I just read that the longest throw of a golf club is 235.2 feet or 78.4 yards achieved by Tyson Allen (USA) in Emporia, Kansas, USA, on 14 October 2021. I verified this with a couple of other sources. This doesn't seem long. That's barely half the distance to the back of the ninth hole. I may have to test this out later today with an old club. If this is actually the record, I think that there are a few people in Shoal Lake who could challenge it.
Wednesday, July 27, 2022
Club Toss Anyone?
Friday, July 15, 2022
Just a Solid Men's Night
By the way, if you read last week's blog I had a small error that made for some entertaining conversations yesterday. The deuce pot was only $133.13 not the $4133.13 that I originally reported. Thanks to Blake Hunter for pointing out my mistake.
Sunday, July 10, 2022
Golf Sayings, Phrases, and Words of Encouragement
We start out rounds with obligatory comments about having a good game or hitting them straight. We compliment people with phrases such as "well hit", "that sounded good", "nice bomb" or "that one isn't going to hurt you". When people putt and miss, we say things to encourage such as "had the line" or "you gave it a chance". Occasionally, we make comments that are less supportive such as "if you hit it hard enough you would have had it".
Sometimes we say things to others that suggest that we have some insight into the golf swing. We tell people "nice tempo" or "good speed" or something like that. Or we react to a great shot with the comment "be right" as if our words can help the shot be even better.
When we hit a ball too far, someone in the group might yell "bite" or "hit a house". Often our comments are intended to pick someone up after a bad shot. We say things such as "you could be worse" or "better than being at work". However, golf can sometimes feel like work and these attempts at support can have the opposite effect.
Last Wednesday we had an excellent turnout due to nice weather and several people visiting town. Three of the 39 golfers had a deuce, with Darcy Kowalchuk, Ron Susinski, and Robin Kimpinski sharing the $133.13 pot.
Robin was closest to the pin on #5 with Kendal Koroscil hitting it closest on #9.
Only three skins went but two of them were the biggest on the board. Reegan Kominko and John Gill combined for $98.14 on #3 while Phil Ostash and Ryden Lanouette won a whopping $194.29 on #4. The final skin of $44.38 went to Tim Siegle and Ron Susinski on #9.
There was a change in the lead on the ringer board with Robin Kimpinski adding two more birdies to move to -6.
Wednesday, July 6, 2022
Big Pot on #4
The fourth hole skin is currently worth $169.91. It will likely be around $190 this evening.
We had 33 golfers last week which was our season-high. Only one skin went. Theoren Hunter and Brad Benton combined for a $20 win on #8. Closest to the pins were Ryder Lanouette on #5 and Sonny Blackbird on #9. There were no deuces.
Sunday, June 26, 2022
Here's to Waywayseecappo!
I was trying to think about what to write today and wasn't having any luck. I have written lots about the weather over the years and of late, and I am done with that. I could do another hole-in-one feature given the size of the three pots but that has also received previous attention. Then it came to me...I should acknowledge a group of guys who have made our Men's Night even better.
For the past three years, we have been fortunate to have great representation from Waywayseecappo. They came on one Wednesday, had a positive experience, and then kept returning. Every single week we have 5-10 visitors who start a little early, play Men's Night, and then often get another nine holes in until darkness falls.
Some weeks, half of the players at our Men's Night are from Waywayseecappo. There are several who come regularly and some who come occasionally. The one constant is Charles McKay who seems to be there every week, taking skins from his younger companions and ordering chicken wings to go at the end of the evening.
All these Waywayseecappo boys are good golfers and, more important, great guys. Everyone thinks the same. So at the risk of missing someone who has visited previously, I would like to do a shout-out to Charles McKay, Terry Brandon, Myles Shingoose, Dawson Tanner, Dylan Tanner, John Tanner, Eugene Tanner. Brent Cloud, Chad Tanner, Trevor Wilson, Randy Brandon Sr. & Jr., Logan Tanner, Donovin Tanner, Montanna Sutherland, Ash Brandon, Branden Tanner, Ash Tanner, and Dion Brandon.
Last week we had 29 golfers. Not surprisingly, 9 or 10 were from Waywayseecappo.
Nathan Maynes had a night. He score the only two deuces and pocketed $54.38 for his efforts. He also was closest on #5, hitting his tee shot to about 18 inches. Finally, he won a $26.26 skin on the same hole pairing with Cubby Bartram. Brad Benton just edged out Nathan for closest to on #9.
