Ah autumn, the most temperamental of seasons. While Saturday saw showers and temperatures cool enough for sweaters, on Sunday the winds did blow, picking up leaves and changing the trajectory of golf balls. Then they subsided and it felt almost summery again.
Amid the constant change, something remained the same: Barrhead Golf Club’s 18-hole championship course was at its beautiful, rustic, manicured best.
Last weekend it hosted the annual Men’s Open, a three-day tournament seen by many as a high point in the golfing social calendar.
Golfers from as far afield as Edmonton, Whitecourt, Calgary, Slave Lake, Fort McMurray and Grande Prairie competed for $10,000 worth of prizes, mostly golfing equipment.
While everyone wanted to do their best – and one or two tossed their clubs in disgust at a misplaced putt or wayward chip – good humour always triumphed. There were plenty of jokes, banter, teasing, anecdotes and cries of “good shot.”
The players were split into four-man groups, according to skill levels. They ranged from scratch to 30 handicap golfers.
The tournament has been going for more than 20 years, attracting golfers aged 18 to 70.
Each day started in the best possible way … with a complimentary breakfast.
On Monday, a steak supper was planned after the end of play, followed by presentation of prizes. The results were not known before the Leader went to press.
Among the frontrunners after two days was Tracy Pess, manager and greenskeeper of the Paddle River Golf and Country Club. Pess regularly competes in the Men’s Open; it is always a safe bet his name will be challenging for the top of the leaderboard.
Adam Schinkinger was one of many golfers who came from Edmonton for a three-day get-away-from-it-all break.
He loves the way the tournament is managed and the course is maintained.
“The course is in great shape,” he said.
Brian Stayko, also from Edmonton, has been competing in the Men’s Open for five years in a row.
“The conditions here are great,” he said. “It’s a great track and can eat you out. I would say it’s a course that keeps you honest.”
Stayko has been enjoying his stay at the Barrhead Neighbourhood Inn.
“The majority of us come to the tournament for fun,” he said.
General manager and head pro Danny Grant said Sunday’s windy conditions made for a tight and exciting contest.
While leaders tended to play conservatively in the wind, those in pursuit were more prepared to take risks.
Grant was delighted with the state of the course, which has been receiving rave reviews from the players.
“It is in absolutely the best condition,” he said. “I believe the course puts Barrhead on the map.”
Grant said one of the attractions of the course was its interesting and challenging design.
“No two holes look or play the same way,” he added.
Barrhead Golf Club was designed by Les Furber and has been included in Golf Digest’s “Best Places to Play” for several years. It is seen as a must-stop for all Central Alberta golf fans.
The 6,650-yard layout features a tight par four on the 4th. The presence of a creek cutting across the fairway restricts driving distance off the tee.
Another celebrated hole is the 6th with its excellent views of the Paddle River.
