Regional golf leaders attended a coaching seminar with the hopes of growing the game.

Almost 20 coaches from across Saskatchewan took part in the event at the Willows in Saskatoon on April 28. The seminar was led by long-time PGA Canada facilitator Doug Hastie. Hastie started his golf career at 13 years-old at the National Golf Course in Toronto. He currently resides in Victoria, B.C. He said the response for the clinic was excellent to see.

“Most of these people are from small towns and don’t have PGA professionals around or if they do they are in and out,” Hastie said. “They are trying to get junior programs running at their golf courses, that is what this seminar was meant for. It was really good to see everyone out.”

Hastie was filling in for this session. He has been a golf instructor on a full-time basis for seven years and conducts seminars across Western Canada. Hastie said growing the game is an important part of his career.

“I’ve always been a teacher at heart, I love education in any form. To be able to help people play better golf, have more fun, and you develop relationships. I love that part about it,” he said.

Hastie said the attendees are the type of leaders the game needs to continue to grow the game.

“It usually takes one or two people with some time and real good energy to get a junior program going. That is what this whole program is about,” he said.

Aside from learning coaching techniques and strategies there are other benefits to taking the day-long course. Golf clubs that have representation at the seminar are eligible for liability and insurance options and other benefits from Golf Saskatchewan and Golf Canada.

Lloydminster Golf and Curling Club (LGCC) superintendent Don Bilyk is being recognized for his service towards the city and the game of golf.

Bilyk began working at the LGCC in 1981 after working in the oilfields of Alberta. He worked as an assistant superintendent until 1986 where he then took the head position at a nine- hole course in Vermillion, Alta. Bilyk said operating the day to day operations of that course allowed him to make the jump to the LGCC.

“Being a superintendent of a nine-hole course versus an assistant, you are making the decisions,” Bilyk said. “You are purchasing, hiring, fixing equipment, it taught me a lot of good things.”

Bilyk was a good golf player and could have worked as a professional for a career as well. He said he was encouraged to work in the industry through advice from his father after an accident on an oil rig almost took out one of his eyes. Bilyk has spent over three decades in the industry. He said he takes great pride in the LGCC and what the course has to offer.

“I love the layout, when they went from nine-holes to 18, they did it right. We have a championship course layout here, it is 7,000 yards of wonderfulness,” he said.

Bilyk mentioned the members and the staff of the course are also a special group that makes going to work easy daily.

“The people around here are awesome, it’s a gem in Lloydminster that not a lot of people know about. I love working here and always have,” he said.

Bilyk was recently recognized for five years of service to the city. Most of his career he was employed by the LGCC and not the city itself. He said receiving a five-year service award was a quite funny at the time, but he felt honoured.

“It was awesome, it was kind of different, but it was very nice I have to admit,” he said.

Marty Wheaton is the LGCC manager and has worked with Bilyk for a several years. Wheaton said Bilyk’s work is a key part of the club’s success.

“Our course has developed into one of the best in the province. Don has been vital in protecting what we have and developing for the future,” Wheaton said.

“Golf Saskatchewan is in good hands,” according to past president Kyle Mulligan.

The Royal Regina Golf Club general manager concluded a two-year term as the Golf Saskatchewan board leader Saturday at the organization’s annual general meeting in Saskatoon. Mulligan said the sport has given him many experiences and fortunes and serving on the board was a way to give back to the game.

“Being an operator of a club and being a golf professional, I thought it was important for me to see the other side,” he said after the meeting. “I wanted to understand what was happening at the amateur level and with Golf Canada.”

The revamping of Golf Saskatchewan’s staffing level was a highlight for Mulligan. He said the provincial golf body has led the nation on a pair of objectives that Mulligan is also proud of.

“The involvement of the high-performance team was very big for me being a golf professional. The involvement that we had in being a leader across the country with the membership structure change and bringing in the gold benefit package for our clubs was vital,” he said.

Former vice-president Delbert Betnar takes over the presidency. Mulligan said the Regina resident will keep Golf Saskatchewan’s momentum going.

“He’s a good rules official and a very passionate member of the golf community in the province. He’s done some great things provincially and I know he’s excited to tackle what’s going to happen nationally. He’s a strong-willed guy, he’s going to do a great job,” Mulligan said.

Yorkton’s Kade Johnson is being honoured for a solid second season of college golf in the United States.

Johnson took up the game as a nine-year-old encouraged by his grandfather, after playing numerous seasons at York Lake and Deer Park in Yorkton the 19-year-old is now playing at Southern Arkansas University in the NCAA Division II. Recently Johnson received an honourable mention among the All-GAC men’s golf awards. Johnson was the lone Canadian among the list of 15 players. He said the recognition was nice to receive following his second year.

“Yes exactly, we had our awards banquet the other night and it was great to receive that,” he said.

