Deep field seeks Saskatoon Amateur title

One of Saskatoon’s summertime golf traditions is teeing it up this week at three different area courses.

The North Ridge Saskatoon Amateur, an annual gathering of elite male golfers, runs Saturday at Dakota Dunes, Sunday at Moon Lake and Monday at Riverside — giving golfers a wide variety of looks as they seek the title.

Here’s some things to know about the Saskatoon Amateur:

Jordan Arndt won last year’s event as a 20 year old, firing 69-67-70-206 over the three days, three strokes ahead of runner-up Troy Bulmer. Arndt will try to defend that title this weekend.

■ Luke Sheard is the tournament’s most decorated golfer, winning it a record four times. The last came in 2008, when he edged Jesse Gibson by one stroke.

■ Other multiple Amateur winners include Karl Parrington (three titles) and Colin Coben (twice).

■ Names to watch this weekend include Coben, a Saskatchewan Golf Hall of Fame inductee and the winner of this year’s senior Lobstick ... David Stewart, a past champion and a big hitter ... Kris Carley, who was tied for seventh after two rounds of the Canadian mid-amateur championship last year before fading ... 2008 provincial mid-amateur champion Brad Phelps ... this year’s Lobstick champion Greg Swenson ... this year’s Lobstick runner-up Shaun Dunphy.

The tournament also in- cludes an inter-club competition, with clubs entering four-man teams. Riverside won last year. Six clubs are squaring off in 2014.