Course Opens Saturday

I’ve received official word that the golf course will open on Saturday. However, the details about how you can golf are still being worked out and the discussion about league play is also taking place but if or how this will move forward is still undetermined.

While other information is still yet to be confirmed I can tell you that if you wish to just golf on your own at Murray Hills you will need to book a tee time in advance. This will allow for better control of the golfers on the course. The hours of operation may also be limited as well.

So the best advice I can give you is to call ahead and speak with Alida or Tom.

I’ll keep you updated as quickly as I can. 

Signs of Life?

Here we are a month and a half since my last post in April and we're still waiting for a possible golf season and league play this year is still up in the air even if the course does open.

There does seem to be a bit of hope today as there is talk the Ontario Government may allow golf courses to open this Saturday in time for the long weekend. This has yet to be confirmed by Premier Ford.

Considering how wide open the courses are compared to what we deal with each day in grocery stores it would seem we'd actually face less risk on the links. Add to that how fortunate we've been in this area with known cases remaining low.

That doesn't mean the risk is gone of course and even if we do get the okay to start golfing soon, there will likely be some wise social distancing measures in place. Of course if you show any symptoms or have a persistent cough you'll want to stay home just in case.

So we'll wait and see if and when we can get the clubs out of storage. I do know that Tom and Andy have been busy preparing the course over the last few weeks and it will be ready for our return. These are certainly odd times we're living in and our main priority will always be to look out for our own safety and those we interact with.

Once again, if I hear any news one way or the other I'll let you know.

COVID-19 Closes Course

We hoped it wouldn't happen but Tom and Alida have had no choice but to close the golf course.

With the continuing COVID-19 Pandemic causing increases in more cases and deaths in the province and around the world, we all have to do what is necessary to try and bring this crisis to an end as soon as possible.

Here is the announcement posted to the Murray Hills Golf Course Facebook page earlier today.

Until such time as the course reopens and the league can begin play, stay safe and take care of those you love and as soon as we get the word that things are in the works to begin play, I'll let you know. Hopefully we will be back golfing again this summer.

A New Season Approaches...We Hope

Winter was going so well and the weather has certainly been cooperating as far as having hopes of returning to the golf course and league play in the near future.

However, the current landscape of the world with the arrival of Covid-19 and the new normal of self-distancing, quarantines and empty store shelves certainly has us preoccupied with more important things.

While I'm sure we're at least a month away from any start date for the season, I'll be sure to let you know of any developments as I get them regarding the start of league play. If all goes well we can flatten the curve of this thing and return to some form of normal life sooner rather than later.

In the meantime, follow all necessary precautions and stay safe. We hope to see you out in the fresh air on the golf course soon.

2019 Playoffs - Final Round

That's all she wrote for another fun year of Men's League golf and despite a little rain shower, we managed to get all 18 holes in to wrap things up as planned.

The Fat Shafts needed to use all of their 14 stroke lead on the final day to hang on for a three shot victory over the KGB to win the "A" Flight. The Fat Shafts finished with a total of 394 while the KGB picked up 11 strokes and made it close with a total of 397. The Dubbers started the day tied with the Whizbangers 20 strokes out of first and picked up some ground to claim third spot with a total of 405. The Whizbangers also picked up a little ground but finished fourth with a score of 411.

We expected the "B" Flight to be a battle on the final day and it didn't disappoint. The Fivesome had a rough day and slipped from first place to third when the dust settled with a total of 416. The Southpaws came away as champs of the "B" Flight with a slim one stroke victory over the Rolling Stones. The Southpaws finished with a score of 400 with the Rolling Stones at 401. The Bogies rounded our the division in fourth place with a score of 426.

In the "C" Flight, the CCCP had a big lead heading into the day and despite picking up a little bit of ground, the Latecomers couldn't overcome the deficit. The CCCP claimed the "C" division with a final score of 426. The Latecomers totaled 440. The Hackers took third with a score of 450 while the Wedgers struggled on the final day and settled for fourth place with a total of 470.

No list of Closest to the Pin winners was available but as I'm sure everyone noticed, there were a lot of impressive shots to earn the honours.

Many thanks as always to everyone who helped to make the day a success behind the scenes. To Tom and Alida St.Denis for their hospitality and awesome golfing conditions all season. Stephen Powell earns our gratitude as always for keeping the league running smoothly all year and for his hard work in putting together an impressive wrap up party. Thanks also to the other helpers behind the scenes today, including Debbie Stewart, Julia Bosma and Rose Moran. We can't forget Stephen Westlake and Kim Defosse who year after year run the putting contest where half of the money raised goes to Terry Fox and the Cancer Society. Thanks to everyone who took part as well.

Just a reminder that even though league play is done, you are still invited to keep coming out Wednesday nights for some always fun best ball action. It's always a good time.

