Finalists named for the Golf Manitoba 2018 Female and Male Amateur Golfers of the Year and Distinguished Service Award Recipient Announced
(October 16, 2018) – The Golf Manitoba Selection Committee has announced the finalists for the 2018 Male and Female Amateur Golfers of the Year award, which will both be presented during the Annual General Meeting and Awards Reception on Monday, October 22 at the Elmhurst Golf & Country Club.
The Manitoba Amateur Golfer of the Year award recognizes a players outstanding performance in all levels of competition on an annual basis.
The female nominees for 2018, and in alphabetical order, are: Marissa Naylor (Pine Ridge), Rhonda Orr (Southwood) and Camryn Roadley (Southwood).
Marissa Naylor finished 5th in the Golf Manitoba City & District Championship and T4th in the Manitoba Women’s Amateur Championship. With the University of Manitoba Bisons, Marissa posted a number of top finishes including two wins, a 2nd and 6th place finish and a 16th place finish.
Rhonda Orr defended her 2017 title by winning the Manitoba Women’s Senior Championship and was a member of the provincial team where individually she finished T18 in the Canadian Women’s Senior Championship. Rhonda was T4th in both the Manitoba Amateur and City & District Championships. Rhonda also qualified to compete in the 2018 USGA Senior Women’s Amateur Championship by tying for medalist in a regional qualifier. Rhonda made the match place portion of the event making it to the round of 64. Rhonda also finished in a T12 in the Senior Women’s North & South Amateur Championship played at Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina, USA.
Camryn Roadley won the 2018 Manitoba Women’s Amateur Championship where her victory earned her a spot on Team Manitoba and competing in the 2018 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship. Camryn also finished in 3rd place in the City & District Championship. As a member of the North Dakota State University Golf Team, Camryn recorded an 8th place, T18th and a T26th in NCAA Division I competition.
Three female players earned honourable mentions for their 2018 accomplishments: Charmaine Mackid of Breezy Bend, Bobbi Uhl of Shilo and Veronica Vetesnik of Southwood.
Charmaine Mackid was the winner of the City & District Championship, placed 3rd in the Manitoba Women’s Amateur, competed in the 2018 Canadian Women’s Amateur as a member of team Manitoba as well recorded a T26th in the Canadian Women’s Amateur Mid-Masters and a T30th in the Canadian Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship.
Bobbi Uhl won the Manitoba Junior Women’s Championship, finished 6th in the Women’s Amateur Championship, made the Match Play finals and also finished 3rd in the Golf Canada Future Links Prairie Championship.
Veronica Vetesnik finished 6th in the 2018 Golf Canada University/College Championship and 11th in the Manitoba Women’s Amateur. Playing for the University of Manitoba Bisons, Veronica had a T3rd and a 13th place finish in the fall season.
The 2018 Male Amateur Golfer of the Year nominees are and in alphabetical order: Todd Fanning (Niakwa), Justin McDonald (Breezy Bend), and Ryan McMillan (Elmhurst).
Todd Fanning successfully defended his Golf Canada Mid-Masters (40+) Championship with his win at the Victoria Golf Club. Todd also finished T7th in the Canadian Mid-Amateur. Todd finished 3rd in the Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur, T9th in the Manitoba Mid-Amateur and won the Elmhurst Invitational.
Justin McDonald had an impressive season claiming both the Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur and the Manitoba Mid-Amateur titles. Justin represented Manitoba by competing in the 2018 Canadian Mid-Amateur Championship where he recorded a T38th finish and was a member Team Manitoba that posted a 3rd place finish in inter-provincial play. Justin was the medalist in the Match Play Qualifier and also finished in 2nd place at the Grey Owl.
Ryan McMillan defended his 2017 title by winning the Manitoba Junior Men’s Championship. Ryan went on to represent Team Manitoba by competing in the Golf Canada Junior Men’s Championship where he finished in an impressive tie for 4th place. Ryan placed 14th in the Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur Championship and went on to record a T15th in the Glencoe Invitational.
Five additional male golfers are being recognized with honourable mentions:
Jacob Armstrong of St. Boniface finished T3rd in the Manitoba Junior Men’s Championship, he placed T7th in the Nott Autocorp Amateur and had a strong T4th place showing in the Golf Canada Future Links Prairie Championship. Jacob also qualified for and played in the Golf Canada Junior Men’s and Men’s Amateur Championships.
