Plus a waiting list

Leader staff

The 2023 Oilmen’s Golf Tournament at Gilwood Golf Club already has a full field, with a waiting list. That’s the word from Wayne Dastou, one of the organizers for the Slave Lake Petroleum Association (SLPA).

That’s a good problem to have, but maybe not if you want to participate and are late getting around to it. However, there’s always a chance! Dastou says get hold of him, Taylor Kelham, or Gilwood and get your name on the list. As things stood last week, though, there was a full slate of 36 teams, which probably means 144 golfers.

“First time in a few years,” for that kind of participation, Dastou says.

The tournament begins with a bang (from a shotgun, or something that sounds like one) at 10 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 18. But before that, players have to sign in on the evening of the 17th or early on the 18th.

“We will be having some hole-in-one contests,” Dastou says, “along with a couple long drive and longest putt and closest-to-the hole.”

If that sounds like fun, hold on, because there’s more.

“I believe we will be doing some events on Friday and Saturday night to keep people around for some fun,” says Dastou.

The Oilmen’s is one of two big fundraisers the SLPA has been doing for years in Slave Lake. The other is the Oilmen’s Bonspiel, which has been going on for most of the last 55 years or so. Oilmen’s Golf has not been going quite as long as that – but probably for as long has there has been a golf course in or near Slave Lake.

The association uses the money it raises to donate to worthy causes, projects and groups in the Slave Lake area.