Kikino's Jamie Schell came out of the first round of the Lac La Biche Golf Club's Championships last Saturday on top of the leader board with an impressive two over par 74. His low opening round was paired with a Sunday second round of 81, which gave him the 2018 men's championship title.
Wes Howse shot an 81 and an 84 to earn the senior men's title and Joyce Gladue finished with a 96-94 to take the ladies' crown. Brailey Martin was the only player with two sub-80 rounds on the championship weekend, shooting a 77 Saturday and 79 Sunday to win the junior champion title.
Free golf ...
Lac La Biche Golf Club pro Lance Palamaruk said although the weekend crowns the season's champs, it's not the end of the season — in fact for anyone buying a membership for next year, the remainder of this year's golf is free.
"We have a new membership drive... If you buy your membership for 2019 now, you can golf for free for the rest of 2018," said Palamaruk, noting that most seasons run into early October before groundskeepers get the course ready for its winter sleep.
A season pass for an adult is $900.
Palmaruk said the weekend championships dodged much of the dreary weather, and a first-time concert night after the first round of golfing helped to heat things up as well.
"The Rick Hemmaway band rocked out for our entertainment Saturday night," the club pro said.
Overall the season has been a good one, despite a rough start due to some freeze and thaw spring days that affected the course ... and golfing activity.
"The course had a tough winter, but it's strong going into the fall," he said. "Memberships have been strong and very active this season, keeping the course steady."
For those wanting to putter around a plate of food or a lakeside patio instead of a fairway, Palamaurk says the LVR Food Services at the course's Pelican Grill will be open until October.
With the championships out of the way, there are two main tournaments left on the golf course agenda over the next several weeks with the ACAC Regional college Championship going September 14, 15 and 16, and the One Person Scramble set to take over the course on Sunday, September 23.
