Kevin Wilson
Northern News Services
Yellowknife (Jun 22/01) - Slap on them spikes, Yellowknifers. Pull out your pelt and hope to the Almighty that your brand new Top Flites don't get stolen by ravens. The Canadian North Midnight Classic Golf Tournament is upon us.
Golfers from as far away as the Philippines are descending on Yellowknife to try their luck on the sandy links.
Petrina McDaniel, Canadian North's marketing and sales analyst, says the airline has been involved in the annual tournament, "for at least 20 years."
Trevor Maywood, one of the tournament's organizers, says he's expecting over 300 hardy golfers from Yellowknife and elsewhere to take their chances on the challenging links.
"We had 325 golfers out last year, and we're expecting about the same this time, although it's hard to tell," says Maywood.
"We get a lot of people in the last week," he adds.
Radio hosts Brent Pushkarenko and Alan Buxton will share emceeing duties for the two-day event.
Winning golfers from each flight of 36 will receive round-trip tickets to Edmonton. Top overall male and female golfers will also win tickets.
McDaniel says there's one extra, special prize of a trip for four to Calgary, including two nights hotel stay and a tee time for a foursome at Calgary's Links Ridge Golf Course.
Tournament co-ordinator Carl Bird says you don't even have to golf well to win that one. "We're giving that one away as a door prize," he says.
Other door prizes of flight upgrade stickers and Aeroplan miles to golf balls, and golf bags will be available for those who otherwise stink up the links.
"We've got door prizes galore," says Bird.
Everyone from scratch handicappers to duffers can enjoy the musical stylings of Yellowknife's own Big Ethyl. The band will help wrap things up with a concert from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday.
