Hamilton’s Bryan Crawford is new to the golf world, but the long-time Canadian Football League player is no stranger to the world of sports. Most recently he was part of the business and operations crew with Basketball Canada, prior to that Crawford spent eight years running championships for Canadian universities across all sports. He’s now the Golf Canada tournament director for the RBC Canadian Open.

Crawford said a new vision from outside the golf world is something he wants to bring to the event that will take place at the Hamilton Golf and Country Club next month.

“The business of sport is the same regardless of the shape of the ball or the size of the playing surface,” he told Golf Saskatchewan. “It’s really more about aligning people, getting all the stakeholders pulling in the same direction and getting people to rally around a vision and kind of being creative in being able to look at things through a wide lens with other sports in mind. We want to apply those things in our environment.”

The tournament is coming off a fantastic 2018 event that saw RBC team member Dustin Johnson win his 19^th PGA Tour championship. The Tour has moved the Open date to early June (3 – 9) which aligns with the US Open. Crawford said those aspects have helped pave the way to this year’s event that is well ahead of schedule regarding preparation.

“The momentum has accelerated and that was really the task coming on board is how to take all this positive energy and excitement and momentum and funnel it and direct it and grow it. We have a lot of stakeholders and partners that were fully on board to see that happen. We shared a common vision for what the event could be, we kind of needed to tie those people together and make sure everyone understood we had the same vision,” Crawford continued.

The date change has had a positive impact on the field of golfers. In previous years the British Open conflicted with the lone Canada stop on the Tour but now golf fans will see the best of the best. Back-to-back PGA Championship winner Brooks Koepka, Rory McIlroy, Bubba Watson, Matt Kuchar, and Jim Furyk are all confirmed as well as Johnson. Crawford said the field is going to be the best in recent memory.

“Our field is shaping up to be one of the strongest we’ve ever had,” he said. “Having three of the top four players in the world and we will have more commitments in the next two weeks. Our RBC team athletes are having tremendous seasons, the Canadians are playing outstanding, having another winner like Corey Conners is a great addition. We couldn’t ask for a better line up out on the course.”

The date change has also revamped the overall image for the tournament. The marketing team has come up with the theme of Summer’s Open. Crawford said the over 100,000 expected spectators can use the festival like event as a kickoff to summer with the new ‘Fare Way” of cuisine and concert series headlined by country music stars Florida Georgia Line.

“We wanted to make it a sports and entertainment event and something that was a can’t miss on the calendar that appeals to more than the hardcore golf fan. To get people out to experience the event and saw wow! That was a really cool event and I’m not even necessarily a golf fan. That’s the key, converting people and giving them a reason to be here and realize the RBC Canadian Open is fun to be a part of,” he said.

Many Saskatchewan residents received the opportunity last August to witness a professional golf event when Brooke Henderson won the CP Women’s Open at Regina’s Wascana Country Club. For thousands, that was the first time attending a professional championship. Crawford said if you are making your way to Hamilton for the 2019 Open experiencing the “rink” is a must. The concept was awarded the Best Element of Tour last year by the PGA.

“Absolutely, unequivocally, you have to check out the rink,” he beamed. “For those that don’t know about it, it’s the hole that we theme around hockey. We build boards around the par 3, 13^th hole here in Hamilton. The marshals are in referee jerseys, we have goalie masks as tee boxes, an ice cleaning machine, we have hospitality structures built with our partners, people love to hang over the boards and bang on them to celebrate great shots onto the green. It is one of the most exciting parts of the event.”

On the Monday and Wednesday of the week there is going to be junior golf experiences for 1,000 kids to be a part of some of the practice rounds. The opening day of June 6 is also the 75^th anniversary of D-Day. Veterans are going to awarded free admission for the day, there will be a special ceremony ahead of the championship and a flyover conduction by aircraft through the war plane museum. Crawford said there is an aspect of the event for everyone and his vision for his first tournament in the role is clear.

“Our objective is to come in, for our whole team is nothing short of being the best one we’ve ever hosted. I think that has been the goal and belief and we’ve already done a great job to set a high bar for the event. We feel pretty good that come the 10^th of June we will have achieved a really good result that we can build on for 2020,” Crawford concluded.

For the first Rule of the Week we will focus on something which might feel different for 2019. I can attest to this action as the first time I took relief in 2019, I reverted to the old habit of shoulder height.

Before I made the stroke, the error was corrected.

The process is simple.

Drop (definition)

To hold the ball and let go of it so that it falls through the air, with the intent for the ball to be in play. Each relief Rule identifies a specific relief area where your ball must be dropped and come to rest.

In taking relief, you must let go of the ball from a location at knee height so that the ball:

• Falls straight down, without you throwing, spinning or rolling it or using any other motion that might affect where the ball will come to rest, and
• Does not touch any part of your body or equipment before it hits the ground (see Rule 14.3b).

