed 200 caddies for the start of the competition.
A Morning Leader reporter was sent to Saskatoon to cover the tournament and wrote that Regina players were unaccustomed to the pot-holes and traps or the sloping and rolling greens. It was so different from what players in the Capitol City were used to and presented a more severe test than to those who were used to them. Riverside “makes up in devilment what it may lack in length.” (Morning Leader, Aug. 12)
President Miley and the executive of the Saskatchewan Golf Association were re-elected for the following year. There were no separate Saskatchewan championships held this year and no women’s events at all. A Saskatchewan junior champion was declared after the first round of play, resulting in Reg Young of Saskatoon claiming first place with 85 and Tommy Russell of Moose Jaw in second place with 87. The Saskatchewan Closed Amateur gold and silver medals were awarded after two rounds to A.A. Weir, Saskatoon, at 156 and J.P. Runciman, Regina, at 160.
The Western Canada Amateur Golf Championship was open to all amateurs, and the winner received the Wood’s Trophy and a gold medal. Two qualifying rounds resulted in a field of 64, then match play determined the finalists. Jack Cuthbert of Winnipeg won over Sam Thorburn, SGCC, on the 35th hole at Riverside Country Club.
The Open Championship, available to both professionals and amateurs, was won by George Daniel, Winnipeg, over J.D. Millar. Seventeen pros competed for the four-round Professional Championship and $500 prize money. During the first day of play, professional Ernest Penfold from Winnipeg set a course record at the Saskatoon Club with a score of 68. He ended up in a second-place tie with Joe Land, as George Daniel took this title.
The Junior Championship for boys under age 17 started with an eighteen-hole qualifier to determine the sixteen to play the championship matches. Reg Young of Saskatoon won the cup and gold medal, defeating Ronald Bannister of Winnipeg 5 and 4.
Provincial associations chose an eight-man team to vie for a 36-hole team title which was won by Saskatchewan. Clubs entered four-man teams in the Club Team competition won by St. Andrews, Calgary, over Riverside Country Club.
A handicap competition was divided into two sections: C.A. Fleming of Alsask won the gold medal for the 16 and over handicap category, and T.D. Forbes won for those with handicaps of 15 and under. (ref: Western Canada Golf Association Programme, 1924).
The first annual WCGA meeting chose Lorne Johnson of Wascana to be the next President. Calgary was selected for the 1925 tournament, then it moved around the prairies until it was held for the final time in 1932.
1925: Moose Jaw Golf Club, August 10-16
Moose Jaw hosted the 1925 Championships on links that were in splendid condition, with three new greens added since holding the event three years earlier.
Seventeen-year-old Tommy Russell of Moose Jaw won the Junior competition then prevailed in his amateur matches to reach the final against C.P. Church of Regina. Tommy, described by the newspaper as “almost slim enough to fit through the barrel of a rifle”, came in after the morning eighteen holes four down to his much more experienced opponent. However, he surged through the afternoon round winning eight holes outright. Two to three hundred spectators watched the final holes as Tommy won 2 up on the 17th to become the new Saskatchewan Amateur Champion. Although he had not planned on it, local admirers influenced him to go to Calgary for the second Western Canadian Championship. So, a few hours after his success, he was rushed to the station and packed onto the Trans-Canada train in order to arrive early Monday in time to compete. The first Western Canadian Golf Championship had created a lot of interest and the Moose Jaw pro, Sandy Middleton, junior players Ronnie McIntyre of Moose Jaw and Phil Morse of Saskatoon, Phil’s father, and five Regina golfers were among those who made the trip to the Calgary Golf and Country Club.