Garth Collings of Breezy Bend had another fine year finishing in second place in the Manitoba Mid-Amateur and winning the Mid-Masters division. Garth also finished T4th in the Manitoba Men’s Senior Championship which qualified him to play for Team Manitoba in the Golf Canada Senior Men’s Championship where he placed T17th overall. Garth was also a member of the provincial team that finished 3rd in inter-provincial play in the Golf Canada Mid-Amateur Championship.
Jay Doyle of Niawka made the semi-finals of the Match Play, finished T3rd in the Mid-Amateur and T14th in the Nott Autocorp Amateur. Jay went on to represent Manitoba in the 2018 Golf Canada Mid-Amateur where the team finished in 3rd place in inter-provincial play. Individually, Jay finished in a T22nd and T9th in the Mid-Amateur and Mid-Masters divisions respectively.
Eric Johnson of Breezy Bend had a great season finishing in a tie for 3rd in the Manitoba Mid-Amateur as well a 2nd place showing in the Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur. Eric went on to play in the Golf Canada Mid-Amateur Championship where he finished in a tie for 44th spot.
Devon Schade of Elmhurst had another solid year where he finished 12th in the Nott Autocorp Amateur, T4th in the Golf Canada College/University Championship as member of the team that finished 3rd overall and placed T15th in the Glencoe Invitational. As a member of the University of Manitoba Bison Men’s Golf Team, he had an outstanding fall showing where he recorded three individual wins.
The Amateur Golfer of the Year Award dates back to 1975.
Golf Manitoba Distinguished Service Award
Winnipeg’s Rick Thain has been name as the recipient of the 2018 Golf Manitoba Distinguished Service Award.
Rick’s involvement with the Manitoba Golf Association (M.G.A.) dates back to 1978 when he became an M.G.A. Council Representative for the City of Winnipeg Municipal Golf Courses. He remained in this capacity until 2000 serving on many and various committees and executive positions. During that time and continuing to the present, Rick has provided volunteer service to the former Manitoba Golf Association and Golf Manitoba for the past 40 years.
- The following are some of the highlights of Rick’s extensive volunteer career with the Manitoba Golf Association and Golf Manitoba:
- Council Representative from 1977 to 2000
- Junior Chairman from 1981 to 1985
- Tournament Chairman in 1986 and 1987
- Financial Chairman in 1988 and 1989
- Course Rating Chairman 1989 to 1994 where he introduced the Slope Method of course rating
- President of the Manitoba Golf Association in 1995
- M.G.A. Golf Journal Yearbook Committee member from 1980 to 1991
- Rules Official from 1982 to 2001 where he refereed club, inter-club, provincial and national level competitions
- Non-playing captain four times including the 1981 and 1982 Canadian Junior Championships, 1985 Western-Canadian Junior Championship and the 1995 Canadian Amateur Championship
- Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame Selection Committee from 2001 to 2008 and President in 2007
All of these extra-curricular activities were performed while Rick was employed with the City of Winnipeg as the Superintendent of the Municipal Golf Courses where he managed the administration, financing affairs, club and maintenance operations of the Kildonan Park, Windsor Park, Crescent Drive, John Blumberg and Harbour View Golf Courses.
After 33 successful years with the City of Winnipeg, Rick retired in January of 2005. He is now enjoying life with his wife Angie and their son Sean. Rick still remains as an active volunteer with Golf Manitoba.
Golf Manitoba is very pleased to honor Mr. Rick Thain as the Distinguished Service Award Recipient for 2018.
Past recipients include: Jerry Budyk (2007), Don Forsyth (2008), Betty Grant (2009), Brian Gilhuly (2010), Rudy Boivin (2011), Joyce Collier (2012), Bob Forcand (2013), Don MacDonald (2014), Barbara Hamill (2015), George McLeod (2016) and Irv Benne (2017).
For more information, contact:
Jared Ladobruk
Executive Director – Golf Manitoba
204.925.5729
Manitoba Golf Scholarship Fund Announces 2018 Recipients
The Board of Directors of the Manitoba Golf Scholarship Fund Inc. are proud to announce the recipients of this year’s scholarships. These outstanding individuals have participated in the Manitoba golf community, demonstrated academic excellence and are pursuing their post-secondary studies at Canadian educational institutions. Since inception, 182 scholarships have been awarded totaling over $205,000. A total of five scholarships will be awarded for this year.
