Tee-Off is the most respected golf discount program in Canada . For $39.95, order the 2007 edition for B.C. OR Manitoba and subtract $7.50 by ordering online now. Most golfers pay for Tee-Off with just one or two uses and continue saving hundreds of dollars throughout the season. To win one of two copies, tell us how much you can save. Entry to discount@saskgolfer.com by Jan. 31. MORE>>
On Vancouver Island , there is a new facility under construction with three or four others on the drawing board. It' s not surprising when you take into account that Vancouver Island is one of the world's top rated places to visit and live. Prestigious magazine Condé Nast has recently voted Victoria the best city in the Americas and Vancouver Island the top island in North America .
With the best year-round climate in Canada , the tourism appeal of Victoria , the crashing surf of Long Beach and the postcard scenery from Oak Bay to Campbell River , it's easy to see why. Connected by the super smooth Island Highway , you can easily travel almost the entire length of the island comfortably in a day.
But along the way, you're going to want to stop to play a string of golf courses that is becoming arguably second to none. This golf trail extends from Victoria in the South to Campbell River in the North with a side trip out to the Island 's West Coast which should not be missed. For full-length feature edition on golfing Vancouver Island this spring, click MORE>>
Get a grip
Grips are the only connection that your hands (and thus the rest of your body) have to the golf club. Therefore, it is also a very important part of the club. If the grip is too small, there is a tenancy of the club twisting towards the target just before impact and thus causing the club face to be closed. This happens when the golfer unconsciously grips harder just before impact resulting in the twist. Make sure you have a quality set of grips.
Things go better in pairs
International Pairs Championship is rapidly becoming one of the hottest competitions around for amateurs. For a mere $25, golfers can enter a qualifying event at any of more than 80 participating public courses and private courses in Canada . Winners get an all-expense paid trip to a Canadian final and that winner goes to the International finalist Torrance course at St. Andrews Bay in 2007. Last year, a pair of 17-year-olds from the Belleville area competed in Wales placing in a tie for 6 th in the Stableford event. www.internationapairs.ca
Why are you fighting?
Watching from the clubhouse the pro saw a foursome approaching the 18 th green. After marking their balls, one falls down on the green head first and the three start a fistfight. "Why are you fighting?" asks the golf course pro. "You see," said one of them, "my partner had a stroke and died just now, and these buggers want to include it on the scorecard."
Out of this world
A Toronto golf club is getting lots of free mileage out of a publicity stunt in outer space. Element 21 Golf Club of Toronto provided a six-iron to a Russian cosmonaut in November to hit a lightweight golf ball while in space.
The 4.5 gram ball was placed on top of the Russian docking port on the International Space Station and whacked a long, long, long way, despite being a non-golfer. NASA figures it will incinerate in the earth's orbit within three days. Element 21, which uses film footage of the stunt to advertise, is betting on the ball orbiting for three years.
After several practice swings the cosmonaut finally hits the ball. There's not much of a backswing. To view a video of the l-o-n-g iron go here.
Conditional card earned
Graham DeLaet of Weyburn has earned a conditional playing status for the Canadian Tour at Royal Ashburn Golf Club in Whitby, Ont, DeLaet shot a four-day total score of 299 (74-73-72-80) and ls the sole exempt card in a four person playoff. The low 15 players get an exempt card and full status and the next 15 players get their non-exempt card and conditional playing status. DeLaet is the 2005 and 2006 Saskatchewan men's amateur champion.
Amen Corner
”Golf inflicts more pain than any other sport. If you're the sort of person whose self-worth is tied up in how you play, golf will cut you to the core of who you are.”
-Sports psychologist James Loehr
Relieve the stress and tension of work with a relaxing game of golf! Yeah, right. Ya gotta love the talent of Steve Gill, one of the most talented golf artists out there. Check him out at www.stevegillart.com
Around Saskatchewan links
An upgrade of bumpy Highway 219 , which extends from Saskatoon to the northern tip of Lake Diefenbaker , will be taking place during the next five years at a cost of $24 million. The segment from Saskatoon to Whitecap Dakota First Nation is scheduled for completion at the end of 2007, great news for golfers at Dakota Dunes…. The Saskatchewan Resident Pre-Advertising Survey, spring 2006 , conducted by Tourism Saskatchewan found that golf was one of the most popular activities that appeal to Saskatchewan residents during vacations. Almost 30 per cent of respondents were keen on golfing when they traveled….The private Wascana Country Cub in Regina is spending $3.5-million on an upgrade to their facilities and another $2.-miliion on golf course improvements this year. The clubhouse will be finished by spring….
Reay shooting for a scholarship
By Stan Bartlett
When the world's best tee it up in Ireland this year, you'll see the golfing gods in action, but you won't see Kyla Reay of Saskatoon , Sask.
The 17-year-old amateur will be shooting off-camera at the Scotland Kingdom of Fife Team Matches in Fife, Scotland in August, - the so-called Junior Ryder Cup - as one of two girls chosen for the eight-person Maple Team Canada team. They'll be scraping for the hardware against the Scots at St. Andrews and other great courses.
