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.

In partnership with Golf Manitoba, customers at Shanks Driving Range & Grill who are Golf Manitoba / Canada members receive 20% off their golf experience, food and beverages. To purchase your Golf Manitoba / Canada membership, click here.

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.

Golf Manitoba President Susan Wright-Cassan (Emerald Greens Golf Course & Driving Range) has been named as a nominee for the 2025 Lorie Kane Community Spirit Award.

TO VOTE FOR SUSAN, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

The Community Leader Award is given to a community member:

• Whose passion for the sport of golf extends beyond the game.
• Those who use golf as a tool to better their community or raise awareness for other causes.
• Impacts the community through volunteerism or charity.
• Implements D&I initiatives to grow the game.
• First Tee contributors/leaders.

This year, Golf Canada received a record number of nominations for the Community Leader Award and the Future Leader Award.  Each winner will receive $5,000 towards a donation to a golf-related charity / non-profit of their choice or Post-Secondary education.

The nominees for the Community Leader Award are:

• Penny Baziuk (BC)
• Glenmore Brown (ON)
• Susan Wright Cassan (MB/ON)
• Natalie Gleadall (ON)
• John Gravengard (BC)
• Jackie Hellard (BC)
• Steve Pronger (ON)
• Linda Shephard (ON)
• Kerri Slaughter (ON)
• Shayne Stevens (NS)
• Graham Turrentine (ON)
• Claudia Wood (BC)

More details on the Lorie Kane Community Leader Award nominees can be found here.

Casting your vote is anonymous and should be completed by January 31, 2025. 

Golf Manitoba is the heart of amateur golf in Manitoba and Northwest Ontario, proudly representing 10,500 golfers and 90 member clubs. As the Provincial Sports Organization (PSO) and governing body for the sport, we are committed to developing, promoting, and supporting the game of golf for everyone involved. We’re also proud partners of Sport Manitoba and Golf Canada, working together to elevate the sport at every level.

We’re on the lookout for passionate, driven leaders to join our dynamic team! If you’re excited about a job in amateur sport and want to make an impact in the golfing community, we want to hear from you.

Current openings:

– Director of Administration
– Player Development/Championship Intern (2 positions available)

Ready to make a difference? Learn more apply at golfmb.ca/jobs.

Golf Manitoba would like to congratulate Team Manitoba Boys Head Coach Sean Murray (St. Charles Country Club) on being named the PGA of Canada Tex Noble Professional Development Award winner for 2024.

Along with his Head Coaching duties with Golf Manitoba, Murray is the Director of Instruction and Junior Co-Ordinator at St. Charles. He also served as the Technical Advisor for the sport of golf at the 2024 Manitoba Summer Games.

“Sean continues to show outstanding effort in his pursuit to become the best possible teacher and coach he can be” said St. Charles Country Club Director of Golf & COO Cory Kartusch. “The members and staff of St. Charles are proud of Sean’s work and congratulate him on his recognition as the winner of the PGA of Canada Tex Noble Award”.  

The Tex Noble Professional Development Award recognizes the PGA of Canada professional who is the model of life-long learning and continuing professional development. This award is designed to give special recognition to an individual PGA professional for outstanding and continuing contributions to professional development and continuing education.

In the late 1970s Tex Noble became the Education Director for the PGA of Canada, creating and managing an education system that was used for more than 20 years and became the envy of PGA’s around the world. In 1983 he was hired as the PGA of Canada’s General Manager and proved invaluable in helping to resolve various internal issues.

For the past 40 years (to the day), Clayton Dreger has been the voice of sports in Southern Manitoba.

Today, we join the golf community in wishing Clayton a Happy Retirement from Golden West Radio.

Thank you Clayton for joining us over the past four decades travelling across the province to our provincial championships sharing the stories of our competitors and host courses.

Golf Manitoba would also like to welcome Dave Anthony as Golden West Radio’s new sports voice and look forward to his coverage in 2025 and beyond.

Golf Manitoba is pleased to announce its 2025 Winter Rules Education Series which includes virtual, in-person and self-guided learning opportunities.  Sessions include both beginner and intermediate sessions on the Rules of Golf Level 1 Rules of Golf Certification, Provincial and National Certifications.

Winter Rules of Golf Education

Our winter education series is for those interested in learning more about the Rules of Golf.

