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LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON
Overcast skies, the occasional rain shower and the distant rumble of thunder weren't enough to dissuade golfers from participating in the 10th annual Nahendeh Classic Golf Tournament.

Nahendeh MLA Kevin Menicoche, left, stands with Pat Rowe, Susie Hanna, Owen Rowe and Jennifer Thistle, the winners of the 10th annual Nahendeh Classic Golf Tournament. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

A total of 32 golfers on eight teams played in the 18-hole best-ball tournament on Aug. 1 in Fort Simpson. Nahendeh MLA Kevin Menicoche, who hosted the tournament, said he wasn't sure how the event would turn out considering the condition of the sky early in the day.

"I thought 'Oh my god we're going to have to play in the rain,'" he said.

Based on the turnout, which was average for the tournament, Menicoche said the weather wasn't a factor for participants.

"Credit is given to the golfers who know rain is sometimes part of the experience," he said.

Menicoche's team, which, included Eric Menicoche, Arnold Hope and Rylan Hardisty-Gillis finished in second with a 67. The team's strengths including staying on the fairways and also chipping close to the holes which allowed them to save some pars. The team finished with five birdies and 13 pars.

The tournament is all about having fun on a holiday Monday and from the compliments received, Menicoche said that goal was met.

"Our team, we enjoyed the day as well. There was a fun energy," he said.

First place in the tournament went to the team of Pat Rowe, Owen Rowe, Susie Hanna and Jennifer Thistle, who finished with a 65, seven under par.

The win was a true team effort with nobody dominating the holes, said Pat.

"Everyone contributed at just about every hole," he said.

The team's best hole was hole two during their first nine. Owen drove the ball to the green and Hanna made a long putt approximately 15 feet from the pin for a birdie.

"I think it was a great tournament," he said.

Third place in the tournament was secured by Jerry Antoine, Gordon Thompson, Steven Thompson and Adrien Tremblay at 73.

"It was good to be with them," said Antoine about his teammates.

Antoine said he kept the team in the running by making straight drives at the beginning of the tournament but Steven soon took over that role. Tremblay got some good putts in while Gordon kept the team laughing, said Antoine.

"It was good," Antoine said.

"I haven't played for a long time."

Individual prize winners at the tournament included Clayton Moreau for the longest putt, Eric Menicoche for closest to the pin and Owen Rowe, Sheila Pollard and Steven Thompson for the longest drives. In the elimination draw, Byron Blyth was the last person chosen leaving him to win the grand prize, a four-person village tour or an equivalent with Great Slave Helicopters.

Jim Antoine started the Nahendeh Classic Golf Tournament when he was the MLA of the Nahendeh. As the current MLA Menicoche has been hosting the tournament for the last eight years.

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