Johnson was the top finisher for his school in 10 of 21 team rounds this year. On the season he averaged 74.5. Johnson shot over 70 just once this year and carded in the 60’s three times. Overall, he said the season was memorable.

“It was awesome, we play at a beautiful golf course, another one is nice, the coach has been great. This past season was really good,” Johnson said.

The 2016 provincial junior champion in Saskatchewan is currently preparing for finals and will return to the province this summer. Johnson said he will play the men’s amateur championship and the annual Lobstick in Waskesui among other tournaments. He said playing the IMG Academy Junior World Championship last July was an unforgettable experience.

“You go to a tournament that Tiger Woods won and others on the tour have won that was great. To finish off my junior career at the Canada Games was a nice touch too,” Johnson said.

Johnson will return to Arkansas in the fall and continue his collegiate career. He appreciates the education he’s receiving but when his schooling is complete he hopes to turn professional.

“If my game is where I want to be I will give it a shot. It’s what I’ve been dreaming about for a long time,” he said.

Golf Saskatchewan has a new president among the organization’s board of executives.

Delbert Betnar is taking over for Kyle Mulligan after the Regina resident was voted into the position on Saturday at Golf Saskatchewan’s annual general meeting. Betnar was serving as vice-president of the association. Betnar has been involved with Golf Saskatchewan for 15 years, the member of the Joanne Goulet Golf Course in Regina said taking the board’s top position is exciting.

“Originally when I got on the board I had no inklings of ever being president,” Betnar said. “After some arm twisting by Kyle (Mulligan) I thought yeah, this is something I’m looking forward to,” he said.

Betnar’s ideology is on par with Golf Saskatchewan’s goals. Focusing on women’s golf is a large concentration heading into the 2018 season. Betnar said he’s optimistic about the year ahead.

“We’re celebrating 100 years of the women’s amateur championship and the CP Ladies Open is in my back yard, so this is going to be a lot of fun,” Betnar said.

The board consists of nine members, two are new, seven are returning. Betnar is looking forward to working with the group.

“I think getting people who run golf courses to help us understand how golf courses are run helps us do things better,” Betnar said.

Members and stakeholders within Golf Saskatchewan travelled to the Willows in Saskatoon Saturday for the organization’s annual general meeting.

The almost 50 attendees heard from outgoing president Kyle Mulligan, Golf Canada’s Susan MacMillon and Laura Small spoke and CEO Laurence Applebaum provided a video message praising the work of Saskatchewan’s golf body. Golf Saskatchewan executive Director Brian Lee also spoke to the crowd, that likely would have been larger except for 18 people attending a coach’s seminar in the same building. Lee said 2017 was an above par year for the association.

“Our board passed a deficit budget in the beginning of 2017, but we actually came under that particular number with some year end adjustments,” he said after the new board briefly met. “I know from the amount of people that played our championships and attendance on courses province wide, overall we had a very successful year.”

Grassroot programs such as the CN Future Links initiative up to the professional competitor’s experiences last year were among the highlights for Lee in 2017. With a full slate of events in store this season including Golf Fore a Cure tournaments across Saskatchewan raising money for breast cancer research women’s golf is going to be a focus. Lee said an LPGA event in Regina will lead the way.

“We’re definitely looking forward to the event from Aug. 20 to 26 when the Wascana Golf and Country Club hosts the LPGA event. The 100^th playing of our amateur women’s championship is a major highlight along with a celebration of women’s golf that is going to take place on June 29^,” Lee said.

More details will be released shortly regarding that event. The financial details were provided via treasurer Todd Bergstresser. The upcoming budget year shows a deficit of roughly $84,000. Lee said a larger staff and planning for the CP Women’s Open and the group’s role in the tournament is the reason.

“We have a very strong reserve fund just in case,” Lee explained. “This is a one-time expenditure, it’s not something we will do year over year, the board is aware of that. It also doesn’t include any sponsorship deals unless the invoice has been signed,” Lee said.

An election occurred as well filling four seats on the executive board. Kyle Mullligan concluded his two-years as president but will remain on the board in the past president role. Former vice-president Delbert Betnar is the new Golf Saskatchewan president. Bergstresser remains on the board as well and keeps his title of treasurer. Don Kunkel is the new vice-president. Kevin Duchscherer, Judy Sefton, Ben Findlay will continue to serve on the board. Jasmine Jackman and Larry Wagman join the group. Mark Galambos and Dave Forster’s terms on the board came to an end. Golf Saskatchewan is pleased with the work the outgoing, returning and new members are providing.

The 100^th women’s amateur women’s event is next up for Golf Saskatchewan at the end of June at the Harbor Golf Club and Resort. Courses across Saskatchewan are starting to open this weekend. Lee said the season is here and excitement for a busy summer is building.

“Get out and play, find someone that has never tried it and encourage them to try this great game,” he said.