Remember to get the ball back into play, in this scenario, it is OK to Drop the Ball!

After the war people had more time for recreation and golf grew in popularity.  The Saskatoon Phoenix reported in 1921 that the popularity of the royal and ancient game was increasing every year.  There were now 188 golf courses in Canada, with 25 in Saskatchewan.  The Swift Current area exemplified the extraordinary formation of new clubs – last year there were only clubs in Swift Current and Maple Creek but this year nine-hole courses were available in eleven other towns in the area.  (Saskatoon Phoenix, 1921, Aug. 17, p. 9)

In 1926 Saskatchewan Golf Association President Bob Charlton surveyed the province, reporting that there were 100 golf clubs in Saskatchewan.  Twenty-two of these were affiliated with the SGA and 78 were not.  Calculating that there were an estimated 3,000 golfers in the three major cities of Regina, Saskatoon and Moose Jaw, and that smaller clubs had from 20 to 100 at each, he declared that there were about “8000 wielders of driver and mashie in Saskatchewan.” (Morning Leader, 1926, Apr 27, list of all 100 clubs). 

1920:  Regina Golf Club, August 3-6

Alex Weir of Weyburn was a popular winner of the Saskatchewan Men’s Amateur as he had been the runner-up or a semi-finalist for five previous years.  More women than ever before were entered in the ladies’ championship.  Mrs. Parry of Regina won the title over Effie MacDonald.  The mixed foursomes’ event was popular with 23 couples entering and it needed a tie-breaker the next day to determine the winner.  A new competition was added for veterans which attracted 19 entries.  This eventually evolved into the Senior Men’s Championship.

George Ayton, Regina Golf Club professional, won the Open Championship then left immediately to take part in the American golf championship starting on August 7 in Toledo.  Later in August he competed at the Canadian Open in Ottawa.

1921:  Saskatoon Golf Club, August 16-19

During the qualifying round for the Saskatchewan championship Alex Weir set a new amateur record for the Saskatoon Golf Club when he scored 73.  However, he didn’t hold that title long as he was surpassed two days later by Harry Bruce parring the course at 72.  Immediately following his Saskatchewan Amateur win, Bruce headed to Winnipeg for the Canadian Amateur competition.

In the women’s event, four golfers played off to fill the final spot in the sixteens of the championship event.  Mrs. Boyd of Saskatoon won the title.  Thirty-two teams entered the mixed foursomes’ competition.

1922: Moose Jaw Golf Club, August 21-25

Moose Jaw Golf Club members and their professional Sandy Middleton worked hard over several years to have an eighteen-hole course in good shape to host a provincial tournament.  All but two greens were grass, fairways were in good condition, and the course was well bunkered.  A few days before the tournament a work bee of over 100 filled hollows and gopher holes on the course.  They were rewarded with favourable comments from the 148 entrants.  The course played at par 70 over 6,020 yards.

During the competition, Effie MacDonald of Saskatoon set a women’s course record of 93. Moose Jaw members were thrilled when their clubmate, Marion Hunt, won the women’s championship after a runner-up finish a few years earlier.

The first Saskatchewan Junior Men’s championship was held for boys 16 and under. Ten entered the competition, with the final match played between Reg Young and W. Kinnear Jr, both of Saskatoon.  Unfortunately, on the nineteenth hole, Kinnear picked up his ball, assuming that a short putt had been conceded.  It had not been and the match went to Young whose name went on the trophy donated by E.G. Cook of Moose Jaw.

1923: Wascana Country Club, August 6-11

The Wascana course played at par 70 over 6,001 yards.  On the first day of competition 146 men teed off in pairs at five-minute intervals from 8:30 a.m. to 2:35 p.m.

The Professionals’ event attracted twenty competitors: eight came from Winnipeg, two from Edmonton, one from Brandon, and nine from Saskatchewan.  Large galleries followed the players as they vied for over $500 in prizes.  Joe Land, the green-keeper at St. Charles C.C. in Winnipeg, scored 148 to win the two-round event, beating George Daniel from Winnipeg by one stroke.

It’s never fun to golf in bad conditions, and the newspaper reported: “Under appalling weather conditions the ladies set out in the morning for the second round of their championship, facing a downpour of rain driven along by a tempestuous wind.”  (Morning Leader, Aug 11, p.16)  Mrs. Hunt of Moose Jaw defended her title.

The SGA announced that Eilers’ Ltd. had presented a cup for competition among the veteran players.  S. Crookson, Regina GC, won the 1923 event over J.K. Hunter of Wascana.

Delegates from Manitoba, Alberta and Saskatchewan formed the Western Canada Golf Association (WCGA), adopted a constitution, and agreed to hold its first tournament in Saskatchewan next year. 

