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Driving through the heat Deh Cho Open a scorcher in Fort Simpson
Roxanna Thompson
Northern News Services
Published Thursday, June 27, 2013
DEH CHO
A merciless sun that beat down unceasingly causing temperatures to rise above 30 C wasn't enough to deter Fort Simpson golfers.
Climate Muyambo, right, and his golf partner John Moreau watch to see if his putt on hole nine will be successful. The two golfers were among 43 people who competed in the annual Deh Cho Open. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo
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Forty-three golfers competed in the Deh Cho Open on June 22 that was organized by the Deh Cho Friendship Centre.
Many of the golfers chose to start at the 9 a.m. tee time to try and avoid the worst of the heat.
"It's always hit or miss with this one," said Aaron McNab, the centre's executive director.
With so many participants playing despite the heat, this year was definitely a hit, he said.
McNab said he was glad he decided to break with tradition and have two tee times instead of one because the morning proved to be very popular.
Despite playing in the afternoon, the team of Ted Grant and Ryan Petrie finished with the lowest score of the tournament, 69.
"It was good, it was fun, but it was hot," said Grant.
The team earned 36 on their first nine and 33 on their back nine to finish three under par for 18 holes.
Petrie's drives, which were consistently more than 300 yards, really helped, Grant said.
The team had its most success on hole three, where they were on both times after two hits.
Although they were putting for eagles, both attempts ended with birdies. Grant and Petrie got two other birdies along with one boggie during their 18 holes and then pared the rest.
Second place in the tournament went to Rylan Hardisty-Gillis and Travis Hanna with 72.
The team had the same score, 36, on both their front and back nine.
Hole four seemed to be a good luck charm for Hanna and Hardisty-Gillis. They started the tournament on that hole with a birdie, their only one of the day.
The second time past the hole, the team got an eagle using Hardisty-Gillis' drive, second shot and putt.
The par score was a team effort, said Hardisty-Gillis. If one person messed up, the other covered for them, he added.
Although they played in the morning, the team also felt the heat.
"It was too hot," he said.
Individual awards during the tournament included longest drive, which was won by Colinda Blondin and TG Wilson on hole four, and closest to the pin, which went to Paul Simon on hole two.
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