Trish Weatherall
For the Gazette
PORT ALICE—Jello, hula hoops, tiaras and feather boas added a twist of fun to the ladies’ golf tournament at the Port Alice Golf & Country Club on Saturday. Twenty-eight women participated in this year’s tournament, an increase compared to the previous two years of about 20. The tournament was also something of a reunion as several former residents came from as far as Vancouver.
“The good weather and the promise that this was a fun tournament brought the ladies out this year,” said Lyla McCarthy, bar chair. “And these ladies had a whole lot of fun!”
One team arrived in diva-princess regalia with hot pink feather boas and tiaras. Another team, near the end of the long hot day, rolled themselves down the hill at the sixth hole.
Non-traditional variations on the game gave plenty of opportunity for prizes. Lost balls or landing in the pond became bonuses that earned players a draw prize entry. There was also a prize for landing the ball in hula hoops on the fourth and eighth fairway, and while no one actually got one in, a few ladies attempted some nostalgic hula hooping as they passed by.
Hole five kept participants going with sandwiches, snacks and jello shooters.
The tournament was held to promote the club and encourage more women to take up golf. “Golf is a great way to escape and have fun,” said Maria Farrell, ladies captain at the Port Alice Golf Club. “It’s exercise and stress relief. It’s your time.”
The $40 entry fee more than covered green fees, snacks, dinner and a table full of draw prizes that saw each participant take home a gift ranging from $20 to $150.
Debbie Mitchell won first low gross (82), first low net went to Maria Farrell (61), second low gross Carolyn Meech (96) and second low net Heather Murray (65). KPs were donated by Neucel and awarded to McCarthy, Marnie Chase, Amanda Jorgenson and Debbie Mitchell, who claimed two KP holes.
The event was organized by club members Farrell and McCarthy. Several of the men from the club provided the beverage cart, snack tent and dinner, and greenskeeper Ron Davidge enabled barefoot golf for many of the women.
“This was one of our best ladies tournaments – the turnout, the weather, the atmosphere. Everything went right, it was a perfect day,” said Maria. “Thanks to all the ladies who came out and made it such a great day!”
Port Alice Golf and Country Club is currently offering non-members a winter pass of unlimited golf from Oct. 1 to March 31 for $100. Contact the club at 250-284-3213.
