The Little Things That Keep Us Coming Back

We had 25 golfers this past Wednesday. The number was somewhat surprising given the weather. Perhaps it was simply too warm and humid for some people. At our 6:30 tee off, it was 31°C with a humidex of 41. It was so warm that even the mosquitoes retreated to the shade. The heavy downpour that arrived around 4:45 p.m. and lasted about 10 minutes may have also scared a few people away.

Closest to the pins were Phil Ostash on #5 and Jayden Nowasad on #9. 

Riley Swereda had the low score of the evening with a 34. That is the second time this season he has posted that score on Men's Night. And he paired with Ron Huberdeau to win a skin on #6 worth $38.13.

Four other skins went on Wednesday. Winners included Dave Mansell ($38.13 on #1), Ryan Mansell/Kevin Bartram ($38.13 on #2 and $38.13 on #3), and Scott Maynes/Jim Geekie ($82.51 on #8).

There were no deuces which will mean a pot of around $200 for next week.

Ryan Mansell had his second 37 in two weeks. Not bad for someone who said he has only golfed a couple of times this season.

Stephen David added a birdie on #6 to the ringer board to move to -6. Ryden Lanouette sits in second spot at -5 followed by three golfers at -4.

With the coming of August, we are reminded to enjoy every Wednesday evening while we can. I often speak of the positive things about Men’s Night. I reference general things such as hanging out with friends and hitting golf balls in nice weather. Today I was thinking about more specific aspects of Wednesday evening golf that make it particularly enjoyable or memorable.

So here in no particular order are 20 fun or funny things about Men's Night:

1.     Hitting into and putting on the regular greens after two months of temporary greens.

2.     That perfect drive on your first hole that somehow convinces you tonight’s the night that you will play really well.

3.     Aggressively cleaning your clubface with a towel after a bad shot, as if a speck of dirt was responsible for a 60-yard slice.

4.     Watching someone in your group celebrate a birdie like he just won The Masters.

5.     Getting the round in without any rain despite a 70% chance of precipitation from 6:00 to 9:00 pm.

6.     Seeing a ball strike a tree so hard it fires 40 yards backward, followed by someone saying, “At least it's in the fairway."

7.     Hitting that perfect shot from 160 yards to within five feet of the pin and then finding out that you hit someone else’s ball.

8.     Losing one ball in the trees next to the campground and somehow finishing with three more than you started with.

9.     The sound of a perfectly hit shot from 200 yards out on #7 that you know is good right away.

10.  Someone saying, "I haven't played much this year," before shooting the lights out. That happened last week in my group. Great round Ryan Mansell.

11.  Sitting in the Club House adding up scores and sharing stories about how our scores would have been so much better if not for those 3-4 bad shots.

12.  The weekly reminder that distance isn't everything, unless you're outdriven every hole by everyone else in your group.

13.  Watching someone confidently line up a putt from every angle, then leave it six feet short.

14.  The one miracle shot that keeps you coming back next week.

15.  Delaying your round because Nathan comes along in the Gator and meets you in the middle of the fourth hole.

16.  Getting unsolicited swing advice from someone whose own round isn't exactly going according to plan.

17.  Realizing mid-round that the ball you’ve been playing for three holes says "PRACTICE" on the side.

18.  Having a challenging round but ending up in the high pot and matching with the guy who shot a 37 with three birdies.

19.  Having the lowest score in your group, especially if everyone in your group played well.

20.  Playing a full round without urgent calls from work or home and without any emergency alert notifications on your cell.

The Evolution of a Golf Blog

A common pattern in these blog posts is an update on the most recent Men’s Night followed by my weekly musings on whatever I happen to be thinking about. If that second part doesn’t appeal to you, feel free to stop reading early.

First a quick recap of last night’s Men which featured 36 golfers and the return of our greens.

After seven skins going last week, only two went this week. Winners included Chad Tanner/Darren Ostash ($22.50 on #2) and Charles McKay/Ron Huberdeau ($22.50 on #7). Chad also had closest to the pin on #5. Ryan Mansell was closest on #9. There were no deuces.

The low score of the evening was Charles McKay who shot a 36. The highest score was 53 which was recorded by three golfers.

Last night was significant in that we could putt on real greens. As stated previously, I was grateful for the temporary greens while we had them but I am also glad to see them go. I suspect after a week or so of grass growing and mowing, it will be hard to even tell where they once stood.

Don't forget our Horse Race is this Saturday. Contact me if you are interested in participating.

A friend recently gave me some feedback on the Men's Night blog, saying that the posts are great but recently they've become a little maudlin. I'll admit I had to look that one up, but apparently, it means overly sentimental or emotional. Fair enough.

The funny thing is, he's not wrong about it. The blogs have changed. Years ago, I leaned a lot harder into sarcasm, wisecracks, playful jabs, and the occasional gentle roast. If you had a rough night on the course, there was a decent chance you would be featured in the weekly write-up. Or I might even mention your new golf shorts.

Over time, though, I realized the purpose of the blog isn’t to give people a hard time. It is about celebrating Wednesday nights, the people who show up week after week, the great shots, the lucky bounces, the impossible putts that somehow dropped, and some stories that may get better with retelling.

One example of this shift is something I changed just a few weeks ago. I had been in the practice of noting the high and low scores each week during prizes. And I frequently mentioned by name the golfer who posted the highest score of the week. It was usually done with a wink and a smile, but realized I was recording someone’s toughest night instead of recognizing the people who played well. So, I stopped. Interestingly, someone last week asked me not to say their name if they had the highest score.

Don't get me wrong, there's still room for a little fun. If someone holes out from the next fairway after bouncing off three trees, I will likely write about it. Or if Gorrell drives his cart into the lake, I will include pictures and eyewitness accounts. But the general goal isn't to embarrass anyone. It's to make people smile and maybe remind them why Men's Night is one of the best evenings of the week.

