Rod Sawatzky was one of the first people lucky enough to golf at The Legends when the Warman course opened in 2011. Now the Haque resident will be able to play the course for free as long as he chooses.
His name was drawn last week in the course’s lifetime membership fundraising lottery.
Sawatzsky works at the Warman Home Centre, he was active in the building of the club from day one and was given the opportunity to play on opening day. He is a member at the Valley Regional Park Golf Course near Rosthern but supports other clubs in the region.
“It’s part of giving back to the community,” Sawatzky said. “I’ve been on the golf course board at Valley Regional Park and know golf courses don’t make a tonne of money. When there is fundraisers I usually support.”
The 57-year-old said winning the lottery was a pleasant surprise.
“I was shocked first of all, I had just bought the ticket in the afternoon when Roy Bedient approached me. I was going to buy one and had forgotten about it. Roy came and asked me, so I bought it, I said make sure you pull the right name. He said, okay we will pull Roy Bedient. I laughed and said, okay,” he chuckled.
Sawatzky gets in about 50 rounds a year between Valley Regional, Emma Lake, and The Legends. He said he played Waskesiu and Elk Ridge a handful of times this past summer too. Now that he has a free lifetime membership he will frequent The Legends more in the upcoming years.
“I will definitely play it more,” he said. “This year I only played it four times; I have played it more in the past. I was busy this summer and life got in the way, but I will definitely play it more.”
This is the third year The Legends has held the fundraiser worth an approximate $50,000. This is the second time Sawatzky has purchased a ticket ands said despite winning this year he will likely purchase again to continue to give back.