Club Championships

This past weekend I took part in the Club Championship weekend at the PGCC. It's an event I look forward to each year as it gives golfers a chance to compete with other members for bragging rights in each flight. It's several mini tournaments within one event if you will. The top dogs battle it out for the overall championship and then chumps like me do their best to fire a couple of rounds in the low 80's to claim their respective flights. The ladies have their own divisions and the Jr's as well.

I find it fun to follow the action on what's going on in all the different flights and watch your fellow club members come down the 18th green. This year long time member Greg Walsh won the overall Championship in a one hole play-off with young gun Tanner Hunt. Greg made birdie as they re-played 18 just moments after coming in tied.

If you are a member of a golf club be sure and sign up for events likes these. They are a lot of fun and who knows you might have a good weekend and win the bragging rights for at least a year.

After one plane, one train and more than a few automobiles, I made to the home of golf, St. Andrews Scotland last week. Because of the terrorist situation at the Glasgow airport earlier that day our final destination was switched not once but twice. Eventually we ended up landing in Edinburgh which actually got us closer to St. Andrews but without a rental car. Long story short, I arrived in St. Andrews jammed into a small cab with 3 other guys, 3 sets of golf clubs and a whack of other luggage. Not exactly how I thought "On the Links" would finally arrive where our great game of golf started, but none the less it was a fun adventure.

We were in Scotland to cover the 2007 International Pairs final. This is the event where the average Joe and one of his golfing buddies can win a chance to represent his country despite perhaps having a double digit handicap. Pretty good deal for a $30 investment I might add.

After a short nap it was off to the Jiggers Inn which overlooks the 17th green at the Old Course and of course the famous 18th hole as well. After a few beers there, we had a Canadian Night to celebrate July 1st back home. Here's a tip, unless you love peameal bacon as a diner entree don't order a Gammon Steak while in Scotland. I guess it was fitting however that a few of us Canadians mowed down on the peameal on Canada Day. If there was only a few Molsons to wash it down with !

After a round of the Torrence Course at St. Andrews Bay, we took in the action at the Dunvegan Hotel, the famous spot where many British Open players and caddies have been known to stop in when in town. Arnold, Tiger and Phil are among those who have all enjoyed a few pops at the Dunvegan. It's only 112 yards from The Old Course or as they say a 9 iron away, and definitely a must stop if you head over there to play in St. Andrews.

All in all it was great experience to visit Scotland and I would recommend it to anyone who has ever thought about a golf trip there. I never did play the Old Course but just being around it and walking up the 18th hole was good enough for me this time around.

Our Canadian team of Don Murphy and Jack Wratten from Brantford tried hard but could not pull off a Top 10 finish ending up in 12. The event was won by the team from England who beat out Wales and the host Scottish team in a play-off.

Thanks to IP Canada for the chance to be part of it. If you see an International Pairs qualifier at your local club, grab a partner and sign up and take your shot at being part of it all next year when the event takes place again in Scotland.

US Open Thoughts

Wow, is the US Open turing into another case of survival or what ? One player at even par after two rounds. Saturday is typically moving day but in this case it might be "Holding Day". Stephen Ames I see is sitting in a good spot just a couple of shots back. He's got a great swing and mentality to handle Oakmont or at least handle it better than others. In the end the golf course will be the winner as it's not looking like anyone will end up under par. Here's our prediction with 2 rounds (3 rounds if it's a play-off) to go. Ames, Tiger Woods and Jim Furyk will be the guys left hanging around come Sunday afternoon. With Tiger set to become a father perhaps it's fitting he should take it, one thing we know for sure is that big Phil wont' choke coming down 18 this year as Lefty missed the cut by one shot. We give him credit for giving it whirl however, bad wrist and all.

Best Jr's Coming To PGCC

Want to see perhaps the next Mike Wier in action for free ? Then you might want to head to the Peterborough Golf and Country Club next weekend as some of the best junior golfers in Canada tee it up in the CN Future Links Ontario Championship. 99 of the best Junior boys and girls in Canada will be participating in this prestigious event.

The golf course is inviting everyone out to watch the action and cheer on the players. Hopfully you can make it out. It gets underway Friday May 25th and wraps up on Sunday May 27th.

On the Links Radio will be there broadcasting live on the Sunday from 10-11am. Hope to see you there.

On the Links Tour

Last week we held a press conference announcing The On the Links Amateur Tour. We are pretty excited about this 8 event season long series. The fact that a lot of tour players will tee it up at some of the greatest courses we have to offer here in the Kawarthas is exciting.

Some of our tour players have not played some of the courses which is a bit surprising in a way but not a shocker. You see I find a lot of us get comfortable in our surroundings and don't get out as much as we should and experience what other clubs have to offer. Many players have said they have not played 6 Foot Bay in years or they have never been to Warkworth despite the fact it's only 30 minutes from the 18th green at Pine Crest.

That will come to an end this summer as our tour players this year wil get the chance to play these courses along with Bellmere Winds, Kawartha, Wolf Run, Black Diamond and Newcastle. I'll be honest I haven't played 3 of these courses, so I am also looking forward to hitting the road a bit and seeing some new clubs.

