FORT SIMPSON - It was luck and not skill according to Pat Rowe that helped his team win the Kingland Open golf tournament in Fort Simpson.

The winning team at the Kingland Open. Mike Rowe, left, Keri-Ann Loutit, Rick Rowe and Pat Rowe model their new jackets. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

Pat Rowe, Rick Rowe, Mike Rowe and Keri-Ann Loutit made up the team that won the two-day tournament with a score of 71 on July 21 and 70 on July 22.

"We had great luck," said Rowe.

A lot of the credit for the win also has to be given to the two youngest players on the team, Rowe said.

"We'd like to thank Michael and Keri-Ann for helping out the old guys," he said with a smile.

Rowe thanked Kingland Ford for the "excellent" tournament.

Coming in second was the team of Lee Scobie, Josh Campbell, Owen Rowe and Mike King.

A total of 34 players on nine teams participated in the tournament at the Seven Spruce Golf Course.

"It was very competitive both days," said Shane Thompson, the president of the club.

Golfers weren't deterred by the challenges that nature had in store, said Thompson. Intermittent rain showers hit the course on Saturday. The weather cleared and temperatures rose for a warm day on Sunday. With the better weather came clouds of sandflies that followed golfers.

Despite the weather and bugs, Thompson was upbeat about the tournament.

"It was really good," he said.

The tournament received a lot of support, Thompson said.

Kingland Ford donated the jackets that were given to the first place team as well as a large portion of the money used for prizes. Golfers also had a chance at winning $25,000 for a hole in one.

In addition, PR Contracting donated $500 in PR dollars, won by Roger Pilling who got a ball closest to the tire on the ninth hole. A number of other local businesses and organizations donated prizes, said Thompson.

"It was a good community sponsored event and without their support it wouldn't be as successful," he said.

Other distinctions won by golfers during the tournament included the longest drive, shortest drive and closest to the pin.

Longest drive in the junior category went to Gordon Thompson and Rory Exshaw. Keyna Norwegian won in the ladies' category on both days while Roger Pilling and Wayne Schaub took the men's competition.

The dubious distinction for shortest drive went to Steven Thompson and Rory Exshaw in the junior category, Susan Coyne on both days for the ladies and Kevin Menicoche and Dave Magarey in the men's.

The competition for closest to the pin went to Gordon Thompson and Rory Exshaw, Dawn Moses and Val Gendron and Kevin Menicoche and Mike King.