Five other skins went on Wednesday. Winners included Theoren Hunter/Brent Cloud ($79.39 on #1), Robin Kimpinski/Stephen David ($41.26 on #2 and $67.89 on #8), Charles McKay/Trevor Wilson ($67.89 on #6), and Jason Gorrell/Blake Hunter ($26.26 on #7).
Currently, Brad Benton and Robin Kimpinski lead the ringer board at -4, followed by a group of five others at -2.
There are a couple of upcoming tournaments to note. Our fundraiser is on Friday, July 8 and there is still room for teams of 4. Then there is the Horse Race on Saturday, July 23.
One final thing...below is a pic of the ball that Brett Griffin was using on Wednesday. It looked like this for several holes and wobbled when he putted it.
Tuesday, June 21, 2022
I golfed with someone yesterday who said something that I believe to be true. He said that there haven't been many normal weeks of weather in 2022. Lately, there have not been seven straight days in which we could say "This is a normal June".
We had a fantastic winter and summer in 2021. It may be balancing itself out this year. The winter was a chaotic mess with frequent poor conditions and closed highways. The spring and summer have been unseasonably cool, wet, and windy.
I know complaining about the weather as it relates to golf may seem a bit trivial. But we just had a seven-month-long winter. Also, as goes golf so goes many important industries in the region. Crappy summer weather hurts recreation, tourism, farming...heck, even ice cream sales are likely down.
The bad weather delayed the start of the golf season, has caused low numbers for weekly attendance and even resulted in one night being canceled outright. Last week was the perfect example of the unperfect weather. The threat of a storm and cool, rainy, and windy conditions kept most golfers at home. The thirteen guys that did show up actually saw much-improved conditions shortly after the round started.
I pride myself on my optimism but this weather is getting to become a challenge. Today is the first day of summer and the official longest day of the year, yet it seems as if we are waiting for the nice weather to get started. I guess we shall see what tomorrow brings.
Right now, I need to bring an update on last week's golf. I mentioned 13 golfers. Only one skin went...$20 on #9 for Stephen David and Brad Benton. There were no deuces. Closest on #5 was Nathan Maynes and closest on #9 was Nick Roulette. Lowest score of the evening was a 37 which was carded by three golfers.
Tuesday, June 14, 2022
Okay...Men's Night is tomorrow so I need to do an update quickly.
Last Wednesday there were 24 golfers. Skins went on three holes. Winners included Pete Ostash/Phil Ostash (96.89 on #5), Brad Benton/Shane Kimpinski ($20.00 on #7), and Jason Gorrell/Dawson Tanner ($27.50 on #9).
Closest to the holes were Scott Maynes on #5 and Pete Ostask on #9. Jason Gorrell won $47.50 for the only deuce of the evening.
Tuesday, June 7, 2022
This Will Be Fast
The low score for the night was a four-way tie. Congrats to Jason Neufeld, Logan Tanner, Brad Benton, and Dawson Tanner for all scoring a 39.
Brent Cloud was closest to the pin on #5 and he was the sole winner of the $37.50 deuce pot.
Sunday, May 29, 2022
Deuces Wild
Monday, May 23, 2022
Two Short, Too Bad
On a positive and somewhat selfish note, I will be there this Wednesday after two weeks of conflicting events. This will be the latest that I have ever started the Men's Night season...on May 25. My hope is that anyone else who has yet to get out will be there this week.
Sunday, May 15, 2022
Let the Season Begin
In the spirit of positivity, here are my wishes for 2022. Firstly, I hope that someone claims the hole-in-one prize. Obviously, my preference would be that it is me. If that isn't the case, may it happen on a night when I am present, and perhaps within my group. Secondly, let there be few nights lost due to weather. I know extreme summer storms are the new norm. May they happen on Thursday evenings instead of Wednesday. It would also be nice if we could have at least one night with 50 golfers. We haven't accomplished this feat in several years. Finally, may every golfer who comes out this year have fun, be fun with play with, and pay their $10 skin fee.
For our first Men's Night of the year, there were 20 golfers. There were three scores under 40 and four over 50. Everyone else slotted somewhere in between. The low scores of the night were the 37's of Charles McKay and Chad Tanner. Nathan Maynes also carded a very respectable 39.
