Golf Games and Nicknames

Nicknames are a staple in the golf world. There’s a Tiger, a Golden Bear, a Walrus, a Goose, a Shark, a Big Easy, a Lefty, and the King. Most of these are iconic and recognized universally. Maybe not the Walrus one—that’s former PGA pro Craig Stadler, who’s beloved in his own right.

At our weekly Men’s Night, nicknames are just as much a part of the culture. Some are so commonly used that they’ve replaced given names altogether—Cubby, Milt, Hubey, Hogger, Sport, Chuck, and Neuf come to mind. Then there are those we refer to by last names when first names overlap. Last night, for example, I played alongside Maynes, Martin, and Gorrell.

Beyond the usual, there are also those one-off or lesser-used nicknames. One guy in my group calls a fellow golfer “Knuckles”, a nickname I haven’t heard anyone else use. That same guy has been calling my wife “Bionica” all summer, probably because she’s been sporting a neoprene sleeve on her knee.

In this week’s Men’s Night recap, I’ll weave in some new nicknames to those that we may already use.

Last night, Cyril “Cec” Patterson was closest to the pin on #5. Scott “Purple” Martin claimed closest on #9.

We had four skins go—reasonable, considering 42 golfers. Winners included Jayden “Pitter” Patterson and Dylan “Papa Dyl” Kimpinski, who took $26.25 on #2; Phil “Putter Cover” Ostash and Blake “Pin” Hunter, who pocketed $128.76 on #3; Dawson “Tan-Man” Tanner and Cubby Bartram, winners of $26.25 on #4; and the previously mentioned Scott Martin, who teamed with Neuf for a $41.88 win on #9. I didn’t need to tell you Neuf’s full name. He is an iconic one-namer, like Madonna or Liberace.

Scott “Purple” Martin also partnered with Jayden “Pitter” Patterson to split the $78.75 deuce pot.

Honestly, I wish more people had won prizes last night, so I could shout out others like Vern “Soul Train” Snyder or Darcy “Perogy” Kowalchuk. Darcy deserves special mention as he added two more holes to his ringer board to lock in a final score of -7, currently leading the pack.

Nicknames have a curious way of sticking, often born from a single moment, and sometimes for reasons that make absolutely no sense. If you don’t believe me, just ask Jason Gorrella “Monsoon.”

Many of my recent recaps have been lengthy, so I’ll keep this one short. This is Stephen “Special Delivery” David wishing you all a fantastic long weekend.

 

Horse Race Results

Yesterday marked our 15th annual Horse Race, an event that’s become a staple of our summer golf calendar here in Shoal Lake.

While turnout was a bit lower than expected, the 31 golfers who participated seemed to have a great experience. The weather was perfect, the beer cart made its rounds frequently, and the energy throughout the day was high.

The Horse Race brings out a different experience than Men’s Night. It is fun but it also has a real sense of friendly competition. Multiple players mentioned how nerve-wracking it was to stand over a four-foot putt knowing their tournament life was on the line. Flight winners had to outlast nine or ten other competitors, and many players survived multiple holes, narrowly avoiding elimination via chip-offs.

For some, the day began early with travel from out of town. Others extended the golf well into the evening with a casual four-team, four-person scramble. And from what I hear, the post-golf socializing stretched late into the night—on decks, around fire pits, or at poker tables.

The results of the Horse Race were as follows:

First Flight

1.     Robin Kimpinski

2.     Dale Martin

3.     Darcy Kowalchuk

Second Flight

1.     Nathan Maynes

2.     Vern Snyder

3.     Scott Maynes

Third Flight

1.     Keith Martin

2.     Darren Ostash

3.     Blake Hunter

A big congratulations to Robin Kimpinski, now a four-time Horse Race champion.

Our medalist in the 18-hole qualifier was Reegan Kominko, who fired an impressive 73.

One highlight was 11-year-old Kinsler Martin making his tournament debut this year. He performed well in the qualifier and even played in the same flight as his grandfather Keith Martin, who went on to win the flight. A cool multi-generational moment.

On behalf of all participants, I want to extend thanks to Scott Maynes for once again serving as our tournament organizer and facilitator. These kinds of events don’t run themselves, and we’re lucky to have someone so committed to making them happen.

 

Small Town Wednesdays

I will do the Men’s Night recap first for those who simply want that information. Then I will launch into my weekly reflection.

There were only 25 golfers this week. Many were likely scared away by the solid rain from 4:20 – 5:15 pm.

Skins went on five holes. Winners included Dawson Tanner/Jason Neufeld ($20 on #1 and $20 on #9), Scott Maynes /Jason Gorrell ($147.26 on #4), and Ryden Lanouette/Myles Shingoose ($20 on #7).

The win by Gorrell, coupled with his large deuce pot last week, vaulted him into second place on the season money list with $203.95. He is closing in on leader Dawson Tanner who sits at $200.34.

Darcy Kowalchuk is leading the ringer board at -6.

Charles McKay was closest on #5. Jason Neufeld was closest on #9 plus he converted the birdie to win the $46.88 deuce pot.

While on the golf course earlier this week, I mentioned how lucky we are to live in somewhere like Shoal Lake. I thought of that again this morning while reflecting on our recent Men’s Night round. The more I replayed the evening, the more I realized that Wednesday evenings here aren’t just about the golf. They are a snapshot of what makes rural life so awesome.

We are extremely fortunate to have own little nine‑hole course where the barriers to playing golf are almost comically low. Most times you can pull up to the first tee, stretch a bit, then hit a ball without waiting. No online booking required. No waking up early to get a good tee time. If two groups land at the same time, we sort it out with a quick wave and a “you guys go.” Or you can head to another open hole. Try to do that on a larger course.

