Win a $575 mini vacation to Northern Meadows !

Northern Meadows Golf Club near Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan has teamed up with Tourism Saskatchewan and SaskGolfer.com to offer the best contest yet. Win a two-night holiday at their bed and breakfast, along with four rounds of golf and a shared cart at their recently expanded 18-hole track. Enter today !

Mistake after mistake

While the National Post Golf 2007 Golf Review was billed as printing "our most complete and accurate list", it's hardly the case as far as Saskatchewan listings are concerned.

Royal Regina is a semi private not a private club. Regent Park is a Par 3, not an executive course. Lakeview is a par 3 course, not an executive course. Joanne Goulet should be listed as an executive course. Craig is a sandy green course, one of a few dozen that remain from the 1920s and 1930s in Saskatchewan . The map location for Sherwood Forest is off by miles and miles and not next to the Goulet Golf Course. Two very highly rated courses near the city - Deer Valley Golf and Estates and Long Creek Golf and Country Club - were omitted from the list.

As for Saskatoon , there's no such thing as the Saskatoon East course, it's the private Saskatoon Golf and Country Club. Dakota Dunes Golf Links - Golf Digest chose it as the Best New Course In Canada last year - is located a few minutes from  Saskatoon . That track was missed from the list.

For a more accurate and complete list of Saskatchewan courses, click MORE>>

Happy Gilmor, Part 2

Everyone has seen strange and bizarre things happen on a golf course. The best collection of golf antics ever found are on this video. You're going to love them. Enjoy http://bubblare.se/
golf_ar_fantastiskt_kul/

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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	What's the greatest sin in golf? Cheating? Not raking a sandtrap? Sandbagging? Cursing? Talking on your cell phone? Putting out of turn? Talking too much? Not replacing your divot? View results

Good Spirit specializes in groups and families

When winter loosens its grips on Saskatchewan one thing is certain: people will flock to the peaceful parkland setting of Good Spirit Lake , Saskatchewan . And if they're smart, they'll bring their golf clubs.

Opened in 1985, the Good Spirit Lake Golf and Family Resort is located 15 minutes off the Yellowhead Highway northwest of Yorkton . Because of its full-fledged conference facilities – there are conference rooms, ample rooms and catering facilities - it caters to groups and conferences of 10 to 200 people.

Step aside Scotland !

Step aside Scotland – In 2007, there are three new courses, two expansions and several upgrades underway or planned in Saskatchewan . Read all about it. MORE >>

Western courses flagged

Canada places 10 in Golf Digest's top-100 list outside the U.S. Canada weighed in with St. George's in Toronto at No. 26, National Golf Club at Woodbridge , Ont. at No. 34. Hamilton G and CC at Ancaster, Ont. at No. 36, and Highland Links at Cape Breton at No. 38. Western courses that placed include Capilano Golf Club West in Vancouver at No. 54, Shaughnessy G and CC in Vancouver at No. 63, and Banff Springs at No. 83. www.golfdigest.com

Sweet Stay-n-Play packages

The annual list of Saskatchewan 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

Amen Corner

“Who’s caught up with Tiger? Who is this person? I haven’t met him yet. All it looks like to me is Tiger is catching up with God.”

- Paul Goydos on Tiger Woods

Katepwa Beach’s reputation growing

If any of us were asked to describe a memorable course, such factors as great conditions and panoramic views would certainly rank toward the top of the list. As many golfers have discovered, the 3,176 yard, par 36 track at Katepwa Beach , Saskatchewan nestled in the quiet beauty of the Qu'Appelle Valley, has more than its share of both.

Since opening in 1998 and adding a clubhouse in 2000, the Katepwa Beach Golf Club quickly started attracting golfers from the Qu'Appelle Valley, the Regina region and beyond.

”It's always in excellent condition from opening day to closing day,” says general manager Betty Metzler, who notes the club co-hosted the Saskatchewan Greenskeepers Open last year. ”It's also a beautiful valley and surroundings.”

She attributes the quality conditioning of the course to a number of factors: A skilled grounds crew, it's protected location in a sun-drenched coulee and access to lots of water from Katepwa Lake . The course also features a lot of natural grasses.

“The course is challenging but fair,” says Metzler, “with a fun, links-style layout and a variety of holes.”

This track favors the straight shooter. It is easily manageable for mid and high handicappers but begs to be attacked by low handicappers. It's worth remembering that the greens break away from the hills. Walking is encouraged, but the hilly terrain isn't for the faint of heart. If you're playing Katepwa for the first time, a power cart is recommended.