Skins went on five holes. Winners included Nathan Maynes/Blake Hunter ($36.88 on #2), Charles McKay/Phil Ostash ($46.26 on #6 and $28.75 on #9), Randy Brandon/Shane Kimpinski ($28.75 on #7), and Chad Tanner/Pete Ostash ($28.75 on #8).
Closest to the pin on #9 was Kendal Koroscil. No one hit the green on #5. There were no birdies.
A few golfers joined the ringer board which runs from May 11 to August 24. For $10 it is a fun added element for anyone who might be interested.
Thanks to Jason Gorrell and whoever else helped out running things this past week. I was in Winnipeg for a meeting and will be there again this coming Wednesday. If someone is going to get a hole-in-one, would you kindly wait until I am back on May 25.
While there is still some wet spot on the course, things are drying up quickly thanks to the pumps. Credit for this goes to our new head greenskeeper Robin Kimpinski who is already doing a great job.
Tuesday, September 28, 2021
One More Night
As the final evening, it would be great if we could get a boost in attendance. The forecast looks extremely promising. My assumption is that many in the farming/agricultural sector have completed harvest and might be interested and available for the final evening. If not, best of luck in your ongoing work. If you do come out tomorrow, please make sure to thank Francis and Joseph for taking care of us on Men's Nights. Also don't forget tee off at 6:00 pm.
Last week we had 15 golfers. Skins went on three holes. Winners included Blake Hunter all alone ($20.00 on #1), Sonny Blackbird / Kendal Koroscil ($20.00 on #8), and Brad Benton / Stephen David ($25.64 on #9).
Closest to the pins were Scott Maynes on #5 and Reegan Kominko on #9. Neither made a birdie but Brad Benton did make a deuce to claim the $52.51 pot.
Wednesday, September 22, 2021
Only Two Weeks to Go
Here we are on the first day of Fall...the second last formal Men's Night of the year. We know next week, September 30, will be the final evening because the Club House closes on October 1. That doesn't mean we can't keep golfing if the weather permits. Today is also the first day of Fall...and what a beautiful day it is with a forecasted high of 25 Celsius. Let's not forget that we had snow on September 22
Last week we had 15 golfers. After a deluge of winning holes the previous week, only a single hole went this time. Stephen David / Brad Benton won $20. on #2.
Closest to the holes were Darcy Kowalchuk on #5 and Phil Ostash on #5. Neither they nor anyone else made a deuce.
Tuesday, September 14, 2021
Men's Night Continues...Until It Ends
Someone asked me when Men's Night ends. I replied "it ends when it ends". We don't set a date for the final evening of play. We just let it happen organically. When the weather is too cool to get us 10 players we look to the forecast the following week. If it doesn't look promising, we call it a year.
Last Wednesday the weather was fine and we had 13 golfers. Skins went on six holes. Stephen David had the double bonus of being the middle score with a 41 and pairing with his own dummy card. That resulted in three $60.00 skins on #2, #6, and #7.
Other skins went to Charles McKay / Drew Ostash ($20.00 on #3), Joe Shwaluk / Robin Kimpinski ($20.00 on #5), and Chad Tanner / Pete Ostash ($20.00 on #8).
Closest to the holes were Brad Benton on #5 and Darcy Kowalchuk on #9. The $24.37 deuce pot was split by Joe Shwaluk and Robin Kimpinski.
I am hearing that some farmers are getting close to being done...so maybe tomorrow or next week we get a boost in numbers. Here's hoping.
Tuesday, September 7, 2021
Big Payout Wednesday
Scott Maynes and Kendal Koroscil combined to win a $96.00 pot on #1 and $121.27 on #5.
Donovin Tanner claimed the $116.26 deuce pot for his two on #9. Donovin also was closest on both #5 and #9. Finally he teamed with Pete Ostash for two skins ($28.13 on both #6 and 9).
The remaining skin went to Reegan Kominko / Doug Cripps ($20.00 on #2).
Remember tee off tomorrow night at 6:00 pm.
Wednesday, September 1, 2021
Ringer Board Wrap Up
It's Wednesday morning...a week from our last Men's Night. Therefore this blog entry will be quick.
There were 20 golfers last week. Skins went on four holes. Winners included Brad Benton / Kendal Koroscil ($20.63 on #2), Jason Gorrell / Darcy Kowalchuk ($20.00 on #3, $49.39 on #8), and Charles McKay / Nathan Maynes ($20.63 on #7). Closest to the pin on #5 as Keith Martin. No one hit the green on #9 and there were no deuces.
