It was going to take something special to take down Russ Deserre at the Atikokan Men’s Senior Open, and a former Atikokanite had what it took.
Former Atikokanite Gareth Payne (Outers 1991-92) put on a great performance, carding a five-under par 67 to take the title from Desserre (his Outers year was a decade earlier), who won the event on his home course the past three years.
Son of Janette and the late Simon Payne, Gareth won a golf scholarship to Oklahoma City University. His talents on the course were noted across the region back in the day; he won the Kitchen Creek Classic four times in a row in the late 1990s.
The tournament at Little Falls was held on Aug. 11 this year and attracted 52 golfers from around Northwestern Ontario. They were broken into six flights by handicap; the other top performers were:
First flight: Low gross Kevin Cain 76. Low net Brad Fleming 77 on a countback over Rob Shaffer 77.
Second Flight: Low gross Dan Albrecht 83. Low net Todd Bryk 74, Byron Maggrah 75.
Third Flight: Low gross Ryan Bryk 80. Low net Rob McDonough 73, Jeff Speck 77.
Fourth Flight: Steven Lansdell 88. Low net Beau Bragg 74, Al Trout 75.
Fifth Flight: Jean Lambert 88. Low net: Dale Rollins 71, Roy DeCorte 72.
Sixth Flight: Low gross Garry McKinnon 96. Low net: Barry Anderson 67, Don Maley 75.
The novelty prizes went to Bruce MacLean (closest to the hole on No. 2 & No. 11), Dan Albrecht (closest to the hole on No. 6 & No. 15), Steven Lansdell (closest to the line), Russ Desserre (long drive under age 70), and Garth Guenther (long drive, 70+).
The tournament was sponsored by Tramin, XY Paddle, Voyageur Bait & Tackle, M & C Motors, Russ Desserre, Leslie Cripps, and Dan Richards of the Grill, and organized by a committee headed by Ray Laquerre (Wayne Thomas, Mark Labossiere, Roy DeCorte, Eli Kempf, Jean Lambert and Ryan Bryk).
Ron, Sally and Sam Speck handled registrations, with Jody Labossiere, Laurie Smith and Sam Speck taking care of the scoring. Rebecca DeCorte provided breakfast and lunch; The Grill at Little Falls did dinner.
