In golf, there is no such thing as “one size fits all.”

That’s why there are different sets of tees to accommodate all types of players. That’s a good thing.

That’s also why there are so many options when it comes to equipment. That could be a good thing but, for the vast majority of you reading this, it’s not. And it’s your fault.

You’re probably thinking, “I’m not good enough to get fitted for golf clubs.” Interestingly, this is the most common excuse you likely cite when asked why you don’t have a Handicap Index. And, in both cases, you are wrong.

It’s not about your ability, says Rick Young. It’s about your level of commitment.

“It makes zero sense to buy golf clubs without getting fitted,” says Young, SCOREGolf’s longtime equipment expert. He warns against purchasing new clubs off the rack as well as new or used clubs online.

His point is repeated by every expert in the field. Many compare buying a standard set of clubs to purchasing apparel. While that might be a touch trite, it is undeniably accurate.

The average Canadian man is 5’8” tall and weighs 182 pounds. The average woman is just over 5’3” and about 153 pounds. Chances are that doesn’t describe you so the odds that the clothing that fits those “average” Canadians wouldn’t fit you either.

So why are you playing their golf clubs? Essentially, that is what you are doing when you buy a standard set off the rack.

I’m 6’2” and weigh 220. Not average, by any means. So my clubs are a little longer than standard, the lie is a touch upright and the grips are slightly larger. As I get older, I’ve switched to regular shafts in my irons from the stiff version I played for years. There’s no chance my 5’4” wife (about the national average) was fitted for the same clubs as our 6’1” daughter. Thank goodness she got her looks from her mom and her height from me and not the other way around.

Like our dimensions and ages, our Handicap Indexes vary but we all saw getting fitted for clubs as an investment in our enjoyment of the game, not just an expense. Playing the wrong clubs can be discouraging, infuriating, and can dissuade you from playing more golf.

“Do you want to get better? Then get fitted, even if you’re terrible,” says Tony Covey, managing editor of My Golf Spy, an independent online reviewer and evaluator of all things golf.

“You don’t have to spend a lot of money right out of the gate. As you improve and your scores go down, you can get re-fitted and either get your clubs adjusted or invest in a new set and sell the old ones or trade them in.”

Covey also cautions against some of the misconceptions that may influence your equipment choice.

“Don’t get sucked in by brand bias and some of the other mythology that’s out there. Do some research and then find a reputable expert and listen to them.”

Ian Fraser is the founder and CEO of TxG (Tour Experience Golf) with locations in Toronto and, soon, Mississauga, Ont. With a background in club fitting, he worked with beginners as well as superstars like Colin Montgomerie, Gary Woodland and Eduardo Molinari before coming to Canada to start Modern Golf, a leading-edge club-fitting company. In 2015, he left Modern Golf to found TxG.

As a nod to his expertise, GOLF Magazine named TxG No. 2 on their 2020 list of the top club fitters in North America.

Fraser points out that the proliferation of golf club technology has made getting properly fitted more essential than ever. There are more than 30,000 potential combinations to ensure the client gets the correct “prescription,” as he calls it, for 14 optimized clubs to maximize their enjoyment and lower their scores.

A full-bag (driver through putter) fitting session takes 4 ½ hours. Don’t panic. Much of that time is spent discussing, analyzing and advising. It’s not a ball-beating marathon.

Not surprisingly, that philosophy is echoed at Fraser’s former hangout, Modern Golf, which has locations in Mississauga and Vaughan in Ontario, two in Calgary and one in Vancouver.

At Modern Golf, TxG and other sophisticated fitting facilities, the technology, such as ForeSight and other high-tech aids, is on par with the expertise of the humans doing the hands-on fitting. For example, Modern Golf has a “coach/build” concept that places a fitter and a coach in the fitting bay with you. That combination doesn’t come cheap but, remember, this is an investment.

At Modern Golf, the $400 full-bag fitting fee is waived if you purchase a new set of clubs. The fee is also waived for any of their other fitting options ranging from single clubs like the driver or putter to irons and wedges.

