Inside Golf Manitoba Media Release

Impressive week for Cockerill in South Africa

Manitoba’s Aaron Cockerill saved his best for the final round during this week’s stop on the DP World Tour.

Cockerill shot a seven under par 65 in the Jonsson Workwear Open at The Club at Steyn City in Johannesburg, South Africa to finish play at 16 under par 272, tied for 13th on the leaderboard.

His scorecard included an eagle on the third hole, birdies on the seventh, 10th, 11th, 15th and 16th holes along with 12 pars.

Cockerill opened play Thursday shooting a six under par 66.

For the complete leaderboard, click here.

Golf Canada Media Release

Golf Canada releases 2023 championship schedule

Golf Canada is pleased to announce its 2023 championship schedule, which includes amateur and professional competitions in addition to various qualifiers hosted at venerable golf facilities across Canada.

The 2023 schedule is headlined by Golf Canada’s two signature National Open Championships — the RBC Canadian Open, June 5-11, at first-time host Oakdale Golf and Country Club in Toronto and the CP Women’s Open to be conducted at Vancouver’s Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club Aug. 21-27.  

Golf Canada’s 2023 competition calendar also includes ten National Amateur Championships presented by BDO, eight NextGen Championships fueled by JOURNIE Rewards, and the World Junior Girls Golf Championship presented by Sargent Farms.

As the National Sport Federation and governing body of golf in Canada, Golf Canada conducts the country’s premier amateur and professional golf championships to support the development of the nation’s top talent through world-class competition.

“After a wonderful return to a full championship schedule for 2022, we are pleased to continue that momentum in 2023 and welcome thousands of talented athletes to our national championships,” said Mary Beth McKenna, Golf Canada Director, Amateur Championships and Rules. “Together with our corporate partners, our generous host clubs across the country, and all the volunteers that make these championships possible, we are looking forward to another great season of championship golf.”

Each of Golf Canada’s championships are set to be contested at some of Canada’s top clubs including the Canadian Men’s Amateur heading to The Pulpit Club’s 36 holes (Pulpit Course and Paintbrush Course) in Caledon, Ont. while the Canadian Women’s Amateur will be played at Ashburn Golf Club (New Course) in Halifax.

New for 2023 include the winners of both the Canadian Women’s Mid-Amateur and Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur receiving an exemption into the respective USGA Championships. This marks the inaugural time this is on offer for the winner of the Canadian Women’s Mid-Amateur, which will be, for the first time, a stand-alone event.

Each of the National Junior and Amateur Championships will include $8,000 purses with $1,200 of that going to the respective champions. Financial Assistance Grants supported by Gary Cowan Heritage Fund and the Canadian Senior Golf Association will once again be available for Juniors competing in the Canadian Junior Championships who meet eligibility requirements which can be found here.

Golf Canada will also conduct several professional and amateur championship qualifiers including five regional qualifiers into the RBC Canadian Open as well as final qualifiers for both the RBC Canadian Open and CP Women’s Open.

Other notable qualifiers being conducted for USGA Championships on the 2023 schedule include a U.S. Open Local and Final Regional Qualifier and a first-ever U.S. Women’s Open Qualifier in addition to qualifiers for the U.S. Junior Amateur and Girls’ Junior Championships, the U.S. Women’s Amateur, and the U.S. Amateur Championships.  

Golf Canada’s championship season kicks off May 1 with a U.S. Open Local Qualifier at Cherry Hill Club in Ridgeway, Ont. and concludes the week of October 7 with both the NextGen Fall Series West at The Hills at Portal Golf Club in Surrey, B.C., and the World Junior Girls Championship, presented by Sargent Farms at the Brampton Golf Club in Brampton, Ont.

To view Golf Canada’s 2023 Championship Schedule, including all host venues, registration requirements and volunteer opportunities, click here.

