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Playing our parks

Saskatchewan's national and provincial parks protect unique and beautiful areas in settings that include prairie valleys and hilltops and northern woods and water. These parks offer a rich variety of things to do including incredible golf that's second to none. Here are a few spots that will tempt you this fall with affordable green fees, few crowds, and wonderful park amenities, not to mention the beautiful fall colours arriving soon.

Candle Lake Golf Resort is a popular all-season lakeside resort destination located at the Resort Village of Candle Lake about 50 minutes northeast of Prince Albert. The nearby provincial park has over 7,784 hectares of recreational park and is open year-round.

Candle Lake is known for its clear waters, beautiful beaches and good fishing. Candle Lake Golf Resort has a 180-slip marina at its front door and offers rental cabins and townhouses on site as well as 155 spots in a full-service RV park. As part of the resort's development, the original track was expanded to 6,725 yards making it a Par 72 course with a slope estimated at 125 to 130. www.candlelakegolfresort.com

Not far away, just outside of Prince Albert National Park, Elk Ridge Resort bills itself as the premiere four-season resort destinations in northern Saskatchewan, and they;re probably right. If you;d like to eat, sleep and play golf, you can start with this 27-hole championship course located in the lush boreal forest. Stretching from 5,200 to 6,800-yards, Elk Ridge features a mature forest, natural water hazards and silica sand bunkers Ñ a challenge that rewards shot-makers. The highlight for many is the sensitive layout Ñ it;s one of the few courses in the province recognized for its environmental friendliness by the Audubon Society. www.elkridgeresort.com

Inside the million acre national park about ten minutes away is probably the best known Saskatchewan course nationwide, Waskesiu Golf Course. It;s difficult not to sound like a tourist brochure when it comes to Waskesiu and this Stanley Thompson layout. This spectacular course showcases undulating fairways and thick boreal forest populated by abundant elk, deer, fox and other wildlife..

Off-course activities include everything from tennis to my favorite, a guided wolf howl (You howl at the wolves and they howl back), or a hike into famous Grey Owl;s cabin. www.waskesiugolf.com

At Elk Ridge there are cabins and townhouses overlooking the fairways. In Waskesiu, there;s everything from budget motels to the Harwood, a hotel-restaurant complex overlooking the lake where you;ll find the best meals and service in town. Another local favorite for golfers is the old log cabin restaurant with its imaginative menu right at the Waskesiu Golf Course.

If you;re after a golf resort holiday with solitude, Green Hills Golf Resort in Greenwater Provincial Park in the northeast is a great choice. A few years ago, the owners oversaw a $2 million expansion of the course to a Par 72, 18-hole championship length. In many ways, the landscape resembles Moose Mountain with its prime boreal forest, silica sand traps, and a serious slope of 127. Off-course attractions focus on outdoor activities like hiking, camping, boating and wildlife viewing. There;s not a neon sign in sight.

Green Hills is somewhat isolated Ñ about three hours from Saskatoon Ñ so fill up your gas tank and book your tee times in advance. Lakeside cabins are available, but accommodations in the park are limited. So plan ahead if you are not bringing your camper. www.greenhillsgolfresort.com

Good Spirit Lake Golf and Family Resort is located 15 minutes off the Yellowhead Highway northwest of Yorkton. With its full-fledged conference facilities - there are conference rooms, on-site accommodations and catering services - the facility caters to groups and conferences of up to 200 people.

The Good Spirit track is well-treed in a peaceful Saskatchewan parkland setting, offering a friendly and challenging 6,276-yard layout for recreational and experienced golfers. The Par 72 course has a slope of 127, and enough sand traps and water hazards to require accuracy and skill.

Off-course attractions at the nearby Good Spirit Provincial Park include hiking, boating, fishing and sand dunes. The shallow waters and sandy beaches of Good Spirit Lake make it a popular spot for families during the summer. www.saskparks.net/GoodSpiritLake

Down the road you will also find one of the province's favourite family tracks, Madge Lake Golf Resort, nestled in Duck Mountain Provincial Park. Here you will find evergreens as big in girth as trees in the Rockies. You will find so many trees in the hills of Duck Mountain Provincial Park, they;ll stop errant shots. This friendly, family oriented resort course isn;t long, but the trees, narrow fairways and small, tricky greens offer plenty of challenge.

