Saskatchewan golfing legend Graham DeLaet (right) gives Elk Ridge Resort director of operations Ryan Danberg a high five after the ceremonial first drive before the Elk Ridge Open, as Premier Scott Moe looks on. (Jeff D'Andrea/paNOW Staff)

By Jeff D’Andrea

It's golfing time

DeLaet, Premier Moe kick off Elk Ridge Open’s launch event

Sep 7, 2021 | 5:00 PM

Around 15 years ago, Graham DeLaet would have been playing in events like the Elk Ridge Open, the first Mackenzie Tour — PGA Tour Canada event that graced the Elk Ridge Golf Resort — and the first PGA Canada Tour event in the province since 2016.

Since then, Weyburn’s DeLaet has carved out a career as being one of the best golfers Canada has ever produced, representing Canada at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, winning four professional tournament and finishing in the top ten in the 2017 PGA Championships.

DeLaet returned to his PGA Tour Canada roots on Tuesday at the Elk Ridge Golf Resort, as he hit the ceremonial first tee shot along with Premier Scott Moe in the tournament’s opening ceremony event.

”These kids are just starting their careers like I was when I was 24, 25 years old playing here. There’s a lot of camaraderie out here. It’s a lot different than the PGA Tour where it’s very business-like and you go week-to-week sticking with your family and your team that surrounds you. Around here, it’s three or four guys sharing a hotel room, splitting rental cars, that kind of thing,” DeLaet said. “Lifelong memories and some of the best times I’ve had as a professional golfer have come on the Mackenzie Tour, PGA Tour Canada.”

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Potentially, there are some future DeLaet’s playing in the field, including young Saskatchewan standout golfers like Troy Bulmer, who grew up in Melfort and Saskatoon, La Ronge’s Jerry Christiansen, Saskatoon’s Ty Campbell and Yorkton’s Kade Johnson to name a few.

“It’s definitely great to have professional golf back here and we have a lot young Saskatchewan kids who are playing as well,” DeLaet said. “It’s great for them to dip their toes in the water and play against some of the best in the country.”

Here’s what everybody’s playing for, to be the first person to lift this trophy. Jeff D’Andrea/paNOW Staff

Bulmer, who now golfs out of Vernon, B.C., said it was great to play so close to where he grew up.

“It’s really nice to be back home. I understand some family and friends, and some friends from around the area are coming up, so it will be really nice to see some familiar faces and to spend essentially a week up here in Waskesiu and Elk Ridge” Bulmer said. “I don’t get a lot of time to do that anymore, so it’s really nice to be back.”

If Tuesday’s kickoff event was any indication, the Elk Ridge Open could be one of the better supported events in the Mackenzie Tour’s history. Scott Pritchard, executive director with the Mackenzie Tour—PGA Tour Canada, said there were more spectators at Elk Ridge before actual golfing event started than there normally is in the midst of a tournament.

Premier Scott Moe spoke at the launch event for the Elk Ridge Open Tuesday. (Jeff D’Andrea/paNOW Staff)

Premier Scott Moe was one of the dignitaries at the event, and said it was great news for the province to have a professional golf event return. He also credited the resort’s ownership group, Routes2SK, and Elk Ridge’s director of operations Ryan Danberg for their work in securing the event.

“It’s really good that the Mackenzie Tour and the PGA Tour has decided to bring it back to Saskatchewan,” Moe said. “It was at the Dakota Dunes (in Whitecap) for a number or years, so to bring it here, which is a beautiful part of the province, it’s a real testament to what the ownership group here is doing at Elk Ridge Resort, attracting an event of this stature.”

The field of 115 golfers will play a three-round competition starting on Thursday at Elk Ridge. A champion will be crowned on Saturday.

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Jeff.dandrea@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW