By Drew Wilson

Competitive golf season kicks off at Cooke

May 16, 2011 | 11:48 AM

You know spring has arrived when the best golfers in the area hit the links for the annual May Day Masters Golf Tournament.

It marks the beginning of the competitive season and usually sets the table for major tournaments like the Lobstick and the Northern Men's Amateur.

The course is in excellent shape, said Darcy Myers, Club Pro.

“The greens are really good for this time of year. The rest of the course, fairways and tee boxes are in excellent shape. Pierre and his (maintenance) crew have done a fantastic job getting things prepared for the season.”

Dave Stewart is back to defend the title he won last year in dramatic fashion. The former provincial champion from Prince Albert chipped in for birdie to beat Trent Kacher on the first playoff hole.

Court

Cries of racism fill courtroom as judge stays impaired driving charge in Saskatoon

20m ago

Community support

The Hunger Games return to Prince Albert

2h ago

Raiders win 5-3

Defensive scoring leads Raiders over Wheat Kings

10h ago

Myers expects all of the top local golfers to be part of the 100 player field, including perennial favourites Martin Ring from Prince Albert, who was the 2010 Lobstick Champion and Delisle's Colin Cobin.

“Marty's been playing well, I'm not sure if Dave has been playing a lot of golf, but we do have a lot of good golfers at our club and the competition is always very good so it's a coin toss, anybody can take it, it's a matter of who gets hot this week. Colin is a very steady player. He knows this course very well. It's a home away from home for him. He's played a lot of golf here and won a lot of tournaments here.”

The 54 hole event starts Saturday and wraps up on the holiday Monday.

There is still room for players in this year's field. To enter call the Cooke Pro shop at 763-2502.

The Men's Lobstick in Waskesiu runs from June 13th to the 18th while the Northern Men's Amatuer is set for the August long weekend.

They are both match play while the May Day Masters is a stroke play event.

dwilson@rawlco.com