In 2013, the Dr. Dwight Parkinson Award was created which is a $3500 scholarship that has been made possible by Mr. Dave Hill of the St Charles Country Club. This award recognizes Dr. Dwight Parkinson’s long-time commitment to the game of golf. It is awarded to the student entering their first year of studies at a post-secondary institution with the highest academic standing. This year’s recipient is Coral Zamzow of the Swan River Golf & Country Club. Coral is entering her first year of studies at the University of Manitoba and is pursuing a Bachelor of Commerce degree. In 2017, Coral’s golf highlights included being named as 1 of 12 Manitoba girls to the Canada Summer Games Training Squad, took 2nd place honors in the Golf Manitoba Women’s Rural Championship as well winning the Portage Junior Open and also finishing 3rd in a Maple Leaf Junior Tour event.
The following four individuals will receive a $1,000 scholarship each from the Manitoba Golf Scholarship Fund:
Anthony Leicht is a member at St. Charles Country Club and will start his first year in the Faulty of Science at the University of Manitoba. In 2017, Anthony enjoyed a very successful golf season where he finished 4th in the Manitoba Junior Championship and 7th in the Manitoba Amateur Championship. Anthony has also been named to the University of Manitoba Bison’s Golf Team for the 2018/19 season.
Nicholas Fanning of the Niakwa Country Club is also entering his first year at the University Manitoba in the Faculty of Commerce. In 2017, Nicholas finished 9th overall in the Manitoba Junior Boys Championship and recorded a T3 and 4th place finish in two Maple Leaf Junior Tour events and also finished in a tie for 18th at the Golf Canada Prairie Future Links Championship. Nicholas will also begin his university golf career with the Manitoba Bison Men’s Golf Team starting this fall.
Brynn Todd of the St Charles Country Club is pursuing a degree from the Asper School of Business at the University Manitoba with a major in Accounting. In 2017, Brynn was a member of the both the Davenport University Women’s Golf Team (spring of 2017) and the University of Manitoba Bison Women’s Golf Team (fall 2017). In her first year with the Bisons, Brynn played in 8 events and recorded a win in her first event of the season at the Jamestown Country Club with a score of 78. She also finished 6th in the 2017 Manitoba Women’s Amateur Championship qualifying her for the 2017 Golf Canada Women’s Amateur Championship. Brynn finished the 2017 academic year with a 3.81 grade point average.
Steven Young of the St Charles Country Club is working towards a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Manitoba with majors in Accounting and Finance. In 2017, he was a member of the University of Manitoba Bison Men’s Golf Team where he posted five top ten finishes including a win at the Twin Cities Classic on rounds of 68 and 75. Steven also enjoyed success locally where he finished 5th in the Elmhurst Invitational, 11th in the Nott Autocorp’s Manitoba Men’s Amateur Championship and qualified for and competed in the 2017 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship held in Toronto, Ontario. Steven completed the 2017 academic year with a 4.0 grade point average.
Congratulations to all of this year’s recipients!
For any further information, please contact Golf Manitoba Executive Director Jared Ladobruk at (204) 925-5729.
About the Manitoba Golf Scholarship Fund (MGSF):
- The MGSF is a registered charity with the goal of providing financial assistance to young golfers pursuing post-secondary education at institutions in Canada
- The annual scholarships are granted based on the interest earned from the fund
- The capital fund grows annually from donations made by individuals, donations made in honor of someone and golf clubs within Manitoba and Northwest Ontario making contributions
- Tax receipts are given for donations to the Fund
- Golf Manitoba supports the Fund administratively which allows for very little administrative overhead
- The Fund began in 1986 and has awarded 182 scholarships for a total of $205,000
The Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame to honour 2018 inductees September 24, 2018
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2018 Rural Champions Crowned
The 2018 Golf Manitoba Rural Championship was contested this past August 12 & 13 at Shilo Country Club. After two great days of competition, Golf Manitoba would like to congratulate this year’s champions!
Amateur Men’s Champion
Colwyn Abgrall – Golf Manitoba Public Player
Amateur Women’s Champion
Mikyla Albert – Golf Manitoba Public Player
Senior Men’s Champion
Keith Fawcett – Clear Lake Golf Course
Junior Men’s Champion
Dalen Schulz – Dauphin Lake Golf Course
12 & Under Junior Men’s Champion
Zostrianos Giordani-Gross – Shilo Country Club
Thank you to all players who competed and made this year’s event a success! We would also like to extend our sincere thank you to Shilo Country Club and general manager Scott Ramsay and PGA of Canada Class A Professional Dave Scinocca and their entire staff for hosting this year’s event.
