Colby Friedrich made the jump to Men’s competitive golf this season with a bang at the Scotia Wealth Open, where pros are allowed to participate alongside competitors at the armature level, making it one of the top golf events in the province. (Submitted photo/Colby Friedrich)

By Martin Martinson

Down the Fairway

Local golfer Friedrich enjoying the moment in first year of Men’s competitive ranks

Jun 24, 2021 | 12:00 PM

For North Battleford’s Colby Friedrich, the golf course is never too far away during the spring and summer months.

Friedrich played his first tournament of season earlier this month, the Scotia Wealth Open at Evergreen Golf and Country Club in Nipawin, June 4-5. There he finished just a single shot back of the top 50 overall (in a pool of over 80), shooting a 158 over the two days.

For Friedrich, the tournament marked the official start of the next chapter in his competitive golf career. As a 19-year-old turning 20 later this fall, Friedrich made the jump to the Men’s ranks this season, after wrapping up his career at the Junior (U-19) level last year.

He said while there’s obviously been a bit of a learning curve, he’s been just trying to soak up as much as he can from the older field through the early going.

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“They just don’t make mistakes as often at that level, and there’s lots to take away from after playing around with some of those guys,” Friedrich said. “Probably the biggest thing at the men’s level is the mental part of the game. They really handle themselves well on the course after maybe a poor shot, and when they do miss, they’re missing in good spots where it doesn’t lead them into trouble.”

“I played a few men’s events as a junior, but this is my first year only doing men’s events, so I know quite a few of the guys already which makes it a lot easier [of a transition],” he added. “It will just take a bit to get used to a lot better golfers in the field than the junior event, though I’m sure my game will be up for it.”

Friedrich intends on playing four tournaments altogether this season.

He will return to action this weekend for the Saskatoon Men’s Amateur, June 26-27 in Saskatoon/Warman. Starting at the Dakota Dunes Golf Links Saturday, the final round will move locations to Warman’s Legends Club, Sunday. This weekend will also be the final competitive tournament ahead of provincials, July 6-9 in Swift Current.

“That’s obviously when you want your game to peak and be the best it can be, so I’m looking forward to it,” Friedrich said. “I thought I played really well [in Nipawin] to start the year, though my putter kind of let me down that weekend. Overall, I’m pretty happy just getting back into competitive golf and my game’s trending in the right direction so hopefully it can be a great weekend.”

Friedrich will then finish his season at home, at the North Battleford Golf and Country Club for the North Battleford Auto Dealers Northwest Amateur, Aug. 14-15, before heading off to University at Medicine Hat College this fall.

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1