It was a rainy weekend at the Westlock Golf Club’s Men’s Open July 30 to Aug. 1, but golfers still turned out en force for the 45th annual championship.
The bunkers were waterlogged, and several players didn’t make it through the weekend, but head golf pro Kevin Lynes said that each of the tournament’s 80-odd registered participants reported having a good time.
“We had a good job from 73 players, trudging through the weather and conditions, and self-induced sickness,” Lynes said, slipping the joke into an otherwise formal award presentation.
Fort McMurray golfer Joldy Laliberte took home the championship flight, with a first low gross score of 223 strokes in the 54-hole tournament.
Laliberte kept a step ahead of last year’s champion, local golfer Chase Provencal, who tied his score of 223 strokes at the 2015 open.
Laliberte said he felt the most pressure from partner and fellow Fort McMurray golfer Ryan Caish, who chased him through the final round, ending the weekend with third low gross of the championship flight at 233 strokes.
“It was a tough battle. He gave me a scare in the final round. He came within three strokes on the front nine, but then kind of collapsed,” Laliberte said.
“I kind of blew up last weekend, so this weekend, I came here to clear my head and play consistent rounds.”
Laliberte shot 76-73-74 in his three rounds of competitive play.
Laliberte was also just one step ahead of Provencal, who ended the tourney with second low gross at a stroke of 233 strokes CB.
Though the loss means Provencal forfeits his championship title, he said that focusing too much on score would defeat the real purpose of Men’s Open, camaraderie.
“It’s about playing with good buddies. It’s a love for golf, taking up a long weekend of golf takes a lot, but we enjoy it, the competition,” Provencal said.
Laliberte took the time to acknowledge how welcoming local Westlock golfers had been throughout the three days of play, even contributing to his big win.
“Since day one, When I cam here and played the practice round, I met quite a few locals. They gave me some knowledge of the course,” Laliberte said.
“Everybody’s good and friendly and I’m looking forward to playing here again.”