I'm also looking forward to playing some of my old favorites like Pine Crest and Six Foot which I don't get the chance to play as often as I wish.

If you have not signed up yet, no worries, there is still lots of time. Don't have time to play in all 8 events but would still like to take a crack at a couple of tournaments ? that's fine too you can still play in the single events.

Either way we hope to see you this summer On the Links !!

Course Updates

It's mid April and still no real sign that golf courses are going to open other than Keystone who I'm not sure ever did close!! I got a note from Jan at Pine Crest today that said that there is no way the course will open Friday as hoped. Last night's storm simply dumped way to much of the wet stuff. They are now shooting for Saturday but even that might be a stretch.

Also checked in today with Darren from Black Diamond. He told me earlier in the week that next Thursday is the day they hope to have the tees open. Now that the wet snow arrived he's not 100 per cent but they are still taking tee times for late next week.

Bruce from Wildfire told me today that they have hired Jeff Mills. Jeff's kid brother John was a rookie last year on the PGA Tour. Jeff's father is Dave Mills of the GAO. It's great to see Jeff return somewhat to his roots. Both his parents are from Peterborough and Jeff also has grandparents that still live here. Jeff will be a great addition to the Wildfire team for sure.

The Quarry is setting the first week of May as their opening date. Jim Leska is the new G.M / Pro having moved over from Liftlock in the off season. Good luck to Jim and the Janzen family.

Peterborough also has a new G.M. . Robert Lauzon is now on the job taking over from one of the good guys, David Loyoyen who heads back to the Brantford Golf and Country Club.

Back to the weather. We'll keep our figures crossed that the weather will make a turn for the better. No offence to our new weather guy Ryan Snoddon at CHEX T.V. but since he took over the job from Peter Fialkowski the weather has been crap. Perhaps Pistol Pete needs to come back just for a few weeks so we can get out the clubs.

Keystone Opens

Tony from Keystone Links called the radio station today to announce that Keystone Links is open for business. They have 9 holes open and should have 18 ready to go in no time I'm sure. Port Hope is reporting that they have 9 holes open as well.

Pine Crest if not open as far as I know but I do know that members or new members can sign up over the next few days as Bob, Jan and the crew are at the course ready for roll for another season. Their membership drive for lack of a better term continues through the weekend.

If you know of any other courses that are open in the area please let us know and we'll pass along the information to everyone.

Pete

Open Season

The local golf season opens today down in Port Hope. It's hard to believe but with Port Hope being right on Lake Ontario and with the wind being strong, perhaps it's helping dry off the links. Here in Peterborough I would not expect any course other than Keystone Links to be open until at least April. Liftlock I'm sure will have their range open and Craig up at Kawartha Lakes Golf Academy won't be far behind. I'm not one usually to hit the links too early although this year I'm more eager to go then normal. Anyhow, if you are heading to Port Hope this weekend have fun. They have an open house on today as well as at least 9 holes open.

Best Golf Holes In the Kawarthas

So what's the best golf hole in the in the Kawarthas ? That's a question that I have been asked in the past and one that's always tough to answer. You see, we have some great courses here with some great golf holes. With two Stanley Thompson courses right here within our city (Peterborough, Ontario) limits there are plenty to choose from right there. Add in some other local favorites such as Pine Crest and Wildfire and you can see where it's a tough call.

#12 at Pine Crest is definitely a challenging hole that I love to take on. It's a long Par 4 with a small green. You can spray it off the tee if you want but good luck making par. You need to rip it down the gut and make a great second shot for any chance at all at birdie.

I have always like #7 and #11 at Kawartha. They are both par 5's with elevated tees and a chance to grip and rip it off the decks. You have to cross water on both holes just before the greens and that can always make for a tough decision. The view from both holes especially the 7th are fantastic. In the end I believe #9 is my favorite at Kawartha.

Across the city at PGCC where I once worked in the back shop, I have several favorites including the 2nd hole which is a Par 3 about 190 yards with a large green to hit into to. You can't go to wrong with #12 another Par 3 along the Trent Canal. However I think the best hole and one that doesn't give up too many birdies is #3. Nothing fancy, no water, no elevated tee, just a great Stanley Thompson golf hole with a century old farm house tucked behind the green making for a neat backdrop. A bunker down the right hand side comes into play more times then not for this author.

I could go on and on and I'm interested in what you have to think on this topic. Perhaps you think #12 (the old #11) at Wildfire tops your list. #1 and #10 at Wolf Run might get a few votes from down Janetville way or #18 at Tamarac might get the nod from regulars there. Let us know what you think.

New Golf Blog

Hi Everyone and welcome to our new On the Links Radio blog. With our first show just a few weeks away we wanted to get this going. Myself along with Karl Lawson and perhaps Wilf Hughes will be posting some of our thoughts here over the course of the summer and we invite you to post as many comments as you wish as well. Our first show is Masters Sunday at 10am on 980 Kruz or online at www.980kruz.ca . Hope you can tune in. Take Care.

Pete Dalliday