2023 Championship Season at a Glance…

The 19th playing of the Canadian University/College Championship, presented by BDO will be held May 29-June 2 at Fire Rock Golf Club in Komoka, Ont. The championship includes both a team and individual component featuring Canada’s top university and college talent.

The 109th Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO takes place July 31 – Aug. 4 at Ashburn Golf Club in Halifax, N.S. with the champion earning an exemption into the 2023 CP Women’s Open, as well as an exemption into the 2023 U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship. The winner also receives exemptions into the 2024 U.S. Girls’ Junior, 2023 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur and 2024 U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur Championships, if applicable.

The 68th Canadian Junior Girls Championship, presented by BDO will be contested July 23-27 at Hampton Golf Club in Hampton, N.B. where the winner will earn an exemption into the 2024 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship and the 2024 U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship.

The 118th playing of the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO will be contested August 5-8 at The Pulpit Club in Caledon, Ont. The event will be played over the Pulpit and Paintbrush 18-hole layouts. A maximum field of 264 players will be cut to the low 70 players and ties after 36 holes, with the final two rounds contested at Pulpit. The champion will receive an exemption into the 2024 RBC Canadian Open, as well as an invitation to the 2023 U.S. Amateur Championship. The winner will also receive an exemption from local qualifying for the 2024 U.S. Open, and if applicable, will earn an exemption into the 2023 U.S. Mid-Amateur, 2023 U.S. Senior Amateur or 2024 U.S. Junior Amateur Championships.

The 84th playing of the Canadian Junior Boys Championship, presented by BDO will be contested August 13-17 at North Bay Golf & Country Club in North Bay, Ont.  The champion will receive an exemption into the 2023 U.S. Junior Amateur Championship and 2024 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship.

The Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship, presented by BDO will be held August 20-24 at Algonquin Golf Resort in St. Andrews, N.B.

The Canadian Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship presented by BDO will be held July 24-27 at Mad River Golf Club in Creemore, Ont., the first year that the championship will be conducted as a standalone event. 

The Canadian Women’s Senior Championship presented by BDO will take place August 29-September 1 at Mill River Golf Resort in O’Leary, P.E.I.  The Senior Champion will receive an exemption into the 2024 U.S. Women’s Senior Championship and 2024 U.S. Women’s Senior Open.

Big Sky Golf Club in Pemberton, B.C. will play host to the Canadian Men’s Senior Championship September 4-8, with the champion earning an exemption into the 2024 U.S. Senior Amateur Championship.

The third playing of the Canadian All Abilities Championship, presented by BDO, a national championship for players with neurological, intellectual, sensory, and physical impairments, will be held September 13-15 at Kamloops Golf and Country Club in Kamloops, B.C.

The NextGen Championships, fueled by JOURNIE Rewards is a high-performance junior golf series which totals eight competitions.

From May to July, six championships will take place across Canada where the region’s best junior golfers will compete to earn exemptions into their respective 2023 national championships. NextGen Championships provide junior players an opportunity to develop and showcase their skills at the highest level of tournament golf. The 2023 NextGen Championship host clubs include: Sunshine Coast Golf and Country Club (Roberts Creek, B.C.), Peterborough Golf and Country Club (Peterborough, Ontario), Athabasca Golf Club (Athabasca, Alberta), Evergreen Golf Club (Nipawin, Saskatchewan), Club de Golf Venise (Magog, Quebec), and Avondale Golf Club (Charlottetown, PEI). An additional two Fall Series championships will take place in September and October, where players will compete for exemptions into their respective 2024 national junior championships. 

An accomplished field of international competitors will take on Brampton Golf Club in Brampton, Ont. from October 2-7 for the eighth playing of the World Junior Girls Golf Championship presented by Sargent Farms. Look for 25 countries playing as 3-member squads competing for both a team and individual title. 