So yes, maybe the blog has become a little more positive, a little more appreciative, and maybe even a little maudlin. I'm okay with that. Men’s Night is just a bunch of golfers spending a few hours each week chasing a little white ball around, sharing laughs with friends, and enjoying a summer evening. That seems worth celebrating.

Of course, if you're looking for something with a little more edge, there are plenty of alternatives. You could spend your evening reading the comments section on just about any news website, watch cable news, or browse social media and listen to people tell you what is wrong in the world.

As for me, I'll stick with writing about birdies, long drives, first-time winners, attentive wait staff, and the people who make Men's Night what it is. If that makes the blog a little softer than it used to be, I can live with that. Besides, golf gives us enough frustration on its own. This blog doesn't need to add any more.

 

What Makes a Great Round

There were seven skins won last night by the 22 golfers. As far as I can tell, that is the most ever in a single evening. And it was also an evening where several players had what could be descibed as great rounds,

Skin winners included Darren Ostash/Vern Snyder ($20.00 on #1 and $44.38 on #7), Jayden Nowasad/James Van de Velde ($20.00 on #2), Phil Ostash/Jason Gorrell ($44.38 on #3), Ron Huberdeau/Riley Swereda ($66.38 on #4), Nathan Nowasad/Mark Swereda ($$31.25 on #5), and Reegan Kominko/Ken Knuff ($20 on #6).

The wins on holes 1, 6, and 7 were noteworthy in that both players scored birdies.

Closest to the pins were Rin Huberdeau on #5 and Reegan Kominko on #9. There were no deuces. The low round of the evening was a 38 and the highest were two 54’s.

One of the things I enjoy most about Men's Night is listening to everyone talk about their round afterward. On any given week, there are people who have great nights. The interesting part is that everyone's definition of a great round is completely different.

Reegan Kominko had a great night last night. His 38 was the low round of the evening and he won a skin. Ron Huberdeau also had a great round shooting a 43 with a big skin on #4 plus closest to the pin on #5.

The interesting thing was Hubey said his 43 was one of his lowest rounds in a long time. Had Reegan shot the same score, he likely would have been a bit disappointed. That takes nothing away from either player. It simply shows how what makes a great round differs among players.

For some golfers, a great round is obvious. If you happen to shoot under 36, you've accomplished something special. That's the kind of score that gets everyone's attention and deserves every bit of praise it receives. Rounds like that don't come along very often, and when they do, they are appreciated.

Most of us, however, aren't chasing 36s. Our goals are a little different, and that's perfectly okay.

For some, a great round means surviving one of those evenings when Mother Nature seems determined to beat everyone. We've all played through windy conditions, wet fairways, slow greens, or clouds of mosquitoes. On nights like that, a score that might seem average on paper suddenly becomes something you're genuinely proud of. Golf has a way of reminding us that the conditions matter just as much as the score.

Sometimes the best rounds are the ones nobody expects. Every season there seems to be a golfer who catches lightning in a bottle and puts together nine holes they'll remember for years. Maybe they haven't been playing particularly well, or maybe they've been struggling for weeks, but on one Wednesday everything finally comes together. Those surprise performances are part of what makes Men's Night so enjoyable because they remind us that everyone has a chance every time, they tee it up.

Personally, I think the most impressive rounds are often the comeback rounds. We've all started with a double bogey or watched a tee shot disappear into the trees on the opening hole. It's easy to let one bad hole ruin the rest of the evening, but every once in a while, someone forgets about the rough start, settles into their game, and finishes with one of the best rounds of the night. That kind of resilience doesn't necessarily show up with a low round score, but every golfer recognizes it when they see it.

Of course, every golfer dreams about one of those magical evenings when everything clicks. The drives find the fairway, the irons are pin-high, the putter suddenly catches fire, and before you know it you've won the low round, picked up a Closest to the Pin, maybe even cashed in on the deuce pot.

Some of the most memorable rounds have very little to do with the final score. It might be the first time someone beats the group they play with every week. It might even be the evening when everything finally comes together after weeks of frustration. Those personal milestones don't make the record book, but they're often the rounds we remember the longest.

As I thought about it this week, I realized that the greatest round you'll ever play probably won't be judged against anyone else's score. It might be the first time you break 50. It might be your first round under 45, your first birdie, or simply the first time you walk off the ninth green feeling like you played the game the way you know you're capable of playing it.

That's one of the things that we appreciate most about Men's Night. On any given Wednesday, one golfer might be celebrating an even-par 36 while another is experiencing their personal-best 46. Both walk into the clubhouse wearing the same smile, and both have every reason to be proud.

Maybe that's the best thing about this game. We all keep score, but we all measure success a little differently. In the end, the greatest round isn't necessarily the one with the lowest number beside it. It's the one that keeps you looking forward to next Wednesday.

Trading Complaints for Gratitude

I am going to change things up a bit this week and focus on all of the good things that we have at our golf course, including Men’s Night. Before I do that, I will do a quick recap of this past Wednesday.

Scott Maynes had the low round of 36. The highest score of 50 was recorded by four people. Scott was closest to the pin on #9 while Reegan Kominko was closest on #5.

Reegan also had a good night with prizes, winning the $52.50 deuce pot and sharing a $20 skin on #2 with Eric Bossuyt. This bumped him up to the third spot on the season money list.

Skins went on three other holes. Winners included Sean Blackbird/Orin McKay ($30.63 on #1), Phil Ostash/Brett Griffin ($20 on #6), and Darren Ostash/Ken Knuff ($60.63 on #9).

