Something strange happened on the way to this article.

The original theme was to explore how Canadian courses are dealing with the myriad of challenges reopening in the midst of a pandemic.

Chatting with course managers, I heard the usual explanations of sending carts out with just one rider, physical distancing at all times, F&B nightmares, cancellations of events like tournaments and weddings, and on and on.

Then I started to hear comments like these:

“Our leagues are at an all-time high and our memberships and junior memberships are showing a significant increase.” Michael Todd, the President and Director of Operations at Legacy Ridge Golf Club in Owen Sound, Ont., found a silver lining inside the COVID cloud that compensated somewhat for the loss of other revenue streams.

Although his club (originally the Stanley Thompson-designed Owen Sound G&CC) turns 100 years old this summer, there will be no centennial bash but golfers will still get to play. More golfers than ever, in fact—a theme I found repeated over and over, across the country.

“Golf is back!” exults Scott Atkinson, CEO of multi-course owner/operator Play Golf Calgary Facilities. “Golfers are playing more. Golfers are finding their way back after years of not playing and plenty of people are taking up the game for the first time. Our short-course play has doubled. Tons of families and lots of couples are playing together. It’s wonderful!”

You may have heard the phrase, “It’s an ill wind that blows nobody any good.” If not, it refers to an unfortunate event that somehow benefits someone.

A clearer, more pertinent explanation comes via Ashley Chinner, the former touring pro who now works in the insurance business in the Toronto area. “I talked to a public course manager who told me his tee sheet has been slammed every day. ‘Hate to say it but COVID could be the best thing for golf since Tiger.’”

This is not to make light by any means of the coronavirus that has killed hundreds of thousands globally and affected millions of others.  It does, however, demonstrate that there are glimmers of good news.

Membership at the semi-private Granite Ridge GC in Milton, Ont., is up 30 per cent and leagues are better attended than ever. Public tee times are booked solid several days in advance.

Scott MacLeod, a PGA of Canada member and the editorial director/associate publisher of Flagstick Golf Magazine, said he spoke to a colleague in New Brunswick who told him membership at his club increased to 550 from 390 this spring.  In fact, Golf New Brunswick reports that many facilities in that province are seeing increases in both memberships and greens fee play.

In Calgary, Rob Ward told me Willow Park G&CC had 5,000 rounds in May compared to 3,700 the same month a year ago. Michael Turner reports anecdotally that courses in Metro Vancouver are seeing “exponential growth.”

From Manitoba, self-described struggling golfer and keen observer of the game Jim Geruzzi says he’s heard the same refrain from various courses. “Seems like rounds played are way up (20%++). Just in time, too, as some courses where facing hard decisions even before COVID.”

“We have to keep reminding ourselves that even in these tough times, we are still a club,” emphasizes Cory Johnson, the General Manager of Breezy Bend Country Club in Headingley, Man. “And that can be tough when you can’t socialize the same way you could before the virus.”

Johnson and his team have adapted many traditions to cope with our new and ever-changing reality with some surprising success. For example, the annual general meeting was held via video conference and had the highest turnout ever. From the time the course opened May 3, it has been busier than usual with the necessary protocols in place.

Sean Joyce, the Director of Golf at Mill River Resort in P.E.I., says their junior membership has doubled and adult memberships are up as well.

But there are COVID caveats, too.

Ian Leggatt, the former PGA TOUR professional who now is director of golf at Summit GC in Richmond Hill, Ont., has seen a growth in membership because, in his opinion, “people are reallocating their summer spend that they likely would have used for a vacation.

“I’ve said all along that this [COVID-19] would have a positive impact on golf. Now we just need to stay open and not let a few bad apples misbehave and get the courses shut down again.”

It’s not all sunshine and rainbows for the staff at courses. I’ve heard horror stories of golfers, private club members and public players alike, abusing staff and disregarding safety protocols put in place to protect them. In fact, I had an acquaintance quit his job at a course because of the constant abuse and the lack of back-up from management.

