I have fond memories of the Lady Bug Golf Tournament in Minot, North Dakota. I do believe the first or second time my partner Lee Frank and I played in this tournament there were at least 14 pairs (it was a two person team competition) who made the trip some 245 miles from Regina. And there was one team with one player from Regina and one from Kenosee Lake, SK. You can read all about this tournament in Lady Bug Why Not Minot

My association with the Athol Murray College of Notre Dame Alumni for several years, of course, meant there were Golf Tournaments to organize as fund raisers. One time we held the tournament at Flowing Springs, just outside Regina and it was so cold and rainy I couldn’t take any pictures.

It wasn’t until the tournament was held at Long Creek, south of Regina near Avonlea that we had a big contingent of members from Tor Hill participating. This golf course is a real gem with a creek winding through the 18 holes. Many of our golfers had never played this course and after the first year there was no problem getting repeat players. The banquet after the golf was so excellent: the local caterer did wonders with community men and women lending their talents to BBQ the fantastic steaks, HOME MADE potato salad, fresh buns, triple berry pie with ice cream. I’m sure some of the Tor Hill members won prizes but the course and the food brought them back each yearNow you all know I was born right where Gardiner Dam is now on Lake Diefenbaker in Saskatchewan. However, I have never talked about the beautiful golf course located upriver at Elbow, Saskatchewan. This course, Harbour Golf Course Golf sits on the east side of the lake and what beautiful views can be seen of the lake directly down below. It is such a natural sand based course with the original Saskatoon bushes in small coulees used to make this beauty. One hole is a real cutie, only 93 yards but over the Chokecherry trees to a hidden green, with a drop off to the lake below.

Needless to say I had played this course many times and talked the gals from Tor Hill to join me playing in the annual ladies tournament. We loved to go to this course s it was so different from our home course. One time we experienced a big thunder storm and were called off the course. After 20 minutes of pouring rain, it stopped and then the sun came out. We were back playing. The food there was always a treat and many times even when I was not in a tournament I would go there for dinner. I’ve always said that if you are traveling by car, stop at a golf course for breakfast. Nine times out of ten you will be served very good food. And usually the scenery “ain’t bad” either.

Although the golf getaways have been smaller the past years they are still a lot of fun.