With the amount of golfers set to take to the tees at the Cooke Municipal Golf Course this weekend, it’s safe to say that the 98th Men’s Northern Championship will be one of the most competitive yet.
“We had 104 golfers last year and we had already surpassed that with 112 entries as of Tuesday afternoon,” tournament co-chair and competitor Tom Wormworth said.
“We usually have the same 80 guys that come each year and then there’s always 30 more players who are there to fill in the spots that are left open from those that can’t take part.”
Prince Albert’s Cory Sawchuk will be back to defend his championship from a year ago, which was his first event crown.
“It’s a really strong field besides Cory,” Wormworth said.
“Colin Coben, Ashley Ziegeman and Martin Ring are going to be there, but there’s so many guys that can win this. There’s just too many to name.”
Danny Klughart, who was the runner-up to Sawchuk in 2018 and swept the Lobstick tournament in June at Waskiesu Golf Course, will not be competing in this year’s Northern as he’ll be playing at the Canadian Men’s Amateur Golf Championship in Hammond Plains, N.S.
Following Saturday’s qualifying rounds, which get underway at 6:30 a.m., the match play format will get underway Sunday at 7 p.m.
The championship final is expected to start at 12:45 p.m. Monday.
