A total of five winners emerged from four categories at this year’s Athabasca Golf and Country Club’s Senior open.
Eighty-two participants signed up for the annual golfing event on Aug. 10, competing in the senior category for ages 50-64, or the super seniors ages 65 and over.
The senior men’s category will have two names put onto the trophy for its 2016 year, with Athabasca locals Brad Shaw and Hugh Greene tied with low gross scores of 80 after 18 holes of play.
That said, Shaw was declared the official champion as he was ahead of Greene by one stroke going into the 18th hole.
“I took an eight on the first hole (on the par 5),” Shaw said while describing some of his struggles. “I just got my (game) together after that. Luckily, it all worked out.”
“It was a close finish – we should have maybe done a playoff, but we’re going to put both names on the trophy, anyways,” said golf course co-manager and director of golf Cal Gilbart.
Doug McCollum won the Super Senior division with the lowest gross score in the whole tournament, shooting just three over par with a 74. Fellow Super Senior competitor Dave Woodworth had the best low net score of 65.
Nisha Bursh took the top spot in the Senior Ladies division with a score of 88. The St. Albert resident said she’ll be back in the Ladies Tournament on Aug. 20 and hopefully continue her success.
Helen Walker took home the Super Seniors trophy in the women’s division with a score of 94.
“I just wanted to have a decent game today – that was my goal. It was decent enough,” Walker said after receiving her prize. “It’s better than staying home and doing house work.”
Unfortunately, there were no physical trophies to be passed out among the recipients after what Gilbart said was a “scheduling error.” He said other than the minor hiccup, the tournament was a success.
“It was a great turnout,” said Gilbart. “We’re happy with it. It was a perfect day for the old folks. It wasn’t too warm, and they were finished by the time it did get pretty warm.”
