Staff photo by Lizz Bottrell

Team LOFT, (l to r) Karen Kish, Marilyn Leggett, Margaret Abramson and Joan Leggett, golfed in the NVGG Golf Tournament in Windthorst every year the tournament was held - making this their 26th year.Staff photo by Lizz Bottrell

One of the golf carts stalled, forcing this group of ladies to push it all the way to the last hole. (l to r) Corrinne Markwart, from Broadview; Linda Johanson, from Kipling; Judy Bickerton, from Brandon; and Norma Adams (in the cart) from Broadview.

By Lizz Bottrell, Citizen Staff

For the last 26 years, a group of ladies from Kipling golfed together in the Not Very Good Golfers (NVGG) Golf Tournament at the Windthorst Country Club. Team LOFT, as the ladies call themselves, includes Karen Kish, Marilyn Leggett, Margaret Abramson and Joan Leggett.

“We just like to golf,” said Team LOFT. “We have a good group of people we golf with. Golf only comes second, we just have fun.”

The tournament, which the RCMP organizes every year, attracts dozens of women out for a morning or afternoon of golf. This year’s tournament was welcomed after last year’s was rained out, although some worried with all the recent rain, this year’s could also be rained out. However, when the ladies woke up on the morning of June 16, they woke up to sunshine and warm weather, making the golf tournament a success.

Although the sun was out in full-force, in past years, the ladies weren’t always so lucky. “Snow, rain, hail, we’ve been here,” said the Team LOFT. “And we’ve had it all.”

With all the experience Team LOFT received over the years, one might assume the ladies win first place quite often. “We come for the fun, we’ve never took first prize,” said Team LOFT. “Our golf isn’t any better than when we began.”

Team LOFT makes a day out of the tournament, golfing in the morning, heading to Norm’s Place in Windthorst for lunch and to Kipling for supper and the awards. “We just like to get out of the house and be with the girls,” said Team LOFT.

This year, 70 ladies took part in the NVGG Golf Tournament, an attendance which is down from past years. In fact, so many people used to participate, organizers had to put a cap on the number of participants. However, that doesn’t stop those who do take part from having fun, especially with the RCMP officers involved in running the event.

The ladies from Team LOFT know all about having fun with the RCMP. “We’ve gone through many RCMP,” said Team LOFT. “We even kidnapped one!”

Though the ladies commented they were getting up there in age, they don’t have any plans of giving up golf any time soon. “As long as we are able, we’ll be here,” said Team LOFT. “Even if we have to bring our walkers and wheelchairs, we’ll be here.”