One of Saskatoon’s, Saskatchewan’s, and the nation’s best female athletes are being remembered. Pat Lawson passed away on Oct. 10, a month shy of her 90^th birthday in Saskatoon.

Lawson dominated the provincial sporting scene for most of her storied life. From the time she was 10 years old into her senior years Lawson was a regular on podiums golf, tennis, speed skating, basketball, track and field, and swimming.

Lawson was inducted into several Saskatchewan Hall of Fames through her life, including the Saskatchewan Golf Hall of Fame in 2011. Hall of Fame secretary Brian Lee said Lawson will be missed across the entire sporting landscape in the province.

“The golf and sport world mourn the passing of Pat Lawson. She was a pillar for the advancement of women in sport. She will be missed but never forgotten.”

It is with profound sadness, a great sense of loss and heavy hearts that the family announces the passing of Patricia (Pat) Lawson which occurred on October 10, 2019, in the Palliative Care unit at St. Paul’s Hospital in Saskatoon with family and friends by her side. Pat had been on oxygen for the past year due to fibrosis of the lungs, and in February the PET scan confirmed cancer in both lungs. She remained relatively active (worked in the garden) until she “lost the game in overtime”. Pat was born in Saskatoon November 18, 1929 to William and Irene (Chater) Lawson. Pat was predeceased by her parents and her only sibling Ruth Nase. Pat is survived by Barbara Dorsey and by nieces Deborah Mumby, Sandra Nase, nephew Steven Nase and their children: Ryan Mumby, Stephanie DeBray, Brendan Nase (Mary, Reginald), Derek Nase (Leanne, Quinn, Elliott) as well as several other cousins and her dog Ludy. Pat will also be dearly missed by the many friends, colleagues, students, past players she coached (who affectionately referred to her as “the Queen) and many community members she had a connection with and many of whom to this day say how her leadership, coaching skills and athletic prowess has helped form a big part of who they are today.

Pat grew up in Saskatoon and went to Caswell Elementary School and Bedford Road Collegiate. Following high school, she completed her BA (1950) and BEd (1953) at the University of Saskatchewan her Masters in Physical Education at University of Oregon (1959) and her PhD in Physical Education at the University of South California (1967).

In her early career she was a teacher and coach at Nutana Collegiate in Saskatoon and for one year was a teacher and coach at Brittania High in Vancouver, BC until an opportunity arose at the University of Saskatchewan in 1956 when she joined the faculty of Physical Education where she was a teacher, coach and Administrator until her retirement in 1990, with a sabbatical as a full professor at the University of Arizona (1969/70).

Pat’s first athletic competition was a swimming race at age 10 – which she won. Over the course of her athletic career she won Provincial titles in six sports – swimming, speed skating, track and field, tennis, basketball and golf. At the National level she won Canadian titles in basketball, speed skating and with the senior golf team. Internationally she was a member of the Canadian Basketball team at the 1959 Pam American Games. At the University of Saskatchewan, she represented the U of S on 13 teams over four years [basketball (4), swimming (4), tennis (3), track and field (2)]. In golf, in addition to her skill in making seven hole in ones, she competed nationally seven times as an amateur and 12 times as a senior, she won the senior provincial championships five times and notably won the Waskesiu Ladies Lobstick five times over four decades.

Over her illustrious career, she has been inducted into, and received the following awards and recognitions: Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame; Saskatoon Sports Hall of Fame; University of Saskatchewan Athletic Wall of Fame; Bedford Road Collegiate Hall of Honour; Saskatchewan Golf Hall of Fame; and just in 2019 the Canadian Basketball Hall of Fame. Additional recognitions include the College of Physical Education First and Best Award; Named a Fellow in the North American Society Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Sport and Dance; Canadian Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation (CAHPER) Honor Award; Recipient of the College of Arts and Science “Alumni of Influence Award”; and just last year the University of Saskatchewan Alumni Achievement Award.

