Maidstone – The 26th annual Maidstone Heavy Crude men’s golf tournament played out as expected on June 5 with the usual mix of golf, networking and charity fundraising.
The golf gods also treated the full slate of 72 golfers to ideal match play conditions with no wind, no rain and no excuses not to have fun at the Silver Lake golf course.
“I don’t think anyone will complain too much. There are no Herman Nelson heaters in the beer hole, so we should be good,” said lead organizer Jeff Watt prior to the tee-off.
The near perfect playing conditions helped to ease any disappointment players might have felt after opening their goodie bags to find less loot than usual – but they expected that coming in.
“This year we cut back with the recession. We cut out the shirts, we cut out the balls,” said Watt.
“We saved a few thousand dollars just in case, but the sponsorship came through.
“This year, we upgraded towels and we upgraded to a good pro fit hat, but we still probably cut our costs in half.
“We had a big spending year last year with our 25th anniversary, so this year we figured we’d better tame if down a bit just in case.”
When the dust settled he was pleased to tell everyone in a wrap up e-mail that “support was higher than anticipated for this year’s event.”
Watt also led off the networking activity at Silver Lake by making frequent calls to his office at TWB Construction in Maidstone as its on-the-fly operations manager.
“Things have picked up in the last few weeks. It’s been busier than it’s been anticipated I guess,” he said.
“We’re still down 70 to 75 per cent like everybody else, but it’s been good. It’s been steady. You can’t complain.
“A little work, a little play all at the same time today.”
That’s what also motivates Sean Blanchette, a sales manager for pre-owned vehicles at Boundary Ford in Lloydminster to play in the Maidstone year after year.
“It’s just a great time to get together with a bunch of people in the oilfield and talk and golf,” he said.
He estimates about 80 per cent of his customers work in the oilfield so his golfing connections pay off over time.
“Absolutely, just getting together with the people in the oilpatch, you can’t talk with enough people,” he added.
This year’s tournament was the second appearance for Brent Hemsley, a sales rep for Brightling Equipment Ltd. in Lloydminster who likes mixing business with pleasure.
“I just really enjoy the tournament. It’s a good group of people here,” he said.
“There’s a lot of guys here that I work with, so it’s a good opportunity to get together with them outside of work and just have some fun.”
As for his golfing expectations for the day he cautioned, “Well really, it’s anybody guess. I guess we’ll see how it goes.
“Hopefully, I can hit a few good balls today. As long as the rain stays away it should be a good day.”
Lyle Duhaime who works in sales at Amik Oilfield Equipment & Rentals Ltd. in Lloyd was also hoping to make some business contacts during his two nine hole rounds of golf.
“Networking – that’s what we’re out here for,” he said. “It’s a great tournament. It’s a great day – no rain.”
Playing in one of the 18 flights at the Maidstone is a rite of spring for Blaine Haugen, who manages the safety valve shop for Powell Canada Inc. in Lloydminster.
“I’ve been here for a quite a few years now. It’s an annual thing for me. I like the people. It’s a good time to get together to do some visiting. The weather’s co-operating today,” he said.
As for the downturn Haugen said, “We’re still doing pretty good. It’s going not too bad considering. It’s just steady right now, but it’s pretty good. It’s a nice day to get away.”
Kim Gerbig, a bulk driver for Superior Propane in Lloyd, started his day with visions of winning the $500 chip-off sponsored by Garrison Well Servicing.
“This is the second time I’ve been in it in five years so it’s all fun,” he said. “Gotta have a beer before I go out there too.”
Gerbig’s name was one of 10 picked at random for the lottery shot to come.
“Good luck to the other guys because I’m going to win,” he predicted.
“I’m going to buy beer for the boys and keep a $100 for myself,” he promised with the help of his best pitching wedge and a special Top Flite ball.
Gerbig had to settle for a reality check and no money when Brad Pelley claimed the loot.
Pelley’s winning chip landed 18.5 ft. from the hole earning him the legitimate right to tell Pipeline News how he did it.
“I hit a wedge in there and it stuck. I felt like I hit a good shot and I’m happy with it,” he said.
“My anniversary is today, so I’ll buy presents for the wife.”
The tournament will also shower the local community with thousands of dollars raised for charity causes with some specific details provide by Watt’s e-mail.
“A refreshment wagon, which raised $1,600 was raffled off to support the Fritz Family who lost their home in a fire last month. Winner was Dean Blanchette,” noted Watt.
Players Jeff Taylor, Justin Harwood, Ben Schwartz and Brent Henry agreed on a tie in Flight 6 and added their winnings to the Fritz family cause.
 The event wrapped up with an evening steak barbecue and social when the progressive draw prize was won by Gerald Yaremy of Lloydminster.
Yaremy choose a set of TaylorMade irons rather than a weekend golf package at Northern Meadows in Good soil.
The golf package was auctioned to Doug Tuplin who donated the proceeds to fund a trip by Miss Teenage NW Saskatchewan Kelsey Nosek to attend the Miss Teenage Canada finals in Toronto.
Nosek and her family were hired to cater this year’s banquet as the usual parks board crew was shorthanded.
A round of applause also went to Les Gagnon, voted by players as the recipient of this year’s Ernold Priest Memorial Trophy awarded to the most sportsmanlike golfer.
The official record shows that Trevor Tipler is the winner of the 2015 champions round with Jared Rutley in second and Chris Hartman in third.