Saturday, August 21, 2021
Lots of Summer Remaining
A week in August with cooler rainy weather is a tipping point for some people. It sometimes creates anxiety in some who have been enjoying the great weather. They unfortunately turn into those people who start saying that "Summer is over".
Summer isn't over. It doesn't officially end for over a month. Just because it is the third week of August doesn't mean you have to pack up your bags, put away your deck furniture, and get your winter clothes out. We are often fortunate with nice weather in September.
I have golfed on 59 days this year. As of this time last year I played 54 times. I finished 2020 with 76 golf outings. So if I am fortunate enough to get another 22 rounds in this year, surely summer can't be over on August 21. Let's collectively remember how much winter weather sucks and let's do everything we can to golf, camp, boat, and sit outside as much as possible.
Now my intro aside...the weather wasn't ideal for golf on Wednesday. Consequently, we only had 13 golfers. The curious thing was despite the low numbers, only won skin went. Stephen David / Darcy Kowalchuk won $20 on #3. The positive aspect of that result is that the other holes continue to build in value. The first hole is now worth $76.00 and the fifth $101.27 plus whatever is added next week. There were no deuces. Closest to the holes were Joel Ostash on #5 and Pete Ostash on #9.
Good luck and have fun to everyone going out for Night Golf this evening.
Don't forget the final night for the Ringer Board is Wednesday for anyone needing to enter scores.
Thursday, August 12, 2021
No Pictures on a Scorecard
Even on days when the wind is calm balls can go astray. Not just on other fairways, but on certain locations on certain holes. For example, if you miss off the tee on #6 and your shot goes long and over the trees onto #7, we say "It's in Dan's apartments". That is honouring former resident Dan Stokes, who had a tendency to end up in that area. By the way, Dan is visiting tomorrow for the Horse Race weekend.
Of course, as long as your ball is in play it doesn't matter. As the blog title states, there are no pictures on the scorecard. Many of us have parred holes despite being on the wrong hole on a shot. I thought about it and I have done that on every hole on the course except for #9. I have hit the eighth green once off the 9th tee but I didn't par it. Its a tough second shot into the green over all those trees beside #8.
The most errant shot that I have ever witnessed was about 12 years ago on Men's Night. A guy I was playing with hit it between the green on #8 and the tee box on #9...from the first tee. If I recall correctly, he didn't par the hole. The gentlemen teeing off on #9 did find it amusing.
Golf is a game of both common and uncommon experiences. All of us have made perfect shots but not everyone has a hole-in-one. Hitting errant shots is a common occurrence. Similarly, everyone who played last night shared the common experience of hiding out from the intense rain and wind that hit us for about 12-15 minutes. However, not all groups got to witness a playing partner snap a club after a missed second shot on #7. That experience was likely unique to my group last night.
Due to the weather, we had a very low turnout last night with only 17 golfers braving the forecast. Low numbers usually result in lots of skins being won and such was the case last night with six holes going.
Kevin "Cubby" Bartram pulled a rare feat which will from here on in be called the "Double Dummy". He was the middle score on an evening where there was an odd number of golfers. So his card was copied as the dummy card. Then when we did the random high / low group pairings, Cubby's card matched with his own dummy card. That worked out well for him as he won two skins alone, $20.00 on #3 and $67.87 on #6.
Other winners included Stephen David / Brad Benton ($67.87 on #2), Reegan Kominko / Charlie McNabb ($20.00 on #4), Pete Ostash / Shane Kimpinski ($28.76 on #7), and Kendal Koroscil / Ron Susinski ($28.76 on #9).
Closest on #5 was Joe Shwaluk and Kendal Koroscil on #9. Neither they nor anyone else made a deuce. I will do a quick shout out to Joe who played really well in my group despite the crazy wind. He had just a single bad hole which he thought related to putting a heavy jacket on to protect him from the elements.
Well that's it for this week. Don't forget the Horse Race is this Saturday with the qualifying round starting at 9:00 am. Also only two more weeks to enter scores on the Ringer Board.
Thursday, August 5, 2021
Golf Balls - Do They Matter?
Everyone seems to like different golf balls. Some spend $65 a dozen for premium balls. Others get them by the plastic case at Walmart. Many of us are partial to a particular brand, but others hit whatever comes out of their bag for the next shot.
