It's Not Over Until It's Over

Well, we had a Men's Night in October. I have participated in these for 20 years and looked after them for 10 years or so. This is the first time we had one after September 30.

It looked a little shaky about 20 minutes before tee time. But then10 more guys showed up. We ended up with thirteen golfers (shown in the picture) which made it official. In total, we had three of us from Shoal Lake, eight from Waywayseecappo, one from Rossburn, and one from Oakburn. Obviously, the cool, windy weather kept many people at home. However, everyone seemed to be dressed warmly enough and we got the round in.

I think it is worth acknowledging the thirteen who made it. Let me state their names so that the history books will remember them, and so that their grandchildren may speak of that cold day in October 2022 when these brave young, old, and middle-aged men faced their fears and the elements to play golf. Let's hear it for Randy Jr., Tim, Landon, Terry B., Ash B., Zach, Terry Z., Ashon T., Charles, Colby, Myles, Rob, and Stephen.

Three skins went on Wednesday. Logan Tanner paired with a nice dummy card to win twice ($20.01 on #4 and $41.26 on #5). Myles Shingoose and Ashton Tanner claimed $20 on #9. Logan was closest to #5 and Colby Moore was closest to #9. Terry Brandon grabbed the $123.76 deuce pot in dramatic fashion. With winds swirling in all directions, he hit a three-wood from the tee to about six feet on the par 4 first hole then drained the putt.

The title of this blog entry is "It's not over until it's over". While this past Wednesday may have been our final one for the year, it is too early to make that call. The Club House will still be open this week and right now the forecast is suggesting it could be 12 Celsius. Plus the Wayway boys will likely be there to get us past the required 10 golfers. 

I will wait until Tuesday evening to make the call regarding whether or not we will try for one final Men's Night. I will carefully assess predicted temperatures and estimated wind speeds. I will analyze radar maps and study charts depicting barometric pressure, windchill, and cloud coverage. And then finally, I will text the boys from Wayway to see if they are still coming.

Last week we teed off at 5:30 pm and it was tight getting it completed. So in the event that we can go this week, I will suggest a 5:15 pm tee off. I know this doesn't work for everyone. If you come a little later, just start when you can.

No matter what happens next week, we already had 20 Men's Nights this year. There were 22 available but we had cancellations due to insufficient numbers on May 18 and September 14.

One final thing...I check Weather Network and Environment Canada to get my forecast and choose to believe the one that looks best. For next Wednesday, it is this one - https://weather.gc.ca/city/pages/mb-28_metric_e.html

And We Are Still Going!

 

Nineteen guys showed up on September 28 for Men's Night. That is fantastic. Even better, the forecast for tomorrow is 15 Celsius which means the first October Men's Night since I have been involved. Tee time is 5:30 pm.

Last week, skins went on three holes. Winners included Terry Susinski/Jason Gorrell ($65.01 on #2), Charles McKay/Colby Moore ($33.13 on #8), and Phil Ostash ($20.63 on #9).

Jason Gorrell was closest on #5 and Terry Susinski was closest on #9. There were no deuces. The low score was 37.

Bonus Golf

Well...while we are closing in on the end of the season we have been fortunate to get some nice weather. While it isn't tank tops and sunscreen conditions, it definitely is great for this time of year. Men's Night will continue as long as the weather and number of players allow for it. To adjust for the earlier sunset, we will continue teeing off at 5:45 pm.

Right now the forecast for this Wednesday is 22 Celsius and sunny. Heck, even the following week is showing 14 Celsius and sunny. I always try to be optimistic about the weather and golf...so I am hopeful that we will have an October Men's Night for the first time since I have been involved.

This past Wednesday we had 14 golfers. Surprisingly, with the small numbers, only one skin was won. Robin Kimpinski and Neuf combined for $36.88 on #4. There were no deuces but Terry Susinski dropped a putt for eagle on #7. Terry also had the closest to the hole on #9. Rob Martens was closest on #5.

For this coming week, we have the always attractive hole-in-one prizes available. Also, the skin on #3 will be worth around $160. Come on out and enjoy the nice weather. Before we know it, we will be starting out our windows looking at snow and wishing spring would arrive.

