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.

Men’s Night Welcomes All

Several people have asked when does Men’s Night end. It is totally weather-dependent. Last year we played twice in October. This week’s forecast looks excellent. It is supposed to be 22 Celsius and sunny with 0% chance for precipitation. That is great for both golfers and farmers.

Our little nine-hole golf course is an important Wednesday evening gathering place for men in our community. But it’s not just the locals that make Men’s Night a success. No, we’ve also had the privilege of welcoming players from all across the province, and sometimes even a few from further away.

Over this summer, our Men’s Night has seen some familiar faces from nearby communities like Hamiota, Oakburn, Kenton, Birtle, and Keeseekoowenin. These are the guys who don’t mind the short drive for a few hours of golf and good company, and we sure appreciate them. And we also get individual community reps, such as Jim Geekie from Strathclair, Ron Huberdeau from Isabella, Scott Martin from Minnedosa, Ryan Merasty from Morden, and Darcy Kowalchuk from Langenburg.

Charles and his crew from Waywayseecappo have helped boost our numbers over the past few years. They come out often, and when they do, they add a lot to our weekly gathering. And during those weeks in the summer when they are busy with slo-pitch and fastball, we really notice their absence.

Several of the out-of-towners have won skins this year, which might make them more interested in returning next week. This past week, for example, of our 18 golfers, several were not from Shoal Lake. Two from Birtle did well. Bill McArthur had closest to the pin on #5 and Al Bray won a $21.88 skin on #8 with Jason Gorrell.

The only other skin went to Scott Maynes ($20.00 on #5). That was a good hole for him. He had closest to the hole plus he converted the putt for the only deuce of the evening. That won him an additional $31.89.

Thanks to the campground right next to the golf course, our membership has soared past 200 this year, bringing in golfers from all corners of Manitoba and beyond. There are regulars on Wednesdays, like Vern Snyder from Brandon, that we see almost every week because they have seasonal campsites.

We also see increased traffic during special events and holidays. When the July long weekend rolls around or the Horse Race tournament kicks off, we get Men’s Night players from all over, including Saskatchewan and Alberta.

It is standard practice for our members to invite people to join us. Whenever we meet someone new on the course or in the community, we quickly let them know that Men’s Night is on Wednesday.

Sure, it’s great to have a nine-hole course for the local crowd, but it’s the influx of out-of-town (and out-of-province) players that turns our small-town golf experience into something better. On any given week, our visitors make our course feel a little bigger. So, whether you’re coming from nearby or further away, we’re just happy you’re here.

If you ever have guests who might be interested in taking a crack at a golf course surrounded by good company, make sure to invite them to our Men’s Night. We’ve got room for them.

A Late Summary

Okay, I am doing this the day before Men's Night. What can I say. I have been busy. I enjoy writing extended blogs when I have time. And sometimes when I have other things on the go, the blog gets delayed.

So here is the quick rundown from last week. After not getting the required 10 players the previous week, we had 18 golfers on Wednesday.

Some highlights included Ryden Lanouette's low score of 37, Charles McKay and Phil Ostash getting cloest to the holes on #5 and #9 respectively, and Colby Moore cashing in for a $160.02 deuce pot on the last hole.

With fewer golfers, we had several skins won, six to be exact. Winners included Pete Ostash/Jason Neufeld ($63.76 on #1), Jason Gorrell/Blake Hunter ($23.75 on #2 and $20.00 on #3), Trevor Wilson/Vern Synder ($23.75 on #4), Charles McKay/Joe Shwaluk ($20.00 on #5), and Phil Ostash/Brett Griffin ($20.00 on #9).

Don't forget it is 6:00 pm tee off until the end of the season.

Who’s Winning, Who’s Losing, and What ChatGPT Thinks

I’ll start with an important reminder: Men’s Night continues on Wednesday. Tee-off is now 6:00 p.m. The Weather Network forecast is calling for 24°C and sunny skies.