GOLF CANADA AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIPS

Golf Canada annually conducts more than 30 golf competitions and qualifiers nation-wide – including nine National Amateur Championships – which play host to more than 3,000 domestic and international athletes from all corners of the world. In partnership with our host clubs, thousands of volunteers, provincial golf associations and our proud sponsors, Golf Canada is dedicated to supporting player development through world-class competition since our inception in 1895. Officiated by certified Canadian Rules of Golf officials, Golf Canada’s amateur competitions are fully compliant with golf’s international governing bodies and include marquee events such as the Canadian Men’s and Women’s Amateur Championships as well as the Canadian Junior Girls and Junior Boys Championships. Golf Canada’s amateur championships are proudly supported by BDO Canada, Canadian Pacific, Sport Canada, Levelwear, Titleist,  FootJoy and JOURNIE Rewards.

For more information and scheduling visit www.golfcanada.ca/championships.

First Tee Media Release

Aune Family Makes Chapter-Founding Gift to Launch First Tee – Prairies

Multi-year gift by the Aune Family to Golf Canada Foundation will positively impact youth across Saskatchewan and Manitoba with affordable and inclusive access to golf

March 14, 2023 – Golf Canada and the Golf Canada Foundation are proud to announce that the Aune family has pledged a major gift of $1M USD over four years to First Tee – Canada that will enable the launch and advancement of First Tee – Prairies. 

The generosity of the Aune family will fund and facilitate the rollout of First Tee – Prairies in communities across Saskatchewan and Manitoba, introducing golf and the positive experiences associated with golf to youth across the provinces. First Tee – Canada provides accessible and inclusive youth development programming at golf courses, schools, and community centres creating community participation pathways, especially for youth who may have otherwise not had the opportunity.

The Aune family grew up around golf—cousins Jonathan Aune, Stacey Greatrex, and Christine Greatrex, who has been a golf professional for nearly 40 years, are the leading forces behind the chapter-founding gift.

“This opportunity combines two of our family’s passions – golf, and philanthropy,” said Aune. “First Tee introduces golf to a wider audience, to children who wouldn’t normally run into the sport and through golf, children will continue to develop skills like honesty, perseverance, and self-confidence. To be able to give back and have a positive impact on a community level through a sport we love is amazing. First Tee – Prairies is going to be impactful for the youth involved and the game overall. We are excited to be a part of it.”

For a family of avid golfers with family ties to the Prairies, and the dedication to carry out Jonathan’s father Brian’s legacy of philanthropy, the launch of First Tee – Prairies will be special in more ways than one.

“This chapter-founding gift is the start of another year of tremendous growth for First Tee – Canada,” said Golf Canada Chief Sport Officer, Kevin Blue. “We have started to build out the Prairies chapter staff and a supporting network who will deploy programming in communities across the region. Together with the provincial golf associations, we are committed to empowering children, and ensuring the sport reflects Canada’s diverse population. What we do would not be possible without the generosity of donors like the Aune family.”

With the launch of First Tee – Prairies, Canada now has five regional chapters in place. In 2022, First Tee – British Columbia, First Tee – Ontario, First Tee – Premier départ Québec and First Tee – Atlantic delivered programming to nearly 23,000 youth with fifty-five percent of participants coming from equity-deserving communities.

Through its deep network of donors, Golf Canada Foundation is a critical partner in supporting the advancement of First Tee – Canada chapters across the country through its fundraising and philanthropic efforts.

“The pace of growth behind First Tee – Canada since launching has been exceptional – much of which we can credit to the philanthropic commitments alongside the Aune family,” said Golf Canada Foundation CEO, Martin Barnard. “These generous supporters allow First Tee – Canada to expand its reach across the country and have a direct impact on the program’s ability to provide environments where youth feel excited to grow, safe to fail, and well-equipped for whatever comes their way, on and off the course.”

The generosity of the Aune family adds to a growing number of chapter-founding advancement gifts that have been secured since First Tee – Canada’s inception in 2020. A First Tee – Alberta chapter is also expected to be announced in 2023. 

