Hillcrests Gillies, Bradley heading to national seniors championship

There aren't many things that can make Moose Jaw's Doug Gillies feel nervous.
Heading onto the first few holes at the Canadian Men's Senior Golf Championship just might be one of them.
This will be the first time Gillies has qualified for the tournament, which is being held Sept. 8-12 at Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., but he's going in playing his best golf, and going with a seasoned veteran Ken Bradley.
"I feel really good," said Gillies. "My game is good and I feel comfortable going down there . . . I'm sure my nerves will act up the first day with the first few shots, but I'm thinking that after that, I should be fine."
Gillies, who along with Bradley qualified for the event by being in the top four at senior provincials held at the Hillcrest in July, is feeling good about his game.
"I'm feeling comfortable and I don't get excited or upset," he said. "In tournament situations, I don't get upset when I make a bogey because I know I can pretty much get a birdie anytime."
Also, Playing the provincials at his hometown Hillcrest was a "plus" for Gillies.
"It's still tough . . . but I felt comfortable playing here," he said.
Neither he nor Bradley have played at Sault Ste. Marie Golf Course, but both have taken a peak via the internet. The course is flat with some sand traps and a creek that runs through several holes.
"I've seen an aerial view of it, and it has trees," said Gillies. "I'm not sure their fairways are as narrow as ours and I'm sure the greens are bigger. But I'm not worried about it. I'm thinking my game is good enough."
Both players' goals are to make the cut after the first two rounds.
Bradley, meanwhile, has been trying to practice to get his game back but rain has been getting in the way.
"I played (Friday) morning and I didn't play particularly well," Bradley said. "I'm hoping that's an omen that maybe I got rid of the bad shots now and I'll be able to go once we get there."
Bradley is optimistic the Saskatchewan team will be strong this year and wants to make the cut.
"It's still the goal. There are a lot of good senior players in Canada and they all get together there," he said.
They head out to Sault Ste. Marie Sunday and will be playing with other Saskatchewan-based members Bill Cameron of Duck Lake and Percy Murray of Delisle.