1924: Western Canada Golf Association – 1^st tournament, Saskatoon, August 9-16                    

The Western Canada Golf Association held its first tournament in Saskatoon.  The President of the organization was R.C.S. Bruce of Winnipeg and directors represented the three prairie provinces.   A 15-member tournament committee oversaw eight separate championships plus a driving competition held on the final day.  Players paid a five-dollar entry fee to compete in all events for which they were eligible.  Competitions were held at Riverside Country Club, playing at 5920 yards and Saskatoon Golf Club, playing at 6034 yards, both at par 70.  The committee set the caddy fee at 75 cents a round and needed 200 caddies for the start of the competition.

A Morning Leader reporter was sent to Saskatoon to cover the tournament and wrote that Regina players were unaccustomed to the pot-holes and traps or the sloping and rolling greens.  It was so different from what players in the Capitol City were used to and presented a more severe test than to those who were used to them.  Riverside “makes up in devilment what it may lack in length.” (Morning Leader, Aug. 12)

President Miley and the executive of the Saskatchewan Golf Association were re-elected for the following year.  There were no separate Saskatchewan championships held this year and no women’s events at all.  A Saskatchewan junior champion was declared after the first round of play, resulting in Reg Young of Saskatoon claiming first place with 85 and Tommy Russell of Moose Jaw in second place with 87.   The Saskatchewan Closed Amateur gold and silver medals were awarded after two rounds to A.A. Weir, Saskatoon, at 156 and J.P. Runciman, Regina, at 160.

The Western Canada Amateur Golf Championship was open to all amateurs, and the winner received the Wood’s Trophy and a gold medal.  Two qualifying rounds resulted in a field of 64, then match play determined the finalists.  Jack Cuthbert of Winnipeg won over Sam Thorburn, SGCC, on the 35^th hole at Riverside Country Club.

The Open Championship, available to both professionals and amateurs, was won by George Daniel, Winnipeg, over J.D. Millar.  Seventeen pros competed for the four-round Professional Championship and $500 prize money.  During the first day of play, professional Ernest Penfold from Winnipeg set a course record at the Saskatoon Club with a score of 68.  He ended up in a second-place tie with Joe Land, as George Daniel took this title.

The Junior Championship for boys under age 17 started with an eighteen-hole qualifier to determine the sixteen to play the championship matches.  Reg Young of Saskatoon won the cup and gold medal, defeating Ronald Bannister of Winnipeg 5 and 4.

Provincial associations chose an eight-man team to vie for a 36-hole team title which was won by Saskatchewan.  Clubs entered four-man teams in the Club Team competition won by St. Andrews, Calgary, over Riverside Country Club.

A handicap competition was divided into two sections:  C.A. Fleming of Alsask won the gold medal for the 16 and over handicap category, and T.D. Forbes won for those with handicaps of 15 and under.  (ref: Western Canada Golf Association Programme, 1924).

The first annual WCGA meeting chose Lorne Johnson of Wascana to be the next President.  Calgary was selected for the 1925 tournament, then it moved around the prairies until it was held for the final time in 1932.

1925: Moose Jaw Golf Club, August 10-16

Moose Jaw hosted the 1925 Championships on links that were in splendid condition, with three new greens added since holding the event three years earlier.

Seventeen-year-old Tommy Russell of Moose Jaw won the Junior competition then prevailed in his amateur matches to reach the final against C.P. Church of Regina.  Tommy, described by the newspaper as “almost slim enough to fit through the barrel of a rifle”, came in after the morning eighteen holes four down to his much more experienced opponent.  However, he surged through the afternoon round winning eight holes outright.  Two to three hundred spectators watched the final holes as Tommy won 2 up on the 17^th to become the new Saskatchewan Amateur Champion.  Although he had not planned on it, local admirers influenced him to go to Calgary for the second Western Canadian Championship.  So, a few hours after his success, he was rushed to the station and packed onto the Trans-Canada train in order to arrive early Monday in time to compete.  The first Western Canadian Golf Championship had created a lot of interest and the Moose Jaw pro, Sandy Middleton, junior players Ronnie McIntyre of Moose Jaw and Phil Morse of Saskatoon, Phil’s father, and five Regina golfers were among those who made the trip to the Calgary Golf and Country Club.

William Kidd took holidays from his banking job in Shaunavon to play in the provincial championships.  Although he gave up golf for several years after leaving the Old Country, he now practiced on the nine-hole links at Shaunavon.  “Along with other south country players, he located in a tent near the links here and has been on the course from daylight to dark every day.”  It was remarkable that he eclipsed all other amateurs and professionals to win the Open Championship with a 156.  He was elected vice-president of the Saskatchewan Golf Association that week as well and planned to go on to the Westerns in Calgary.  (Morning Leader, Aug 12, p.22 of Aug. 11)

As always, prizes were presented by Sir Frederick Haultain following the finals.  The amateur winner received a gold watch, and the runner-up a diamond and pearl pin; the ladies’ champion received a gold bracelet watch and the runner-up silver candlesticks; the junior winner got a silver wrist watch and the runner-up a golf bag.  The professional championship prize of $20 was won by W. Goodwin, the new pro at the Citizen’s Club in Moose Jaw who had been too busy improving the course to practice much.

