ESTEVAN - The Estevan Oilfield Technical Society (OTS) is getting ready for its biggest event of the year – the annual Oilmen's Golf Tournament that will run from May 31-June 2 at the TS&M Woodlawn Golf Course.
Nearly 300 golfers have already signed up for the tournament, which will offer both 18-hole and 36-hole divisions. The opening tee-off times will be at 6:30 a.m. on May 31, and there will be tournament play on the course throughout the day.
The action for June 1 will start at 8 a.m., and there will be a shotgun start on June 2 at 8:30 a.m.
The deadline to register is May 30.
In the 18-hole event, golfers will play their lone round on May 31 or June 1. Most of the golfers entered are typically in the 18-hole competition.
Those in the 36-hole event will play a qualifying round on one of the opening two days of the tournament to determine the tournament's flights. Then they will play their final round on June 2. The scores from the 18 holes on Sunday will determine the flight winners and the tournament champion. The winner of the 36-hole event has to come from the championship flight.
"The golf course is in exceptional shape this year," said golf tournament committee chair Jayson Fenwick. "The course opened up just like it closed last year. So, a lot of guys are excited to get to play it, and it's in really nice shape."
Course superintendent Bob Currie has the course in great shape. Fenwick hopes they get some good weather during the tournament.
Prizes will be handed out on designated holes for close approach, longest drive and shortest drive. There will also be hole-in-one prizes. The tournament also has a lot of sponsors, many of whom have been part of the event for years.
The tournament will have a strong social component as well. A steak supper will be served on June 1 at Rotary Park. Fenwick said networking is an important component of the event through the supper, the time spent on the course and visiting in the clubhouse afterwards.
The tournament also attracts a lot of golfers from out of town to join those who are from the southeast, and many of the golfers only see each other once a year.
Fenwick said they still have some work remaining, including setting up the social events and Rotary Hall. The OTS gets a lot of help from Amanda Minchin, who is the head pro and general manager of the golf course, and other Woodlawn staff members.
This year is the first time Fenwick has been the chairman of the golf tournament's organizing committee, and he is thankful for the support of his fellow OTS members.
"It's made for a smooth transition, with the members we have, plus the sponsorships that we've had in the past," said Fenwick.
