Win free golf at more than 150 sweet courses!

Win one of four (4) RCGA Golf Cards valued at $24.95. The RCGA Golf Card is the points reward program of the Royal Canadian Golf Association rewarding golfers with A FREE ROUND WITH EVERY 5 PLAYED at more than 150 participating golf courses across Saskatchewan and Canada. RCGA members also receive a 1/2 price green fee voucher for each of our participating courses. You can win one of four copies of the 2009 edition by e-mailing me the number of discounts to RCGA@saskgolfer.com. Try today!

Losing your hearing

The British Medical Journal reports that you risk losing your hearing if you use titanium clubs. The story titled "Is golf bad for your hearing?", it claims the thin-faced titanium drivers produce a noise loud enough to damage the sensitive hairs of the inner hear. The study focussed on a 55-year-old man who developed tinnitis and hearing loss and who played three days a week for 18 months. The authors say that a safe noise level is 110 decibels, but that titanium drivers cracking out as much as 128 decibels.

Spare a million?

If you are still filthy rich after the economic meltdown the last few months consider a Jack Nicklaus custom backyard course package. The Golden Bear will design a three-hole course and a practice area. On completion Jack will be on hand to play the first official round on the course, leave an autographed club and ball and a set of custom designed clubs after the game. It will cost you a cool $1-million US.

Whos gonna win the 2012 Fed Ex Cup? Tiger Woods Bill Haas Phil Mickelson Lee Westwood Dustin Johnson Rickie Fowler other View results

Masters set April 6 - 12

It is arguably the greatest and greenest golf tournament in the world. And if you are not golfing yet and live in snowbound or rainbound Saskatchewan, there’s no better thing to do than curl up with your remote and drool. To help your enjoyment check out www.masters.com or the glossy and photo-rich Official Masters Program in bookstores for only $12.

Singing the winter blues

If you’re a golfer – I mean a REAL golfer, not just one of those weirdos who plays twice a year, wields Kro-Flite irons, and thinks the Hot Dot was the best ball ever made – then the freakishly long winter golf hiatus we must endure in these parts is enough to make you nuts.

Many of you, especially those already in padded rooms, know exactly what I’m talking about. I mean, how on God’s green (damn, I miss that colour) earth are we supposed to endure such pain, abomination, and hardship? Going without for so long is, well, really, really unfair, man.

Of course, for those lucky enough to still have a bit of coin in the couch, there are a few options when it comes to a winter golf getaway. But none are very good. Now, obviously, before you reach the complete meltdown point and they have to haul you away in a white, unmarked van, you NEED to get out of Dodge and find someplace where there are things that are green and alive.

Unquestionably, a mid-winter divot-fest, despite the inherent risks, can go a long way in keeping you sane. However, southern golf junkets can also lead to some major challenges too. Indeed, sometimes golf in the warm land isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Especially when it’s Mexico.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I love that country. The people are incredible. But most of the time that you’re down there you’re so hammered you can’t even see straight. And sometimes you’re completely ploughed AND really, really sunburnt too, which is a particularly deadly combination when it comes to playing golf. To top it off, you generally haven’t played in quite a while so you really, really suck.

For example, instead of chipping just twice to get onto the green it takes you four yip-like chunks and two skulls to finally get on the floor. So, bottom line, instead of shooting 89, or so, which is what you might do at your regular summertime gig, you end up shooting 146 with seventeen lost balls.(Which, combined with the green fee, club rentals, and obligatory bottle of Advil, cranked the total bill to $594, or about five-hundred and eighty-nine million pesos.)

To add insult to injury, when you finally stumble back into your room your eyeballs are so sore and baked from staring at blazing hot sand and ocean reflections all day that you feel like puking. Then you stuff your face with the re-refried bean and beef chimichangas and you do. For three days straight. So, forget it, you’re better off weebling and wobbling and falling overboard on the booze cruise.