Shortest Update Ever

 

On Wednesday we had 20 golfers. Skins went on three holes. Winners included Jason Neufeld/Nathan Maynes ($20 on #1), Mike Zenchyshyn ($44.38 on #7), and Doug Cripps/Jason Gorrell ($20 on #9). Closest to #5 was Trevor Wilson and closest to #9 was Pete Ostash. There were no deuces.

It’s Not Over Until It Is Over

 

Well...it is September. While there are some people who really enjoy fall and winter, I expect that most people wish we had another month or so of summer. It is usually this week that we see the flood of social media posts bemoaning the end of the sunny season.

Personally, I ascribe to the "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened" camp. Sure I prefer summer over other seasons. Yes, I would like another eight weeks of great weather. But I had a good summer break and I am grateful that I had it. 

Plus the golf season isn't over. Last year we golfed into mid-October. And as is our practice, Men's Night will run until the weather or low numbers shut down the season for us.

This past Wednesday we had 25 golfers. Robin Kimpinski recorded the lowest score of the season with a blistering 33. When asked about it Robin said, "I've been dreaming about this round all summer". Others were polled about what they have dreamt about this summer. Jason Gorrell referenced Disneyland. Scott Maynes said his summer dreams have been filled with thoughts of grass cutting and trimming.

Scoring wasn't easy for everyone. The middle score for the evening was 46, the most common score was 47 for 5 guys, and there were a few over 50.

Robin combined with Bill Flynn for two skins, $20.00 on #6 and $31.88 on #8. Other skins went to Stephen David/Rob Huberdeau ($20 on #1), Ash Brandon ($50.63 on #5), and Jason Gorrell/Nathan Maynes ($31.88 on #9).

Ash Brandon's win on #5 was noteworthy for a couple of reasons. Firstly, it represented one of the few times this year anyone won a hole when paired with the dummy card. Also, Ash had a two on the hole which also got him the $46.88 deuce pot.

The closest to on #5 was Robin and the closest to on #9 was Phil Ostash.

So far this year there has been $3138.16 in prize money spread out among 48 winners. The current money leader is Phil Ostash with $211.24 followed by Nathan Maynes with $166.90.

Remember we are now at 6:00 pm tee off for the remainder of the season.

Robin Kimpinski Claims Ringer Board

The ringer board wrapped up this week. Congratulations to Robin Kimpimski who scored a -7 for the win. Scott Maynes finished second at -6 followed by Stephen David at -3.  Jason Gorrell and Phil Ostash secured the top two spots in the second flight.

There were 26 golfers on Wednesday. Wes Gregory and Brett Griffin were the big winners, combining for three skins including $20 on #1, $20 on #4, and $20 on #6. Those were the only skins of the evening.

The $48.75 deuce pot was claimed by Scott Maynes and Reegan Kominko. Reegan was closest on #5 and Kendal Koroscil was closest on #9.

Thanks to Scott Maynes, Kendal Koroscil, Nathan Maynes, and anyone else who took care of Men's Night for the past three weeks during my absence. See you all again next week.

This coming Wednesday we will be switching to a 6:00 pm start time for Men's Night. 

Skins for Everyone

 

The number of skins in a given week is quite variable. Usually three or four go. Sometimes it is only one or two. Last Wednesday, seven out of nine holes went.

Winners included Shane Kimpinski/Dean Gadd ($40 on #1), Robin Kimpinski/Wes Arnfinson ($20 on #2), Blake Hunter/Joe Shwaluk ($75,63 on #4), Matt Ostash/Ron Susinski ($20 on #6), Pete Ostash/Charlie McNabb ($40 on #8), and Jason Neufeld/Terry Susinski ($55.63 on #9).

Neuf and Terry also were closest to the pins, on #5 and #9 respectively. They also converted their deuces and split the $56.25 deuce pot with Nathan  Maynes.