Whether it be on Men’s Night or any other day, we move with a ready‑golf rhythm in Shoal Lake. What doesn’t happen is a five‑hour grind to complete a round. Here you can head out after supper, play 18, and still beat the darkness home.

We also have memberships that fit real budgets and don’t break the bank. A regular green fee at Clear Lake this year is in the ballpark of $115 for 18 holes. Four of those rounds and you’ve basically covered a season membership at Lakeside. You can trade four destination splurges for months of unlimited local golf.

Another thing that makes Men’s Night unique here is how completely level the ground feels once you arrive. Job titles and social status stay at home or in your truck. Nobody cares if you run a business, drive a school bus, seed 5,000 acres, or just got home from your first year of university. We’re all even off the first tee, armed with a mix of shiny new drivers, regripped hand‑me‑downs, and whatever ball we found under a spruce last week. Social status isn’t so much erased as it is irrelevant. That is the case for Men’s Night but it is also sort of the default setting for our community.

Then there are the little things you can’t buy somewhere else at a fancy course. Prairie evenings that linger and let you hit golf balls later than you should. Deer drifting along the tree lines. Foxes trotting across the sixth fairway like they own the place. Kids pedaling bikes across the course while you are playing. The smell of 10 to 20 fires coming from the campground. The constant sound of pickleballs on paddles. The hum of a nearby generator as you tee off of #3. All of those things are what make Shoal Lake unique.

Small‑town golf is possible because people care about our course and do things to make it better. Many volunteers trim trees, take care of flower pots and planters, paint decks and cart shed doors, install new weeping tile across a fairway, create roads to the campground, and occasionally MacGyver irrigation systems that aren’t working properly. And these people aren’t just those on the golf club executive. If help is required on the course or campground, we often see a call for a work party on Facebook.

The beauty about Men’s Night is what it says about rural community life. You show up, share space, laugh, compete a little, and head home better than you arrived. In a world where so much feels scheduled and structured, our Men’s Night is wonderfully unscripted. We don’t need a dress code, a starter with a two-way radio, or high greens fees. We need $10 for skins, sunlight, good humour, a flag to aim at, and people willing to pause midweek to hang out.

Have a good end to your week everyone. And for those participating in tomorrow's Horse Race...good luck and have fun.

 

Golf Interruptus

Wednesday night at Shoal Lake Golf Course is sacred. It's Men’s Night, a time-honoured ritual. But even the strongest traditions occasionally get sideswiped by the unpredictable forces of nature and life.

Golf Interruptus. That’s the term I’m coining for the bizarre, baffling, and sometimes beautiful interruptions that threaten to derail our weekly golf gathering.

First, let’s address the number one culprit of Golf Interruptus: the weather.

It takes a special kind of golfer to stand on a fairway beneath a black sky soaked to the skin and say with conviction, “It’ll blow over.” Each year, we usually get at least one or two rain nights that shut things down completely. Last July, we played on a day with three separate weather alerts, including a severe thunderstorm warning. You know, just a casual golf-at-your-own-risk kind of evening.

And how could we forget June 12th of last year, when we had a tornado warning and an inch of rain fell between 3:30 and 4:00 pm. It looked like the apocalypse but by 6:00 pm, the sun came out, the fairways were steaming like a sauna, and we played. Naturally.

Honestly, short of actual frogs falling from the sky or a meteor strike, we golf.

Cold weather doesn’t cancel Men’s Night; it just gives it more character. Sure, a few guys stay home when it’s 6 degrees with a 30 km/h wind. But those who do show up, that’s a different breed of man. They’re either dedicated, slightly unstable, or avoiding something at home. Sometimes, it’s all three.

Last night, there were 37 of these dedicated men who showed up to golf. And while I have attended many Men’s Nights, I would think the conditions last night were as close to perfect as possible. While it was not scorching hot it was more than comfortable. There was no rain, no smoke in the air, and the wind was almost completely absent. Calm evenings on Wednesdays seem to be a rarity.

The highlights from the golf include Kevin Bartram and Charlie McNabb getting closest to the holes on #5 and #9 respectively. Three skins went, including Phil Ostash ($44.38 on #2), Charles McKay / Wayne Griffin ($23.13 on #7), and Darcy Kowalchuk / Charlie McNabb ($44.38 on #9).

Jason Gorrell had himself a night carding one of the lowest rounds of the evening with a 38. That was made possible due to a chip-in birdie from in front of the final hole. He partnered with Darcy Kowalchuk’s to split the $211.88 deuce pot. Jason’s score was a 15-stroke improvement from last week.

One other thing to note about last night…Scott Maynes had an incredible birdie on #3. He chipped in from the bush on the left of the hole. His ball was about two feet in grass almost up to his waist.

While weather may be the primary enemy of Men’s Night, let’s not forget the other recurring interruption: life. Some players miss for things such as birthdays, anniversaries, or child-related commitments, such as ball games or 4H events. Look, we get it. Family comes first.

There’s also the odd local tradition of holding Shoal Lake’s high school graduation on Wednesday night. Is this just a coincidence or a conspiracy by community females to distract golfers away from the course? If you’re a parent of a graduate, fine. But for everyone else attending for moral support, what about the moral support required for your fellow golfers that you leave behind?

Sometimes, an interruption is actually worth celebrating. Two weeks ago, our own Robin Kimpinski skipped Men’s Night for something that makes even a hole-in-one seem ordinary: the arrival home of his new grandson, Eli. Congratulations, Grandpa.

From an emergency management perspective, we likely need to prepare for what might be next on the list of Golf Interruptus incidents. Given where we live, we could get rogue cow from a nearby pasture wandering onto the green. I had one in my front lawn a few years back.  

We should form a task force to develop a continuity plan to address other potential threats to Men’s Night. If anyone is interesting in being part of this group, we will be meeting at Gorrell’s campground gazebo next Wednesday at 10:00 pm.

