Win a free round at Saskatoon Golf & Country Club (West) !

Find out why the Saskatoon Golf and Country Club (West) is viewed as one of the top 100 public courses in Canada. Win one of four passes by answering this question: Why are there so many beautiful ash, elm, pine and Russian olive trees gracing the fairways? For contest details, click MORE >>

And the winners are

Thank you for hundreds of entries during the last few months for the various SaskGolfer.com contests. Didn’t win? Check out our newest contests on this page.

In the April contest, Moonlake Golf and Country Club passes and electric cart rental went toTammy Paskowski, Perry Friesen, Doug Swarbrick and Marion Andrews.

More money than brains?

Instead of spending their money on lessons, a new set of Racs from Taylor Made or even a pep talk from a sports trainer, duffers have a way of grasping at straws in the hope of improving their game. These are our candidates for this season’s dubious golf products.

The Kooler Klub at $49.99 plus $14.95 delivery looks like a driver but is really a shaft with a thermal compartment that stores up to 48 ounces of your favourite liquid refreshment. In short, it’s a portable drinking fountain with a spigot that neatly folds up into the driver head.

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

Win a million!

There may not be too be many scratch handicap golfers or non-touring pros from Saskatchewan willing to put up a $25,000 entrance fee. From Sept. 2-5, The Million Dollar Challenge at the Angus Glen Golf Club will see 128 golfers compete for a purse of $2.55 million and a first place prize of $1 million. The match play tournament is partially in support of the Children’s Wish Foundation. www.MillionDollarChallenge.ca

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 on an ongoing basis. While the handicap is not RCGA approved for competitive tournaments, it’s a lot better than sandbagging (cheating) with your handicap in unofficial tournaments. Course periodically change their slope and rating numbers and new courses are also added - so double check the numbers on the Trakker and change them if you need to. Have a great season! MORE >>

More new hotlinks live

Check out the latest golf courses to hotlink to SaskGolfer.com, to offer a new website or online booking: Online booking is now at Moonlake Golf and Country Club and Emerald Park Golf and Country Club at White City. New websites at 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 >>

Amen Corner

"Golfers make better lovers because they have good touch. In golf you have to be good in all areas. You have to be powerful, be strong, have stamina, and be able to control yourself. All those things are important in making love."

- Jan Stephenson

City of Regina offers great golf for all

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.

Season ticket holders combine play at either Tor Hill or Murray, or mutli play passes to Tor Hill, Murray and Goulet – affordable specials that may be the best deals in Saskatchewan.

“I’m not aware of anywhere in the province that offers 45 championship holes across the street from each other,” said head professional Scott Knapp. “Season ticket holders are able to enjoy four different 18-hole combinations and gain greater access to tee times.”

Tor Hill Golf Course has always been one of the most popular courses in the province, and while a public course, it has all the features of a country club. Golfers are challenged by well-treed fairways, several water hazards, and well-bunkered greens with very subtle breaks. In the spring of 2003, this marquee course expanded to 27 holes.

The new 3,354-yard expansion rolls through stately pine trees with many elevation changes. The new nine presents two par 3s, two par 5s and five par 4s. It offers something for everyone. At 612 yards off the blues to a raised green, Hole #2 is one of the most challenging par 5's in the province. The fifth presents a double dogleg with a view of the prairie and Regina skyline. The dogleg left par 4 sixth - a signature hole reminiscent to those at Waskesiu Golf Course - features a devilish drop from the tee to a small landing area with a second shot to a well-guarded, elevated green.

The StanleyThompson- inspired Tor Hill boasts an impressive 11,000-square foot clubhouse complete with a full facility coffee shop, lounge, banquet room and a boardroom. A recent upgrade added a new driving range to its short game and practice putting green.

Murray Golf Course, the location of many professional events, is only a few minutes down the road in King’s Park. Canadian golfing great Moe Norman once said “it’s the best course in Western Canada.” This 6,700 yard links-style track requires that you hit every club in the bag through the rolling terrain. The many elevation changes and picturesque views have made Murray a local favorite.

