Playing recreational golf became one of the go-to activities during the COVID-19 pandemic as the nature of the game made it safe under Canada’s public health measures.

Golf Canada’s 2024 annual report, released on March 6, shows that the pandemic bubble growth wasn’t just a passing fad. Nearly six million Canadians played golf last year, including more than 360,000 Golf Canada members who posted nearly 11 million rounds to the national sport body’s scoring centre.

“This surge that we felt has really stabilized with continued growth,” said Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum. “Technological advancement, the shifting of lifestyles and the work week has really helped the participation side, as has the expansion of new formats for golf, like shorter formats, simulator golf.

“It’s actually all these factors have come together to help continue that growth.”

Golf Canada’s youth and accessibility programs have also fuelled the growth of its participation numbers.

First Tee – Canada, a youth development program that gives children life-enhancing experiences, was rolled out in every province in 2024 with more than 100,000 participants since it was launched in 2021. 

Youth on Course, another program that aims to make golf more financially accessible for kids, expanded across nine provinces with 105 golf courses participating. Over 32,900 rounds of golf at $5 or less were played by 5,382 unique golfers thanks to Youth on Course.

“(First Tee) is a life skills program that uses golf, and they’re having a blast,” said Applebaum. “We were seeing a lot of really strong participation from golfers and our demographics had been getting older but in ’23 and ’24 we saw the demographic ages actually slide younger and skew younger and more female.”

First launched in Calgary in 2023, She Plays Golf festivals were also held in Toronto and Vancouver last year. Organized by Golf Canada, the weeklong events are designed to introduce women and girls to the game in a safe, fun and judgment-free environment.

Applebaum said that these programs that help people try golf when they’ve never picked up a club before, as well as a women’s executive program for professionals in the marketplace that have always wanted to be part of the golf environment, have buoyed those annual participation numbers.

“So it’s not one thing, it’s probably 15 or 20 things that are coming together,” he said. “Golf has hit that moment as an incredible sport for physical and mental health that has really connected with people of all ages and stages.”

Golf Canada also introduced two new championships in 2024: the Canadian U15 Championship and the Canadian Collegiate Invitational, for a total championship schedule that included 36 titles.

The BDO National Golf League, a countrywide, season-long competition created by Golf Canada also encouraged players to get in more rounds over the year. It allows golfers participating in the club’s league to also compete provincially and nationally.

More than 10,000 participants from 107 leagues competed, with 52 pairings qualifying for the league championship at Hamilton Golf and Country Club during the 2024 RBC Canadian Open. 

The champions represented Canada at Royal Troon in Scotland for The R&A 9 Hole Challenge at the 152nd British Open.

Golf Canada’s 2025 Annual General Meeting concluded with the election of Adam Daifallah of Montréal, Que. to serve as the 118th President of the National Sport Federation.

A volunteer with Golf Canada since 2013, Daifallah joined the Board of Directors in 2018 and most recently served two consecutive terms as vice president (2023-2024). He is currently a Senior Managing Director at Teneo, the global CEO advisory firm, with responsibility for Teneo’s Montréal office. Previously he was co-founder and Managing Partner of the public affairs firm HATLEY Strategy Advisors, which was acquired by Teneo in 2020. Prior to that, Daifallah practiced law at the Montréal office of Norton Rose Fulbright (then Ogilvy Renault), sat on the editorial board of the National Post, and was Washington correspondent of The New York Sun. He is co-author of two books on Canadian politics. A link to Daifallah’s full bio is here.

“It is an honour to be named the 118^th President of Golf Canada and to represent our member clubs and golfers from coast to coast,” said Daifallah. “Our sport has experienced an incredible resurgence, with strong interest from both avid players and new enthusiasts, as well as sponsors, donors, and supporters getting behind the game in a major way. “There is a great energy driving growth and excitement in Canadian golf and I look forward to the continued success of the organization.”

Based on the Report of Golf Canada’s Nominating Committee, Daifallah will be joined on the 2025 Board of Directors by new Vice President, Jean-Sébastien Monty of Montréal. They will lead the 11-member Board of Directors who will work closely with Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum and Golf Canada’s management team.

Returnees to the Board of Directors include Patrick Kelly of Victoria, B.C., Lori Dithurbide of Halifax, N.S., Katie Mahon of Kingston, Ont., Louise Patry of Montréal, Que., Nafeez Hirji of Calgary, Alta., Peter Broome of Jupiter, Fla. and former LPGA Tour player and Team Canada graduate Britanny Marchand of Mooresville, N.C.

