One of Swift Current’s longest running sporting traditions will continue this weekend when the Labour Day Classic 2010 Men’s Golf Tournament takes place at the Elmwood Golf and Country Club From Saturday until Monday.
The 65th annual Labour Day Classic, sponsored by the Carter family, will be highlighted once again by the Labour Day Horse Race, which will take place on Sunday beginning at 3 p.m.
Cost to register for members is $110 and $220 for non-members. Registration includes three meals Saturday, two on Sunday, and breakfast on Monday.
The Tournament will wrap up Monday at 8:30 a.m. with a shotgun start.
“There is always a lot of excitement because of the horse race that happens every year,” said Elmwood Head Pro Jeff Chambers. ‘There are a lot of out of towners, it is amazing how many out of towners we have, there is more than members right now.”
He said that the tournament is well worth the entry fee.
“There is lots of golf, four rounds of golf, two on Saturday, one on Sunday, and one on Monday. There is over $20,000 in retail prizes.”
“It is match play which people love,” explained Chambers of the tournament’s popularity. “You get a horse race with people out there watching and the paramutual betting. It is a fun time. It is just going to be amazing. There is also a 50 per cent chance of winning a great prize.”
The tournament has room for 120 golfers with over 100 already entered early this week.
“A lot of people that I have talked to are watching the weather. Well the guys that are watching the weather too closely are going to be watching from home because they are not going to be able to play.”
Expect the quality of play to be very high said Chambers.
“Most of the top shooters are out. Most of the pros don’t play, I don’t play myself. But as far as amateurs, most of them try and make it to this because the horse race is a big deal obviously. It is match play and any competitor loves match play, there is not a competitive golfer out there that doesn’t like match play. It is neat format and you will see some of the best that Southwest Saskatchewan has. It will go right up to the high handicaps, that is why we have 15 different flights. Everybody will play with people of their calibre, which is the great thing about it.
The Elmwood should also be in great shape said Chambers.
“Heading into Labour Day is going to be the best the course has ever looked. Elmwood is known in the fall to turn into one of the most beautiful courses in Saskatchewan. With the big trees and the fall colours there are not many better golf courses out there. Our greens usually take a while to come in. Well this year they came in so nice early and they have just been aerated, so when they weekend comes they will be as good as we can imagine.”
