The award-winning SaskGolfer.com is for sale!

If you enjoy golf and meeting people, 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

Weir tops $3 Million

It was a very good year - not his best - if you're Canadian superstar Mike Weir. Weir earned just over $3 million US this season, the second best take of his career after winning almost $5 million in 2003. Weir managed eight top-10s overall, with six of those coming in the last eight events of the season. It's the fourth year in the last five when he didn't win a tournament. One more win on the PGA Tour would make Weir the Canadian golfer with the most wins in history, exceeding George Knudson. Go Mike Go!www.mikeweir.com

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Vegas Baby Vegas

Golfing no gamble at world's number one destination

A little while ago, after reaching a significant birthday, I made a list of all the things I wanted to do before cashing in my chips. Making my first pilgrimage to Las Vegas was near the top. (It ranked right between cutting down on my green house gas emissions, well all my gas emissions really and writing a best selling novel that will be turned into a blockbuster movie.)

After years of making deadlines and mortgage payments, I decided that it was time to head to Vegas for some ring-a-ding action, a little sensory overload. And to play some golf. There are now more than 70 courses within an hour’s drive of the strip including designs from all the game’s top names including Fazio, Dye, Nicklaus, Palmer and Johnny Miller.

(Even before I made the trip to Vegas I knew that golf here was a little different. A few years ago I interviewed Calvin Kupeyan, a talented player from Tecumseh, Ont. who was attending the University of Nevada Las Vegas on a golf scholarship. The team flew to its tournaments by private jet and Calvin even bumped into Tiger Woods in the UNLV weight room when golf’s number one was in town for a session with Butch Harmon. Kupeyan, who won the 2000 Ontario Amateur also teed it up in Washington with then President Bill Clinton.)

There are a number of very good and fairly expensive layouts around town including Rio Secco, Reflection Bay, Revere, Badlands, Legacy and TPC Las Vegas. And not surprisingly, for a town where they’ve recreated ancient Egypt as well as New York, Venice and Paris, a handful of the local courses reflect other parts of the golfing kingdom.

Royal Links, designed by Pete Dye’s company is an homage to the British Open courses, with eleven different layouts represented, everything from St. Andrews’ Road Hole to the Postage Stamp at Royal Troon. Even the clubhouse has an Old World feel. Its castle style architecture includes a turret, clock tower and pub where you can choose fish and chips or bangers. The only thing missing are the wizened Irish and Scottish caddies who look like they’ve spent the night sleeping in a bunker and whose breathe smells like a distillery. Royal Links does have a little Vegas. If you’re feeling the groove, players can tee it up against one of the pros on a par 3 for credit at the pro shop.

Bali Hai is a Polynesian fantasy course that winds just off the edge of the strip. Built at a cost of nearly $30 million, its fairways are lined with imported palm trees, exotic, sweet smelling flowers and blankets of sugar white sand hemmed with black, volcanic outcroppings. You half expect to find caddies strumming ukuleles and waitresses in the clubhouse decked out in grass skirts.

Even Jack Nicklaus has gotten into the act. Bear’s Best is a collection of 18 holes selected from the more than 400 courses he’s designed from around the globe. Nothing from his Canadian portfolio though.

Some of the area’s best courses are about 45 minutes outside of town. The Pauite Resort features three Pete Dye layouts and Primm Valley boasts two terrific Fazio courses (and a nearby casino that is home to Bonnie and Clyde’s death car and Clyde’s death shirt.)

Fazio’s most famous Las Vegas area course is Shadow Creek. It’s currently closed until December for a massive tee box and green `enhancement’ project to be overseen by Fazio himself. A world-class short game will be constructed as well and the irrigation system will be updated.

Nonetheless, Shadow Creek is one of the top rated public access courses in the United States. The course, which is located about 25 minutes from the strip, opened in 1990 and was the brainchild of casino magnate Steve Wynn. He wanted a layout that would make even his hard boiled high rollers go ga-ga. Shadow Creek was rumoured to cost around $2 million a hole and Fazio used the money to create a golfing Garden of Eden in the middle of the desert. ( The original green fee was $1500 and among the exotica imported to give Shadow Creek its exclusivity were pheasants and wallabies. The wallabies have subsequently been removed. Turns out that their digestive systems were a little too active for golf courses.)