There was no Men’s Night this past week. We didn’t get enough players. We require 10, but only 9 showed up. We tried some last-minute recruiting but were unsuccessful. It was a little cool outside, which likely kept some people away. Also, many of the guys who work in farming were busy getting crops off the fields.

The nine who did show up played a three-team, three-person scramble. It was fun. Afterward, we went to the clubhouse. Some ordered food, and everyone had a couple of drinks.

While visiting, we ended up talking about sports. I pulled up ChatGPT to check some information, and in the process, we noticed something interesting.

I asked the AI tool: “What can you tell me about Blake Hunter from Shoal Lake, Manitoba?”. It replied that Blake Hunter has been mentioned several times in Shoal Lake Men’s Night. On July 29, 2018, he teamed up with Keith Martin to win a $20 skin on hole #8.

Next, I asked about Scott Maynes. I learned that on July 27, 2023, during a Men’s Night golf event, Scott Maynes was the standout winner. He claimed the deuce pot, taking home $178.13. This prize brought him into second place on the season’s money list, just behind Jason Neufeld ($244.39), while Charles McKay held third with $160.97.

Then I inquired about myself. It reported that Stephen David runs a local blog titled “Shoal Lake Men’s Night,” where he chronicles happenings from a weekly golf event in Shoal Lake. He posts updates about game highlights, weather conditions, and tournament details, noting winners of closest-to-the-pin, skins, and the hole-in-one pot.

It was similar for everyone we asked about. In each case, the AI pulled up details from the Men’s Night blog. Sometimes it added extra touches, like my job, Scott’s coaching background, or Ryden Lanouette’s high school sports experience.

Interestingly, when I tried again this morning on ChatGPT, it didn’t give the same kind of results. But when I logged into my free account, it worked right away.

I experimented further and asked it to examine the Men’s Night blog to figure out who has won the most money over the years. It produced a list called “Estimated Career Money Leaders (2018–2024)”. It provided the following list: Robin Kimpinski $1,474.85, Jason Gorrell $1,156.19, Jason Neufeld $1,102.02, Scott Maynes $954.82, and Reegan Kominko $829.46.

AI tools can be fun but there is a caution when using them. They can sometimes provide mistaken or misleading information. For example, I asked it to review the weekly blog entries and season money lists to identify four of the worst golfers.

It mentioned Keith Martin, noting that his name appears across several years but usually with little or no prize money. It suggested that he often played with strong partners but rarely appeared in the winner’s column. It also flagged Logan Tanner, saying he showed up frequently but with modest totals. Neither of these guys are poor golfers. The AI was just making assumptions based on incomplete information.

It also brought up Barry Nemetchek, saying he appears in multiple seasons but near the bottom of the prize standings with small totals. The truth is, I don’t really know Barry, and I don’t think he’s played often. He probably popped up once or twice with a small payout, and the AI took that as a sign he wasn’t a good golfer. Clearly, that kind of conclusion isn’t reliable.

Finally, I asked: “Why is Stephen David among the best golfers at Shoal Lake Men’s Night?”. Now I don't believe this to be true, but I also know that AI will often give you exactly what you ask it or what it thinks that you want. It responded that, based on the blog, I consistently finish near the top of the money lists year after year. It credited my steady participation, consistent winnings, and frequent high finishes on the leaderboard.

But it also added an important disclaimer: Men’s Night prizes depend on both luck and skill. You can play great and still walk away empty-handed if someone else posts the same score on a money hole. So “best” or “worst” here really just means “most or least financially rewarded” within the Men’s Night format.

The Small Victories of Men's Night

Before getting into the little things that make Men’s Night so enjoyable, let’s start with a quick recap of this past Wednesday. With September approaching, just a reminder that tee-off time will move to 6:00 PM starting next week.