Brett and Phil's win on #6 was noteworthy in that they both scored a birdie. Brett’s three improved his ringer board score to -4 for the season, tying him for first place with Ryden Lanouette and Stephen David. Phil went to -3 on the ringer board.

We are now up to 24 golfers for the Horse Race on July 25. If you want to enter, contact me by text at (204) 847-0161 or by email at sdavid@pwsd.ca.

So now for my weekly musings beyond the golf scores.

Generally, I am an optimistic and patient person. It has been somewhat challenging to sustain that perspective as of late. Like most people in Manitoba, I have been frustrated by the weather. It has resulted in the postponement of our Fundraiser and the loss of a Men’s Night. I will also admit I have not loved the temporary greens. And recently, I have joined in some conversations about the potential shrinking of our regular greens.

But the weather has improved significantly, the temporary greens may not last much longer, and the club has decided to make the regular greens larger than initially planned. Also, the Fundraiser has been rescheduled to August 14-15. So, I am not going to mention these any further in my blogs, other than celebrating when the new greens return.

I want to focus this week on things for which I am grateful. And going forward, I resolve not to complain about things over which we have no control.

I have a couple of sayings that I use often. Firstly, I occasionally note that my three favourite days in my life are my wedding, the arrival of my daughter, and every Wednesday in the summer. Obviously, the first two things are hugely significant. But Men’s Night is really important.

We have long winters in Manitoba, and sometimes the transition to nice weather takes longer than it should. But when it gets nice out, there are few better things to do than hit some golf balls at our local course.

My other saying is that there are three things that matter in golf: where you play, how you play, and who you play with, and the first two don’t matter. Even this past Wednesday, I didn’t play or score as well as I usually do. While the golf wasn’t as fun as it has been, I still got to hang out with five good friends.

The majority of people who play on Men’s Night don’t win skins, hit consistently great shots, or turn in scorecards with sub-40 scores. But most of us get to spend an evening, and an afternoon if we are lucky, with some fine people. There are lots of laughs and conversation, and we celebrate each other’s good shots while giving each other a hard time about the occasional errant ball flight.

And when the Men’s Night round ends, we gather in the Clubhouse for the prizes, some food and drink, and continued visiting. Thanks also to Francis, Nathan, and Taylor for taking care of all of our food and beverage needs.

One other thing that has been great in recent years is the emergence of so many additional golfers. We have new people joining us from the campground and from other towns. However, it is the 18-25 year old crowd that really has added to our numbers. The mix of younger and older players enhances the weekly experience.

Speaking of the prizes, I want to thank those guys who help with the scorecards. Ryden Lanouette has been the most regular this year, but others like Scott Maynes, Blake Hunter, Jason Neufeld, Joe Shwaluk, and Darcy Kowalchuk have provided assistance. Jason Gorrell used to be a consistent helper, but now he departs early to prepare for his hosting of the evening poker game.

Thanks to the golf club executive and maintenance crew for their efforts on improving the course. With the conditions this year, it has been easy to be critical, but those are the people putting in the effort. I was on the Board for several years. For the most part, it was fun and engaging. Sometimes it was challenging, especially when people shared their concerns. I haven’t served for three years but still get the occasional complaint from people who think I am still on the Board.

And thanks to the many volunteers who planted trees, maintain the planters, run tournaments, and organize other events. Even this morning, there was a work crew tidying things up around the Club House. Our maintenance team is working hard but several other members have been out there putting time in on the greens and fairways.

I think it is better to trade complaints for gratitude. So, if you golf with me in the near future, I hope you will not hear me complaining about anything. Let’s try to go out and simply enjoy each other’s company and hopefully hit more good shots than bad ones.

When Mother Nature Takes Over

Well, this is not the July that we expected.

Significant rainfall amounts across the region have resulted in the temporary closure of the golf course due to extremely wet conditions. Unfortunately, this isn't just an issue on our fairways. It's the exact same story for many area courses right now. Some places like Gilbert Plains are underwater.

Shoal Lake received almost 200 mm of rain in June, most of it falling in just the last two weeks. In fact, that storm on Sunday gave us around 85 mm of rain in less than 24 hours.

I went out and checked out the course on Wednesday evening, and it is very saturated. The ground is holding so much water that it would make golf cart traffic very difficult, if not impossible, without causing serious, long-term damage to the course. To get things back in playing shape, we are going to need a solid break in the rain and some nice, warm weather to dry things out.

Because of the weather, this past week was a tough one for the club. We had no choice but to cancel Men's and Ladies Night, alongside the senior interclub and our fundraising tournament. For those asking about the fundraising tournament, the golf club executive will be making a official decision at their meeting early next week regarding a rescheduled date.

Our fingers are crossed and the hope is that things will resume next week, including Men's Night on Wednesday but that is still yet to be determined by how quickly the course can recover.

If someone is looking for a reprieve, there are nearby courses available. Hamiota reopened today, but with a 90 degree rule for carts. Minnedosa returns to play tomorrow although their river is expected to crest this weekend. Nine of us went to Oak Island yesterday. Their course is completely dry and in pristine condition.

While the temporary closure of the golf course is certainly frustrating for all of us who want to get out there, it pales in comparison to what is happening across our wider community and region. Shoal Lake and surrounding parts of the Parkland area have been hammered by relentless rainfall with some regional storm tracking hitting massive accumulations that have triggered severe overland flooding. This has resulted in water in basements, major road closures, and extensive damage to personal property and community infrastructure.

Our thoughts are with our regional neighbours dealing with the brunt of this weather. Thank you everyone for your patience and understanding as our grounds crew and club get this situation under control.

Looking further ahead, please remember that the Horse Race tournament is scheduled for Saturday, July 25. You can secure your spot now by sending entries to Stephen David via text at (204) 847-0161 or by email at sdavid@pwsd.ca.