Ken Bruneski, the Superintendent at Nk’mip Canyon Desert Golf Course in Oliver, B.C., is appalled by the way some people are taking advantage of the new guidelines, like by requesting separate carts even though they arrived at the course in the same vehicle. “We are running into a lot of troubles here. With reduced tee times and hours of operation, combined with the limited number of carts, we are finding it impossible to get league play going or opening up the tee sheet fully to increase revenue. It’s more than a little bit frustrating.”

And the negative impact on other sports and activities must be acknowledged. They are the unfortunate and undeserving victims of that “ill wind”, for sure. Kids can’t play softball or soccer, older folks can’t lawn bowl, families can’t travel on vacation.

“Really, it’s the only game in town,” notes a tweet from Pointe West GC in Windsor, Ont.

One of my favourite sayings comes from J.H. “Doc” Holliday, a pal of Wyatt Earp and OK Corral shootout fame.

“There’s no such thing as a normal life,” he allegedly once said.

“There’s just life.  And you deal with it.”

Such is life—and golf—in the time of COVID.

Tammy Bezaire and Rick Hallberg are both provincial senior golf champions for the second time. Bezaire was the women’s senior champion in 2015, Hallberg won the men’s title in 2018.

On Thursday at Yorkton’s Deer Park Municipal Golf Course Bezaire fired a final round score of 7-over, 79 to hold off three-time champion Jo-Anne Schiller by five shots. Over 54 holes, the Togo, Sask. product was 26-over par. She said having a chance to play an event and catch up with friends makes the win more special.

“This was a good win,” she said after the round. “The course was in fabulous shape, I just love seeing the girls, it’s like a big reunion and that’s always fun. The first one is really good, but this is nice to get out and golf with your friends.”

Under normal circumstances, Bezaire would lead Saskatchewan’s team into the national event but, due to COVID-19 that is cancelled. Bezaire said she’s disappointed but still happy with another provincial win.

“This is good, it would be nice to go to Quebec, but this is a really nice course,” she added.

Schiller (below) wins the silver medal as well as the Mae Belmos Award (60 plus) at 31-over par. Denise Wilson of Swift Current was third at plus-37.

The complete results can be seen here.

Hallberg wins Senior Men’s Championship

Weyburn’s Rick Hallberg, like Bezaire had to fight back over the final couple days of the event to win his second championship in three years.

Kenosee Lake golfer Paul Grimes held the lead after round one, but Hallberg responded on day two with a 4-under, 68 taking the lead and cruising to a three-shot victory over Prince Albert’s Cliff Selander. Hallberg said winning his second championship feels great.

“It feels pretty good, I had good week. Had a great time with all the guys and had a ball,” he said.

Hallberg won his first senior title on his home course of Golf Kenosee. He said wining in Yorkton has a different feeling.

“It feels pretty good to win on the road. I haven’t played up here in Yorkton for 12-13 years, so the course was kind of new to me again, but the guys were great in the proshop, the grounds crew did a great job keeping everything in nice shape for us. I can’t say enough about Deer Park for taking on the task of hosting this event,” Hallberg said.

Selander shot a solid 3-under, 69 on day three to earn the silver medal. Saskatoon’s Warren Proctor finished in third place at 13-over par.

The complete results can be seen here.

Delisle’s Colin Coben (below) was the super senior (65 – 74) winner. There was no 75 or older competitors this year, those players compete for the legends trophy.

Stykalo wins Mid-Master’s Championship

In the third year of the Saskatchewan Mid-Master’s Championship for players over 40, it was hometown product Derek Stykalo going wire to wire for the win. The victory is the first provincial championship for the long-lasting Deer Park club champion.

Stykalo led the event after day one and never relinquished the lead finishing at 5-under, 211 over 54 holes. He said winning a Saskatchewan title is special.

“It feels pretty good, really good actually,” he said after the round. “It came up last minute that we we’re going to host this and to play the home track and win, it’s a bit of dream come true to be a provincial champion.”

