The Board of Directors of the Golf Manitoba Scholarship Fund (GMSF) are pleased to announce its award recipients for 2026.
These students are active in the Manitoba golf community either through participation or employment, have demonstrated academic excellence and are pursuing post-secondary studies at Canadian universities and colleges.
Two new scholarships have been created honouring the legacies of Rob Damsgaard and Harvey & Marion Goehring.
The Rob Damsgaard Memorial Scholarship has been established by family and friends to honour Rob’s lifelong dedication to the game of golf.
Over a career spanning more than four decades, Rob made significant contributions to the sport, with a particular commitment to fostering youth involvement. He was deeply dedicated to the development of junior golf programs and took great pride in mentoring young golfers, both on the course and through their roles in the Pro Shop. Rob began his professional career in Dauphin and later served as Head Professional at Swan River, Winnipeg’s Wildewood Club and the Player’s Course. Applicants must be entering or continuing post secondary studies and demonstrate active involvement in the game of golf, either through employment or actively playing in competitions at a recognized golf club.
Karly Cote, an employee and member at La Broquerie Golf, is the inaugural recipient of the Rob Damsgaard Memorial Scholarship. Over the past five years, she has worked at La Broquerie in various roles including Pro Shop Attendant, Server, Bartender, Beverage Cart Attendant, Marshall and Assistant Pro Shop Manager. Cote attends the University of Manitoba focusing on her Masters of Interior Design.
The Harvey and Marion Goehring Award honors two Golf Manitoba Volunteer Distinguished Service Award recipients who dedicated over six decades of combined volunteer service to golf in Manitoba and Northwest Ontario. Passionate advocates for grassroots youth development, Marion mentored junior golfers and led the Breezy Bend Ladies League, while Harvey spent 30 years in leadership, including serving as Golf Manitoba President (2009–2011) and on Golf Canada committees. Their humble teamwork and belief that golf is a “sport for a lifetime” perfectly embody the ideals of community dedication. This award is available to a male or female student entering their first (or subsequent year to a max of 4 years) of studies at a Canadian post-secondary institution and awarded based on a 50/50 combination of high academic standing and competitive golf background with Golf Manitoba.
Matthew Michaeleski, a member at Selkirk Golf & Country Club, is the inaugural recipient of the Harvey & Marion Goehring Award. He is attending the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Manitoba. On the golf course, Michaeleski finished T12 at the Junior Boys Championship presented by the Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation and in third place at the Maple Leaf Junior Tour’s Bieber Classic.
For background information and details on the following individual scholarship awards, click here.
DR. DWIGHT PARKINSON AWARD – Ryder Pufahl
Pufahl, a member at Rossmere Country Club, graduated from College Miles Macdonell Collegiate and is entering the Asper School of Business at the University of Manitoba.
BRIAN GILHULY AWARD – Griffin Rarog
Rarog, a member at Pine Ridge Golf Club, is enrolled at the I.H. Asper School of Business – University of Manitoba taking his Bachelor of Commerce (Honours).
ED DEARDEN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP – Luke Perrett
Perrett, a Golf Manitoba Public Players Club member, is enrolled at Brock University studying Sport Management.
CRAIG YAHIRO MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS
Eryn Czirfusz
Golf Manitoba Public Players Club
University of Manitoba – Bachelor of Arts (Criminology)
Employed at Golf Manitoba, Glendale Golf & Country Club
Rory Neill
Glendale Golf & Country Club
Asper School of Business, University of Manitoba
Employed at St. Charles Country Club
GOLF MANITOBA SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS
Gabriela Lerat
Golf Manitoba Public Players Club
University of Manitoba / Bachelor of Commerce
Erin Nowicki
Pine Ridge Golf Club
University of Manitoba / Bachelor of Science
Tyler Polanski
Elmhurst Golf & Country Club
University of Manitoba / Bachelor of Arts
Elle Wood
St. Boniface Golf Club
University of Manitoba / Advanced Bachelor of Arts
The Board of the Golf Manitoba Scholarship Fund extends its sincere congratulations to the 2026 recipients and wishes them all the best in their post-secondary studies.
This year, the Fund awarded $18,000 in scholarships to 11 deserving students.
Scholarships are made possible through contributions from GMSF as well from the family and estates our of named awards.
For more information about the Scholarship Fund including information on how to apply or to make a donation, please visit golfmb.ca/scholarship.
