The Gilbert Plains Country Club is set to host two Golf Manitoba tournaments this week, with close to 100 golfers from across the province taking part.
The Diamond Athletic Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship and Diamond Athletic Ladies Amateur will take place, July 1 to 3, at GPCC.
Scott McCallum, GPCC general manager and golf professional, said the tournaments coming to Gilbert Plains came about after the facility hosted the golf event during the 2024 Manitoba Summer Games.
“I think they were quite impressed with the product, so they wanted to bring another event out here,” he said, adding champiosnhip tournaments were confirmed in December.
Hosting the events will be great advertising for the golf club.
“Obviously, its the recognition to have probably 100 of the better golfers in the province come out to play your golf course and then, hopefully, go back and tell their friends what a great facility we have. It’s really good that way,” McCallum said.
The board and staff, McCallum said, have been working hard to get the course in the best shape possible.
“I can’t say enough about the grounds crew and what they’ve done to the golf course to prepare for this event. It’s always exciting times,” he said, adding the course is in fantastic shape.
“We’re obviously watching the weather pretty closely, praying that we dodge some of the big cells that are coming. But it will be in good shape,” he said.
The grounds crew paid special attention to some of the smaller details, such as getting the greens to a certain speed.
“All those types of things are things that you pay close attention to,” McCallum said.
A number of local golfers will be taking part in the men’s tournament, while Swan River’s Crystal Zamzow will be one of the favourites to win the ladies event.
There is an expectation that McCallum and his staff have for the golf course, but they don’t really feel any added pressure in hosting the provincial tournaments.
“Pressure is just what we put on ourselves. But we want our golf course to showcase well,” he said.
“I’m just looking forward to a good week.”