Golf poem

In My Hand I Hold A Ball, White And Dimpled, Rather Small.

Oh, How Bland It Does Appear, This Harmless Looking Little Sphere.

By It's Size I Could Not Guess, The Awesome Strength It Does Possess.

But Since I Fell Beneath Its Spell, I've Wandered Through The Fires Of Hell.

My Life Has Not Been Quite The Same, Since I Chose To Play This Stupid Game.

It Rules My Mind For Hours On End, A Fortune It Has Made Me Spend.

It Has Made Me Yell, Curse And Cry. I Hate Myself And Want To Die.

It Promises A Thing Called Par, If I Can Hit It straight And Far.

To Master Such A Tiny Ball, Should Not Be Very Hard At All.

But My Desires The Ball Refuses, And Does Exactly As It Chooses.

It Hooks And Slices, Dribbles And Dies, And Even Disappears Before My Eyes.

Often It Will Have A Whim, To Hit A Tree Or Take A Swim.

With Miles Of Grass On Which To Land, It Finds A Tiny Patch Of Sand.

Then Has Me Offering Up My Soul, If Only It Would Find The Hole.

It's Made Me Whimper Like A Pup, And Swear That I Will Give It Up.

And Take To Drink To Ease My Sorrow, But The Ball Knows .... I'll Be Back Tomorrow.

What do you do if it's raining but you want to golf? Sulk? Curse? Watch the Golf Channel? Go to a covered driving range? Put on my rain gear and golf anyway? View results

Candle Lake Golf Resort, it's your place to relax

If you're an avid golfer, you probably already heard about Candle Lake Golf Resort and its 18 holes of championship golf nestled in the northern boreal forest and bordering one of the largest lakes in Saskatchewan. You may not know that the resort is complete and it is even better since it was established in 2006.

The four-season resort is located 77 km northeast of Prince Albert next to a large fishing lake - five miles by 11 miles wide - and a gently rolling forest of jack pine, white spruce and aspen.

"Things have changed dramatically the past few years with most of the project now complete," says James Michayluk, director of marketing.

"Candle Lake Golf Resort is poised to be the next big thing in our province and there's nothing else like it," he says. "With the lake and the friendly hospitality it has a different appeal."

In 2008, a convention centre opened to attract conferences, family reunions, weddings, retreats and meetings. With it's 500-person capacity it has special appeal for corporate events. This spring a snack shack opened beside the convention centre for the convenience of golfers.

During the last several years several housing developments were virtually sold out. Phase 1 is completely sold and there are only two units remaining in Phase 2. As well, 84 lots have been sold. Plans are being developed for an additional 100 building units.

All in all, you're getting beautiful scenery and fantastic golf in a "fun, laid-back Saskatchewan atmosphere," says Michayluk. It's also the only course in the province where you can golf and then hop in a boat and go fishing.

The facility has 180 marina slips at its front door. Candle Lake itself is as deep as 60 feet and boasts some trophy Northern pike, walleye and trout. The last three holes of the golf course are along Candle Lake.

"The course is challenging for all golfers," says Michalyuk. "But it's designed so that on every tee, golfers are given a chance to play well on it."

The original track was expanded to a par 72 course and 6,725-yards, making it a full-length with a slope estimated at 125 to 130. Don't be surprised if you spot moose, elk, coyotes, deer, fox, and a variety of feathered friends.

The course offers two distinct playing experiences: The original front nine was improved by eliminating doglegs, widening fairways and clearing the underbrush. The back nine features larger landing areas off the tee boxes and extra large, rolling bent grass greens. Golfers will need to negotiate 26 sandtraps and an inland lake that comes into play on two holes.

At 9,900-square-feet, the clubhouse, pro shop, lounge, and restaurant offers one of the nicest view of any course in Western Canada,. A deck on the second floor gives an unparalleled 180-degree view of the forest surroundings and the beautiful Candle Lake.

For travelers who want to experience nature at its best, the course, resort village and provincial park has much to offer. Candle Lake Provincial Park provides full service campgrounds, miles of clean sand beach/dune formations, and excellent fishing (including a stocked trout pond). Complementing the family vacation are local accommodations, great food, a petting farm, pony rides, 18 hole mini-golf and water sports.

Candle Lake Golf Resort has 16 cabins and 20 townhouses for rental on site. There are 155 spots in a full-service RV park. Book today at (306) 929-2211 or visit www.candlelakegolfresort.com

Golf Hall of Fame inductees announced

The Saskatchewan Golf Hall of Fame has announced the inaugural induction class. The inaugural inductees include players and builders with achievements and contributions to the sport of golf spanning throughout the rich history of golf in Saskatchewan.

