Muskeg Press

I used to call myself the Last Bastion.

And perhaps I was – there until the bitter end, the day the Daily News closed down after 99 years. At the time, I had no idea what I was going to do, or whether I’d even be able to stay in Rupert. Things worked out – I stayed, and then a nice surprise arrived in my lap (or should I say laptop) – Muskeg News.

And then that Bastion ended too. Funny. I used to joke about the curse of the Chicago Cubs, or for anyone, for that matter, who happens to call Cleveland home (and don’t even get me started about the Canucks). But now, I can’t help wondering … is it me?

One thing I looked forward to every week at the Daily News was writing my sports column. It was the one time during the week I didn’t have to go 100 per cent local, although even occasionally in my column, I would remain local, sometimes even, controversial (Hockeyville anyone?). But when Muskeg started soaking my veins, the creative juices were nixed. Sort of. Oh yeah I could write a feature, and go all-magazine-like (or novella, as is the case of my last story regarding McMillan), but I was restricted to the boundaries of Kaien Island.

Only once was I allowed the freedom of writing a column, and that was in celebration of Santa.

And then all of a sudden, with yet another tombstone invading my screen-saver, Muskeg gives in, and allows me one final column. About anything sporty. Anything? But why bother? How can I predict something, or anything, when 48 hours from now, I may never write another sports story again?

Never you say? Yeah, never. Sportswriting is dead. Newspapers are almost Jurassic-like, and their sports sections (with the odd exception) are printed more out of spite than out of necessity. And unless you read the Province every day (but really, is that LOCAL sports? Nope, of course not), what newspaper actually gives a darn about sports anymore?

But over the past year, I have heard one common refrain from the average Rupertite – they miss local sports coverage. Clubs like the swim club, skating club, curling club, you name it – they feel like they’re invisible these days, and they struggle to get the word out about what they’re doing. It is tough, I understand that – it’s not just Rupert where this is occurring.

Yet, for a year with Muskeg, I was able to at least keep the beat alive. It wasn’t the wall-to-wall coverage the Daily News was able to deliver (and I’m talking about the entire history of the paper, not just my tenure there) when it came to local sports, but at least it was something. Rupert still had a pulse.

But what now? What will happen when endless Rainmaker teams (both male and female) start racking up provincial basketball banners left and right, now that we only have one high school? And what about other banners? I think a provincial banner could come as early as this November, with senior girls volleyball – fine Muskeg, there’s a prediction.

Want another? Our track and field team finally rips it up and takes the title away from Smithers, something that just hasn’t happened, ever (or at least not in recent memory). Or how about this: with one high school, the Rainmakers rugby team continues to strengthen, which eventually translates into a tournament victory for the Seaman.

Or how about this one? Somebody from the Rupert Rapids Club (I’m not singling anyone out, because this prediction could have multiple names attached to it) wins a medal at nationals. Check that – several medals. Meanwhile, our own Adrian Liu is off to the Olympics in London. I don’t know if he can duplicate the heroics of Hazelton’s Carol Hyunh from 2008, but a medal is possible for him too.

But it always comes back to basketball doesn’t it? And now that we have one high school, the Rainmakers will be on everyone’s radar, and somebody from here will one day head off and play Division I basketball in the NCAA. NBA? That dream is a lot closer thanks to the success of Steve Nash, and I would love to see that too. That dream may be a little tough.

And yet, what about the NHL? Wouldn’t that be ironic, a Rupertite making it to the dance? But there are two Rupertites who have outside shots at it as we speak – Devin Oakes and Frank Slubowski. I watched both of these players when they were dominating the ice at the peewee level, and it hasn’t stopped them yet.

As for major league sports’ predictions that Muskeg would finally allow in this final waltz, well, the Canucks will win the Cup before I die. I plan to live to the age of 80. That gives them…never mind. In all honesty, their best shot to win it is this year. The Northwest division is awful, and Detroit is fading. Boston won’t be as good this year, so if the ‘Nucks are ever going to hoist the Cup, 2012 has to be it (and it would be fitting, since the Mayans have always predicted the end of the world will come in 2012. So while we’re at it, maybe I should predict the Detroit Lions win the Super Bowl, and the Chicago Cubs win the 2012 World Series … nah. I’m not that crazy).

But here’s a prediction for you, speaking of the end of the world: remember that crazy religious zealot Camping? In 1994, he predicted the end of the world. The end never came. Then, the Canucks proceeded to lose Game 7 in the Stanley Cup Finals and the city rioted. But then, the B.C. Lions, in a year that nobody expected them to do it, won the Grey Cup on home turf – the last time any team, CFL or NFL, won the big prize in their home park.

Hm, sense a theme here? Camping, May 2011, predicts the end of the world. Doesn’t happen. Canucks then lose Game 7, and the city riots. The Lions then start the season 1-6, and … yup, you guessed it. Grey Cup is in Van-City this November, and the Lions will be hoisting it.

Other predictions? The Blue Jays pull an American League “one-off” and win the pennant in 2012. In retaliation, both the Yankees and Red Sox then sign all of their free agents during the 2012 off-season (see Tampa Bay, circa 2010). Meanwhile, teams like Pittsburgh and Kansas City continue to suck, and we won’t even mention those lovable Cubbies (besides, we did earlier, didn’t we?)

The NBA lock-out ends just in time to sneak a 50-game season in, and once again, Lebron chokes in the playoffs, this time to Oklahoma, against Kevin Durant who actually did the un-Lebron thing, and re-signed with the team that drafted him.

