Sport Manitoba has named Darcy Furber as the 2025 SBC Insurance Athlete of the Year.

Furber is a member of the Golf Manitoba Hall of Fame whose career reflects both excellence and perseverance. As a sighted golfer, he achieved significant success, winning the Wellington Cup multiple times and earning a golf scholarship to the University of Southern Mississippi, where he competed from 1983 to 1987.

Due to a hereditary eye condition, Furber gradually lost his vision and stepped away from the game for two decades after the birth of his daughter. In 2015, inspired by the Manitoba Blind Sports Association, he returned to the sport alongside his brother Joe, competing as a B2 golfer. As his vision continued to decline, he transitioned to competing as a B1 golfer in 2024.
 
In 2025, he delivered an extraordinary season on the international and national stage, winning the World Blind Golf Championship (Low Gross in the B1 category) in Simcoe, Ontario, while also finishing runner-up in the Low Net category against all sight classifications. He also captured titles at the Canadian Blind Golf Championship, Western Blind Golf Championship, and the Manitoba Blind Golf Provincials as a B1 golfer.

“Behind every performance, podium finish, and breakthrough moment is a story of persistence, sacrifice, and belief.” said Sport Manitoba President & CEO Janet McMahon. “Night of Champions is about recognizing those stories and the people who bring them to life across Manitoba. We’re proud to celebrate this year’s nominees and recipients, and grateful to the sponsors, volunteers, and staff who make this celebration possible.”
 
Beyond his competitive success, Furber has made a lasting impact on the blind golf community in Manitoba. He is a dedicated mentor, supporting and encouraging new athletes to get involved and compete at both local and national levels. 
 
A key part of Darcy’s journey has been the unwavering support of his wife Pam, daughters Kaylee and Madisyn, and his brother-in-law, Ron Oliver, who serves as his guide and coach. Together, they continue to train and compete throughout the summer months, demonstrating the importance of teamwork and trust in the sport.

Furber will be recognized Thursday, April 16th during the Night of Champions presented by Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries, a by invite only event, at the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame.

Other award winners include:
Konica Minolta Official of the Year – Zdravka Tchonkova (Rhythmic Gymnastics)
Calm Air Team of the Year – Brandon University Bobcats (Men’s Volleyball)
2017 Canada Games Legacy Fund Volunteer of the Year – Colin Mark (Basketball)
Coach of the Year – Tammy De Jong (Baton Twirling)

Each award winner receives a bursary to put toward their involvement in sport, and a banner with their name and award will be displayed at the Sport Manitoba facility. 

University of Manitoba Bisons Men’s Golf Head Coach Devon Schade joins Golf Manitoba Director of Communications & Development Brian Munz to discuss a successful 2025/26 season and look ahead as the program continues.

The Bisons, in partnership with the Johnston Group, are hosting a fundraising event featuring Steve Bannatyne, Joshua Evenson and Derek Ingram on Monday, April 20th at St. Charles Country Club.

To purchase tickets, click here or contact Ken Mould by email or by phone at (204) 881-5157.

During the event at St. Charles, don’t miss an opportunity to win a four-person, three-round golf package at the highly anticipated Rodeo Dunes golf resort in Denver, Colorado ($4,000 USD value), gifted by Dream Golf.

Canada will be represented by three players at the Masters this week, with Corey Conners, Nick Taylor and former champion Mike Weir all set to tee it up at Augusta National.

Conners, from Listowel, Ont., is grouped with England’s Harry Hall and American Michael Brennan. They are set to begin play at 11:44 am CST on Thursday and 8:19 am on Friday. Conners has twice finished tied for sixth at Augusta National (2020, 2022), the best result among the Canadians in the field.

Taylor, of Abbotsford, B.C., will play alongside Americans Keegan Bradley and Ryan Gerard in the opening two rounds. Their group is scheduled to tee off at 8:31 am on Thursday and 11:44 am on Friday. Taylor’s best result at the Masters is a tie for 29th, recorded in 2020.

Weir, the 2003 Masters champion from Brights Grove, Ont., will play with American Wyndham Clark and Argentina’s amateur Mateo Pulcini. Their tee times are 10:27 am on Thursday and 7:02 am on Friday. Weir’s victory in 2003 remains the best result by a Canadian at the Masters.

10 members of Team Manitoba are in Courtney, British Columbia this week teeing it up against some of Saskatchewan’s top junior golfers.

The Spring Trip & Friendly Ryder Cup at Crown Isle Resort & Golf Community is led by Golf Manitoba Director of Player Development Sean Murray running from April 5^th to 10^th.

