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Elk Ridge specials attract the crowds
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.
“For Sunday to Thursday stays this July we’re offering 25% off your second night, 50% off your third night, and your fourth night is free! We’ve never had a summer deal like this before,” says Brandon Moore, director of marketing and sales.
Moore suggests there are three other reasons for spending a golf holiday at the much-storied Elk Ridge.
“We’ve previously been honored by the Canadian Professional Golf Association (CPGA) as “facility of the year,” he says. The course is located in a lush boreal forest beside Prince Albert National Park just a few minutes down the road from the Waskesiu townsite.The three nine-hole courses are named after the trees indigenous to the area - aspen, tamarack and birch.
With tree-lined forest in abundance, the secret to scoring at Elk Ridge is to simply keep it on the fairway (How many times have you heard that?). Greens tend to be mid-sized and well-guarded which favours the accurate shotmaker.
“We’re also consistently ranked in the top five courses in Saskatchewan by Score Golf Magazine,’ says Moore. The course is one of only two in Saskatchewan that offer bent grass fairways and tees, along with white silica sand bunkers. With four sets of tees, any level of golfer can enjoy the course. The front tees on this track give ladies and juniors added advantage here.
“Finally, we are Saskatchewan’s highest rated resort with a Four Stars Canada Select rating,” Moore adds. The facility offers various options to fit your budget - luxury lodge with spa and great restaurant, high quality cabins and townhouses, plus a RV resort. Be prepared to see abundant wildlife such as deer, elk and moose. As a National Audubon Society recognized course, there are also plenty of birds.
The new hotel offers modern amenities for your comfort and convenience in a beautiful setting, including spacious guest rooms, king beds and well-appointed deluxe suites, some with a Jacuzzi and fireplace. Each guest room has its own balcony that opens onto a breathtaking natural environment.
Rustic chalet-style cabins offer close proximity to nature, but with all the amenities of home with some units featuring hot tubs. Three-bedroom and four-bedroom chalet-style cabins sleep up to 12 people. Smaller groups can enjoy the two-bedroom cabins that sleep up to six people. All Elk Ridge Cabin guests have access to pool/spa/gym facilities.
Another option is to enjoy the spaciousness and independence of townhouse living, right next to the golf course. Elk Ridge two-bedroom and three-bedroom townhouses accommodate up to six people. All Elk Ridge townhouse guests have access to pool/spa/gym facilities. Each townhouse offers the following amenities: Fully equipped kitchens and bathrooms. Bedding and towels. Air conditioning and gas fireplace. Satellite television, stereo and telephone. Private deck with patio furniture and gas BBQ.
Take in one of the upcoming tournaments this summer when you visit: Take a kid to the course week July 5-11 (Kids play free with adult),Mexican Fiesta July 9, and the Elk Ridge Pig Roast Aug. which is reputed to be “Saskatchewan’s best couples tournament.”
Elk Ridge is a first-class facility and popular so book golf and rooms ahead of time. Toll Free at 1-800-510-1824 or www.elkridgeresort.com Enjoy.
Tracking college golf
Introduction - The process of researching, interviewing and deciding on a university or college is a complicated and difficult process. You and your family should fully understand the process and always remember that academics are #1. Be realistic and choose a university that will give you a chance to play but above all to get a quality education.
The number of players that go on to a successful competitive professional golf career is very small. The RCGA has developed a Player Development Guide to Post-Secondary Golf Opportunities with information on areas such as scholarships, academics and costs as well as examples of resumes, schedules and covering letters. A copy of the Guide may be downloaded by clicking on the link.
Canadian University Programs – A number of Canadian universities and colleges offer very competitive golf programs combined with top quality education. The RCGA, through the RCGA Foundation, has committed substantial funds to Canadian university golf and believes in the importance of providing credible, reasonably priced, quality education alternatives to the U.S. system.
Funds have been awarded to the University of British Columbia, University of Toronto, University of Victoria, University of Manitoba, Laval University and Humber College. These grants will help to further enhance Canadian university programs and build pride in Canadian golf. Please consult the Guide for more information and contacts about Canadian university golf.
Canadian Players at University - Canadian players at Division 1,2,3 and NAIA universities are tracked by a statistical service, www.golfstat.com. (Also check out wagr.randa.org) Updates are received by the RCGA throughout the university year, starting in September and ending with the NCAA and NAIA championships in early June. The most recent listings are presented here:
Saskatchewan Players at University - Saskatchewan players at Division 1,2,3 and NAIA universities as well as Junior Colleges are tracked by the SGA and can be found below. If you know of a Saskatchewan golfer not appearing on the list, please let us know and we will add them.