Golf Interruptus. At the end of the day, Men’s Night always finds a way. We dodge storms, sneak past commitments, and tee off into skies that often defy meteorology. Because at Shoal Lake, golf isn’t just a game, it’s a weekly reminder that while life may interrupt, it never fully cancels what matters most. Unless, of course, there’s lightning…in which case, we strongly recommend shelter, a beverage, and waiting it out.

 

Golf Rules, Shoal Lake Style

Someone told me recently that my blogs are getting longer. I took it as a positive. It meant someone was reading them. Once my vacation starts in July, I have more time to write. That same person said last week’s blog was the longest ever. I took that as a challenge.

This morning, I want to talk about the rules that govern the game of golf. While many are universal, not all apply on Men’s Night.

For example, etiquette experts stress that the golfer farthest from the hole plays first—unless everyone agrees to play “ready golf,” as we do on Men’s Night. The only time you’ll get heck is if you don’t let the guy who just birdied go next.

Collared shirts are standard, even required, at most courses. At our local course, you wear what you want. In Shoal Lake, jeans are fairly common, especially on cooler evenings at the start or end of the season. On the hottest days, some guys even go shirtless. This usually involves high levels of both UV and intoxication.

You’re also not supposed to hit someone else’s ball, but it happens on Men’s Night. When it does, the offender incurs a two-stroke penalty and must replay their own ball.

Some courses have internal out-of-bounds areas marked by white stakes. Shoal Lake does not. This was helpful to Jason Gorrell last night when he landed on the putting green from the second tee box. Impressively, he made par from his lie 155 yards directly south of the hole over some dense bush.

Official golf rules require you to play the ball as it lies, even if it’s in a divot, on hardpan, or in a less-than-perfect lie. At Shoal Lake, we use a version of “winter rules,” allowing preferred lies on your own fairway only. You can move your ball within six inches, or a club length, but no closer to the hole. This rule doesn’t apply to balls in the rough or on another fairway. If you’re fluffing your ball in the rough, stop it. The rough is meant to be harder to hit from than the fairways.

There’s also the expectation that you stay quiet during swings. Phones should be off, and voices low. That said, we have lots of guys on call, such as Hydro workers and those from implement dealerships, who may need to keep their phones on. If your phone rings mid-swing and it’s work or the contractor building your new house, that’s generally acceptable. If it’s your spouse, you should immediately pick up your ball and go home. It’s family time now.

One unofficial rule of Men’s Night is no sharing feelings. It’s never been officially stated but it applies in my group. If you are mad about a shot, no problem. If you are struggling with an ongoing sadness or malaise due to challenges of life, put on a brave face. Golf isn’t a therapy session. As far as I know, none of us are trained counsellors.

On Wednesday evenings, swearing is permitted, but only if it’s creative and directed at inanimate objects. And while dropping an F-bomb after a bad shot might feel cathartic, don’t throw clubs. You could hurt someone or break a light on their cart. That happened to me. I won’t say who did it but it occurred at the Horse Race a few years back.

Also, like all courses it is important to fix ball marks on the green, avoid walking on someone’s putting line, and make sure your garbage finds a receptacle. I am noting the last one due to recent experience. While on an early morning scavenger hunt this week to find lost balls, I found cans in the bushes near four different holes. One was about 50 feet from the tree line. I guess if someone was looking that far in, they deserve to be drinking.

Another local rule is the Men’s Night max, referenced last week. If you’re in the trees and playing your seventh shot, it’s time to pick up. We’re here to play golf, not conduct an archaeological dig.

Break the rules and you might get a reminder or an unfriendly stare. But if it involves cheating, expect harsher penalties. Public shunning is not out of the question.

I expect that the majority of golfers generally respected the rules of golf last night, to the best of their ability. Perhaps a few people slightly improved their lie off the fairway. Maybe there was some noise during swings or puts, such as the backfiring of the Gator or someone trying to finish up a story that they just started. But just like every week, things went reasonably well and everyone seemed to have a good time.

Ron Huberdeau likely had a good night. He got closest to the pin on #9 and split a $21.25 skin with Scott Maynes on #1. Scott's teeshot on that hole was in the middle of the bush on the right but bounced almost back to the fairway. 

The other closest to the pin went to Darren Ostash on #5.

Another skin went to Ryden Lanouette and James Van De Velde on #7. They earned $63.75 thanks to Ryden’s eagle and James’ par.

Here is one interesting thing from last night. For the 34 golfers, the middle score was 46. That was as high as I can remember it. I suspect the gusting winds earlier in the round played a factor.

Okay, that was a longer blog entry than normal. If your read the whole thing, I appreciate your patience. If you didn't make it to the end, there is nothing I can say to help because you are no longer reading this.

Horse Race on July 26

The 15^th annual Horse Race is scheduled for Saturday, July 26. 

The 18-hole flighting round starts with a shotgun start at 9:00 am. After lunch, there is a Calcutta and then the horse races begin at 2:00 pm.

Each flight pays out top 3 with the money equal for all flights. The Calcutta pays out the top 2.

Additional information is available at https://tinyurl.com/mwr57zar

The Wednesday Night Mercy Rule

At our Men’s Night, we’ve adopted a triple bogey max rule. It's designed to keep the pace of play moving, protect fragile egos, and most importantly, make sure no one walks off the course with a score that looks like a phone number. No one wants to record a 10 on a par 4 and have to emotionally unpack that later in the clubhouse.

But even with the max rule in place, some golfers rise to the challenge. I’ll never forget the time a guy from out of town, working in Shoal Lake, showed up for two consecutive Men’s Nights and carded back-to-back 63s. I know, because I had the privilege of playing with him both times. This guy hit the max on every single hole. Every single one.

To make it worse, despite our repeated friendly nudges, he refused to pick up once he reached triple bogey. He kept hitting or mishitting, grinding out double-digit hole scores like he was chasing some secret achievement badge.

