ESTEVAN - It was a week to remember for Weyburn’s Rick Hallberg.
The local golfer won the senior men’s provincial championship on July 27-29 in Warman. Competing out of Golf Kenosee, Hallberg carded rounds of 71, 65, and 66 for a three-day total of 202, 13 shots better than Lavern Arndt and George Janson.
It was his second straight title and his third in four years.
Then on the weekend, he won the senior men’s event at the FrameTech Classic, contested at the TS&M Woodlawn Golf Course in Estevan from Saturday to Monday. He finished with a three-round total of 199, which is 17-under-par, highlighted by a 59 in the second round Sunday that was a course record.
Starting on the back nine of Round 2, he birdied two of his first five holes, then birdied his next six holes, eagled another and birdied one more. And he had birdies on two of his final three holes to clinch the 59.
“It was something I’ve never seen before. It was unexpected. I got on a roll,” said Hallberg.
He said he’s had seven birdies in a row before, but never a round like the one on Sunday.
“It just seemed like every time I got a wedge in my hand, it was at a good (distance) number that I like. You get days like that. And then the next day you play, you don’t get good numbers, and it’s harder to hit shots close to the hole,” he said.
Hallberg shot a 73 in the first round on Saturday and a 67 in the final round Monday to win by 22 strokes over Estevan’s James Gordon.
“The fairways are in such good shape that you pretty much have good control of the ball when you hit it into the greens.”
At both the provincial senior men’s event and the Estevan tournament, Hallberg was playing with some good friends.
“It’s easier to play well when you’re playing with guys you’re having fun with, and that’s why we come to these,” said Hallberg.