In football, the prophesy of Rich Jerstad (watch my Channel 10 show, North Coast Sports Talk, if you don’t know what I’m talking about – I know, shameless plug) comes true, as 6-10 wins the awful NFC West, and then, that team (likely Arizona) wins its first playoff game. But Green Bay repeats as Super Bowl champs (sorry Detroit and Buffalo fans).

Meanwhile, on the local front (hey I had to bring it all back eventually) the Rampage barely scrape by into the post-season, but pull off a first-round upset before succumbing in the second round.

As for yours truly? He sadly pushes his pen aside, and hopes his TV show grows enough in popularity that one day, maybe five years from now, he will once again get to write a sports column. Or maybe, by some strange miracle, the print media suddenly undergoes a Camping-like revelation and realizes that wait a minute – local sports coverage does matter! – and Witwicki can be happy again.

After all, like I said, I am the Last Bastion. Right?

~Written by Patrick “Last Bastion” Witwicki

Prince Rupert hockey fans will be served up a youth movement for the 2011-12 season.

It seems like only yesterday that Year Three of the Rampage was one to remember – a first place finish in their division, and their first-ever playoff series win over Hazelton. The season then derailed slightly with a 2-1 loss to Kitimat, but then came the Coy Cup where the Rampage was able to get important experience against the best talent the province has to offer.

But something changed during the off-season. Check that, an absolute overhaul, purely out of necessity, and fans might have some trouble recognizing this year’s edition, from top to bottom.

New coach and former Rampage defenceman Tom Jackson referred to it as “life happens,” as no other team in the CIHL has undergone as many changes as the Rupert squad. First off, Jackson takes over as head coach, as both Frank Pyde and Jerry Kurka stepped down after last season.

“Frank was going to be away for eight or nine weekends of the season,” said Jackson. “So Rob Millar and I were going to do it, but then his wife got a job in PG and he went with her.

“My first intention was to play, but for the betterment of the team, we needed a coach, so I’m going to do it.”

Indeed, the Rampage has lost a lot of depth up front. Millar was the league’s leading scorer last year, but in addition to Millar’s departure, former captain Colt Stava is also taking the year off.

“Thirty-goal scorers don’t grow on trees,” said Jackson. “Replacing Rob is impossible. And with Colt, it’s tough, because of everything he does. What will also hurt is what he is like with the community, he was always out there, doing everything.”

So right from the start of training camp, the message was rather clear.

“We lost our top five players going in, so to the young guys, here’s their chance,” he said.

Jackson got his first good look at this youth movement at an exhibition tournament over the weekend in Kitimat. Rupert lost 4-0 to Smithers Friday night, and then lost 8-2 to Terrace Saturday afternoon. The scores may appear troubling, but Jackson doesn’t agree. After all, most of their veterans that are returning weren’t available for the tournament, so the average age on the ice for Rupert was 22.

“Kitimat was awesome,” said Jackson. “We were excited with what we saw.”

While the losses at the forward position may make life difficult early on, Rupert has gained some speed at the back-end with the addition of Jacob Santurbano and Jean-Luc Fournier. Both players spent the last two seasons with Sicamous in the KIJHL, and their ability to move the puck quickly should help some of the problems that have plagued the Rampage during their first three years of existence.

“We have endless energy and speed,” said Jackson.

Indeed, the youthful additions does make the Rupert team faster, a trait that was sometimes exposed during games against speedy teams like Smithers and Williams Lake.

But at the end of the day, experience wins championships, and once again, the path to CIHL supremacy goes through Kitimat. The defending Coy Cup champs and Terrace make up the rest of the division. Meanwhile, the CIHL has gone to a three-division format, with Smithers, Houston and Hazelton in the East division, and Omenica, Williams Lake alongside newest league entries Quesnel and Lac La Hache in the brand new South division. The top two teams from each division will qualify for the post-season, while the final two seeds go to two wild card teams.

For Rupert to make sure they are still playing come playoff time, it means their youth will have to grow up pretty quickly, and preferably even as early as the opening game, which will take place this Saturday night in Kitimat.

“Realistically, we’re going to put in a system that works for us,” said Jackson. “So we’re not going to win them all, that just doesn’t happen, but we are going to be looking to win every night. And if we lose, we’ll take what we can from that game, and keep getting better.”

The Rampage home opener goes October 15 versus Terrace.

~Written by Patrick Witwicki

Third time’s a charm is a cliché. But for Mixed Martial Arts coach Kelly McMahon, he’s just happy saying that these days, considering how close he came to calling it quits and leaving town for good.

Instead, he’s hoping that his newest attempt at starting up a Mixed Martial Arts training facility inside the former Audio Vision store on Third Avenue West is where his dream finally becomes a reality.

“It’s supposed to open September 15,” said McMahon. “The mat’s laid down, and we have to flip a door around, but that’s about it.”

McMahon trains anyone interested in mixed martial arts, whether it’s with the intent to eventually compete, or simply for the knowledge, training, and physical aspect of the sport.

“I call it high stakes human chess,” he said. “You get all of the aspects of martial arts mixed together.”

Just two years ago, those aspects were looking pretty good. McMahon, who for years trained at Toshido in Kelowna, arrived in Prince Rupert intent on setting up his dream – coaching mixed martial arts. After all, it would only take an out-of-towner one UFC night to realize how popular the sport is in Prince Rupert, so he worked hard to open up his space on Third Avenue East, at that time, sharing a building with the Homecoming 2010 building.

“I started at the place on Third, but it was costing more than I was taking in,” he said. “Then when things got tight, there was a misunderstanding between me and the landlord, and then, I was looking for a place.”

