11-time golf champion wishes more women would enter competitions

A local golf champion would like to see more women competing in tournaments. 

Helen Funk recently captured her 11th Club championship on the senior women's side at the Steinbach Fly-In Golf Club. 

She says there are a lot of women playing the game but many of them choose not to enter competitions. 

“They’ll be playing but they’re always hesitant to play in a tournament,” says Funk. 

While she is not sure why that hesitation is there, Funk notes there is a lot more to golf than the numbers on your scorecard. 

“It doesn’t matter your score,” she says. “But that’s easy to say, right? It doesn’t matter. It’s the fun times (that matter). Just do it. And the more you do it, the more confidence you get.” 

To win the championship this year, the 78-year-old golfer shot an 86. 

“It wasn’t my best, but it wasn’t my worst either,” Funk says.

Helen Funk says her driving game is working really well this year. (Photo submitted)

She believes her drives are the best part of her game while her putting game is not as strong as it used to be. 

“Now, I have to try to get that back. But right now, it isn't there. That's where most of my strokes are.” 

While on the course, Funk says she has noticed there are more people picking up the sport of golf. 

“There are a lot of young women coming on board and I like to see that, also a lot of young men,” Funk says. 

Regardless of age, Funk says it’s always the right time to play the game. She first started hitting the course while in her 40s and then it picked up during her retirement years. 

For people considering taking up the game of golf, Funk offers her take on what is required to shoot well. 

“It’s a golfer's ability to stay mentally strong and focused. It can make a world of a difference.” 

-With files from Michelle Sawatzky