A Message to the Temporary Greens

I talked to someone on Wednesday night. He said he understood why there were temporary greens but he was looking forward to them being gone. He said he just couldn't figure out these greens. I am going to speak more about this matter shortly, but first I will do the quick Men’s Night recap.

There were 21 golfers this past week. Several of us were away for the Shoal Lake grad. Skins went on four holes. Dick Edgeworth and Reegan Kominko combined for two holes, winning $43.13 on #2 and $20 on #7. Other winners included Ryden Lanouette/Braeden Allen ($43.13 on #5) and Milt/Wes Arnfinson ($35.63 on #6).

Reegan also had the low round of the evening with a 37. The highest score was 54.

Closest to the holes were Dick Edgeworth on #5 and Peyton Kominko on #9. Peyton was only about 14 inches from a hole-in-one. Unfortunately, he missed the birdie on the most challenging putting surface on the course. That allowed Phil Ostash to claim a solo share of the $180.02 deuce pot.

Now back to the temporary greens. I want to first qualify my perspective. I am very glad that the Club is doing the work to improve the putting services. I have great respect for the workers and volunteers that are putting in the time to improve conditions. I understand why we have temporary greens. And I am absolutely not a fan of them.

There are few things in life more confusing than becoming emotionally attached to something you never wanted in the first place. We’ve spent a good portion of this year, aiming at temporary greens, putting on them, and occasionally questioning our eyesight because we couldn’t quite tell where the green ended and the fairway began. They’ve served their purpose admirably. They were there when we needed them. They kept golf going while the permanent greens recovered. And for that, we’re grateful.

But if we’re being honest, we’re also counting down the days until they disappear.

Temporary greens occupy a special category in life. They’re a lot like a temporary tooth filling. When the dentist installs one, you’re thrilled. The pain is gone. You can chew again. Everything is fine...for about three days. Then you spend the next several weeks thinking, “I really hope the permanent one goes in soon.”

Temporary greens are the golf equivalent of that filling. Functional? Absolutely. Ideal? Not exactly.

Or consider temporary accommodations. Maybe you’ve had an extended stay in a hotel. At first, it feels pretty good. Fresh towels every day. No lawn mowing. Tiny bottles of shampoo that somehow make you feel fancy. By week two, you’re eating cereal with a plastic spoon and longing for your own bed and pillow.

Another good comparison might be the temporary sink during a kitchen renovation. Let’s say that your kitchen is gutted during a remodeling which leaves you washing your dishes in a laundry sink in the basement. You appreciate that sink more than words can express. You also celebrate its departure like your team just won the championship.

That’s exactly how golfers feel about temporary greens.

Of course, temporary solutions are a fundamental part of the middle-aged life that many of us Men’s Nighters experience. There’s the reading glasses you bought at the gas station because you forgot your real ones. The spare tire that definitely wasn’t supposed to stay on for two months. The piece of duct tape holding together the remote control. Every one of these deserves our appreciation. Every one of these is also something we're delighted to replace.

Our temporary greens have done their job. They gave us a place to play when conditions weren’t ready. They allowed us to continue enjoying the game rather than having to drive to Birtle or Hamiota. They were the golfing equivalent of a backup quarterback. Nobody buys the jersey, but everyone appreciates the effort.

However, we are all likely imagining approach shots that actually stay where they land. We are also dreaming of putts that roll naturally instead of feeling like they’re crossing a section of barbed wire. I am looking forward to using something other than a seven-iron when on the putting surface.

So, while we tip our cap to the temporary greens and appreciate their service, we won’t pretend we’re going to miss them. Thank you, temporary greens. You helped us get through some tough times. Now please don’t take this personally, but we’re very much looking forward to never seeing you again.

Men's Night Memories...Both Real and Imagined

There were 36 golfers on Wednesday. That's a solid turnout by any measure. We had a mixture of regulars with some new faces added in.

I want to talk about attendance and some interesting historical facts. But first, I will do a quick recap of last week.

There were skins won on five holes. Winners included Jason Gorrell/Ron Huberdeau ($20 on #1), Stephen David/Braeden Allen ($63.86 on #3), Milt/Neuf ($30 on #5), Phil Ostash/Jordan Murray ($22.50 on #7), and Keith Martin/Jim Geekie ($105.02 on #8).

I am not sure if Milt and Neuf have ever paired up. That has to be a rare occurrence for two people known mainly by one name. That is like Prince and Madonna sharing the stage together, and that maybe occurred only once, on February 23, 1985.

The low round of the evening was Keith Martin's 37, which edged out Ryden Lanouette on a countback. The high round was a 52. Closest to the pins were Brett Griffin on 5 and Joel Ostash on 9.

Ryden also added another birdie to his ringer board. He is now tied for the lead with Stephen David at -4.

Speaking of Stephen, his skin on Wednesday moved his season-leading money total to $261.92. Reegan Kominko is in second place at $88.15.

This year, our Men's Night falls on July 1. That doesn't happen often. We were actually discussing this recently. Interestingly, our belief has been that a Canada Day Men's Night means lots of golfers. That is not true.

The last two years that had Men's Nights on July 1 resulted in fewer players than last week. In 2020, there were only 29 golfers, with 34 in 2015. In 2020, it seemed that camping, fishing, and family time resulted in many regulars being away. One thing the blog noted in 2015 was a large turnout of Ostash's.

There was also a July 1st Wednesday in 2009. I don't recall what happened then because I took over Men's Night in 2010.

Our record turnout was August 3, 2014, when we had 51 golfers. I think that was one of two times in the last 15 years when we have hit 50. After a quick search, I couldn't confirm the other date when we hit 50 on the nose. I wonder if it was real or imagined...perhaps another myth or story that we've told and I have come to believe.

