Spencer shot a 71 in the second and final round May 30 to win the tournament by four strokes.

ESTEVAN — For the second time in three years, Mark Spencer is the champion of the 36-hole competition at the Estevan Oilfield Technical Society’s (OTS) Oilmen’s Golf Tournament.

Spencer shot a 1-under-par 71 in the second round to win the 36-hole event by four strokes over Payden Benning, who fired a 75. Brock Simpson was third at 78 and Jayson Fenwick was fourth with a 79.

They were the only four golfers in the championship flight to shoot below 80 on what was a blustery day in Estevan.

Spencer birdied the 11th, 13th and 18th holes to pull away on the back nine. He said he kept the ball in play and under the wind, while playing in some good groups that allowed him to have fun.

“It was hard. It was really windy yesterday [May 29],” he said.

Spencer was impressed with the course conditions, praising the staff for their efforts following the conditions during the winter and the first two months of the spring.

“I’m so thankful for Bob [superintendent Bob Currie] and his staff, Alanah [interim general manager Alanah Wollner] and her staff, and Tracey [food and beverage manager Tracey Tuchscherer] and her staff. We’re so lucky.”

He also dedicated the win to Amanda Minchin, the course’s general manager and head professional who died May 27 after a battle with cancer. Spencer is the golf course’s president and was one of Minchin’s many friends at the golf course. 

“We all miss her and love her so much, and wish she was here,” he said. 

As part of the tournament’s rules, golfers in the 36-hole competition played their first 18 holes May 28 or 29, which decided the flights. Nolan Rohatyn had the low score during the first two days with a 72. The score in the second 18-hole round May 30 determined the tournament’s champion and flight winners.

Ryan Stovin won the first flight with a 71, matching Spencer’s winning score, but the tournament champion has to come from the championship flight. Nathan Bounds won the second flight with an 82 and Scott Sykes the third flight with a 79.

In the 36-hole legends division, which is for golfers 60 and older, Jim Larter won with an 81, while Tim Lequyer was second with an 83.

The tournament had 18-hole competitions for the men’s and the legends division as well, with golfers playing May 28 or 29.