Last night, someone nearly joined the club with a 59. That’s at least five maxes. Someone said that the player might’ve been a lefty using right-handed clubs. If that’s true, it’s impressive. I can’t even write my name legibly with my left hand, let alone hit a golf ball the opposite way.

We are good with the max score rule because no one has ever won a skin with a partner having a triple. In fact, it would be an almost impossibility. In order to win a hole, the combined score of the high-low partners has to be even par. So, if someone had a max, the partner would need to have a -3 on a hole to even qualify. For example, if one person had a triple on the par 4 first hole, the other person would need to get a hole-in-one to make them eligible for the win.

Last night, five skins were won. Not surprisingly, no one had a max on their winning hole. Winners included Robin Kimpinski/Dave Gill ($137.51 on #1), Ryden Lanouette/Joe Shwaluk ($67.50 on #2), Matthew Ostash/Orin McKay ($26.25 on #5), Barry Nychuk/Nathan Nowasad ($126.26 on #6), and Scott Maynes/Chris Hogg ($42.50 on #9). 

The prizes on the first and last hole are among the highest single hole payouts we have had. It’s not often a single skin pays out more than $100, and it happened twice last night.

Having mentioned Robin, I should also note that he was closest to the pin on #9. Austin Hunter was closest on #5.

The max has become such a staple of Men’s Night lingo that even when a player earns their triple the old-fashioned way, by just batting their original ball around three too many times, they proudly declare, “That’s a real seven.”

Often when we play somewhere else, the rule usually comes into play. The two things that are often said at other courses prior to teeing off are “Let’s play from the white” and “Men’s Night maxes”. 

It appears the max in golf is somewhat universal. Jason and Neufeld and I played Minnedosa on Monday and got paired up with two guys from Shilo. They were good golfers. However, when one of them mentioned their score to their partner, they said "I'll take the triple max".

Of the 42 players out last night, around 30 recorded at least one max. For the 10 brave souls who shot over 50, the maxes were plentiful.

There were three scores under 40 last night. Congrats to Reegan Kominko and Matthew Ostash who had 36’s and Ryden Lanouette who had a 39. Usually, it isn't easy to go under 40 with a max. But when you do, it makes it even better. You get to say things like, “I had a 37 and that included a max on seven”.

And while triple bogeys may not win you prizes, they may provide you with a moment of quiet reflection as you pick up the ball and ride out the remainder of the hole. Think of the par-5 fourth. That hole has caused more emotional trauma than dial-up internet. Hitting max early on there means you get to cruise down the fairway, guilt-free, while watching your buddies finish the hole. You’re the group’s designated cheerleader at that point, and hey, that’s important too.

And when you think about it, a triple bogey max doesn’t even sound so bad when compared to the Horse Race qualifier, where you can rack up four over par on a single hole. Now that’s golf's version of cruel and unusual punishment.

Of course, our friendly max system even mirrors real golf rules to a certain extent. Under the World Handicap System, the maximum score you can post for handicap purposes is Net Double Bogey. That is par + 2 + any strokes you’re entitled to. So, if you're playing a par 4 and get a stroke, your max is 7. It keeps handicaps realistic and prevents blow-up holes from artificially inflating your index.

So next time you hit a max, take comfort…you are part of a proud Men’s Night tradition. A tradition that says, “Hey, we’re here to play golf, but not for that long.”

 

Tee Time Traditions

Every Wednesday, around 6:30 pm, something interesting happens at the golf course. It’s more than just a round of golf; it's an informal but well-crafted, relatively consistent ritual. From the moment we think about it earlier in the week, to the last putt made, and even beyond, Men's Night is governed by an unwritten set of traditions that keep us coming back.

The ritual often begins long before the first tee. Some people arrive early and some come at the last minute. Guys load up their coolers with essentials and generally there is a congregation of carts and players outside of the Club House. The horn at 6:25 pm is used as an indicator for many to head to their respective holes.

Then comes the start of the round. For some, that it their first hole of the day. For others, it could be our fourth or fifth round. Prior to the first tee shot, group members often declare what kind of ball they are hitting and whether or not they are playing for anything. Lefty-righty snips with snakes is a popular choice.

Once on the course, the ritual continues. Golf balls are hit. Some shots result in positive comments. Others result in search parties. People often feel relief if they get past holes 3 and 4 with the same ball.

Golf rituals are common practices among golfers, ranging from simple etiquette to more peculiar habits, often used to enhance focus or perhaps bring some good luck. Many golfers have routines prior to shooting. Some take practice swings, others have repetitive set-ups when addressing the ball, and many use GPS devices to check yardages for their next shots. And while range finding is a ritual, the shots don't always realize the aniticpated distances.

There's an unspoken understanding of the flow. It generally takes around two hours for the Men’s Night round, but for some reason it takes some groups much longer. The actual golf doesn’t take that long. Occasionally you have to wait for the group ahead to clear. At other times, the arrival of the Gator/beverage cart causes a slight delay. Last night that ritual changed slightly with the appearance of a blue GMC Sierra near the fifth teebox, taking the place of the disabled Gator.

Of course, no Men's Night round is complete without the constant banter and hydration. This is intertwined with the shared laughs over a missed drive, the grudging respect for a miraculous birdie, and the ongoing conversation that picks up right where it left off seven days earlier.

Once the score cards are all finally submitted, the ritual shifts gears. The pursuit of the deuce pot and skins is a weekly highlight. As the results are being tabulated, many enjoy some food at the Club House. That was the case for several of the 26 golfers last night.

This week the ritual of prizes was handled quickly. Only one skin went, with Zach Bartram and Jim Geekie winning $61.25 on hole #5 thanks to Zach's birdie. That also won him the $48.75 deuce pot. 