There are times when certain atypical events impact attendance one way or the other. On a beautiful July 12 in 2017, there were only 12 golfers. Most of the others were at the local airport watching the Snowbirds, Canada's aerobatic flight demonstration team. Wes Arnfinson golfed. I recall him saying that they were treated to the airshow on the course because of the proximity to the airport. He said the planes turned right above his group when they were playing hole 7.

So for a few years, I have been talking about how July 1 dates inflate golf numbers. I was incorrect. However, the story became one we retold until we believed it.

Just this last week, I had a similar experience. I was talking about our hole-in-one pots and stated that we had not had an ace since Dale Watson in 2018. I was off on this one as well. He won $1,616 for his hole-in-one on five on July 25, 2012. So that's 14 years since someone claimed the pot. For the record, there were 32 golfers that evening back in 2012.

One thing that has hurt our attendance this year is the lack of Wayway boys. They've only come once. Charles McKay told me that they will be back once our greens return.

I am away this coming Wednesday for the Shoal Lake grad. Sometimes that event drops Men's Night attendance a bit, but not always. If everyone doesn't mind, I would appreciate if no one got a hole-in-one or a deuce during my absence.

Weather Delays, Not Excuses

Wednesday was a weird one. The day after a storm that hit Shoal Lake hard, not many showed up for golf. 

During the day, volunteers removed large trees that fell across the golf course. The late-afternoon, early evening weather likely scared some people away, with worries that round two of the storm might hit.

By the 6:30 pm tee time, there were only 12 golfers who made it. That’s not the best turnout but is good enough to have an official Men’s Night.

Skins went on three holes. Winners included Stephen David/Jeff Hunter ($82.52 on #4), Scott Maynes/Blake Hunter ($20 on #6), and Riley Swereda/Ron Huberdeau ($20 on #7).

Closest to the holes were Stephen David on #5 and Ryden Lanouette on #9. Stephen also had the low round of the evening with a 36. The high round was a 54.

As of Wednesday, the Ringer board is starting to have some movement. Stephen is now ahead at -4 followed by Ryden at -3.

On Wednesday, some of those who didn’t play likely did not want to risk getting caught in the rain. I did hear that some guys attended a community meeting regarding lake levels.

This got me thinking about acceptable reasons to miss a Men’s Night. This is my list. Your personal perspective might differ.

It’s okay to miss Men’s Night if your child is being born, graduating, or getting married. It’s also reasonable to be away if you are hospitalized, but not if your wife is. Hospitals have afternoon visiting hours that don’t conflict with the 6:30 pm tee off.

You can miss Men’s Night if you are incarcerated, kidnapped, or involved in a kidnapping as the assailant.

Other acceptable excuses include being struck by lightning, elected Prime Minister that afternoon, or finding yourself floating down the lake on a dock that broke loose during a storm.

You may also be excused if your house is actively on fire. However, if the fire department arrives before 6:00 pm, expectations remain high that you play.

A surprise visit from your high school girlfriend or a winning lottery ticket that must be claimed immediately would also be considered valid reasons.

Reasons that are not acceptable include the following…”It looked cloudy,” “I couldn't find my heart medication,” or “I shot a 54 last week and needed time to recover emotionally.”

In the end, the storm passed, the course survived, and 12 brave souls made it out. The rest of you will have an opportunity to submit their excuse forms to the official Men’s Night attendance committee. Jason Gorrell is their contact.

Skins, Deuces, and a Soaking Rain

There were 27 golfers out this past Wednesday for a night filled with skins, deuces, and a good soaking rain for the last few holes. Skins were claimed on six different holes, with winners including Reegan Kominko ($88.15 on #1), Cole Hunter and Wes Arnfinson ($33.76 on #2), Phil Ostash and Stephen David ($20.00 on #5), Jason Neufeld and Riley Swereda ($20.00 on #6), Orin McKay and Brent Allen ($75.02 on #7), and Terry Susinski and Paul Lucas ($75.02 on #9).

Five deuces were carded on the night by Riley Swereda, Paul Lucas, Stephen David, Ryden Lanouette, and Braeden Allen. Ryden’s deuce was especially noteworthy, coming on the par-4 second hole. 

Closest to the pin honors went to Stephen on #5 and Riley on #9. Riley also had the low round of the night with a solid 34, while the high round of 58 was by an unnamed player in his group. Ryden Lanouette is also holding down the top spot on the ringer board, currently leading the pack at -3.

There is a lot of action happening around the course right now. The temporary greens are in full use, and grass is starting to grow on the original greens. Additionally, the tree crew has been busy planting new rows of trees spanning from holes 5 to 8.

With the temporary greens currently in full use, please remember that we are not adjusting our regular putting rules. Rumours have it that some groups on Wednesday played a two-putt maximum, or even allowing gimmies on birdies and pars. If your group is doing this, please discontinue the practice immediately.

To keep things fair, the general rule of putting out all birdies must be strictly followed. However, if you want to give a competitor a reasonable gimmie for a double or triple bogey to keep up the pace of play, that is perfectly fine. While Men's Night is absolutely intended to be fun, remember that we are also playing for real money, so let's keep the field fair and accurate for everyone.

Grit, Gusts, and Grater Greens

Last night, 27 golfers took to the course for a Men’s Night that felt more like a survival test than a casual round. We were met with a double-threat of howling winds and temporary greens, both of which required a serious mental adjustment and a lot of patience.

The low round of the night was the 36 by Dave Mansell, which was ever more impressive given the conditions. Only two skins were won. Darcy Kowalchuk and Ryden Lanouette won $58.14 on #4 and Fred Hrycak and Cole Hunter combined to earn the $20 prize on #6. 