For more information on First Tee – Canada, to get involved, or to donate, visit www.firstteecanada.ca. To learn more about First Tee – Prairies, visit www.firstteeprairies.ca.

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About First Tee – Canada

First Tee – Canada is a youth development program operating under Golf Canada since 2020. In partnership with First Tee, Golf Canada launched First Tee – Canada to provide inclusive and accessible life-enhancing opportunities to children through golf. First Tee – Canada continues to expand programming and positively impact youth at golf courses, schools, and community centres across the country. For more information and to learn how to support First Tee – Canada, visit firstteecanada.ca.

About Golf Canada Foundation

The Golf Canada Foundation is the leading source for golf philanthropy in Canada, granting more than $4.5 million to golf programs in 2022, and $19 million invested in the sport since the Foundation’s inception in 1979. The Foundation’s mission is to support and promote programs that increase participation in golf by engaging players of all ages and abilities across Canada. For more information about what the Golf Canada Foundation is doing to support golf in your community, visit us online at www.golfcanadafoundation.com

About Golf Canada

Golf Canada is the National Sports Federation and governing body for golf in Canada, representing more than 319,000 golfers and 1,435 member clubs across the country. A proud member of the Canadian Olympic Committee, Golf Canada’s vision is to be a world leader in golf and achieving the mission to increase Canadian participation and excellence For more information about what Golf Canada is doing to support golf in your community, visit www.golfcanada.ca.

Media Contact:

Madelyn Boelhouwer | Senior Coordinator, Marketing and Communications First Tee – Canada | Golf Canada | mboelhouwer@golfcanada.ca

Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation Media Release Team Manitoba

Golf Manitoba names 2023 Team Manitoba roster

Golf Manitoba Executive Director Jared Ladobruk is pleased to announce 12 Junior Boys and 13 Junior Girls have been named to the 2023 Team Manitoba roster.

These junior golfers will train and compete in various tournaments throughout the season representing our province under the guidance of Junior Boys Head Coach Sean Murray and Junior Girls Head Coach Bri-Ann Tokariwski.

The Junior Boys Gold Team roster features Jackson Delaurier of Dauphin Lake Golf Club, Kaleb Lambert and Jacob Taweel of Elmhurst Golf & Country Club, Brayden Boge of Pine Ridge Golf Club, Portage Golf Club’s Carson Inman, Payne Wood of St. Boniface Golf Club, St. Charles Country Club members Grady Chuback and Jack Taylor, Spence Mott of Shilo Golf & Country Club, Southwood Golf & Country Club’s Terence Rafferty and Golf Manitoba Public Players Club members Adam Blair and Hudson Hunnie.

“The team is filled with talent from top to bottom” said Junior Boys Head Coach Sean Murray. “This roster with Grady Chubak who finished second at the 2022 Junior Championship shooting under par for the tournament, Jack Taylor who may hit further than anyone else in the province, Carson Inman who really had a break out year and may of had the most consistent season in 2022 and then to round it out with 3 Juniors under 15 who have loads of potential being, Brayden Boge, Hudson Hunnie and Adam Blair. With the resources provided to these Juniors from Golf Manitoba, I am very excited to see how much they can grow through the upcoming season.”

The Junior Girls will be divided into two teams.

The Gold Team roster features India Young of the Carman Golf & Country Club, Glendale Golf & Country Club member Payton Oakden, Elmhurst’s Armaan Dhillon, Addison Kartusch of St. Charles, Swan River Golf & Country Club’s Crystal Zamzow and Golf Manitoba Public Players Club members Jenna King and Cala Korman.

The Black Team roster includes Kiera Krahn of Carman, Niakwa’s Annika Russell and Gracie McMillian of Pine Ridge along with Payton Bailey, Erin Nowicki and Maisy Shewchuk.