AMERICAN GOLFERS VISIT SASKATCHEWAN:

The original schedule of the provincial championship was tweaked so golfers would have time to take in a special event.  Two hundred American golfers in two trains were on a 17-day tour of the Pacific Northwest and on their way back to Chicago they stopped in Moose Jaw to play.  After an evening of “Bacchanalian revels” the group arrived in Regina early in the morning, insisting on motoring right out to the local golf clubs.  The Americans had a royal time in the capital as a carnival spirit prevailed.

An exhibition game featuring four celebrity golfers was played in each city on their tour.  450 Regina spectators paid one-dollar admission to the Barracks course to see two well-known pros oppose two outstanding amateurs.  “Long Jim” Barnes was fresh from his win at the British Open.  He emigrated to America in his teens and became one of the most popular professionals in the game and author of a voluminous textbook for professionals.

Jock Hutchison, born at St. Andrews, won the British Open in 1921 and came to America to be the pro at the Pittsburg golf course.  He was known as “probably the best wit among professional golfers, attracting bevies of followers wherever he plays to listen to his Scotch burr and his amusing comments on the game and especially his own play.”

Chick Evans was the U.S. Amateur winner in 1916 and 1920 and runner-up twice, holder of 88 records, a stylist to perfection and familiar with every shot in the game.  He had written a book of his experiences and thousands of articles for newspapers and periodicals on the technique and glories of the game of golf.

Capt. Ernest C. Carter, born at Blackrock, County Dublin, had won the Irish Amateur Closed Tournament in 1919 and 1921, other Irish championships and the Welsh amateur.  He had made numerous holes in one.

In the Regina contest Jock Hutchison negotiated the course in 3 under par 67.  His partner, “Long Jim” Barnes played the round in 69.  “The gallery was entertained to a beautiful display of golf, and they showed their appreciation in a vigorous manner.  The driving was followed with keen interest, and the approaches with bated breath …  Barnes is not built to wear knickers and prefers to sport Prince of Wales trousers on the golf course, but this detail in no way interferes with his game.”  The lanky Englishman took 36 strokes on each side for 72.  Evans missed four putts in a row by the fraction of an inch, but he is a cheerful loser, and he took his hard luck with a smile, finishing with 69.  Carter, holder of the Irish championship, astonished those who had been inclined to underestimate him.  His driving was particularly fine.  Hutchison gave as pretty and finished a display of good golf as has ever been seen in Regina.  Most of the players remained on the links until train time, when the party was given a warm send-off to Winnipeg.   (Morning Leader, Aug. 12-14, 1925) 

1926:  Regina Golf Club and Wascana Country Club, August 2-7

Both courses were dry from the prolonged drought and high winds prevailed on the first two days of the tournament.  A storm on Wednesday night flattened the office tent, mutilating all records and greatly inconveniencing the tournament committee.  Things were quickly put back to normal and the tournament finished with fine weather.

The SGA cash book lists each competitor and the entry fee: men paid $4 or $2, women paid $2, pros $2 and juniors $1.  (SGA Cash Book, pp 76-82.)

Russ Smith had to win a nine-hole playoff to get into the championship flight, then went on to win the tournament 3 and 2 over Tommy Russell of Moose Jaw.

Twenty-five of the thirty-two competitors in the women’s event were from Regina.  Gladys Rideout of Wascana won 2 up over Mattie Boyles of the Regina Golf Club.  The women had always held their championship in conjunction with the men’s tournament but this was the last year that happened.  A Saskatchewan Section of the Canadian Ladies Golf Union was formed and plans were made to hold separate events in the future.

Eleven juniors competed, with George Bigelow of Wascana winning 4 and 3 over M.L. Tasker of Regina Golf Club.

The newly-formed Western Canada Professional Golfers’ Association attracted sixteen entries for the inaugural event: eight professionals from Winnipeg, one from Edmonton and seven from Saskatchewan.  Joe Land of Winnipeg won the title and $100 in prize money with his four-round score of 299, while Hugh Fletcher, also of Winnipeg, took the $75 second prize.  Land also won the Saskatchewan Open while another Winnipeg pro, George Daniel, took second.

The SGA took in $367 in affiliation fees from clubs around the province.  Each year an honorarium was paid to the Tournament Secretary and the Honorary Secretary.  