Stykalo finshed 10 shots ahead of both Chris Reid of Meadow Lake and Hallberg. Melville’s Doug Kreklewich placed fourth at plus-11.

The complete results can be found here.

There is a new leader of the 57^th Saskatchewan Senior Women’s Championship going into Thursday’s final round at Yorkton’s Deer Park Golf Course.

The Togo, Sask. product, and 2015 champion of the event has a two-shot lead over Rosetown’s Sue Skinner. Bezaire shot 6-over, 78 on Wednesday to leapfrog Skinner. She shot 14-over, 86 on Wednesday.

Three-time champion Jo-Anne Schiller of Lloydminster could be a factor on the final day as well, she sits four strokes back of the leader at plus-23.

The full leaderboard can be seen here. The final round begins at 8 a.m.

Stykalo maintains grasp on Mid-Master’s lead

Yorkton’s Derek Stykalo, the Deer Park club champion, shot one of the three under par rounds of the day Wednesday to widen his lead on top the leaderboard of the third Saskatchewan Mid-Master’s (40 +) Championship.

After shooting an even par, 72 on day one of the event on his home course, the 40-year-old carded 2-under on both the front and back of his middle round giving himself a three-shot cushion going into Thursday’s final round.

Weyburn’s Rick Hallberg sits in second place after a great second round of his own shooting 4-under, 68. Hallberg sits at 1-under par for the event through 36 holes.

Meadow Lake’s Chris Reid is in the hunt at 2-over following a second round of 2-under, 70.

Doug Kreklewich of Melville is fourth, seven strokes off the lead.

The complete results can be found here. The final rounder will begin at 9 a.m. on Thursday.

Hallberg moves to top of Senior Men’s leaderboard

Rick Hallberg has a big lead atop the leaderboard of the 101^st Saskatchewan Senior Men’s Championship.

Sitting in a tie for second after round one, the Golf Kenosee member went low shooting 4-under, 68 on Wednesday opening an eight-shot lead over Saskatoon’s Warren Proctor. Proctor carded a 2-over, 74 in his second round of the three-round championship.

Day one leader Paul Grimes shot 7-over, 79 falling to third overall. Melville’s Bill Lummerding is fourth at plus-9, Cliff Selander of Prince Albert is fifth at 12-over.

The full results can be seen here. The final round of the championship begins at 9 a.m. Thursday.

Kenosee Lake’s Paul Grimes is the first-round leader at the 101^st Saskatchewan Senior Men’s Championship in Yorkton.

The Golf Kenosee player was steady on the opening day of the 54-hole event at Deer Park Municipal Golf Course carding three birdies, four bogeys and 14 pars for a 1-over, 73.

Fellow Kenosee counterpart Rick Hallberg is tied for second with Delisle’s Colin Coben at 3-over, 75.

Michael Ross of Estevan and Saskatoon’s Warren Proctor are tied for fourth place at 5-over, 77. Six other players are lumped together at 6-over, 78.

The complete results of round one can be seen here. Round two will begin at 8 a.m. on Wednesday.

Stykalo leads Mid-Master’s on home course

Yorkton’s Derek Stykalo used his hometown advantage to take a three-shot lead into round two of the Saskatchewan Mid-Master’s (40 +) Championship at Deer Park.

Stykalo started strong shooting 2-under on the front nine holes before going 2-over on the back for an even 72.

He leads Rick Hallberg, Colin Coben, and Doug Kreklewich by three shots, the trio is tied for second.

Meadow Lake’s Chris Reid sits in fifth at 4-over, 76.

The full results can be found here. Tee times begin at 8 a.m. Wednesday for round two.

Skinner well ahead in Women’s Senior event

Sue Skinner of Rosetown posted an opening round score of 7-over, 79 on Tuesday to take a first-round lead in the 57^th Saskatchewan Senior Women’s Championship in Yorkton.

Skinner was 3-over on the front nine followed by a 4-over, 40 on the back nine holes at Deer Park.

