Lucas Punkari
For the second straight year, a group of female golfers from Fort Frances gained the upper hand of their cross-border rivals from International Falls.
On Wednesday at the Falls Golf Course, a dozen local ladies prevailed over an American-based squad in a day of match play competition by a score of 14-10, as they captured the Robinson Cup for the second straight year in the process.
“It was a very close game that went back and forth all day,” Julie Lowry said afterwards.
“As soon as you were done your round and you handed in your scorecard, it took quite a while to find out how you did exactly, but once the last few cards came in, the score swung over to our side.
“We had some good holes and some bad holes, but it always seemed like someone was there to help us out, so it was certainly a team effort,” she reasoned.
Among those helping to bring the title back to Fort Frances included Marie Gregory, Joanne Gosselin, Donna Gustafson, Barb Asplund, Eloise Camirand, Kathy Kaemingh, Faye Flatt, Rosemary Haglund, Dawn Brigham, and Rita Woodland.
“Some of those who played had been in it before like myself, and there were also a few who were in it for the first time,” Lowry noted.
“Overall, I think everyone was very impressed by the event, and will be looking forward to taking part once again,” she added.
This year’s tournament, which alternates between Kitchen Creek and Falls Golf Club each summer, was the 65th edition of the event, which currently see the Canadian side holding a 38-27 advantage.
“I think the fact that it takes place on a different course every year adds to it, and this year’s event was another wonderful day,” Sharon Payne, who helped to organize the event with Barb Nass of International Falls, explained.
“While the event is always a great time, there was a point a few years ago where we were really worried about getting people to run the event and keep it going.
“So Barb and I came on board this year to run it, and we plan to do it once again next year, as we don’t want to see something like this fold.
“It’s been going on for far too long,” she added.
The Robinson Trophy isn’t the only time that the cross-border golfers meet up with one another, as the Fort Frances’ golfers will be hosting their friends from International Falls for a “guest day” on Tuesday, August 21 at Kitchen Creek.
“We both supply the same number of golfers from each side, and then go out and have a nice day on the course,” Lowry said.
“It’s a relaxing day that’s different from the competition side of things that we have for the trophy each year, and it is also a great way to make new friends as well,” she added.
The successful showing by the local ladies wasn’t the only victorious achievement for Fort Frances golfers last week, as Greg Ross captured the Pete Peterson Senior Tournament in the Falls on Thursday.
Ross, who is the superintendent of the Heron Landing Golf Course in Couchiching, captured the championship in dramatic fashion, as he defeated Tom Sutch on a second playoff hole to win the title.
After both golfers pared the ninth hole during the first playoff hole, Ross was able to tap in a birdie putt on their second playing of the ninth hold to capture the overall title.
