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Enter To Win The Perfect Saskatchewan Drive Contest!
The perfect golf vacation is waiting for you in Canada's friendliest province, the Land of Living Skies. Your prize package includes a two-night stay at the Sandman Regina, rounds for two at the Tor Hill, Murray and Deer Valley. Plus, win a new set of Nicklaus clubs and a bag from Loney's Golf Shop. MORE >>
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Sweet Stay-n-Play packages
The annual list of stay and play packages has started on SaskGolfer.com on Hole #10. More deals will be posted during the coming weeks, so check back again.This year's special deals include packages at Spiritwood, Harbor, Elk Ridge, Evergreen, La Verendrye, Weyburn, the hawood at Waskesiu, Deer Valley, Golf Kenosee and White Bear - check it out at www.saskgolfer.com/travel.php
Are you getting better?
It's always helpful to know if you're actually getting better at the grand old game of golf. That's where the Saskatchewan Handicap Trakker comes in. The Trakker will give you an individualized record of your progress and automatically calculate your handicap on an ongoing basis. While the handicap is not RCGA approved for competitive tournaments, it's a lot better than sandbagging (cheating) with your handicap in unofficial tournaments. Courses periodically change their slope and rating numbers, plus new courses are added - so double check the numbers on the Trakker and change them if you need to. Have a great season!
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Skins coming to the West
If you want a chance to see some of the golfing gods mark Aug. 7 and 8 on your calendar - it's the first time the Skins Game has been in Alberta during its 14 year history. Calgary's Stephen Ames will be heading up a star-crossed group of greats that may include Sergio Garcia, John Daly, Greg Norman and Jack Nicklaus. Each of the players has been chosen to represent a particular decade of the age. The Telus Skins Game will be held at the Fairmont Banff Springs in Banff, one of the most historic courses in Canada. Ames will be defending his title in front to of his home province fans.
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Golf course roundup 2006
With about 220 courses in Saskatchewan, the most difficult decision is choosing where to get your next par. Keep in mind that in recent years there have been an unprecedented number of courses upgraded, expanded and built. Here are some of the major changes you will expect at courses this year.
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Bunkershots back at it
The forum Bunkershots is back on the air with several chat room for viewers. It's a chance for you to discuss the latest equipment, pro tips and the latest info on the PGA Tour from the popular Golfinggods. Enjoy!
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Greatest game ever played
From Walt Disney Pictures comes the new golf movie and DVD THE GREATEST GAME EVER PLAYED...the crowd-pleasing underdog epic that's based on an inspirational true story.
Young amateur golfer Francis Ouimet (Shia LaBeouf -- HOLES, I ROBOT) has nothing but talent and a seemingly impossible dream to challenge the world's greatest player, his idol Harry Vardon. Soon, with the help of his spunky 10-year-old caddy Eddie, Francis boldly breaks down all barriers with a thrilling display of unrivaled drive, skill, and heart...and challenges the golf pro for the U.S. Open Championship!
It's a story of courage, passion and of the greatest sports hero you probably never heard of. Larry Link said it was as good as Seabiscuit. The Today Show reported it was "masterful." MUCH MORE>>
Candle Lake, a northern beauty
All eyes will be on the newly expanded Candle Lake Golf Resort in May, when the four- season facility opens to the public for the first time. While it's the epitome of scenic, unspoiled Northern Saskatchewan, its beauty is more than skin deep.
Located 77 km northeast of Prince Albert, it's carved out of the boreal forest and has a gently rolling appearance. This so-called boreal plain region has forest made up of white spruce, jack pine and aspen. The forests grow taller here than elsewhere in the province. MORE >>
Amen Corner
"Golf was invented by the same people who think music comes out of bagpipes."
- Anonymous
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Meadow Lake a bit
of beauty and beast
Bordered to the north by the Canadian Shield and to the south by the prairie parkland, northern Saskatchewan is home to some of the province's most enjoyable golf at Meadow Lake Golf Club.
In a land of 100,000 lakes and dense boreal forest, it's not surprising these northern courses tend to be traditional layouts with golfers needing to negotiate plenty of trees and water and beauty.
"It's an awesome course. It's kept in good condition,has a nice facility and friendly people," says Kyle Duffin, who has just returned to Meadow Lake as its manager. "The course is especially a good test for all levels of golfers."