The deuce pot was claimed for the first time this season with Stephen David getting a two on 5 for $168.60.  Closest to the holes were Jason Gorrell on #5 and Scott Martin on #9.

Nothing quite compared to the experience on the ninth green, which seemed to possess a personality all its own. Unlike the other temporary surfaces, the ninth had a texture that was inexplicably jagged and uneven. Putting across it felt less like a golf stroke and more like trying to roll a ball across a giant, rusty cheese grater.

While it was easy to let the frustration boil over after a few redirected putts and wayward drives, there is a genuine value to these challenging conditions if you look closely enough. The wind, though a nuisance for our ball flight, acted as a natural defense system by keeping the mosquitoes entirely at bay and providing a refreshing cooling effect during the heat of the afternoon. Furthermore, those temporary greens are a vital sacrifice, serving as a necessary interruption while our regular putting surfaces are resown and restored.

Beyond the practical benefits, these odd conditions provided some other perks that we should all appreciate. The relocation of the holes actually forced us to intentionally hit golf balls to unusual spots on the course where we usually only end up by total accident, giving us a whole new perspective on the layout. These rougher putting surfaces also provided the ultimate ego-saver, as no one can truly be blamed for a three-putt when the green has the topographical consistency of a gravel pit. The wind also turned the round into an impromptu fitness session, as several guys got in some cardio in by chasing down runaway hats.

Ultimately, the night turned us all into amateur physicists, as we spent a couple of hours calculating the aerodynamics of a ball moving through a gale force wind and the friction of a sphere bouncing over jagged, irregular surfaces. Thanks to everyone who made it to the evening and through the evening.

Wednesday Night Wind & Big Greens Changes Ahead

There were 18 golfers this past Wednesday, which was a reasonable showing for a cool and windy night. The challenging weather conditions and the quality of the greens made for some tough scoring across the field, but Ryden Lanouette seemed completely unaffected, carding an excellent 39 to take the top spot. He was followed closely by Scott Maynes at 41 and Brett Griffin at 42.

Every other golfer on the course finished at 45 or higher, leading to the highest middle score in recent memory at 49. This unique night of scoring also saw Jason Gorrell and Wes Arnfinson take home an unusual 49-49 low and high pot pairing, while the highest individual score of the evening reached 58. The elements clearly took a toll on the field, highlighted by a combined score of 16 on the par-5 fourth hole.

Skins were awarded on three holes this week, and all of them were won with combined pars. Joel Ostah and James Van De Velde had a good night, getting $28.13 on hole #2 and another $41.26 on hole #6. Phil Ostash and Blake Hunter earned $20.00 for their victory on hole #3.

Ryden Lanouette claimed closest to the hole on #5, but hole #9 went completely untouched as no one managed to hit the green. There were also no deuces recorded for the evening.

Looking ahead, players should be advised that the course will likely transition to temporary greens this week. The Club is embarking on a major project to completely reseed all of the greens, and the work is expected to begin within the week. The regular greens will remain closed to protect the new grass until it is fully established and ready for its first mow. This closure and recovery period is expected to last approximately four weeks from the start of seeding. The Club appreciates everyone's patience and cooperation while these course improvements take place.

Fortunately, the upcoming forecast looks promising for both Men's Night and grass growing, with a stretch of  hot summer temperatures climbing from 32°C on Monday up to 35°C by Thursday. This ideal weather should give the new seed a massive head start. 

Finally Some Men's Night

Well, we were about a week or so later than usual, but we finally had our first Men's Night of the year. The extra wait paid off, though, as the delay gave everyone more time to gear up, resulting in an expanded field for our first round of the season. The weather was good for golf shirts and shorts, resultiing in a turnout of 27 golfers.

There were two skins won on the night. Dawson Tanner collected a solo $20 on #3 after pairing up with the dummy card. Meanwhile, the duo of Joel Ostash and Brett Griffin partnered up to grab a $30.01 skin on #9.

Ryan Mansell had a solid evening, proving his iron play is already locked in by hitting it closest on both par 3's. However, the putters weren't quite as warm as the weather. Neither Ryan nor anyone else in the field managed to card a deuce during the round. The tough early season greens likely were a contributing factor,

Jason Gorell had the best round of the evening, scoring an even par 36 despite a bogey on #9. That was impressive given his tee shot hit the reeds on the same hole.

The ringer pot officially got underway for the season. This allows players to lock in their best score on any given hole between now and the third week in August. Brett Griffin is the early man to beat, standing as the only player to record a score on the board with a birdie on #1.

Great start to the season. See you all this Wednesday.

Time to Golf Again!

The first Men’s Night of the year should happen soon…maybe next Wednesday if we are lucky, or no later than the week after if things aren’t quite ready. And after what felt like the longest Manitoba winter in recorded history, I think we’ve all earned it. 

At one point in February, I was considering taking up curling just so I could hang out with other men in a socially acceptable setting. By March, many of us had forgotten what grass looked like. And by early April, every sunny day created the same false optimism where we hoped that the course would open next week. It never did.

But now here we are. The signs of winter are mostly gone, the geese have returned take over the ninth green, Francis will soon have the Club House running, and golf season is almost back.

There’s something about the first Men’s Night of the year that feels different from every other Wednesday. Nobody has officially ruined their swing yet. Everyone still believes the new driver was a good purchase. Those who went to a simulator three times feel like they have a headstart on others in their group. Guys who shot 51 in the final Men’s Night round of 2025 are suddenly convinced they figured something out over the winter. Hope and delusion are both at peak levels in early May.

Some traditions will immediately return. Jason Gorrell will likely find himself near the top of the money list whether he shoots high or low on the first night. Scott Maynes will chip in from somewhere completely unreasonable and act like it was planned. Darcy Kowalchuk will stripe some drives down the middle while casually mentioning how much older he is than others in the group.