“There's no doubt that she's a very gifted athlete,” says Jeff Chambers, coach for the Saskatchewan Golf Association and escort for the trip. “She's easy to work with and adapts easily. She has unreal potential, but it's up to her to push herself a little harder.”
Nearly 30 per cent of the population golf in Saskatchewan , the highest participation rate in Canada , according to a recent study done by Ipsos Reid for the Royal Canadian Golf Association. While the province has an abundance of recreational golfers for years, there are few elite players in the ranks.
Chambers though suggests that Reay has the perfect temperament to continue to excel at golf. “You won't find anyone more laid-back than Kyla. She's low-key and does her own thing,” says Chambers.
Since being inspired by her family to take up the game at age 10, Reay has picked up an impressive list of credentials. Last year alone she won the Saskatchewan Junior Girls Championship, Saskatoon Amateur Championship, the Saskatchewan High School Championship, and was also chosen captain of the Saskatchewan Junior Women's Team.
“It feels awesome when you're shooting your best scores and in the zone,” says Reay, who enters Grade 12 this fall. “My secret is to be prepared for the game, then I can relax when it's time to play and there's no pressure. I can play with confidence and trust my own abilities.”
Reay is also a provincially ranked ringette player who has played on six winning provincial teams, attended Western competitions twice and national competitions on four occasions. Her current goal is to represent Saskatchewan at the Canada Winter Games in 2007.
Ringette and golf go together perfectly, says Reay. The season starts in September and ends in April, when she can start golfing with her family and friends at her home course, the Moon Lake Golf and Country Club.
“Nothing is really good about my game, but nothing is really bad,” says the modest Reay. “I'm just consistent.”
Her goal is to perfect her short game, to play well at the national junior championships, and to study commerce on a college golf scholarship in the United States . It's just a matter of time before there's a college scholarship offer on the table. In July, she successfully defended her Saskatchewan Junior Women's Championship outdistancing her nearest rival by 19 strokes.
Golf real estate hot
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 and Elk Ridge Resort.
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 beautiful boreal forest.
“The golf course lots are great value,” says Rick Rumberger who operates the course with his wife Linda. Last summer, a subdivision adjacent to Candle Lake resort opened and quickly sold 74 of the 80 building lots.
The large lots – ranging from 90 by 120 feet wide and 120 to 130 feet deep – sell for $55,000 to $130,000. A townhouse condo project plus a suite project overlooking the lake are also in the planning stages. Considering the proximity to the lake and the golf course, the lots and units are a bargain compared to something in Alberta or British Columbia . www.candlelakegolfresort.com/homes.html
In northwest Saskatchewan , lots at the newly expanded Northern Meadows Golf Resort are selling briskly especially to Albertans, says owner-operator Ken Olan.
“The value-added aspect of Northern Meadows can't be compared to what's available in Alberta or B.C.,” says Olan who estimates 99 per cent of his buyers are from Alberta . A golf course home will cost under $200,000 compared to as much as $500,000 elsewhere.
There are several drawing cards to the Northern Meadows facility beside the affordable cost. It's located only 60 km to the Alberta border. It's next to Meadow Lake Provincial Park , the province's largest provincial park. It features prime fishing and boating at 30 nearby quality lakes. It's full-length championship course opens later this summer.
Phase one and two of the project are now sold, but 14 of the 55 lots in Phase three are still available at $38,000 to $43,000. Once the project is complete there will be 93 lots in total. If a client want, the facility will also act as a general contractor for a home, says Olan. www.candlelakegolfresort.com/homes.html
Located one hour north of Prince Albert on #2 highway, adjacent to Prince Albert National Park and 5 minutes from Waskesiu townsite, Elk Ridge Resort is one of Saskatchewan 's premier recreation and residential developments. Aside from a championship course, nearby attractions include Waskesiu Golf Club, the numerous services in and around Waskesiu itself, and winter attractions.
“Above all Elk Ridge Resort offers you an unparalleled 27-hole golf course,” says Debra Kuzbik, director of resort sales. There are seven townhouse-style condos for sale at an average $300,000 and 10 more are in the planning stage.
The Elk Ridge Estates is the dream home center of Elk Ridge Resort. Each of the approximately 80 remaining ¼ to ¾ acre lots are fully serviced including street lighting and paved roadways. Lots range from $75,000 to $100,000.
Elk Ridge is close to Prince Albert and Saskatoon and a spectacular national park. The four-season facility is very affordable when compared to similar high-end properties in British Columbia , Alberta , the United States or elsewhere, says Kuzbik. www.elkridgeresort.com/investments.html
One of the fascinating things about golf is the people you meet - just ask Ken Morrow, Saskatchewan 's executive director of the CPGA.
”I met a cute little girl on a greens' mower and Cathy and I were married the same year,” says Morrow. The year was 1980 and he was working during the summer at Holiday Park Golf Course while attending the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon .
After graduating in 1984 with a commerce degree, Morrow joined the CPGA and continued to work at Holiday Park becoming a Class A member in 1989. He served as the provincial coach for a year while continuing as an associate.