Golf Records

People ask me if I am getting lots of golf this summer. My response is that I can't complain but I am nowhere near last year's total. In 2022, I played 2136 holes from April 2 to October 16. This morning I read that the world record for most holes played in a calendar year is 11,000 by a Dallas golfer named Richard Lewis in 2010. To put that in perspective, that is 611 eighteen-hole rounds or an average of 30 holes per day for 365 days straight.

Since I've mentioned one interesting statistic...here's another with a Canadian connection. The Guinness World record for most holes played in 24 hours was set by Robb James in Edmonton. In 2004, he played 851 holes in a single day.

There were 34 golfers this past Wednesday. That certainly wasn't a record but it was a good evening for scoring with seven players breaking 40. The low round was Reegan Kominko with a 35. As best as I can recall, the record for low round during Men's Night is likely 31. I know this because I haven't heard of anything lower...plus I played with the two guys the nights they scored the 31. It was Scott Maynes and Jason Wowryk on separate evenings a few years apart.

Skins went on three holes. Winners included Ashley Brandon/Kevin Bartram ($36.88 on #2), Dave Mansell/Joe Shwaluk ($36.88 on #5), ad Wes Arnfinson/Charlie McNabb ($148.14) on #6.

Closest to the pins were Kendal Koroscil on #5 and Dale Martin on #9. Dale converted his deuce to split the $110.62 deuce pot with Joe Shwaluk.

Remember that the final two weeks for the ringer board are August 17 and 24.

Thanks to Scott Maynes and Kendal Koroscil for taking care of scoring and prizes in my absence.

Golf and Life

There are stretches during any summer where things are going on when golf is put on the backburner. You get busy with other things, maybe have other plans, and suddenly you haven't golfed in a while.

Last year I golfed a lot...likely the most golf I have played in a single year. This year has been different. I have golfed more than the average person but am nowhere near my 2021 totals. I am okay with that. Sometimes other things are priorities or sometimes things come up that require your attention. Golf is a great pastime but life involves more than golf.

Last week, we had 25 golfers. Ash Brandon had the low round of 36. Brad Benton was closest to on #5 and Derek Patterson hit it tightest on #9. There were no deuces.

Skins went on three holes. Winners included Derek Patterson/Mike Susinski ($20 on #1), Robin Kimpinski/Ron Huberdeau ($20 on #7), and Brad Benton/Blake Hunter ($106.89) on #8.

The middle score last week was 45 which is the highest it has ever been. Despite good conditions, there were 6 scores of 50+.

If you have yet to finish off your ringer board, there are three nights remaining (August 10, 17, and 24).

Last Wednesday in July

There were 32 golfers last Wednesday. Skins went on five holes. Pete Ostash/Dawson Tanner won twice including $66.88 on #5 and $48.75 on #7. Other skins went to Nathan Maynes/Jason Neufeld ($20 on #1), Charlie McNabb/Brett Griffin ($20 on #2), and Ethan Hunter/Joe Shwaluk ($38.75 on #9).

The $60.00 deuce pot was split by four people - Kevin Bartram, Joe Shwaluk, Nathan Maynes, and Terry Susinski.

Closest to the holes were Pete Ostash on #5 and Myles Shingoose on #9.

A reminder to lock in your ringer board scores given that there is only 3 weeks remaining to do so.

Club Toss Anyone?

I just read that the longest throw of a golf club is 235.2 feet or 78.4 yards achieved by Tyson Allen (USA) in Emporia, Kansas, USA, on 14 October 2021. I verified this with a couple of other sources. This doesn't seem long. That's barely half the distance to the back of the ninth hole. I may have to test this out later today with an old club. If this is actually the record, I think that there are a few people in Shoal Lake who could challenge it.

As far as I know, there were no clubs thrown by the 30 golfers last week. Skins went on three holes. Winners included Stephen David/Mike Susinski ($20 on #1), Robin Kimpinski/Theoren Hunter ($20 on #2), and Jason Neufeld/Terry Susinski ($46.88 on #4).

Closest to the pins were Darcy Kowalchuk on #5 and Scott Maynes on #9. Scott converted his birdie to share the $56.25 deuce pot with Phil Ostash.