The 6,432-yard, par 72 18-hole grass green track was started in 1952 and expanded to a full 18 in 1994. In 2001, a 6,000-sqaure foot clubhouse was built with a pro shop, locker room, banquet facilities, meeting rooms and the licensed diningroom.
Visitors enjoy dining at the Meadow Lake Golf Club all year round because of the beautiful fairway views from the restaurant and the outdoor patios.
"It's a course with a lot of variety," says Duffin. "Both nines offer two different golfing experiences."
With an official RCGA rating of 71.2 off the tips and water in play on seven holes, golfers have their work cut out for them. The front nine are carved out of the Northern boreal forest and has tree-lined fairways and medium-sized poa-grass greens. The new back nine is more open - although there are quite a few pine trees - and golfers need to target larger greens.
Everyone has their favorite par 3, 4 and 5, but keep an eye out for these: The par 3 third measures 193 yards off the back tees. It requires a quality shot to avoid a large water hazard, bunkers and to stick to an elevated green. At 422 yards, the par 4 seventh hole starts with a relatively easy shot to an open landing area, but tightens to a bottleneck in front of the green. The par 5, 503-yard 9th is considered the course's signature hole. This dogleg right requires golfers to hold up on their tee shot because of a large water hazard about 150 yards off the tee. Once the hazard is crossed, golfers need to hit an elevated green to take home a par.
The Meadow Lake course is not only popular with locals. With numerous summer vacation and recreation areas nearby, the club is a popular spot for tourists from Alberta and Saskatchewan and those heading to-and-from their summer getaways.
One of the top natural parks in Canada, Meadow Lake Provincial Park encompasses more than 1,600 square kilometers of lush boreal forest. The park is dotted with more than 25 crystal clear lakes and rivers and fishing is excellent. MORE >>
Green fees are $30 for 18 and $17 for 9 holes, to book tee times call 1-306-236-6388. The course hosts various tournaments including the "fun and inexpensive" Meadow Lake Open on June 10-11 and the Labour Day Classic Open on Sept. 2-3. For more info visit www.northern.sask.info and www.meadowlakegolfclub.ca.
Win One of 3 Free Golf Passes: Win a free round at Meadow Lake Golf Club by surfing their website and answering this question: "What's pictured in the top right photo on the homepage?" Answer to MeadowLake@SaskGolfer.com by the end of June. And good luck!
Around Saskatchewan Links
The Saskatchewan season-opener on the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT), Canada's only national junior tour run exclusively by Golf Professionals, was held in May at Moon Lake Golf Club in Saskatoon, where young players from Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Alberta competed for a spot on Maple Leaf Team Canada to Mexico. Cornel Smith, 17, of the Wascana Club in Regina, shot 70-77 (147) to take the Boys 17 & up division title by six strokes...On June 3rd and 4th the MJT stops at North Battleford Golf Club for the ACT-UCT Junior Classic. The third and final stop is July 4th and 5th at The Willows Golf Club, the 5th annual MJT-CPGA of Saskatchewan Junior Championship www.maplejt.com...Regina product Lindsay Bernakevitch is struggling in his second year on the Canadian Tour...Cameron King, a custom golf club maker from Saskatoon the last 15 years, has been named one of the World's Top 100 Club Makers for 2006 by KZG...
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Trim your golf expenses
Depending on how many balls you put in the bush, how long you spend on the 19th hole and if your family golfs, golf can be an expensive game. Here are dozen great ways to stretch your golfing dollar a little further.
Saskatchewan Golf Tour Guide - The Golf Tour Guide published by Tourism Saskatchewan lists several pages of money-saving coupons and deals on stay-and-play packages. It's available free at 150 Co-op gas stations and tourism bureaus starting in May.
Golf Sask 06' Coupon Book - The National Golf Course Owner's Association (Saskatchewan chapter), along with the well-known charity Lung Association of Saskatchewan, is selling the Golf Sask 05' Coupon Book with more than 110 courses participating and $2,500 in savings. Several types of coupons are offered including some at major courses. The $34.95 book - $5 more than last year - can also be bought at Pharmasave and Nevada Bob's. www.sk.lung.ca/content.cfm?edit_realword=gpc
Tee-Off Book - For $39.95, Tee-Off offers 2 for 1 and reduced green fees for the golfer who travel around Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Each course has a brief description of the golf course, a photo, a map and course layouts. It includes a free annual subscription to Score Magazine. www.tee-off.ca To order, phone 1-800-667-8633.
