Win a sweet mini vacation at Moonlake Golf & Country Club!

It’s the 2nd Annual Giant Contest organized by Tourism Saskatchewan and SaskGolfer.com. Win a sweet stay-and-play package for 2 with golf and power cart at Mooonlake Golf and Country Club near Saskatoon, Days Inn Saskatoon accommodation, free continental breakfast, free airport shuttle, water slide, fitness rooms and high speed internet. Value $450. MORE >>

Real estate launched

Retiring Baby Boomers who are passionate about golf want to golf in the morning, noon and at night. Increasingly, they are choosing to retire in a golf course community where there’s golf at their doorstep. Cottagers also want golf accessible on weekends and holidays. Who could blame them? It’s also helping that vacation homes have been doing well as investments in many parts of Canada.

The difficulty for advertisers who want to sell houses and lots is reaching that target group. So, SaskGolfer.com is responding to requests from developers by creating a permanent real estate section on Hole #11.

Periodic articles/editorial on real estate will also be appearing in the newsletter discussing some of the great golf course communities in Saskatchewan. For starters, check out the great vacation properties at Northern Meadows, Candle Lake and Speargrass. MORE >>

And the winners are

Thank you for hundreds of entries during the last few months for the various SaskGolfer.com contests. Marg Northcote of Arlee, Joe Repetski of Regina, Latham Brossart of Saskatoon, and Rick Landrie, have all on a free green fee at Saskatoon Golf and Country Cub (West), one of Canada’s most highly rated golf public golf courses.

Didn’t win? Check out our newest contests here

At $9.98, the Visiball is USGA official and includes a carrying case and tees. The ball flashes for five minutes on impact.

But this year’s winner is from Tiffany and Co. as advertised on page 2 of The Globe and Mail. Check out the Tiffany Atlas repair tools at www.tiffany.com. The sterling silver ball holder is $840, turf repair tool and golf tee $125

	What would make you cancel a round of golf? Bad weather Had to work Family commitment Spouse wouldn't let me play Emergency came up I'm hardcore, I never cancel View results

That would be nice

2 bedroom 1 1/2 bath 950 sq. ft. condo in Mission,TX. For sale for health reasons. Across from the 12th green of an 18-hole championship course in Seven Oaks Country Club. $50,000 USD. Ph. 306-332-6784 Anita Girou MORE >>

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. MORE >>

Amen Corner

"What a shame to waste those great shots on the practice tee. Id’ be afraid of finding out what I was doing wrong."

- PGA great Walter Hagen, on why he hated to practice

Upscale Perdue Oasis one-of-a-kind

Golfers, who like to stack up their game against the very best courses, will be targeting the new Perdue Oasis and RV Resort 37 minutes west of Saskatoon this summer.

This Glen Campbell-inspired deigned course has added all the touches - from a hair salon, spa and licensed massage therapist services, to wild boar tenderloin gourmet meals - to ensure a unique golfing experience.

“You’re going to have a great time and will enjoy the course,” says Jim Scharf, a successful Saskatchewan entrepreneur and owner of the province’s newest upscale course. The 20-hole track, has two holes in place for a third nine when expansion to 27 is complete.

“Perdue Oasis is designed so a pro will love it because of the challenge of the bunkers, water hazards and its length,” says Scharf. “The average golfer will also love it because it’s set up so you won’t lose a lot of balls.”

The eastern slopes of The Bear Hills, located just before it gives away to the great outwash prairies, provides the backdrop for Perdue Oasis. Situated on a hill, the southwestern-style clubhouse along Highway 14 sits “like a grand dowager surveying the grandeur in all directions.” It’s a young course with the products of two complete farms providing colour and variety.

This links-style championship course was crafted by Glen Campbell of Calgary, a well know golf course architect who has designed courses at Candle Lake, Calgary Rosthern, among others.