Of course, one can always try for a few rounds in the American Southwest, or thereabouts. Places like Palm Springs, Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Texas sometimes work okay for a quick getaway. But they have their own problems. In Palm Springs, for example, the few people who are left there either can’t hear or already have settled into a blissful state of rigor mortis. And, unfortunately, most of the best courses are ultra-private and sealed shut.

Trying to keep the smell of death inside, maybe? Perhaps we should be thankful. Good shopping down there, though. If you wouldn’t always have to hitchhike home, Las Vegas is doable, I suppose. But, really, there are way too many diabolical distractions there. Phoenix and Scottsdale, I gotta admit, aren’t all that bad. Of course, the last time I played golf in Phoenix I got attacked by a jumping cholla cacti. True story. I accidentally backed into the barbaric little SOB and it sucked out half my blood.

It took a good Samaritan, who I frantically flagged down on a neighbouring hole, about half an hour to remove all the barbed needles of death out of my arm and back. After that, due to the searing pain, I wasn’t able to take the club back past my knees. I looked like the club champion at the Palm Springs Geriatric Club.

Texas, if you can handle all the rednecks, is a reasonable place to go, I guess. But you’ve got to watch out for hurricanes, twisters, and tornados. Every now and then you’ll be playing and a cow will come flying out of the sky and land on the green when you’re trying to putt. And it’s actually quite difficult to concentrate when that is going on. Except for the possibility of being burned alive by molten lava, I haven’t found too much fault in playing golf in Hawaii. The trade winds can be kinda tricky, I reckon. But it’s nothing like Texas.

Of course, there are many other perfectly pitiful golf destinations out there that one can choose to escape to during the winter doldrums. All it takes is a bit of cash. And a gluttonous attitude when it comes to furthering your pain and sorrow. What’s that? You’re on your way to Puerto Vallarta to peg it up? I’m in. Seriously. Sign me up. PLEASE! I beg you. I can’t take another second of this brown and frozen wasteland.

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

Golf Radio Show debuts

The Canadian PGA has launched a broadcast radio show that will run for 30 weeks throughout the golf season, every Saturday from 10 am to 11 am EST showcasing captivating interviews with Canadian golf industry leaders. Hosted by Manager of Business Development of the Canadian PGA, Jeff Dykeman and Hamilton Spectator sports journalist, Garry McKay, The Canadian PGA Radio Show will cover a variety of topics in the golf world.

“Canadian PGA Members are experts in the game and business of golf. The Canadian PGA Radio Show represents a tremendous opportunity and platform to showcase the many success stories created by Canadian PGA Members across the country,” said Canadian PGA Executive Director Steve Carroll.

Join Jeff and Garry as they dive into debates and discussions with a variety of industry insiders, reflecting Canadian PGA initiatives, sponsorship partners and interviewing key Canadian PGA Members and high profile guests on a variety of subjects.

“The Canadian PGA Radio Show will showcase our members, sponsors, partners, tour players, industry executives and some of the most fascinating golf stories from across the country each and every week,” said Dykeman. “This is something that the Canadian PGA has considered for awhile now and a partnership with the Astral Media Group and TALK 820 is a perfect fit.”

Simply click the link on the Canadian PGA website to stream live each week. Archives of each show will also be kept at www.cpga.com should you miss a show.

The first show at the end of March featured Canadian PGA Executive Director, Steve Carroll and arguably the hottest player on the planet right now, Weyburn, Saskatchewan’s Graham DeLaet, as the inaugural guests. Interested in hearing about certain topics? Jeff and Garry will be taking listener e-mails for future broadcasts. Please email Jeff Dykeman at jeff@cpga.com with any ideas.

Big News at Deer Valley

Deer Valley Golf Links near Regina has started on a new clubhouse to replace temporary facilities in time for the spring 2009 season.

The clubhouse will have approximately 8,000 square feet of space on both the main floor and basement level. The clubhouse will be situated in approximately the same area as the current clubhouse is located. The main floor will have a 700 square foot pro-shop and a dining area capable of seating up to 100 people.