Pat was also a phenomenal volunteer and administrator over the years. Giving of her time and unwavering efforts to help make a difference in the community and the lives of many, her involvement included: Coach at the first ever Canada Games in 1967; Chairperson of Basketball in 1971 Canada Games; President and Board member of the Canadian Women’s Intercollegiate Athletic Union; Board member of the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame; Board member and chairperson of the National Advisory Council for Fitness and Amateur Sport; a founding member of the Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women in Sport (CAAWS); Board member and president of the CAHPER; Board member of the Riverside Country Club (the first woman to be elected to the board); Board member and president of the Saskatoon Sports Hall of Fame; Board member of YWCA Saskatoon; Course rater and instructor for the Saskatchewan Golf Association; and Board member of the U of S Retirees Association.

Pat was truly among the leaders in Canadian women’s physical education. Her central and unyielding purpose was to improve the conditions and practice of sport and physical recreation for girls and women. In the day, she was one of the few women to have served on the Federal Government’s National Advisory Council to the Fitness and Amateur Sport Directorate, including serving as chair for one year. Her leadership resulted in the formation of the Canadian Women’s Intercollegiate Athletic Union.

Pat’s quiet dignity, her professionalism, HUMILITY, loyalty and generosity brought her uncounted friends who remained fiercely loyal to her throughout her life. And we cannot omit her delicious sense of humor. It was said, by one of her former players, we have never known anyone so loved, admired and respected. That could easily have stimulated an extra-large ego, but not in Pat. For all her astonishing accomplishments, we all remained so impressed with her modesty. As coach, guide, mentor and beloved friend, Pat belongs in a special niche in many people’s heart. Heaven has just gained a star athlete, a coach, a leader, a community builder and above all else a phenomenal person.

And as in life with her modesty and humility, in her death, she has requested there will be no funeral or celebration of life. Her choices are exactly what one would have predicted, dignified and thoughtful to the end. Her wish, in lieu of flowers is for people to donate to the Palliative Care ward at St. Paul’s Hospital. You can donate online at St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation. The staff there were incredible, and Pat and Barb were so dismayed to hear there are only 12 palliative care beds in Saskatoon for situations like Pat’s where true dignity and care at end of life are of the utmost importance. Thank you to all the staff in the Palliative Care; thank you to Dr. Veronica Marcoux for your great care of Pat in the final year of her life; for all your advice, friendship and caring, you were great; and a huge pat on the back to Dr. Shanna Fenton who looked after Pat for years. To all the neighbours and friends who have helped physically on the farm and brought food and reach out to help, I can’t say thank you enough. For the help and commitment from our adopted family Lynne Lacroix and Pat Nicholson they are extraordinary and the rock. Pat’s final resting place will be at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens, in a niche overlooking the pond with a feeling of being out in the country, just the way Pat loved it.

Obituary courtesy Arbor Memorials

Indoor golf facilities are opening across Saskatchewan with a new option in Saskatoon preparing to unlock their doors this long weekend.

For golfers in Saskatoon, they will have a new centre to play over the winter months. Jordan Orr is opening YXE Golf Lounge at 710 Cynthia St. Orr said the idea to open a simulator facility came about after he wanted to extend his own season.

“The end of the season came, and I wanted to do another round but there was snow outside,” he explained to Golf Saskatchewan. “I looked up simulators in the city and the only one here in Saskatoon was closing down, so I did a little more research and realized almost every other city has simulators and are all doing well. I thought it might be a good idea and I’ve been working at it ever since.”

Orr’s facility houses five simulators with Trugolf technology. He said getting top of the line equipment was important to being successful because players want the most realistic features available.

“The company that I got the simulators from have compared it to TrackMan, the gold standard for simulators right now. They are pretty similar for accuracy so that’s a good thing about these simulators,” Orr said.

Orr is hoping for a soft launch this Thanksgiving weekend. He will be opening a kitchen in the near feature and developing leagues, tournaments and a junior program. He compares his facility to a bowling alley, a family-oriented entertainment centre.

“My main focus was to just bring more entertainment to Saskatoon. Nobody has harsher winters than Saskatoon and longer winters as well so it blew my mind we didn’t have anything like this. I just want to provide entertainment to people,” Orr said.

The Willows Golf and Country Club has a simulator screen in the clubhouse of their course. Originally brought in for their professionals as a teaching tool, general manager Wayne Fairbairn said the bay is quite popular.