This history started with the first playing of the Saskatchewan Amateur Men's Championship in 1908. Saskatchewan boasts the last Canadian champion of the Canadian Open in Pat Fletcher. Weyburn's Graham DeLaet is currently one of a handful of Canadians competing on the PGA Tour and Swift Current's Nancy Harvey competed on the LPGA Tour from 1989 through to 2008.

Each year our province's top players add to their own achievements forever being compared to the legacies of players who have competed in the province at the highest level over the past hundred years.

The inaugural inductees to the Saskatchewan Golf Hall of Fame include: Gayle Borthwick (Player) , Hubert Cooke (Builder), Barbara Danaher (Player), Margaret Elliott (Player), Pat Fletcher (Player), Frank Fowler (Player), Joanne Goulet (Player), Nancy Harvey (Player), Wilf Homenuik (Player), Alex Kozakavich (Builder), Dr. Jack Leddy (Builder), Phillip Lederhouse (Player), Dr. Robert Reid (Player), Keith Rever (Player/Builder), Tom Ross (Player), Jim Scissons (Player), Peter Semko (Builder), Gerry Street (Player), and Bill Taylor (Builder)

The first induction ceremony will be held on Saturday, Sept. 18 at The Willows Golf & Country Club in Saskatoon. Tickets for the event will be made available to the public in early August at a cost of $150. Information will be available through the website. 144 golfers will take part in the fundraising golf tournament which includes 18 holes of golf with power cart in addition to a ticket to the banquet and induction ceremony. The banquet and induction ceremony will accommodate up to 250 people. Tickets to attend the banquet and induction ceremony only will be available for $50.

The Saskatchewan Golf Hall of Fame has been established to recognize the achievements of players and builders of golf in Saskatchewan. Sponsorship opportunities are now available and ticket information for the event will be available in early August. Individuals wishing to make donations to the Saskatchewan Golf Hall of Fame can also receive a tax receipt. For more information about the Saskatchewan Golf Hall of Fame, including sponsorship opportunities, tickets for the induction banquet and golf fundraiser or how to make a donation, please visit www.saskgolf.ca.

Worst shot in golf

by Andrew Penner

Skull, slice, yip, yank, top, pop, tug, chunk, whiff, shank, clank, hook, smother, flub, duff. Indeed, our golfing f@#!-ups come in all shapes and sizes.

If only we could smite them from the earth (and along with them, the gimmicky pop schlock recordings of Britney Spears, Paris Hilton, and Jessica Simpson).

Chances are, when Flanders is breathing down your neck in your tension-filled grudge match, one of these saboteurs will be your nemesis shot. Your downfall. Your demise. The reason why you're not making millions on the pro tour (ok, so there might be a few additional reasons, too).

But which of the aforementioned villains is the worst? Like beauty, it's in the eye of the beholder.

Personally, I've always been partial to the clenched-teeth, smother-hook scud missile that leaves behind a vapour trail as it darts straight left and burrows deep into the thistles fifty feet in front of the tee.

This, partially, is due to the superior acoustics of this shot (I particularly love the machine gun-like sound when the ball ricochets off garbage cans, tin siding, or cars in the parking lot), but also because I'm just really good at hitting this aeronautical marvel.

It's definitely a fan favourite, too. The boys are always amused by it.

Of course, one of the things I pride myself in is the fact that this heat-seeking smoker is actually a "good player's" miss. That's right, even some of the best players in the world are prone to big, nasty hooks when the pressure gets high. I think of Severino Ballesteros, God bless the good Spaniard, coming down the stretch in the 1986 Masters (when Jack won).

So full of piss and vinegar whenever he played, Seve sniped a beautiful left-to-left job that dive-bombed into the pond fronting the 15th green with such conviction it probably ripped through the lining at the bottom of the pond as well.

By his own admission it was the shot that signalled he was no longer one of the greatest in the world. Hogwash! I thought it was brilliant. I could relate.

Of course, people who curve it right have, I must admit, a few things going for them when it comes to their off-centredness. For starters, the cutting swipe is, aerodynamically speaking, far superior to the hard-left slinger any day.

The ball simply yearns to stay airborne. And, in the case of a poorly placed water hazard, there's always the possibility of skipping it across…that is, if you've got enough heat on it.

Unquestionably, the head-high, three-skipper onto dry land is a perennial crowd pleaser. A real rabble-rouser. Add alcohol and you've got a moment. Unfortunately, however, in many circles the banana ball is considered inferior and weak.

Unlike the hook, which can run forever, the cutter doesn't seem to go anywhere. Like Napoleon Dynamite's stud-muffin brother, it's somewhat flabby and feeble.