That new place wound up being in the back of a buildin on Park Avenue. But unfortunately, the business license McMahon had attained when he was at Third Avenue East near Cow Bay was a bit of an albatross, because he required something as simple as a second door to appease the fire marshall. McMahon was still able to coach for a few months in the new location, then was suddenly given a 15-day notice to leave.

Frustrated at the turn of events, McMahon returned home to Kelowna for the summer, working odd jobs to earn back some of the coin he had lost, and plus, he went back to training at Toshido. Toshido, of course, was basking in the glory that one of their own – a former sparring partner of McMahon’s – Rory MacDonald, was ripping it up at the UFC, and in fact, he won his UFC 133 bout over Mike Pyle in impressive fashion. Even more excitement is building as the Canadian mixed martial arts specialist will be featured at UFC 140 in Toronto on December 10.

And McMahon was tempted to remain in Kelowna, but his core group of athletes in Rupert spent all summer emailing, messaging, and texting him, begging him to come back to Rupert and give it one more shot. After all, there were signs his training was working – a student of his, Shawn Stewart, went up to Whitehorse, Yukon, and joined a club there, and defeated his own coach.

“I wasn’t sure I was going to do it,” he said. “And the past two times, no one knew I was there.”

But he decided to roll the dice and venture back to the North Coast. And one fine rainy day, he was wandering along Third Avenue West, and noticed the lease sign in the old Audio Vision building.

“I saw a place on Third that I thought would be perfect,” he said. “It was just the luck of the draw, and instantly, the guys I had before said they’d be back.”

That includes Stewart, and the core group has jumped in with both feet to help McMahon try and reach the September 15 opening.

“I have a core number of guys, but I’m just hoping the numbers will turn out,” he said. “It’s a better deal than I had at the other places, and I’ve had a ton more interested than before just because where I’m located.”

He is also determined to finally get some of his athletes out there and competing. After all, he loves coaching, but naturally, he wouldn’t mind one bit seeing one of his athletes one day reach the UFC like MacDonald.

“This is the year we compete,” he said.

And besides, if anyone in Rupert can make this work, McMahon can, because, as he explains, he’s not in it for the money. “If I was looking to get rich, I’d be doing something else,” he said. “But I love doing it.”

For more info on his club call 250-600-5010.

~Written by Patrick Witwicki. Photo submitted

Every sport in every town can host an alumni game. Some our popular, some aren’t, and there are some that don’t seem necessary.

But then there are alumni games that mean something more. It’s not just history, it’s not just about nostalgia, and it’s not just about the future. And, it almost feels like a cult.

Rugby is one sport that fits that title. There’s something oddly romantic about one of the most brutal sports to play on earth in as pure form as it gets. The young who first play it are hooked. The old who used to play it just seem to want to keep coming back, even if the knee caps are screaming “no” with every scrum, and the shoulders are creaking after every tackle.

That’s why the annual Prince Rupert Seamen rugby alumni game has become so popular in just a short time. The old guard, led by Chris King and Co., keep un-retiring every year, it seems, just in time for the big game, only to suit up against their young whipper-snapper kids, like Austyn King, who seem to enjoy whipping past their forefathers for try after try.

And yet, even after a shellacking such as the one witnessed Saturday evening at Pattullo Field, the forefathers weren’t really all that upset, even when the young up-and-comers – the future of the Seamen, if you will – continued to talk smack well into the night Saturday at the after party.

“It feels so good, after what they did to us last year,” mentioned Rod Lawson, one of the “veterans” of the under-30 team that won Saturday’s contest, and bragging rights until 2012.

39-14 was the final, and if not for some close calls on the sidelines with a toe here, or a toe tapping the sideline there, it could have been worse. And yet, no one really seemed all that upset about it.

Prior to the game, the over-30s and under-30s agreed to play three 20-minute periods. An unusual schedule for a rugby contest, which is usually divided into halfs, and the over-30s probably felt confident that they would once again use that schedule to their advantage.

And it worked for one period, as the score was tied 7-7.

But that was as close at it got, as the under-30s, with many of the high school players on their squad, exploded with three consecutive tries in the second period to take command. Josh Pottle led the young team with two tries, while Lucien Nell may have scored the prettiest of the tries, as he deked out the over-30s backfield to score.

Andy Enns, who scored one of the over-30s tries, suggested that the family aspect of the game didn’t go as planned, as the young up-and-comers refrained from taking part in “between period” festivities.

“Between periods last year, we did boat races,” he said. “That’s supposed to the social part of the game, but this year it was no boat races until the end.”

Mike Archer scored the other try for the over-30s late in the contest to make the score more respectable.

The alumni game even has a habit of bringing ex-Rupertites together. In light of the very wet summer that has been pillaging the North this year, only Stuart Brown was able to make the annual trip home, but it’s a trip he doesn’t mind. After all, whenever the Seamen travel to tournaments, he joins them, even though he trains for most of the season with the Prince George Gnats.

“I’ve played for them when they’ve been short, and I practice with them, but that’s about it,” he said.

Brown, who as a professional wrestler is known as “The Mauler” and “Huge Heffner,” graduated in 1995 and left Rupert soon after. But once a Seamen, always a Seamen, and he is one of many ex-Rupertites who embraces the opportunity to suit up for the annual alumni game.

“I love playing with these guys,” said Brown.

Brown even took it upon himself to organize a skills competition this year, which played out earlier in the day. Enns won most of the competitive skills such as place kicking and the longest boot, but there were some pleasant surprises from the up-and-comers, such as Jesse Schaeffer winning the “back” course and Pottle winning the Up-and-Under competition.

In the end however, the highlight for everyone probably came after, as the young and the old bonded well into the evening, sharing a laugh, likely a song, and perhaps even a boat race. The winner of that event? Perhaps the Seamen will release that information at next year’s game.