“We wanted to have students get lessons year-round from our golf pros,” Fairbairn said. “That was the main attention but, it became pretty popular. People just wanted to come play golf, have a couple drinks with their buddies and play golf for a couple hours. We do both now, we block it for about 40 hours of teaching, and we sell it for people just wanting to play golf.”

With the weather slowly turning the Willows simulator isn’t busy now. Fairbairn said players grasp at every decent day for the real thing but once the new year arrives their phone begins to ring.

“The golf really picks up in the spring,” he explained. “There’s a little bit in December when people have some holiday time, but once February rolls around and people think about golf again the simulator gets really busy.”

Over the winter the Willows does close their lounge and restaurant but if people come in to use the simulator they are licensed and will have snacks for sale. Pre-ordering some pub style munchies is also an option. Fairbairn said they purchased the simulator two years ago as another way to market their facility and it’s worked well for them.

“It’s not a homerun, it’s not going to make us a million dollars in any way but, it keeps us top of mind and keeps people coming to the club. If we can break even on this initiative it’s a win for us,” he said.

For golfers looking for more of a real feel, the Golf Dome at the Ramada in Saskatoon is open for the season. The bubbled facility features 37 hitting bays and 35,000 square feet. New manager Jon Equina said he wants to promote the facility at a new level this season.

“I want to do a lot more a lot more promotional stuff when it comes to the golf world,” Equina explained. “I am working a lot with SaskGolfer, Callaway, and a bunch of other reps and pros to bring in a different type of clientele and retain the old stuff. Our goal is to have a lot more contests, prizes, more active on social media to bring people in.”

Equina hopes the partnerships with industry reps not only helps their bottom line but is a win-win for the reps as well.

“We’re hoping to have demo days here in the winter that these companies will offer. Saturdays specially to try out the new clubs that these companies will offer as well as a TrackMan system. A lot of our reps will have a TrackMan system with them and I’m looking at purchasing one myself, I know the golfers are starting to use them a lot more. Gathering data seems to be the big thing in sports, if we can find a way to bring them in with a TrackMan it gives patrons more reason to stay here,” he said.

The Golf Dome houses an indoor softball diamond as well. The facility is home to the largest slo-pitch league in North America, 70 teams play winter ball there. They also host a junior girls softball league as well. Seven nights a week softball takes up the facility. They are open to golfers until 6 p.m. each day.

“We don’t want to change too many things,” Equina said. “We definitely know change is good and inevitable and we look forward to making our customers happy when it comes down to it.”

Other indoor golf simulators in Saskatchewan include:

Divots Indoor Golf – Regina
First Tee Indoor Golf Centre – Regina
1621 Golf Academy – Regina
The Sweet Spot – Moose Jaw
Cymbob’s Indoor Golf and Pro Shop – Yorkton (306-786-4653)
Nutrien Sportsplex – Moosomin
Let’s Golf – Lloydminster

Other indoor facilities with hitting nets and/or instruction include GolfTec, Golf Town, and Jeff Chambers Golf Academy.

If there are other indoor facilities we may have missed please email cstork@golfsk.org and we may assist in the promotion of your facility.

Any time Adam Hadwin is asked about his professional goals, he mentions playing in the Presidents Cup.

The product of Abbotsford, B.C., debuted in the international team event two years ago and it was a seminal moment in his career. After two top-five finishes to start the 2020 PGA Tour season, Hadwin is in good position to make it back to the Dec. 9-15 Presidents Cup and the 31-year-old golfer relishes the opportunity to re-immerse himself in the prestigious tournament’s atmosphere.

“It’s been on my mind since the last one ended,” said Hadwin. “It was such an incredible experience. Being a part of a team is something you rarely get in golf. So being part of such a great group of individuals that are all trying to come together for the same goal is special.”

Although Hadwin’s international team lost 19-11 to the United States at Liberty National Golf Club in 2017, he was bitten by the bug.

“I know we got waxed by the Americans but it was still such an incredible experience being around the top guys in the world,” said Hadwin. “Once you’re a part of it once you never want to be left off of it again.