1927 Men: Moose Jaw Golf Club, July 25-29

Moose Jaw held the Saskatchewan tournaments concurrently with the Western Canada Golf Championship.  The Saskatchewan Amateur was played as 36 holes of medal play over the first two days.  Young Tommy Russell scored 153 on his home course to edge out an old St. Andrews player, T.D. Forbes of Riverhurst.

“Little Freddie” Fletcher, the 25-year-old pro at Moose Jaw, amazed the field by winning the Open with a lame leg that didn’t affect his game in the least.  (Apparently his left leg was badly wounded overseas and sometimes he used a bicycle to travel the fairways between holes.) (Bradley, p. 63)  A few days later he received the Kinnear Cup, a gold medal and $200 for winning the four-round Western Canada Professional Championship with a score of 293.

A small number of juniors competed.  William Hudson of Calgary won the WCGA title over John Bigelow of Regina, but no Saskatchewan Junior titlist was declared.

Tommy Ross of Regina drove a tee shot right smack behind a telegraph pole, which prompted him to apply to the CNR to have the pole removed from the course.  He was quoted as saying ‘another stroke gontoell.’  Another player complained strongly after his pitch shot to the green hit an oil can that had been left there.

A Veterans’ event had been part of SGA tournaments since 1920, but this year a Saskatchewan Senior Men’s event for those over 55 was held for the first time.  A Senior Golf Association was formed, electing James Balfour of Regina the president, and General Tuxford of Moose Jaw the vice-president.  Interestingly, these were the two finalists in the competition, with Tuxford coming out on top. 

1927 Women: Wascana Country Club, August 8-12

The Saskatchewan Branch of the Canadian Ladies’ Golf Union was organized on Sept 16, 1926 with the national president, Mrs. L. Murray, in Regina for the occasion.  Nine clubs affiliated with the Branch that first year.   Mrs. Gladys Rideout of Wascana was elected the first president and the first women’s tournament was held there in 1927.  Forty-eight women played in the qualifying round then were placed in three flights.  A close final match ended on the twentieth hole when Mrs. J. Blair’s thirty-yard chip found the hole to win the championship over Mrs. Rideout.   A team from Regina Golf Club was the first winner of the handsome new silver trophy presented by the Regina Trading Company.  Thirty-four pairs entered the mixed foursomes event, won by Mr. & Mrs. W. Knight Wilson.  The busy social schedule included a banquet and meeting, two dances, a luncheon and the prize presentation on Friday afternoon. 

1928 Men: Saskatoon Golf Club, August 6-11

110 amateur competitors entered the provincial championship.  O.S. Wakeford of Saskatoon was thrilled when his mashie shot on the seventh hole took two hops and lodged in the cup for a hole-in-one.  The newspaper described this shot as a “dodo”.  (Star-Phoenix, Aug. 10, p.9)

Eighteen professionals competed in the Open Championship, won by Tom Ross of Regina, and the Professional Championship, won by Jimmie Rimmer of Jasper Park with 288.

Prizes were presented by golf enthusiast Sir Frederick Haultain for the fifteenth successive year.

Following the final match in the Saskatchewan Amateur, won by Phil Morse 8 and 7 over J.D. Millar, both Saskatoon players were invited to play an exhibition match against two of Britain’s best-known professional golfers.  Archie Compston and Aubrey Boomer were touring Canada and the United States.  Close to 200 spectators took in this contest, won by the Brits 3 and 2.

The Western Canada Golf Association held its tournaments in Edmonton – at Mayfair Golf Club for the men and Edmonton Golf and Country Club for the women.

1928 Women: Riverside Country Club, August 6-10

The provincial women’s championships were held concurrently at Riverside Country Club.  After 64 women registered, a fourth event was quickly added to the competition.  Tee times were scheduled every five minutes.  Ideal weather and an excellent course made for a pleasant week, topped by Hilda Yule winning over her clubmate Lillian Myers by a score of 5 and 4 to take the Dunlop Tire and Rubber Company trophy.

At the annual meeting a position of Honorary President with voting power was created.  This was filled by Gladys Rideout who had guided the organization through its first two years.  Mrs. R.R. Morgan of Saskatoon was voted incoming president.  Appreciation was voiced for the spring visits of national CLGU president Mrs. Murray and Ada Mackenzie who stopped in Regina and Moose Jaw on their national tour.

The team trophy, won this year by host club Riverside, was to be determined in future by the four lowest scores for each club in the opening day qualifying round instead of choosing four competitors ahead of time. 

1929 Men: Wascana Country Club, August 5-9

The Wascana course played 6,009 yards, 34-36 for a par 70.  One hundred golfers teed off at four-minute intervals in the Amateur competition.  Regina fans following the final match were discouraged after the morning game as Phil Morse of Saskatoon had a four-stroke lead over Fred Dorr.  However, the Morning Leader reporter stated that the four-stroke lead was none too many against the well-known Regina percussionist.

