Sandy Beach tourney year-two in the books

It was sunny, hot and calm, in other words a near perfect day for the Second Annual Sandy Beach Disc Golf Tournament.

“If we had put in an order for the weather it couldn’t have been better,” said resort operator Kelly Butz. “We’ve been very fortunate last year, and again this summer.”

Thanks to the weather the 36 disc golfers enjoyed to excellent rounds of disc golf.

“It was great to see the good turn out. We had been shooting for 40, and next year we’ll hit it,” said Butz.

The field of golfers including a dozen ladies.

“You often read online that it’s a challenge to get women involved in tournaments, so we’re very happy that a full one-third of the field were gals,” said Butz.

Debbie Hupka-Butz of Earl Grey, SK would earn the prize for closest to the pin on #1, while Sarah Gottselig of Regina had the longest drive which was marked out on #8.

The men’s side of things showed that disc golf is a sport for all ages.

Dale Wall of Saskatoon participated in his first disc golf tournament at the age of 70.

At the other end of the spectrum was 10-year-old Owen Istace of Weyburn, the youngest golfer in the field.

“That just shows that disc golf in pretty well accessible for all ages,” said Butz.”It’s one of the reason we installed a course. It really is an all-age activity.”

On the men’s side; Mark Kienle of Wadena would earn the prize for closest to the pin on #1, while Jeremy Taylor of Saskatoon had the longest drive which was marked out on #8.

Butz said he has to thank the resort’s Cabin Owners Association who helped make the event a success.

“You can’t run a tournament alone. You have to have help collecting prizes, preparing the course, flipping hamburgers, and this year we had a good crew helping out,” he said.

Butz said as soon as they get caught up after the July 30 event, and get in a few rounds themselves just for fun, they start planning their Third Annual Tournament for July 2017.