Ball selection may even change depending on circumstances. For example, many people hit a ball of lesser quality for the first tee shot of the day or on a harder hole. Sometimes the better or newer balls don't come out if it is too windy. Often we use higher quality balls during tournaments. All of those things are reasonable and within the rules of golf. What you can't do is replace a ball mid hole unless it is lost. I bet once a week I see someone hit a distance ball off the tee and swap it out for a different ball for an approach.
Certainly better golf balls perform best under ideal conditions. Maybe they go a little straighter and farther off the tee. The reality is for the slower swing speeds of the average golfer, the difference is negligible. Most of us aren't hitting high spin shots into greens. Few of us are shaping the ball to the left and right at will. Also, if you are someone who loses 3-4 balls an outing, a more expensive golf ball is likely not going to help you.
All I know is when I am standing over a $5 golf ball I feel a little less confident than with a $1 ball. It isn't that I think I will hit it badly. It is simply that I would rather not lose it. There's enough things to think about when hitting a ball. I would rather not care whether or not my next shot results in a missing ball.
My advice to you is to spend as much money as you want on golf balls. Hit what you think suits your game or what makes you feel confidant. Whether you spent $20 a dozen or $60 really doesn't matter. However, feel free to buy those premium balls. I love finding them on the course.
I assume that there were lots of balls lost last night given the wind. Scores ranged from 36 to 59 and there seemed to be lots of use of the Men's Night max. Skins went on only two holes. Brothers Cyril and Derek Patterson teamed up for $34.38 on #3 while Myles Shingoose and Phil Ostash won $20.00 on #4.
Closest to the pins were Blake Hunter on #5 and Scott Maynes on #9. That's three weeks in a row on the same hole for Maynes. Scott shared the $54.38 deuce pot with Cyril Patterson and Stephen David.
Good luck to everyone playing in the Hamiota match play tournament this weekend.
Friday, July 30, 2021
Counting Holes Isn't Everything
When I do this Men's Night update quickly, I often write a little bit more than just the results. Such is the case this week. If this doesn't appeal to you skip to the last three paragraphs.
This image at the start of this blog is an excellent representation of why most of us golf. It is quite accurate for me other than the walking down the fairway part. I only walk on the golf course when my cart breaks down during the round.
Take this last Wednesday for instance. As is often the case, I got out at 2:00 pm and was joined by three friends. Another joined us for the Men's Night round. When that was finished, we joined five other guys for two-man best ball. We played until it was too dark to see.
Throughout the afternoon and evening, there were both good and bad shots and small amounts of money changed hands to pay off wagers. At the end of the day, it didn't matter what your score was or how you played. The important was that we got to hang out with some friends on a nice day in July doing something that we enjoyed.
Last year I started tracking the holes that I played. As of Wednesday, I have 1239 holes over 47 times golfing. At the same time last year I had 1125 holes and finished with 1818. While my goal isn't to get to a certain number, it is to play as much as I can. We spend our long and cold winters looking outside wishing the weather was better. We need to take advantage of it when it is good. Also, I don't want to make the hole tracking a competition, especially given that Scott Martin has 1454 holes in as of today.
One noteworthy thing about my 1239 holes this year, only 18 were played on my own. Two times I went out and played nine. On both occasions I found it a bit boring and wished I was playing with someone else. I tried playing an extra ball but that just seemed to extend the boredom.
On Wednesday I played 51 holes for the day. There were 25 others who joined me for the official Men's Night round. The vast majority of those out played a bit either before or after Men's Night
Skins went on four holes. Jason Gorrell / Noah Street won $20.00 for #4. Jason's win was assisted by his chip in eagle on the par 5 hole. Other winners included Stephen David / Mike Susinski ($39.38) on #7 and Robin Kimpinski / Ron Sopko ($20.00 on #8, $85.63 on # 9).
Closest to the pins were Scott Maynes on #5 and Robin Kimpinski on #9. Both scored twos on the evening to share the $50.75 deuce pot with three others - Cubby Bartram, Brad Benton, and Pete Ostash.
The ringer board ends on August 25 so those involved need to start thinking about locking up some scores. Rob Kimpinski added another birdie to get his season total to -7 with three holes to record. Brad Benton is one stroke behind at -6 while Darcy Kowalchuk and Scott Maynes are both at -5.