Rocky scenery made smooth golf tourney

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More than 100 of North America's top Native golfers were in Waterton last week-end for the annual North American Championship Tournament, and by all reports it was a great time.

A total purpose of $16,000, from a large and enthusiastic group of sponsors made up the prizes. And 107 golfers, from as far afield as San Diego, California, Montreal, Quebec, Phoenix, Arizona and Inuvik, in the Northwest Territories, made up the participants.

The event got under way Friday June 24, with registration, and some practice play and putting and a sponsors shootoff, won by Dennis Knight of Saskatchewan.

A quick supper of Indian tacos at the course was followed by an evening boat cruise on Wateron Lake on the MN International.

Most of Saturday was given over to golfing, but players got the evening off to explore the park, have dinner and socialize.

A steak barbecue and some recreational golf-a horse race, which players alternate shots, were also held during the day.

Winners were decided by late Sunday afternoon and most players rushed off to catch planes or do some further travelling right after the prizes were awarded.

First place went to Al Assante of Ontario, second to Joe Straightnose of Saskatchewan, third to Delmar Jones of Phoenix, Arizona.

Jones will be hosting another Native American golf tournament in November at his own municipal course, and was here to pick up pointers as well as play.

In other divisions, Vince Gonzales of San Diego, California won the seniors' event, Bernice Geroux of Taber, Alberta took the ladies' title and Ashley Wolf won the juniors.

Dennis Knight of Saskatchewan won the sponsors' trophy, and Roy Goodwill, from Indian and Northern Affairs won the sponsors' shootout.

According to Lloyd Gauthier, organizer of the event, sponsors not only donated their dollars in great number, they participated.

"We had sponsors come in from everywhere," he said. "It was incredible."

Gauthier also praised the Waterton course officials and the community for their welcome of the participants and the boat trip was a particularly pleasant addition to the roster of tournament events.

Compliments were also plentiful the other way around. Ed Robison, one of the owners of the Shoreline Cruise Company, said the players were one of the best group of passengers he'd had. And Shari Hohm, new manager of the course said the tournament was "phenomenal."

"It was a lot of fun-really, one of the best groups I've ever ran a tournament for," Hohm said.

Players like course

For Vince Gonzales, a building inspector for Indian housing for all 15 Missions Indian Reserves near San Diego, California, coming to Waterton for the North American Championship is mostly about socializing and sightseeing.

Gonzales attended the tournament here two years ago, and says he enjoys coming for the scenery, especially the drive through Glacier.

"I flew to Seattle with my nephew, then rented a car and drove out here. That Going-to-the-Sun Road is just spectacular.

Though Gonzales says he just an amateur, he's obviously played a lot of golf. His score won him the Seniors trophy in last weekend's play.

"Golf is a gentleman's game," he says. It teaches a lot about sportsmanship and respect and good etiquette. I'd like to see more of our young people get into it.

Del Riley, a Chippewa pro from Ontario, jokes that he'll come anywhere there's food, but it's obvious he loves the game.

"I've been playing for 38 years," he says. "When I started I was one of the rare Indians playing. Now, there are lots of us and we're well accepted."

Riley says he remembers one time he showed up to play at a course in Las Vegas and was told by the pro to go around the back if he was looking for a job as a caddy. "That wouldn't happen any more," he adds.