Considering that’s it plunked in the desert, Shadow Creek appears to be a mirage. It’s a lush and hilly layout, with the final holes especially rippled with ponds, creeks and waterfalls - the average water bill for Las Vegas area courses is about a million dollars a year - all wrapped by the local mountains which change colours, from grey to deep purple, as the sun slides across the horizon at the end of the day.

Shadow Creek is now owned by the MGM Grand group – they own 13 Vegas properties, everything from Circus Circus to the Bellagio and Shadow Creek can now be played by anyone staying at one of the MGM properties. Green fee is $500 which includes a limo ride to and from the strip, a caddie and cart.

Fazio and Wynn joined forces again at the new Wynn Las Vegas extravaganza which opened on the strip in April of 2005. The resort is built on the old Desert Inn property which was once owned by Howard Hughes. (In the fall of 1967 he moved into the Inn’s top two floors and when management asked him to move out for the Christmas period, Hughes refused and instead bought the place.)

The new layout features the usual Fazio quality although it’s been reported that the course’s days are already numbered. The real estate is too valuable for golf and will likely be replaced by a combination of conference centre, hotel towers and condos.

One of the favourite layouts among local golfers is Angel Park, a 36 hole facility that was designed by Arnold Palmer and sports green fees that run from $55 - $155. The course will even throw in free golf club rentals for visitors who’ve flown into town. Locals like to bet for beers on who can hit one of the billboards that rise up next to the course.

The Strip

Officially, it is a six kilometre stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard that attracts 40 million visitors each year making it the planet’s number one tourist destination. It’s an eclectic mix - senior citizens, families with toddlers, young and singles ready to mingle, long time married couples and golfing foursomes. My head started buzzing as soon as I landed and discovered slot machines at the airport. On the fourth day it was about to explode, a sign that it was time to head home.

Accommodation

A pal of mine who is currently undergoing a mid-life crisis recently went to Vegas to peddle a film script. He stayed at The Palms where he bumped into Kid Rock and spied Avril Lavigne in the swimming pool. Owned by the Maloof family which has interests that range from the NBA and WNBA franchises in Sacramento to major beer distributorships, The Palms is considered the hippest hotel in the city.

If you’re looking for a Griswold family vacation, try Circus Circus which boasts both America’s largest permanent circus and its largest indoor theme park.

For couple getaways, the Venetian and Paris provide the right romantic resonance.

If you just want a place on the strip to stash your luggage and grab a couple of hours of sleep, try the Imperial Palace which earlier this spring was offering packages starting at $50 a night including two meals and a $5 black jack voucher. You don’t want to miss the blackjack. The Imperial’s card flippers aren’t just dealers, they’re Dealertainers, Alice Cooper to Elvis and Marilyn Munroe to Janet Jackson look-alikes not only play cards, they also belt out tunes. (I’m not making this up)

Eats:

Most of America’s most famous chefs have set up shop in Vegas including Bobby Flay, Emeril Lagasse, Wolfgang Puck and Charlie Palmer. The best known is Palmer’s Aureole restaurant in the Mandalay Bay resort. Its centerpiece is a four story, wine tower that holds 10,000 bottles. Two women dressed in black cat suits and known as `wine angels’ are strapped into harnesses and hoisted up and down the tower to make the wine selections. (Again, not making this up.)

Best meal deals are the buffets at the Flamingo and Bally’s.

Nightlife:

The current hot spots are Ghostbar at the Palms, Coyote Ugly in New York – New York and Forty Deuce at Mandalay Bay, a burlesque club which advertises itself as racy not raunchy.

Entertainment:

You can find everybody and everything in Vegas, from Ultimate Fighting cage matches to Broadway musicals not to mention artists ranging from Madonna toU2. Even though Celine Dion is no longer wowing them at Caesars, there is lots of Canadian content on the strip. Cirque du Soleil currently has five separate shows running in town. Best value is the comedy clubs.