Saskatchewan Golf Association - If you belong to a golf club, one of the benefits of the SGA membership is reduced fees at a growing list of 11 member courses. Members can also access reduced fees with Alberta Golf Association member courses. Follow the quick link to the membership discount program at www.saskgolf.ca/programs_discount.html
Golf Card International - If you plan to golf North America, the Golf Card International discount card pays. At about $80, it offers discounts at more than 3,800 golf courses and resorts in Canada, United States and abroad. Members receive a 200-page catalogue with maps and lists of the deals, a quarterly newsletter Golf Traveler, and discounts on everything from car rentals to life insurance. Among the options are 27 courses in Saskatchewan. www.golfcard.com
International Club Network - Daily fee golfers can save money and get extra privileges through the Privileged Play program of Toronto-based International Club Network. Members have access to more than 50 courses in Canada, and others in the US and Europe. The only Saskatchewan courses are Good Spirit Golf and Country Club near Canora and Dakota Dunes near Saskatoon. Benefits include advanced booking, reduced hotel and travel costs, and a 20 percent reduction in green fees and cart fees. Plus, you get a complimentary greens fee pass annually at a top national or international course. One-time initiation fee is $99 plus GST. www.privplay.com
Air Miles Savings - Golfers can use Air Miles reward points at some Canadian golf courses. www.airmiles.ca
CAA Sask Savings - The automobile club offers a 10 per cent discount off green fees or two greens for the price of one with the purchase of a rental cart at Last Oak Golf and Country Club, Golf Kenosee, Melville Regional Park Golf Course, Silver Lake Regional Park Golf Course, Rock Creek Golf and Country Club and White Bear Lake. www.caasask.ca
Check Out Pricing - Most courses have deals to attract golfers to the early morning, twilight hours, weekdays and so on. There are courses that give healthy discounts to seniors and juniors. Others give discounts with 10 or 20 pass booklets. Watch for hefty multi course discounts. For example, Regina-based Western Golf Management offers tri and dual membership discounts at its Tor Hill, Murray and Goulet golf courses.
Spring/Fall Specials - If you golf during the spring or fall, you may want to book one of the low cost off-season green fees or golf packages. The weather is usually milder, the crowds smaller and the course in peak condition.
Golf Ball Deals - If you're not already aware of www.mygolfballs.ca, it's worth taking a look. The Weyburn-based company has instantly been a success since starting up about a year ago. It has a good selection of balls with substantial savings of about 50 per cent.
SaskGolfer.com Travel Deals - If you plan to golf in Saskatchewan, SaskGolfer.com publishes an annual list of stay-and-play packages on Hole #10. There are bargains. www.saskgolfer.com/travel.php
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New course hotlinks
SaskGolfer.com welcomes the latest golf courses at Greenbryre, Katepwa Beach and Meadow Lake to join the growing list of hotlinks on Hole #1 Featured Courses.
The friendly 18-hole Greenbryre Country Club on the edge of Saskatoon has been operated by the Semko family successfully for years. See www.greenbryre.com In the Qu-Appelle Valley, the nine-hole Katepwa Beach Golf Course has build a strong reputation for its course conditions especially in recent years. It is now under new management, namely Betty Metzler. See www.golfkatepwa.com Finally, Meadow Lake Golf Club with its scenic views, challenging track and new clubhouse is on board at www.meadowlakegolfclub.ca
The most golf crazy
Golf is played from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe at about 31,857 golf courses in 184 nations and territories, according to Golf Digest magazine. Some 221 of those courses are in Saskatchewan, which makes us the most golf crazy on the planet.
Even Scotland, the home of golf, where there are 9,379 people per course, can't compare. Here in Saskatchewan, there are less than a million people divided by about 221 which equals - well, you do the math.
Despite some of the harshest and longest winters on the planet, the Augusta Masters in early April triggers a golf frenzy in Saskatchewan that doesn't let up until the snow flies in the fall.
Stats Canada reports
Operating expenses for golf courses and fitness and recreation centres soared in 2004, reflecting the huge increase in golfers and the fitness rage among Canadians, according to new data for the arts, entertainment and recreation sector.
Stats Canada reports that golf, fitness and recreation centres in Canada have also grown with overall spending encouraged by rising personal incomes, and increasing awareness of health and fitness among the burgeoning set of baby boomers.
