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Golf legends test their skills at Timberwolf

BY SCOTT HUNTER HADDOW [email protected] Two of Canada?s all time legends of golf were in town this week to test their skills at the Timberwolf Golf Club during the Canadian PGA Seniors? Championships.
BY SCOTT HUNTER HADDOW

Two of Canada?s all time legends of golf were in town this week to test their skills at the Timberwolf Golf Club during the Canadian PGA Seniors? Championships.

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Al Balding, above, 71, and Bob Panasik, 61, competed in the Canadian PGA Seniors? Championships at Timberwolf Club on Maley Drive
Al Balding, 79, and Bob Panasik, 61 marveled at the Sudbury course.

?This course is so well done, it?s worth the trip from wherever you come from,? said Panasik. ?It has it all and the club even has the best practice range I?ve ever seen. You can practise many greens from different distances.?

Panasik compares Timberwolf to the best golf courses he has ever played on.

Panasik captured 10 Canadian National Titles. A six-time winner on the Canadian tour. Twice, he was Canada?s player of the year. Panasik also represented Canada in three World Cup events and played in 11 U.S. Open championships.

?If you?ve played where I?ve played, then you would know this course is every bit as good as any other course in the world.?

Panasik loves Sudbury?s black sulfur-stained rocks.

?The black rocks add to a beautiful scenery,? said Panasik. ?They?re unique, interesting and add to the course.?

This was Panasik?s first trip to the Nickel City but he will be back.

?All the people I?ve meet here have been great and made me feel like I am at home,? said Panasik. ?The hospitality here is second to none.?

For all aspiring golfers, Panasik has some sound advice to improve your game.

?When you?re learning to play you should spend 80 per cent of your time practising your shots from 40 yards and in,? said Panasik. ?The game of golf is all about closing and you can never have a good enough short game.?

Balding walked away from Timberwolf in awe.

?Talking about great golf courses in Canada, Timberwolf is one of them,? said Balding. ?The greens are as good as anywhere I?ve played. The practice area is a sight to behold. It?s an amazing package here for golf lovers.?

Balding has 10 Canadian tour titles to his credit He represented Canada in 12 World Cup Championships, winning in 1968. He has also played in 22 countries, winning tournaments in five of them. Balding is a member of the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame and Canadian Golf Hall of Fame.

Sam Yawney, owner of Timberwolf was proud to have the golf legends playing his sprawling course.

?It?s a big thrill to see these guys here playing the course,? said Yawney. ?Its tremendous exposure for
Timberwolf.?

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