Because you know they just can’t wait until the next one.

~Written by Patrick Witwicki

Rupertites are usually a hardy bunch, who play through any type of weather. That’s why a slo-pitch season can soldier on here on Kaien Island, where in other towns, even as close by as Terrace, weather such as Saturday’s at the Bob Hellyer Memorial Tournament would have cancelled everything.

But even the hardiest Rupertite has probably had enough when it comes to the summer of 2011. A cool July that only saw three full days without precipitation, followed by an August that could give the previous record for rainfall a run for its money has taken its toll on the Kaien Island Slo-pitch League (KISL) this summer. Many games have been rescheduled due to rain-outs, and in fact, many games still have yet to be made up, even though usually by this time of the year, the KISL regular season has long been over.

KISL Vice-President Steve Eso agrees that even the die-hards have had it tough in 2011.

“There were two big factors at play this season,” he said. “First off, the Canucks went deep in the playoffs, so no one would play when the Canucks were playing.

“And then, the weather has been so bad, teams just haven’t been playing.”

The fields have been bowled over against Mother Nature’s wrath too.

“The other bad thing, is the weather has been so bad we haven’t been able to get out and maintain the fields,” said Eso. “Early on, the fields were in great condition, but now they’re just deteriorating.”

Even still, the KISL scheduled the annual Bob Hellyer memorial tournament for last weekend. Hellyer was an important component of the KISL when he was alive, so every year the KISL goes out of its way to hold a tournament in his name, but the weather doesn’t always agree.

“I think Seafest last year and Bob Hellyer three years ago were pretty close, but this year was the worst conditions I’ve ever played in,” said Eso, who has been involved in the KISL since 1997.

Only four teams signed up for the tournament, and when Sunday’s action came to a soggy end, Ball-Deep, Steve Joseph’s team, won the final over Chris “Slim” Roberts’ (pictured above) Chances team.

But Eso was quick to point out that it wasn’t a fear of the weather forecast that kept the tournament’s numbers down. Instead, it was just timing.

“Lots of players wanted to play, but the team reps either didn’t want to do it, or they were out of town,” said Eso.

He added that at least two teams from Rupert will make the annual trip along Highway 16 to the popular Telkwa Labour Day slo-pitch tournament.

Following that weekend, the KISL playoffs are expected to get underway, perhaps as early as Thursday, September 8. The Leftovers, who have only lost one regular season game all season, sit at the top of Division A. They are joined by Chances, the S.O.B.s, the Crest Angels, and Frank’s Auto.

“Going into the playoffs, I would say the Leftovers are probably the odds-on favourite to win it,” said Eso.

The so called cusp team, Adventure Paving, is firmly entrenched in sixth place. But the KISL decided that they were much closer to seventh than fifth, and will therefore head up the Division B playoffs. Joining them in the B-flight are Eso’s Moose Isotopes, Entire, Northern Breeze, Planet Youth, and Johnny B’s.

The Farmer’s Almanac is predicting an improved September, although there are probably KISL players who can’t imagine the weather getting any worse. And even if they’re wrong, Eso doesn’t see anything changing – the games will go on.

“It is what it is,” he said. “I’m not going to let the weather get me down, and it’s not going to stop us from playing ball.”

~Words & picture by Patrick Witwicki

One of the wettest Northwest summers in recent memory is finally ready to heat up.

Or at least, that’s what everyone is hoping.

Typically, August is the premier month in the Northwest when it comes to drag racing. Everything roars into life August long weekend (although technically, this year, it actually starts in July) with the Terrace “Hot August Nights” Drags that coincides with RiverBoat Days, followed by the ¼ mile Houston Drags August 19-21.

Usually, Hot August Nights live up to a “hot” billing, as typically, that is the one weekend on Terrace’s drag racing calendar where they never really have to worry about potential rain-outs. Even drizzle in the morning usually just means that the drag racing will be delayed until the afternoon.

Perhaps as an ominous sign of things to come, the drag racing season lost its first weather battle Canada Day weekend in Kitimat, as for the first time ever, the entire weekend was scrapped because of a rain-out. And as the very wet July comes to a close in 2011, organizers in both Terrace and Houston can’t help but feel rather nervous, as that trend looks perilously like it will continue.

“We are always concerned about safety,” said Chris Colborne, Terrace Drags Executive. “We don’t even want to talk about the weather right now.”

Prince Rupert, for example, has only had three days this entire month where there hasn’t been at least some rainfall (and that was two weeks ago), and Terrace isn’t far off that mark either. And then there’s Houston, one of the Northwest towns along the Bulkley River that has been worried about the rising river for the past two months as the rain just won’t stop.

“This year is going to be a challenge,” said John Lombardi, Houston Drags coordinator. “We’re just hoping and praying the weather cooperates.”

Rain-outs would be very disappointing, but organizers emphasize safety. So if the track is wet, racing just won’t happen. Obviously, they would hate to cancel the upcoming events, but that’s better than the alternative – horrible accidents due to a slippery track.

“It doesn’t have to be sunny, just dry,” said Lombardi.

Colborne added: “Say it’s raining in the morning, but if it dries in the afternoon, we’re racing.”

Still, organizers from both events have their fingers crossed, and they should. Because the events are considered the premier racing events of the season, they bring in big names for the fans.

Terrace, for example, has been bringing a special car to their event for years. For example, one year they brought up a jet track car – a vehicle that can do the 1/8 mile in less than six seconds. Then, the following year, they brought up a wheel-stander to wow the crowd.

