Las Vegas is one of those places where people go to have fun.

The Yellowknife chapter of the Mediocre Golf Association (MGA) made the trip to Sin City for the big Mediocre event of the season, and they made sure they had fun. Legally, of course.

Eight golfers from the city took in the MGA World Championships, which wrapped up on Sunday. No one from the North won the world championship belt itself, which goes to the champion of the main event, but Ryan Sheppard did manage to be the lone Yellowknife golfer who finished in the double-digit range in the final standings. He ended up in 62nd place overall with a net 36-hole score of 191.

Sheppard said the golfing was great but the course was even better.

SA国际影视传媒淭hose folks do a great job keeping it in good shape for us,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淐ouple of hundred people each day and they keep it well organized.SA国际影视传媒�

Hughie Graham, Kevin Hewitt, Shaun Morris and Bob Ross were the other Yellowknifers in the main event. All finished well back.

There was a secondary tournament called the Born Hairy Tour, a play on the Korn Ferry Tour, the PGASA国际影视传媒檚 main developmental tour, with the other three Yellowknife competitors playing there: Justin Bailey, Winter Bailey and Jenni Bruce. Justin finished 18th overall with a score of 206. Winter had the same score but ended up placed 21st.

Morris, the Yellowknife chapterSA国际影视传媒檚 president, said the group of eight once again did Yellowknife proud.

SA国际影视传媒淓veryone is always amazed at how we do it each year, especially since our course closes a month before everything starts,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檙e easily the most sought-after group for people to talk to.SA国际影视传媒�

The courses in Las Vegas are made of grass and because the course in Yellowknife is made of sand, the transition can be tricky.

Morris said the group always tries to get in a couple of practice rounds before everything gets going but itSA国际影视传媒檚 still tough to adjust.

While no one from Yellowknife earned a solo title, there was team glory for Ross. Because of his standing on the World Money List, Ross was invited to play in whatSA国际影视传媒檚 called the Medio Cup, the MGASA国际影视传媒檚 version of the Ryder Cup team tournament.

It pits 10 players from the World Money List against 10 players from the San Francisco chapter SA国际影视传媒� the original MGA group SA国际影视传媒� in a series of head-to-head contests conducted under match play rules. ThatSA国际影视传媒檚 where players win holes based on the score of each hole as opposed to traditional stroke play rules. Each match won is worth one point toward a teamSA国际影视传媒檚 final total.

Ross lost his head-to-head match, but Team World ended up on top overall, giving Ross a medal.

SA国际影视传媒淲e got something out of it for Yellowknife,SA国际影视传媒� said Morris.

The world championships resumed play this year after the 2020 event was cancelled due to Covid-19. Morris said the return was a welcome one for everyone involved.

SA国际影视传媒淵ou meet so many great people every year,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淭hereSA国际影视传媒檚 that box you have to check for why youSA国际影视传媒檙e making the trip and I checked family reunion because itSA国际影视传媒檚 like catching up with your family. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 the spirit of the whole thing SA国际影视传媒� the golf is secondary because youSA国际影视传媒檙e around good people and they become your friends.SA国际影视传媒�

Sheppard echoed that sentiment.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 my third time playing in it and it gets better every year,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 great to see old faces and people look forward to us being there. We have the reputation of being a group of guys who love to have fun.SA国际影视传媒�

There was even some tourism sales pitches, he added.

SA国际影视传媒淭here was lots of talk about coming up for the Midnight Classic (in Yellowknife),SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淭hat perked them up when they heard what itSA国际影视传媒檚 all about.SA国际影视传媒�

Graham also had some words about what going back to play meant to him personally.

SA国际影视传媒淭he MGA has become a big part of my life,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淥ur Yellowknife chapter continues to evolve and new members (are) experiencing the amazing time that is the world championship. ISA国际影视传媒檓 filled with a sense of awe. Who knew we would have this many friends spread out through the U.S. that I just canSA国际影视传媒檛 wait to see in person every year?SA国际影视传媒�

Sheppard also made sure people knew that Morris and Graham are the driving forces behind the Yellowknife chapter.

SA国际影视传媒淭hose guys are awesome,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淭he effort those two put in is amazing and they make it so easy to play and be a part of it all.SA国际影视传媒