Milt will spend at least three holes explaining how he used to hit that club about 20 yards farther. Someone in his group will politely nod while secretly wondering if he’s talking about 2007. Blake Hunter will likely deliver a round that includes both a tap-in birdie and a golf shot that briefly threatens people on an adjacent hole.

Wes Arnfinson will line up a putt from every possible angle before somehow leaving it exactly two inches short. Somewhere along the way, I will loudly declare that I am just happy to be out here before becoming visibly upset over my third lip-out of the round.

There will also be several golfers dressed for completely different weather conditions. Paul Lucas will be in shorts. Neuf will be wearing a toque. And someone else will be fully prepared for rain that never comes.

Players will start off their first hole with a birdie and wonder if this will be their lowest round ever. Others will double bogey the first three holes and start hoping for a score or two to add to the ringer board. The boys from Wayway will likely play $20 skins until after dark.

Inevitably, the first few holes will also double as a catch-up session on how everyone survived the winter. Vern Snyder will recount his trip to New Zealand and talk about how much better the weather was there. We’ll check in on Phil Ostash on how he’s recovering after his knee surgery, likely getting a very optimistic “it’s coming along” response regardless of reality. And we’ll ask Reegan Kominko how his hockey season went out in BC.

The beauty of Men’s Night is that it never really changes, and that’s exactly why we like it. Soon the campground will be full again. The smell of fires will reach the course, coolers and cans will be rattling in carts, and groups will gather at the Club House afterward to debate missed putts, replay great shots, watch some hockey, and maybe head to a campsite for an extended visit involving some playing cards.

We’ll welcome back the regulars and those mysterious golfers who only appear three times a year but somehow always leave with half the skins money. We’ll see golfers from Shoal Lake and surrounding communities, all showing up for the same reason…to enjoy a Wednesday evening with friends, good weather, competition, and just enough aiming fluid to improve confidence on the last few holes.

There are lots of things to look forward to this season. The return of the deuce pot. The ongoing chase for the ringer board. The Horse Race tournament later this summer. The inevitable debates about whether conditions were windy or merely character building. The annual accumulation of lost golf balls scattered throughout the water hazards, bush, long grass, and occasionally the lake adjacent to holes #8 and 9. The complaints and the optimism about the green conditions.

And of course, we will resume pursuit of the elusive hole-in-one pot, which has now grown large enough that several players are probably already planning imaginary purchases with money they absolutely will not win. A quick reminder to those in my group, if someone wins we don’t tell our wives. 

So, charge your Bluetooth speaker, dust off your clubs, stretch whatever muscles survived winter, and prepare yourself for another summer of golf, laughs, questionable shot decisions, and stories that improve slightly every time they are retold.

Winter took its sweet time leaving, but Men’s Night will finally resume after another offseason. That alone feels worth celebrating. See everyone on a Wednesday some time in the near future.

Highlights of Men’s Night 2025

Well, here we are...the end of another season. Generally I do the blog fairly soon after Men's Night. Not this time. While our final evening of golf was October 8, I was in no rush to do this write-up. Something about this makes the season end seem more definitive.

We had a great year, which I will recap shortly. Prior to that, I will do a quick overview of the final evening. We had 19 golfers, I think for the third straight week.

Closest to the pins were Braeden Allen on #5 and Sonny Blackbird on #9. There were no deuces. There were also no holes-in-one, which means the $4300 pot will carry over to next year. Let's hope it goes in 2026.

There were three skins won on October 8. Myles Shingoose was on his own for two wins, $26.86 on #2 and $20.00 on #3. Chad Tanner and Terry Susinski paired for $20.00 on #8.

So, let's look back at some highlights of this past season. 

• We had 21 Men's Nights. 
• We started on May 7 and went to October 8. 
• We had two cancellations, one due to weather and one because only 9 guys showed up.
• Jason Gorrell was the season money leader with a $382.75 total. Scott Maynes was second with $295.66 and Phil Ostash was third with $235.68. 
• Zach Bartram found himself in the top 10 for the first time. His $160.02 was good for 8th place.
• There were four instances where a golfer earned over $100 in a single evening. The highest single-night earnings were achieved by Kevin Bartram, who took home $187.15 on May 7. Other notable single-night earnings include Colby Moore with $160.02 on July 9, Dawson Tanner with $116.26 on May 14, and Jason Gorrell with $105.94, also on May 14. These standout performances highlight some of the biggest paydays of the season.
• May 7, 2025 had the highest total payout, totaling $324.71 distributed among the winners.
• August 20, 2025 had the most individual winners, with 7 different players earning skins that evening.
• In total, over $4400 in skins were paid out over the course of the season.
• Darcy Kowalchuk won the ringer board with a -7 score. 
• While not official Men's Night stats, I am certain that there were at least 20 games of poker in the campground, following the golf rounds.

My made-up Saturday afternoon math suggests that there quite a few beverages that accompanied the golf. Over the course of 21 Men’s Night rounds, with say an average of 30 participants each week, estimated alcohol consumption adds up significantly. Each week, we can assume that the group consists of 6 non-drinkers (0 drinks), 6 heavy drinkers (approximately 8 drinks each for 48 total), 14 moderate drinkers (approximately 4 each for 56 total drinks), and 4 “couple-of-drinks” players (2 each for total of 8), for a weekly total of 112 drinks. Over 21 weeks of play, this amounts to approximately 2,352 drinks consumed during the season. In volume terms, that’s about 28,224 ounces or roughly 220 gallons of beverage, enough to fill a small backyard pool. Maybe next year I will create a cumulative list of weekly leaders in the beverage category.

Assuming the average golfer lost one ball per nine holes, there was likely over 600 balls that were hit and never recovered. Combine this with other errant shots, flubs, three-putts, and chunks, and there was likely a couple of thousand instances of profanity.

