Blueberry River Sober Golf League men’s team takes top prize at local event

CHARLIE LAKE, B.C. —Members of the Blueberry River First Nations’ (BRFN) Sober Golf League are riding high after a recent win in a local tournament.

The BRFN men’s team took part in the Fort Motors Cash Scramble, a best-ball tournament held on July 4 and 5 at Charlie Lake’s Lakepoint Golf and Country Club.

The team, comprised of Captain Courtnall Apsassin, Travis Apsassin, Linden Stoney and Nolan Lagace, participated in the ‘B’ division at the tournament.

Courtnall Apsassin said the victory was one of “joy,” even though the team faced some adversity on the tournament’s first day.

“We had a little bit of emotion, but were able to battle through it,” Courtnall told Energeticcity.ca. “Everybody holds each other in high regard.”

“[The first day] we went nine-under, it would have been 10 as well, but we ended up with a bogey. The boys played pretty strongly [on Sunday].”

Courtnall said the team has played as a foursome in both the Cash Scramble and the Saulteau First Nations’ Golf tournament in Dawson Creek in June.

Councillor Simone Chipesia founded the BRFN Sober Golf League earlier this year, designed to promote golf while encouraging healthy living in the community.

Chipesia told Energeticcity.ca that while she is there to offer support, team members coordinate teams’ appearances at tournaments, and she is happy for them “to take the lead.”

“They are incredibly grateful and excited to represent Blueberry in golf,” said Chipesia. “They are taking it seriously. I am super proud of them.”

“I organize some things, but I put more responsibility on them to take care of it because it is their team. I told them to take this where you want to take it, evolve it how you want to evolve it, and I’ll be there to help.”

The continued development of the team is something Courtnall agrees with, saying he wants to shape golf in the BRFN community for years to come.

“There are four of us who are fully committed to going out every single weekend and also joining tournaments together,” said Courtnall. “It is a very good thing for some of the youth to see that we accomplished a win.”

“Hopefully, that will push some of the younger generation to actually pick up the golf club and take it seriously.”

The 2026 Fort Motors Cash Scramble took place on July 4 and 5 at Lakepoint Golf and Country Club in Charlie Lake.