Yorkton, Sk – The City of Yorkton unveiled a plaque dedicating the Deer Park Clubhouse to mark the completion of the construction project. In January 2022, City Council approved the Deer Park Clubhouse Construction Project with a budget of $7.2 million dollars. The budget included a new build, along with the installation of City water and sewer.

The Old Clubhouse had reached its end of life, as it was the oldest recreation facility in Yorkton. The facility at the time was not accessible, with washrooms being in the basement of the building along with a septic system and no potable drinking water.

Construction of the Deer Park Clubhouse began with the demolition of the Old Clubhouse in April 2022.

The construction work took 14-months to complete. The Pro Shop opened to the public on April 24,^, 2023 and the keys to the rest of the building turned over to the City on June 5, 2023 with the Owl’s Nest Restaurant opening on June 20, 2023.

“The opening of our NEW Deer Park Clubhouse brings our city great opportunities moving into the future. City council has been unanimously committed to marketing our city for recreation, tourism & business growth!”, said Mayor Mitch Hippsley. “We are very proud to see this BEAUTIFUL building compliment our BEAUTIFUL golf course. This building has gone “above and beyond”, knowing it will be the talk of the Golfers World for many, many years to come!”

A generous donation was put towards furniture in the Clubhouse, which was made by Concept3 Business Interiors Ltd. and the Glauser Family. Garth Glauser was an avid golfer at Deer Park Golf Course and was a season pass holder for over 40 years. Garth passed away in 2006. Concept3 Business Interiors Ltd. was founded by Garth’s son Larry and his wife, Debra Kirk, and is currently operated by two generations of the Glauser family; Garth’s son Larry and grandson Stephen. As a thank you, the City is pleased to name the patio at the Deer Park Clubhouse “G.G.’s Patio” in memory of Garth “G.G.” Glauser.

The city of Yorkton is committing $7.6 million to construct a new clubhouse for Deer Park Municipal Golf Course.

At the city’s Jan. 31 council meeting the group voted to move ahead with the project that should be completed in time for the 2023 golf season.

Golf Saskatchewan sat down with Yorkton Mayor Mitch Hippsley and Director of Recreation and Community Darcy McLeod to discuss the construction and the excitement of replacing the current building that dates back 60 years.

The City of Yorkton and Deer Park Municipal Golf Course are one step closer to a new clubhouse.

At the city’s council meeting on Monday evening a vote was passed to move the project to tender. Director of Leisure Services Darcy McLeod explained more after council’s decision.

“A budget of $7.2 million was presented, that includes water and sewer, roadway and parking lot asphalt, and asphalt around the clubhouse, landscaping, and the building itself. The total estimated value is that $7.2 million but we want to send it to tender to see what the market tells us this will cost for real,” McLeod told Golf Saskatchewan.

The current clubhouse is nearly 60 years old and well past its lifespan. McLeod said the building simply doesn’t stand up to standards and needs to be replaced.

“It’s been added on to several times, we have washrooms in the basement so if you have a hard time walking you have to go into the basement, wheelchair accessibility is non-existent. You must walk up into the restaurant and bar area as well, the only thing on grade is the pro shop, everything else is stairs with no wheelchair access. That’s the first and foremost biggest thing. Then it’s just an old building in need of a replacement, regardless of whether it’s a golf course or not it’s one of the oldest buildings we have, this is an asset management replacement,” McLeod said.

The plans for the new clubhouse allow for seating up to 100 people with room for another 60 on a covered deck with weather protectants. There will be an open deck much like the current facility does have. Although not heavily investigated there potentially will be other revenue generating possibilities such as events or weddings. The local cross country ski club uses the facility now in the winter.

Once tenders are received the final decision will be back before Yorkton council in January. McLeod said if the construction decision passes the old current clubhouse will be demolished this winter, a temporary trailer and washrooms will be in place for the 2022 golf season and the new building will open in time for the 2023 year.

For more details click here.

The first Saskatchewan provincial golf championship of the season will tee off Wednesday.

The 2024 Junior Women’s and Men’s Championship will be held at Deer Park Municipal Golf Course and be played over 54-holes and three rounds, concluding on Friday afternoon.

Deer Park has been a constant supporter of junior events over the course’s history. The under-19 championships were last held in Yorkton in 2015. Golf Canada hosted a Future Links event in 2018 as well. Head Professional Al Sauser said the course always enjoys bringing championship caliber events to Yorkton.