“the Capitolian maestro of the drums and tinkling cymbals staking a wonderful comeback on the 12^th hole which raised great hopes in the breasts of the Regina contingent of the gallery.  The spectators thoroughly enjoyed the pyrotechnic display of fireworks for four consecutive holes, only to see him sputter out like a damp squib on the 16^th green.  It was another striking example of the failure of an able-bodied golfer with an expensive eight-dollar putter to sink a condemned golf ball into an infernal hole, only 18 gosh-darned inches from start to finish of the putt.  It is one of the unsolvable mysteries in the game of golf why so many putts of less than two feet from the hole refuse to drop into that catastrophic cavity!”  (Morning Leader, Aug. 10, 1929, p. 13 by John W. Harrison)

Twenty-year-old Phil Morse successfully defended his Saskatchewan title 2 and 1.  The Junior Championship went to Otto Anderson who won over another Saskatoon player, Arnold Lozo.

Saskatchewan sent its first interprovincial team to Jasper, AB for the third Willingdon Cup championship, but came in last of the six provincial teams.  Phil Morse, William Kidd, A.R. McIntyre and N.C. Byers made up the team.

The Western Canada Golf Association held its tournament in Jasper concurrently with the Canadian events.  The Saskatchewan Golf Association voted at its annual meeting to sever relations with the WCGA.

1929 Women: Moose Jaw Golf Club, August 12-15

Mrs. R.R. Morgan of Saskatoon was elected president of the CLGU Saskatchewan Branch for this year, but by the time the tournament opened in August, Mrs. F.R. Nason of Moose Jaw was listed as ‘acting president.’  There were now twelve affiliated clubs, and Swift Current and Humboldt had been parred by the women.

Mrs. Rideout took the provincial championship, winning 6 and 5 over Mrs. Gill of Moose Jaw.  A driving competition and a putting contest were held along with the championship.

This publication was produced by provincial golf historian Lori Harvie. 

On Saturday at the Silverwood Golf Course in Saskatoon, people living with disabilities can take part in an introduction to golf event.

The Saskatchewan Wheelchair Sports Association (SWSA) is partnering with Golf Saskatchewan to hold the event which will showcase the adaptive SoloRider that the Silverwood has in stock. SWSA Bridging the Gap Provincial Coordinator Chantal Gosselin said anyone living with a physical disability can come try the adaptive cart on Saturday.

“We’re excited to offer a beginner’s guide to adaptive golf and have people learn how to use the SoloRider in a safe environment. We’ll be teaching those attending how to book the cart, how to use the cart independently and let them swing some clubs. It’ll be great to show them the how-to for future reference,” Gosselin explained.

The Silverwood has had the SoloRider since 2014. The Royal Regina Golf Club has one at their disposal as well for golfers in the Queen City.

Gosselin said it’s important for the SWSA to explore options for people living with disabilities to stay active.

“The purpose of my job (as the Bridging the Gap Provincial Coordinator) is to either find potential athletes or to introduce opportunities to people who may be interested. Either that’s someone who is already involved in activities or somebody new to their injuries who wants to regain an active lifestyle,” she said.

Every year Gosselin takes a group of SWSA members to the Silverwood and gets them onto the SoloRider as a demonstration. This event will be more involved with the assistance of Golf Saskatchewan Manager of Sport Development Steve Ryde. Gosselin said she’s excited to work with the nearly ten people that have signed up.

“I’m happy to be partnered with Golf Saskatchewan because they are the experts in golf,” she said. “It’s good to offer an activity with professional instruction to allow for a positive experience. Most of the people registered are coming out to try golf for the first time ever.”

Ryde was involved in coaching a blind golfing event earlier this year at the GolfDome in Saskatoon. He said the organization is focused on getting more people involved in the game no matter their life challenges.

“Golf is a game for all ages, and for people with physical limitations too,” Ryde said. “We are excited to share the opportunities that golf provides with the SoloRider, and to show how accessible it is to enjoy the game of golf.”

Gosselin has reached out to all the SWSA members in their data base and through her connections but if anyone knows of anybody potentially interested in taking part in the golf introduction she can be reached at 306.975.0824 or at chantal@swsa.ca

Golf cart helps disabled get back in the game

Another Saskatchewan golfer is heading south of the border to pursue an education and continue to develop their golf career.

Estevan’s Jace Carlisle has committed to Lake Superior State University’s (LSSU) NCAA Division II golf program. The two-time Saskatchewan High School Athletic Association champion said he reached out to several American schools but after taking a trip to the LSSU campus it was a perfect fit.

“I got to meet the team and hang out with them for a bit, I chatted with Andrew McKenney, the coach down there, it was great. You can not find any golfers that aren’t together, they are always together helping each other with schoolwork or just hanging out. That’s what really made this decision pretty easy is how tight knit they are,” Carlisle told Golf Saskatchewan.