William Kidd took holidays from his banking job in Shaunavon to play in the provincial championships. Although he gave up golf for several years after leaving the Old Country, he now practiced on the nine-hole links at Shaunavon. “Along with other south country players, he located in a tent near the links here and has been on the course from daylight to dark every day.” It was remarkable that he eclipsed all other amateurs and professionals to win the Open Championship with a 156. He was elected vice-president of the Saskatchewan Golf Association that week as well and planned to go on to the Westerns in Calgary. (Morning Leader, Aug 12, p.22 of Aug. 11)
As always, prizes were presented by Sir Frederick Haultain following the finals. The amateur winner received a gold watch, and the runner-up a diamond and pearl pin; the ladies’ champion received a gold bracelet watch and the runner-up silver candlesticks; the junior winner got a silver wrist watch and the runner-up a golf bag. The professional championship prize of $20 was won by W. Goodwin, the new pro at the Citizen’s Club in Moose Jaw who had been too busy improving the course to practice much.
AMERICAN GOLFERS VISIT SASKATCHEWAN:
The original schedule of the provincial championship was tweaked so golfers would have time to take in a special event. Two hundred American golfers in two trains were on a 17-day tour of the Pacific Northwest and on their way back to Chicago they stopped in Moose Jaw to play. After an evening of “Bacchanalian revels” the group arrived in Regina early in the morning, insisting on motoring right out to the local golf clubs. The Americans had a royal time in the capital as a carnival spirit prevailed.
An exhibition game featuring four celebrity golfers was played in each city on their tour. 450 Regina spectators paid one-dollar admission to the Barracks course to see two well-known pros oppose two outstanding amateurs. “Long Jim” Barnes was fresh from his win at the British Open. He emigrated to America in his teens and became one of the most popular professionals in the game and author of a voluminous textbook for professionals.
Jock Hutchison, born at St. Andrews, won the British Open in 1921 and came to America to be the pro at the Pittsburg golf course. He was known as “probably the best wit among professional golfers, attracting bevies of followers wherever he plays to listen to his Scotch burr and his amusing comments on the game and especially his own play.”
Chick Evans was the U.S. Amateur winner in 1916 and 1920 and runner-up twice, holder of 88 records, a stylist to perfection and familiar with every shot in the game. He had written a book of his experiences and thousands of articles for newspapers and periodicals on the technique and glories of the game of golf.
Capt. Ernest C. Carter, born at Blackrock, County Dublin, had won the Irish Amateur Closed Tournament in 1919 and 1921, other Irish championships and the Welsh amateur. He had made numerous holes in one.
In the Regina contest Jock Hutchison negotiated the course in 3 under par 67. His partner, “Long Jim” Barnes played the round in 69. “The gallery was entertained to a beautiful display of golf, and they showed their appreciation in a vigorous manner. The driving was followed with keen interest, and the approaches with bated breath … Barnes is not built to wear knickers and prefers to sport Prince of Wales trousers on the golf course, but this detail in no way interferes with his game.” The lanky Englishman took 36 strokes on each side for 72. Evans missed four putts in a row by the fraction of an inch, but he is a cheerful loser, and he took his hard luck with a smile, finishing with 69. Carter, holder of the Irish championship, astonished those who had been inclined to underestimate him. His driving was particularly fine. Hutchison gave as pretty and finished a display of good golf as has ever been seen in Regina. Most of the players remained on the links until train time, when the party was given a warm send-off to Winnipeg. (Morning Leader, Aug. 12-14, 1925)
1926:Regina Golf Club and Wascana Country Club, August 2-7
Both courses were dry from the prolonged drought and high winds prevailed on the first two days of the tournament. A storm on Wednesday night flattened the office tent, mutilating all records and greatly inconveniencing the tournament committee. Things were quickly put back to normal and the tournament finished with fine weather.
The SGA cash book lists each competitor and the entry fee: men paid $4 or $2, women paid $2, pros $2 and juniors $1. (SGA Cash Book, pp 76-82.)
Russ Smith had to win a nine-hole playoff to get into the championship flight, then went on to win the tournament 3 and 2 over Tommy Russell of Moose Jaw.
Twenty-five of the thirty-two competitors in the women’s event were from Regina. Gladys Rideout of Wascana won 2 up over Mattie Boyles of the Regina Golf Club. The women had always held their championship in conjunction with the men’s tournament but this was the last year that happened. A Saskatchewan Section of the Canadian Ladies Golf Union was formed and plans were made to hold separate events in the future.