Once you’ve committed to a fitting, go all the way, Young recommends.

“One thing people don’t realize is that 42 per cent of your shots are on the green but people will walk into a golf store, try two or three putters and when they make a couple of putts, they fork over two or three hundred dollars for a putter that most likely is wrong for them. Do you need a mallet or blade, toe-balanced or face-balanced, what loft, what length, what grip, what kind of putting stroke do you have … these are all questions you need expert advice on.

“And how about your wedges? Do you have the right gapping between your wedges? Are the lofts right for you? How about the bounce?”

Young believes not getting fitted can discourage new golfers who want to enjoy the game but have the wrong equipment. If, for example, the lie angle on those used irons you bought for a song is too upright, you’ll likely be hitting pull hooks. Or if the lie is OK but the shaft is too stiff, get used to hitting a bunch of low-right screamers.

“The worst mistake you can make, at any level, is buying clubs that work against you,” says Matthew Sim, Modern Golf’s Director of Operations.

If getting to some of the facilities mentioned here is inconvenient, there are lots of other options. If you’re really out in the boondocks, major manufacturers have online fitting apps for everything from clubs to balls.

Fittings are easy to arrange with many PGA of Canada members across the country offering fitting services. If you decide to purchase new clubs, the fitting fee is waived in most cases.

Alternatively, many courses have “demo days” during the golf season where one or more of the major club manufacturers set up shop on the range. “This is one of the best ways for novice golfers to get a baseline for fitting if they’re unsure of what they want for free,” says Young.

Just as there is a fitting option suitable for every budget, so too is there one for the clubs themselves, even at places like TxG.

“If the client says, for example, that their budget is $900, then we give them the very best value we can for that budget,” says Fraser. “We treat every client the same whether they’re a pro or a beginner. It’s in our best interest to make sure they not only get better but have more fun.”

Golf Manitoba (Carman, MB) – It was a beautiful sunny day for round one of the 2020 Senior Women’s & Men’s Championships being contested at the Carman Golf & Curling Club. These are the last of the two major provincial championships on the Golf Manitoba calendar.

In the women’s event, defending champion Rhonda Orr of the Southwood Golf & Country Club picked up where she left off finding herself at the top of the leaderboard after round one. Orr opened with a 9-over par round of 80 good enough for a four shot lead over Tammy Gibson of the the Niakwa Country club who posted a first round score of 84.  There is a three-way tie for third with including Gail Kennedy of St. Charles Country Club, Cathy Derewianchuk (Glendale Golf & Country Club) and Barb Lafleche of the Teulon Golf & Country Club all shooting 85.

In the all new forward tee division, there is a tie for first with Karen Saarimaki of the Kenagomisis Golf Club and Nancy Porth of the Niakwa Country Club opened with 10-over par rounds of 81.  Both Saarimaki and Porth also are tied for lead in the Super Senior (60+) division.

Senior women’s leaderboard >>

On the men’s side, again another familiar name topped the leaderboard after Monday’s opening round.  Mike Walker, the defending champion playing out of the St. Boniface Golf Club, opened with a tidy 1-under par of 70 and was the only player in the field to break par. Walker has a two shot lead over John Multan (Elmhurst Golf & Country Club) and Ken Warwick (Niakwa Country Club) who both posted a 1-over par rounds of 72.

In the forward tee division, Mike Berney of the Transcona Country Club leads after shooting a 3-over par round of 74. Berney also leads the Super Senior Division (65+).

Senior men’s leaderboard >>

Round two of the 54-hole championships resume tomorrow at Carman with the women’s field starting at 10am.

Golf Manitoba (Winnipeg) – The 2020 Senior Women’s & Men’s Championships are set to go July 27-29 at the Carman Golf & Curling Club. These are the last two provincial championships of the 2020 Golf Manitoba event season.