“I didn’t play well enough in the past year to get into that top eight and really felt like I needed to do some good work in these fall events before (Els) would pick his team.”

Els is expected to make four selections as captain’s picks the week of Nov. 4.

Hadwin has posted some strong results early in the 2020 season. He shot a 16-under overall to finish second at the Safeway Open and then fired a 20-under overall to tie for fourth at the Shriners Hospital for Children Open.

Those back-to-back top-five finishes have Hadwin ranked fifth in the FedExCup standings with 415 points headed into this week’s Houston Open.

Hadwin’s strong play has caught the eye of at least one other person: fellow Canadian Graham DeLaet, who played in the 2013 Presidents Cup.

“I would be surprised if Ernie (Els) didn’t give him a shot to play down there in Melbourne. I think he deserves it,” DeLaet told Golf Canada earlier this week. “He’s got some experience underneath him. There are some new faces on that team so I think some of that experience is going to be helpful. He’s playing great, which has been good to see.”

Hadwin’s fast start hasn’t just made a return to the Presidents Cup possible, it’s made the rest of the PGA Tour season significantly easier.

“It definitely helps. It takes a lot of pressure off the rest of the season,” said Hadwin. “Not that I’m going to relax and rest on some good early play but being in a nice position, earning a bunch of FedEx points early, it sets up a whole season.

“I know that I’m not going to be stressing at the end of the year about keeping a job. More than anything it validates all the work we’ve been putting in.”

Hadwin is spending a couple of weeks at his home in Phoenix before heading to Asia for the ZOZO Championship in Chiba, Japan and then the HSBC Champions, a World Golf Championship event, in Shanghai.

PGA TOUR:
Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont., will be in the first group teeing off at No. 1 at the Houston Open on Thursday. DeLaet, from Weyburn, Sask., Michael Gligic of Burlington, Ont., David Hearn of Brantford, Ont., and Roger Sloan of Merritt, B.C., will also be in the field at the Golf Club of Houston.

St. Charles Country Club head professional Cory Kartusch was a recent winner at the PGA of Manitoba awards banquet.

Collecting honours is nothing new for the former Regina resident, according to his biography on the St. Charles website, Kartusch is an eight-time winner including Teacher of the Year (2010, 2013), Professional of the Year (2005, 2014), and Merchandiser of the Year (2004, 2008, 2009). He’s been the head pro in Winnipeg since 2003. His playing career began at the Wascana Country Club in his mid-teens, but without the assistance of Graham Coulter, golf could have ended as quickly as it started.

“Graham saw me, gave me a lesson,” Kartusch explained to Golf Saskatchewan. “Said meet you next week, I met him the next week, we kept going. What spawned from that was a group of us meeting Sunday mornings for lessons from Graham. The great part of that, well the great part for me and not him was that he never charged me. I will never forget that, ever. That would be my story on the catalyst that got me going.”

Kartusch began working at the Wascana when he was 16 years old. He attended business school in Lethbridge through their golf program which assisted in him having a long career in the industry. He said post secondary education was helpful, but he pointed back to Coulter for his career.

“I knew I loved being at the golf course, I really enjoyed watching Graham’s passion about the club and about how he embraced owning the business and how much passion he had towards making that work indirectly through servicing the members. The loyalty came back to the proshop and I always wanted to be in my own business and at the time logic told me combining golf and the opportunity to be a proshop owner was the right thing for me,” Kartusch said.

Kartusch left Regina for Ottawa and spent a year at the Carlton Golf and Yacht Club where he worked under another Graham. Graham Gunn took Kartusch under his wing and pushed him to work hard within the industry.

“He really lit the fire under my butt in terms of hey, if you want to be successful long term at this game you better know how to make people better,” he said. “To this day we talk on the phone weekly about golf swings and teaching and how we’re doing, it’s phenomenal. I was only in Ottawa for a year, but it was extremely impactful.”

Wanting to be closer to home, Kartusch and his family moved west to Winnipeg. Since his arrival in the Manitoba capital yearly honours have followed including this year’s Professional Development honour. He said the awards he has collected over his career are proud moments but in 2005 when he won the PGA of Canada Professional of the Year, that was a monumental honour.