“The golf course is obviously in good shape as we get ready for the juniors,” Sauser said. “We are looking forward to this championship out here, it’s always fun.”

In 2015 the overall champions both hailed from Prince Albert, Brooke Hobson was the junior women’s champion while Cory Selander won the junior men’s event. New under-19 champions will be crowned this year with Sarah Armstrong (Medicine Hat) and Luke Cote (Regina) aging out of junior play.

The field will have 106 players from across Saskatchewan and few from the prairie provinces, national spots are on the line as well. Three junior women will be able to earn spots at the Canadian Junior Girls Championships, and one player will qualify for the Canadian Bantam (under-15) Championship through the Saskatchewan championship. Four quota spots are available for the junior men for the Canadian Junior Boys Boys Championships and the under-15 as well. Golf Saskatchewan Executive Director Brian Lee said having an event at Yorkton’s Deer Park, no matter the age or skill levels is exciting.

“Deer Park has been a focal point of Golf Saskatchewan and Golf Canada for championships, and we expect Al and his staff will have the course in marquee shape, like always. The new clubhouse is an added amenity for all the players, and we simply can’t wait to see some great golf, introduce some younger players to competitive golf, plus watch future champions make their mark on the sport,” Lee said.

The practice round for the championships will occur Tuesday, the first group will tee off at 7 a.m. on Wednesday.

For complete details on the 2024 Saskatchewan Junior Championships click here.

About Golf Saskatchewan

Golf Saskatchewan hosts 12 championships each season with players from as young as 5-years-old all the way to competitors in their 80’s competing and playing the ‘greatest social game on earth.’ From the first week of July to the final weekend in September, Golf Saskatchewan hosts individual events with national implications to more casual team, handicapped events. Provincial golf championships provide positive life experiences for players while developing their skills in high level events.

The 2024 Saskatchewan Junior Golf Championships will be held at Deer Park Municipal Golf Course in Yorkton next July.

Already a busy golf course for competitive junior events in the province including the Maple Leaf Junior Tour and the Canadian Junior Golf Association, Director of Golf Services Allan Sauser said they have noticed an uptake in junior golf in the city and the excitement of hosting the provincials will only help grow the game.

“It is really exciting for us,” Sauser said. “We have seen a strong resurgence with the junior membership this last year. With the Dr. Brass Academy, we have seen some solid golfers playing a little more golf and being affiliated with a school, that’s certainly the right direction for us.”

The 18-hole championship course last hosted a provincial event in 2020 when Sauser and the Deer Park staff took on the task of hosting the Senior Championships on short notice during the pandemic. The last time the under-19 championships were held in the east-central Saskatchewan city was in 2015. A pair of Prince Albert golfers were crowned champions that year with Brooke Hobson and Cory Selander each won in playoffs. Sauser was there for the event, and many others over the years. He said with the addition of the recently built clubhouse the event and course will provide the players with a great week.

“It’s been a few years, so it is exciting. It’s always nice to host a provincial tournament or a national tournament every few years. It’s exciting because people from other areas come to the golf course, also the new clubhouse, it’s also a good opportunity to get some fresh faces in there as well,” Sauser said.

Since the 2020 senior event the course has made some alterations not including the clubhouse. The signature par-3 hole-8 has been redone, still a magnificent par-3, plus the new seventh green will be in play as it was under construction in 2020. Sauser said those improvements simply add to an already fantastic layout at the course.

“Number eight has always been a fantastic hole and it’s hard to believe they could improve on what it was, so it’s turned out to be a great hole. The new green, the other one was flat, this one has more angulation and is definitely trickier. The new holes are definitely making the golf course a little more exciting,” he said.

The 54-hole championships will be held from July 3-5, with practice rounds being played on July 2. New junior champions will be crowned in Yorkton, as defending champions Sarah Armstrong and Luke Cote each graduated to amateurs. Golf Saskatchewan Manager of Championships and Rules Alex Schmidt said Deer Park will provide everything needed for a great week of golf.

“Deer Park has always been a great place to visit and play,” she said. “The course is playable from all tees, the staff is always fantastic, and now with that beautiful new clubhouse, a couple hole renovations, I can’t wait to see how everything plays out in July in Yorkton.”

Registration will open on April 15.

The City of Yorkton’s construction of a new clubhouse at Deer Park Municipal Golf Course continues into the winter months.

