Submitted
Folks began drifting into Big River with a forecast for 2 days of sunny, mild temperatures for one of the most entertaining and memorable events of the year, the EK Golf Classic.
This year marked the 19th annual for this special weekend of golfing, reminiscing, gambling and eating….an event that was set up to pay tribute to Eddie Krienke, a great supporter of golf, who passed away in 2000.
Friday am, September 6, with the sun shining as forecasted, golfers and volunteers gathered at the registration centre.
More than 20 volunteers arrived to set up and prepare food for the weekend, while 114 registered to golf and also volunteer in their down time.
Operating the “beer cart” proved to be especially popular as it was an opportunity for some to offer golf tips to their opponents.
Unfortunately, with farming experiencing many delays this fall the Ingram/Marshall clans were forced to take advantage of the 2 days of sunshine to reap their harvest and were only able to participate by sending up their donations….and that they did.
Most golfers chose to play first nine Friday leaving Saturday morning open for socializing or recouping from Friday evening events where they enjoyed a bison dog roast sponsored by Sandy & Faye Ingram.
The bucket list competition was off to a great start Friday evening as the Great Saskatchewan Golf Tour package was sought after. Then Ray and Kelly promptly came up with new and creative ideas to challenge the putting crowd.
Enjoying coffee and muffins, prepared by Leah Scriven, the Saturday early birds were on the course before 8.
By noon all golfers were in, plus the fan club had arrived for the luncheon sponsored by George and Arlene Ritchie.
Then it was time for the Calcutta where the real gamblers took front row seats to be certain that Randy and Leslie didn’t miss their bids. Next, it was off for round two.
Unfortunately, no one managed to sink a hole-in-one, leaving the Rally Motorsports quad, to go back to PA….one of these years Rally! Chaneil Morin went away with $1000 cash, donated by Travis and Emma Gould of TR Petroleum for landing closest to the pin on #9 and Armand Tetreault and Nik Fortier were declared the champions.
Upon returning to the centre everyone enjoyed a delicious supper sponsored by Neil & Rhoda Marshall and Ron & Arlene Gilbert.
Early bird winners were Mark Gartner and Ron Connolly. Leonard Young was most Senior golfer while Zoe Krienke most Junior.
Closest to the Line winners were Lane Darbyshire, Lance Nickless and Jessie Banks.
Longest drivers were Braydon Mason, Mark Gartner and Chelsey Crashley. Luke Krienke won the Sask Golf tour package in the bucket draw and Danny & Leah Scriven won the memorial bag.
Following these presentations each golfer selected a prize of choice from the ‘mile-long’ prize table.
Thanks to the long list of sponsors and volunteers who make this event an overwhelming success with over $10 000 going to the Big River Golf Club.
The 20th Annual is already in the making….scheduled for September 11-12, 2020!