New additions to Golf Canada’s Board of Directors include Steven Young of Banff, Alta. and Pamela Huff of Toronto, Ont.

For the biographies of Golf Canada’s Board of Directors, click here.

As part of its virtually conducted Annual General Meeting, Golf Canada also released the organization’s 2024 Annual Report including its Financial Statements which are available here.

Tom Forestell named 2024 Bruce Mitchell Volunteer of the Year Award…

In celebration of volunteerism, Golf Canada recognized Tom Forestell of Toronto, Ont. as the 2024 recipient of the Bruce Mitchell Volunteer of the Year Award. Forestell is longtime volunteer with Golf Canada, most recently serving as Chair of the Rules and Amateur Status Committee. He has officiated at countless provincial, national and international golf competitions and has played an impactful role in supporting Golf Canada’s Rules Education program. In 2024, Forestell completed his final year serving as Committee Chair for Golf Canada’s Rules and Amateur Status Committee. Click here for more.

Golf Canada Past President David McCarthy along with Diane Barabé, Robert Laing and the late Teri Yamada appointed Honorary Life Governors…

Golf Canada’s immediate past president David McCarthy of Toronto along with Diane Barabé of Granby, Que., Robert Laing of West Vancouver, B.C. and Teri Yamada (posthumously) of Collingwood received the organization’s highest volunteer honour as they were named Honorary Life Governors for their outstanding contributions to the organization. Click here for more.

Volunteers Lee Griffin, Jack McDonald, and Jean Stone-Séguin along with retired PGA of Canada professional Muncie Booth recognized with Golf Canada’s 2025 Distinguished Service Award…

Golf Canada announced that four accomplished golf contributors – long-time Golf Canada volunteers Lee Griffin of Cambridge, Ont., Jack McDonald of Kamloops, B.C. and Jean Stone-Séguin of Rockland, Ont. along with retired PGA of Canada professional Muncie Booth of Vancouver, B.C. – will be acknowledged for their tremendous contributions to Canadian golf. The presentation of the Distinguished Service Award to this year’s honourees will be celebrated later this season at events and locations to be determined. Click here for more information.

Do you have interest in becoming a certified golf referee? If so, Golf Manitoba is hosting an in-person Level 2 Provincial Certification Seminar April 4-6, 2025. 

This provincial education and certification series is designed for those who are new to rules and wanting to advance their rules education, active Level 2 tournament referees and PGA of Canada members. Level 2 referees who pass the exam become eligible to referee in all Golf Manitoba provincial championships. Please note that writing the exam is not mandatory and is optional only for those who want to achieve provincial certification. The exam will be available at a future date.

Level 2 Pre-requisite:

1. has achieved 85% or better on the Level 1 Online Exam.

Requirements to be Provincially Certified:

1. Attend and achieve a minimum of 80% on the Provincial exam, administered by Golf Manitoba.
2. Complete 50 hours of on-course experience as a Referee.
3. Complete an additional 10 hours accompanying a Nationally certified Referee at a championship.

Level 2 certified referees are volunteers however Golf Manitoba covers all eligible expenses including mileage, accommodations (when necessary), meals and also provides a uniform package. To learn more about volunteering with Golf Manitoba, please click here.

Level 2 Schedule & Registration:

1. Friday, April 4, 2025 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
2. Saturday, April 5, 2025 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
3. Sunday, April 6, 2025 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

All three sessions will be held in person at the Sport Manitoba building in the Theatre Room (lower level) at 145 Pacific Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Golf Manitoba is pleased to offer the Level 2 certification at no charge. Please note that registration will close on March 17, 2025, at 4:00pm.

Register for Level 2

Contact:

For all Level 2 inquires, please contact Golf Manitoba Executive Director Jared Ladobruk by email at jared@golfmb.ca or at 204.925.5729.

Golf Canada and the Golf Canada Foundation are pleased to announce that Golf Manitoba President Susan Wright-Cassan (Emerald Greens Golf Course & Driving Range) of Thunder Bay, Ont. and Carly Crooks of Scarborough, Ont. have been named the 2024 recipients of the Lorie Kane Community Spirit Awards.