After playing senior hockey in a small agricultural town called Outllook, Morrow ended up running a 9-hole course in their regional park. Since then Ken has managed Outlook Riverview Golf Club and Cathy has worked as its superintendent, perhaps the most unusual husband-and-wife team in the industry.
“It's a great place to raise a family,” says Morrow, who has two children, a 15-year-old son Robert, a keen golfer, and a 17-year-old daughter, a science student at the University of Saskatchewan . She was recently awarded a $2,000 CPGA scholarship based on her academic excellence and positive contribution to the community.
Morrow, 46, gets a round in most days and still relishes competition. He's played in every zone event since 1984 and competes regularly as a Titleist Cup Team Member against Manitoba . He's headed up the 122-member CPGA in Saskatchewan since 1993.
“It's a very tight group,” says Morrow. “It fascinates me that we can compete for jobs, at golf tournaments and between the courses. Still, it's kind of a like a fraternity.
Golf discount book expands!
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.
Golfers traveling a bit further a field will be thrilled to find another new development to their liking. 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 British Columbia there are sure to be great courses along your route. There are also 15 bonus courses in Washington State .
The best surprise of all is that the book sells for only $35.00; only five cents more than last year's ‘ Saskatchewan only' version. The book's format has changed to accommodate the added courses with multiple listings per page. The Western Canada Golf Privilege Club book makes a great gift for any golfer on your list. It's something that will be enjoyed all summer long!
For all you competitive golfers out there, it's time to sharpen your game. The Saskatchewan Golf Association has leased its tournament schedule for 2007.
Grab your calendar: Women's Amateur and Mid-Amateur Men's, Elmwood Golf and Country Club, July 3-6; Junior Women's and Junior Men's, Estevan Woodlawn, July 10-13; Amateur's Men, Cooke Golf and Country Club, July 17-20; Senior Women's and Senior Men's, Weyburn Golf Club, July 24-27; Sask Women's Rosebowl, Tisdale Riverside, Aug. 8-9; and Sask Mixed Team, Elk Ridge, Aug. 25-26.
The only thing you have to think about is your next par, when you take a winter golfing holiday with Angie Landry of Ace-in-the-hole Travel Company of Lorette, Manitoba, the only thing you have to think about is your next par. You may want to book now.
”There's no better way to escape the snow, ice, blizzards, whiteouts and drear winter,” says Landry, who has hosted tours to southern destinations for 13 years. “When you're with us, you're almost joined at the hip. I work as the tour director, planner, organizer and I even golf with everyone.”
Trips to Palm Springs , San Antonio , Texas , and Myrtle Beach , Sc. are especially popular with golfers in Saskatchewan . It's the only company that specializes in golf holidays by deluxe motor coach that services the Saskatchewan and Manitoba markets, says Landry. Trips originate out of Winnipeg , but if there's a group wanting to come from Saskatchewan , special transportation can be arranged for a nominal surcharge
“You're catered to and I spoil my people,” says Landry. Tee times, room and restaurant reservations are all made, so golfers are able to focus on golfing, making friends and having fun. The 54-seat deluxe motor coach is filled to about 45 seats, allowing room for people to stretch out if they want. The courses are almost all high-end tracks and hotels are high quality.
For more details/brochure on Ace-in-the-Hole Travel Company to Palm Springs (21 days/20 nights, Jan 21-Feb. 10), San Antonio (16days/15nights, Feb. 17-Mar. 4), and Myrtle Beach (Mar. 16.-Apr. 1) , contact Angie at 1-204-878-2804.
Practice plan for the range
By Jeff Chambers, Saskatchewan Provincial Coach
Ask yourself how often you go to the range at this time of year, and hit one to two buckets of balls, or until you're tired trying to hit a straight shot over and over. Then the next day you go out and hit it everywhere but straight on the golf course and then complain to your friends that its so different than on the range?
This is a common problem and can be fixed easily, but first I'll tell you why this happens:
No pressure on the range
Body gets in a rhythm from hitting over and over the same shot
No water or trees to worry about
Perfectly flat lies every time
List goes on and on!!
What to do instead on the range:
Try not to hit the same shot more than twice (you only get one chance on course!)
Change your target and distance each time with the same club
Use a 5 iron 5 different ways (fade, draw, slice, hook, low punch)
Play a golf hole in your head using range targets
Play the ball out of different lies (divots, bare patch, fluffy lie, etc..)
If you're with someone, challenge each other to shot making
It's important to learn the game of golf and all the shots on the range otherwise you are wasting that range pass you bought. Practice effectively and the handicap will drop. The same goes with putting and chipping. Play from all over the place and be creative.
Do you think Phil and Tiger hit 10 chip shots from a perfect lie every time when they practice? Get creative and then not only will it be more effective for you but practice can be fun and enjoyable.
Win one of two Golf Privilege Club Books 2007!
Win one of 2 free Golf Privilege Club Book from SaskGolfer.com valued at $34.95. The green fee discount book offers discounts at 450 courses across Saskatchewan , Western Canada and Washington . The book is a fundraiser sponsored by the Lung Associations in those provinces. Question: How many courses offer discounts? Answer: Email privilege@SaskGolfer.com by Feb. 28 deadline. Good luck. MORE >