“The team is filled great depth this upcoming season aged 10 to 18 from across the province” said Junior Girls Head Coach Bri-Ann Tokariwski. “The majority of our teams feature returning players however we are excited about some new hungry additions. The team consists of provincial championships, MJT winners and some who have competed across the country. The girls are hungry to work on their game while getting stronger.”

Looking into the future, eight Junior Boys and five Junior Girls have been recognized for their potential and named to Team Manitoba’s Blue practice squad rosters.

The Junior Boys roster includes Aris Mercury, Owen Conrad, Hunter Oakden, Xavier Delaquis, Brayden Gregg, Chance Gregg, Austin Tutkaluk and Forest Wiebe.

Honing their skills for the future are Junior Girls Angelina Sitarz, Sadie Blazeiko, Bree Farmer, Annika Gording and Lily MacGregor.

“As an association, we are excited to see the future of golf continuing to grow” said Golf Manitoba Executive Director Jared Ladobruk. “Looking back to players like Aaron Cockerill, Bobbi Uhl and Braxton Kuntz, just to name a few, this year’s 2023 Team Manitoba roster can learn anything is possible when you create the right routine and work habits”. 

Team Manitoba will once again benefit greatly from the generosity of the Alex and Peggy Colonello Foundation while also receiving support from the Integrated Support Team at Sport Manitoba Performance that will help enhance the athletes’ skills through fitness, nutrition, and development of the mental side of the game.

Stay up to date with Team Manitoba online at www.golfmb.ca.

About Team Manitoba: The Team Manitoba program provides enhanced training, development, and competitive opportunities for both aspiring and accomplished junior female and male athletes from the Golf Manitoba region.

The program encompasses fitness, sports psychology, nutrition, technique, equipment management and regional, multi-sport, and national level competition.

For more, please visit golfmb.ca/team-manitoba.

Amateur Inside Golf Manitoba Media Release

Elmhurst Invitational to add junior division in 2023

Golf Manitoba Executive Director Jared Ladobruk and Elmhurst Golf & Country Club Director of Golf Operations Dave McMillan are pleased to announce a joint venture in the expansion of the 2023 Elmhurst Invitational Amateur Championship.

This year’s championship will see the addition of Golf Manitoba’s top junior boys and girls players to the field. Thanks to the generous contributions of the Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation and in partnership with the Elmhurst Golf & Country and Golf Manitoba, the winners of each division in the 2023 event will receive a spot in the respective Golf Canada Canadian Junior Championship along with financial travel support.

“I am thrilled to see this opportunity presented to our junior players” said Ladobruk. “The Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation has been such a tremendous partner in helping us to grow our junior programming and this is another example of their dedication to junior golf in Manitoba. I also want to thank the membership of the Elmhurst Golf & Country Club for their support of player development in our province in adding a junior division to this great event.”

“We are delighted as a club to be able to carry on the Colonello name and its legacy of supporting junior golf,” added McMillan. “Alex and Peggy were both honorary life members of Elmhurst and did so much for the club and continue to give back to Manitoba Golf through their foundation. We are happy to be able to affiliate The Elmhurst Invitational with Alex and Peggy’s vision of providing opportunities for junior golfers at their long-time golf home. I want to thank Golf Manitoba’s Jared Ladobruk for their partnership, supporting the event through the years, and moving ahead with this new initiative. Special thanks to the members of Elmhurst, long-time member and former champion John Multan and Head Professional Matt Lorenz for keeping the event alive and well. We look forward to celebrating the event’s rich tradition and adding the Colonello foundation’s support will only enhance the event for years to come.”

Once again this year, an exemption will be available to either the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship or the Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Champion for the winner in this year’s men’s field. Invitation criteria will be adjusted and subject to the approval of the tournament committee as well as Golf Manitoba being able to accommodate the junior players on the field.