SENIOR WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP INFORMATION

Dates: July 27-29
Course: Carman Golf & Curling Club
Yards/Par: 5,759 yards/71
Field: 23
2019 Champion: Rhonda Orr, Southwood Golf & Country Club
2019 Runner-up: Tammy Gibson, Niakwa Country Club
Format: 54 holes of stroke play
Awards/Placing: Prizes will be awarded to the 1st, 2nd & 3rd lowest competitors in the championship division and 1st place in the Super Senior Division. First place will also be awarded to the top player in the new Forward Tee Division.

Round one tee times >>

SENIOR MEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP INFORMATION

Dates: July 27-29
Course: Carman Golf & Curling Club
Yards/Par: 5,955 yards/71
Field: 56
2019 Champion: Mike Walker, St. Boniface Golf Club
2019 Runner-up: Bruce North, Carman Golf & Curling Club
Format: 54 holes of stroke play
Awards/Placing: Prizes will be awarded to the 1st, 2nd & 3rd lowest competitors in the championship division and 1st place in the Super Senior Division. First place will also be awarded to the top player in the new Forward Tee Division.

Round one tee times >>

LOOKING BACK

In the 2019 Senior Women’s Championship, it was the steady and consistent play from Rhonda Orr that helped her claim her second straight senior women’s championship. Orr played three solid rounds of golf on the Rossmere layout posting scores of 77-78-77 that was good enough for an 18-shot victory over runner-up Tammy Gibson of Niakwa Country Club who posted rounds of 82-83-85. Rounding out the top three was Diane Eyford of St. Charles Country Club. Read more…

2019 Senior Women’s Leaderboard >>

Mike Walker of the St. Boniface Golf Club held off a late round charge from 2018 Senior Champion Bruce North of the Carman Golf & Curling Club. North, playing in a group ahead of Walker, carded an eagle and two birdies in his last four holes to post an inward nine score of 4-under 30 and a round of 71. Despite the push from North, Walker bounced back from a late round double-bogey with an eagle on the 16th hole and closed with final round 72, good enough for a two shot victory over North. Read more…

2019 Senior Men’s Leaderboard >>

HISTORY

The Senior Women’s Championship was first contested in 1928.

Past Champions:

Complete past champions directory >>

The Senior Men’s Championship was first contested in 1966.

Past Champions:

Complete past champions directory >>

FAST FACTS

• Golf Manitoba provincial championship sponsors: TaylorMade Golf Canada, adidas Golf Canada
• Prizes will be awarded to the 1st, 2nd & 3rd lowest competitors in the championship division and 1st place in the Super Senior Division. First place will also be awarded to the top player in the new Forward Tee Division.
• Players this week will compete under the Golf Manitoba 2020 Conditions of Competition and Protocols including enhanced health and safety standards in response to COVID-19.
• Caddies and spectators are not permitted.
• For media inquiries, please contact Lisa Andersen, Director of Competitions at lisa@golfmb.ca.
• Scoring updates will be available on the Golf Manitoba Twitter and Facebook pages.
• Leaderboards will be available on the event information webpage:
  • Senior Women’s Leaderboard 
  • Senior Men’s Leaderboard

ABOUT THE COURSE

More information on Carman Golf & Curling Club can be found here.

Golf Manitoba (Winnipeg, MB) – Marco Trstenjak of the Elmhurst Golf & Country Club has won the 2020 Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur Championship.

The 8th hole at the Glendale Golf & Country Club

It was a sunny but windy day the Glendale Golf & Country Club for the final round of the 2020 Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur Championship. Rain overnight coupled with a strong west wind pushed the scoring average up to 80.76, almost a full three strokes higher than the previous day of 78.05. Despite the conditions, it did not bother the steady play of Trstenjak.