This year, two jet vehicles are on the docket, and even more entertaining is the fact that one of the men bringing them to Terrace is aptly named: Kevin Terris. Oh, and he’s from Humboldt, Saskatchewan – the community that came second place to Terrace in Hockeyville voting back in 2009.

“We try to step up this event as much as we can,” said Colborne.

Every season, the Terrace Drags actually hosts four events, but the one at the top of everyone’s list always happens to be Hot August Nights.

“Normal events, we see 60 cars, but for this one, typically, we see 100,” said Colborne. “So we also have more cash prizes.”

Racing is scheduled to take place at the Terrace/Kitimat airport all day Sunday (July 31) and Monday (August 1) with a big party scheduled for those who camp up there Sunday night. Interestingly enough, it will be Prince Rupert’s Triple Bypass playing the party.

But even though it’s “the Terrace Drags,” Colborne is quick to point out that the races are regional events, since competitors primarily come in from the region’s closest towns – Smithers, Kitimat, Rupert, Hazelton, and of course, Houston.

“We do a bbq every year for the racers and their families, and usually, one town in our region hosts it,” said Colborne. “This year, Terrace is hosting.”

Meanwhile, Houston also has something special planned for 2011. Again, weather pending.

The Northwest Door Slammers Association out of Edmonton happen to have cars, known as “Outlaw Racers,” that can pull off a ¼ mile in six seconds flat. It’s a crowd pleaser, and this year, Houston has four of those vehicles coming to town when the Houston Drags take place August 19-21.

“We’re hoping to have them make some entertaining passes,” said Lombardi.  “We’ve agreed to bring them out here as headliner of the event.”

It’s the fourth year in a row that Houston is bringing some top-line entertainment for the three-day racing extravaganza, and like Terrace, the event draws competitors from all over northern B.C., and sometimes as far away as Edmonton in one direction, and Ketchikan, Alaska in the other.

With all of those out-of-towners set on racing, and the potential big crowds, again, organizers are looking for about as opposite a rain dance as one can find. It’s become so gloomy looking that the talk is now focused on hoping for just one day of racing – scary, when Houston’s event is scheduled for three days.

Terrace, of course, always schedules in a rain-out weekend, but rarely have they had to make up time from the August long weekend which is traditionally good weather for the region.

“Historically, the weather has held out,” said Colborne. “Riverboat Days always seems to pan out.”

But Houston doesn’t have that luxury or the possibility of rescheduling due to the fact they run the event at the Houston airport, and Lombardi fears a potential repeat of what transpired in 1998 – or even worse.

“1998 was probably the most dismal,” he said. “It pissed down Friday night, then we got a couple hours in Saturday, and then it rained all day Sunday, and we had to refund everyone’s money.

“If it’s a wash-out, well, there’s nothing we can do.”

Strangely enough though, 1998 was an El Nino year, which typically leads to drier and warmer conditions in the Northwest. 2010, for example, the entire province east of Prince Rupert was under an outright campfire ban as barely a drop of rain fell all summer.

But in 2011, La Nina has kept the Northwest in endless spring mode – April showers are now well into month No. 4 of non-stop wetness.

At the end of the day, considering everything that is on the line for drag racing here in the Northwest over the next month, even those who are far from religious are probably looking to the heavens.

“If it’s not dry, it’s not possible,” said Colborne.

Lombardi added: “If we have a rain-out, so be it, but we’re just going to keep hoping the weather goes our way.”

Hot August Nights run all day July 31 and August 1, while the Houston Drags run late Friday afternoon into the evening and all day Saturday and Sunday August 19-21.

~Written by Patrick Witwicki. Photo submitted

The economics of the Northwest tend to make summer holidays rather difficult. To go anywhere, really, costs a lot of money, a lot more than someone who lives in a big city like Vancouver, Kelowna, or even Prince George.

Those who enjoy the sport of golf, for example, would probably dream right now of heading anywhere sunny to get in as many holes as possible, but again, the resounding “ka-ching” can easily put an end to that dream.

But the reality is, amazing golf actually exists right here, close to home. Instead of shelling out thousands to head out on that dream golf trip, why not go for the next-best thing – a golf tour of the Northwest?

Really, the only additional requirement (especially in light of this year’s excessively wet spring and cool summer) is bug spray, tucked neatly in your bag of golf clubs, and you’re ready to go.

But what is the allure of all these Northwest golf courses? As it turns out, quite a bit, and some are quite surprising.

Smithers Golf and Country Club

The Highway 16 Northwest golf tour begins in the Bulkley Valley. This par-72 golf course is actually perched right next to Highway 16, so even an old Pinto can find its way to this pristine beaut. Smithers has a tendency to possess the driest of the golf courses, due to its climate, which makes the approach shot a lot different than say trying to place it on the green in Rupert.

But not in 2011. Thanks to the weather, Smithers is just as lush as any other Northwestern golf course.

“It’s unbelievable right now,” said Smithers golf pro Chris Herkel. “Having this moisture keeps the course green and fresh.”

Herkel adds that one of the main attractions of the course is the surrounding scenery. The course has both Hudson Bay Mountain and the glacier as its back-drop, and as mentioned, the beauty of the course can even be captured on the drive-by along Highway 16.

“It captures your eye,” said Herkel. “And the glacier is right there.”

Signature hole: Without a doubt, it’s No. 9. For sentimental reasons, but also, it is the pinnacle of what a golfer can enjoy at the Smithers course.

“For a lot of people, it’s No. 9,” said Herkel. “It’s a par 3, but at one time, it was the hardest hole. Plus, it’s over the water, and there’s that one big tree. Take that tree away, and it would be a lot different.”