“They are all great moments, but it was quite surprising to win Canadian club professional of the year, to win that national award which they deem the highest honour a golf professional can achieve, which I’m not so sure of personally but it really blew me away. It was quite the honour and I will always cherish that,” Kartusch said.

Kartusch has taught many junior golfers and amateurs during his career. Several have gone on to NCAA collegiate careers, he’s also coached three Manitoba champions. He said teaching and giving back to the game are important to be successful, he added having a passion might be the most crucial ingredient for a long career.

“If you are looking to get into the golf business you need to make sure it’s a true passion of yours and you have a true vision of what you are getting into,” he said. “The second thing I’d say is you cannot stop learning and educating yourself, there’s no end to it. The moment you end that is the moment your career may start to move a little bit backwards and you will wonder why.”

An accomplished player himself, Kartusch has several professional wins and he holds the course record of 63 at Regina’s Tor Hill Golf Course, he did that in 1998.

The college golf season is continuing into the fall in the United States. A handful of Saskatchewan student-athletes were on the course over the last couple days.

Roman Timmerman/Kade Johnson

Saskatoon’s Roman Timmerman took the lead at the Holiday Inn Express Classic into Tuesday’s final round, but the Southern Arkansas University (SAU) junior couldn’t hold on.

Timmerman shot back-to-back 69’s on Monday, today the Riverside Country Club member carded a 12-over, 80 that left him in a solid 15^th place in the event. Fellow Mulerider Kade Johnson also finished at five-over, 218 to join the six-player tie for 15^th.

The team finished in a tie for fifth in the event held at St. Joseph, Missouri’s St. Joseph Country Club.

The Muleriders next tournament is on Oct. 21 and 22 in Duncan, Oklahoma.

Brody Istace

Brody Istace of Kindersley finished in a tie for 28^th at the Redhawk Fall Classic on Monday and Tuesday.

Competing for Columbia International University, Istace shot seven-over, 151 (74, 75) during the 36-hole tournament in Athens, Alabama. Istace was 18^th after round one.

The Rams placed seventh as a team, the club will compete at the NCCAA National Championship from Oct. 20 to 23.

Jace Carlisle

Jace Carlisle was among five players competing for Lake Superior State University Lakers on Sunday and Monday.

The Estevan product finished the Northwood Invitational with a score of 240 (77, 75, 87). The freshman was 50^th overall in his second college event. The team finished seventh overall.

The next Lakers action is on Oct. 13 and 14 in Deerborn, Michigan.

Connor Scissons

Arizona Christian University student Connor Scissons placed tied for 29^th in his event in Prescott, Arizona.

The Saskatoon product shot plus-19, 232 (77, 77, 78) at the Antelope Hills North Course on Monday and Tuesday. Scissons stood his ground during the third round staying steady on the leaderboard.

The Firestorm won the silver medal in the team competition at plus-21.

The NAIA Men’s National Preview is the school’s next scheduled event in early November.

Alex Schmidt

Regina’s Alex Schmidt continues her strong year at Lewis-Clark State with another top-10 finish.

The Warriors’ women’s golf team was in Spokane, Washington competing in the Lilac Invitational on Monday and Tuesday. She finished in eighth place with a two-round score of 155. The Warriors’ “A” Team finished second overall, the school’s “B” squad was third.

The Warrior Cup on Nov. 2 and 3 is the team’s next event.

The provincial government and Sask Sport are coming together to launch a new marketing campaign and respect resource line for coaches in Saskatchewan.

The new campaign focuses primarily on harassment, discrimination, abuse and bullying in sport, and how to prevent these things from happening within the team.

Minister of Parks, Culture and Sport Gene Makowsky said respect and sport training is mandatory for coaches across Saskatchewan.

“I know in High School sports — I know for sure here in Regina, I’ve gone through the manual myself — there’s also concussion training for anyone who wants to coach within Regina High Schools for example,” Makowsky said. “This is something that’s been put out to all of the members, and we want to see those folks who are involved with our youth in sports (take part).”

Makowsky said it’s important to have a safe sporting community within the province.