Duck Mountain Lodge across the road from the course is the best bet for accommodation. It has a hotel portion, as well as, comfortable self-contained townhouses. Activities include hiking, biking, boating, and fishing. www.madgelakegolf.com

You will be more than pleasantly surprised with Golf Kenosee, located on a plateau about two hours southeast of Regina, tucked away in Moose Mountain Provincial Park. At 5,152 yards with fairways lined with poplar, ash, fir and white birch, player-friendly Golf Kenosee puts a premium on straight accurate shots. The course has recently completed a major five-year upgrade. www.golfkenosee.ca

Outside the park nearby White Bear Lake Golf Course is often the best conditioned track in the southeast. The 6,700-yard championship layout is part of White Bear Lake Resort and is set in a quiet white birch forest on an elevated plateau of hills, ponds and lakes. This shot-makers course has bent-grass greens and the only white silica sand bunkers in southern Saskatchewan. It's like hitting a ball out of powdery salt. www.whitebeargolf.com

There;s no end to off-course attractions in southeastern Saskatchewan;s popular provincial park. Moose Mountain offers beaches, horseback riding, camping, boating, waterslides, hiking and more. Also, visit Cannington Manor Historical Park, 15 minutes away, and try your hand at cricket lessons.

The best bet for accommodation is either the Kenosee Inn Resort Hotel across the road from Golf Kenosee or the lodge at the Bear Claw Casino. Do not be alarmed - there are two enormous stuffed white polar bears on the casino premises.

Both of these places will also rustle up a good meal for the visitor, although The Moosehead and the Moose Mountain Brewing Co. are local hotspots.

Anchoring southwest Saskatchewan is Saskatchewan Landing Golf Resort, 30 minutes north of Swift Current just off Highway 4. It opened several years ago to rave reviews and since then has been quietly building its reputation. It lies along the shores of Lake Diefenbaker, one of the largest lakes in the province and a startling discovery when you come off the seemingly endless prairie.

At 7,000 yards off the tips, Saskatchewan Landing Golf Resort's links-style is unique in the province, resembling a desert or native prairie course such as those in Arizona. With average size greens, natural rough and blooming cacti, shotmakers will use every club in the bag.

The course is located in Saskatchewan Landing Provincial Park with sandy beaches, 250 campsites, a boat launch, hiking trails and a cottage subdivision. Just before crossing the lake you will find a provincial interpretive centre that focuses on local history and the environment. There are also hiking trails, teepee rings and a professional mini golf course to enjoy in the area. By the way, woolly mammoths were found in the area and are incorporated in the club;s logo. www.sasklandinggolfresort.com

Another gem is Northern Meadows Golf Club, one of Saskatchewan ;s newest upscale facilities. It is located located outside Meadow Lake Provincial Park near the town of Goodsoil. In recent years, the course has expanded to a four-season resort destination with a cottage area and full-length 18-hole layout.

The fairways of the 6,756-yard, Par 72 championship golf course are cut out of the northern boreal forest and share some of the same environment as other northern courses such as Waskesiu, Elk Ridge and Candle Lake. Fairways have wide-open landing areas bordered by spruce, tamarack, poplar and jack pine trees. Wildlife ranges from deer, to ball-stealing foxes and ravens, and to an occasional bear or lynx.

The clubhouse's licensed restaurant, which has a seating capacity of 65 with a deck area that can accommodate another 50 people, attracts golfers and many of the 300,000 people who visit nearby Meadow Lake Provincial Park every year. Meadow Lake is the largest park in the province with 900 campsites.

The course facility also includes a pro-shop, driving range and club/cart rentals, and a year-round bed and breakfast operation. www.northernmeadows.com

You will find Jackfish Lodge Golf and Conference Centre In Battlefords Provincial Park near Cochin. It combines the attractions of a beautiful resort setting atop the hills overlooking a northern lake, and all the amenities of a provincial park Ñ hiking trails, fishing and mountain biking, and quality golf.

This Par 71, 6,601-yard championship course along scenic Jackfish Lake is peaceful and quiet setting. It;s set against a backdrop of a natural lake, rolling hills (slope 114), and trees and shrubs typical of this parkland region. The 58-room lodge offers quality accommodation and the meals are good (especially the northern fish dishes). www.jackfishlodge.com

So throw your clubs in the trunk, and grab your buddies.

For travel information and support visit Tourism Saskatchewan at sasktourism.com or call toll-free 1-877-237-2273.

Play like a pro

Downhill putting smarts
- If you are faced with a slick downhill putt, always think about your results. If you hit it too hard, you will have a long putt coming back. Your best option is to just die the ball into the front of the cup, or if you miss, you have only a foot putt back up the hill.

Keep your arms close
- Most wild shots are the result of your arm getting too close to your body. The turning of the body creates power and the arms offer control of that power. Swing so your left arm brushes near your chest area. The right arm should extend back on the backswing and then fold and tuck near your right side on the downswing.

The smooth takeaway
- The first move back with the club sets the tone for the swing. Take the club back low to the ground directly back from the ball for the first six inches. You will notice that you will be making solid contact and hitting a lot more great shots.

Big changes at Lloyd

For starters, Lloydminster Golf and Country Club is no more - it;s now called the Lloydminster Golf and Curling Centre. But, that;s a minor change compared to the $1.86-million upgrade to facilities at this championship track.