The clubhouse also has an 800 square foot deck and will be later adding a patio situated in front of the clubhouse that will have excellent views over the golf course and valley. The clubhouse will have an additional area located adjacent to the dining room that will be capable of seating up to 24 people. This closed in area will be open for food and beverage service and will also be available for use by private functions.

There are also new property development offerings at Deer Valley. A new condo development at Deer Valley is being built by Sentry Homes Ltd. with construction planned to start in summer 2009.

Deer Valley and Westridge Developments are in the final stages of planning the opening of 21 luxury residential lots, ranging in size from 1/3 to 3/4 acres, that will be situated on the hillside above the 10th hole fairway. www.prarielinksgolf.com

A golfing tragedy

Verne was teeing off from the men's tee. On his downswing, he realized that his wife was teeing up on the woman's tee directly in front of him. Unable to stop his swing, he nailed it, and hit her directly in the temple, killing her instantly.

A few days later, Verne got a call from the coroner regarding her autopsy. Coroner:' Verne, your wife seemed to have died from blunt force trauma to the head. You said you hit a golf ball and hit her in the temple, is that correct?' Verne: 'Yes, sir, that's correct.' Coroner: ' Well, inexplicably I found a golf ball wedged up her backside.' Verne: 'Was it a Titleist 3?' Coroner: 'Yes, it was.' Verne: 'That was my provisional.

DeLaet world ranking #245

Graham DeLaet, originally of Weyburn, Sask., sits #245 in the world. Graham has shot up the world rankings after finishing 2nd for a second straight event on the Sunshine Tour www.sunshinetour.com in South Africa where he also sits 6th on the Sunshine Tour Order of Merit. Graham has moved into the 3rd spot in Canada with Kris Wasylowich, originally from Hudson Bay, sitting in 12th in Canada and #778 in the world. Fore more, www.officialworldgolfranking.com

SaskGolfer.com is for sale!

If you enjoy golf and meeting people, the award-winning SaskGolfer.com is an ideal home-based business for you. The owner-operator is getting a little long in the tooth and plans to retire in the next couple of years, learn how to putt and play more golf. Serious inquiries may reply in confidence to Stan@saskgolfer.com.

In case you missed it

The Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and the Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA) has elected Mike Weir as the 2009 inductee into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame.

Cosmo Golf Canada closed its doors at the end of 2008, after more than 20 years of building golf clubs in Saskatoon. The company had 12 employees and about 30 adult participants with intellectual and or multiple disabilities.

Can't putt worth a darn but want to impress your buddies this spring? Check out the hockey putter, in GolfTown stores now. MORE >>

Phil Grosse joins SGA

Phil Grosse of Saskatoon has joined the SGA and RCGA as the Marketing and Communications Coordinator. Phil recently graduated from the University of Saskatchewan’s college of Arts and Science and has enjoyed numerous employment experiences relating to golf.

“I am very excited about working for the SGA and RCGA because the game of golf and the people who are associated with the game have done so much for me in my development as a player but more importantly as a person. I look forward to seeing new things, meeting new people, sharing my experiences while instilling the values and practices of the SGA and RCGA in the next chapter of my career in golf.”

The position is shared between the SGA and the Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA). Under the supervision of the Executive Director of the SGA and RCGA Golf Card Managing Director, the position handles the RCGA Golf Card Loyalty Program for Saskatchewan and communicating with SGA member clubs. Phil can be reached at pgrosse@saskgolf.ca.

Jim Scharf remembered

Jim Scharf, an entrepreneur, inventor, businessman and farmer from Perdue, has died at the age of 56. Scharf, who was born in Perdue, also owned the 27-hole Perdue Oasis Golf and RV Resort.

Best known in the Saskatchewan business community as the man behind the E-Zee-Wrap dispenser, Scharf, died on Mar. 8 from a heart attack, said Kelly Dwyer, Scharf's eldest sister and mayor of the Village of Perdue.

Scharf farmed wheat, mustard and lentils on 10,000 acres near Perdue, making him one of the country's largest mustard producers. It was reported that Scharf loved his family and the business world and could often be found in his office doing bookwork when it wasn't time to plant his crop or harvest his field.