2015 champion Tammy Bezaire of Togo and Kathy Hopfner of Swift Current are tied for second place at 13-over, 85.

Saskatoon’s Maureen Bowerman sits in fourth at 14-over, 86.

The complete results can be found here. The women’s event continues Wednesday at 11 a.m.

All three events will conclude on Thursday.

Golf Saskatchewan’s final provincial events for 2020 will get underway Tuesday in Yorkton at Deer Park Municipal Golf Course.

The 101^st Senior Men’s Championship, the 57^th Senior Women’s Championship, and 3^rd Mid-Master’s (40-plus) will run until Thursday. Deer Park Head Professional Allan Sauser said the course is always thrilled to host a provincial or high-level event.

“It’s always exciting to host a Saskatchewan event or a national event,” Sauser told GX94’s Benny Walchuk last week. “We’re looking forward to seeing some good golf out here and hosting a bunch of people from across the province.”

Golf Saskatchewan is returning to Deer Park for the first time for a provincial championship since 2017 when Regina’s Tyler Wright won the Men’s Amateur Championship. Golf Canada hosted a Future Links event at the course last season. One thing new to the competitors taking part in the course’s revamped hole eight, and a new green on hole seven.

“Everybody always thought number eight was our signature hole,” Sauser explained. “We’re seeing a lot of traffic from out of town right now and they are saying that hole is the new signature hole so it’s exciting. The number seven the men’s club built for us is fantastic. It’s definitely a great equalizer, it’s tougher to putt on now but it’s a lot of fun.”

Reigning senior men’s champion Ken Rodgers is not in the field this year but familiar faces Rick Hallberg (2018 champion) and three-time senior winner Colin Coben will be in Yorkton. Two-time mid-amateur champion Brad Phelps should be considered a favourite as well, the Saskatoon golfer will be competing as a senior (55 and over) for the first time.

Several national team members from recent years are also in the field. The men will begin the event at 9 a.m. Tuesday. More information can be found here.

The Mid-Master’s Championship was created three years ago and is open to players 40 years old and over. 15 players in the field will compete for that title as well.

In the Women’s Senior Championship, 13 players will compete for the provincial victory.

Lloydminster’s Jo-Anne Schiller is a three-time champion, she will be a favourite to reach the top of the leaderboard throughout the week. Hague’s Tammy Bezaire won in 2015, she’s also in the draw. Swift Current’s Kathy Hopfner was in the running last year in Regina and will likely have a chance to be victorious this season. Local golfer Shari Forsythe-Holm is a familiar face on the senior women’s Saskatchewan tour and could use her home course to win her first provincial championship.

The women’s event begins at 8 a.m. Tuesday. The details can be found here.

Overall Sauser said the players will have a great course to play for 54 holes this week.

“With the rain lately the golf course looks fantastic. We’re getting it in shape for this upcoming event so it’s probably as good as you will see it this summer,” Sauser said.

This past week’s stop on the Saskatchewan Maple Leaf Junior Tour circuit saw repeat winners and newcomers to the top of the podium.

The MJT/PGA of Canada – SK Zone Jr. Championship was played at Moon Lake Golf and Country Club on July 20 and 21. Wawota’s Theoren West was a winner for the second straight MJT event. The Golf Kenosee member shot a 36-hole score of 144 (74, 70) to take the overall low score prize and the gold medal in the junior boy’s division. The 17-year-old also won at Tor Hill Golf Course earlier this month.

Saskatoon golfer Chase Pochylko (above) won the juvenile division with a score of 147 (75, 72).

Regina’s Hunter Kutcher and Aiden Shanks along with Saskatoon’s Hudson Malinoski and Jackson Wingert all tied for third overall just four shots behind the leader at 148.

Kutcher, Shanks, and Malinoski were second in the juvenile (U-17) group. Shanks was competing in the U-19 division. Both age groups played the event at just over 6,200 yards.

In the bantam (U-15) division, Saskatoon’s Max Regier (below) won his second straight championship as well. Regier carded rounds of 72 and 74, good enough to hold off Weyburn’s Derien Herlick by two shots.

