"Obviously you're not a golfer."Though the quote from The Big Lebowski refers to an individual unfamiliar with bowling, the line could have been used Oct. 8 at the 2nd Annual Rope and Stroke Tournament. The unique event brings together golfers and cowboys for steer roping followed by a round on the golf course. Scores from both events are combined to declare a winner. Teams are randomly drawn, leaving open that possiblity that two golfers could be mounting a horse and swinging a rope with little to no training while two cowboys may end up together on the links, learning that golf clubs swing differently than cattle prods.
"So awesome to get golfers on horses and cowboys swinging clubs!" enthused Sunnyside Golf and Country Club manager - and tournament co-founder with Myron Malnaa of Valley Ridge Runners Saddke Club - Andy Newton. Newton was sporting his championship belt buckle from last year's tournament. He and Malnaa won the inaugural event. "Combining two groups of people that normally don't associate with each other was a blast! So many laughs and new friendships made is by far the best part of this tournament!"
The 2022 tournament featured 20 contestants on 10 teams, doubling the numbers from the first year.
Malana retained his bragging rights, taking the 2022 title with new partner Shane Rhoads. The two are not unfamiliar faces at Sunnyside, having put in some times on the greens when not saddling up. Rod Archambeault and Jake Newton took second place. Laynee Simpson and Tyler Malnaa claimed third. Simpson is well known in both high school golf and rodeo circles, bridging the worlds of golf and and rodeo long before the launch of Sunnyside and Ridge Runners' tournament.
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