There’s also a large, full-service clubhouse at Murray with restaurant, lounge and a new outside deck area. The driving range is one of the biggest in Saskatchewan.

There’s been a couple of recent changes. The 8th tee at Murray has been moved back 60 yards, to make the hole a full par-4 hole with 401 yards. Gus Vogelstang, formerly the head pro at Watrous, is the new head pro.

The Joanne Goulet in West Hill Park subdivision offers plenty of water and undulating greens to challenge any golfer. Located within the city limits, the Goulet has been very popular with the golfer who doesn’t want to drive too far or play a round in more than four hours. It has an excellent driving range, sand trap and practice putting green. Doug Warne, previously of Tor Hill, is the new head pro at Goulet.

Tee time reservations three days in advance at www.westerngolfmanagement.com or www.drivetheball.com or phone Tor Hill (777-7100), Murray (777-7739) or Goulet (777-7600). Green fees for adults are $30.50 Monday to Thursday, with reduced fees for seniors, youth and twilight.

In case you missed it

Three top Saskatchewan golf courses have signed on with a new golf course management company called Prairie Links Golf Corporation, said its president and CEO Cameron Johnson. Deer Valley Golf and Estates near Lumsden, Long Creek Golf and Country Club at Avonlea and the 9-hole Riverbreaks Golf Course at Riverhurst are now under the management of Prairie Links. MORE >>

The 2005 Bell Canadian Open Championship will be held Sept. 5-11 at the Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club in Vancouver, British Columbia. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see the best golfers in the world – the golf gods in action. MORE >>

Around Saskatchewan links

Congratulations to Earl Scott of Riverside Country Club in Saskatoon and Kerry Schofield of the Wascana Country Club, CPGA of Saskatchewan members, for making the list of the Canada's Top 50 Golf Instructors as chosen in the National Post Golf 2005 Preview... Gus Vogelstang, formerly of the Manitou course, is the new head pro at Murray Golf Course in Regina replacing Brad Herridge... Glen Jones is the new manager at the Wakaw course (incorrect information appeared in the April edition)... As per usual in Central Canada based publications, Saskatchewan courses were totally excluded from the list of 100 Best Public Courses and Resort Courses in globegolf, published by The Globe in Mail in April...

Golf pool fans get weekly help from Golfing Gods

Homenuik inducted into Hall of Fame

The Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA) and The Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Museum announced today that Wilfred (Wilf) Homenuik and Robert (Bob) Panasik will be inducted to the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame as the class of 2005.

“The Canadian Golf Hall of Fame seeks to recognize excellence, as golfers, contributors and supporters of the game,” said Karen Hewson, Director of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame. “Panasik and Homenuik are two fine examples of what makes golf the game it is. Both have made tremendous contributions both on and off the course, it is only fitting that they are recognized for their accomplishments.”

Homenuik, a native of Kamsack, Sask., comes from one of Canada’s most famous golfing families. His parents John and Mary Homenuik had seven boys, all of whom played a role in the Canadian golfing community. Wilfred and his brothers Ted and Stan were each successful competitors in prairie golf competitions during the 50’s and 60’s.

In 1962, Homeniuk became nationally recognized when he finished as the low Canadian at the Canadian Open at Club de golf Laval-sur-le-Lac, Que. Overall, Homenuik amassed eight international professional victories and earned two CPGA Tour Championship titles in 1965 and 1971. While playing on the PGA Tour, Homenuik competed in 99 competitions placing in the top-10 eleven times.

A penny saved, a penny earned

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.