This week saw a smaller turnout, with 20 golfers in total, but six skins were still claimed. Stephen David and Jason Gorrell took home $20.00 on Hole #5, while Darren Ostash and Logan McGonigal scored the biggest payout of the night with $98.13 on Hole #7. Nathan Maynes and Joe Shwaluk claimed $28.13 on Hole #8, and Phil Ostash and Derek Shamray earned $71.89 on Hole #9. Robin Kimpinski and Tyler McTavish picked up two skins, getting $28.13 on Hole #3 and $52.51 on Hole #6.

Ryden Lanouette posted the low round of the night with an impressive 36. Closest to the pin went to Stephen David on Hole #5 and Robin Kimpinski on Hole #9.

Now back to the small victories of Men’s Night. Let’s face it…not everyone can shoot a low score or win a skin. And don’t even get us started on the elusive hole-in-one prize. But as most people will tell you, the fun of Men’s Night isn’t always about the numbers on the scorecard. It’s about the small victories. The little things, that while not celebrated with a cheque, make the round feel like a win.

If you’ve finished your Wednesday evening round of golf with the same ball you started with, you know this is worth celebrating. Let’s be honest, most of us are not playing perfect golf. But somehow, you’ve managed to keep your ball out of the water, the trees, and the neighboring fairways. Well done.

Small victories can happen to anyone. For example, no matter your skill or ability, sometimes you just sometimes, you hit the perfect tee shot…straight, long, and on the money. You feel like you’ve unlocked some secret level of golf, and for those few seconds, you are a golf god. The rest of the round might be a train wreck, but that one perfect shot will keep you going for at least a few more holes.

Then there are those holes when your drive was mediocre, your first approach shot was chunked, and your third misses the green. Against all odds, you chip it in for par. That is a good feeling. This one is similar to the bad round that ends with hitting it closest on the ninth hole.

Another small victory is when you pull into the Club House with a score of 46 and find out you have the most snips in your group. Sure, your playing partners may have hit more good shots and scored lower, but you had just the right amount good luck to win the snip lead. Claiming a couple of loonies from the guy that shot 38 is a good feeling.

Searching for your golf ball can also lead to a small victory. You are in the woods and your ball is nowhere to be found. But wait, what’s that? A brand new Prov1. It’s like finding treasure in a swamp. You’re not sure who it belongs to, but there’s something deeply satisfying about pocketing that other ball while you’re looking for your own. Even if you find one of Brett Griffin’s balls, covered in mud, scuff marks, and a giant G drawn with a sharpie, it still feels good.

What other small victories do we experience on Men’s Nigh? One is when you manage to see the drink cart multiple times during your round. You just walked off hole #3 with a seven, you are feeling a little dejected, and then you see it…the old green Gator driven by Taylor coming toward the fourth tee box. With only 4 or 5 groups on Wednesday, we saw Taylor a lot.

Probably, my favourite small victory is those evenings where the weather is perfect. Not too hot, not too cold, no wind, and the sun still shining as you finish your round. That was the case this past Wednesday. It was one of those evenings that you wished the sun didn’t set and you could keep playing.

In the end, Men’s Night isn’t about the score. Sure, there those guys who shoot low or win skins. But for most of us, it’s the little victories that make the night special. 

The Bombers and the Boomers

I read something funny recently. It said, “You know you're getting older when you have home Advil and golf bag Advil.” That line hit a little too close to reality. It accurately describes me and more than a few people with whom I play.

In the context of this discussion, I will define us old guys broadly. It includes anyone over 40. That being said, most 40-year-olds would see me as an old guy. Interestingly, when I play the weekly senior interclub, I sometimes get called “kid”. I guess it is all a matter of perspective.

Last night, we had 25 golfers ranging in age from 20 to just over 70. The group included several players who might still be considered kids by some, as well as others who have grandkids.