Golf courses and country clubs had operating revenues of $2.3 billion, up 15.1%, while they generated $141.6 million in operating profits.
Sask Landing Golf Resort,
a prairie work of art
A couple of years ago. the new championship track at Saskatchewan Landing opened a half-hour north of Swift Current to rave reviews and since then has been quietly building its reputation. It lies along the shores of Lake Diefenbaker, one of the largest lakes in the province and a startling discovery when you come off the seemingly endless prairie. MORE>>
18 Holes?
At St. Andrews in 1858 during a discussion among the club's membership board, one of the members pointed out it took exactly 18 shots to polish off a fifth of Scotch. By limiting himself to only one shot a hole, the Scot figured out that the game should be over when the Scotch ran out...now you know!
Golf real estate, a hot commodity
Aging baby boomers in Saskatchewan are retiring and they want to golf in the morning, afternoon and night. Increasingly, they are choosing to live in an affordable golf course community where they can practice their passion at their doorstep.
From the native prairie, links-style courses of southern Saskatchewan, to the majestic boreal forest and lake area of the North, there's a venue for everyone. With summer days away, now is the perfect time to check out real estate opportunities at such hotspots as Candle Lake Golf Resort, Northern Meadows Golf Resort, Elk Ridge Resort and Harbor Golf Club and Resort. MORE >>
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Short game practice
Now that the season is under way, many golfers are realizing that they cannot shoot the scores they were at the end of last season. If you look at your game you would probably find that they are taking to many strokes from 50 yards through the green. The short game is one of the toughest parts of the game to carry over throughout the off season.
The fine motor movements are generally the first to leave us and the toughest to get back. What most golfers should do is switch their practice habits and now spend more time around the short game practice area. Working on this area now at a 2-1 ratio over the driving range will help you sharpen the skills that are likely causing the most trouble in your game.
When at the short game practice area don't just hit shots from easy fairway lies, move all around the green area. When we miss the green it is not usually in front of the green in the fairway, it is usually left or right of the green and in a bad area. Those are the shots to practice. When practicing don't always hit the same shot all of the time, mix it up just like during your normal game. If more time is spent on this part of the game you will see your scores come down once again. MORE >>
By Kerry Schofield, Wascana Country Club, One of Canada's "Top 50" Golf Instructors, 2004 CPGA of Saskatchewan - Teacher of the Year.
College players recognized
Graham DeLaet of Weyburn was recognized in his senior year with Boise State as the WAC Player of the Year! Graham was also named 1st Team All-WAC for the 2nd time in his career. He has been named to the All-WAC Team in each of his 4
years. See article.
Graham was also selected as an individual participant for the NCAA West Regional Championships. See article.
Tanner White was recognized in his freshman year with Midland Lutheran College as a member of the GPAC Golf All-Conference Team. See release.
The Team qualified for the NAIA National Championship after winning the Region 3 Championship last week. Tanner finished 5th individually in the event. See article.
Robin Vallis will finish his senior year with Lindenwood University at the NAIA National Championship after Lindenwood won the Region 5 Championship last week. Robin finished 4th individually in the event. See article.
Did you know?
If you click the rotating golf ball on SaskGolfer.com, you automatically go back to the homepage. If you click on Hole 14, you will find a bunch of new course reviews for Saskatchewan courses. If you click on Bunkershots - top golf colored navigation bar - you will find PGA commentaries every Tuesday.
New Public Player Club
The Public Player Program is designed for the individual who does not have an SGA membership at one of the many beautiful golf courses in Saskatchewan, but wishes to be a member of the Saskatchewan Golf Association. Becoming a member of the SGA Public Player Program allows you to receive some of the benefits that our Members who belong to one of our affiliated Golf Clubs receive. Fees start at $29.95 for juniors. For full member benefits, please email info@saskgolf.ca. or MORE >>
Raining golf balls
The Town of White City is appealing a court decision that ruled it's partially responsible for golf balls being hit into the yards of two couples whose property borders Emerald Park Golf and Country Club.
The court ruled this spring that the municipal owned Emerald Park and Great Plains Leaseholdings, who previously owned the course, to pay the couples $24,000.
The couple argued that more than 1,000 golf balls ended up in their yards on the ninth hole of the Emerald portion of the track. They claimed they weren't able to enjoy their yard after near misses and that homes and vehicles were damaged. The course has reduced the risk of raining golf balls by shortening the ninth hole so it's now a par 3 instead of a par 4.
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