The first two and last two holes have the feel of an inland valley course with teeing areas high above fairways and greens. Many shots are framed against steep, densely treed valley walls; others must be played over rolling fairways, ravines and water. The par- 4 second hole is considered the signature hole, and best negotiated by hitting your 190-to-200 yard club off the elevated mid tee in line with the left edge of the pond.

The middle holes are higher and more exposed to the elements, and offer exceptional views of Katepwa Lake . The 5th hole is an intriguing par three with an uphill tee shot and a vista that conjures up the Saskatchewan motto "Land of the Living Skies."

In case you think nine holes isn't enough, this course never plays the same twice. There are four sets of tees and different tees can be played for the back nine.

In recent years, the club has erected a clubhouse, a new on-course washroom, a new parking lot and a tournament pavilion. The clubhouse features a lovely, large deck overlooking the valley.

The club is actively attracting new golfers. There are early bird, twilight and senior specials. Firefighters and police receive discounts on weekdays during the shoulder seasons. The club participates in the Future Links Programs and hosts a junior tournament in August.

Win One of 3 Free Golf Passes

Win a free round at Katepwa Beach Golf Course by surfing their website and answering this question: "What do you get a view of on the homepage?" Answer to Contest@SaskGolfer.com by the end of May. And good luck!

For tee times phone 306-332-2582 and visit their dandy website at www.golfkatepwa.com

That dog will hunt, says Bob Hughes

I walked up to the 18 th tee box. I was not having a good game even though the weather was splendid. It was warm and the afternoon was feathered by a fine wind. It was a great day for late April on the prairies. I put the ball on the tee. I steadied myself over it, held my new Nike driver firmly, looked down the fairway, and knew, I knew for sure, without a second of hesitation. I knew I would either slice it over to the other fairway. Or, I would hook it into the trees on the left. There was no doubt about that.

I took the club back slowly and then came down and through the ball. It took off like a shot, and I held my breath. It was rising straight down the left side, not bending either way, fighting through the wind as if it wasn't there. It came to a stop on the left side of the fairway about 110 yards from the green. It was my best drive of the day. I steeled myself for my second shot. I knew I would likely shank it, or flub it. I just knew.

I took a nine iron, one more club than normal, but the wind was in play. I swung down and through the ball, then followed through. The ball took off high into the air and I was worried I had hit too much club. But the wind did its job, holding it up, and gently dropping it on the left side of the green, pin high and about 50 feet from the hole. Because it was only a week into the season, I knew the greens were slower than usual. I lined up the putt. It seemed to be straight. I hit it fairly hard, and it headed straight for the hole. But, it stopped about six feet short. Now I was faced with a touchy putt for par. I knew I would pull it left because that's all I had been doing all afternoon. I hit it firmly, and it went straight into the middle of the hole. I had made par, finished the round with a par.

When I walked off the golf course, I was totally pleased with the afternoon. A lousy par on the last hole does that to you. Golf does that to you. You tend to remember your last shot. It's the gift of this great sport, that it doesn't take much to make you feel good about your game.

If golf is a game unto itself, it also has a language all of its own. You have to be a golfer to understand just what is being said out there, and why. Sometimes, the meaning of sentences can be downright cutting. But, when you're playing for a buck or two, anything goes.

You will hear all the usual swear words associated with abject failure. Those, I will not repeat. But, you will also hear phrases that may make you blink. Like . . .

“That dog will hunt.” (Good shot).

“The ground is slow but the cattle are patient.” (Sooner or later, something good is bound to happen_.

“Gimmee some of that.” (A signal to shake hands hoping some of the good shotmaking will rub off on you).

“Large and in charge!” (A big drive).

“Nice putt Alice .” (Your putt comes up short).

“That reminds me of my first date.” (Nothing is happening).

“Fore!” (Duck).

“I'm going to throw up!” (You just hit three balls in a row into the water).

“Solid gold golf shot!” (Pure shot that went where it was supposed to go).

“Where's the beer cart?” (I might as well have a drink. Nothing else is working).

“Sandbagger.” (Anybody who beats you).

“%&*@$^&+!!!!!!!” (In your back swing, somebody's cel phone went off).

“You gotta love this game!” (You made a par on the last hole and can't wait to play again).

Y'er welcome.

Saskatoon celebrates 100th

Anybody reaching 100 naturally likes to reflect a bit on their achievements and kick-up their heels. So it is with the Saskatoon Golf and Country Club in Saskatchewan , which celebrates its founding at the Empire Hotel on April 6, 1907 , at a time when the population of Saskatoon was about 4,500.