“Sports are so important to our province and to our country, and it’s a wonderful thing and it’s a great experience, but when it becomes not that, when it becomes something else, that is something we want to stop, and we want everyone to have that great experience that so many have had, and this is a small part of that.”

Volunteer Board Chair Kenric Exner said being a coach and all that comes with it can leave important topics like this to fly under the radar.

“The first couple of weeks being a coach, trying to organize all of the players, the parents, the practices, and we just don’t have the time sometimes to understand the little things that lead to big things,” Exner said. “Having these types of resources available to us helps us educate the parents, the grandparents, the players, and make sure everybody is truly aware, and without those resources, you’re kind of lost.”

The respect resource support line is available anonymously for coaches online on the Sask Sport website.

Story originally published on www.ckrm.com, authored by Ryan McNally
https://www.620ckrm.com/2019/10/07/sask-sport-and-provincial-government-team-up-to-bring-respect-resource-line-to-coaches/

Graham DeLaet is back to work. Now it’s time to get into a routine on the PGA Tour once again.

DeLaet, who returned to action after more than two years at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open last week, is playing again this week at the Houston Open as he tries to earn enough FedEx Cup points to regain his PGA Tour card.

The native of Weyburn, Sask. needs to earn 267 FedEx Cup points to get off his Major Medical Exemption, but after that he’ll need to earn enough points to be within the top 125 to keep his card for next season.

It’s a lot to think about for someone who is just getting his feet wet in competitive golf again after so long away.

The 37-year-old received a series of stem-cell treatments in 2017, which were deemed unsuccessful, and he opted to have a second microdiscectomy surgery (the first he had in 2011).

He was on the shelf for the full 2018-19 PGA Tour season, but as of last Thursday, DeLaet is back – albeit a little older and a little more prepared for what’s to come.

The actual swinging of a golf club doesn’t cause him soreness, DeLaet said, but the pain comes from being on his feet for so long and getting stiff. Although he missed the cut last week (75-72) he said there were some good signs.

“I hit some really, really good shots last week. I was pretty happy with how I played for the most part. I was pretty tight with the putter but I think it was extra pressure, feeling those nerves again. I had two bad holes but other than that I feel like I played pretty decent,” DeLaet said by phone in Houston.

“I know the course wasn’t playing all that difficult but it’s still good to get some birdies under your belt. All in all I was pretty happy with how things went despite shooting 5-over on a pretty easy golf course.”

Another thing that’s changed is the time DeLaet will have to spend away from his twins, Roscoe and Lyla.

While DeLaet was busy rehabbing and preparing for a return to professional golf, he said the best part of the last two years was how much quality time he got to spend with his kids, who turn four in November.

Last week was the first time DeLaet was away from them for a lengthy amount of time but the whole family, including wife Ruby, will be joining him this week in Houston.

DeLaet says it’s been an adjustment for his kids to know their dad is back at work.

“If I say I’m going to the golf course, Roscoe is always like, ‘I want to go, I want to go’ but if I’m going out there to practice or play he times out pretty quickly. So I’ve started to say ‘I’m going to work’ and I don’t know if they quite understand how I make a living, but they are kind of starting to get the grasp I play a golf a lot,” said DeLaet with a laugh.

Besides watching his kids start to grow up, there have been plenty of reasons to smile at home.

DeLaet’s friends from Arizona Chez Reavie and Max Homa both won on the PGA Tour this summer, and Kevin Chappell – another longtime pal who just returned from the same back surgery as DeLaet – shot a 59 at A Military Tribute at The Greenbrier in his first tournament back on Tour in September.

“That was pretty cool,” said DeLaet. “I have a soft spot for stories like that because I’ve been through it twice and it’s hard when you come back, but he made it look pretty easy.”

DeLaet is quick to point out the success of his countrymen as well, including Adam Hadwin (who has notched two top-5 finishes in a row to start his 2019-20 PGA Tour campaign and moved well inside the top-50 in the world ranking), who DeLaet feels should be on Ernie Els’ Presidents Cup radar.

“I would be surprised if Ernie (Els) didn’t give him a shot to play down there in Melbourne. I think he deserves it,” said DeLaet. “He’s got some experience underneath him. There are some new faces on that team so I think some of that experience is going to be helpful. He’s playing great, which has been good to see.”