Saskatchewan's Golfers at University or College (2009/10)
- Brad Blair, Freshman, Lanigan, Lindenwood University Lions, St. Charles, MO
- Troy Bulmer, Freshman, Saskatoon, Pfeiffer University Falcons, Misenheimer, NC
- Ben Edwards, Junior, Carlyle, Minot State University Beavers, Minot, ND
- Ali Hilkewich, Sophomore, Weyburn, Minot State University Beavers, Minot, ND
- Jarett Hysuik, Freshman, Estevan, Minot State University Beavers, Minot, ND
- Jordan Johns, Freshman, Fort Qu'Appelle, Lindenwood University Lions, St. Charles, MO
- Joshua Johns, Freshman, Fort Qu'Appelle, Lindenwood University Lions, St. Charles, MO
- Kelsey Klatt, Sophomore, Fort Qu'Appelle, Savannah College of Art and Design Bees, Savannah, GA
- Chad Lavallee, Sophomore, Meadow Lake, Lethbridge College Kodiaks, Lethbridge, AB
- Tonaya Marr, Freshman, Estevan, Lindenwood University Lions, St. Charles, MO
- Braeden Mueller, Freshman, Regina, University of the Southwest Mustangs, Hobbs, NM
- Matthew Procyshen, Freshman, Yorkton, Missouri Valley College Vikings, Marshall, MO
- Brennen Rumancik, Freshman, Maple Creek, Lethbridge College Kodiaks, Lethbridge, AB
- Lucas Stefan, Junior, Regina, Minot State University Beavers, Minot, ND
- Thomas Weikle, Junior, Cut Knife, Dickinson State University Hawks, Dickinson, ND
- Breanna White, Freshman, Fort Qu'Appelle, Seminole Community College Raiders, Sanford, FL
For more information contact the Saskatchewan Golf Association at www.saskgolf.ca.
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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.
It’s a party. Unlike PGA Tour events, which tend to be pretty sombre, the crowd and players are a lot more relaxed and out to enjoy the wonder of the game. The crowd gets unequalled access to the players for watching and autographs. Players are miked so you can listen to the banter back and forth.
These guys play a game of which we are not familiar. The first hole at the Bear is 540 yards, a par 5 down a cascading canyon-like fairway to a water hazard. The green is elevated with hell and damnation all around. These guys used a 7 or 8 iron into the green after their drives - Boom-Boom Couples stopped just before the water and probably wedged in. Four of the five players were putting for eagles. Still don’t believe me? In the pro-am prior to the match , the amateurs had to hit off the ladies tees so they wouldn’t hold up the pros hitting from the back tees.
The sound is different. When you and I hit the ball it sounds like a whack, a crack, a thump maybe - something slightly unearthly or unpleasant. When the Big Boys strike the ball, it snaps quietly, since the ball is hit with such velocity and precision.
The trajectory is different. With drives going 300 to 400 yards, these guys have a totally different trajectory than we do. It’s an unearthly penetrating mid to high trajectory. Invariably they landed almost at the same place on the fairway - a predetermined landing zone that they’ve figured out.
Arrive early and set up a game plan. When you go to a Skins Game study the course layout and figure out how you’re going to get around and which holes offer the best viewing area. Bring some water, food and rain gear with you to maximize time watching instead of in food line-ups.
Course conditions are second to none and likely the best you will ever see. The condition of Bear Mountain Resort - and any other PGA Tour venue - is usually impeccable. Course superintendents were up in the middle of the night making sure there wasn’t a blade of grass out of place.
Be prepared for some security. In this post 9-11 world of ours the crowd was checked prior to entering the venue. The Skins Game had about 500 volunteers with ropes securing the holes. The players and the notables in the crowd - the Premier of BC attended among others - brought their own security. The resort had private security. The players had their own handlers and security.
It’s part circus. Anywhere from 50 to 100 people were tagging along behind or beside the players. That included wives, contest winners, lost of corporate vice-presidents. That included the media, photographers and TSN camera crews, announcers, spotters etc.
It is real golf. Skins Games has always been criticized as not being real golf. Phooey, these guys are trying their hardest to make a living and to win a piece of the $360,000 purse. While the first day was a little casual, by the second day it was deadly serious. As you know the contest tied after 18 holes and 12 carry-over skins valued at $270,000. A sudden death 125-yard chipping one-hole playoff was held with Weir taking away the trophy. The crowd, needless to say, went nuts when the hometown boy did good.
Attending a Skins Game was a sensational reality check. There was a day when this writer was under the illusion that if he played every day, and had on staff a trainer, swing coach, sport psychologist, accountant, private jet pilot, caddie, ball spotter etc, he could shoot somewhere in the vicinity of the 70s. These guys play in a different universe than the rest of the world. All mere mortals can do is watch them - on TV or in person if you choose - and salute their incredible talent.
Daly headlines fundraiser
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.
Lloyd ups its game!
The venerable Lloydminster Golf and Country Club, one of the most beloved of municipal courses, is rejuvenating its course to appeal even more to golfers in Saskatchewan.
Battling Mother Nature was an uphill job last summer - a very cold spring was followed by a thaw and cold snap; a long, dry, cool summer; and then a hot September followed by an early closing due to cold weather.
“There’s a sense of rejuvenation this year,” says head professional Kyle Mulligan. “We want to make the course bigger, better, stronger and get back to where we were 10 years ago when it was ranked very highly as a provincial course.” MORE >>
Believe it or not!
Jamie Kureluk, from Cottonwood Golf and Country Club in Cagary, shot seven birdies and two eagles on the back nine at Carnmoney in May. It was a professional golf record score of 25, en route to winning the RBC Insurance Alberta Open.
25” almost looks like a typo. The PGA record for lowest nine-hole score had been carved by Corey Pavin, who fashioned a 26 — on a par 34 — at the 2006 U.S. Bank Championship. On the Canadian Tour, Jason Bohn fired a 26 — on a par 35 — at the 2001 Bayer Championship.
Kureluk was Alberta’s PGA player of the year in 2009. So how did he shoot 25? He blew a putt on the 12th, a half a rotation shy of the cup. READ MORE >>
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