Liidlii Kue/Fort Simpson - Ten turned out to be the lucky number for the First Air Tournament.

Eric Menicoche, right, made up for not being on one of the winning golf teams by claiming one of the major prizes of the tournament, a set of round-trip tickets for two to Edmonton courtesy of First Air, which was presented by Kele Antoine. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photos

Hosted on the Seven Spruce Golf Course in Fort Simpson, the 10th annual tournament was graced with its best weather conditions yet on Sept. 8. With the course capped by a cloudless blue sky and moderate temperatures, Saturday held the most favourable conditions Robert Byatt has seen in his 10 years of participating in the tournament.

"The weather couldn't have been any better," said Byatt, one of the event organizers.

A total of 40 golfers on 20 teams came out to enjoy a day on the links, giving the event an above average turnout. Other golfers were equally impressed with the weather conditions.

"The weather is amazing," said Darrell Littlechild before lining up a putt towards the 9th hole

Everybody seemed to be having a good time on the links, said Byatt. The course was in good shape although golfers still had to contend with the resident foxes that stole at least one golf ball, he said.

When the 18-hole, two-person scramble was finished the scores were close. In the men's division Roger Pilling and Owen Rowe took first place with 74 followed by Kevin Menicoche and John Moreau at 76 and Kele Antoine and Gerry Antoine at 77.

Winning was just a matter of staying on the fairway, said Rowe. In total the team had two bogies and 16 pars over the course.

"It worked out good," Rowe said.

In the mixed division first place went to Gabe Buggins and Keyna Norwegian with 79 followed by Pat Rowe and Erin Allooloo at 83 and Gordon Thompson and Troy Hardisty at 87.

Being familiar with your partner helps the game, said Norwegian. She and Buggins have been golfing together for about six years. The win was a team effort, she said.

"One of us always had a good shot," said Norwegian.

She and Buggins also made the honour's list by winning the closest to the pin competition in the men and ladies' divisions. Steven Thompson won in the junior division and also took the prize for the longest drive. Gabe Byatt won longest drive for the men.

In addition to the usual prizes, the First Air Tournament also came with two grand prizes chosen by reverse draw. Stacy Menicoche won the grand prize of a round-trip ticket for two to Edmonton, while Eric Menicoche took the second place of a round-trip ticket for two to Whitehorse.