But is the slice the worst shot out there? Absolutely not. Not even close. And before you start bad-mouthing me for belittling you and your chronic, over-the-top puffball, know this: Johnny Miller says you can win the US Open with a cut, but not with a hook.

And Lee Trevino famously quipped, "You can talk to a fade, but a hook won't listen." I couldn't agree more. Not only is my hook deaf, it's blind and stupid, too.

No, to get to the worst of the lot we've got to delve deeper. If we wince in pain at the very mention of the word, then we know we're getting close.

Surely the flat out whiff is about as shameful and appalling as they come. I mean, there can be nothing redemptive about complete, utter, and absolute failure in administering a blow. Or is there?

Typically, when one "whiffs," there are anomalous variables at work. Ie: the ball is six feet below your feet in a gutter, the ball is lodged twelve-feet high in a sycamore tree, or you can't actually see the ball at address because it's plugged in a pile of poo, or something like that.

In which case a fearless swat at the ball, even if all that strikes the clubface is air or excrement, is to be wholeheartedly admired, appreciated, and applauded. So the whiff is clearly out of the running. Drum roll please.

My vote is for the squirting, fart-awful shank. And I know I'm not alone in this. Not only is this dysfunctional little bastard an embarrassment to anyone who has ever known it, but its contagious and downright deplorable nature is one that, one can only surmise, was forged in the fires of hell. And that's all I've got to say about that.

Andrew Penner is a Calgary based CPGA Professional & author. He has written for SaskGolfer.com for the past eight years.

Elk Ridge worth the trip

A 27-hole championship golf course, quality conditions and first-rate accommodation has always attracted golfers from around the province to Elk Ridge Resort just outside Prince Albert National Park. Now there's even another reason to make the pilgrimage - special summer accomodation rates. MORE >>

Golf tips galore

Going to high? If your drives are popping up too frequently, you may be coming into the ball too steeply. Start your swing by moving your club as low to the ground as you can. This will give a wider arc and allow you to come into the ball with the club lower to the ground.

Topped or thin shots? If you're hitting topped or thin shots, you may be too stiff or frozen over the ball. Your shoulders and arms - and your head - need to move back and forth. If you freeze your head in one place, you will tend to dip into the ball as you come down.

Selecting the wrong club? It's not just about yardage when you select a club for your approach. Check out the lie, the wind, the pin placement, and the merits of landing short or long instead of going for the green. This needs to be part of your preshot routine prior to selecting a club.

Inside the ropes at Telus Skins Game

Everyone needs a "bucket list" of things you must do at some point in your life. If you're a keen golfer - duffer, weekend warrior, amateur competitor or club pro - watching the "Golfing Gawds" in person should be at the top of the list.

In June this writer spent two days at the Bear Mountain Resort in Victoria following five of the best golfers that walk the face of the earth - Canadian Mike "Weirsey" Weir, American Fred "Boom-Boom" Couples, South African Retief "Goose" Goosen, Englishman Ian Poulter and Columbian Camilo "Spyder" Villegas. Here are a few thoughts on this s-e-n-s-a-t-i-o-n-a-l experience and some tips for when you make a pilgrimage to a Skins Game. MORE >>

Wilcox grabs Dakota Dunes Casino Open

American Will Wilcox sure knows how to make the most of a sponsor's exemption.

Playing the week of July 8 on a free pass, the 24-year-old from Alabama jarred a 15-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole Sunday to edge compatriot Brady Stockton and win the Canadian Tour's $250,000 Dakota Dunes Casino Open.

Wilcox closed with a 6-under 66 to finish four trips around Dakota Dunes at 25-under 263, one shot clear of Stockton. New Zealand's Josh Geary, who won in Saskatoon in 2008, and Garrett Frank placed third, a distant five shots off the pace.

Californian Cody Slover posted a course record 11-under 61 to vault into fifth with fellow American Wil Collins and Edmonton's Danny Sahl. Brad Fritsch of Manotick, Ont. (64) and Kris Wasylowich of Lethbridge, Alb. (66) finished in ninth at 18-under.

"This is great, just unbelievable," said an elated Wilcox, who took home $40,000 for the triumph. "This is really going to have a positive impact on my career going forward. Life just changed for me. This is great stuff."

Both Wilcox and Stockton traded shots down the backstretch at Dakota Dunes and it was beginning to look like last birdie would win – which is exactly how the final moments unfolded. Neck and neck at the turn, Stockton birdied 11, 12 and 13 to pull ahead by one before Wilcox answered with birdies of his own at 13 and 14. Stockton made long putts on 16 and 17 to save par and remain even.