Eleven juniors competed, with George Bigelow of Wascana winning 4 and 3 over M.L. Tasker of Regina Golf Club.
The newly-formed Western Canada Professional Golfers’ Association attracted sixteen entries for the inaugural event: eight professionals from Winnipeg, one from Edmonton and seven from Saskatchewan. Joe Land of Winnipeg won the title and $100 in prize money with his four-round score of 299, while Hugh Fletcher, also of Winnipeg, took the $75 second prize. Land also won the Saskatchewan Open while another Winnipeg pro, George Daniel, took second.
The SGA took in $367 in affiliation fees from clubs around the province. Each year an honorarium was paid to the Tournament Secretary and the Honorary Secretary.
1927 Men:Moose Jaw Golf Club, July 25-29
Moose Jaw held the Saskatchewan tournaments concurrently with the Western Canada Golf Championship. The Saskatchewan Amateur was played as 36 holes of medal play over the first two days. Young Tommy Russell scored 153 on his home course to edge out an old St. Andrews player, T.D. Forbes of Riverhurst.
“Little Freddie” Fletcher, the 25-year-old pro at Moose Jaw, amazed the field by winning the Open with a lame leg that didn’t affect his game in the least. (Apparently his left leg was badly wounded overseas and sometimes he used a bicycle to travel the fairways between holes.) (Bradley, p. 63) A few days later he received the Kinnear Cup, a gold medal and $200 for winning the four-round Western Canada Professional Championship with a score of 293.
A small number of juniors competed. William Hudson of Calgary won the WCGA title over John Bigelow of Regina, but no Saskatchewan Junior titlist was declared.
Tommy Ross of Regina drove a tee shot right smack behind a telegraph pole, which prompted him to apply to the CNR to have the pole removed from the course. He was quoted as saying ‘another stroke gontoell.’ Another player complained strongly after his pitch shot to the green hit an oil can that had been left there.
A Veterans’ event had been part of SGA tournaments since 1920, but this year a Saskatchewan Senior Men’s event for those over 55 was held for the first time. A Senior Golf Association was formed, electing James Balfour of Regina the president, and General Tuxford of Moose Jaw the vice-president. Interestingly, these were the two finalists in the competition, with Tuxford coming out on top.
1927 Women: Wascana Country Club, August 8-12
The Saskatchewan Branch of the Canadian Ladies’ Golf Union was organized on Sept 16, 1926 with the national president, Mrs. L. Murray, in Regina for the occasion. Nine clubs affiliated with the Branch that first year. Mrs. Gladys Rideout of Wascana was elected the first president and the first women’s tournament was held there in 1927. Forty-eight women played in the qualifying round then were placed in three flights. A close final match ended on the twentieth hole when Mrs. J. Blair’s thirty-yard chip found the hole to win the championship over Mrs. Rideout. A team from Regina Golf Club was the first winner of the handsome new silver trophy presented by the Regina Trading Company. Thirty-four pairs entered the mixed foursomes event, won by Mr. & Mrs. W. Knight Wilson. The busy social schedule included a banquet and meeting, two dances, a luncheon and the prize presentation on Friday afternoon.
1928 Men: Saskatoon Golf Club, August 6-11
110 amateur competitors entered the provincial championship. O.S. Wakeford of Saskatoon was thrilled when his mashie shot on the seventh hole took two hops and lodged in the cup for a hole-in-one. The newspaper described this shot as a “dodo”. (Star-Phoenix, Aug. 10, p.9)
Eighteen professionals competed in the Open Championship, won by Tom Ross of Regina, and the Professional Championship, won by Jimmie Rimmer of Jasper Park with 288.
Prizes were presented by golf enthusiast Sir Frederick Haultain for the fifteenth successive year.
Following the final match in the Saskatchewan Amateur, won by Phil Morse 8 and 7 over J.D. Millar, both Saskatoon players were invited to play an exhibition match against two of Britain’s best-known professional golfers. Archie Compston and Aubrey Boomer were touring Canada and the United States. Close to 200 spectators took in this contest, won by the Brits 3 and 2.