Thanks for checking out the blog each week. If all goes well, we'll keep it going again next season. Have a safe and enjoyable winter. Lets hope it's a warm and short one.

Final Standings

"A" Flight
1. Fat Shafts (394)
2. KGB (397)
3. Dubbers (405)
4. Whizbangers (411)

"B" Flight
1. Southpaws (400)
2. Rolling Stones (401)
3. Fivesome (416)
4. Bogies (426)

"C" Flight
1. CCCP (426)
2. Latecomers (440)
3. Hackers (450)
4. Wedgers (470)

2019 Playoffs - Round Two

There was a feeling of Autumn to the second round of playoffs this evening as the breeze combined with the cooler temps made for another beautiful night for golf.

In the “A” Flight the Fat Shafts were able to extend their lead slightly over the second place KGB. The Fat Shafts shot 100 and will have a 14 stroke advantage heading into the final round on Saturday with a total score of 188. The KGB shot a 102 tonight to bring their total score to 202. The Dubbers shot 105 and the Whizbangers shot 104 and are tied 20 shots off the pace with a total of 208.

Things are very interesting in the “B” Flight where only two strokes separate the Fivesome, Southpaws and Rolling Stones. The Fivesome shot a 102 for a total of 202. The Southpaws posted a 101 and are in second place, one stroke back at 203. The Rolling Stones shot a 90 to vault them back into the hunt and are two strokes back at 204. The Bogies had a better round this week shooting a 106 but sit 16 strokes back with a 218 total.

The CCCP will have the largest lead to start the day on Saturday in the “C” Flight. After shooting 100 tonight, they have a total of 206 and a 15 stroke cushion over the second place Hackers who shot 107 for a score of 221. The Latecomers also scored 107 but sit in third spot 19 strokes back at 225. The Wedgers matched last weeks score of 113 and are 20 strokes out of first with a 226.

There were eight Closest to the Pin winners tonight. They included Carl Troke, Eric Korver, Carm Herrington, Dustin McLeod, Coady MacGillivary, Stephen Westlake, Derek LeClair and Denis Schick.

We’re done with the white tees now and on Saturday the entire 18 holes will be played from the Blues. A reminder that we tee off at 2:00pm and the wrap up party will follow the round. Bring your Toonies for the putting contest and it could be a chilly evening so bring some warm clothes. Now I sound like your mother. See you Saturday afternoon.

Playoff Standings

“A” Flight
1. Fat Shafts - 88 + 100 = 188
2. KGB - 100 + 102 = 202 (+14)
3. Dubbers - 103 + 105 = 208 (+20)
4. Whizbangers - 104 + 104 = 208 (+20)

“B” Flight
1. Fivesome - 100 + 102 = 202
2. Southpaws - 102 + 101 = 203 (+1)
3. Rolling Stones - 114 + 90 = 204 (+2)
4. Bogies - 112 + 106 = 218 (+16)

“C” Flight
1. CCCP - 106 + 100 = 206
2. Hackers - 114 + 107 = 221 (+15)
3. Latecomers - 118 + 107 = 225 (+19)
4. Wedgers - 113 + 113 = 226 (+20)

2019 Playoffs - Round One

As golf conditions go, the league couldn’t have asked for anything better to kick off round one of the playoffs.

The biggest lead after night one is in the “A” Flight where the Fat Shafts will take a 12 stroke lead into round two after shooting an 88. The KGB shot 100 to sit in second, two strokes ahead of the Dubbers who posted a 102. The Whizbangers are 16 strokes off the lead after scoring a 104.

Over in the “B” Flight the battle for first is very close. The Fivesome, after shooting a round of 100, have the early lead by two strokes over the Southpaws who scored 102. The other two teams stumbled on night one as the Bogies shot 112 and the Rolling Stones finished with 114.

The CCCP find themselves with a bit of a cushion after night one. They posted a 106 and are seven strokes up on the second place Wedgers who shot 113. The Hackers were only one worse with a 114 while the Latecomers are 12 off the pace after shooting 118.

There were eight Closest to the Pin winners tonight. They included Kim Defosse, Rick Turtle, Andy Koetstra, Derek LeClair, Symen Korver, Tim Donaldson, Jim Lidster and Paul Scobie.

A lot can happen in a short time and no lead is safe as we’ve seen in the past. It’s back to the White tees next Wednesday and then on Saturday September 7th we’ll play the final 18 holes from the Blue tees followed by the wrap up party.

Playoff Standings

“A” Flight
1. Fat Shafts - 88
2. KGB - 100
3. Dubbers - 103
4. Whizbangers - 104

“B” Flight
1. Fivesome - 100
2. Southpaws - 102
3. Bogies - 112
4. Rolling Stones - 114

“C” Flight
1. CCCP - 106
2. Wedgers - 113
3. Hackers - 114
4. Latecomers - 118