Players representing our province were selected by their results during the 2025 Boys & Girls Junior Boys & Girls Championship presented by the Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation:

• Adam Blair (Elmhurst Golf & Country Club)

• Gavin Carver (St. Charles Country Club)

• Payton Chapman (Glendale Golf & Country Club)

• Brady Comaskey (Pine Ridge Golf Club)

• Tanner Grose (Southwood Golf & Country Club)

• Hudson Hunnie (Rossmere Country Club)

• Hunter Oakden (Wheat City Golf Course)

• Ryder St. Laurent (Niakwa Country Club)

• Angelina Sitarz (Elmhurst Golf & Country Club)

• Camryn Thomas (St. Charles Country Club)

“This week is a great opportunity for our athletes to get a jump on the 2026 season” said Murray. “In teaming up with Golf Saskatchewan we are creating a competitive environment where the reps actually mean something. It’s one thing to practice, but it’s another to really test your game before the tournament schedule kicks off. We really can’t thank Crown Isle enough for hosting us. Having a world-class facility like this to play, practice, and stay is ideal for what we need to dial in our routines and make sure we’re ready to go when the first event hits.”

Each morning will start with three hours of practice followed by competitive rounds in the afternoon.

The University of Manitoba Bisons Golf Team, in partnership with the Johnston Group, is hosting a fundraising event at St. Charles Country Club on Monday, April 20.

The night will feature appearances by Steve Bannatyne, Joshua Evenson and Derek Ingram.

Don’t miss an opportunity to win a four-person, three-round golf package at the highly anticipated Rodeo Dunes golf resort in Denver, Colorado ($4,000 USD value), gifted by Dream Golf.

For more details and to purchase tickets, click here or contact Ken Mould by email or by phone at (204) 881-5157.

Sam Diamond (St. Charles Country Club) at the Sandhurst Club in Sandhurst, Australia competing in the PGA Tour Australasia Qualifying School Finals.

Diamond is one of 64 competitors in the field playing 72 holes over the next four days.

For the live leaderboard, click here.

Sam Diamond (St. Charles Country Club) has qualified for the PGA Tour Australasia Qualifying School Finals.

The Winnipegger carded rounds of 72-77-72 to finish the 54 hole event at Moonah Links in Fingal, Australia T13 on the leaderboard at 5-over par 221.

For the final leaderboard, click here.

The final stage next week is a four round, 72 hole competition.

Golf Manitoba is pleased to announced early registration for all 2026 Golf Manitoba Championships will open Wednesday, April 1st at 9am CST, followed by general registration for all interested competitors opening Wednesday, April 15th at 9am CST.

Golf Manitoba is entering its fifth season using Golf Genius for its Tournament Management Software including all registrations. Early registration is for competitors based on their past results.  All competitors eligible for early registration will receive an email notification

To be eligible to compete in Golf Manitoba competitions, players must be an active Golf Manitoba/Canada member through a member club or the Golf Manitoba Public Player Program, and must also hold an up-to-date Golf Canada Handicap Index visible on the Golf Canada Score Centre at the time of registration.

If you do not have a Golf Manitoba/Canada membership, click here to join.

To enter all Golf Manitoba events, you must first log into your Golf Canada Score Centre profile using a web browser, please note that you will not be able to log-in through the Golf Canada app. 

Please ensure the following is updated in your Golf Canada Score Centre profile:

• Date of birth
• Address
• City, province and postal code
• Cell number
• Email address
• Current handicap index

Please note that personal Golf Genius accounts that are active at the club level will not permit you to register for any Golf Manitoba Championship. 

You MUST access registration through your Golf Canada Score Centre Account.

Register

If you have any questions regarding registration, please contact Golf Manitoba Director of Competitions & Rules Sam Beavis-Hickey via email at sam@golfmb.ca or call (204) 770-4175

To view our 2026 championship schedule, click here.

Hayden Delaloye (Neepawa Golf & Country Club / Southeast Community College) finished T3 on the leaderboard in the Doane Spring Invite at The Highlands Golf Club of Lincoln and Mahoney Golf Club in Lincoln, Nebraska carding rounds of 2-under par 70 and even par 70 respectively.

For the final leaderboard, click here.

This past week was the highest placing for Delaloye on the leaderboard since winning the Blue River Classic at Highlands Golf Course in Lincoln, Nebraska in September carding rounds of 72-69-65. For the final leaderboard, click here.

Golf Manitoba would like to congratulate Southwood Golf & Country Club Superintendent Dustin How on being named as the newest Master Superintendent of the Canadian Golf Superintendents Association (CGSA).

How also currently sits on the CGSA Board of Directors as the Manitoba Director.

According to the CGSA, “the Master Superintendent designation is the highest recognition in the golf superintendent profession in Canada. This prestigious honour places Dustin among an elite group of professionals who have demonstrated exceptional experience, leadership, and dedication to their field. Master Superintendents are highly respected and play an important role in elevating industry standards and enhancing the prestige of the profession.”

For more information on the Manitoba Golf Superintendents Association, click here.