Every year in early to mid-September junior golf in Estevan gains a stronger following.
This is due to the running of the annual Parent-Child Tournament that is held at TS&M Woodlawn Golf Club. On Sunday, 56 two-person teams consisting of a parent or guardian and child took over the front nine at the course for the 33rd staging of the tournament that once again featured each of the participating kids getting a trophy at the end of play with the smallest golfers winning the biggest prize.
“The history of junior golf in Estevan is really strong,” said Eldon Rondeau, a longtime supporter of youth involvement in the game. “We’re just trying to continue (to) keep it going.”
Donovan Dyer, 12, hit the links at the tourney with his partner Jamie Dyer. He noted while waiting to tee off on the second hole that their play has been good, but he’s the one who seemed to be carrying the team.
His brother Ryder, 9, who partnered with Cindy Dyer for the competition, said this was the third tournament that he’s ever competed in. Despite the cool and rainy weather, he said it was also the best score that he’s managed to put up.
Rondeau said the annual Parent-Child Tournament began from an idea by concerned local citizens on how to get more kids active in golf. He said the initial reaction to the competition that involves a scoring system using a handicap based on age was slow, but it did build momentum.
“At one point we were (playing the) front and back with over 100 teams,” said Rondeau. “Today we have over 50 (teams) and it’s not the most pleasant of conditions. But we drove around, gave them water and found out they’re having fun.”
In the Mother-Daughter Junior Division, Greycin Biette and Kennedy Poole tied for first place with a score of 73. Maya Sands captured third place shooting 75.
Ryan Chernoff won the Mother-Son Junior Division with a card of 51. Second place went to Kruz Schoff who shot a 58 with Taillon Howie finishing third with a 59.
The winner of the Father-Daughter Junior Division was McKenna Driedger who shot a 42. Ella Kozak finished in second by carding a 48, while Mikayla Dyer captured third place shooting a 51.
The Father-Son Junior Division, which had the most entries at the tournament, was won by Kolten Spenst with a score of 45. There was three-way tie for second place as Cashton Symons, Connor Spencer and Jayden Chernoff all shot a 47.
Sydney Davidson won the Mother-Daughter Senior Division carding a 51, while Drew Fenwick took first place in the Mother-Son Division with a score of 44. Keegan Wilhelm got second place in the Mother-Son Division shooting a 50 with Donovan Dyer following him in third place with a score of 65.
In the Father-Daughter Senior Division, Taryn Stovin took first place thanks to a score of 52. Ciara Dayman finished second shooting a 54.
Jayden Dudas carded a 37 for the lowest score of the day to win the Father-Son Senior Division, which had the most entries for juniors 12 years and older. Reegan Robinson took second place shooting a 38, while Jace Carlisle captured third with a score of 39.