Kindersley’s Keaton Cote was third at 149 (75, 74).

In the peewee (U-13) age category it was Buena Vista golfer Elias Haukeness (below) taking the gold medal. Haukeness carded rounds of 81 and 84 for a two-day total of 165. Lucas Sturgeon of Saskatoon was second at 167 (85, 82) and Prince Albert’s Grady McDougall placed third at 172 (85, 87).

Hallie Crozier of Regina (below) was the winner in the girl’s 15 -19 event with a score of 193 (97, 96).

The complete results of all the competitors can be found here.

The MJT Mini-Tour was also in action on Monday, July 20. The results from the one-day event can be found here.

The next Saskatchewan stop on the MJT is the RE/MAX Blue Chip Realty Classic in Estevan at the TS&M Woodlawn Golf Club.

A remarkable comeback in the last five holes of the 2020 Saskatchewan Men’s Amateur Championship leaves Ty Campbell at the top of the heap.

Campbell, 23, either led or shared the lead of the four-round event after 54 holes, gave the cushion up early in the final round but got the margin back just in time to claim the win Friday at The Legends Golf Course in Warman.

Mid-Amateur champion Danny Klughart pulled even with Campbell after a blistering 62 on Thursday to head into the last 18 holes at 11-under par. By hole 13 Klughart had stretched his lead to four strokes. Campbell was able to take advantage of a few back nine birdies and some bad bounces Klughart’s way let the lead dwindle to a shot on the 72^nd hole. Campbell putted in for eagle forcing Klughart to make a birdie putt just o force a playoff. Klughart missed giving Campbell the win.

“I tried to stay patient out there, I was nervous at the start and made some mistakes early,” Campbell said after the round. “I kept my head down, push forward. I came through nine, wiped the slate clean and started over. I played really good on the back nine. Coming down 18 I knew what I had to do, and I was due.”

The victory is Campbell’s first stroke play event win. He has won the Lobstick matchplay tournament in Waskesiu in the past. He said becoming a provincial champion was on his wish list.

“It feels pretty good, it’s definitely something I have been striving for for a long time. It’s nice to knock off the bucket list and hopefully there is a few more,” he said.

Klughart missed winning his second straight amateur title finishing at 10-under, 278. Two-time amateur winner Scott Thompson placed third at 5-under. Campbell’s win earns him a spot in next year’s Canadian Amateur Championship. Nationals were cancelled this season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The complete results can be found here.

Prince Albert’s Danny Klughart clobbered The Legends Golf Course on Thursday to roar up the leaderboard and win his second straight Saskatchewan Mid-Amateur Championship.

The Cooke Municipal Golf Course member chased Kris Wasylowich’s course record of 61 in Warman before resting at 10-under, 62 in the final round of the mid-am event. Klughart left the field in awe with a seven-shot win over North Battleford’s Scott Thompson with a three round score of 205. 36-hole mid-am leader Justin Wood of Unity placed third at 3-under par.

Saskatoon’s Travis Fehr placed fourth at 1-under par. Shaun Dunphy (Saskatoon) and Mitch Matichuk (Melville) tied for fifth overall at 1-over.

The complete leaderboard of the championship can be found here. The mid-am championship is open to players 25 years and up.

The final round of the men’s amateur will be played Friday at The Legends. 21 players made the cut of 4-over par after the 54^th hole. The first tee time is 9:10 a.m. The final group with Klughart, Scott Thompson and amateur co-leader Ty Campbell begin their rounds at 10:10 a.m.

Brooklin Fry sweeps provincials

Shell Lake’s Brooklin Fry is a back-to-back champion as well except the 15-year old’s wins came within two weeks.

Last week in Swift Current Fry won the Saskatchewan junior girl’s championship. On Thursday Fry came from two shots down to win the provincial amateur women’s title as well in Warman. Trailing defending champion Kathy Ziglo going into the third and final round Fry birdied the opening two holes and cruised to a 1-over 73. She ended up taking the event by six strokes over Ziglo who finished at plus-13.

