Members of the Canora Golf and Country Club were excited to plan a new tournament and clinic to introduce youth in the area to the sport of golfing.
The first Big N’ Little golf tournament, which was held at the Canora Golf and Country Club on October 1, was organized by Alissa Wilson, vice-president of the club. The event drew a total of 28 children who learned beginners’ skills in golfing.
“The weather co-operated and I’m very pleased with how the event ran,” Wilson said in a written statement after the event.
The event began with an introduction to golf workshop in the morning. The workshop was run by Terry Dennis, the Canora-Pelly MLA; Sgt. Terry Wilson, member of the Kamsack detachment of the RCMP; and Curtis Baillie, a teacher at Canora Composite School.
“These three guys truly love this game,” said Alissa Wilson. “They want to see more kids out here learning the game. They were all very excited to help me get this project going.”
At each station, the youths were taught basic skills as well as proper golfing etiquette, with Dennis teaching putting, Terry Wilson teaching driving, and Baillie teaching students how to chip.
A lunch was held after the workshop before students paired up with a parent or volunteer for the nine-hole alternate shot tournament. Nate Wolos won the junior boys flight while Tia Bushel was the winner of the junior girls flight. Ella Kozak and Clay Sleeva won the senior girls and senior boys flights, respectively.
Draws for prizes were also held after the tournament, with Latifa Severight winning a youth golf membership for 2017 and Ella Kozak winning a complete set of golf clubs.
Alissa Wilson said she wished to thank the Parkland Valley Sport, Culture and Recreation District for funding as well as all of the local businesses who sponsored the event. She was also grateful to the club members who donated their golf carts for students to use for the day.
This event could not have happened without the involvement of Dennis, Terry Wilson, and Baillie, Wilson added.
“I hope all the kids had a great day, and I look forward to organizing the event again in the spring.”