On the par-5 closing hole, Wilcox hit his second shot into a greenside bunker and blasted out to 15 feet. Seconds after Stockton failed to knock in his 18-foot birdie attempt, Wilcox stepped up and canned his winner.

"I thought for sure he was going to make that putt on 18," Wilcox added, referring to Stockton. "We had quite the battle down the stretch and he seemed to be making everything."

ilcox will now have to alter his travel plans for the coming week, although he isn't complaining. Originally scheduled to compete in a mini-tour event in Texas, he will stay north of the 49th for this week's $300,000 Players Cup in Winnipeg. In fact, he's now fully exempt on the Canadian Tour through 2012.

"It's a no-brainer," said Wilcox. "My decision was all based on how I played today but now I don't even have to think about it. That's some serious money. "I'm going to Winnipeg."

NOTES: The 25-under winning score was three shots shy of the all-time Tour record for lowest winning score relative to par, set by Brian Unk at the 2009 Seaforth Country Classic...Former Canadian Tour star Peter Tomasulo, who won the Montreal Open in 2005, rallied with a final-day 10-under 61 Sunday to win the Nationwide Tour's Ford Wayne Gretzky Classic in Clarksburg, Ontario.

Pro tips do help

Toe it out If you find yourself in heavy rough just off the fringe of the green, there are several options. A putter may not work and a wedge or iron may fail to make contact. Try a club that makes a stroke that strikes the ball with the tow. You may want to practice this a few times prior to trying it on the course.

Ask for quiet Talking, cell phones and noise on a golf course are not infrequent. You have a right to ask your playing partners for a little quiet. Don’t be shy to ask for a little courtesy.

How far, really? You need to know how far you really hit your clubs. Get a range finder during practice and figure out an average for your various clubs. This will take the guesswork out of wood and approach shots while out on the course.

Big Bad John comes to city

John Daly, of PGA Tour fame, will be helping The Synergy 8 Community Builders launch their "2010 Drive for Kids Campaign" aimed at raising money for a Pediatric Ultrasound machine for the PICU ward in Saskatoon.

The 2010 Drive for Kids Campaign goal is to raise $160,000 to purchase a new Pediatric Ultrasound Machine for the PICU Ward. Daly was asked if he would be willing to come to Saskatoon as a special guest for this Campaign. After reviewing what the goal of the Campaign was Daly (lived up to his reputation of having a HUGE heart for sick kids) agreed to come to Saskatoon on Sept. 15-16.

No stranger to the spotlight, "celebrity golfer and reformed bad boy", john Daly has recenty scored additional fame with his own reality TV show called Being John Daly on the Golf Channel. Part soap opera and part fashion show, Daly is also known for wearing a loud wardrobe of LoudMouthGolf attire.

The highlight of the Campaign will be a breakfast that Daly will be speaking at on the morning of the 16th at Prairieland Park. Other events include a VIP Night for Corporate Sponsors, a golf tournament at Moon Lake Golf & Country Club where Daly will be hitting balls all day for people to see, and a banquet to close things off.

"Synergy 8 is very excited to have John Daly coming to Saskatoon, John's golf career and his life story is truly amazing. Thanks to John's commitment to sick children millions of dollars have been raised which is why we approached John to come to Saskatoon," says Troy Davies Synergy 8 Community Builders spokesperson.

For more information on the Campaign or on Synergy 8 Community Builders go to www.synergycommunitybuilders.ca or call Troy at 227-2446.

Canadian Open record set

Carl Pettersson followed his Canadian Open record setting 10-under par 60 on Saturday with a 3-under par 67 Sunday to win the RBC Canadian Open at St. George's Golf and Country Club in Toronto.

With Pettersson winning the 2010 RBC Canadian Open, Sweden becomes the ninth country to claim a champion at Canada's national open. The other countries are Australia, Canada, England, Fiji, New Zealand, Scotland, South Africa and the United States.

"It's unbelievable, I still can't believe I won the tournament," said Pettersson, who captured his fourth PGA TOUR victory. "It was fun. My other wins I've led starting the day and led the whole back nine, so this is the first win I've had coming from behind. And it was a different feeling, and it was very enjoyable."

Pettersson, 32, was 10-under on his par 5's this week, 4-under on the par 3's and even on his par 4's. He was 5-under on the par-5 11th hole, with three birdies and an eagle (third round).

Interestingly enough, Pettersson was one of the five PGA TOUR players who flew from the British Open to Toronto on the private jet provided by Golf Canada – then the Royal Canadian Golf Association – in 2007, despite not playing in the Canadian Open that year.