For many of us veterans, it’s not uncommon to pop a little preventative ibuprofen before even swinging a club. It isn’t because we’re trying to get an edge, but simply because we’d like to finish 9 without being limited by our aches and pains. We also have a pre-round stretching routine, although calling it “routine” might be generous. Sometimes the stretching is to loosen up the hips and back, but more often than not, it’s to counteract the mysterious neck injury that we sustained by sleeping the wrong way the previous night.

Now, contrast this with the younger guys on the course. These are the flat bellies in their late teens or early 20’s who roll up to the first tee without any real warm-up or stretching. They just drop a ball on the tee, take a violent practice swing that makes your joints ache just watching it, and launch it 290 yards. Stretching for them is often accidental. If they reach for a tee in their back pocket, that’s their full-body warm-up.

And they’re fast, not just in swing speed, but in the way they move, talk, and play. They’re a whirlwind of energy and enthusiasm. To be fair, many of them play incredibly well. Some hit it really long. For others, you are never quite sure where the ball might end up, but when it’s good, it’s really good.

Among the older guys, some are rock steady with the pattern of fairways, greens, two putts, repeat. Darcy Kowalchuk s one of these old guys. He hits it as long as anyone and has a solid all-around game. He used these skills to claim this year’s ringer board championship with a score of –7.

Others can be a little more erratic, but you’ll often hear, “I used to hit it as far as those young guys before I strained my back while curling”. Some may not have the distance anymore, but they usually know how to get around the course without too much drama.

Last night, three skins were won by five old guys and one young guy. Keith Martin and Tyler McTavish took home $59.39 with a win on hole #2, Pete Ostash and Chris Hogg earned $40.01 on hole #4, and Jason Gorrell and Stephen David claimed the biggest prize of the night with $145.65 on hole #5. In case you don’t know, Chris Hogg is the young guy, although Nathan Maynes might think that he is an old guy.

Older players like to toss around classic lines like, “Drive for show, putt for dough.” It’s our way of reassuring ourselves after watching a 23-year-old fly the fifth green with a 185 yard eight-iron. Deep down, most of us would love to hit it as far as they do. Let’s be honest…hitting wedge into the eight green is a lot more fun than hitting a five-iron.

You can spot the generational divide before the first swing is made. You need only look at the fashion. The younger guys arrive looking like they’re filming an episode of a YouTube golf channel. They have tapered joggers, tour hats turned backwards, new gloves, and shoes so clean they look like they were just taken out of the box. The veterans? Let’s just say we lean into comfort. We often wear golf polos or T-shirts untucked or tucked into cargo shorts or jeans, John Deere hats from the 1990’s, and shoes we’ve been meaning to replace since Brian Mulroney was Prime Minister.

And then there’s the post-round ritual which illustrates another divide. The younger players are often ready to squeeze in another 9 before sunset or race off to wherever young people still have energy to go. Many of this crew depart quickly as soon as the skins are paid.

The older group moves a little slower. We are often discussing what painkiller pairs best with a spiced rum and ginger ale. We sit down with a familiar groan, recount every missed birdie putt, and confidently claim, “If my wrist wasn’t acting up today, I could have broken 40”. It’s mostly fiction, but it's our fiction, and we enjoy it thoroughly.

And that right there is the beauty of Men’s Night.

It’s not a competition between young and old. It’s a celebration of both. A timeless blend of youthful optimism and seasoned wisdom. One group plays with fire, the other with finesse. The young guys bring energy, ambition, and big swings. The veterans bring course knowledge, short games honed out of necessity, and an ability to improve quickly once a sufficient amount of aiming fluid has been consumed.

By the time everyone’s in the clubhouse, sharing drinks, laughs, and tales of near greatness, the differences fade. What remains is a shared love for the game, a mutual respect, and the understanding that Men’s Night is better when we play it together, across generations.

So, here’s to the bombs off the tee and the bump-and-runs. Here’s to Advil in the bag and Bluetooth in the cart. Here’s to the young guys who keep the game fresh and the veterans who keep their golf cart first ad kits fully stocked.