And while DeLaet has been preparing himself for a big return on the golf course, he’s kept fairly busy off the golf course with his ongoing charitable efforts.

DeLaet has just been named a National Ambassador for Big Brothers Big Sisters Canada, his ‘Graham Slam’ event had its sixth edition in September (it’s raised more than $1.5 million for various charities), and he’s been nominated for the Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame People’s Choice Award – recognizing those who are a champion of their sport and a champion for their community.

“The game of golf has given me so much and I have the platform where we can try to make a difference,” said DeLaet. “It’s kind of a no-brainer for myself and Ruby.”

But DeLaet, who at one time was inside the top-35 in the Official World Golf Ranking, knows that despite all the support from friends and family and the impact he’s had away from golf over the last few years, it’s time to get back down to business.

He admits it would have been nice to dip his toes into playing a Korn Ferry Tour event – he was scheduled to in the summertime but tweaked his back just enough early in the week that he did not tee it up Thursday – but he’s feeling happy and as healthy as possible right now.

DeLaet saw Canadian physiotherapist Dr. Craig Davies in Las Vegas last week – Davies works with a handful of PGA Tour players – and DeLaet said Davies was “pleasantly surprised” with where he was physically.

A good sign, DeLaet said, as he will likely tee it up twice more this fall.

“Just hearing that from a guy who knows my body really well, it gives you a little bit of extra confidence with what you’re doing,” said DeLaet. “I feel like I’m on a pretty good path.”

Deer Valley’s Carey McLean earned a bronze medal at the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference Championship in Ryley, Alberta.

The SAIT Trojan finished with a 54-hole score of plus-36, 252 (80, 81,91) at Coal Creek. McLean led the event with five birdies over the three rounds. She was the leader after the second round but the Turcotte sisters played their best rounds on the final day to slip past McLean.

“It’s a little bittersweet because I knew what I was capable of and I didn’t accomplish it,” McLean said following her round. “But, I know I made the team proud. My club selection wasn’t great today, and when I got frustrated I let it affect my putting.”

Along with her bronze medal in the women’s individual event McLean collected a team bronze and a mixed team silver. With the Trojan’s third place finish they have qualified for the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association National Championship in Sorel-Tracy, Quebec from Oct. 14 – 18.

Kassidy Turcotte won the championship. Kennedy Turcotte placed second picking up the silver medal.

Alex Schmidt

Alex Schmidt is coming off two podium finishes for Lewis-Clark State, but the Warrior Fall Invite didn’t go as well for the Regina golfer.

Schmidt carded rounds of 79 and 83 landing her in 12^th place.

Lewis-Clark had two teams in the event at the Lewiston Golf and Country Club on Sept. 30 – Oct. 1. The two Warrior clubs tied for third place.

The team is now preparing for the Lilac Invitational in Spokane, Washington on Oct. 7 – 8.

Brody Istace

Brody Istace had a great performance for his school, the Columbia International University Rams with a tie for 11^th place.

The Kindersley native fired back to back rounds of 79 to finish at 14-over par at the NCCAA South Region Tournament at the Columbia Country Club.

As a team the Rams were second in the five-team event. Next up is the Redhawk Fall Collegiate Invite in Pulaski, Tennessee from Oct. 6 – 8.

Marc Sweeney

Marc Sweeney and his University of Southern Carolina Beaufort teammates competed in The Invite at Innisbrook in Palm Harbor, Florida on Sept. 30 – Oct. 1.

The Saskatoon product posted a three-round score of plus-four, 230 (77,78,75) tying for 44^th in the field of 100.

As a squad the Sand Sharks moved up four spots on the second day of the event and placed fourth overall. The team will travel to Adairsville, Georgia for a three-day event beginning on Oct. 20.

Carson Harcourt

Carson Harcourt and the Minot State Beavers were at an event in Lemont, Illinois on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1.

The Kipling product finished tied for 16^th at plus-eight, 152 (74, 78). The Beavers as a team finished in sixth place out of 16.