"It;s been a big year," says head professional Kyle Mulligan. Upgrades include a new full-service restaurant and lounge, pro shop and a state-of-the-art meeting room that;s decked out with new technology. MORE>>

Stretch your golf dollar

At the mid-summer point, is your golf budget getting stretched? While golf is still a relative bargain in Saskatchewan, it;s still a pricey sport if you want to play every day like some fanatics. There are plenty of great incentives to hop in the car and try a different venue. There are more than 225 courses in Saskatchewan, an all-you-can-eat buffet that keeps getting better and better. MORE>>

Hall of fame inductee announced

The Saskatchewan Golf Hall of Fame second induction class includes two players and three builders with achievements and contributions to the sport of golf spanning throughout the rich history of golf in Saskatchewan.

The second inductee's class includes: Players Category: Patricia A. Lawson (Pat), Saskatoon and Doug Lynwood Mader, Lumsden; Builder Category: Danny Jutras, Prince Albert, William George Wallace (Bill), St. John's, NFLD, and Terrence Everett Meier (Terry), Regina, SK

The induction ceremony will be held on Saturday, Oct. 1 at the Wascana Country Club in Regina.

The Saskatchewan Golf Hall of Fame was established by the Saskatchewan Turfgrass Association, CPGA of Saskatchewan, and Golf Saskatchewan to recognize the achievements of players and builders of golf in Saskatchewan.

Sponsorship opportunities are available and ticket information for the event will be available near the end of August. Individuals and or businesses wishing to make donations to the Saskatchewan Golf Hall of Fame may also be eligible to receive a tax receipt. For more information about the Saskatchewan Golf Hall of Fame, including sponsorship oppor-tunities and or tickets for the banquet, visit www.golfsaskatchewan.org.

And, most importantly, we are men. Or something like that.

Vacation fun at Harbour

Opened in 1988 to the public this 18-hole championship course is situated on the bluffs overlooking the scenic Lake Diefenbaker at Elbow Harbor Recreational Site in Elbow, Sask.

The Harbor Golf Club & Resort is fast becoming one of Saskatchewan;s premier tourist attractions. Large greens that are well bunkered make it an exciting challenge to all levels of golf enthusiasts. Many golfers who have played here compare the amazing views to the famous Pebble Beach in California. MORE>>

Junior Golf Programs flourishes

Golf Saskatchewan is pleased to announce that the National Golf in Schools Program is now in 130 schools throughout Saskatchewan. This has been a very successful program in our province as it has given thousands of kids the opportunity to learn about the game of golf. To learn more on how you can get Golf in Schools up and running in your community please contact Phil Grosse at: pgrosse@golfsaskatchewan.org.

Golf Saskatchewan is proud to be the leaders in the country! Thus far, over 50 Future Links Mobile Clinics have taken place and over 5000 kids have been exposed to the game of golf in Saskatchewan. Golf Saskatchewan recently attended the Children's Festival where over 2,000 kids were introduced to the game. Golf Saskatchewan used the golf in schools equipment and set up a mini golf course for the kids to play. There were great shots, prizes, lots of laughs and it was a great experience for everyone involved.

The Boys and Girls Club of Saskatoon also were introduced to the game by the Saskatoon Golf and Country Club. Whether there are big events or small events, junior golf programs at clubs and Future Links Clinics are taking place throughout and the Province. It is great to see time and energy being invested in junior golfers because that is where the future is for golf.

Praise the devil

A golfer is in a competitive match with a friend, who is ahead by a couple of strokes. "Boy, I'd give anything to sink this putt," the golfer mumbles to himself.

Just then, a stranger walks up beside him and whispers, "Would you be willing to give up one-fourth of your sex life?"

Thinking the man is crazy and his answer will be meaningless, the golfer says, "Sure," and sinks the putt. Two holes later, he mumbles to himself again, "Gee, I sure would like to get an eagle on this one."

The same stranger is at his side again and whispers, "Would it be worth giving up another fourth of your sex life?" Shrugging, the golfer replies, "Okay" and he makes an eagle.

On the final hole, the golfer needs another eagle to win. Without waiting for him to say anything, the stranger quickly moves to his side and says: "Would winning this match be worth giving up the rest of your sex life?" "Definitely," the golfer replies, then he makes the eagle and wins the match.

As the golfer is walking to the club house, the stranger walks alongside him and says, "I haven't really been fair with you because you don;t know who I am. I'm the Devil, and from this day forward you will have no sex life." "Nice to meet you," the golfer replies, "I'm Father O'Malley."

The boy's golf weekend

By Andrew Penner

Just like a rich cabernet aged in French oak, fresh daisies in a dew-filled meadow, a little baby duckling taking its first flight, a boys' golf weekend is one of the finer things in life.