Following a national call for nominations to the Canadian golf community, Wright-Cassan and Crooks were identified by the selection committee as recipients of the Lorie Kane Community Spirit Awards. The recognition celebrates a pair of individuals who demonstrated excellence in using golf as a platform to positively impact their communities.

“On behalf of Golf Canada and the Golf Canada Foundation, we are very proud to recognize Susan Wright-Cassan and Carly Crooks as our 2024 Lorie Kane Community Spirt Award recipients,” said David McCarthy, President, Golf Canada. “Nominations were brought forth from across the country highlighting the many contributions of passionate individuals who willingly give their time to inspire others through the game of golf. Congratulations to Susan and to Carly for this deserved honour and we thank them for their continued contributions to the sport in their communities.”

Wright-Cassan has been named the recipient of the 2024 Lorie Kane Community Leader Award, having made a significant impact in her community where she has been volunteering for over 20 years. Wright-Cassan currently serves as the President of Golf Manitoba and is a member of the Emerald Greens Golf Course and Driving Range in Thunder Bay. Wright-Cassan earned her community coaching certificate from First Tee and has been teaching junior golf and supporting the introductory First Tee – Canada program in Thunder Bay. Among her many contributions to the game, she has organized a variety of programming including “Golf in Schools” for over 1000 students, “Summer Camps for Kids”, the “Thunder Bay Queens”, “Try Golf Day” held in conjunction with the Thunder Bay Multi-Cultural Association and the Superior North Ladies Golf Association which has an outreach of 800 kms. Last year, Golf Manitoba presented Wright-Cassan with her 20-year volunteer certificate in recognition of her involvement with course rating in Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario.

“I want to thank those that have supported me in my golf endeavors. I am honoured to be the recipient of the 2024 Lori Kane Community Leader Award. I must thank the people with the First Tee Program and Golf in School, those that I’ve met teaching at the junior and adult levels, playing at club and competitive levels and especially to those that without thinking of it, have encouraged myself and others,” said Susan Wright-Cassan. “This is a game that I love both to play and share my passion. It is a game for all ages, juniors through senior. The social aspects at all ages, the discipline, self-imposed applications of the rules, health benefits, friendships developed and maintained over the years, and other countless benefits are a few of the reasons that I and many others are involved with the game. The Lorie Kane Community Leader Award will fuel me to carry on with the programs I’m involved with.”

Wright-Cassan will receive a $5,000 donation from the Golf Canada Foundation to advance a golf program or golf-related initiative of her choice.

Crooks has been named the recipient of the 2024 Lorie Kane Future Leader Award. The 21-year-old has dedicated her summers to coaching with First Tee – Canada, both in her community and across Ontario. After completing training as a First Tee – Canada coach in 2023, Crooks has coached in First Tee – Canada programming at the RBC Canadian Open, Golf Ontario’s Indigenous Try it Day, All-Girls First Tee along with programming at Tam O’Shanter Golf Course in Scarborough, Ont.

“Winning this award is so exciting, and I couldn’t have done it without the amazing people in my corner,” said Carly Crooks. “Shout out to my coach, Sean Burke, for always pushing me to be better, and to my parents for their endless support. My twin sister has been with me through everything, and I’m especially grateful to the First Tee – Ontario team for getting me involved.”

Crooks will receive a $5,000 donation towards her post-secondary education. Wright-Cassan and Crooks will be honoured during the RBC Hall of Fame Day in August during the CPKC Women’s Open at Mississaugua Golf and Country Club in Mississauga, Ont.

Submissions for the Lorie Kane Community Spirit Awards were evaluated by a selection committee that includes representatives from Golf Canada, the Golf Canada Foundation, Honoured Members of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame, industry representatives and the Golf Journalists Association of Canada.  

The Lorie Kane Community Leader Award celebrates individuals over the age of 19 with a demonstrated ability to lead community initiatives; who have contributed a measurable impact through volunteerism or charity; or have showcased excellence in their involvement with, or support of youth programs such as First Tee – Canada or other junior golf activities.

The Lorie Kane Future Leader Award honours a young individual who embodies community leadership; has a history of sportsmanship or demonstrated activities to make the game more inclusive; or an individual who has used golf to create a meaningful impact in their community.