Their next event will be the Blue Tiger Invite at Lincoln University of Missouri on Oct. 13 and 14.

Jace Carlisle

Estevan’s Jace Carlisle participated in the weather shortened Hawkshead Invitational hosted by Wayne State along with his Lake Superior State teammates.

On Sept. 28 Carlisle shot an opening round score of 79. Day two was cancelled.

The Lakers will travel to Northwood University in Midland, Michigan for a tournament on Oct. 6 and 7.

Whether you’re a club member, an avid public player or a new enthusiast to the game, spending on the sport of golf drives massive benefit to communities across Canada.

The impact of golf on the Canadian economy is enormous—an economic impact in excess of $14B is only part of the story. Golf courses and the industry at large account for hundreds of thousands of jobs. Canadians and international visitors plan golf vacations to communities that market themselves as golf destinations and resorts offer golf packages that result in millions of tourism dollars. Tens of thousands of charitable causes use golf as the platform to general $500M annually for worthwhile causes. The golf industry—including more than 5M golfers, nearly 2,300 facilities and local retailers plus countless superintendents, PGA of Canada professionals and industry stakeholders—play a vital role in the continued growth and health of the sport.

Understanding the full scope of Canadian golf including the economic, employment, environmental, tourism and charitable impact of the game in communities from coast to coast is critical. Evaluating that impact is why We Are Golf, a coalition of Canadian golf associations, are inviting Canadians to participate in the latest iteration of the Canadian Golf Economic Impact Study.

CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE SURVEY

The survey, which takes approximately 12-15 minutes to complete, will generate incredible insights, spending trends and meaningful data towards understanding the current impact of golf in Canada.

As part of the survey, We Are Golf wants to know how much you have or expect to spend on golf and golf related activities or purchases. From green fees and equipment to trips or other golf related spending, the confidential information and insights you share will help estimate the economic impact of golf in your community.

The Canadian Golf Economic Impact Study will be carried out by Group ATN Consulting and your privacy as well as any personal or proprietary information shared will be protected in strict confidence. Results of the Canadian Golf Economic Impact Study will be reported in early 2020 and the information gathered will only be used to report aggregate results both at the national and provincial level.

We Are Golf includes Golf Canada, the National Golf Course Owners Association Canada, the PGA of Canada, the Canadian Golf Superintendents Association and the Canadian Society of Club Managers. The results of the Canadian Golf Economic Impact Study will be shared across the Canadian golf community and used to advocate the benefits of our sport.

Thank you for your participation in the Canadian Golf Economic Impact Study.

The Melfort Ladies Club hosted their annual wind-up Tuesday night at a local eatery just like the group does at the end of each golf season but this year’s event was extra special.

Long-time Melfort Golf Club member Bernice McCosh is hanging up her clubs after 70 years. The ladies play twice a week during the season and for over seven decades McCosh has been a part of the club. She has been a mentor to hundreds of women over the years and has inspired junior girls to take up the game as well. Golf Saskatchewan was on hand to present McCosh with a plaque to commemorate her nearly lifelong devotion to the game since she move to Melfort in 1947.

“It was a very pleasant surprise,” McCosh told Michael Oleksyn of the Melfort Journal following the presentation.

“My friends golfed, my husband-to-be golfed, it’s a way of getting out, the fellowship of the club,” she added when asked why she took up the sport.

Sherry Mahon has been the president of the Melfort Ladies Club for the past two years. She presented McCosh with a bouquet of flowers as well and stated “Bernice, you are an inspiration to us all and golfing with you has been an absolute pleasure.”

Golf Saskatchewan Executive Director Brian Lee couldn’t attend the celebration as he is in Ontario attending Golf Canada meetings but he passed along this message.

“You have been actively involved in the Melfort Ladies Golf Club, helping with the junior girls golf program and introducing golf to the younger generations. As you reflect upon seven decades of golf memories, know that you have inspired young women along the way, to participate in golf for a lifetime.  At 92 years of age, you are a true role model for us all, embodying the expression, age is just a number.”

When away from the course McCosh is an accomplished organist and pianist. She was president of the Melfort Music Festival for years and is a past Melfort Citizen of the Year.