Indeed, it is during these times of inner reflection, quiet meditation, and philosophical communion with other like-minded intellectual types that we truly grow and develop as human beings. Not.

It's interesting that these low-level junkets - "junkets" seems like the appropriate term - are always referred to as boys' golf weekends. We dare not call them men's golf weekends.

For men's golf weekends they are not. We are relegated to boy status during these times. We are expected to behave like boys. And that's not really a problem. We are ok with this. In fact, we wouldn't have it any other way.

No, we certainly do not change the world during a boys' golf weekend. Or, at least, we don't change it for the better. Some of us don't even change our underwear. Now, don't get me wrong, it's perfectly fine if one chooses to practice petty personal hygiene, but by no means is this obligatory.

We are free to go commando. Free to let our nose hairs blow in the wind. Free to trash talk. And free to pee in the juniper bushes behind the 6th green.

Indeed, the boys' golf weekend is typically a classless affair. There is plenty of fun, frivolity, and flatulence. The best of mankind is not represented. What is represented is a rather smelly, unkempt version. It is not pretty. It's actually quite odious. But it is critical for our sanity.

This is not to say that our "normal" domesticated lives are boring or unfulfilling. Our jobs are very important to us. Our families are paramount. We are, for the most part, bettering our communities and we take the most important duties we have in our world seriously. It's just that our world needs irresponsible idiots some times.

Of course, there are some needs that should be met. For instance, we need to eat. Nachos, wings, and stale sandwiches from the beverage cart do nicely. A steak (think "The Great Outdoors") and a glass, or four, of Aussie Shiraz will not be turned down. Notwithstanding what the girl on the beverage cart thinks, we can, if necessary, act civilized for short periods at a time.

Liquids are required as well. And, contrary to professional nutritional opinions, barley and hop-flavoured beverages are full of life-giving vitamins and minerals. They alone can sustain you. It's been proven countless times.

Sleep, while beneficial, is optional. After all, there are cards to play after last call. Crazy Eights, Chase the Bitch, Texas Hold Ôem... they all have merit.

Of course, we're not completely oblivious to the fact that sleep deprivation may lead to further adversity. Therefore, when one's head lurches from side to side and eyes start rolling back into the cranium, it's perfectly fine to crash on the couchÉor wherever. After all, there is golf to play in a couple of hours.

Speaking of the golf, it's a bit of a sideshow, really.

The camaraderie, the constant cajoling, the crudeness, these take centre stage. Golf shots must be played but the quality of play is somewhat suspect. I mean, come on, how could you possibly hit a great shot when someone is pretending to be a mallard duck in heat during your backswing? During a boys' golf weekend, our handicaps should be thrown out the window. Two hours of sleep and rusty nails for breakfast is handicap enough.

Typically, there is one somewhat nerdy type in the group who keeps the whole thing from going completely off the rails.

His role on the trip is that of the mother hen. He is the voice of reason. He makes sure police cars aren't stolen, wild cats aren't brought into the hotel room (see "The Hangover"), and bar fighting is kept to an absolute minimum. After all, we are fine, upstanding citizens who have important responsibilities in our communities. Remember?

Around the links

Reoccurring back injury continue to dog 29-year-old Weyburn golfer Graham DeLaet. DeLaet was the top Canadian on the PGA our in 2010 with more than $950,000 (US) in earnings. Following back surgery in January his progress has been slow.... Injuries have also sidelined PGA Tour great Mike Weir. He's on the sidelines after elbow surgery recently that will keep him out until 2012. Weir has been struggling on our the last several years, placing 539th in world ranking this year....David Byrne from Essex, Ont. beat Regina's Kent Eger in the season finale Big Break Indian Wells. As a result, David Byrne has earned an exemption spot into the 2010 Zurich Classic in New Orleans, a $10,000 endorsement deal with Adams Golf, a $10,000 shopping spree at Dick's Sporting Goods and lastly $70,000 cash for winning the Big Break. Kent showed the audience he is a great player: he is outgoing and very determined to get things done. This is just another accomplishment to add to his growing list.... Idaho's Joe Panzeri made the decisive shot of the 2011 Dakota Dunes Casino Open tournament in July and it happened when Chile's Hugo Leon was making another charge by closing the gap to only one stroke with three holes to play. Panzeri almost wedged in, lipping out from about 100 yards to stick it within a foot of the cup for an easy birdie on No. 16. Leon settled for a par and Panzeri regained a two-stroke lead, which he held until the final hole. Despite a three-putt on No. 18 for a bogey, Panzeri hung on....

Amen corner

"Once I was golfing in Georgia, I hooked a ball into the swamp. I went in after it and found an alligator wearing a shirt with a picture of a little golfer on it." - Comedian Buddy Hackett