At par 72, the current 18 measures 6,943 yards off the tips, with two distinct nine’s – one flatter and the other more rolling. When complete, the third nine will be hilly using the nearby Bear Hills to full advantage. The course offers a full practice facility including putting green, a driving range with unique red shale and unlimited free balls, and a two-hole practice loop with every green fee.

The course has many distinguishing features to discover while driving GPS-outfitted golf carts – bent grass greens range in size from 1,920 to a staggering 19,200 square feet, six water holes stocked with rainbow trout have been developed from the sloughs originally on the property, enormous “extreme” bunkers with one of Saskatchewan’s largest, and attractive red shale cart paths winding throughout. Off-course facilities include a high quality dining room, a 2,200 square foot terrace overlooking the course, and a RV park on site with 40 full service hookups.

The general manager of the facility is Kevin Lewis and the superintendent Gord Moore. Tee time bookings are available at (306) 237-GOLF (4653), or online at www.PerdueOasis.com

MyGolfBalls.ca launches big savings

The next time you see your $6. Titliest ProVI sailing over the fence or making waves in a pond, you may want to give Trent Jordens a call at MyGolfBalls.ca. The successful entrepreneur and business consultant with Southeast Regional College in Weyburn, has a few golf balls in his home at bargain-basement prices.

“Our basement is one large storage facility with about 50,000 golf balls,” says Jordens, who launched the online used golf ball company with his wife Lisa in April. “My wife has been quite patient with me as well as a great help since we both have full-time jobs. I haven’t had to sleep in the basement yet and I don’t plan on it any time soon.”

“I’m one of the millions of people who are looking for ways to save money golfing, while still enjoying the game and not sacrificing quality equipment,’ says Jordens. ”I also thought it would be a great way to earn a bit of money and save golfers like myself a couple of hundred dollars a season.”

Jordens, a six handicapper out of the Weyburn Golf Course, enjoys playing golf with his family. This week’s employee-of-the-month is his young daughter Emersyn who likes to putt, ball throw and steer the golf cart, when out playing golf with mom and dad.

Jordens hires divers to reclaim balls at courses in Calgary, Edmonton, from a few from courses in Saskatchewan, and the United States, including Pebble Beach and Palm Spring courses. Once the balls arrive by semi-truck, the balls are polished, sorted, and resorted for quality and packaged. Balls are sorted into mint, Grade A and B categories, offering golfers a 50 per cent saving.

“The response has been great,” says Jordens, who has been selling a couple of thousand balls a week since start-up. If you live in the prairies, shipping time to your door is within three business days. A purchase carries a 30-day exchange or money back guarantee. www.MyGolfBalls.ca

Win $700 in savings

Win one of two Perdue Oasis Savings Passports – valued at $20 with $700 in savings coupons. It includes a free $10 certificate on any $10 or more purchase in the clubhouse.

QUESTION: What well-known golf course architect designed the 20 holes at Perdue Oasis? Submit your answer to Perdue@SaskGolfer.com by June 30. Good Luck!

A perfect drive around Saskatchewan

With more courses per capita than any other destination in the world, it’s no wonder golfers choose Saskatchewan for their golf holiday. From Swift Current to Yorkton and from Regina to Waskesiu, we have more than 220 courses to test the skill of every level of player.

Not only will you experience high quality golf, you will find modest green fees, accessible tee times and prairie hospitality. Whether you bring a group of golfers, the family on vacation or visit Saskatchewan on business, there’s always a great course nearby. When you leave the links, you can enjoy our 100,000 lakes and rivers, attractions, shopping, dining and entertainment. MORE >>

Around Saskatchewan links

The Saskatchewan Golf Association is holding a nine-hole course championship tournament at Wynyard Golf Club June 24-26. Deadline for entries June 15... Saskatchewan’s newest grass green courses is Mill Ridge Golf Course at Big River which converted from sand greens last year... It’s not every day a true golf superstar comes to Regina. The Canadian legend Sandra Post cut the ribbon at the opening of She, Nevada Bob’s women’s section, and held a clinic at Deer Valley... In Winnipeg, Jazz Golf Equipment founder Terry Hashimoto has stepped down as president. Mark Breslauer will take on the role of president and CEO... Canadian Junior Golf Association hosted the Lipton Brisk Canada Cup Team West Qualifier at Saskatoon Golf and Country Club in Saskatoon, Sask., May 21-22. Nevin Gloe of Battleford and Tyler Frank of Saskatoon. both collected their second division titles of 2005...

