Jackfish Lodge to host next years tournament

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They liked it so much they decided to stay.

Organizers of the Canadian National Indian Golf Championships have decided to keep the tournament at Saskatchewan's Jackfish Lodge Golf and Conference Centre for one more year.

Played during the July 9-11 weekend at the scenic Jackfish Lake layout, the Indian-owned facility's quality fairways and greens were more than enough to convince organizers, says Eugene Poitras, part of the group.

"The crew here did a great job keeping everything in beautiful shape for us," says Poitras. "This is a championship course. You don't score well easily here."

If there was one thing Poitras would want changed for next year, it would be the weather. Black skies, wind and rain frightened off about half of the 250 expected golfers.

"This year, entrants had to play in wind and rain for the first two days of the tournament."

Despite the low attendance numbers, Poitras says the championship attracted golfers from as far away as Arizona, California, Washington State and the Northwest Territories.

Part of the reason for the widespread interest is the $15,000 in prize money and gift certificates provided for winners and top placings, as well as for numerous "closest to the pin" competitions.

Next year the value of prizes is expected to increase to $25,000, but an inability to find sponsors for the ladies and junior men categories will mean that they will be eliminated from the tournament, admits Poitras.