Golf enthusiasts invited to enjoy the sport while contributing to student scholarships

Beyond enjoying the links this weekend, golfers will also contribute to scholarships for students in Pierceland and Goodsoil.

Northern Meadows Golf Course is hosting its 11th annual scholarship golf tournament on Saturday, July 16. Ken Olan, one of the owner/operators at the family-run course said the scholarship isn’t given out based on academics. Instead, the award is based on personality.

“The whole idea behind the citizenship scholarship is it’s not an academic scholarship; it’s designed for the student who had the most growth throughout their years in high school. The one who was sort of the mediator of the group, always helping people… more of a personality choice over academic,” he said.

Teachers choose the recipient of the scholarship based on a criteria list from Olan and others. During graduation ceremonies, a student from Pierceland and another from Goodsoil are awarded a $250 scholarship.

“We’re trying to award something to kids who aren’t necessarily the best scholars but good people,” Olan added.

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While contributing to the scholarship fund, golfers also compete for prizes at each hole such as a patio set or cooler system.

Registrants are put into teams of four who play a round of golf a little differently than the traditional game. Golfers will play the same nine holes twice, getting two shots to try and win the hole’s prize. Holes are adjusted to be par three at a distance of 160 yards or less.

After the game, prizes will be awarded during a soup and sandwich lunch at the course.

When Olan and his family started the tournament 11 years ago, they held it in the off-season which didn’t produce a great turnout. Since moving it to July, Olan’s registered multiple tourists and saw the tournament thrive.

Last year he said there were 40 to 45 participants.

This year, not as many people have registered yet but Olan is confident he’ll get more prior to this Friday’s deadline. He added if people want to, they can register the morning of the tournament on July 16 but he would like to have a good idea of the numbers the night before.

Olan hopes to continue expanding the tournament to include more and more golfers each year. As the tournament grows in popularity, there is potential for larger scholarship amounts, he said.

The registration fee is $60 per golfer. To register, contact the Northern Meadows Golf Course.

Colton Swiderski is meadowlakeNOW’s municipal affairs, crime and court, health and education reporter. He can be reached at cswiderski@jpbg.ca or tweet him @coltonswiderski. Concerns regarding this story can be addressed to News Director Geoff Smith at 306-446-6397.