Golf Canada goes one-on-one with Dave Scinocca, PGA of Canada Head Professional at Shilo Country Club in Westman, Manitoba.
GC: What prompted Shilo Country Club to host the CN Future Links Prairie
Championship?
DS: We are a proud supporter of junior golf in Manitoba and regularly accommodate a number of regional qualifiers and tournaments. When we were presented with the opportunity to host the prestigious 2014 CN Future Links Prairie Championship, we jumped on board right away. This is very exciting for our facility, our staff, and our members at the Shilo CC. It’s an honor and a great chance to get involved with Golf Canada – we can’t wait for it to start.
GC: What preparations have went into hosting this championship?
DS: The staff and volunteers have worked very hard on the entire facility to showcase our course during this championship. Kudos to Karen Gero for undertaking the huge responsibility as Tournament Chair – she has made sure no small details have been overlooked or left out. We are poised and ready to host this championship and promise to leave a lasting impression on our guests and patrons. The golf course is in fantastic shape considering the late start we’ve had this season. The ground’s crews have worked very diligently on all areas of the course in preparation for this championship and we think it will certainly impress the golfers and the spectators this week.
GC: What can players expect when they arrive at your club?
DS: A friendly atmosphere and a warm welcoming. We pride ourselves on customer service and make it our goal to ensure everyone has an enjoyable experience at the Shilo Country Club. On the course you may encounter some wildlife, see some military guns, spot some fighter jets overhead, and may even hear the distant sound of canons going off. Being located on a military base is a very unique feature and certainly presents a different feel when you first arrive at the Shilo Country Club.
GC: What do you think will challenge competitors the most?
DS: The trade winds at the Shilo CC are certainly a major factor. We have a short, tricky layout that demands precise tee shots on several holes. Our greens present a separate challenge as they are typically very quick and undulated. The key to scoring at the Shilo CC is primarily ball placement and controlling your short game around the greens. You don’t have to be a long ball hitter to play well here.
GC: Are there any significant holes or sections of the golf course that should provide excitement for the tournament?
DS: Holes 6 through 12 tagged “The Gauntlet” will certainly challenge the competitors. It’s the tightest and most narrow stretch of holes that demands extra focus and precise shot making. Our layout also finishes with back to back Par 5’s that can make it possible for a late charge.
GC: What does hosting an event like this do for your local community?
DS: The support from the local community has been fantastic. We have had several of our members and even some non-members volunteer to help during the championship. A local branch of the Cargill Company has donated some tee gifts for all of the juniors as well. It has been a team effort and we can’t thank our sponsors and volunteers enough.
GC: What sets your club apart from others in the area, in terms of both the
course and/or its membership?
DS: The Shilo Country Club is located on the C.F.B. Military Base, which certainly makes it unique and intriguing. We are a semi-private facility that has a membership made up of both military and civilian people, and our golf course is often recognized as the best manicured, while boasting the fastest greens in our area by far. The atmosphere is always fun and friendly at Shilo CC and we have a fantastic restaurant, RICK’s, in the clubhouse. RICK’s restaurant offers up pizza and pasta meals that are second to none.
GC: What does your club do to encourage and engage your junior membership each season?
DS: We are a very family oriented facility. We encourage junior golfers of all ages and often allow parents to bring their young ones along for a few shots or holes to help introduce them to the game. We have very reasonable junior membership rates and offer junior programs that help to attract some of the area’s best young golfers. Our team of Golf Professionals love working with juniors of all ages and skill. Our facility promotes junior CN Future Links programs and we really strive to “Grow the Game” in our area.
GC: Why is hosting this championship important to the club?
DS: It’s an honor to host this championship. It certainly brings our facility to the forefront in our area and we take pride in hosting large events like the CN Future Links Prairie Championship. To be selected as the host venue and to have the chance to watch the future stars of the game tee it up at your home club is very exciting and rewarding. We can’t wait to see how the competitors will manage our course and battle the prevailing winds.
GC: What is your club looking forward to the most in hosting this
championship?
DS: Meeting and greeting the young protégés and their families will be the highlight. Hosting an event like the CN Future Links Prairie Championship takes time, effort, and dedication from all of our staff and volunteers. We have all put a lot of hard work into this event and are looking forward to the week ahead. Seeing everyone come together and watch the championship unfold will be very fulfilling for our facility and our membership. We can’t wait to see the juniors challenge our course and enjoy the atmosphere at our club; it will be a memorable week for us for sure.