Men's Golf continues

The 2020 Men's Golf League at Marian Hills is set to conclude next Thursday, as Team Westside Casino (WC) and Team LR Simpson Construction (LSC) set to clash for the League Championship.

Team WC consists of team captain Del Stiles, John Sautter, Larry Lett, and substitute CJ Bishop. Team LSC consists of team captain Larry Ross Simpson, Rick Levesque, Dean Yeadon, and Clint Simpson.

The Men's league chose to continue league play, while the Women's League chose to end their year, according to the clubhouse.

Both men's teams were asked if they wanted to postpone the title game, but decided they didn't see a point in postponement. Both teams have had members that have had to step aside due to exposure to COVID-19, but they have had substitute players.

The PCN caught up with Stiles and Simpson days before their big game.

"This is good entertainment for our town being in the situation that we are in," Stiles said. "I don't think that we are causing any harm by playing some golf outside."

Stiles said that teams have maintained social distance and follow the course's guidelines for safety, which include things like not touching the flags, rakes, ball washers, and riding in separate carts. Both seemed happy to be able to finish the championship round, but understand that teams will need to stay as safe as possible with the pandemic still looming.

"We are just happy that we can golf and we are doing the best that we can to stay safe," Simpson said.

The championship will bring bragging rights to the winner, but for Stiles and Simpson, a title would be the icing on the cake for the duo that have been pranking each other for a long time.

"He got me good and he loves to tell the story, so I owe him," Stiles said.

Stiles said that Simpson told him that the wells that Stiles installed went out and scared one of Simpson's high-dollar horses to the point that the horse went through a barbed-wire fence. Simpson's fib prompted an awkward moment of silence.

"Then he started laughing at me because he knew he had me hook, line, and sinker," Stiles said. "We have been friends forever. But I will get him back."

Stiles will have his chance this week, as he chases what would be his fourth team title, if he can win.

This is Simpson's first chance at a championship, having only been in the league for the past four seasons.

"We are pretty excited," Simpson said. "We just need to not overthink it, go play, and have fun."

During the semi-finals played on Thursday, August 6, WC faced Team Bank of Malta, who had qualified for the playoffs during the first half of the regular season.

WC defeated Team Bank of Malta 25.5 to 14.5.

"They beat one guy, which was me," Stiles said with a laugh. "The rest of my teammates took care of business. CJ (the team's sub) really did a number on his guy, so why not ask him to come back."

LSC defeated Team Independence Bank in a much closer game that ended 20.5-19.5.

"It was a real close match but we got in by one point," Simpson said.

WC and LSC had met earlier in the season and LSC won, but Stiles said that Wc has gotten better, while LSC has been getting worse.

The golf league was one sport that hasn't lost much steam during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Thursday nights have been a nice outlet," Stiles said.

One of the biggest losses that happened this season was the Ryder Cup, an event where Malta's golfers square off against Glasgow.

"It makes sense because it's quite a few guys bunched together, so we canceled that," Stiles said. "With our outbreak, I am sure they were scared to death to come here, so I don't blame them."

Both captains expressed gratitude towards the course, the clubhouse, and the management and workers of Marian Hills.