Closest to the holes went to Milt on #5 and Stephen David on #9. Hopefully, someone eventualy gets an ace soon so we can renew a long past ritual of awarding a large hole-in-one prize.

After the prizes are awarded, about half those in attendance head out and the others remain for a while and visit. And then, for some, the evening culminates in the poker at the campground. 

Rituals in golf are important. These rituals might be informal and light-hearted but still carry significance, providing a consistent structure and sense of continuity week after week. Ultimately, the power of Men’s Night lies in our unwavering commitment to showing up each week for the camaraderie and the chance to spend a few hours with friends, away from work, stress, and responsibilities. The simple fact is that we go because it’s fun...because it matters in the way that only the best traditions do. It’s the feeling that, no matter how your round went, you're part of something, something relaxed but also fun and competitive, something that we look forward to for 22 times or so per summer.

So, here’s to the unwritten rules and the enduring traditions that make every Wednesday Men's Night special.

 

This is 40

On Wednesday, we had 40 guys at Men’s Night. That’s right…forty golfers. Four-zero. That’s a pretty solid turnout for this time of year. It’s not 50, but hey, it’s better than 30.

40 is not just a number, it’s a vibe.

For some, it’s the line between a good round and a great round. Some people shoot a 40 and call it the round of their life. Others shoot a 40 and say their round wasn’t anything special. It’s all about perspective.

 

40 in golf is way better than 50. There’s something psychological about seeing a 4 at the start of your scorecard. You feel competent, even if the rest of your round looked like a nature walk with clubs. Even a 49 is infinitely better than a 50. You get a 49 and you feel as if you dodged a bullet. You get a 50 and you hope no one asks you how your round went.

 

40 minutes is roughly the gap between the first group turning in their scorecards and the last. This week was no exception. It was a nice evening. Who is going to blame someone for playing a few extra holes.

 

There were probably 40 comments about how the scores would have been lower…if only the greens were better.

 

Many of us put in a 40-hour work week just for the chance to three-putt from 10 feet on Wednesday night.

 

40 yards was the total distance of a couple of shots in my group. And that’s being generous.

Age 40 is when many of us start believing that golf is the one sport we might still peak in. Our dreams of stardom in baseball, hockey, or figure skating? Long gone. But golf? Golf gives us hope. No running, no jumping…just unrelenting optimism sprinkled with quiet suffering.

 

40 guys at Men’s Night means 40 different stories about how their putt just lipped out.

 

40 dollars is what many guys take to poker later in the evening, each hoping to leverage it into a legendary windfall.

And some say golf is 40% mental… and 60% denial. They’re not wrong.

 

40 ounces is also the approximate volume of several bottles that get emptied on Men’s Night. We stay hydrated.

 

40 mosquitoes followed me around Wednesday evening like I owed them money. It was definitely one of the first nights that demanded a good dose of bug spray.

Kevin Bartram won a combined total of $187.15 on Wednesday. He claimed the $135 deuce pot with a deuce on #9, while winning $20 for closest to the same hole and getting the $65.63 skin with Alvin Rutchka. If you convert that $187.15 to the currency of Kuwait, Cubby won approximately $40 Dinars.

Another skin went to Pete Ostash and Wayne Griffin who won $25 on #2. If you add their two ages together and divide by four, you almost get 40.

The other two skins went to Jeff Hunter/Zach Bartram ($8,76 on 7#7) and Joel Ostash/Orin McKay ($83.76 on #8). If you add Zach and Orin's ages, it is almost 40.

Closest to the pin was Braeden Allen. It you divide the total number of letters in his first and last name by three and multiply by ten you get 40.

 

So, here’s to the 40 golfers who showed up on Wednesday. Next week, let’s aim for another 40. Or maybe even 41. Dream big!

 

Happy Father's Day

Given that today is Father's Day, we want to raise a golf ball in toast to the unsung heroes — the dads who golf every Wednesday, not for personal enjoyment, but for the greater good. 

Each Men’s Night, these selfless men are not just competing for skins; they're boosting the local and national economy, freeing up their spouses’ schedules, and strengthening community ties.

Did you know that the average Canadian golfer spends somewhere between $1,800 and $2,400 per year? That's not golf; that's a stimulus package. We dads buy memberships, golf balls, clubs, and questionable golf attire. We spend our money so those families supported by people in the golf industry have food on their table.

At a local level, we are key supporters of the Club House. While the numbers may vary annually, at least 20% of the yearly liquor sales happen on Wednesdays. That is another example of dads giving back.

And some contributions, while smaller in scale, still have significance. Consider Scott Maynes and Cubby Bartram as examples of this. Each Wednesday, instead of adding to their family’s burden, they ensure that their respective sons, Nathan and Zach, come to Men's Night. This generous move lets their wives enjoy a well-deserved break, minimizes the need to hire expensive babysitters, and strengthens the bond between generations.

And within my group, Gorrell is like a father figure to many of us. He arrives late, is always cranky, and yells at us when we disappoint him. He makes me feel like I am 13 again.

Another group of wonderful dads to note are those who prioritize the well-being of their spouses and children by staying out late every week, playing poker at the campground. In doing this, they sacrifice their own rest so that their families can enjoy quiet, uninterrupted sleeps.

Interestingly, this past Wednesday, the two skins were won by combinations that included a wise, fatherly figure supporting a young man. Zach Bartram used Charles McKay's guidance to combine for $40.63 on #2, while Ethan Hunter was assisted by one of our local elders, Vern Synder, to win $40.63 on #3. 

Also, noteworthy, every single one of the 32 golfers in attendance were either fathers or had fathers at one point. That is a stat that often goes unreported but needs to be celebrated.

The deuce pot went unclaimed this past week, but there were some impressive shots worth noting — Jason McKee was closest to the pin on #5, and Darren Ostash was not far off on #9.

