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INUVIK
In celebration of Father's Day last Sunday, the Road's End Golf Course held a special, family-friendly event to honour the family men of Inuvik and officially kick off the 2012 golfing season.

Four-year-old Milo Dares gets a little help from his dad, Matthew Dares, during Saturday's Father's Day golf event at the Road's End Golf Course. -Laura Busch/NNSL photo

"I think it's a great event," said Len MacDonald. "It's a beautiful day, the kids are out, and we're taking advantage of what people are building in this town."

More than 50 residents participated in family activities between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. There were many friendly competitions, including farthest drive, closest to the pin, and mini putt. There were also just-for-fun activities such as a dunk tank and barbecue.

Still more participants arrived to participate in the Father's Day golf tournament, which took place throughout the afternoon.

"It's a day focused on fathers, but kids as well," said MacDonald. "It's a nice opportunity to bring people out and see what people are doing out here."

"A lot of really incredible volunteer work is going on here."

The golf course is staffed completely by volunteers who are part of the Inuvik Golf Association and there are no fees to play a round of golf under the midnight sun.

The Road's End Golf course has been in the works for over a decade and exists only because of a lot of hard work from volunteers and key support from the town, local contractors, and businesses, said Conrad Baetz, president of the Inuvik Golf Association.

"Without everybody pulling together and doing what needs to be done, we wouldn't have this," Baetz said Sunday.

The course currently has three holes open and with enough funding to put in top soil and grass, another three holes should be open by summer 2013, said Baetz.

Having a golf course in town is a major bonus to the community, said Baetz. Not only does it give residents another activity to enjoy, it is a tourist draw. He says he already fields calls from tourists enquiring about the course and expressing interest in playing a round of golf during the summer sun.

"There are a bunch of benefits that a golf course brings to the community if you ask me," said Baetz. "For people who are moving here for work, sometimes it's the first question. People want to know if there is a rec centre, a pool, a golf course, and if you can say 'Yes' to any of those, it gives us the ability to attract more people to our town."

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