Scharf is survived by his wife Bruna. and two sons, Matthew Scharf and wife Michelle Nelson, and Nick Scharf and wife Janine Poletz. He also had a grandson, Bryson, and a second grandchild on the way, as well as other relatives.

Around Saskatchewan Links

The Perfect Drive published by Tourism Saskatchewan hits the golf shows around the country this month. The travel guide will be distributed in a selection of city and rural newspapers....Shirley Helmerson, a member of the Cyrpess Hills golf course, reports golfers were swinging the clubs outside the weekend of March 21...Cosmo Golf Canada has been purchased by a upstart Canadian company, NF Professional visit www.nfprofessional.com. This new company has many innovative marketing concepts and outstanding new products which have been designed to excite the golf industry and the golfing consumer alike, according to company spokesperson Rick Harris of Focus on Golf Sales, Marketing and Consulting Inc. which has been contracted to facilitate the merging of these two companies....A tip of the hat to Danny Lehr at the McNab Regional Park Golf Course who hopes to get in another 120 nine-hole rounds this summer. The 81-year-old generally breaks 100...

Saskatchewan Reps at the RCGA

With the completion of the RCGA annual meeting, Wayne Joyce, Aspen Links at White City has been elected to the newly formed eleven person RCGA Board of Directors. The Board of Directors were selected in accordance with the geographic and gender requirements of the bylaws.

Wayne will be serving as the Governors Council Vice-Chair. Wayne had previously served on the following 2008 committees; Investment, CN Future Links and Amateur Status. He also served on the RCGA Foundation Board of Directors and was part of their Audit and Investment committees.

Laura Small, Riverside CC was appointed to the RCGA Governors Council. In 2008, Laura served on the Player & Program Development and Women’s Division committees and was the Event Chair of the CN Future Links Prairie Championship.

The SGA would also like to recognize Melodie Lawrek, Royal Regina GC, who retired as an RCGA Governor at the end of 2008. Melodie’s past involvements and efforts on our province’s behalf at the national level included the RCGA Executive Committee member for the past few years and in 2008 served on the Nominating, Rules, Amateur Status, Championships and Women’s Division committees. Thank you Melodie for you years of service.

In 2008, Terry Meier, Royal Regina GC (RCGA Associate Governor), served on the Handicap/Course Rating and Environmental Section committees. Dave Forster, Tisdale Riverside GC is our SGA representative on the new Provincial Council.

Spring putting tips

Putting often separates the men form the boys, the girls from the women. It’s usually thought of as the most difficult skill to lear - a game within a game. The skill required is often magnified in the spring when you’re trying to get your game in shape. So, here’s a few putting tips to get you started:

Keep your glove on. More and more pros are keeping their clubs on while they putt. It’s argued that it gives them a familiar feel, the same touch that they get with the rest of their clubs. It might be worth a try.

Checkpoint for a big breaker. A long putt with a big breaker can be one of the most terrifying challenges in golf. One way to approach the putt is to go through a checkpoint. A checkpoint is a target, not the hole. The task is to hit the ball with the amount of speed to carry the ball through to the hole.

Putt with a hybrid. The new hybrid clubs - the woods and irons that have replaced long irons - are ideal for putting around the green. The weight of the wide sole allows the club to travel through the grass with ease. It gives it enough loft to get the ball out and rolling. Try practicing this one - you will love it.

Bulmer joined CJGA Team Canada

Bela Bela, South Africa – CJGA Team Canada played the role of spoiler in mid January during the final round of the Triangular Cup at Zebula Golf Estates & Spa in Bela Bela, South Africa. Competing in singles matches, the six-member Canadian contingent collected 3 points out of a possible 12 led by Richmond Hill, Ontario’s Taylor Pendrith who was victorious in both of his matches. The South Africa Junior Golf Foundation was the winner of the event, finishing two points ahead of the English Golf Union with 13.5 points. CJGA Team Canada earned 5 points over the three days of match play competition.