Golf pool fans get weekly help from Golfing Gods

Campbell award recipient

Don Campbell, a superintendent and executive director of the Riverside Country Club in Saskatoon for more than 40 years, was recognized with 2004 John R. Steel Distinguished Service Award. He was chosen by the Canadian Golf Superintendents Association (CGSA) as having made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of the profession of golf course superintendents.

Campbell was instrumental in the formation of the Saskatchewan Turf Grass Association and is now its executive director. He served on the CGSA board and became a charter member.

Born in Saskatoon, he played hockey on various local teams including a stint as a backup goalie for the Toronto Maple Leafs. After 10 years, he hung up his skates and started caddying at the Riverside club, according to Green Master magazine which features an article on him this spring.

In case you missed it

From the championship 27-hole track at Tor Hill, to the links-style challenge of Murray, and to the executive-length venue at Goulet, the City of Regina offers quality golf courses to meet every golfer’s needs. MORE >>

With endless summer days, green fees averaging $30-$35, accessible tee-times and an all-you-can-play-buffet of more than 250 courses, Saskatchewan is a golfer’s paradise. There are plenty of incentives to try a different venue and plenty of ways to save a few dollars. MORE >>

If you have limited cash for green fees or only a couple of hours to spare, a nine-hole golf course is ideal. Juniors, seniors, novices, duffers, or even scratch golfers, will find plenty of quality nine-hole grass green courses in every corner of Saskatchewan. MORE >>

Growing Sask junior golfers

Jeff Chambers is the Saskatchewan Golf Association provincial coach and the RCGA Regional Coach, and is interviewed by Stan Bartlett of SaskGolfer.com. Chambers teaches more than 600 young golfers each season through Future Links golf camps.

QUESTION: About 25 per cent of the Saskatchewan population golf and only a handful have made it to elite ranks over the years. The province is well-known for its quantity rather than its quality of golfers. Why?

The lack of elite players in Saskatchewan is because there isn’t enough top competition to force others to raise their level of play. In the junior ranks kids often can shoot scores of 72 to 75 and they can usually win or place in the top 3. There’s not much incentive to get them to work hard on their game when their normal average game is good enough. These are great scores for a lot of people but if they compare themselves nationally they are way down the line. Provinces like BC and Alberta have 12 and 13 year olds shooting under par in each event.

We need more players like Graham DeLaet of Weyburn to set the bar and for people to really work at chasing him. There is CPGA professional services to help good players become great but very few take advantage. MORE >>

New course hotlinks live

Online booking is now available at Moonlake Golf and Country Club and Emerald Park Golf and Country Club at White City.

New websites at Craik Golf Course, Harbor Golf Course and Resort at Elbow, Waskesiu Golf Course, Cooke Municipal Golf Course at Prince Albert, Riverbreaks at Riverhurst, Long Creek at Avonlea and Deer Valley golf courses, Kachur’s Golf Club near Prince Albert, Green Acres Golf Club near Balgonie. Birch Hills Golf Club, Kamsack Golf Club, Tisdale Riverside Golf Club and Northern Meadows Golf Club near Meadow Lake Provincial Park. MORE >>

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Check out the golf getaways offered this summer: Jackfish Lodge Golf and Conference Centre near Battleford, Harbor Golf Course and Resort at Elbow, Riverbreaks at Riverhurst, Long Creek at Avonlea and Deer Valley golf courses, La Verendrye, Golf Kenosee and White Bear, Waskesiu. MORE >>