The Lorie Kane Community Spirit Awards were named to honour the Canadian golf icon for a longstanding commitment to advancing the sport, charitable work and giving back to the game that defined her Hall of Fame career. Kane is a member of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Canada Sports Hall of Fame as well as a recipient of the Order of Canada.

A call for nominations for the 2025 Lorie Kane Community Spirit Awards will go out later this year.

Netflix’s hit docuseries Full Swing returns for its third season, and this time, Canadian golf fans have even more reason to tune in.

The show follows the journeys of some of the biggest names in the sport, and among them are two of Canada’s own—Nick Taylor and Adam Hadwin.

The pair, both hailing from Abbotsford, B.C., have been linked throughout their careers, from their early junior golf days to their rise on the PGA Tour. The new season delves into their long-standing friendship, offering a behind-the-scenes look at their bond both on and off the course.

Their episode captures a mix of competitive spirit and camaraderie, with moments ranging from high-stakes tournament play to lighthearted scenes—like an attempt to track down a Vancouver Canucks game while on the road. The series showcases Taylor’s incredible success, including his unforgettable RBC Canadian Open victory, while also highlighting Hadwin’s pursuit of his own breakthrough moments.

Executive producer Chad Mumm describes this season as deeply character-driven, aiming to appeal not just to golf enthusiasts but to a broader audience as well. The inclusion of Taylor and Hadwin adds a unique Canadian angle to the show, emphasizing their journey, challenges, and the mutual support that has defined their careers.

While the season builds towards the drama of the Presidents Cup at Royal Montreal, the journey itself is what makes their story compelling. Whether it’s the thrill of competition or the shared moments along the way, Full Swing provides an intimate look at what it takes to succeed at the highest level—while never forgetting where it all began.

2024 Golf Manitoba Junior Boys Champion Zostrianos Giordani-Gross (Shilo Country Club / Miles College) has won his first college championship south of the border.

Giordani-Gross earned a two stroke victory in the Men’s Division #2 Championship of the Arcis HBCU Golf Championship at The Club at Weston Hills – Players Course in Weston, Florida carding rounds of 75, 72 and 37 (only nine holes due to weather) to finish at 4 over par 184.

Final leaderboard

2024 PGA of Manitoba Distinguished Service Award winner Garth Goodbrandson sits down with Golf Manitoba Director of Communications & Development Brian Munz to discuss his passion for the sport of golf.

To read more on Goodbrandson’s career, click here.

Golf Manitoba is pleased to announce 23 Junior Boys and 15 Junior Girls have been named to the 2025 Team Manitoba roster.

These junior golfers will train and compete in various tournaments throughout the season representing our province under the guidance of coaches Sean Murray and Bri-ann Tokariwski, both PGA of Canada members.

The Junior Boys Gold Team roster features:
– Dauphin Lake Golf Club’s Jackson Delaurier
– Gavin Carver & Hunter Oakden of Glendale Country Club
– Niakwa Country Club’s Ryder St. Laurent
– Pine Ridge Golf Club members Adam Blair & Liam Comaskey
– Brayden Boge, Hudson Hunnie & Ryder Pufahl of Rossmere Country Club
– Quarry Oaks Golf Course’s Ty Brewster
– Payne Wood of St. Boniface Golf Club
– St. Charles Country Club member Owen Conrad
– Spence Mott of Shilo Golf & Country Club.

With just over three months until the tournament season we are very excited to get the 2025 campaign underway” said Boys Head Coach Sean Murray. “What we do now during the offseason is crucial to our individual and team. Being in Manitoba we can’t afford to start playing our best golf in July or August, it has to be from the get go. The boys have a great support team and resources behind them to help them play their best golf. We have a great group selected here, who work hard, love the game, and will represent Golf Manitoba with class.”

The Junior Girls will be divided into two teams.

The Gold Team roster features:
– Angelina Sitarz of Elmhurst Golf & Country Club
– Payton Oakden of Glendale
– Pine Ridge’s Sadie Blazeiko, Gracie McMillan & Erin Nowicki
– Golf Manitoba Public Players Club member Maisy Shewchuk.

The Black Team roster includes:
– Elmhurst’s Emily Devlin, Annika Gording & Kate McMillan
– Golf Manitoba Public Players Club member Mikaila Pador
– Camryn Thomas of St. Charles. 

