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LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON
The heat was on for golfers competing in the annual Nahendeh Classic in Fort Simpson.

Trevor Kjeldsli sends his ball arching towards the green on hole nine during the chip off that decided which team would win third place during the Nahendeh Classic golf tournament on Aug. 5 in Fort Simpson.

Twelve teams were vying to get the lowest score of the tournament on Aug. 5 while also dealing with temperatures that rose to 31 C on the sun-baked Seven Spruce Golf Course.

"It was hot," said Eric Menicoche.

The heat, however, didn't seem to negatively affect the team's game.

Eric, Arnold Hope, Travis Hanna and Climate Muyambo finished with a 67 after getting five birdies, 13 pars and no boggies over 18 holes.

"It was an easy day," said Hope. "We were all shooting good."

To keep the score low, the team members stayed competitive, urging each other on when someone was falling behind.

"We played as a team, everyone contributed," said Eric.

There were a few tense moments, however, such as an incident on the seventh hole where the team members had the wind at their backs, making it hard to determine which club to use so they wouldn't drive over the green. With five under par, the team was expecting to finish well, but was still two points away from first place.

With a 65, Owen Rowe, Paul Simon, Ted Grant and Ryan Petrie won the tournament. Third place was decided by a chip off after the team of Scott McIntosh, Trevor Kjeldsli Stephen Thompson and Colinda Blondin tied at 68 with Kevin Menicoche, Lucyanne Kendo, John Moreau and Louisa Moreau.

After all eight golfers chipped toward the green on the ninth hole, McIntosh's team won for collectively being closer to the pin.

"It's been an awesome weekend. We've all enjoyed ourselves," McIntosh said.

McIntosh, Blondin, Stephen and Shane Thompson normally play together during tournaments. With Shane away the team picked up Kjeldsli.

"He was a great addition to the team and made some great shots," McIntosh said.

The team scored 35 on their first nine with two birdies and one boggie. Things picked up on the team's last nine when they got four birdies and one boggie.

"Everything just started to click. It was a really good round," he said.

The team birdied on the fourth hole twice. It's amazing because that green is really hard to putt on, said McIntosh.

Although they just missed third place, Kevin said for a team made up of two couples, he and his teammates did well.

"We played outstanding golf, for sure," he said.

The team was four under par after their first nine holes.

"We were all excited and then the heat hit us," said Kevin.

For a Monday of a holiday weekend when many people choose to travel, Kevin said he was pleased to see 12 teams participated in the tournament. The annual tournament is organized by the office of the Nahendeh MLA. There was also great support from sponsors, which really adds to the tournament, he said.

In addition to the team prizes, there were also categories and prizes for individual golfers. A putt of 6.4 meters won Ted Grant the longest putt competition. Closest to the pin went to Owen Rowe for the men, Ramona Hardisty-Gillis for the women and Louisa Moreau for the seniors.

In the longest drive competition, it was Stephen Thompson, Raquel Michaud and Scott McIntosh.

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