But these stats, whether factual or extrapolated, only tell part of the story. As we close the book on the 2025 Men’s Night season, it is imporant to note that our weekly golf is about so much more than numbers, winnings, or perfect swings. It’s about camaraderie, laughter, and the shared experience of hanging out with friends on Wednesday evenings. From incredible shots to memorable mishits, from cheers for a well-earned deuce to groans at yet another three-putt, each round was a chance to connect, compete, and enjoy the game we love. 

Whether it was celebrating high earners, savouring scores for the ringer board, or just enjoying a few drinks and some friendly poker afterward, the true highlight of the season was the community and spirit that made every Wednesday a night to look forward to. Here’s to the memories made in 2025 and the anticipation of another great season of golf, friendship, and fun in 2026.

The Many Faces of Men’s Night Success

If you’ve been following along this golf season, you already know that the Wednesday skins game has been good for many people. To date, 55 different players have won at least one skin, which either proves the incredible depth of talent in our group, or shows that luck is the single most valuable club in anyone’s bag. Every week, it’s the same story: the regulars grind it out, showing up rain or shine, week after week, chasing that chance for a skin. And then there are the occasional visitors, the folks who stroll in after long absences, and somehow walk away with half the pot.

When you look at the season money list, it really breaks down into two categories. First there are the Grinders, those of us who rarely miss a Wednesday, scrape together a win here and there, and build our totals like we’re collecting Air Miles. I proudly count myself among the first group. I am a Grinder. I only miss one or two Wednesdays a year, and when I do, I feel like I should leave a note in the clubhouse explaining my absence. My approach is simple. I show up, have enough good holes to stay happy, and hope my partner in the high-low pot matches one of my best holes.

And then there are the Gunslingers, the ones who show up infrequently and walk away with some big cash. Colby Moore would be an example. He has only played a handful of times yet is in the top 10, mainly because of a $160 deuce pot.

Then there’s Jason Gorrell, who’s somehow managed to be both. As a regular, he’s always in the mix, quietly scooping up small wins regardless of whether he is in the high or low group. But every now and then, he explodes for a monster night. He did that this past Wednesday, turning the rest of us into spectators. Not surprisingly, he now sits comfortably atop the season money list, and catching him in our final week would require divine intervention.

This past Wednesday, Jason put together a career round at Men’s Night, a sparkling 36. Along the way, he got closest to the pin on #9, shared the deuce pot, and cleaned up with three skins. Teaming up with Phil Ostash, he pocketed $35.64 on #3, another $25.01 on #8, and capped it off with $35.64 on #9.

Three other skins were won. Darcy Kowalchuk and Zach Bartram got $35.64 on #4, Scott Maynes and Blake Hunter combined for $25.01 on #5, and Wes Arnfinson won a solo $20.00 skin on #7.

Closest to the pin on #5 was Mr. Maynes who also shared the $75.01 deuce pot with Gorrell and Blake.

So back to the main focus of the blog…the Grinders and the Gunslingers. What about everyone else? That’s what makes Men’s Night fun. The random high-low pairings which are the Great Equalizer. You don’t need to shoot the lowest score to win a skin, in fact, the lowest score often gets shut out because they catch a high-scoring partner. However, the highest score doesn’t always mean you’re left empty-handed. Just this past week, someone carded a 53 and still won a skin. That is proof that all you need is one good hole…and a partner who can occasionally find a fairway.

One quick thing to note, not that it may matter to some of you. The season money list is just for skins and deuce pots. Prizes for closest to the pin and hole-in-ones do not count. That being said, give me the hole-in-one prize and I could care less how it impacts my standing on the money list.

So, as we head into the final week, we salute the Grinders, the Gunslingers, and everyone who’s ever muttered, “Well, maybe next Wednesday.”

Well, this Wednesday is the last next Wednesday of the year. So come on out one more time and see how you do. With the hole-in-one pot around $4300, all you need is one good swing to win big.

Don’t forget…it will be October 8 so tee off is at 5:30 pm.

October Golf!

This week will be doing something that is not very common. We are going to have a Men's Night in October. Wednesday is the first day of the new month. 

Prior to discussing this topic, I will provide a quick rundown of last week when we had 19 golfers.The closest to the holes were Charles McKay on #5 and Phil Ostash on #9. No one recordded a deuce. There were three skins won, all by the same pairing. Chad Tanner and Ron Sopko won $22.51 on #1, $22.51 on #2, and $33.76 on #7.

The forecast for Wednesday, October 1 is 25 Celsius. That is way better than last year. When we teed off at 5:30 pm on October 2, 2024, 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. 

This week isn’t just bonus golf, this is t-shirt weather in Fall. In Manitoba. It’s like Mother Nature heard us grumbling in April and is trying to apologize with a hot flash.

Sunset will be at 7:20 PM, so we’re aiming for a 5:30 PM start. Yes, that’s early. Yes, it’s technically still work hours for some. But we’re prioritizing golf over employment. If you are a little late, no problem. This early tee time is consistent with what we have done in the past for October golf. And by the past, I mean last year, when we played on both October 2 and 7.

Playing in the tenth month is rare. How rare you might wonder? Well, we did it twice last year. And we have not done it in any year previously, at least back to 2013 when I started doing this blog.

But this year we will do it again. That’s right, two years in a row of October golf. We’re on the verge of creating a tradition, or at least a weird seasonal weather anomaly.

So don’t put your clubs away yet. Put on your favourite golf shirt, apply some deodorant, and join us for what may be the most beautiful, unlikely round of Men’s Night we’ve had in October in Shoal Lake. Because nothing says fall magic like duffing a shot into a pile of crunchy leaves while pretending it is still summer.