There will be some differences compared with previous years, but the TS&M Woodlawn Golf Course is going to have its annual three-day Frametech Classic event during the August long weekend.
More than 100 golfers are expected to compete, with champions crowned in the men’s, senior men’s and women’s divisions.
Hannah Battersby, who works in the course’s admin department, said they will have a practice round on July 31 so that players from out of town can get a feel for the course before their qualifying round on Aug. 1.
That round will determine the flights for the tournament.
The second round Aug. 2 will be the final day for the women’s event.
Then the men’s and the senior men’s competitors will go out for their final round Aug. 3 to determine champions.
“It’s a very busy weekend with a lot of golfers coming,” said Battersby.
One aspect of the tournament that will be changed is the Dave Price Memorial Horse Race. Golfers in the championship flight square off over the course’s back nine in an elimination event. A large crowd usually lines the fairways to watch, but due to restrictions from COVID-19, the crowds won’t be allowed this year.
Also, they will have to present the tournament awards in a different fashion due to guidelines they have to follow. They hope to have a private award presentation for the winners of each flight shortly after they finish.
“I’m not anticipating it to be a huge presentation even, just because we can’t have so many people in one place at the same time, so we’ll probably do a private presentation,” said Battersby.
Golfers are looking forward to getting to the course and playing against some of the best in the region. Last year’s tournament was won by Kade Johnson of Yorkton.
“Everybody’s pretty excited this year,” said Battersby. “Even though it will look a little different, everybody’s been talking about it. It’s been quite the topic of conversation around here, and people are excited to come and support the club and have a good event around here.”
A couple of days after the classic is finished, Woodlawn will have its stop on the Maple Leaf Junior Tour on Aug. 6 and 7, with top young golfers from across the province coming to Estevan to compete.
“We’re super excited to have that two-day event come, and get them to enjoy our course right in the middle of the summer,” said Battersby.
The course is also starting to run corporate events, using tee times. Members and green fee players alike have been booking tee times. And they have received lots of feedback for how beautiful the course is right now.
“We’re really happy with how the greens have been,” said Battersby.
The course has been pretty busy since it opened in mid-May. This is typically the time of year when it is at its peak, but Battersby said there hasn’t been a big surge from the number of people on the course from spring to summer.
Woodlawn is pleased to have had plenty of members and green fee golfers on the course this year.
As for an event to mark the 75th anniversary of the golf course, a decision hasn’t been made on if something will happen.