Even the scores reflected the spirit of Father's Day. The evening leading 38 was carded by a dad, Joel Ostash. Meanwhile, the highest score of 60 was recorded by a young man without children. This clearly demostrates how the joy of being a parent contributes to improvements in our golf games.

So cheers to all the golf dads — the financial investors and community contributors — for making the world, especially Shoal Lake, a better place. Have a great Father's Day!

A Perfectly Mediocre Wednesday Evening

Last week’s Men’s Night was everything we expected...remarkably average, refreshingly uneventful, and so middle-of-the-road it could’ve been sponsored by beige paint. No records were broken, no carts were flipped, and no one accidentally set anything on fire, which definitely counts as a win. The golf was passable, the beverages were cold, and the conversation hovered comfortably between weather chat and grumbling about back pain.                                                                                                                                    It was the kind of night that won’t make it into the history books but might get a polite nod if someone asks, “How was Men’s Night?” Wednesday was truly a masterclass in showing up, swinging, and going home. Not every week can be fancy or memorable. Not every Men’s Night needs fireworks or fanfare — most of us are just looking for a pleasant diversion, a few laughs, and some decent company. Uneventful can be exactly what we need. Let’s be honest...most of us aren’t out there expecting drama and excitement, we're just enjoying an evening and trying not to throw out our backs.

The golf was pretty good, tough, or passable—depending on your individual circumstances. Most balls made it off the tee... eventually. The greens were fast, slow, bumpy, or just right, depending on where you landed. To be fair, that can be the case at many courses at any time during the season.

Speaking of greens, I’m grateful for all the rain we’ve been getting this weekend. Our maintenance crew and golf club executive have been working hard to overcome some tough green conditions, impacted by the usual winter damage as well as the giant herd of deer that roamed the course for several months. I know that the work has been hampered by water issues—both mechanical and Mother Nature’s doing. Hopefully, the solid soaking over the last few days, combined with the forecasted warmer, sunny conditions this week, will help get the putting surfaces back on track. In the interim, let’s all remain patient and kind and resist the urge to complain about course conditions.

Highlights from Wednesday included Hayden Mackedesnki recording the low score of 37, Dawson Tanner winning the $116.26 deuce pot, and Jason Gorrell hitting the ball consistently straight—though, unfortunately, he was usually playing for a fade/slice. Dawson's win puts him way ahead in the season money list. However, we have only played 4 weeks so there is lots of golf and prize money in the future.

Darcy Kowalchuk added another birdie to the Ringer Board to go to -4. The only other person to enter scores is Ethan Hunter who currently sits at -2.

After several weeks of lots of skins being won, only two went this week. Stephen David won $20.63 on #4, while Ryden Lanouette and Wes Arnfinson claimed the same amount on #5. Closest to the pins were Chris Malchuk on #5 and Jason Neufeld on #9.

See you next week at the same time and place for more swing-and-miss entertainment.

Why We Play?

Why do we play every week? There are lots of reasons to play golf on Wednesday evenings, but none of them are represented in the pie chart.

You might do something noteworthy that will be remembered the following week. However, fame isn’t likely. Sure, there have been a few moments that earned someone a bit of infamy—but those are stories for another time.

No one’s getting rich playing Men’s Night. You might win a few bucks on a skin or for sticking it close on a par three, but no one’s quitting their day job to live off their Men’s Night earnings.

And let's be honest—no one’s coming out for the girls. I have yet to be stopped on the street by an adoring group of female golf fans, swooning over the fact that I won a one-fifth share of the deuce pot last week.

So what is it that keeps us coming back week after week?

It’s the ritual. The camaraderie. The chance to spend a few hours with friends, away from work, stress, and responsibilities. It’s the shared laughs over a missed drive, the grudging respect for a miraculous birdie, and the ongoing banter that picks up right where it left off seven days earlier.

We come out for the stories—the ones we retell and the new ones we create. For the trash talk that starts on the first tee and the good-natured jabs after the round ends. For the feeling that, no matter how your round went, you're part of something—something relaxed, something competitive, something uniquely ours.

That’s why we go to Men’s Night. Not for the fame, not for the fortune, and certainly not for the fans. We go because it’s fun. Because it matters in the way that only the best traditions do.

And hey, there’s always next week’s deuce pot...which should be over $100 given it wasn't won this past week.

We did have 29 golfers on Wednesday, who enjoyed as nice weather conditions as we could have for May golf. 

There were five skins won. Winners included Darcy Kowalchuk/Paul Lucas ($20.00 on #2), Stephen David/Charles McKay ($43.76 on #3), Chad Tanner/Darren Ostash ($20.00 on #4), Scott Maynes/Wes Arnfinson ($29.38 on #5), and Pete Ostah/Blake Hunter ($20.00 on #9).

Pete was closest to the hole on #9. No one hit the green on #5.

Darcy Kowalchuk birdied holes 1, 2, and 8 to jump out to the early lead on the ringer noard at -3.

Two Out of Three Ain't Bad

It is just three weeks in and we already had a night cancelled due to inclement weather. There was no Men's Night on May 7.  While the weather wasn't great this past Wednesday, the rain held off, and we got 18 golfers. 

As is often the case with fewer players, several skins went. In fact, five out of nine holes were won. Winners included Cole Hunter/Blake Hunter ($20.00 on #1), Stephen David/Robin Kimpinski ($25.63 on #4), Phil Ostash/Ron Huberdeau ($65.64 on #6), and double winners Reegan Kominko/Wes Arnfinson ($20.00 on #7, $20.00 on #9).

Closest to the pins were Sean Blackbird on #5 and Wes Arnfinson on #9. Sean also converted the birdie for the $33.75 deuce pot.

First Night of the Season

The 2025 season started off in a positive manner, with 23 golfers coming to play on Wednesday. It was great to see people back on the course having fun, hitting golf balls, and hanging out.