Including this evening, there are four weeks remaining on the Ringer Board. The final night to record scores is August 24. Currently, Robin Kimpinski leads the way at -7 followed by Scott Maynes at -5.

Congratulations to our Horse Race champion for 2022...Reegan Kominko. Reegan battled back from a lost ball on the first tee to victory by way of a chip-off on the ninth hole. Congratulations also to 2nd Flight winner Jason Gorrell and 3rd Flight winner Ron Susinski.

Just a Solid Men's Night

What an excellent Men's Night yesterday...lots of golfers and great weather. In fact, the sky was so clear that many groups continued on as long as they could. Our numbers have increased the last three weeks...from 33 to 39 and then 45 yesterday. There were many new faces including some who likely played for their first time with us. Nights like this are always good for the course, the Club House, and the beverage cart.

Skins went on five holes. Winners included Noah Street/Brendan Cloud ($72.51 on #1), Terry Brandon/Cubby Bartram ($$72.51 on #2), Dale Martin/Braeden Allen ($28.13 on #3), Derek Patterson/Nathan Maynes ($72.51 on #7), and Reegan Kominko/Myles Shingoose ($90.64) on #9.

Closest to the pins were Cyril Patterson on #5 and Kendal Koroscil on #9. Three people split the $84.38 deuce pot...Charlie McNabb, Reegan Kominko, and Noah Street.

Next Saturday is the annual Horse Race tournament.

By the way, if you read last week's blog I had a small error that made for some entertaining conversations yesterday. The deuce pot was only $133.13 not the $4133.13 that I originally reported. Thanks to Blake Hunter for pointing out my mistake.

Golf Sayings, Phrases, and Words of Encouragement

I read an article recently about golf sayings. There are a lot of these phrases that are overused. Most of us drop them occasionally. Many I have heard in the last week. I try to use them less but still one occasionally slips out. My go-to one is "that'll play".

We start out rounds with obligatory comments about having a good game or hitting them straight. We compliment people with phrases such as "well hit", "that sounded good", "nice bomb" or "that one isn't going to hurt you". When people putt and miss, we say things to encourage such as "had the line" or "you gave it a chance". Occasionally, we make comments that are less supportive such as "if you hit it hard enough you would have had it".

Sometimes we say things to others that suggest that we have some insight into the golf swing. We tell people "nice tempo" or "good speed" or something like that. Or we react to a great shot with the comment "be right" as if our words can help the shot be even better.

When we hit a ball too far, someone in the group might yell "bite" or "hit a house". Often our comments are intended to pick someone up after a bad shot. We say things such as "you could be worse" or "better than being at work". However, golf can sometimes feel like work and these attempts at support can have the opposite effect.

Last Wednesday we had an excellent turnout due to nice weather and several people visiting town. Three of the 39 golfers had a deuce, with Darcy Kowalchuk, Ron Susinski, and Robin Kimpinski sharing the $133.13 pot.

Robin was closest to the pin on #5 with Kendal Koroscil hitting it closest on #9.

Only three skins went but two of them were the biggest on the board. Reegan Kominko and John Gill combined for $98.14 on #3 while Phil Ostash and Ryden Lanouette won a whopping $194.29 on #4. The final skin of $44.38 went to Tim Siegle and Ron Susinski on #9.

There was a change in the lead on the ringer board with Robin Kimpinski adding two more birdies to move to -6.

Big Pot on #4

Another Wednesday morning and another need to write a quick blog post to get ready for this evening.

The fourth hole skin is currently worth $169.91. It will likely be around $190 this evening.

We had 33 golfers last week which was our season-high. Only one skin went. Theoren Hunter and Brad Benton combined for a $20 win on #8. Closest to the pins were Ryder Lanouette on #5 and Sonny Blackbird on #9. There were no deuces.

Here's to Waywayseecappo!

 

I was trying to think about what to write today and wasn't having any luck. I have written lots about the weather over the years and of late, and I am done with that. I could do another hole-in-one feature given the size of the three pots but that has also received previous attention. Then it came to me...I should acknowledge a group of guys who have made our Men's Night even better.