Trstenjak started the day in a tie for the lead at 2-under par with 2020 Manitoba Junior Men’s runner-up, Braxton Kuntz of the Breezy Bend Country Club. Trstenjak would not give up the top spot throughout the entire last round while on his way to an even par round of 72. Trstenjak, the only player to break par for the 72-hole event, played a steady final round that included 3 bogeys matched by 3 birdies that were good enough for a 3-shot win. Kuntz started off slow by going out with a 2-over par opening nine of 37 and continued to falter on the back to finish with an 81 and in a tie for fourth spot overall. 2020 Junior Men’s Champion Neel Soni of the St. Charles Country Club was the only competitor to make a move against Trstenjak’s lead finishing with a 1-under par round of 71. Soni was the only player to break par in the final round on the wind-stricken Glendale Golf & Country Club track that helped propel him into a solo second finish. Defending champion Colwyn Abgrall of the Southwood Golf & Country Club continued his steady play posting a 1-over par round of 73, moving him into the medals with a third place finish.

It is the first men’s amateur title for Marco Trstenjak.

Final Leaderboard >>

Golf Manitoba would like to sincerely thank Trevor Nott and Nott Autocorp for their continued support as the title sponsor of this event!

Golf Manitoba also wishes to extend a sincere thank you to the membership, management and staff at both our host clubs who really helped to make this event a major success!  Thank you to PGA of Canada head professional Geoff Kehler and his team at the Minnewasta Golf & Country Club. Thank you also to PGA of Canada professional and general manager James Chapman and his team at the Glendale Golf & Country Club. We could not have done this without the skill, patience and support of all those involved at our host clubs. Thank you!

Special thanks also to Golf Manitoba performance partners Eric Johnson of TaylorMade Golf Canada and Paige Lawrence of adidas golf Canada for their support of our provincial championships.

And last but not least, thank you to all the competitors for your support and your fine play this past week!!!

Golf Manitoba (Morden, MB) – It was moving day at the Glendale Golf & Country Club for the third round of the 2020 Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur Championship. Braxton Kuntz of Breezy Bend Country Club and Marco Trstenjak of Elmhurst Golf & Country Club will head into Sunday’s fourth and final round tied for the lead at 2-under par 214 shooting 76 and 73 respectively. In third place is Justin McDonald of Breezy Bend at 1-under par for the event after shooting a 1-over 73. Defending champion Colwyn Abgrall of the Southwood Golf & Country Club and Curtis Markusson of St. Charles Country Club are tied at 4th at 1-over par at 217. Markusson’s move into fourth place was aided by a 2-under par round of 70 that also included an ace on the 9th hole.

The move of the day goes to Connor Stewart of the Southwood Golf & Country Club who started the day at 8-over par and 14 shots back of the lead. Stewart carded a 4-under par round of 68 that included a back nine score of 32 to move him within just 6 shots of the lead and in a tie for the 8th place.

Other notables near the top include 2020 Mid-Amateur Champion Allan McDonald of Breezy Bend shooting 71 to put him in a tie for 11th at 221. 2020 Junior Men’s Champion Neel Soni of St. Charles Country Club posted 73 to move into a tie for 6th. And 2019 Men’s Amateur Champion runner-up Austin Dobrescu of the Shilo Country Club shot a 1-under par round of 71 to move him 6 shots back of the lead and also into a tie for 6th place.

Round three scores >>

The final round will start will start tomorrow at 12pm.

Golf Manitoba (Morden, MB) – Round two of the 2020 Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur Championship was finally completed early Saturday morning at the Minnewasta Golf & Country Club. Round 2 was called late Friday afternoon due to darkness with 8 groups still on the course.  After 36-holes, Braxton Kuntz of the Breezy Bend Country Club holds a 3-shot lead after posting a 4-under par round of 68 for a 36-hole total of 4-under par 138. In a tie for second place is Justin McDonald of Breezy Bend and Marco Trystenjak of Elmhurst Golf & Country Club on rounds of 71 and 68 respectively and good for a 36-hole total of 3-under par 141. Defending champion Colwyn Abgrall of Southwood Golf & Country Club sits in a tie for 6th at even par 144.

Final round 2 scores >>

The cutline was +17 and the top 60 now move on to Glendale Golf & Country Club for round three later today with tee times beginning at 2pm.