Dean Wilson, who held the 54-hole lead, picked up his second career PGA TOUR runner-up performance after firing a 2-over par 72 today. His first second place finish came at the 2006 Valero Texas Open, the same year he won his lone PGA TOUR title, The International.

"Carl just played great," said the 40-year old Hawaiian. "I had a four shot lead going into the back and just couldn't get anything done, couldn't get any birdies, and Carl shot 4 under."

Finishing third was Luke Donald, who fired a 4-under par 66 Sunday to finish at 12-under par. It is the Englishman's sixth third place finish on the PGA TOUR.

Adam Hadwin of Abbotsford, B.C. captured low Canadian honours to win the Rivermead trophy. Hadwin shot a 1-over par 71 Sunday to finish T37th at 5-under par, edging out Oshawa, Ont.'s Jon Mills. Mills finished T48th at 4-under par.

Following the 2010 RBC Canadian Open, Bruno Bonneville, President of Rivermead Golf Club, presented Hadwin with the Rivermead trophy as part of the club's centennial celebration.

The following are final scores for the 18 Canadians in the 2010 RBC Canadian Open field.

T37 - Hadwin, Adam, Abbotsford, B.C.
68-66-70-71=275 (-5)

T48 - Mills, Jon, Oshawa, Ont.
67-71-66-72=204 (-4)

T59- Ames, Stephen, Calgary, Alta.
67-68-73-70=278 (-2)

--- CUT ---

DeLaet, Graham,Weyburn, Sask.
70-70=140 (E)

Brown, Ted, Calgary, Alta.
71-69=140 (E)

Ross, Christopher, Dundas, Ont.
72-68=140 (E)

Hill, Matt, Bright's Grove, Ont.
69-71=140 (E)

Burke, Cam (a), New Hamburg, Ont.
71-70=141 (+1)

Bunker, Dave (a), Woodbridge, Ont.
71-71=142 (+2)

Taylor, Nick (a), Abbotsford, B.C.
71-71=142 (+2)

Hearn, David, Brantford, Ont.
72-74=142 (+2)

Wong, Eugene (a), North Vancouver, B.C.
71-72=143 (+3)

Lee, Beon Yeong (a), Montreal, Que.
78-65=143 (+3)

Puska, Jeffery, Ladysmith, B.C.
73-72=145 (+5)

Jarosch, Barrett, Edmonton, Alta.
72-73=145 (+5)

Weir, Mike, Bright's Grove, Ont.
72-74=146 (+6)

Rutledge, Jim, Victoria, B.C.
76-71=147 (+7)

Boudreau, Ben, Longueuil, Que.
74-82=156 (+16)

Top 10 signs you will never break 100

The starter sees you coming and quickly puts out a sign that says No Swing, No Clue, No Service.

You've never shot your age but you have shot your cholesterol count.

Your idea of an athlete is John Daly downing a frosty tall one with a cigarette dangling off his lip.

You refuse to post a score until Florida does a hand recount of each hole.

Your name is Tripp Bogart, but you're better known as Triple Bogey.

The only eagle you ever had was confiscated by a Fish and Game official.

Every year you attend the Million Mulligan Man March.

You'd much rather break 100 hymens.

Instead of practicing, you buy magic birdie beans from a gypsy woman.

After 18 holes, your buddy wants to play another round but you'd rather cuddle.

Stand proud

Stand proud you noble swingers of clubs and losers of balls...

A recent study found the average golfer walks about 900 miles a year.

Another study found golfers drink, on average, 22 gallons of alcohol a Year.

That means, on average, golfers get about 41 miles to the gallon.

Kind of makes you proud. Almost feel like a hybrid. A lean mean golfing machine - so to speak!

DeLaet inside the ropes

Graham DeLaet of Weyburn will write a weekly blog on the association’s website, www.cpga.com. The 27-year-old has started off well with four top-15 finishes in South Africa, two of those as runner-up. His performance in South Africa comes on the heels on a tie for 13th at the World Cup and a win at the Canadian Tour’s Montreal Open. He also finished second at the Jane Rogers Championship and Canadian Tour Championship late in 2008.

Amen Corner

"I never learned anything from a match I won."

- the immortal Bobby Jones

Has watching the Telus Skins Game got you drooling?

Take a break from the daily grind. The annual list of Saskatchewan stay-and-play packages can be found on Hole #10 and offers lots of great options. This year's special deals may include packages at Spiritwood, Katepwa, Harbor, Elk Ridge, Evergreen, La Verendrye, the Hawood at Waskesiu, Golf Kenosee and White Bear and others - check it out and book now. MORE >>