And if Herkel decided to do a Northwest golf tour, which other golf course would be at the top of his list?

“Terrace,” he said. “It’s very challenging, and I enjoy the layout.”

Skeena Valley Golf & Country Club

Next up on the Highway 16 tour is a stopover in Thornhill for some true golf on the hillside. It is also a par-72, and with the various dips and rises with each hole, it’s a challenging course, but can also provide one with many highlights.

Terrace too can sometimes endure some difficult course conditions with dry weather, but as mentioned, that hasn’t been an issue in 2011.

“Because of all the rain, the whole golf course is green,” said Germain Francoeur, Skeena Valley golf pro.

Francoeur is one who would definitely be intrigued by a Northwest golf tour. He is new to the area, but he has already fallen in love with what the Northwest can offer its golfers that crowded conditions down south can’t: unparalleled natural scenery.

“It’s the views,” he said. “Where we’re located, the view from the clubhouse is amazing.”

Meanwhile, Francoeur hasn’t had a chance to try many of the other golf courses in the Northwest, but so far, out of Hirsch Creek in Kitimat, and the Centennial in Rupert, the North Coast gets his seal of approval.

Hirsch Creek Golf and Winter Club

The Highway 16 trip now takes a 45 minute detour down Highway 37 to Kitimat. And yes, if golf what you seek, the detour is definitely worth it.

Locally, Prince Rupert’s Moe Hays refers to Kitimat’s course as the “old nine” and “new nine,” and this rings true for Hirsch Creek. The first nine holes are fairly close to the clubhouse, and present a great way to get warmed up for the day when the real challenge begins: the back nine, which heads into the woods and the resounding scenery that makes this par-71 course worth a try.

“It’s all about shot value,” said pro shop manager Jamie Moran. “It’s tree-lined, you’ve got the mountain backdrop, and the golf course is pristine.

“People are blown away that we have this.”

Again, the rainy spring and summer has also helped the golf course continue this latest Northwest trend: incredible conditions.

“This is the best it has ever been,” said Moran. “Despite all the rain, it’s still pretty green out there.”

Signature hole: Without a doubt, it’s No. 11. Everything that makes Hirsch Creek a destination golf course is on display at this hole.

“You’re elevated 200 feet above the fairway,” said Moran. “It’s a pretty spot, and it’s one of the holes that’s good for the ego.”

As for a local golf road trip for Moran, Smithers is the one circled on his to-do list.

“I like them all, but the one I enjoy playing the most is Smithers,” he said. “It’s the difference in the holes, and the greens are usually good.”

Centennial Golf Course, Rupert

The Highway 16 trip ends (or begins) where it started – Prince Rupert. The Centennial is the one golf course in the Northwest that has one obvious advantage over all the others: it is always open on time in the spring (2007 notwithstanding) regardless of the weather conditions, and in fact, some years, like in 2010, it can remain open all winter long.

But that natural rain landscape can sometimes play havoc as well with any golfer. For example, golfers who are used to getting a favourable bounce onto the green might be surprised when their ball simply sticks upon contact with the ground.

And the course is also unforgiving. A missed shot, which could mean a simple penalty stroke or some deep hacking from the rough on other courses, usually leads to dropping another ball in Rupert. Without a doubt, it’s a difficult par-70.

And yet, that scenery and detachment from the rest of the world is what makes the Centennial unique.

“It’s a beautiful golf course unlike any other,” said pro shop manager Moe Hays. “Most people nowadays play on a contrived golf course down south.

“But here, you have lots of changes in elevation and scenery. When nature is at its best, the conditions are immaculate.”

Signature hole: Everyone seems to love a good view, so not surprisingly, No. 6 is at the top of faves at the Centennial.

“You have the elevated tee, and you’re hitting towards the mountains,” said Hays. He added that No. 18, as a finishing hole, is notable because it is one of the tougher No. 18s in the Northwest. A golfer can end his round feeling good … or feeling rather bad.

That said, a golf trip can definitely feel good along Highway 16, and Hays likes both Kitimat and Terrace when it comes to out-of-town golf.

“I like the enjoyment at both, but I give the slightest edge to Terrace because it’s closer,” he said.

~Written by Patrick Witwicki

You can take the fight out of Rupert, but not Rupert out of the fight.

It’s an expression that many Rupertites may not consider off the cuff, but upon further thought, they may realize it holds true. Rupert, the small town on the North Coast that those from the big city seem to forget. Rupert, where athletes growing up have to fight just to get noticed, regardless of the sport.

Scouts don’t make their way up here, even if they might happen to hear about it. Most Rupert athletes, if they truly want to get somewhere with their sport, likely have to leave town before they finish high school. Most don’t, because, hey, it’s Rupert, and really, who would want to leave?

In the sport of hockey however, fighting to get noticed, so it seems, is literal, not figurative. Years ago, that was the case with Mike Kiesman, and then soon after, Robin Gomez. Two great Rupert hockey players who 50 kilometres east of here were virtually unknowns, and yet they were able to battle their way onto Western Hockey League clubs with both arms swinging.

And in both cases, these two hockey players were considered important role players for their team. No, they wouldn’t be expected to light the lamp on a power play, but would be expected to check the other team’s top line, kill penalties, and – oh yeah, drop the gloves at any given notice.

So it shouldn’t surprise any that the latest addition to that list is Brock Ward, who is currently getting prepared for his third season of junior B hockey in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL), with the Creston Valley Thundercats.

During the 2010-11 season, his first real season of junior B hockey after spending much of the 2009-10 on injured reserve due to his shoulder, he potted six goals and nine assists in 45 games, despite playing most of the year on the third line, a.k.a., the checking line.

