The Westlock Golf Club crowned its top golfers last weekend at the annual Club Championship.
Sixty-eight golfers fought tough weather throughout the 36-hole championship tournament Sept. 10-11, with rain and heavy winds cutting down last year’s total of 76 players.
Four champions emerged from the pack this year, including Aaron McNelly, who shot 156 to take the men’s title. Darlene Smith broke her own second-place curse to take home the women’s title with a 176, while Ryan Craig took the junior men’s with 177. Finally, Cal Adkins shot 162 to bring home the senior’s title.
McNelly’s return to the podium marks his seventh men’s championship title, an informal record for the club, said course pro Kevin Lynes.
“We’ve had champions before that have gone on good runs, but I don’t know any that have gone on as many as Aaron has,” Lynes said.
The now seven-time champ was at a loss for words to describe his continued success.
“It feels pretty good,” McNelly said.
“You don’t think about it when you’re playing, but doing it seven times … ”
McNelly said he struggled alongside most other golfers through the weather, with 50 km/h winds Saturday and misty rain blanketing the course Sunday. But a string of birdies on the back nine helped him overcome the competition in the final round.
“You really need those birdies to pull out the win,” McNelly said.
Smith, who’s secured several second-place finishes in the past was more than happy to unseat last year’s champion Debbie Shoemaker.
“I’ve been the bridesmaid, but this is my first win,” Smith said.
The weather, Smith confirmed, was among the toughest challenges.
“It was grueling. We had several layers of coats and toques and mittens when we were hitting … umbrellas up and carts blowing over,”
The club’s four champions will now represent Westlock at provincial golf events, but the year isn’t over yet.
Up next, golfers will face the toughest test yet as the club unveils this year’s Ironperson challenge Sept. 25
The event pits golfers against the toughest pin and tee locations the course has to offer.
“There’s some really high scores in that usually. Putting will really come into play. Golfers who usually shoot 80-85, we’ll see them shoot anywhere from 95-100,” Lynes said.
“It just shows you the difference it makes when a pin is stuck behind a bunker or on a hill.”
Golfers can also sign up for the Westlock Cardiff Cash Scramble Oct. 1-2.