“The team this season is some of the hungriest group of athletes to come through the program” said Girls Head Coach Bri-ann Tokariwski. “Their work ethic and wanting to learn is really exciting. They each possess their own strengths and experiences that will help them compete this season. We are all excited to go through the Canada Games cycle and showcase their abilities.”

Looking into the future, 10 Junior Boys and four Junior Girls have been recognized for their potential and named to Team Manitoba’s Blue practice squad rosters.

The boys roster includes Brady Comaskey (Pine Ridge), Colton Drul (Elmhurst), Brayden Hamm (Wheat City), Preston Johnson (St. Charles), Finn Kydd (St. Charles), Hunter MacLean (St. Charles), Aris Mercury (Glendale), Tiago Miranda (St. Charles), Ty Montour (Scotswood Links) and Grant Secord (St. Charles).

The girls are Mackenzie Bartlett (Carman), Isla Dent (Golf Manitoba Public Player), Leah Klippenstein (Golf Manitoba Public Player) and Lindley Kurz (Golf Manitoba Public Player).

“As an association, this is always an exciting time of year as we get to identify our future” said Golf Manitoba Executive Director Jared Ladobruk. “Over the past number of years, we have seen Team Manitoba members move on to attend Canadian and American universities with some advancing to play professional golf. With commitment and dedication to our 2025 Team Manitoba program, we hope one day these individuals will too.” 

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.

Golf Manitoba would also like to thank Elmhurst Golf & Country Club and Southwood Golf & Country Club for their hospitality as the host courses for Team Manitoba practices.

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.

Shanks Driving Range & Grill, a Golf Manitoba Off Course Facility, has been named winner of the 2024 Top Tracer Rookie of the Year Award.

Top Tracer Canada Sales Manager Josh Brunner recently travelled to Brandon to present the award to Shanks Owner / Operator Ross Sheard.

Located five kilometers west of Brandon on Highway #1, Shanks Driving Range & Grill officially opened April 28, 2024.

For more information, click here.

Golf Manitoba is pleased to announce the 2025 Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur Championship will be held Monday, July 14^th to Wednesday, July 16^th at Southwood Golf & Country Club. The championship was previously scheduled to be held at Minnewasta Golf & Country Club.

“Following the fire earlier this month at the Minnewasta clubhouse, a joint decision was made by Minnewasta’s management and our association to relocate the event” said Golf Manitoba Executive Director Jared Ladobruk. “Our thoughts are with the golf club, its members, and the Morden community as they begin the rebuilding process. We look forward to the day we can return this event to this great venue.”

Ladobruk also expressed appreciation, stating “I would like to thank Chief Operating Officer / General Manager Rob Guthrie, Head Professional Andrew Steep, Superintendent Dustin How, the Board of Directors, staff and membership of Southwood for their support in hosting the 2025 Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur. Southwood is an excellent venue. Their staff and members do an amazing job in hosting high level championships.”

“When Golf Manitoba approached us we were happy to help out” said Guthrie. “The golf community in our province is a tight knit group and we all look forward to seeing Minnewasta at its finest again in the near future.”

“It has been a challenging month” said Minnewasta Golf & Country Club General Manager & Head Professional Greg Hesom. “Currently without our clubhouse, we could not put our best foot forward in hosting the province’s top amateur golfers for three consecutive days. We are excited about the future and welcoming everyone when the time is right.”

This will be the first 54-hole Golf Manitoba championship to be held at Southwood Golf & Country Club since the course opened in 2011.

Braxton Kuntz of Breezy Bend Country Club is the defending champion of the Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur Championship having won the last four consecutive years (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024).

Early registration will open from April 1^st to April 15^th for select players and based on their finish in 2024 Golf Manitoba Championships. These players will receive an email informing them of their status.

General registration will open on April 16^th.

To view Golf Manitoba’s 2025 Championship Schedule, including all host venues and registration requirements, click here.

Manitoba Amateur Championships

Golf Manitoba annually conducts provincial golf competitions and qualifiers – which play host to more than 900 golfers who play over 1,700 rounds.

In partnership with our host clubs, volunteers, and corporate partners, Golf Manitoba is dedicated to supporting player development through first-class competition.

Golf Manitoba’s amateur championships are proudly supported by the Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation, Taylormade Canada, PUMA GOLF, Sport Manitoba and Golf Canada as well as Hole Partners Cleanline, A Little Pizza Heaven, McDonalds, Payworks and Sigurdson Financial.