For the past three years, we have been fortunate to have great representation from Waywayseecappo. They came on one Wednesday, had a positive experience, and then kept returning. Every single week we have 5-10 visitors who start a little early, play Men's Night, and then often get another nine holes in until darkness falls.

Some weeks, half of the players at our Men's Night are from Waywayseecappo. There are several who come regularly and some who come occasionally. The one constant is Charles McKay who seems to be there every week, taking skins from his younger companions and ordering chicken wings to go at the end of the evening.

All these Waywayseecappo boys are good golfers and, more important, great guys. Everyone thinks the same. So at the risk of missing someone who has visited previously, I would like to do a shout-out to Charles McKay, Terry Brandon, Myles Shingoose, Dawson Tanner, Dylan Tanner, John Tanner, Eugene Tanner. Brent Cloud, Chad Tanner, Trevor Wilson, Randy Brandon Sr. & Jr., Logan Tanner, Donovin Tanner, Montanna Sutherland, Ash Brandon, Branden Tanner, Ash Tanner, and Dion Brandon.

Last week we had 29 golfers. Not surprisingly, 9 or 10 were from Waywayseecappo. 

Nathan Maynes had a night. He score the only two deuces and pocketed $54.38 for his efforts. He also was closest on #5, hitting his tee shot to about 18 inches. Finally, he won a $26.26 skin on the same hole pairing with Cubby Bartram. Brad Benton just edged out Nathan for closest to on #9.

Five other skins went on Wednesday. Winners included Theoren Hunter/Brent Cloud ($79.39 on #1), Robin Kimpinski/Stephen David ($41.26 on #2 and $67.89 on #8), Charles McKay/Trevor Wilson ($67.89 on #6), and Jason Gorrell/Blake Hunter ($26.26 on #7).

Currently, Brad Benton and Robin Kimpinski lead the ringer board at -4, followed by a group of five others at -2.

There are a couple of upcoming tournaments to note. Our fundraiser is on Friday, July 8 and there is still room for teams of 4. Then there is the Horse Race on Saturday, July 23.

One final thing...below is a pic of the ball that Brett Griffin was using on Wednesday. It looked like this for several holes and wobbled when he putted it.

I golfed with someone yesterday who said something that I believe to be true. He said that there haven't been many normal weeks of weather in 2022. Lately, there have not been seven straight days in which we could say "This is a normal June".

We had a fantastic winter and summer in 2021. It may be balancing itself out this year. The winter was a chaotic mess with frequent poor conditions and closed highways. The spring and summer have been unseasonably cool, wet, and windy.

I know complaining about the weather as it relates to golf may seem a bit trivial. But we just had a seven-month-long winter. Also, as goes golf so goes many important industries in the region. Crappy summer weather hurts recreation, tourism, farming...heck, even ice cream sales are likely down.

The bad weather delayed the start of the golf season, has caused low numbers for weekly attendance and even resulted in one night being canceled outright. Last week was the perfect example of the unperfect weather. The threat of a storm and cool, rainy, and windy conditions kept most golfers at home. The thirteen guys that did show up actually saw much-improved conditions shortly after the round started.

I pride myself on my optimism but this weather is getting to become a challenge. Today is the first day of summer and the official longest day of the year, yet it seems as if we are waiting for the nice weather to get started. I guess we shall see what tomorrow brings.

Right now, I need to bring an update on last week's golf. I mentioned 13 golfers. Only one skin went...$20 on #9 for Stephen David and Brad Benton. There were no deuces. Closest on #5 was Nathan Maynes and closest on #9 was Nick Roulette. Lowest score of the evening was a 37 which was carded by three golfers.

Okay...Men's Night is tomorrow so I need to do an update quickly. 

Last Wednesday there were 24 golfers. Skins went on three holes. Winners included Pete Ostash/Phil Ostash (96.89 on #5), Brad Benton/Shane Kimpinski ($20.00 on #7), and Jason Gorrell/Dawson Tanner ($27.50 on #9).

