A first-time competitor was the big winner at this year’s Estevan Oilfield Technical Society (OTS) Oilmen’s golf tournament.
Keith Sawyer won the 36-hole competition at the tournament, which ran from Friday to Sunday at the TS&M Woodlawn Golf Course. Sawyer shot a 68 to edge Scott Blackstock by two strokes.
Scott Dutton and Anthony Melle each shot a 73 to finish tied for third.
Sawyer, who lives in Calgary and works for Astra, has been in Estevan for work. But he had never played in the tournament before, and he had never golfed at Woodlawn prior to Friday.
Golfers who were entered in the 36-hole tournament played a qualifying round on Friday or Saturday to determine which flight they would be in. Scores on Sunday determined the tournament champion and the flight winners.
In Sawyer’s case, he fired a 74 in the opening around to get into the championship flight. Scott Dutton had the best opening round score with a 71.
Sawyer eagled the third hole on Sunday to give him some early momentum. Then he birdied holes No. 7, 11, 13, 15 and 16 to build his lead.
A double-bogey on 17 was a hiccup, but he responded with a birdie on 18 to finish at 68.
Other winners in the 36-hole tournament were: Pat Murphy, first flight, 71; Jeremy Mackenzie, second flight, 79; Carl Henneberg, third, 75; Pat Sinclair, fourth, 83; Tom Blondeau, fifth, 81; and Travis Kuntz, sixth, 88.
(Seventh flight winner not initially available).
Ninety-eight golfers entered the 36-hole event.
The tournament also had an 18-hole competition. Entrants played their round on Friday or Saturday.
Lyle Odgers won the 18-hole championship flight with a 72, thanks to rounds of 35 and 37. Jeff Pratt was second with a 73. Richard Lamontagne and Mark Hutchings were tied for third at 75.
Flight winners were Warren Waldegger, first flight, 80; Tyler Arthur, second flight, 82; Josh Bill, third, 83; Joel Russell, fourth, 84; Tim Beatty, fifth, 89; Nick Mayer, sixth, 90; Chris Davidson, seventh, 93; Ken Wock, eighth, 96; Jeremy Mack, ninth, 99; Gary Guenther, 10th, 103; Dalton Martindale, 11th, 105; and Stephan Fichter, 12th, 118.
There were 154 golfers in the 18-hole tournament.
The next edition of the Mercury will have more on this story.