Other Options:

Las Vegas is home to the world’s largest bowling alley with 106 lanes, America’s biggest hair store (more than 7,000 wigs and hairpieces in stock) and the world’s only Nuclear Testing Museum. Wake up feeling frisky, Las Vegas is also the world’s number one spot to get married. Last year over 120,000 couples officially hooked up in Las Vegas.

Mantra:

What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas – but remember, everybody has a cellphone that takes picture. It’s just a quick click to the internet.

How To Go

Air Canada and Westjet both offer daily flights to Las Vegas and Canadian charter company Sunwing also makes regular trips to sin city. Merit Travel has put together a variety of Las Vegas stay and play packages. www.merit.ca
Las Vegas Tourism has a terrific site from which you can book everything from tee times to show tickets. www.visitlasvegas.com

Saskatoon and Regina started offering direct flights to Sin City in September, twice a week on Monday and Friday. Plans are to run the flights until April 30 (just before the golf season starts up in Saskatchewan).

Article by Ian Cruickshank, a Toronto-based golf writer who writes for various golf publications including Score Golf.

Eger takes Seaforth Classic

SEAFORTH, Ont. -  Kent Eger of Regina fired a seven under par 64 Aug. 31 to capture the Canadian Tour's Seaforth Country Classic by two strokes over Wil Collins, John Ellis and Daniel Im.

Eger's 26 under par total falls just one short of Tim Clark's record 27 under par set at the 1998 New Brunswick Open. Derek Gillespie closed with a 64 to grab solo fifth while Andrew Parr (66), Dong Yi (65) and Adam Bland (69) shared sixth spot at 21 under par 263.

"How's my confidence? It's great now," said Eger with a big laugh. "When you're in contention, you're confident. Once you get in the moment, you become more focused and block everything else out. The problem is getting there."

It was Eger’s fourth victory as a professional having won three times on the Gateway Tour in Arizona. He joins Weyburn’s Graham DeLaet as a winner on the Canadian Tour who won the Montreal Classic Aug. 17 for his first win on the Canadian Tour and finished second at the Jane Rogers Championship (see Sept/Oct issue of SaskGolfer.com).

As the final groups made the turn, Eger, Collins and Im were trading the lead with Adam Bland and John Ellis hot on their heels. When Im eagled 14, Eger fell two strokes back of both Collins and Im while Bland began to fall away. However, Eger - who earned $24,000 for the win - refused to give up.

"It's a long day and a lot can happen in a few holes, he explained. "A two shot deficit can disappear on one hole. I never got out of touch with the leaders and there was no panic on my part. "I was in control of my emotions all day. I started to hit some really good shots on the back nine and made a nice 40-footer for birdie at 12. That really pumped me up."

Up ahead, Ellis had climbed to 24 under after birdies at 14 and 15, followed by an eagle at 16. Yet that is where his charge ended. Hitting his approach to the home hole into the deep rough short and right of the green, Ellis was forced to gouge out to five feet and then sank the par putt to grab a share of second.With his finish, Ellis pushed his earnings for the year to $102,975.

Im followed Ellis into the same spot and also had to work for his par, effectively ending his chances.Playing in the final group, Eger became aware of what was happening ahead after he birdied 14 and 15.  "As I was coming up 16, I saw that Im was 25 under. I then birdied the hole to tie him and when I birdied 17 from six feet, I knew what I had to do," said Eger.  "I hit a great 3-wood down the fairway and I realized as I walked up 18 that Daniel (Im) had bogeyed 17 . "It feels great to win but at the same time, I expect to win each time I tee it up."

And yes, Eger spoke with his mother again on Saturday evening. "Well, we talk every night. She told me to have a good attitude, play well and to be tough. "Out of everything today, I would have to say that my putting was the best. I drove it well, I putted very well and the wedges were good enough. They (the wedges) weren't spectacular but they got the job done."

For Wil Collins, it was his second runner-up finish of the season. "I felt like I didn't leave anything out there," said Collins, of his seven birdie one eagle 62. "I had my chances and converted a lot of birdies as opposed to yesterday when I made only two. I had a great week." It could have been better if not for the par-5, 15th, a hole most players birdied.