The Western Canada Golf Association held its tournaments in Edmonton – at Mayfair Golf Club for the men and Edmonton Golf and Country Club for the women.
1928 Women: Riverside Country Club, August 6-10
The provincial women’s championships were held concurrently at Riverside Country Club. After 64 women registered, a fourth event was quickly added to the competition. Tee times were scheduled every five minutes. Ideal weather and an excellent course made for a pleasant week, topped by Hilda Yule winning over her clubmate Lillian Myers by a score of 5 and 4 to take the Dunlop Tire and Rubber Company trophy.
At the annual meeting a position of Honorary President with voting power was created. This was filled by Gladys Rideout who had guided the organization through its first two years. Mrs. R.R. Morgan of Saskatoon was voted incoming president. Appreciation was voiced for the spring visits of national CLGU president Mrs. Murray and Ada Mackenzie who stopped in Regina and Moose Jaw on their national tour.
The team trophy, won this year by host club Riverside, was to be determined in future by the four lowest scores for each club in the opening day qualifying round instead of choosing four competitors ahead of time.
1929 Men: Wascana Country Club, August 5-9
The Wascana course played 6,009 yards, 34-36 for a par 70. One hundred golfers teed off at four-minute intervals in the Amateur competition. Regina fans following the final match were discouraged after the morning game as Phil Morse of Saskatoon had a four-stroke lead over Fred Dorr. However, the Morning Leader reporter stated that the four-stroke lead was none too many against the well-known Regina percussionist.
“the Capitolian maestro of the drums and tinkling cymbals staking a wonderful comeback on the 12th hole which raised great hopes in the breasts of the Regina contingent of the gallery. The spectators thoroughly enjoyed the pyrotechnic display of fireworks for four consecutive holes, only to see him sputter out like a damp squib on the 16th green. It was another striking example of the failure of an able-bodied golfer with an expensive eight-dollar putter to sink a condemned golf ball into an infernal hole, only 18 gosh-darned inches from start to finish of the putt. It is one of the unsolvable mysteries in the game of golf why so many putts of less than two feet from the hole refuse to drop into that catastrophic cavity!” (Morning Leader, Aug. 10, 1929, p. 13 by John W. Harrison)
Twenty-year-old Phil Morse successfully defended his Saskatchewan title 2 and 1. The Junior Championship went to Otto Anderson who won over another Saskatoon player, Arnold Lozo.
Saskatchewan sent its first interprovincial team to Jasper, AB for the third Willingdon Cup championship, but came in last of the six provincial teams. Phil Morse, William Kidd, A.R. McIntyre and N.C. Byers made up the team.
The Western Canada Golf Association held its tournament in Jasper concurrently with the Canadian events. The Saskatchewan Golf Association voted at its annual meeting to sever relations with the WCGA.
1929 Women: Moose Jaw Golf Club, August 12-15
Mrs. R.R. Morgan of Saskatoon was elected president of the CLGU Saskatchewan Branch for this year, but by the time the tournament opened in August, Mrs. F.R. Nason of Moose Jaw was listed as ‘acting president.’ There were now twelve affiliated clubs, and Swift Current and Humboldt had been parred by the women.
Mrs. Rideout took the provincial championship, winning 6 and 5 over Mrs. Gill of Moose Jaw. A driving competition and a putting contest were held along with the championship.
This publication was produced by provincial golf historian Lori Harvie.
North Battleford G & CC launches long term plan work
Hole four at the North Battleford Golf & Country Club is being rebuilt.
The revitalization of all 18 holes at the North Battleford Golf & Country Club (NBGCC) is a “long range plan” but the metaphoric tee shot has been launched.
Six years ago the golf club underwent a one-million-dollar irrigation upgrade project that was paid for through fundraising and a positive relationship with the city of North Battleford. The course is beginning to redesign all 18 holes, this past season work began on hole four. Director of Golf Dana Johnson said the NBGCC members voted to begin on the troubled par-four.