“It was an amazing experience for these players to compete against some of the top junior golfers in the world,” said John Lawrence, non-playing captain of CJGA Team Canada. “Though I know the team would have preferred a better result, they will remember this trip for the rest of their lives. Thanks to the South Africa Golf Foundation for their fantastic hospitality and to the English Golf Union for their great sportsmanship and competition.”

Bryan Lichimo of North Vancouver, B.C. earned the third point of the day for CJGA Team Canada as he defeated England’s Max Smith 1 Up. Pendrith was a 5 & 4 winner over South Africa’s Calvin Pearson and defeated England’s Jonathan Bell 1 Up in his two matches. CJGA Team Canada’s other two points were earned by Calgary’s Scott Malo who won both of his first round singles matches on Monday.

Troy Bulmer of Saskatoon competed in the 18 and under group. In 2008 finished 2nd on the SGI CANADA Junior Men’s Order of Merit Tour (JOMT) including a 2nd at the SGI CANADA Junior Men’s Provincial Championship, a member of the Saskatchewan Junior Men’s Team, 2 wins on the SGI CANADA JOMT, T21 at the CN Future Links Championship at Wolf Creek, and T14 at the Canadian Junior Men’s Championship at the Edmonton Petroleum GCC. In 2007 finished 10th on the SGI CANADA Junior Order of Merit Tour including a 16th place finish at the SGI CANADA Junior Men’s Provincial Championship. Narrowly missed the cut at the 2004 SK Men’s Amateur Championship held at the Wascana CC in Regina as a 14-year-old.

South Africa remains unbeaten in the event’s history having won in 2005, 2006, and 2008. (The tournament was not held in 2007). www.cjga.com

Hot List released

The 2009 Equipment Hot List published by Golf Digest is out and for equipment junkies everywhere it keeps getting better and better.

Golf Digest's annual equipment review and analysis has yielded 116 exceptional products in 12 categories — the most exhaustive review ever of the game's top clubs. Take a look at the categories to see the judges' choices at www.golfdigest.com/equipment/ratings

If you are in the market for new equipment SaskGolfer.com recommends this as the most comprehensive and least biased out there. It includes some interactive stuff along with videos. Some of the major new trends this year include drivers and putters with adjustable hosels.

Working on virtual

There are now more than 30 cool golf applications for the popular Apple iPhone. Check out Ernie Els Golf 2008 at $6.99 or the free PGA Tour Tracker with scores, leader boards and more, or Break Meter at $1.99 which measures the break on a putt. There's also Mini Touch where the hazards on the course include UFOs, clown's teeth, and for the Canadians out there, beaver tales.

Follow the Roar

In "Follow the Roar", Bob Smiley recounts following Tiger Woods on a roaring journey from the seaside cliffs of California to the deserts of Dubai and a few adventures along the way. His off-course run-ins include an Arabian sandstorm, ex-con ticket scalpers, and of course, Tiger's every swing during his spectacular 2008 season.

Smiley is a Los Angeles TV writer and golf columnist for ESPN.com who found his career at a standstill. So, starting in January 2008, he started to follow the game's greatest player from the gallery for 604 holes. The results are intriguing.

Smiley, as the book cover boasts, "Met strangers who became friends and found in Tiger the inspiration and quintessence of what it truly means to be an athlete and a man."

This is a great read for the hardcore golfer, especially his first-hand account of THE greatest US Open of all time at Torrey Pines, where Tiger dueled with Rocko Mediate.... on one leg. (Harper Collins, 2008, $27.95 CDN).

Amen Corner

"The difference between golf and government is that in golf you can improve the lies.”"

- George Deukmejian, former governor of California

Win a 2009 Golf Privilege Club Membership Book!

With more than 500 discounts, the Lung Association 2009 Golf Privilege Club Membership Book is the largest golf discount program in Western Canada. Discounts are found in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Alberta, British Columbia, and Washington. If you're like the average golfer you'll pay for the $35 cost with just one or two uses and continue saving hundreds of dollars throughout the season. You can win one of six copies of the 2009 edition this winter by telling me the number of discounts to save@saskgolfer.com. Try today!