The scores ranged from a low of 39 to a high of 58.

Darren Ostash, fondly known as Milt to the local crowd, had a solid evening, all related to his performance on hole #5. He hit it closest to the pin, converted the birdie for the $54.13 deuce pot, and split a $20 skin on the same hole with Paul Lucas.

There were six skins won in total. Jason Gorrell and Montana Sutherland won $48.75 on #1 and Charles McKay combined with Wes Arnfinson to win #9 and $20.00. The most successful pairing was Trevor Wilson and Dawson Tanner who won $48.75 on #2, $61.89 on #7, and $37.51 on #9.

The other closest to the pin was Jason Gorrell on #9.

Don't forget to sign up for the ringer board. Rules for this may be found at the following link.

Our first Men's Night of 2025 is this Wednesday, May 7 at 6:30 pm. 

Let's make it an enjoyable and memorable season. It is time of excitement that includes optimism regarding new swing thoughts, hopes of more consistent play, and often new clubs and equipment.

Here's to 2024!

 

The season came to a close on a beautiful day last Wednesday. The day before the Club House closed for the year, we had 25 golfers at Men's Night. 

Reegan Kominko and Wes Arnfinson combined for three skins ($58.76 on #4, $34.37 on #5, and $34.37 on #9. Reegan also claimed the $69.38 deuce pot. 

The only other skin went to Robin Kimpinski and NathaN Nowasad who won $34.37 on #3. Closest to the holes were Ashton Tanner on #5 and Ryden Lanouette on #9.

As is my practice, this final blog includes a summary of the year. Here are some of the highlights from this past season, filled with memorable moments, friendly competition, good laughs, and plenty of camaraderie.

Big Picture Highlights:

• Robin Kimpinski topped the money list with $376.85.
• Ryden Lanouette was the ringer board champion.
• We played a total of 24 times, with over 60 golfers winning money, including closest-to-the-pin contests.
• Despite a generous pot, no one was able to achieve that elusive hole-in-one.
• Remarkably, despite some erratic weather, we did not have a single canceled night all summer.
• There were more than a few evenings that ended with some poker at the campground.

Season Highlights:

• Our first round was on May 8. The following week, Wes Arnfinson cashed in for almost $200 with a huge deuce, a closest-to-the-pin win, and a shared skin.
• June was marked by challenging weather. On June 2, gusts reached 70 km/h, and the following week, there was a tornado emergency alert. Although some spouts touched down in the region and hail was a concern, we still managed to play on Men's Night, even with incredibly wet course conditions. That night, Joel Ostash was closest on both par 3s, a rare achievement for the season.
• July kicked off with an interesting mix of scores ranging from 32 to 56, with ten players finishing below 40 and another ten going 50 or higher. We had our best turnout of the year with four golfers, despite no one from Wayway participating. Fred Hrycak had a standout round on July 24, scoring 37 with four birdies.
• In August, Ryden Lanouette wrapped up the ringer board with a final score of -8. Fred Hrycak came within inches of glory when his tee shot on #9 just missed going in.
• September featured consistent turnouts, with plenty of skins being won as we started winding down with earlier tee times.
• October was fantastic, marking the first time that we had two Men's Night rounds after October 1. The first night was extremely cold, but the following week brought beautiful weather.

As we close the chapter on this season, I want to thank each of you for your participation and enthusiasm. It’s the friendships we’ve built and the memories we’ve created that truly make our Men's Night special. Whether you were a frequent player or joined us for a few rounds, your presence helped make our Wednesday nights worthwile. Here’s to 2024...and here's to a short winter! 

Embracing the Cold

 

It was pretty cold out last week. When we teed off at 5:30 it was about 10 Celsius with wind gust up to 50 km/hr. By the end of the round, it was around 7 Celsius air temperature with a pretty good windchill. 

But 12 of us still golfed. It was uncertain until around 5:20 pm when the last couple of guys arrived. People bundled up, wore toques, and spent more time in carts with sides on and windshields up.

These days at the start of the season and the end of the season can be unpredictable with weather. But even on a day like last week, I think of the upcoming 6-7 months we will spend away from the golf course. I think of those days in January when I look out onto the frozen wasteland that is Manitoba, wishing I could be outside hitting golf balls.

This week we are lucky. The weather is forecasted for a high around 24 with mimimal wind. Remarkable weather for golf. And this will be our final Men's Night of the year, given that the Club Hose closes on Thursday.

For last week's recap, only one skin went. Reegan Kominko and Joe Shwaluk combined for a $20 pot on #9. There were no deuces. Closest to the pins were Pete Ostash on #5 and Stephen David on #9. The low round of the evening was a 40 carded by both Pete and Reegan.

October is Almost Here

Before I write anything else, we will try for a 5:30 pm start this week. If you are a little late, no problem.

It is always a good sign when we get 20 Men's Nights in a season. We hit that number last week. Also, the forecast looks very reasonable for this week. That means we will play in October. That doesn't happen every year. 

We also did not have a single cancellation this summer, which is quite rare. Usually those happen due to heavy rain or wet conditions. We could have lost a night back on June 12. That was the day of the tornado warnings and heavy rain and hail in the region. However, the sky turned blue around 6:00 pm the same day and we were able to get the round in despite the extremely wet ground conditions.

I usually make a similar statement at this time of year. I remind people that these golfing days are getting fewer and far between. Soon we will pack away our clubs for that 6-7 month long period. So if you get a chance to golf you should take it. But maybe not today. As I write this, there is a wind warning. The highest breezes are forecasted for 4:00 pm when the wind will be close to 60 km/hr and with gusts as high 85 km/hr.

Last Wednesday, we had 18 golfers. Three people made money. Skins went on two holes with the Cole Hunter/Jason Neufeld pairing claiming both $20.00 on #8 and $24.38 on #9. Cole also had the only deuce to claim the $73.13 pot. Neuf was also closest to the pin on #9. Braeden Allen ws closest to the pin on #5. The low round of the evening was Charles McKay's 38.