Closest to the holes were Scott Maynes on #5 and Pete Ostask on #9. Jason Gorrell won $47.50 for the only deuce of the evening.

This Will Be Fast

Last Wednesday there were 20 golfers. Skins went on two holes. Winners included Kendal Koroscil/Jason Neufeld ($25.63 on #2) and Terry Brandon/Charles McKay ($25.63 on #7). 

The low score for the night was a four-way tie. Congrats to Jason Neufeld, Logan Tanner, Brad Benton, and Dawson Tanner for all scoring a 39.

Brent Cloud was closest to the pin on #5 and he was the sole winner of the $37.50 deuce pot.

Deuces Wild

There were five deuces last Wednesday, which I think is a record. Congrats to Brendan Cloud, Kendal Koroscil, Logan Tanner, Stephen David, and Tim  Gianotti for sharing the $88.13 deuce pot. Logan's two was on the par 4 second hole which makes it even more impressive. Stephen and Tim's deuces paired on the 9th hole for a skin.

Closest to the pins were Kendal on #5 and Stephen on #9. Kendal had visions of an ace with his ball coming to rest inside of two feet from the cup. Maybe this week one of those $2250 hole-in-one pots will go. I see that a $5000 ace was made in Minnedosa on Saturday.

Despite only having 21 guys, only two skins went. Dawson Tanner and Jason Neufeld won $59.39 for #3 while Stephen and Tim cashed in for $20.00 on #9.

So far we've had one week that was effectively canceled due to poor weather and two nights in which it was windy, cool, and wet. Here's hoping that the forecast for this Wednesday of 17 Celsius and sunny is realized...but not the part about the wind of 40 km/hr gusting to 60.

Two Short, Too Bad

We need 10 guys for an official Men's Night. The cool and rainy weather conspired against us this past week and we only had 8 golfers. Therefore there was no Men's Night and we carry over everything to this week.

On a positive and somewhat selfish note, I will be there this Wednesday after two weeks of conflicting events. This will be the latest that I have ever started the Men's Night season...on May 25. My hope is that anyone else who has yet to get out will be there this week.

Let the Season Begin

Well, that took a while. After 30 plus years in Manitoba, you would think that I would be used to the six-month-long season of winter. I am not. Technically, Men's Night was only one week delayed from last year but the golf season is about a month delayed. But let's put the misery of winter behind us and look forward to this new season with optimism.

In the spirit of positivity, here are my wishes for 2022. Firstly, I hope that someone claims the hole-in-one prize. Obviously, my preference would be that it is me. If that isn't the case, may it happen on a night when I am present, and perhaps within my group. Secondly, let there be few nights lost due to weather. I know extreme summer storms are the new norm. May they happen on Thursday evenings instead of Wednesday. It would also be nice if we could have at least one night with 50 golfers. We haven't accomplished this feat in several years. Finally, may every golfer who comes out this year have fun, be fun with play with, and pay their $10 skin fee.

For our first Men's Night of the year, there were 20 golfers. There were three scores under 40 and four over 50. Everyone else slotted somewhere in between. The low scores of the night were the 37's of Charles McKay and Chad Tanner. Nathan Maynes also carded a very respectable 39.

Skins went on five holes. Winners included Nathan Maynes/Blake Hunter ($36.88 on #2), Charles McKay/Phil Ostash ($46.26 on #6 and $28.75 on #9), Randy Brandon/Shane Kimpinski ($28.75 on #7), and Chad Tanner/Pete Ostash ($28.75 on #8).

Closest to the pin on #9 was Kendal Koroscil. No one hit the green on #5. There were no birdies.

A few golfers joined the ringer board which runs from May 11 to August 24. For $10 it is a fun added element for anyone who might be interested.

Thanks to Jason Gorrell and whoever else helped out running things this past week. I was in Winnipeg for a meeting and will be there again this coming Wednesday. If someone is going to get a hole-in-one, would you kindly wait until I am back on May 25.

While there is still some wet spot on the course, things are drying up quickly thanks to the pumps. Credit for this goes to our new head greenskeeper Robin Kimpinski who is already doing a great job.