Golf pro Sam Randolph has been coming to the Junior Golf Foundation of Gull Lake Pro-Am tournament for around 10 years and he keeps coming back.
“It’s a lot of fun. I’ve made good friends and I’ve watched the kids turn into pretty good golfers. It’s great,” he said.
This year’s tournament, held at the Gull Lake Golf Course July 13 and 14, marked the 13th year of the popular event and the response was great as usual..
The adult/child nine-hole scramble with a pro golfer begans at 1 p.m. on July 13. A pro skins game was held at 7 p.m. Supper was served at 5 p.m. Friday followed by the live auction with Sunny 94 personality, Darcy Steigel at 6:30 p.m.
On Saturday, July 14, an 18-hole Texas scramble began at 1 p.m. with a pro golfer on each team.
The wind-up dinner was be held at 6 p.m.
As in the past, the tourney featured an impressive line-up of professional golfers.
Newcomer Gordy Scutt, a Canadian Junior Champion from Victoria, B.C. joined Sam Randolf, Laura Witvoet, Brandon Regnier and Paul Devenport. Also new the tournament this year are Chris Melburne from Central Alberta and Ryan Moore from Ponoka Golf Course.
Brandon Regnier, former junior program participant at the Gull Lake Golf Course has attended the Pro-Am tourney several times.
George Smith, chairman of the Foundation said this year’s tournament was “excellent.”
Chris Melbourne, a pro golfer, who taught juniors at Gull Lake Golf Course said the tournament is a great way to get families out and just have fun.
“I love this place,” he said. “And the tournament is unbelievable.”
Laura Witvoet, who is the head professional at Gull Lake Golf Course and teaches at Ponoka Golf Courseis happy to be working at Gull Lake.
“I’m absolutely thrilled. It was a nice transition from Wolfe Creek,” she said. “And the tournament is great.”
Paul Devenport who has also been coming to the Pro-Am tournament for several years said it is great to be back.
“I love this place. I love this golf course. And Eamon and Carla, they do it right. It’s all about the kids and having fun.”
Ryan Moore, associate golf pro at Ponoka Golf Course said the tournament is awesome. The amount of juniors (who participate) is incredible.”
The Junior Golf Foundation of Gull Lake is planning to raise around $15,000 this year from fundraising events. It will cost the organization approximately $5,000 for solicitation.
Money raised will go to the Gull Lake Junior Golf Foundation Endowment Fund.
Through overwhelming sponsorship from communities throughout Alberta and past program events, scholarships have been provided to many junior members.
The focus of junior league has always been to learn the etiquette of golf and good sportsmanship and to encourage the juniors to enjoy the game of golf for the rest of their life.
The foundation was spearheaded by Harold Lissel and George Smith has been chairman of the organization for the last five years.
The Gull Lake junior Golf Foundation Endowment Fund has awarded more than $80,000 to 50 past participants of the Gull Lake Junior League at Gull Lake Golf Course.
For more information about the junior golf foundation visit www.juniorgolffoundationofgulllake.ca