Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/366073
INSIDE GOLF 53 Scheer felt he was "a little more aggres- sive, but I'm still leaving some short," when asked if the bigger targets had changed his putting style. "It didn't seem to be that much an advantage in putting—you can still three-putt." Yeah, I know that feeling well. After tallying up the comment cards he received from the players at the public course over the two days he ran the Hole-y Moley event, pro Rumpel said the vote was overwhelmingly in favour of the idea. "The basic question I asked was, 'Did the larger holes make the game more fun?' and everyone answered 'Yes'," the pro ex- plained. "I also asked how often they'd like to see Hole-y Moley, and some people put once a week, some put once a month." "Some guy just wrote, 'Great fun.' Some- one else said, 'Great experience. Would certainly play again.' Someone else said, 'Make it bigger!' and another said, 'You should be in a golf magazine!' " Rumpel said times for an 18-hole round were down a bit, about 3 3 / 4 hours as op- posed to the usual 4 1 / 4 his track likes to see. The whole idea of this wasn't about time, though; rather it was about having fun and bringing something new to the game. In fact one comment card went so far as to suggest having both a regulation and an oversized hole on the green, which is possible, but not likely, the pro said. "I don't think so…well, maybe. I'll try this one more time and get more response," to see what the people playing the game with the larger holes think works best. As one of those who played the first day of the test drive, Scheer said he'd be back for Hole-y Moley, without a doubt, the next time it is held at Eagle Rock. "I'd come out any time they have the larger holes. We don't keep track of handi- caps or anything; we just come out to have fun and this makes it a whole lot more fun!" For tee times, call Eagle Rock at 780- 464-4653. About the Writer: Gord Montgomery is the sports editor of two weekly newspapers in the Edmonton area and is a member of the Golf Journalists Association of Canada. He has written for Inside Golf for the past six years with the majority of his cover- age in north and central Alberta. He can be reached at noraltagolf@gmail.com or on Twitter at @iGgolfwriter. Van Dornick, continued from page 13 He realizes though that time catches up with everyone and with the next wave of solid young players coming on strong, he sees an end in sight…maybe. "I think the Alberta Amateur may be the first tournament I look at not attending and next year may be the first time. I've had my time. I've had my successes and I just don't want to be a 'filler'. If I can't give a really good effort and be close, or near the top, then I think it's time for me to step aside." When that time for him to leave the com- petitive world of amateur golf does come, the man who has meant so much to this level of the game in Alberta, who has done so much to bring this end of the sport into the limelight, says he'll keep on playing for a simple reason—his passion for the game. "I love the game. I've had successes in competition but that will never take the game away from me," he said of laying down the hooks for good as the skill diminishes. "I'll play the game, no matter what the level, as long as I possibly can." In closing, Alberta's Mr. Golf, Frank Van Dornick, suggests the game owes him noth- ing. Rather, it's the other way around for the guy who says he never really considered turning pro despite his record of success. In response to a question about whether he ever thought of becoming a golf profes- sional, Van Dornick replied, "If I did, it was just a fleeting thought. My whole life, my memories of golf, are that it was always just a fun thing, not something where I'd go make a living. It was just something I did in my spare time. "Everything I've gotten from the game is just a bonus, totally unexpected, and I've been very thankful for everything that's been pro- vided for me," ended the man who has given amateur golf a face in Alberta for the past three decades. Nice guy? Most certainly. But make no mistake—Frank Van Dornick is definitely not a nice guy who finishes last. About the Writer: Gord Montgomery is the sports editor of two weekly newspapers in the Edmonton area and is a member of the Golf Journalists Association of Canada. He has written for Inside Golf for the past five years with the majority of his coverage in north and central Alberta. He can be reached at noraltagolf@gmail.com or on Twitter at @iGgolfwriter. Picking The Majors Enjoys Record Year BY iG EDITORS Entering its 5th year, The Picking The Majors Contest Powered By Inside Golf has enjoyed a record number of contestants. The amazingly easy Fantasy Golf Contest has people pick the player from each of ten pairs during each of the year's Majors selecting the one you think is more likely to do better. Points are awarded for players who make the cut (1 point) through to the one who finishes as the winner (20 points). History shows, to win, you must basically run the table, making the right choice for every pair. Get them all right and you win a prize package that includes a Nike VRS COVERT 2.0 Driver, 1 Dozen Nike RZN Tour Golf Balls, and a Tour Perforated Hat (valued at $500+). Says iG Publisher Jeff Sutherland, "We are very appreciative of the support we receive from Nike Golf Canada who have been the title sponsor for this contest since day one. Each year the contest has grown and this year, we were proud to be able to add it to another member of the Inside Golf Website network, British Columbia Golf's site www.britishcolumbiagolf.org."