“The last season was unbelievable,” he said. “I had a lot more ice time, better on face offs, and always first unit penalty kill.”

But the other stat is hard to miss, as he led his team in penalty minutes – 199 in total. Ward claims he only lost one fight all year, so perhaps the KIJHL heavyweight belt is now in his name. But this stat might have the casual Rupert hockey fan scratching his head, because Ward didn’t have the reputation as a fighter during his years of minor hockey here in town.

That said, he did have a reputation of getting under the skin of opposing players, and his former foes from Terrace and Kitimat might be wishing that fight scorecard of his wasn’t impressive. After all, Kevin Kilar, during Ward’s first year of midget rep hockey, referred to Ward as a “rat,” but in a positive way, like a Ken Linseman or more recently, a Brad Marchand – a pest, who can score, and if needed, drop the gloves.

The thing is, because of his talent around the net during those minor hockey years, it was usually his teammates stepping in to fight, as they needed Ward to remain in the game.

“Yeah, I was an offensive guy in minor hockey,” said Ward, although he added that his ongoing shoulder problem made him more of a defensive specialist in his final year with Rupert.

But he also points out an interesting fact that many just take for granted. Ward, it turns out, wasn’t that interested in fighting during minor hockey because of the full cage. But in junior hockey, the cage comes off, and the potential for toe-to-toe bouts are more common.

“There’s not a lot of fighting in minor hockey because of the full cage,” he said. “Yeah, there are scrums and face-washes, and I guess more kids are fighting coming up because they want to prove themselves.”

For Ward, the 2010-11 season was all the proof he needed.

The road to success wasn’t an easy one however. Ward initially attended a try-out for the Quesnel Millionaires of the BCHL (junior A) back in the summer of 2009, and was on Fernie’s (KIJHL) roster, but it didn’t look like he’d get a lot of playing time.

Creston Valley coach Joe Martin, however, saw Ward at the Quesnel camp, and decided he wanted a player with that type of grit on his team, and he made a trade for him. Unfortunately, Ward’s shoulder got the best of him, and he missed the majority of the season after surgery to repair it.

2010-11 was a different story however. Ward’s shoulder was healed, and he was ready to go.

“I probably would’ve fought a lot more my first year, but my shoulder was injured,” he said. “But now I was able to fight without my shoulder popping out, and I was starting to get my hands back. I could shoot the puck again.”

And like most role players, Ward came up big when it counted. Even though he only scored six goals during the regular season, two of them were game-winners.

And then came the 2011 playoffs, round one versus Golden.

The series was tied 1-1 heading back to Golden, and the Thundercats were looking like kittens after the first two periods of Game 3. They went into the third period trailing 2-0, and yet managed to fight back to tie it at 2-2 and force overtime.

That set the stage perfectly for what Ward considers his favourite highlight so far of his junior hockey career.

“It was the turning of the tide,” he said. “I got the puck, came in, and scored on a slap shot. I got the OT winner, and we never looked back.”

Not surprisingly, that led to another expected event in Game 4. With Creston Valley up by two goals and cruising to a 3-1 series lead, Ward dropped the gloves and fought a Golden player. As it turns out, that was one of the only fights of the entire KIJHL playoffs, and yet, Ward knows it was an important moment in that series to ensure that Golden was not going to be coming back any time soon.

Creston Valley won the series 4-2, and then moved on to face Fernie. In 2009-10, the dominant Fernie team had swept the Thundercats 4-0, but this time around, the series went the distance.

“We could’ve gone a lot further,” said Ward.

His team lost 3-1 in Game 7, and the off-season had arrived with changes looming. After all, the Thundercats went with eight 19-year-olds last season, but can only dress four 20-year-olds per season, with Ward pencilled in as one of those players.

Plus, Martin has moved on to an assistant coach position with Merritt in the BCHL.

“This team coming back will look a lot different,” said Ward. “Right away we’ll have to pull the guys together.”

After all, Ward would love nothing more than to win a championship in his final year of junior hockey eligibility, and no matter what, the Thundercats will be expecting even more from their character guy.

And there will be even more incentive in 2011: his younger brother Jaiden, another role player who can suit up on defence or forward, has been signed by the Thundercats.

But there’s a good possibility Jaiden won’t have to follow in his brother’s footsteps and drop the gloves. Because Brock Ward is already there, waiting to answer the bell.

“There are a lot of guys coming after me,” said Ward, with an obvious ring to his voice.

Rupert wouldn’t have it any other way.

~Written by Patrick Witwicki

Saving sports in town, one fundraiser at a time.

An overstatement, perhaps, but if one sentence could be written about the past 12 months as it pertains to the Prince Rupert Rampage, maybe it’s as simple as saying one’s reputation can mean a lot when it comes to local fundraisers.

After all, let’s be honest – the economy on the North Coast has been struggling for nearly a decade, and with it, various sports in town have seen a decline, or in some cases, have simply folded. The bowling alley closed down more than three years ago, and in recent years, the curling club has also struggled to hang on.

Also on that list, but an entity locals tend to forget about during the long winter months, is the Centennial Golf Course, but the smallest hint that the sport of golf was only for the middle to upper-class of Canadian payrolls has finally begun to change, especially in the past 12 months.

Really, it all started a year ago. After all, it is a known fact that once hockey season over, hockey players tee off, and the local Rampage are no different. So, when the players decided a great way to host a summer fundraiser was to host a golf scramble at the Centennial, they weren’t sure how many outside of their Rampage family would sign up for a chance to play for some pretty good prizes.

