ESTEVAN - The Estevan Oilfield Technical Society (OTS) is thrilled with the support shown for its first-ever mixed golf tournament, held Saturday at Hidden Valley’s Hideout Golf Course.
Seventy-two golfers were registered for the nine-hole, better-ball tournament. Golfers entered in teams of two, with each entry needing to have a man and a woman. Craig and Donner Reiger were the winning team, as they shot a score of 26, which is 3-under-par on the Hideout, which has seven par 3s and two par 4s.
The runner ups for the tournament and their scores were not available.
Estevan OTS president Tony Sernick said the tournament was about having fun and making friends, and offering a bit of bragging rights to the winners. He expects this will become an annual competition.
“Everybody seemed happy,” said Sernick. “Almost everybody was appreciative and said it was a great time. From the success of this one, there’s no reason why it could not continue on next year.”
There were prizes on each hole as well. Thanks to the support of sponsors, more than $1,000 in prizes was handed out.
Approximately three-quarters of the tandems were couples, but the mixed tournament also had duos comprised of friends, co-workers and siblings.
All of the golfers were able to complete their round within 2 1/2 hours. The 72 golfers would be about the maximum that the nine-hole course could accommodate for a shotgun start.
Supper was served at the Hidden Valley saloon, which is a tented area at the campground.
Sernick was also pleased that the tournament could be held at Hidden Valley. They would host the tournament there again.
The course was in great condition.
“Everything looks great there. It’s a hidden gem in our town, for sure,” said Sernick.
In Sernick’s group, there were golfers who had never played at The Hideout before, but he expects they will return to the course.
When the OTS first started organizing the tournament, they were aiming to have 72 golfers. If the tournament continues to grow, they could add a second tee time.