“We’ve had a hard time getting the grass established on the fairway to make it short and simple,” Johnson told Golf Saskatchewan. “What also contributed to the problem is a 24” watermain that has broke four or five times in two years. This hole has been a problem the last quite a few years.”
Work on the hole was stalled due to the weather across Western Saskatchewan this past season. Johnson said the hole is fun to play leading to the members approving the upgrades first.
“It’s a more modern hole with a slight dogleg uphill and the green is a new modern style green but it’s a risk-reward, par four,” he said. “You can try to drive the green but there are two bunkers facing you. You have to challenge the bunkers and to the left there is a roll out area that collects balls.”
If golfers choose to lay up and sit at 200 yards from the 325-yard tee box a couple fairway bunkers also come into play. Johnson said two holes will be developed on four, potentially in the future the NBGCC will design a new driving range or a smaller scale practice range. Funding programs are in place, but Johnson admits the revenue is slow going.
“The challenges are now, with this new long range plan we’re going to start with hole four and do as much as we can and pay it off as we can. We with then decide what’s next and pay it off as we can,” he said.
If the weather cooperates hole four should be ready for play in the fall of 2019.
Aside from course renovations, Johnson continues to build junior golf in the North Battleford region every year. The NBGCC offers free lessons to upwards of 110 kids per week in the early summer months. Working closely with the Boys and Girls Club of North Battleford, Johnson said giving back goes beyond the benefits of the course.
“The Boys and Girls club do a great job with the different programs offered for kids, and we thought we could offer golf to their current programs being offered. They do a great job, but we felt by offering golf lessons, the kids had an opportunity to learn a new sport. We enjoy having the kids during the lessons and have many laughs with the kids during the time at the golf course.”
Harcourt holds off field for Publinx victory
Carson Harcourt, 20, is the 2018 Men's Publinx champion.
For the first time since being a junior golfer, Kipling’s Carson Harcourt is a tournament champion.
The 20-year-old Minot State University student was the lone golfer to finish under par (one under) during the 36-hole event at the Tor Hill Golf Club in Regina on the weekend. Harcourt stroked a two over par during round one, sitting two shots back of Tyler Zaba after the opening round, Harcourt had the low round of 69 over the final 18 holes to edge Yorkton’s Kade Johnson by a single shot. Zaba shot 75 on day two leaving him in third place at three over. Johnson was even for the event. Harcourt said he hit two bad shots off the tee over the two days but battled through the miscues.
“On the first day I hit one out of bounds and that resulted in a quadruple bogey,” he told Golf Saskatchewan. “That was tough to come back from. On the final day I hit one in the bush and that resulted in a bogey, I was able to minimize the damage. It seemed whenever I was on the green putting for birdie I was making it. That really helped, after you take a quadruple it’s tough to come back from.”
Harcourt grew up playing at the Kipling Golf Course before becoming a member at nearby Golf Kenosee. When he was 12-years-old he joined a Golf Saskatchewan team led by Phil Gross. Several tournament wins followed during his junior career including his last ever event. He said being victorious on the Men’s Order of Merit Tour (OOM) was a big confidence boost.
“It feels pretty good, I haven’t won since my last junior event at the Wascana Country Club, that was a couple years ago. It was a good field and it makes me realize I can play with these guys and win tournaments in the future and win college tournaments in my future too,” he said.
The win earns Harcourt 500 OOM points, Johnson picked up 400 points. Zaba collected 350 for his third-place finish.
The full results can be found here along with the OOM standings.
The Senior Publinx champion was Rob Schneider, the Tor Hill member shot 146 (72, 74) for a four-stroke victory over Ken Rodgers, also of the Tor Hill. Mike Hammer, another Tor Hill member placed third with a nine over 151 (76, 75). The win was Schneider’s first OOM event of the season, he picked up 500 OOM points with the win, he sits in sixth place overall. Lionel Fauchoux sits in top spot.
The results from the senior’s event and OOM standings can be seen here.
The next OOM event for both the men and seniors is the Mine Supply Central Amateur Senior Men’s Division from June 30 – July 2 at Saskatoon Golf and Country Club.