The school is in Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan. Carlisle is going to study Kinesiology and Sports Management. He said that program was only offered at LSSU which assisted in his decision. He also hopes his degree leads to a career in the golf industry.

“That’s the plan right now, I want to stick with golf,” he said. “I want to turn professional hopefully and work my way up, but we will see how school goes first. We will see how things go down there and see if I want to turn pro and do something with that or use my degree and get a job and give back to the golf community.”

Carlisle is going to graduate from Estevan Comprehensive School in about a month and is back working at the TS&M Woodlawn Golf Club for the season under his long-time coach Amanda Minchin. His playing schedule will be busy as well in his last season of junior eligibility. Carlisle said getting his post secondary school plans finalized early on allows him to focus on his game over the summer.

“It’s been a pretty good start to the season so far,” he said. “I have two top-three finishes so far on the Maple Leaf Junior Tour (MJT), I finished third here in Estevan and I finished second this past weekend at Elmwood. It’s been a pretty solid start I’d say.”

Carlisle has his sights set on a national junior team spot and will also play in the Saskatchewan Men’s Amateur Championship at the Saskatoon Golf and Country Club in July.

You can hear more from Carlisle below as he spoke with Golf Saskatchewan’s Clark Stork on Tuesday.

The second Saskatchewan Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT) event was held at the Elmwood Golf and Country Club this Victoria Day long weekend.

57 golfers participated in the 36-hole tournament across seven different age divisions.

The busiest category was the juvenile boy’s division, 23 golfers from across the province challenged in the 15 and 16 year-old group. Estevan’s Jayden Dudas picked up the victory shooting 149 (77. 72). He edged Regina’s Will Blake by a stroke, Blake carded rounds of 76 and 74. Will Danielson of Saskatoon rounded out the top-three, seven shots behind Dudas.

Josh Nagy has his second junior (17 and 18 years old) boy’s division win on the season. The Saskatoon golfer posted rounds of 70 and 80, outlasting newly college committed Estevan product Jace Carlisle by five shots. Carlisle, who announced on Twitter this week that he will attend Lake Superior State University and play Div. II golf, shot 76 during round one and 79 on Monday. Kindersley’s Kyler Cote placed third with a 161 (85, 76).

The bantam (13 and 14 years old) boy’s division had 11 competitors, Saskatoon’s Max Regier fired a 151 (80, 71) to win by two shots over fellow Saskatoon player Alex Swinnerton (78, 75). Thomas Danielson, also of the Bridge City came in third place with rounds of 78 and 79.

In the under-12 boy’s category, labelled peewee, Dane Giesbrecht of Warman was the champion. He shot back-to-back rounds of 81 to card a 162. He edged Lethbridge’s Kerrick Norrie Asquith by one shot. Estevan’s Jayden Chernoff was third with a 179 (88, 91). Six golfers participated in that age group.

Keighton McNab was the lone collegiate age group competitor, the Saskatoon product stroked a 155 (81, 74).

On the girl’s side, Carey McLean of Deer Valley won the 15-18 age division. She posted identical rounds of 85. Regina’s Autumn Neiszner and Sarah Grieve of Saskatoon were both ten shots back at 180. Neiszner had rounds of 91 and 89, Grieve carded an 88 on day one and 92 in the second round.

Ella Kozak of Yorkton was the only girl competing in the under-15 age group, she finished with rounds of 81 and 80 for 161.

The full results can be found here.

The points collected by the golfers in the event will be tallied towards Western Canada Summer Games (WCSG) standings for eligible players. The next Saskatchewan MJT event is back in Swift Current at the Chinook Golf Course, the host site of the WCSG.

Golf is a beautiful game played on prestigious landscapes looked after by hardworking men and women across the globe, so what can we do as players to make groundskeepers’ jobs a little more pleasant?

A recent tweet from Dakota Dunes Golf Links’ Superintendent Tyler McComas showing a pair of carts parked on the grass next to a tee box at his course had the province’s golf community talking, and not in a positive manner. Golf Saskatchewan decided to seek answers regarding course etiquette. The Legends Golf Club in Warman Superintendent Matt Choquette said when it comes to your cart, common sense says use the paths.

“Definitely stay on the cart path as much as possible, cart traffic is a lot more damaging than people think,” Choquette said. “It causes a lot of compaction on the turf, so that comes with a lot of its own issues. It dries out the grass, causes weeds to grow, it makes growing grass a lot more difficult so more of the undesirable stuff creeps in.”

When asked about the picture on Twitter and giving the players the benefit of the doubt that they were allowing either the beverage cart or maintenance staff the right of way, Choquette said it’s better to let their equipment travel around you. Many courses also have the 90-degree rule in effect on several holes or all of them. Choquette said for the most part people use the rules when not pushed to.