The city released a time-lapse video updating residents and their followers on the progress of the $7.6 million facility. Since the demolition of the 60-year-old structure crews have been at the site. Operations of the course in 2022 were conducted out of a double-wide Atco trailer. Yorkton Director Recreation & Community Services Darcy McLeod said the patrons at the course this season were very understanding.

Our golfers were awesome, they know what they are going to get I think,” McLeod said to Golf Saskatchewan on Thursday. “They were really good, we were all super pleased with the cooperation from everybody that came out golfing, it was really good.”

The weather didn’t cooperate at the start of the construction, that forced a backlog on various contractors and some mild confusion at the course, but McLeod said everything is now on track.

“It’s not completely sheeted in, there is some areas exposed to the elements in some areas. It’s almost sheeted in, the roof is almost complete, all the framing is up inside, it’s almost framed in then they can get some heat going and get inside,” McLeod explained.

The city expects to be welcoming golfers at the clubhouse in May.

Every year golf provides amazing moments and memories with Saskatchewan being no different.

Despite our somewhat short season the sport had it’s share of remarkable recognitions courtesy of the game.

Here’s a look back on the top-10 stories of 2022 based on readership/viewership

City of Yorkton brass excited for clubhouse construction

The city of Yorkton is committing $7.6 million to construct a new clubhouse for Deer Park Municipal Golf Course.

Read more.

Amateur Championships begin Tuesday at Cooke Municipal

A jam-packed field of the province’s best amateur golfers will converge on Prince Albert’s Cooke Municipal Golf Course this week for the Saskatchewan Amateur Championships.

Read more.

Stu’s Indoor Golf adds recreational benefits for entire region

With a young family including three boys the Stupak family is hoping an indoor golf facility will grow golf and play a role in more recreational family-friendly options for Warman, Martensville, and the area.

Read more.

Nagy wins Scotia Wealth Open; Ziglo back on top at Ladies Northern

Saskatoon’s Josh Nagy has his first “amateur” win after claiming the Scotia Wealth Open at Nipawin’s Evergreen Golf Course on Sunday.

Read more.

Carlisle qualifies for DII National Championship

Estevan’s Jace Carlisle is headed to a collegiate national championship.

Read more.

Shooting your age at 97, Mitchell still playing 18 holes per day

Elvin Mitchell didn’t start playing golf regularly until he was about 40 years old but now 97, he’s making up for lost time.

Read more.

Kutcher hunts down college commitment

Regina’s Hunter Kutcher has decided to stay in Canada to play college golf and get an education.

Read more.

Jenkins calm in college taking in new experiences

For Cole Jenkins, the thought of playing college sports has always been a dream but the Prince Albert product didn’t know what sport could lead him to his goal once high school was complete.

Read more.

Rave reviews of Red Deer from Canadian SR Men’s competitors

Much like the Canadian Senior Women’s Championship in Winnipeg, all reports back from Red Deer is the men’s event was also fantastic.

Read more.

Hole-in-one nets Regina radio host 25K

July 25, 2022 will stand out in the mind of Regina’s Mark Johnston for years to come.

Read more.

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

• Canada Games Team announced
• Aces adding up for Iula
• Swinnerton wins NextGen Prairie Championship
• Winner in Wynyard, ace with 30K
• U of R competes in first Canada West Championship

In what can be a huge benefit to golfers, facilities, and the game, indoor simulators have developed into extremely accurate life-like designs to allow players to play all year. Playing indoor golf can keep your game sharp, offer a chance to make alterations or simply get people together to enjoy the greatest game on earth.

Coming off a record season of golf in Saskatchewan many are wondering how they can keep their game up or even improve their skills while the province is blanketed with winter.

Thankfully the province has an abundance of indoor facilities with top-of-the-line simulators to cure what ails hardcore players who want to keep swinging the clubs. First Tee owner and PGA of Canada professional Garret McMillan has told Golf Saskatchewan in the past that playing all year has several benefits if you choose to take your game indoors.

“The winter time is the perfect time to making changes especially if you want to commit to making big pattern changes,” he said. “There’s really no consequence, if you shoot a high number inside it’s easier on the ego than inside. You can really develop a new pattern over the winter and not be overly concerned about the consequence side of it. If you develop your pattern properly over the winter by the time you get to the course you hopefully have new shots in the bag you can roll with.”

If you are interested in playing more indoor golf this winter, there are locations with varying numbers of simulators and brands in no particular order.