Rules of Golf

The first of our winter education series will be a virtual Rules of Golf for the beginner session on January 20, 2025, from 7-8:30pm. Our second virtual session is February 18, 2025, from 7-8pm and is for those with Rules experience and for those who want to expand their knowledge of the Rules of Golf.

Both virtual sessions are available at no charge for all Golf Manitoba/Canada members.

Level 1

Level 1 Rules education focuses on easy ways to learn the basics of the Rules of Golf with its main interest on Etiquette, the principle definitions and commonly encountered situations on the course.

Level 1 is available online and students will be able to test their knowledge by taking the review questions at the end of each section before attempting the online Level 1 Exam.

Earn your stripes!

Do you have interest in becoming a certified 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.

Level 2 Pre-requisite:

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

Requirements to be Provincially Certified:

• Attend and achieve a minimum of 80% on the Provincial exam, administered by Golf Manitoba.
• Complete 50 hours of on-course experience as a Referee.
• 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.

Learn More & Register

To learn more about the Rules of Golf and for more information and to register for one of our Rules of Golf education opportunities, please visit golfmb.ca/rules.

Golf Manitoba / Canada members can look back and celebrate their 2024 golf season with the return of #MyGolfYear presented by BDO.

Members get access to a snapshot of their season highlights and their personal #MyGolfYear can be proudly shared with friends and fellow golfers across their social media channels.

New for 2024 is the addition of health statistics. As part of Golf Canada’s Golf and Health campaign, members are now able to review elevation gained, distance walked, and number of steps taken during the season. For more information on Golf and Health and all the benefits the game provides, click here. 

Members can share their #MyGolfYear stats, highlighting total rounds, best round, total holes played, total distance played, health statistics along with personalized achievements from the 2024 golf season.

The #MyGolfYear campaign wraps up another successful year in Canadian golf including back-to-back years of 10 million scores posted by Golf Canada members. Last year marked the first time that the 10M milestone had been reached and Golf Canada members surpassed that number in 2024!

“Golf Canada members enjoy looking back on their seasons and having the opportunity to share their accomplishments and milestones with their networks through their #MyGolfYear stats, following another record number of rounds played in 2024,” said Tim McLaughlin, Chief Marketing Officer, Golf Canada. “We are proud to be able to include health data through the advancement of our app so members can track their progress and highlight the many health benefits that the game of golf can provide. We encourage all members to take advantage of this fun initiative to share their stats from the past season.”

The full list of #MyGolfYear achievements for 2024 include:

Top Golfer: Your handicap ranks you in the top 15 per cent of golfers in Canada.

Every Day I’m Golfing: You played golf every day of the week this year, joining 127,450 other Canadians who accomplished the same feat in 2024.

Golfer For All Seasons: You played at least one round in each of April, May, June, July, August, September and October.

Have Clubs, Will Travel: You and 39,908 Canadians played a round in three different cities within Canada in 2024.

You and another 933 Canadians played a round in 15 different cities in Canada this year.

#MyGolfDay: You play golf on Saturday. That’s your day and you’re sticking to it!

Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop: You managed to play at least one round, five weeks in a row this year.

Peak Summer: Canada’s warmest day in 2024 was July 22. On that day, you and 56,842 other Canadians played a round of golf.

From Sea to Sea: You and just two others played golf in 10 different provinces this year.

I am Canadian: You and 120,028 others celebrated Canada Day weekend with a round of golf.

Golf Supporter: You have been a supporter of Golf Canada and golf in Canada for more than five years – Thank You!

Golf Protector: You have supported Golf Canada for over 10 years and helped us grow the game – Thank You!

Breaking Not Bad: You broke 100/90/80/70 this year – Congrats!
A round under 70 puts you amongst the top 5 per cent of golfers in Canada.
A round under 80 puts you amongst the top 38 per cent of golfers in Canada.

New to the Club: You joined the Golf Canada community in 2024 – Welcome!

After the successful launch of #MyGolfYear following the 2021 golf season, the 2022 campaign saw the addition of new achievements and golfing milestones available for every member who logged their scores into the Golf Canada Score Centre over the course of the season.

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

To view your #MyGolfYear graphic, check your e-mail associated with your Golf Canada account or log into the Golf Canada Mobile App.

Thank you for being a Golf Canada member and enjoy sharing #MyGolfYear across your social networks!