2018 Players Cup Monday Qualifying Results
Bret Thompson, Winnipeg, MB, Canada – 71
Eric Hallberg, Scotsdale, AZ, USA – 72
Tucker Wadkins, Darien, CT – 72
Noah Fiks and Crystal Zamzow claim 2018 Golf Manitoba Bantam Championship Titles
The 2018 Golf Manitoba Bantam Championships was contested this past August 8 and 9 at The Players Course in Winnipeg. The championship is a 36 hole event with 18 holes daily at stroke play. Awards are presented for the overall championship, runner up and the following age categories:
- 12 & under
- 13 & 14 years of age
At the completion of this year’s event, Noah Fiks of Pine Ridge claimed the overall boys title by shooting rounds of 75 and 71 to and beating fellow club mate Ryan Blair by one shot who contributed with rounds of 77 and 70. Crystal Zamzow of Swan River Golf & Country Club took the girls title shooting a two day total of 195 on rounds of 93 and 102 against Armaan Dhillon of Rossmere Country Club against her rounds of 105 and 111.
In the 12 and under boys division, Grady Chuback of St. Charles Country Club shot rounds of 84 and 78 for a 162 total with Jacob Bell from Breezy Bend finishing in second place on his rounds of 109 and 102.
In the 13 and 14 boys division, Adam Ingram of Elmhurst posted 155 on rounds of 76 and 79 to edge Bijan Salimi of Minnewasta on his two day total of 160 (82-78).
Full results for the Bantam Championship are available at golfmb.ca.
Golf Manitoba would like to express our sincere thanks to Rob Damsgard, general manager and PGA of Canada head professional at The Players Course and his entire staff for hosting the event.
Golf Manitoba’s Carol Muzychka Retires
Long time Golf Manitoba employee Carol Muzychka retired at on July 31, 2018 after 25 years of service. Carol worked in a variety of capacities for Golf Manitoba and most recently as the Office Administrator. Carol was involved in all aspects of operations with Golf Manitoba including membership, volunteer management, tournament administration, event support, communications and provincial team support.
Both Carol and her husband Greg entered retirement in the very same week and will begin their new adventures together with a trip out to western Canada to visit family and friends.
From all of us at Golf Manitoba, we sincerely thank Carol for her many years of service and dedication and wish her and husband well in this new and exciting chapter of their lives together.
adidas Golf Canada Becomes Official Provider of Clothing & Footwear to Golf Manitoba
adidas Golf Canada Becomes Official Provider of Clothing & Footwear to Golf Manitoba. Please click here to read more.
TaylorMade Continues as Official Provider of Golf Balls, Golf Bags & Headwear to Golf Manitoba
TaylorMade Continues as Official Provider of Golf Balls, Golf Bags & Headwear to Golf Manitoba. Please click here to read more.
Canadian golf industry launches “National Golf Day”
OTTAWA – Today, Canada’s national golf industry associations announced the first annual National Golf Day, May 29, an event aimed at raising awareness to the public and government decision makers on the many positive impacts of the golf industry.
“More Canadians play golf than any other participation sport and our industry is #1 in driving economic impact, employment and charity fundraising,” said Jeff Calderwood, National Allied Golf Associations (NAGA) and We Are Golf Chair. “Combined with golf’s diversity, healthy fitness benefits and environmental stewardship, we really do have such a positive message to communicate.”
National Golf Day provides the opportunity for Canada’s golf industry leaders to discuss these wide-reaching benefits of the sport directly with MPs, Senators and policy advisors at Parliament Hill. A May 28 evening reception will also be held in Centre Block, and NAGA will be hosting a day of interactive golf activities on the front lawn where MPs and visitors will be able to participate. This day of outdoor golf activities will include a focus on junior golf.
“We are really looking forward to our time in Ottawa and expect that government officials from all parties will be impressed to learn about all the ways golf contributes in virtually every riding throughout Canada,” added Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum. “There are so many meaningful benefits that golf delivers in communities from coast to coast and it will be great to share all those insights on National Golf Day.”
Golf courses and all related stakeholders throughout Canada are encouraged to promote the same positive messages. NAGA will provide shareable social content.
NAGA is also announcing a rebranding of its public facing name to We Are Golf. This aligns with the same brand name used by the American golf industry for allied association activities such as National Golf Day. NAGA does carry on as the administrative body but will use the We Are Golf brand for all public communications.
Please watch for additional We Are Golf and National Golf Day communications over the coming weeks as we lead up to the May 29 event itself.