Autumn Neiszner (Regina) and Ella Kozak (Yorkton) tied for third overall at 17-over par.

The complete results can be seen here.

Two-time Saskatchewan amateur women’s champion Kathy Ziglo says she likes playing golf in the wind.

The Saskatoon product used a steady breeze throughout the day on Wednesday during round two of the 2020 provincial championship to assist in carding a round of even-par, 72 at The Legends in Warman.

In prime playing conditions Tuesday Ziglo shot 4-over, 76 leaving her in a tie with Yorkton’s Ella Kozak after the first 18 holes. She will take a four-stroke lead into Thursday’s final round over Brooklin Fry.

The Shell Lake golfer wasn’t bothered by the breeze either, Fry also shot even par in the middle round of the 54-championship that concludes Thursday. Autumn Neiszner sits in third place at 12-over par.

The leaderboard can be seen here.

The women will begin teeing off at 9 a.m. The final group of Ziglo, Fry, Neiszner, and Kozak will start at 9:30 a.m.

Campbell takes over Amateur

The wind didn’t seem to trouble Ty Campbell either on Wednesday in the 109^th Saskatchewan Amateur Men’s Championship.

The Saskatoon golfer equalled his opening round score of 5-under, 67 (-10 overall) on route to a five-shot lead over Unity’s Justin Wood. The two players were tied at minus-5 after the first round of the championship.

Payton Ochitwa (Saskatoon), Kyle Wiebe (Madison), and two-time champion Scott Thompson (North Battleford) are all tied at 3-under through 36 holes.

The top 20 players and ties will make the cut following Thursday’s round. The championship will conclude Friday in Warman.

The third round will begin at 6:40 a.m. The leaderboard can be seen here.

Wood retains Mid-Am lead

Despite falling five strokes back in the amateur championship, Wood maintained the lead in the Mid-Amateur Championship. The mid-am event is open to players 25 years of age and older.

Thompson sits in second place at 3-under. Saskatoon’s Travis Frey is in third place at 2-under par. Last year’s dual champion, Danny Klughart is in a fourth-place tie with Melville’s Mitch Matichuk and Dylan Hoemsen of Regina at minus-1.

The leaderboard can be seen here.

The mid-am will conclude Thursday after the third round.

The conditions at The Legends Golf Course in Warman on the opening day of the Saskatchewan Amateur Golf Championships were almost perfect and some results reflect the weather.

The wind stayed down throughout the day on Tuesday allowing 11 competitors in the Men’s Amateur and Mid-Amateur Championships to shoot under par. 2016 champion Justin Wood of Unity and Saskatoon’s Ty Campbell are tied for the amateur lead at 5-under, 67.

Travis Fifi of Regina is one shot back at 4-under.

Four players are sitting at 3-under, 71 while another trio of golfers carded round one scores of 2-under, 70.

Another handful of players sit at 1-under, 71.

The Mid-Amateur Championship is open to players 25 years of age and older. The events are played coincidingly until Thursday. Wood sits a stroke ahead of Fifi for the Mid-Am lead.

Round two begins at 6:40 a.m. on Wednesday.

The complete leaderboards can be seen here.

Yorkton connection leads Women’s Amateur Championship

A young golfer from Yorkton and a veteran of the provincial golf circuit are tied on top of the leaderboard in the Women’s Amateur Championship.

Deer Park Municipal Golf Course member Ella Kozak (pictured) 14, and Kathy Ziglo, formerly of Yorkton each shot opening rounds of 4-over, 76 on Tuesday to take a share of the early lead of the event also held at The Legends in Warman.

2020 junior girl’s champion Brooklin Fry of Shell Lake, Saskatoon’s Sarah Grieve, and Autumn Neiszner of Regina are tied for third at plus-6, 78. Alex Schmidt, also of Regina is in the hunt at 8-over, 80.

Round two of the event will begin at 12:10 p.m. on Wednesday.

The full results can be found here.