Late Season Golf

This is the time where it is best to embrace some Fall golf. The days are getting shorter but the weather is still very nice. Sure there may be a few more leaves on the ground but the fairways and greens are still in excellent shape.

The 21 of us who played last week seemed to enjoy it. Jason Gorrell and Ethan Hunter likely had fun. They combined for two skins...$20 on #2 and an amazing $242.51 on #8.

Other winners included Logan Tanner/Paul Lucas ($24.38 on #1), Zach Bartram/Dawson Tanner ($82.51 on #3), Pete Ostash/Wes Arnfinson ($92.51 on #5), and Jason Neufeld/Charles McKay ($62.51 on #7).

Logan also had closest to the hole on #9. Wes was closest on #5. There were no deuces.

With the earlier sunsets, we will tee off at 5:45 pm effective this week.

From Fairways to Workdays: A Late Season Update

 

At the end of the season, when I get back to work, my blog entries tend to get shorter and come later. That's just the way it is. I love golf and enjoy updating the blog, but sometimes neither are priorities. So here is the update from last Wednesday, seven days afer it happened.

Of the 18 golfers, four won skins. Winners included Joel Ostash/Ron Huberdeau ($69.38 on #2 and $128.76 on #6) and Jason Neufeld/Stephen David ($69.38 on #9).

Neuf had the only deuce of the night for $33.75. Closest to the holes were Zach Bartram on #5 and Robin Kimpinski on #9.

It Happened Last Week

Last Wednesday we had 29 golfers. Only two skins were awarded. Winners included Robin Kimpinski/Stephen David ($185.65 on #1) and Chad Tanner/Shane Kimpinski ($96.26 on #4). 

Robin's two on the par 4 first hole was the only deuce of the evening, earning him the $54.38 pot.

Chad scored the low round of the evening with a 34.

Closest to the pins were Sonny on #5 and Vern on #9.

Ryden Lanouette - Ringer Board Champion

The ringer board came to an end on Wednesday with Ryden Lanouette finishing at -8. Ryden had one hole remaining and got a par on #9 to secure the victory. Finishing second and thrid in the first flight were Phil Otash at -5 and Robin Kimpinski at -4. Darcy Kowalchul also had a -4 but lost on a countback. The second flight was also won in a countback of -2 scores with Fred Hyrcak edging out Ethan Hunter. 

In other Men's Night news, there were 32 players on Wednesday. Robin Kimpinski and Logan Tanner combined to win the only skin of the night, getting $125.01 on #8. Their individual prize shares vaulted them into the top two spots on the season money list ahead of Wes Arnfinson.

Closest to the pins were Darcy Kowalchuk on #5 and Phil Ostash on #9.

Tim Gianotti had a two on the par four first hole to claim the $60.00 deuce pot. He also paired with a four which should have been enough to claim the large $167.52 skin. Unfortunately, another high/low duo both scored birdies to push the hole.

Almost!

This is a visual representation of what I heard happened last Wednesday. I was away but it was reported that Fred Hyrcak almost had a hole-in-one on #9, coming up 6 inches short while right on line. Nice try Fred. Hopefully someone will hit that jackpot prior to the end of this season. It will be worth at around $3500 tomorrow evening.

I can't report much else from last week other than the prizes. I have been away two weeks in a row so I am looking forward to getting back at it tomorrow. Thanks to the boys who looked after Men's Night in my absence.

Not surprisingly, Fred was closest on #9. Reegan Kominko was closest on #5. Both converted their birdies to share the $60.00 deuce pot.

There were 33 golfers last week buut we were short $10 so prizes were based on the $320. collected.

Skins went on just one hole. Neuf and Milt combined to win $20.00 on #7. There are two holes (#1 and 8) already worth over $100. The sixth hole could also get past that level if we get a good turnout tomorow.

Navigating the Waters of Lakeside

 

Given the name Lakeside golf course, we typically don't have a lot of water in play. That is fine with me. We have the ponds on #3 and #7. Occasionally, an errant shot can find the lake on the right side of #8 or go over the back of #9. Of course, we had the additional challenges of on-course causal water due to the heavy rain in June. Like this week's meme, it sometimes seems that if there is water somewhere, it is easier to find than we would like. And the tool to help you find the water is your trusty golf club, whether it's your driver or an iron. The one that frequently surprises people is the pond on the right side of #7. You can be inside 100 yards with a clear path to the pin, yet the ball occasionally goes off to the right. That happens with other shots but the impact is much greater on that hole. It quickly turns a birdie chance into a hope for a bogey.

One positive development on our course is the recent removal of weeds from the pond on #3. It is easier to see shots that clear the pond and how they finish. Thanks to the maintenance crew for cleaning up that area.

I am not sure how the water impacted play last Wednesday. I was away getting rained on at the end of a round in Poplar Ridge. From what was reported, the rain wasn't too much of an issue in Shoal Lake.

The 32 golfers combined to win four skins and get three deuces. Skins winners included Paul Lucas/Ron Huberdeau ($38.13 on #2), Joel Ostash/Joe Shwaluk ($20.00 on #3), Derek Patterson/Blake Hunter ($20.00 on #7), and Scott Maynes/Kevin Bartram ($59.38 on #9). 

Paul, Derek, and Scott split the $60.00 deuce pot. Scott was closest on #5 and Derek hit it tightest on #9.

Remember there are only two weeks remaining to record scores for the ringer board, August 21 and 28. Last week, Ryden Lanouette added a birdie on #7 to get to -8. Jason Gorrell and Phil Ostash are 1 and 2 strokes behind the leader respectively.  For any holes for which one doesn't enter a score, you will receive a triple bogey.