SPORTS FLASHBACK 1999: Monday golf league a hit with senior set

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This article was published 18/06/2023 (765 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Steinbach golfers in the “50-plus” age bracket would be well advised to sign up early if they want to tee up for mixed seniors league play at the Steinbach Fly-In Golf Course next season.

After a successful inaugural season, with 35 golfers teeing up every Monday afternoon, the number of people who expressed an interest during the season has organizers looking at limiting entry to the first 48 golfers next year.

League coordinator George Pauls said the mixed league had 14 women and 21 men in its first year and golfers played nine-hole matches for a dozen weeks. The golfers were on their own as far as scoring was concerned, but the draw was scheduled in a way that allowed couples to golf together, if they chose to.

Golfers in the Monday afternoon seniors’ league came off the course just before regular Monday night men’s play, and the format was well received, allowing the more energetic men in the crowd to get in a practice nine before regular men’s league play.

Abe Friesen was one of the golfers to benefit from the extra time on the course. He combined with Mike Nicol to claim top honours in the Southeastern Insurance Men’s Golf League. Nicol and Friesen defeated Matt Funk and Rob Reimer in the finals of the 68-team league.

At the end of the 12 rounds in the inaugural season of the mixed senior league, two champions were declared, based on average scores calculated with and without handicap. Ben Penner and Jack Kehler received watches for being overall gross and net winners. Their names will go on a sponsors’ plaque displayed at the clubhouse.

Sponsors Chicken Chef and A-H Glass made it possible to return all entry fees as part of a prize package to the top 10 golfers posting the lowest average gross and net scores.

The 1999 committee included Pauls, Bev Thompson and Gord Temple, as well as Kelly and Connie Holliston, and Abe and Martha Friesen.

Anyone interested in signing up for next year, or ready to offer suggestions to the senior mixed league golf committee for changes for next year, is invited to call Pauls.