There is a credo displayed outside the Nakusp Golf Course clubhouse that outlines the pillars of sportsmanship and consideration and speaks to the sprit of the game. However, noticeably absent from this synopsis is the recognition of golf’s potential to bring people together for an afternoon of social competition.
The social aspect of the game is one of Linda Henke’s favorite perks of taking up the clubs and she resolutely promotes the notion that golfers should not only play a variety of courses, but also with a variety of people.
Henke had the opportunity to exercise this philosophy on July 9 during the annual Nakusp Ladies Open which traditionally hosts between 40 and 50 golfers from Revelstoke, Nelson, and Castlegar.
“The ladies from Revelstoke usually outnumber the players in Nakusp” Henke points out.
The Nakusp Ladies Open was originally a tournament created by Wayne Young who has the honor of being regarded as the first pro in Nakusp.
The tournament was eventually taken over by the Nakusp Ladies Club who found support outside the village from Eileen Upper in Revestoke. Upper has recently retired her position to Heather Duchman who speaks vehemently of Upper’s 25 year commitment of organizing ladies from Reveltoke to visit the Nakusp tournament.
“She started the ball rolling” Duchman recalls, “ and we have continued on her legacy.”
Numbers were down this year with 28 golfers participating in the event.
“We brought 11 down from Revelstoke” Duchman admits, “due to changing dynamics at the club.”
This year’s tournament was made possible by the commitment and efforts of the Nakusp Ladies Club who worked tirelessly organizing and participating in the event.
Sponsors included Overwaitea Foods, Little Summit Driving Range, Elaine Rogers, Russle Hopp with essential support from Larry Ferguson from Nakusp Home Hardware. The clubhouse kitchen staff, Mel Paul, Daniel Lancaster and Larry Richards, catered the event.
Ladies Golf Open Tournament Results:
Flight 1 (0-18)
1st Gross: Leslie Weaver
1st Net: Eileen Murao
2nd Gross: Elaine Rogers
2nd Net: Marylin Mengler
3rd Gross: Shirley Weatherhead
3rd Net: Heather Duchman
Flight 2 (19-29)
1st Gross: Marian Scott
1st Net: Lois Comeau
2nd Gross: Jackie Crater
2nd Net: Teresa Hanson
3rd Gross: Alice Lines
3rd Net: Gina Gaetz
Flight 3 (30-41)
1st Gross: Pat Crowe
1st Net: Barb Renaud
2nd Gross: Sharon Tippe
2nd Net: Georgia O’Brien
3rd Gross: Brenda Fenrich
3rd Net: Janice Loukopoulous