“I think a lot of people use the 90-degree everyday, they will drive to their ball or their buddy’s ball and then get back to the path. It’s the guys that get off the path as soon as possible and drive all the way up to the green when they don’t have to. That’s the frustrating part,” he said.

Replacing divots is also an important part of keeping a course in top notch condition. Most courses will have sand buckets to fill divots on short hole tee boxes and provide sand buckets or shakers on their carts or push carts. Choquette said if you do take out a big chunk of sod on a fairway during your approach take the time to put it back.

“If it’s a good divot and it’s still fully intact I’d prefer that to go back, step it down and it usually regrows quite easily, but when it comes out in three, four, or 100 pieces, definitely use the sand because that’s not going to regrow. If it’s one nice big divot, replace it and carry on,” he said.

By far the most irritating habit Choquette and his staff see is ball marks not repaired on greens. He said his crew repairs upwards of 200 after a busy day at The Legends. Not only does he encourage players taking the time to fix their marks but doing it properly.

“Don’t twist it or lift it, push the dirt in around it, go from the four sides and mend it back together” he explained. “If you lift it you are bringing bare dirt to the top, if you twist it you are ripping the roots, then tap it down with your putter. I’d say that’s my biggest issue, people not fixing ball marks.”

Raking bunkers is another tip Choquette provided for course care. He said there is no secret to raking properly, he said making the sand as flat as possible for the next group is the main focus. He also suggested that players making a shot from the bunker exact at flatter areas rather than stomping up a steep slope.

Safety also comes into play when you are practicing etiquette especially for staff. Crews are constantly working on the course to make it more enjoyable and they want to work with users to make everything flow smoothly. Morning golfers will experience maintenance traffic more often but Choquette said his staff have instructions to avoid any confusion.

“When my staff see someone they are supposed to get out of the way and wave them, so they know they are watching. That’s what we also expect from the golfers too, is to make sure that we are aware they are hitting so we can be paying attention and move. There are definitely people that don’t do that and kind of just go but most people are pretty good, they will wait for the staff to clear,” he said.

Most clubs have rules for the betterment of their particular course, Choquette said follow the rules, practice the provided tips and you and your course will be better for it.

For the first time since the early 2000’s, the Future Links, driven by Acura Prairie Championship is returning to Deer Park Golf Course in Yorkton.

The 54-hole event is scheduled for June 14 to 16. Golf Canada Rules and Competitions Coordinator Akash Patel said Future Links events are used to assist in the development of the nation’s top junior golfers.

“They are a great opportunity for the best junior golfers across Canada to showcase their talents,” Patel explained to Golf Saskatchewan. “There are exemptions on the line for players for the Canadian Junior Championships, so it’s a nice way for them to try and earn a spot in their national championship.”

There are six Future Links events across the country plus two more fall events that were added last year. This is the first time the tour will stop in the east-central Saskatchewan city since 2001. Deer Park also played host to the Canadian Junior Girl’s Championship four years ago. Patel said having a previous relationship with Deer Park made the course an easy choice to host again.

“They a good base, they’ve hosted events before, we’re familiar with the course. Allan Sauser and his staff the organizing committee have been great to work with so far. They did a great job in 2015 so I think it was a no-brainer for us to go back this year,” he said.

60 players are registered for the event already, that’s up from the 43 that participated last year in the tournament in Portage la Prairie, Man. The Prairie Championship alternates between Saskatchewan and Manitoba. The deadline to sign up is May 22 so the organizers are hoping for a late push, but the numbers are positive at this point.

“We’re excited that we’re at 60 and obviously hope to get more than that,” Patel said. “The deadline was May 15, but we extended it to May 22 so hopefully we will get a few more players. It’s important for us to have these championships with a lot of players in them so we’re certainly happy with where it’s at right now.”

The tournament is also one of the events used in the qualification process for the Western Canada Summer Games taking place in Swift Current.

As for the course itself, Sauser, the director of golf said the facility is in great shape after a long, cold winter.

“The greens are in fantastic shape. The rest always takes some warm weather before it fills in but we’re happy with it right now. We’re excited,” he said.

Sauser has been at Deer Park for upwards of 20 years and has been involved in hosting hundreds of club events and national championships in his career. He said he doesn’t stress about large events coming to the course and added the impact will spread beyond their facility.

“It’s good for Yorkton, it’s always nice to host a national event. You can showcase your golf course to different provinces but also there is a spin-off benefit to the hotels and restaurants, everything, when you have an event like this. It’s always good for Yorkton to host something like this,” Sauser said.

The top five finishers in both the junior girls and boys’ divisions will earn exemptions into the national championships. More registration details can be found here.

During a round, you are limited to no more than 14 clubs and generally must not replace damaged or lost clubs.

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