By Jeff D'Andrea

Local legend Stewart looking forward to Northern Men’s Amateurs

Jul 31, 2015 | 8:08 AM

If you want to talk to somebody about the Northern Men’s Amateur Championship at Cooke Municipal Golf Course, Ron Stewart would be a good choice. He started playing in the tournament almost 50 years ago and hasn’t missed too many in that span.

Stewart will be part of what he says will be a strong field in the tournament running Saturday to Monday at Cooke. He will do battle against defending champion Taylor Afseth and past champions Colin Coben, David Stewart, Martin Ring, Bill Cameron, Brad Phelps, Ron Stewart and Ashley Ziegeman to name a few.

Of course, Stewart himself is no stranger to winning this tournament. He has six Northerns championships under his belt and has been in the hunt in many others.

“I have a long history in that tournament. It’s the best match play tournament in the province, for sure,” said Stewart. “That’s the draw as far as bringing good players into it, every year.

“It has such a great tradition of being so well-run, great prizes and lots of fun for players… It’s a highlight of the golf season.”

Riderville

Riders Have Options Heading into Tuesday CFL Draft

2h ago

Weekend hockey

PAGC set to host largest Senator's Cup tournament to date

3h ago

VAISAKHI MELA

Hundreds flocking to P.A. for Vaisakhi Mela celebration

3h ago

Of course, Stewart has excelled at a ton of other tournaments in his career. He’s won three Saskatchewan Men’s Amateurs and was a runner-up in another two and is in double digits in both City Opens and May Day Masters. He’s also competed in several national tournaments, including Canadian juniors, amateurs and mid-amateur events.

As a result, Stewart was inducted to the Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame inductee, receiving that accolade as a golf athlete in 2002.

“It’s something that is a permanent legacy or a permanent stamp on someone’s career. I don’t get too hung up about stuff like that, I don’t reminisce to the point of it being any kind of distraction. It’s a great honour. Fortunately, I played at a time that success occurred.”

Although he’s had a lot of success in the past in this tournament, well just about every tournament, Stewart said his game has struggled this year. He had a late start to the season to recover from some injuries which he hasn’t fully recovered from yet.

“I’m kind of at the tail-end of my playing career,” said Stewart. “There’s so many good, young up-and-coming-players and guys in the club that have been competitive for many years. It will be extremely difficult to win under those circumstances for anybody. There’s more better players now than ever.

 “I’m hoping to find lightning in the bottle this weekend,” chuckled Stewart.

On a related note, scattered thundershowers are forecasted for Saturday. 

jdandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_dandrea