Workers are putting in many an hour making sure everything is in tip-top shape on the 18-hole valley layout, making sure conditions are as ideal as possible when the first round of the Golf Sask Junior Men’s and Women’s Championships takes place on Tuesday morning.
“It’s time, and we have our maintenance crew working around the clock to get everything ready and looking good,” said Hillcrest manager Jasmine Cameron. “We’re just working with Golf Sask right now to get the last few things in place. They come down prior to things starting to make sure everyone is properly laid out, but other than that it’s all on course.”
Course preparations will largely focus on ensuring the fairways, greens and tee boxes are in ideal shape, while also making sure if players get into a bit of trouble, it isn’t too onerous.
“The rough and whatnot we bring down a little bit and the spots around trees are cut down so if a ball rolls into it you can find it accordingly,” Cameron explained. “Then it’s just some last-minute beautification to make the course look top-notch and that’s all coming into place.”
More than 80 players aged 18-and-under from all over the province are expected to take part in the three-day tournament. A practice round and registration will take place on Monday, July 12 with the first groups teeing off at 10 a.m. Tuesday, followed by 8 a.m. starts on Wednesday and Thursday.
“They’re all juniors who come with their family members, so that’s potentially four others who are staying at hotels, eating at restaurants and whatnot for the four days they’re here,” Cameron said. “It’s definitely a big thing for Moose Jaw.”
The event will also mark the first-ever Junior Junior tournament for players under-12 and under-9, with the goal of developing a love for competitive golf at an early age.
“That’ll be something else to see, all the little guys out on the course playing the game,” Cameron said. “What we’re trying to develop is having these kids continue on and move through the provincial experience until they’re through 18. Golf is a great sport to continue on with, there’s lots of opportunity for scholarships for our kids and kids from all over the province.”
The top seven junior men’s players will qualify for the national championship Aug, 8-12 in Saint-Julie, Que., while the top five women’s players will play at nationals July 26-29 at a to-be-determined course in Ontario.
Moose Jaw golfers who want to try out the provincials-primed course for themselves can book tee times after 2:45 p.m. on Tuesday and after 1 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday.
For the latest information, including up-to-date scores throughout the event, visit www.golfsaskatchewan.org.