Founded in 2003 by long-time Elmhurst member John Multan, the Elmhurst Invitational Amateur Championship has become one of the highest regarded amateur events held in the province outside of the Golf Manitoba championship calendar. The field is continually one of the strongest of the year with most of the province’s top players taking part.

Past champions include the likes of the DP World Tour’s Aaron Cockerill, along with past Manitoba Men’s Amateur Champions Garth Collings, Derek East, Todd Fanning, Matt Johnston, Brad Kirton, Justin McDonald, Peter More and Marco Trstenjak.

The 2023 Elmhurst Invitational will be contested June 24 & 25.

Amateur Golf Canada

Registration dates announced for Golf Canada’s 2023 championships

Canadian Junior Girls Championship Trophy (Photo: Gary Yee/Golf Canada)

Registration for Golf Canada’s competitions is opening soon.  The 2023 schedule features a total of 35 competitions including:

Registration will open on the following dates for each category of championships and qualifiers:

NextGen Championships, fueled by JOURNIE Rewards

NextGen Championships, fueled by JOURNIE Rewards will continue to provide a high-performance training ground and championship experience across Canada, which showcases the next wave of elite junior golfers.

Registration will open on Wednesday, February 15th at 12:00pm EDT.

NEXTGEN CHAMPIONSHIPS REGISTRATION

RBC Canadian Open Regional Qualifiers

Join the world’s best amateur and professional golfers and attempt to qualify for the 2023 RBC Canadian Open. Registrants are selected on a first-come, first-serve basis, as long as each applicant meets the eligibility requirements.

Registration will open on Wednesday, February 22nd at 12:00pm EDT.

RBC CANADIAN OPEN REGIONAL QUALIFERS REGISTRATION

National Amateur Championships, presented by BDO

True to the life-long sport that golf is, Golf Canada will be conducting 10 national amateur championships for golfers of all ages, genders and abilities.

Registration will open on Wednesday, March 15th at 12:00pm EST.

NATIONAL AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIPS REGISTRATION

Inside Golf Manitoba Media Release Team Manitoba

Murray named Head Coach of Team Manitoba Junior Boy’s Program

Golf Manitoba Executive Director Jared Ladobruk is pleased to announce Sean Murray has been named the new Head Coach of the Team Manitoba Junior Boy’s Program.

Murray, who is a PGA of Canada class A professional, assumes the role from Derrik Goodwin, who resigned due to personal and professional time constraints.

“First of all, I would like to thank Derrik for everything he has done for our program. He spent countless hours with our young athletes continuing the tradition and work ethic of his predecessor Garth Goodbrandson. I, and our staff, are grateful to know Derrik will be a valued resource moving forward as he focuses on his family and current position at Glendale Golf & Country Club” said Ladobruk. “As we move forward into 2023, we welcome Sean to our Golf Manitoba family. Sean is highly regarded by his mentors in the golf community and I know our Team Manitoba athletes will learn a great deal from him both on and off the course”. 

Murray is a graduate of Sisler High School and continued his studies into Red River College’s Business Administration program where he majored in marketing.

His golf and coaching resume includes working locally at The Players Course and Breezy Bend Country Club prior to moving to Calgary to join the staff at the Bearspaw Golf Club. During his time in Alberta, Murray was an Assistant Coach with the University of Calgary Dinos and Alberta Provincial team. He then went East and was named High Performance Coach and Junior Coordinator at Royal Montreal Golf Club.  In 2022, Murray was named an Assistant Coach for the Team Manitoba Junior Boys’ Program.

Last year, Murray returned home to join the staff at St. Charles Country Club as an Associate Professional. He will continue with his current role as Director of Instruction and Junior Golf Coordinator.

About Team Manitoba: The Team Manitoba program provides enhanced training, development, and competitive opportunities for both aspiring and accomplished junior female and male athletes from the Golf Manitoba region.

The program encompasses fitness, sports psychology, nutrition, technique, equipment management and regional, multi-sport, and national level competition. For more, please visit golfmb.ca/team-manitoba.