• Golf in the Alley – Rosthern | One simulator, 190 courses
• Divots Indoor Golf – Regina | Seven simulators, 80 courses, men’s, ladies, and senior leagues
• Nutrien Sportsplex – Moosomin | Four simulators, 100 courses, different leagues (men’s, ladies, snowbird, and yacht club), several other simulated sports options
• First Tee – Regina | 10 simulators, 80 courses, men’s league
• Aspen Links Golf Course – Emerald Park | Four simulators, 100 + courses, ladies and men’s nights
• Golf YXE – Saskatoon | Five simulators, various leagues, and ladies/men’s nights
• The Sweet Spot – Moose Jaw | Four simulators, 90 courses, various leagues four days of the week
• Humboldt Golf Club – Humboldt | Two simulators, 95 courses, three 8-week leagues
• Let’s Golf – Lloydminster | Four simulators, 27 courses, men’s, ladies, and couples’ leagues
• Royal Regina Golf Club – Four simulators
• The Willows Golf Club – Saskatoon | One simulator, 50 courses
• The Golf Dome – Saskatoon | 37 hitting bays, seniors’ discounts, mini-golf course
• Bunkers Indoor Golf & Axe Throwing – Yorkton | Three simulators, 65 courses
• Cooke Municipal Golf Course – Prince Albert | One simulator, 99 courses
• Railway Social House – Swift Current | Two simulators, over 50 courses

*Information on locations is from web sources, if any errors or misinformation on facilities Golf Saskatchewan apologizes and will make corrections. Email cstork@golfsk.org if updates need to be made or if we missed any indoor facilities.

Long-time golf journalist John Gordon wrote an article for Golf Canada detailing what simulators can do for you and your game.

With what started as a side venture to assist a friend and subsidize farming transitioned to three decades of the Happy’s Golf Car Sales and Service serving the golf industry in Saskatchewan and beyond. In a Facebook post this week, Marie Happy announced she has sold the business to Wynyard NAPA and will retire.

Marie and her husband Don officially started the cart retail and service business in 1992, again as a side job along with farming but as their business grew farming was no longer possible and in 1998, they relocated to a property near Good Spirit north of Yorkton for its centralized location. Marie said as their business grew they watched courses such as Green Acres in Balgonie, the Wynyard Golf Club, Sherwood Forest, Flowing Springs and others develop as well over the years.

“We watched them blossom, some started with basically four cars in their fleets. These courses have grown to large fleets and new clubhouses. They have really blossomed over the years,” she said.

Don was highly regarded as a golf car mechanic and word travelled far and wide. Marie said in the founding days of the business he was on the road a lot paving his way to find work as well as customers that became vey loyal over the 30 years of their operation.

“That’s what really got our name out there,” Marie added. “Everyone recognized Don’s truck and he was at the regular courses we had fleets at or sold fleets to. He was there once every couple weeks kind of thing and when he was there they always said it was like someone threw fresh meat out because the flies just flocked, the customers would just show up.”

Over the years Marie said she got quite good at stocking Don’s truck with parts and items regular customers needed allowing him to do the work people required. She said clients from as far as Ontario would bring work to them. One gentleman transported a torn apart cart engine all the way to Saskatchewan to have Don rebuilt it for his cart. They serviced Manitoba regularly plus Alberta clients with Yorkton ties.

After Don passed away in 2018 Marie admitted she couldn’t just step away, their clients relied on them. Despite not having a mechanic anymore she continued with the business for three more years.

“I had become pretty good at diagnosing over the phone in a lot of cases,” she chuckled. “I followed Don around a lot as a gopher, so I was able to pick up on a lot of things. I just didn’t want to leave our customers empty handed; they had relied on us for 30 years.”

Aside from watching courses grow and develop into community hubs and meeting places Marie said they watched the overall sport develop from a white-collar senior based crowd into a game for everyone to enjoy, especially families taking up the game.

“When we started it was the well-established senior retirees kind of thing more so than the everyday working class, at least that’s what it seemed like from our perspective. Then it grew after that especially in the rural courses, it was the families and junior golf has really taken off,” she added.

As mentioned, Wynyard NAPA will take over the business and Marie will take time to herself likely devoting much of that to her two grandchildren and her daughter’s family. She said she hopes to find more time to golf now as well. She did want to send a message to their devoted clients over the 30 years of Happy’s.

“I just want to say thank you for the loyalty that everyone gave us over the years. It was really overwhelming that people kept coming,” she concluded.