Golf Saskatchewan’s final provincial events for 2020 will get underway Tuesday in Yorkton at Deer Park Municipal Golf Course.
The 101st Senior Men’s Championship, the 57th Senior Women’s Championship, and 3rd 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.