Eighteen teams in tourney
Golf growing in leaps and bounds, says organizer
Sarah Ladik
Northern News Services
Thursday, August 11, 2016
INUVIK
For the second time this season, teams took to the Road's End Golf Course for a weekend of golfing fun and competition.
Dickie Mistaken Chief drives from a tee box in the annual Mayor's Classic golf tournament Aug. 7 at the Road's End Golf Course. - Sarah Ladik/NNSL photo
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"It's definitely bigger than previous years," said Road's End Golf Club vice-president and tournament organizer Steve Krug. "The course is growing, and the popularity of golf as a sport is growing in the community."
The annual Mayor's Classic drew 18 teams this year, an increase over last year's 14 or so. Krug said the tournament began when Denny Rodgers - a golf aficionado himself - was in office, and has evolved from there.
"It's not all about winning for most people," he said. "We couldn't have asked for better weather this weekend, so that's been great."
While some regular players were out of town for a softball championship, Krug said five people from out of town signed up and evened out the numbers. Two of those out-of-towners ended up taking the top prize at the tournament.
Gary Lloyd and Patrick Lloyd, who were in town visiting family, took home the trophy.
"We came into town on Friday, teed off, and now they've given us a trophy!" said Gary Sunday evening shortly after the tournament wrapped up. "It's amazing."
Krug said having new players in the event was certainly a good thing, he also noted that the popularity of the sport in town is growing on its own. With the addition of three holes to the course last year - for a total of six -the number of regular players is also expanding.
"Not everybody plays baseball or wants to go running," he said, adding that none of it would be possible without the hard work of volunteers like club president Conrad Baetz.
"I want to thank him for all his hard work and persistence," he said.
"Without it, this kind of thing doesn't happen. He's down here all the time, cutting and mowing, and the reward for that hard work is seeing people coming out and using the facility."
The season isn't quite over yet, with tickets for the annual ball drop on sale now. There are also at least a few good weeks of golfing left before the weather gets cold and the course shuts down for the winter.
"Hopefully next year, it'll be bigger and better," Krug said. "Maybe there will be 20 teams, we'll just have to see."
