In Search of Missing Golfers

The weather was almost perfect this week. It was sunny and hot and the lake was a sheet of glass. It was a beautiful day at the end of July. However, we only had 28 golfers. That was an improvement over last week's 21 and the 16 from two weeks prior.

It used to be 50 was the magical number to illustrate a great Mens Night turnout. That may have been a bit high because we only have crossed that threshold twice. I think now 40 might be the number.

This year we have had 12 Mens' Night. We have been nowhere near 40 on any evening. Our high for 2017 is 35.  We also had 32 one night and 31 three times.

The 28 that we had this week tied the number that they had last night in Russell...for Ladies Night. I know because my wife attended.

Looking on the positive side, it was an excellent Wednesday this week. Austin Hunter certainly enjoyed himself firing off a sizzling 36 to lead all scorers.  Austin also combined with Hubey for a $24.50 skin on #7.  Other skins went to Brad Benton / Charlie McNabb ($24.50 on #4), Luke Funk / Phil Ostash ($24.50 on #6), and Jason Hunter / Jason Gorrell ($24.50 on #8).

Closest to the pins were Stephen David on #5 and Scott Martin on #9. There were no deuces recorded.

Don't forget the Horse Race is tomorrow...starting at 9:00 am. There are 33 golfers registered to date.

Stay Safe...Stand in the Middle of a Fairway

The picture above is there for three reasons.  Firstly, we have some deer hanging around the golf course that seem pretty comfortable with carts and players.  Secondly, it was posted by Rock Bottom Golf which is really good follow on Twitter or Facebook.  It's an American golf supply store that posts lots of funny and random thoughts and images.  Finally, it epitomizes the typical golf game of many people. Often the safest place to stand if you are in front of most golfers is right up the middle of the fairway.

One person that has little trouble splitting the fairway is Robin Kimpinski.  He paired with the dummy card on Wednesday and won the only two skins.  He cashed in for $20 each on both holes 1 and 9.  This raised his season money leading total to $272.  This is $100 ahead of Scott Maynes in second and $180 in front of Charlie McNabb in third.

Robin is on pace to set the new single season prize money record.  For perspective, the season money winners since we started tracking them have included Stephen David ($262 in 2016), Jason Gorrell ($351 in 2015), and Scott Maynes ($283 in 2014, $234 in 2013).

There were only 21 golfers this past week. This has been an odd year with lower turnouts than usual, especially so far in July. 

Blake Hunter has a good evening. He was closest to the hole on #9 and converted the birdie to share the $38.50 deuce pot with Brad Benton and Brett Griffin.  Blake also birdied 1 and 2 to add three more negative numbers to his ringer board.

Closest to the hole on #5 was nobody. ..which doesn't happen very often.

The Horse Race is next Saturday. The list of entrants to date is on the left side of this blog. If you are viewing it on your phone, scroll to the bottom and select "view full site".

A Great Wednesday Evening

Usually when I miss Men's Night I am a little disappointed. This past week I was fine not being there. Instead I was sitting at the Shoal Lake Airport watching the 25th anniversary air show featuring the Canadian Forces 431 Air Demonstration Squadron, commonly known as the Snowbirds.

Some people wondered if we would cancel last week because of the air show.  We decided to run Mens' night as scheduled and allow people to choose how to spend their evening.  I chose to watch the planes while 16 others decided to golf.  I assume that everyone was happy with their choices.

Those people that did play said they had a great vantage with the Snowbirds regrouping after most maneuvers above the seventh hole.  Wes Arnfinson even reported needing to back away from his tee shot on nine because of the noise and spectacle above him.

Skins went on six holes this past week. Winners included Wes Arnfinson / Les Blackbird ($20 on #1), Austin Hunter / Jason Neufeld ($20 on #8, $40.50 on #9), Sonny Blackbird / Blake Hunter ($20 on #4), Wayne Griffin / Terry Brandon ($20 on #6), and Barry Bone / Brad Benton ($40.50 on #7).

In addition to their double skin win, Austin and Neuf were closest to the holes, on #5 and #9 respectively.  Also, they converted their birdies for the only deuces of the evening to split the $24 pot.

There are lots of things happening at the golf course in the next few weeks. There is a Nine and Dine on Friday plus the Yellowhead 150 Tournament on Sunday.  Also, our annual Horse Race tournament is July 29th. The list of registrants to date is shown on the left hand links.  To register for any tournaments contact myself or Scott Maynes.

What the hail?

The weather is finally getting better...except for the hail storm that started just after Mens' Night ended last week. The image above shows the size of what hit Shoal Lake. We were more fortunate than our Birtle neighbours who had twoonie-sized frozen balls of fun.  The car dealer in their town reported 65 vehicles damaged in the storm.

There were 32 golfers last week with skins going on four holes.  Winners included Robin Kimpinski / Jim Geekie ($55.00 on #2), Shane Kimpinski / Chris Kimpinski ($32.50 on #4), Jason Neufeld / Scott Maynes ($20.00 on #6), and Darcy Kowalchuk / Jason Hunter ($20.00 on #8).

Closest to the pins were Wayne Griffin on #5 and Pete Ostash on #9. Pete converted his birdie to share the $48.00 deuce pot with Ron Huberdeau and Mike Susinski.

Don't forget that the Horse Race is scheduled for June 29th. Let me know the names of entrants asap.

Hello July

The picture above doesn't really relate to anything that I am writing about today.  I thought it was funny and appropriate given the experience of many golfers. Hopefully this week you hit a lot of fairways.

I am once again late to update the blog. Since Friday, I have been visiting the in-laws in Winnipegosis. Their internet is Xplorenet which is incredibly slow. With the whole family there, it was difficult enough to get texts and check emails.  I was also away last week. It seems that I am less attentive to the blog when I am away.

There were 31 golfers on Wednesday. Scott Maynes had a sizzling 34 which included one bogey.  He added three more birdies to the ringer board to take the lead with a -6.  He also split a $54.50 skin with Ken Ostash on #6.

Other skin winners included Robin Kimpinski / Kevin Bartram ($20 on #1), Colin Heier and Ron Anderson ($20 on #5), and Jason Gorrell / Bob Moffatt ($39.00 on #8).

Colin Heier had the only deuce and won $49.50 for his efforts.

Closest to the pins were Robby Eastcott on #5 and Dale Martin on #9.

This is a great week for golf. Tomorrow night is a Jack and Jill, Wednesday is Men's Night, and Friday is our Fundraiser Tournament. Have fun and play as well as you can.