Golf Sask 05’ Coupon Book - The National Golf Course Owner’s Association (Saskatchewan chapter), along with the well-known charity Lung Association of Saskatchewan, is selling the Golf Sask 05’ Coupon Book with more than 110 courses participating and $2,500 in savings. Several types of coupons are offered including some at major courses. The $29.95 book even includes a free round at Long Creek Golf and Country Club near Avonlea. Follow the golf coupon book link at www.sk.lung.ca

Saskatchewan Golf Association - If you belong to a golf club, one of the benefits of the SGA membership is reduced fees at a growing list of member courses. Members can also access reduced fees with Alberta Golf Association member courses. Follow the quick link to the membership discount program at www.saskgolf.ca

Saskatchewan Golf Tour Guide - The Golf Tour Guide published by Tourism Saskatchewan lists several pages of money-saving coupons and deals on stay-and-play packages. It's available free at 150 Co-op gas stations and tourism bureaus starting in May.

Tee-Off Book - For $39.95, Tee-Off offers 2 for 1 and reduced green fees for the golfer who travel around Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Unfortunately, few large urban centre courses are represented. Each course has a brief description of the golf course, a photo, a map and course layouts. To order, phone 1-800-667-8633. MORE >>

Putting tips

Putting games: Need work on your short putts? One of my favorite drills is to putt to a dime—it's great for improving focus and concentration! Another favorite putting drill is to sink five in a row from one foot, then from two feet, then three feet, and so on. Miss one? Sorry, you have to start over! And you can't go up in distance until you've made all five. That should occupy you until tee time.

Eye on a dime: Feeling depressed over your putting? Here's a simple drill that will put discipline back in your stroke. Place the ball atop a dime, then keep your eyes focused on the dime all the way through your stroke. Avoid the urge to follow the ball with your eyes immediately after impact—especially on short putts. Just watch for the dime, rather than following the ball with your eyes, head, and shoulders.

Bullseye! Three-foot putts can really mess with your mind if you let them. One strategy employed by one of the all time great putters, Seve Ballesteros, is to imagine a bullseye attached to the back of the cup. This image encourages you to accelerate the putter through to the hole and keep the clubface moving square to the hole. Try it! MORE >>

Next time around at Games

Regina, Moose Jaw, Lumsden and Saskatchewan Beach are ready to roll out the red carpet for thousands of guests, athletes, spectators and officials at the Canada Summer Games in August, but you won’t find a golfer among them. Even though more people golf than participate any other sport – about 13.5 per cent of the population – golf is not one of the 16 venues in this year’s games. Golf will however make its debut at the 2009 Canada Summer Games, according to the Canada Games Council. www.canadagames.ca

Although full details have yet to be confirmed, teams of three men and three women from each province will make up the competition. The RCGA will work directly with the Games Host Committee advising on technical aspects surrounding the venue and tournament organization.

Held once every two years, alternating between winter and summer, the Canada Games represent the highest level of national competition for up and coming Canadian athletes. Since it’s inception in 1967, the Canada Games has played a prominent role in developing some of Canada’s premier athletes. Some of the more notable alumni’s to count the Canada games as one of their first multi-sport experience include NBA super-star Steve Nash, World Curling Champion Colleen Jones and Olympic Gold Medallist & former Super Heavyweight Champion of the World Lennox Lewis.

The shorter, the better

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. Here are a few favorites:

Southeast

Katepwa Beach Golf Course has built a solid reputation around its quality conditions and improved services. The track features undulating terrain, dramatic elevation changes and lovingly maintained greens. The new clubhouse has decks overlooking the course, the Qu’Appelle Valley and Katepwa Lake. www.katepwabeach.com

Moose Creek Golf Club near Oxbow, a waterfront course on the Alameda Dam Reservoir, was opened by local golfers a few years ago. The newly formed Moose Creek Regional Park features 45 campsites, a boat launch, filleting shack, and beach.

Sherwood Forest Golf and Country Club west of Regina is located in a pleasant valley setting with plenty of elevation changes and a new clubhouse. They cater to company and family tournaments.

Indian Head Golf Club boasts 30,000 mature pine and spruce, and several species of prairie trees and shrubs. While there may be lots of trees, most fairways are wide and forgiving, making this a favorite family course. MUCH MORE >>

Latest and greatest summer golf getaways !

Check out the latest and greatest golf getaways offered this summer: 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 >>