Inside Golf Manitoba

Happy Holidays from Golf Manitoba

The board of directors, volunteers and staff at Golf Manitoba hope you enjoy a safe and happy holiday season and we extend our best wishes for the New Year.

In observation of the holiday season, the Golf Manitoba office will be closed beginning December 24, 2022 and will re-open on January 3, 2023.

Heritage Media Release

Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame announces Class of 2021

WINNIPEG, MB – The Selection Committee for the Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame and Museum is pleased to announce the class of 2021. Donna BrownridgeDerrick Chlopecki, Gerald Morrissey, and the 1991 Manitoba Junior Girls Interprovincial Team Champions will be inducted as honoured members in the spring of 2023.

DONNA BROWNRIDGE (Athlete)

In addition to her playing record, Donna had a long history of club volunteerism acting as captain of the Elmhurst Ladies Nassau Team from 2003-2006 and 2011-2013. She was also the Nassau League President in 2014-15. Brownridge also served for 12 years on the Elmhurst Board of Governors and become the first (and only) female president in the club’s 114-year history (as of April 2020).  Brownridge was also the researcher and author of the golf history book “Elmhurst – The Home of Champions” that was completed in 2014.

Donna Brownridge passed away on December 18, 2020.

DERRICK CHLOPECKI (Builder)

Derrick started his career in the golf industry in 1987 as the Equipment Technician at the Rossmere Country Club. In 1991 he assumed the role of Superintendent.  Derrick was hired in 1993 as Superintendent at the Pine Ridge Golf Club, a position that he still holds to this day.  During his 29 years at Pine Ridge, Derrick has consistently delivered exceptional course conditions for its membership and has hosted numerous club, provincial, national and professional events including an impressive 22 years as the host Superintendent of the Manitoba Open.  Derrick has been the host Superintendent 23% of all Manitoba Opens hosted in the events 100+ year history.

Chlopecki, a long-time member of the Manitoba Golf Superintendents’ Association, was named Superintendent of the Year by his peers in 2017.

GERALD MORRISSEY (Athlete)

Gerald Morrissey was the head golf professional at the Rossmere Country Club from 1958 to 1991.  “Moose” as his peers would call him, lived his 34-year golf career by playing and promoting the sport to which he devoted so much to.  During his tenure, he amassed an impressive playing record including two-time PGA of Manitoba Zone Senior Champion, 4-time Kenora Open champion, 3-time Falcon Beach Open champion, 2-time Pine Falls Open champion, 2 Brandon Western Open Championships, won the PGA of Canada Team Pro-am at Disney World in Florida, 3 top-ten finishes in the Manitoba Open in addition to numerous PGA of Manitoba Zone events and pro-am victories.  In 1991, he was awarded the PGA of Manitoba Zone Club Professional Award.

Morrisey was also an avid promoter of the sport where he taught golf lessons at the Y.M.C.A, and local schools.  He also organized indoor golf lessons and numerous golf tours and trips for his members and students to within Canada, the South Pacific, Europe and Australia and New Zealand.

A 62-year member of the PGA of Canada, Morrissey served as the president of the PGA of Manitoba Zone in 1967-68, was a member of the Board of Directors for the PGA of Canada from 1966-68 and was vice-captain of the PGA of Canada in 1968.  In 1997 and at the PGA of Canada Annual Meeting, he was awarded Life Membership status.

1991 MANITOBA JUNIOR GIRLS INTERPROVINCIAL TEAM NATIONAL CHAMPIONS (Team)

The 1991 Manitoba Junior Girls’ Interprovincial team finished in 1st place and on home soil by shooting a 36-hole team score of 500 and six shots clear of second place Team Alberta (506).  The team championship was conducted during the first two days of 1991 Canadian Junior Girls Championship that was held August 21-24 at the Pine Ridge Golf Club in Sunnyside, Manitoba.