"I hit a 3-wood at 15 and just slightly blocked it into the trees. I didn't know those trees were in play until I put it there," he said. Collins was forced to pitch out and was faced with a 171-yard third shot. "I told myself to settle down and that I still had a chance for birdie.

"I hit a great shot in close but unfortunately thought too much on the putt. I bounced back, though, with a great up and down from off the green for birdie at 16. Overall, I played well today but my wedges were a little suspect on the last two holes and I was forced to hit long putts. It would have been nice to make those but you can't leave yourself the long ones."

Around Saskatchewan Links

There are three new golfers in Saskatchewan, all belonging to Daniel Rauckman, the executive director of the Saskatchewan Golf Association, and his wife Jill. Their triplets Casey, Mitchell and Maggie were born Sept. 11. Congratulations....The families of six people who died at the terrible car accident in August near St. Brieux received $65,000 at a fundraiser held at the Melfort Golf and Country Club. The event was organized by general manager Todd Zado who scored a hole-in-one during the event (his first). But because pros weren’t insured during the event he wasn’t eligible for a $20,000 hole-in-one insurance payout. So Gerry Bourgault of Borgault Industries stepped forward to cover the payout giving the families $10,000 and Zado $10,000.....Score Golf Canada Magazine ranked Dakota Dunes Golf Links near Saskatoon as 44th in the 2008 annual TOP100. This Graham Cooke/Wayne Carleton has received a number of honours since opening in 2005 including Best New Course In Canada designation a few years ago.....

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 a 5,000 square foot patio that is capable of seating up to 80 people. This patio will be situated in front of the clubhouse and will have excellent views over the golf course and valley. This patio will be available for use by tournament and private functions. The clubhouse will have a screened in porch located adjacent to the dining room that will be capable of seating up to 24 people. This porch 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 a new condo development at Deer Valley is being built by Sentry Homes Ltd. with construction planned to start in Spring 2009.

Deer Valley is 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

Into the sea

Climate change experts warn that the most famous course in the world could sink into the sea by 2050. The director of St. Andrews Sustainability Institute said the Old Course is eroding because of stronger storms and needs protection. She was optimistic however, that saving the Old Course would attract a lot of investment.

Growing the game

Play Golf is an industry led, national initiative to grow the game of golf in Canada. Motivating the consumer is even more critical now considering the addition of quality courses and the downturn in the economy. CN Future Links, Take a Kid to the Course and Free Lesson Month are some of programs now in place. www.playgolf.org

Be patient

If your golf game went south this year, remain patient. Few people hit a perfect shot or play a perfect game. Even the elite golfer has bad years, even several seasons. It's one of the most difficult sports, if not the most difficult. Don't give up, gear up for a better year in 2009.

Golf real estate still hot

A hot golf real estate market shows no signs of slowing done, as the Saskatchewan economy remains strong and aging Baby Boomers retire to the golf course. While some areas on the province have returned to a more balanced general real estate market, limited supply and increased demand continues to drive the golf real estate market.

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 Elk Ridge Resort, Northern Meadows Golf Resort and Candle Lake Golf Resort. MORE>>

Luxury at Elk Ridge Resort

Not only are golf course conditions the best in memory at this premiere four-season resort, Elk Ridge Resort has opened the new Elk Ridge Lodge featuring 34 deluxe guestrooms in June. Airline Hotels and Resorts Ltd. will oversee the operations of the golf course and of the new lodge in conjunction with all other accommodation options such as the chalet style cabins, townhouses and RV Park. MORE>>

Excuses for golfing

I couldn't golf when I was married, so any time is good now. I do all my praying on the course. I don't have a logo ball from that course. I don't have time for the driving range, but I have time to play 18. I enjoy driving the golf carts.

Amen Corner

"His swing is like an octopus falling out of a tree.”"

- Announcer David Feherty describing the swing of Jim Furyk

Pay less for Green Fees with Tee-Off Golf Guide!

The Tee-Off Frequent Player Program is the most respected golf discount program in Canada. ou can win a copy of the 2008 edition of Tee Off for B.C. OR Manitoba and Saskatchewan. If you're like the average golfer you'll pay for Tee-Off with just one or two uses and continue saving hundreds of dollars throughout the season. Send your email to teeoff@saskgolfer.com