The result however was stunning, as the scramble was completely full three days prior to the event, and the money raised neared the $10,000 mark.

“It was one of those things that when you put it together, you just hope you have a good turn-out,” said this year’s organizer, Brett Stava, a forward with the Rampage since day one. “But definitely, it exceeded expectations.”

Scramble No. 2 obviously was then a no-brainer, and that will take place this Saturday, July 9.

But it wasn’t just the money raised that had people excited. Pro shop manager Moe Hays, who for years has been hoping for some type of resurgence at his golf course in a far-from-resurgent economy, could not stop smiling during last year’s event, as there were a lot of first-time golfers giving the game a whirl, and other young adults under 30 also competing in the scramble.

According to Hays, many of those first-time golfers have continued to show up and golf. A handful became members, while others simply choose to show up and play nine or 18 holes whenever the sun comes out.

It also led to the Rampage deciding to join up with the Centennial Golf Course and host a junior program this past spring, which has played a role in youth realizing that golf isn’t such a boring game after all.

“It is something to do,” said Stava. “To get out there, it’s good exercise, and with people getting out there and seeing it, you sort of get that bug.

“It’s like fishing. You get out there once or twice, and suddenly, you get hooked on it.”

That hook has meant that the second annual scramble is filling up even quicker than a year before. At press-time, around 30 teams have officially signed up, with 40 being the maximum. Teams are allowed up to five players this year, whereas last year, the scramble consisted of four-player teams (men, women, or co-ed.)

Last year, of course, was played out under sunny skies. That helped obviously add to the enjoyment of the day, and perhaps has made it easier for organizers to fill this year’s bracket, despite the fact the weather of the past week probably has people thinking about October, and not the beginning of summer holidays.

Stava though is quick to point out that the weather didn’t play a role whatsoever in last year’s scramble.

“The first one was booked solid with three days to go,” he said. “But most of the time, you have 30 days in a month, and really, there’s only one bad day.

“So maybe it’s a good thing that we’re getting this now.”

As fundraisers go, the Rampage are expecting similar numbers from a year ago. After all, they have had some great success raising money this past year. First off, they managed to raise funds to help build a media booth inside the Jim Ciccone Civic Centre, and then, they held both their New Year’s party and year-end celebration at the Curling Club, with funds going to help the Curling Club remain in existence.

Last year’s funds went to Charlotte Rowse and Civic Pride.

But this year, it seemed only right to do the same with this year’s fundraiser, as the monies raised will be put back into the golf course.

“It just makes sense,” said Stava, adding that he and the Rampage would hate to see another sport venue in town close down. Putting back into the community via a scramble, for example, is just one way to ensure that doesn’t happen.

~Written by Patrick Witwicki

The month of June belonged to the Holkestads.

Brian Holkestad put an exclamation mark on what was an incredible month for the couple, as he won the Vic Marion Seniors Open on Sunday thanks to a two-day aggregate of 146. It wasn’t even close, as he won by nine strokes over the closest competition.

That added to the trophies on the Holkestad’s mantelpiece, as earlier this month at the Ladies Jubilee, Rose Holkestad had little trouble keeping the competition at bay, winning the title.

“That’s what I call the honour roll for June,” said pro shop manager Moe Hays.

Another year of Jubilee tournaments have come and gone, and while there were never a lack of stories coming out of the clubhouse in 2011, none were as big as what transpired during the Men’s Jubilee, when a 16-year-old phenom out of Kitimat won the whole thing thanks a low-gross of 213.

Dylan Kerbrat, who in 2010 won the Prince Rupert Junior Jubilee as a 15-year-old, had never shot better than a 76 (six-over-par) at the Centennial course, but during the three-day tournament he was right on par, shooting  70, 71, and 72. Still, going into Sunday’s final round, there were three other competitors biting at his heels, including former PGA golfer Mike Walters.

Another golfer from Kitimat, Steve Venman, was desperately seeking his first Jubilee title. He had been close so many times, and he went into the final round neck-and-neck with Kerbrat, but fell apart on the final nine holes, winding up with a 77 on the day, and out of the running. Walters meanwhile finished up in third place.

Walters, of course, is married to one of Rupert’s most decorated athletes, Lisa Walters, who won four LPGA events during her career before retiring from the sport due to injury. For years, Walters had been trying to convince her husband to come visit her hometown, and finally, in 2011, she convinced him, and by all accounts, he can’t wait to come back and visit again.

Hays however is adamant that the biggest story from the month of June was the teenaged dream from Kitimat. After all, Kerbrat was the youngest Men’s Jubilee champ in the tournament’s history.

“The young guy winning the Jubilee, and Brian’s scores, those were the highlights,” said Hays.

The Vic Marion Seniors Open Ladies champion wound up being Kim Croot from Terrace. It turned into a battle between her and Rupert’s Janet Sheppard, but Croot was able to hang on for the win Sunday afternoon.

That said, Hays had a bit of a smile on his face when he explained what he thought the other story of the weekend was.

“Pam Hays had the lead after the first day,” he said. “But she had a disastrous second day, and she didn’t even get up to the prize table.”

Up to three prizes in each flight are usually awarded at the Jubilee, so it was quite the fall from grace for Saturday’s leader.

In the end however, the true winner might have been every single person who golfed in the various Jubilees, as the weather behaved itself for every single event. Only once did it rain, and for the most part, golfers were able to compete in the Jubilees under sunny skies.

“Only those who golfed in the late afternoon on the Friday of the Men’s Jubilee saw rain,” said Hays. “The story has to be how great the course is.”

Next up is the Prince Rupert Rampage scramble set for July 9.

~Written by Patrick Witwicki. File photo