From modest beginnings, the club has grown from nine holes on what is now Kinsmen Park , to become a premiere 36-hole golf facility, offering 18 holes of private golf and 18 holes of semi-private golf. The second oldest club in Saskatchewan plans to celebrate with the release of an illustrated history, a membership drive and a few parties.

”Not very many organizations have this kind of landmark,” says general manager Roger Hogle, “so it's huge for the club and for me personally.”

Events tee off with a centennial reception on April 14 for dignitaries, old and new members. There will be an old-style “Chautauqua Family Day” on June 16, but the highlight of the centennial will likely be the two-ball “Heritage Golf Classic.” Guests will have a chance to play with one of the 80 sets of replica hickory clubs rented for the occasion. Finally, a “Save your fork, there's pie” social will conclude festivities Oct. 13.

Penny Guest, the author of “Over the Course of a Century,” a historic overview of the club, says the centennial celebration is deserved.

“It's surprising how the members over the years kept it going through the Depression years, the war and the drought,” says Guest, who joined the club in 1976. It's grown from a mom-and-pop operation to a successful multi-million dollar business, she says.

“There's a lot of hope for the future with a very strong membership and board. There's a lot of volunteer hours given and they are doing the best they can,” says Guest.

Even competitive golf got off to a rocky start when the first competition in 1908 was cancelled because there weren't enough golf balls. After the second competition, golf balls were given to each member of the winning team. When the season wrapped up in early December both balls were lost in the snow by a two-ball foursome. It's that sort of dedication that characterizes the club over the generations.

Members overcame financial difficulties in the 1920s, expanded the course during the Dirty Thirties, and coped with staff shortages and plummeting membership during the Second World War. In 1954, it cheered when its former manager Pat Fletcher won the Canadian Open.

In the sixties, the club suffered through bouts of inclement weather and the murder of their caretaker (unsolved to this day). There was a gradual expansion of the membership during the 1970s and 1980s. In recent years, the club has gone private, added a second 18-hole public track and built a new clubhouse.

Around Saskatchewan links

It's a case of like son, father and grandfather with the Fletcher clan. Pat Fletcher is a descendent of golf royalty, with Pat Fletcher (who was the pro at Saskatoon Golf and Country Club for years) winning the Canadian Open in 1954. His son Allan Fletcher is the chairman of Montreal-based Fletcher Leisure Group , the largest privately owned supplier of golf, lifestyle apparel and golf equipment in Canada . Allan's son Mark Fletcher is now the president of the company that employees 200 …. Graham DeLaet of Weyburn makes his first start on the Canadian Tour as a professional this year…. He will be joined by Lindsay Bernakevitch of Regina who won the 2005 and 2006 Saskatchewan amateurs and finished fourth at the Canadian Tour qualifying school to pick up a non-exempt card for the 2007 Tour…. Dakota Dunes Golf Links was recently chosen business of the year (less than 50 employees) by Tourism Saskatchewan. The course will be even further recognition as a tourist destination once a casino opens next door this September, says its general manager McLaren Taylor ….

Best golf deals in 2007

Depending on how many balls you put in the bush, how long you spend on the 19th hole and if your family golf, golf can be an expensive game. Golf courses around Saskatchewan offer you a number of incentives to save a few dollars and to try a new course. 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.

Western Canada Golf Privilege Book -The Lung Association of Saskatchewan has produced an annual golf discount book since 1996. The number of participating Saskatchewan courses has grown from the original 36 to a whopping 131! Offers vary by course and include free and reduced green fees (2/1 and 4/3 etc.), free or discounted golf carts and 2/1 range balls. All four western provincial Lung Associations have joined forces and combined their offers into this one great book. With discounts at over 450 courses across Manitoba , Saskatchewan , Alberta and B.C. there are sure to be great courses along your route. There are also 15 bonus courses in Washington State $34.95 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 . There are also editions for other provinces. Each course has a brief description of the golf course, a photo, a map and course layouts.
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 a www.saskgolf.ca

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 a couple of dozen 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, with balls couriered to your front door.

Birdies. Beds. Bargains.

Want to get away for a few days of great golf in Saskatchewan. Consider holidaying at Harbor, Candle Lake, Elk Ridge, Katepwa, Golf Kenosee or White Bear. Check out the best bets for stay and play packages this summer on Hole #10 Travel deals. New listings are added monthly, so keep checking back. MORE >