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Anavets gearing up to host first golf tournament since pandemic outbreak

Tournament to take place at Deer Ridge Golf Course on May 29
golf
It’s been a long time since an official, actual golf tournament was held at a course in Moose Jaw.

The Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans -- better knows as the Anavets -- plan to become one of the first groups, if not THE first, to break that deadlock.

The Anavets are scheduled to host the first tournament of the season on Saturday, May 29, with all the action taking place at the Deer Ridge Golf Course.

“It’s been so long since we’re almost not even calling it a tournament anymore, we’re calling it an event,” joked Gail Hoffos with the Anavets. “I’m excited to try and get out there and get some golfers going because we’ve been stuck inside so long. I think it’ll be a good time, and we always have a good time at our golf tournament anyway.”

When golf resumed a month later than usual during the early stages of the pandemic in 2020, it was with a host of restrictions largely focussed on the number of people gathering at any one time.

Part of that was a prohibition on tournaments throughout the province, resulting in many groups losing one of their prime fundraisers.

That all changed last month when the Saskatchewan government announced the sport could start on time and return in earnest this spring, with tournaments and league nights two of the major restrictions lifted.

The Anavets event will be smaller in scope, featuring a maximum of 20 teams of four for a total of 80 golfers. The cost is $55 per person, and folks can register as teams or individuals. The deadline to enter in May 22.

Power carts are also available for $35 and must be reserved by the deadline.

The format will be a touch different than usual years: there will be no shotgun start, meaning action will begin for the first team at 1 p.m. and groups will tee off in socially distanced intervals afterwards. Players will also have to follow all restrictions that remain in place.

“It’s just so everyone will come out at separate times so we’re not all congregating here at one time… there are a lot of rules to follow, just like everything these days,” Hoffos said.

One of the tougher bans is the one on holding banquets and presentations at the course post-tournament. The Anavets are hoping to work around that by serving burgers and pasta salad back at their clubhouse after the event, with players stopping by and moving on in regular intervals to avoid crowding.

There’s still plenty of time to sign up, but Hoffos recommends getting things done early to ensure you get a chance to play.

“There’s lots of room yet, but May 29 comes fast and we’re expecting things will fill up pretty quick the closer we get to the date,” she said.

For more information and to register, e-mail anaf252@sasktel.net, call the club at 692-4412, call Hoffos at 681-5998, call Mike Fitzsimmons at 412-3481 or Deer Ridge at 693-4653.

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