The induction ceremony for the Class of 2021 was postponed in that same year due to the pandemic and is scheduled for early May of 2023.  Details on the event will be announced early in the new year.

About the Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame & Museum Inc. – The Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame & Museum Inc. was formed to acknowledge the contributions and accomplishments made by Manitobans as competitors, both amateur and professional, builders and course superintendents to the game of golf.  It is a tripartite organization, the partners being Golf ManitobaManitoba Golf Superintendents’ Association and the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) of Manitoba. The annual induction ceremony is sponsored by the Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation.

Individual members and member clubs wishing to nominate an individual (amateur or professional golfers, superintendents, builders, media, etc.) for the Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame may obtain nomination forms through any of the three member organizations or at manitobagolfhalloffame.com.

For more information:

Jared Ladobruk
Executive Director
Golf Manitoba
204.925.5729
jared@golfmb.ca

Amateur Inside Golf Manitoba

#MyGolfYear is back for 2022

The 2022 edition of Golf Canada’s successful campaign for #MyGolfYear fueled by JOURNIE Rewards features personalized achievements and countless golf stories from across the country

OAKVILLE (Golf Canada) – Golf Canada’s #MyGolfYear fueled by JOURNIE Rewards is back, and the 2022 edition is loaded with more achievements, more milestones and more fun for every member who logged their scores this year.

Building on the success of the 2021 campaign and the hugely popular Spotify Wrapped, Golf Canada has enhanced this year’s #MyGolfYear experience with a snapshot from golf scores posted during the season. In addition to total rounds, best round, total holes played, total distance played, users will now have more personalized insights in the form of Achievements.

“Last year we saw how much Golf Canada members loved sharing their #MyGolfYear stats on social media,” said Golf Canada’s Chief Marketing Officer, Lisa Ferkul. “So, this year we really wanted to step up our game and give members even more personal achievements to be proud of when posting to social media channels.”

The full list of achievements for 2022 include:

“We want Golf Canada members to see their achievements from score posting as badges of pride and measures of participation and improvement,” Ferkul said. “We also think it will be great when they receive validation of those achievements from their friends when they post their #MyGolfYear roundup on social media.

With more than 270,000 Golf Canada members posting scores in 2022, the marketing team at the national sports organization started digging into the data that would eventually lead to #MyGolfYear months ago. Sully Syed, Golf Canada’s Senior Director of Digital Experience and Technology said that once his team started exploring the data behind the posted scores, several things caught his attention.

“Once we started getting through the score posting data, we really started learning about Golf Canada members,” Syed said. “We learned about the days of the week they play, what golf courses they play most, how far they will travel to play golf, and so much more about their golfing habits in 2022.”

The data also revealed several amazing individual member stories, like that of Jeff Forgrave—whose posted scores indicated he did a few things no one else in Canada did in 2022. Forgrave played golf in all 10 provinces, played 103 different golf courses and played in 50 different cities in 2022.

“I’m an overly avid golfer,” Forgrave admits. “I’ve previously played in all 10 provinces, but never in the same year. This year was one of extensive travels and a lot of golf.”

While Forgrave is a longtime golfer, there were other stories from brand new Golf Canada members like Kathryn McCully of Petitcodiac Valley Golf and Country Club in New Brunswick. As a new Golf Canada member in 2022, McCully logged 89 rounds of golf for the year.

“I plan to play as much, if not more in the coming seasons,” McCully says. “My goal is to get technical with my game and do regular lessons with hopes of becoming more consistent, confident and competitive,” she says, adding, “it’s addicting to add your scorecard into the Golf Canada App and watch your handicap hopefully improve.

With more than 270,000 Golf Canada members posting nearly 10-million scores in 2022, there is no shortage of stories from #MyGolfYear fueled by JOURNIE Rewards. What’s your 2022 #MyGolfYear story?

To learn more about Golf Canada and the benefits of membership, visit join.golfcanada.ca