Golf Manitoba (Morden, MB) – Round two of the 2020 Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur Championship was suspended due to darkness. Those players still on the course will return to Minnewasta Golf & Country Club to complete round two starting at 7:45am on Saturday, July 18. Upon completion of round two, the field will then be reduced to the top 60 and ties and those within 10 shots of the lead.

Round two scores >>

Round three is schedule to go at 2pm on Saturday, July 18 at the Glendale Golf & Country Club.

Golf Manitoba (Morden, MB) – Round one of the 2020 Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur Championship is in the books. Leading the way after the opening 18-holes is 2019 Mid-Amateur Champion Eric Johnson of Breezy Bend and 2020 runner up at the Junior Men’s Championship, Braxton Kuntz, also of Breezy Bend. Both Johnson and Kuntz posted 2-under par rounds of 70 on a sunny but windy day on the Minnewasta Golf & Country Club layout. Lurking just one shot behind is 2018 Amateur Champion Justin McDonald of Breezy Bend and Ryan Terdik of the Pine Ridge Golf Club, both who shot rounds of 1-unde par 71. Tied for 5th is 2020 Mid-Amateur Champion Allan McDonald of Breezy Bend who shot an even par round of 72.

Defending champion Colwyn Abgrall of the Southwood Golf & Country Club opened with a solid round of 1-over par 73 good enough for a tie for 8th spot.

First Round leaderboard >>

Round two is scheduled for tomorrow with an 8am start.  After tomorrow’s round, the field will be reduced to the low 60 and ties and those within 10 shots of the lead and will move to the Glendale Golf & Country Club for the final 36-holes of play.  New for 2020, the Men’s Amateur Championship will conclude on a Sunday.

For scores and updates, follow Golf Manitoba on Twitter @golf_manitoba.

Golf Manitoba (Selkirk, MB) – The 2020 Junior Women’s & Men’s Championships presented by the Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation, concluded on Tuesday, July 14 at the Selkirk Golf & Country Club.

In the junior women’s event, Crystal Zamzow took a one shot lead into the third and final round of the 54-hole event. Zamzow was able to hold her lead throughout the day by carding a 14-over par round of 84 for a three day total of 240. It was a wire-to-wire victory for Zamzow who held the lead all three days of the event. It is also her first junior women’s championship.

Finishing in close second, was Mikyla Albert who shot 83 to finish just two strokes back at 242. Alone in third, was Cala Korman who shot a final round 85 for a three day total of 243. The low round of the day went Jeri Lafleche of Clear Lake Golf Club shooting a 10-over par round of 80.

In the age division categories, Jewel Lafleche won the 12 & under division shooting 208 for 36-holes. Crystal Zamzow won the 13 & 14 age division, Aarmon Dhillon of Elmhurst Golf & Country Club won the 15 & 16 division with 264, and Mikyla Albert was tops in the 17 & 18 year old division.

2020 Junior Women’s Championship Final Leaderboard >>

In the men’s championship, round two had to be completed early Tuesday morning due to play being called to darkness the night before. Braxton Kuntz of Breezy Bend lit up the Selkirk track with a 3-under par 67 to move into a tie for second. First round leader Need Soni of St. Charles posted an even par round of 70 to take a three shot lead into the afternoon’s third and final round.

During the final round, it came down to the 72nd hole for Neel Soni to claim his first Junior Men’s Championship. Soni and Kuntz were tied after 71 holes of play.  After both finding the middle of the fairway with their tee shots and both missing their approach shots short and right on the 72nd hole, only Soni was able to get up and down for par which earned him a one shot victory.  Soni finished the day with an even par 70 for a 2-under par total of 208 against Kuntz who posted the round of afternoon firing a 2-under par score of 68 to finish at 209. Finishing alone in third, was Carter Johnson of Rossmere Country Club who shot 70 for a three day total of 212.

