ESTEVAN - The Estevan Oilfield Technical Society (OTS) attracted more than 60 golfers for its third annual Mixed Tournament at the Hidden Valley Golf and RV Resort's Hideout Golf Course.
Craig and Donna Regier shot a 2-under-par 27 on the nine-hole, executive-length course to win the tournament for the second time in three years. They won by three strokes over six teams who each shot a 30. A count back from the ninth hole was needed to decide who officially finished in the runner-up spots.
Keith and Dawn Ramstead came in second, while Jeremy and Tricia Mackenzie were third.
The tournament had a better-ball format, which is similar to a Texas scramble except there are two people instead of four. Everybody hit their tee shot, and then the respective tandems selected which tee shot was better.
With the number of golfers entered, there was six or eight golfers at each hole.
"The course is always excellent down there," said Estevan OTS president Tony Sernick. "Hidden Valley is just a true little gem that we have down there. It's not a traditional course [length] in the sense that he [owner Brad Dutton] calls it more of an executive length course, but it just seems even for the format, it's perfect.
"It's nice and short, and you can mingle with other groups. The holes are close together and it makes for a nice atmosphere."
Some of the golfers are competitive and are vying for the title, he said, but the tournament is all about fun.
Once the tournament was over, supper was served and socializing occurred in a tented area at Hidden Valley known as the saloon. Prizes were handed out to the top three tandems, as well as to those who had the closest approach and longest putt on each hole.
Tournament champions received hand covers, but most of the entrants referred to them as oven mitts.
The tournament was open to anyone who supports the oil and gas industry.
Sernick noted the golfers were surrounded by thunderstorms at for about an hour, but they didn't get much rain and they were able to continue playing despite the conditions, as the storm didn't pass directly above them.
The River Jamm 24 bash was held at Hidden Valley the night before. Most of the golfers attended the event and so Sernick said they were a little slower on Saturday. Some of them suggested having the tournament the same day as the River Jamm, so they could play nine holes during the day and party at night.