In the age group divisions, Brayden Boge of Pine Ridge won the 12 & under division, Grady Chuback of St. Charles Country Club won the 13 & 14 division, Braxton Kuntz won the 15 & 16 year old division and Neel Soni won the 17 & 18 year old division.

In the Junior Men’s Interclub championship, it was team Rossmere #1 of Lachlan Allerton, Trey Ross and Carter Johnson shooting a best two of three 36-hole total of 9-over par 289.  In a close second and just one back, was the team of Jacob Armstrong, Payne Wood and Scott Miner of St. Boniface shooting 290.

2020 Junior Men’s Championship Final Leaderboard >>

Golf Manitoba would like to express its sincere thanks Marg Homenuik, president of the Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation, for the Foundation’s tremendous support of these two events!!!

Special thanks also to Golf Manitoba performance partners TaylorMade Golf Canada and adidas golf Canada.

Golf Manitoba also wishes to extend a sincere thank you to the membership, management and staff of the Selkirk Golf & Country Club including office manager Rosey Martin, club manager Mike Hill and golf course superintendent Ian Brooks.

A big thank you also to all the competitors who helped make this another great event!

For more information:

Jared Ladobruk
Executive Director, Golf Manitoba
204.291.8032
jared@golfmb.ca

Golf Manitoba (Winnipeg) – The 2020 Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur Championship is set to go July 16-19 and will be co-hosted by the Minnewasta Golf & Country Club and the Glendale Golf & Country Club.  New for 2020, this event will conclude on a Sunday for a weekend finish.

MEN’S AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP INFORMATION

Colwyn Abgrall

Dates: July 16-19
Course(s): Minnewasta Golf & Country Club | Glendale Golf & Country Club
Yards/Par: 6,646 yards/72 | 6,728 yards/par 72
Field: 120 (full field)
2019 Champion: Colwyn Abgrall, Southwood Golf & Country Club
2019 Runner-up: Austin Dobrescu, Shilo Country Club
Format: 72 holes of stroke play, field cut to low 60 and ties after 36-holes
Awards/Placing: Prizes will be awarded to the 1-5 lowest competitors.

First Round Tee Times >>

LOOKING BACK

In a rematch of sorts, Colwyn Abgrall of Southwood Golf & Country Club claimed the 2019 Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur Championship at the Quarry Oaks Golf Course. After three rounds of 71-71-72, Abgrall found himself in the final group with first round leader and 2019 Match Play Champion Austin Dobrescu who plays out of the Shilo Country Club. The two were no strangers to one another as they met earlier in 2019 in the Match Play Championship Final. But for Abgrall, the outcome was in his favour this time around. Dobrescu made things interesting with a birdie on the 70th hole to tie for the lead at 1-under, however Abgrall made birdie on the 72nd hole to post a final round even-par score of 72 for four-day total of 286 and a two shot victory over Dobrescu; Abgrall was the only player to score under par for the championship.

2019 Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur Championship leaderboard >>

HISTORY

Past Champions:

Complete past champions directory >>

FAST FACTS

Minnewasta Golf & Country Club

• Sponsors:
  • Event title sponsor: Nott Autocorp.
  • Golf Manitoba association sponsors: TaylorMade Golf Canada, adidas Golf Canada
• The top five players will place in the event.
• Players this week will compete under the Golf Manitoba 2020 Conditions of Competition and Protocols including enhanced health and safety standards in response to COVID-19.
• Caddies and spectators are not permitted. 
  • Exception: One parent allowed to spectate if the junior is 17. Must adhere to the spectator code of conduct.
• For media inquiries, please contact Lisa Andersen, Director of Competitions at lisa@golfmb.ca.
• Scoring updates will be available on the Golf Manitoba Twitter and Facebook pages.
• Leaderboards will be available on the event information webpage:
  • 2020 Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur Championship leaderboard >>

ABOUT THE COURSE

For more information on the host golf courses, please click on the links below:

• Minnewasta Golf & Country Club
• Glendale Golf & Country Club