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Inside Golf Manitoba

2024 Year in Review

Brian Munz

During the month of December, click on the links below and take time to enjoy some of the top stories and features of 2024.

Be sure to check back daily to see if you are next!

Heritage Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame Media Release

Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame announces Class of 2024

Brian Munz

The Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame and Museum is pleased to announce the Class of 2024. 

Donald Craig, James Scollan and Danny Stack along with the 1995 Willingdon Cup Team of Garth Collings, Dale Goehring, Derron Magda and Rob McMillan will be inducted as honoured members in the spring of 2025.

DONALD CRAIG – Builder

  • Born: March 11, 1938
  • From 1959 to 1989 was employed at Kildonan Park Golf Course, Windsor Park Golf Course, Crescent Drive Golf Course, John Blumberg Golf Course, Harbourview Golf Course, Tuxedo Golf Course
  • In 1989 was named the Non-Playing Captain for Team Canada at the Simon Bolivar Cup in Venezuela
  • From 1991 to 1996 was the Executive Director of the Manitoba Golf Association
  • From 1997 to 2003 was the Tournament Director for Manitoba Golf Association
  • Involved with various committees within the Manitoba Golf Association Scholarship Fund, Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame and Museum, Manitoba Open, Canadian Turfgrass Research Foundation and Royal Canadian Golf Association
  • Recipient of the Manitoba Sportswriters Association Dallas Beck Memorial “Good Guy” Award
  • Recipient of the Royal Canadian Golf Association Honourary Award
  • Honourary Director, Canadian Professional Golfers Association

JAMES SCOLLAN – Athlete & Builder

  • Born: May 12, 1942
  • 1985 Club Champion: Elmhurst Golf & Country Club
  • From 1989 to 1994 served on the Golf Manitoba Board of Directors, serving as President from 1991 to 1992.
  • From 1995 to 2004 served on the Royal Canadian Golf Association’s Board of Directors
  • 1997 Champion of the 55 to 59 age group in the Manitoba Senior Championship
  • 1998 Champion of the Manitoba Senior Championship and represented Manitoba at the Canadian Championship
  • In 1998 received the Province of Manitoba Sporting Excellence Recognition Award

DANNY STACK – Athlete / Builder

  • Born: October 11, 1908
  • From 1929 to 1974 competed in numerous provincial amateur and national championships.
  • Won the 1929, 1930, 1931, 1932 Kildonan Municipal Tournament. During that final championship he set a new course record of 63.
  • Two time Willingdon Cup team member.
  • Won the 1935 Nelson, British Columbia Club Championship, 1936 Labour Day Open, 1937 City Mixed Four-Some at Niakwa Country Club, 1937 Inter City Team Match Play Championship, 1943 Merchant Navy Trophy, 1945 Quebec Medal, 1945 Manitoba Open and four time recipient of the Seagram’s Trophy.
  • Also set a course record of 63 in 1951 at Windsor Park Golf Course and 62 at Birtle Riverside Golf Club.
  • Recorded 13 Holes in One
  • Contributed / volunteered countless hours of teaching, coaching and mentoring beginner and junior golfers.
  • Two time President of the MPGA Board of Directors, served on the CPGA Board of Directors

1995 WILLINGDON CUP TEAM

  • Garth Collings, Breezy Bend Country Club
  • Dale Goehring, Breezy Bend Country Club
  • Derron Magda, Rossmere Country Club
  • Rob McMillan, Pine Ridge Golf Club

On Wednesday, August 16, 1995, the team captured the National Team Championship played at the Canadian Men’s Amateur at the Toronto Golf Club in Mississauga, Ontario.

Manitoba edged the host province by two strokes with a score of 2-over par 422.

This was the second time that a Manitoba team won the Willingdon Cup.

INDUCTION CEREMONY

The Induction Ceremony will be held on Thursday, May 8, 2025 at Glendale Golf & Country Club.

Tickets for the event are now on sale, click here.

About the Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame & Museum Inc. – The Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame & Museum Inc. was formed to acknowledge the contributions and accomplishments made by Manitobans as competitors, both amateur and professional, builders and course superintendents to the game of golf. It is a tripartite organization, the partners being Golf Manitoba, Manitoba Golf Superintendents’ Association and the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) of Manitoba. The annual induction ceremony is presented by the Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation.

Individual members and member clubs wishing to nominate an individual (amateur or professional golfers, superintendents, builders, media, etc.) for the Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame may obtain nomination forms through any of the three member organizations or at mbgolfhof.ca.

Inside Golf Manitoba Inside the Ropes

WATCH | Inside the Ropes with Cody Brownlee at AVID GOLF

Brian Munz

AVID GOLF General Manager Cody Brownlee gives us a tour of their indoor golf facility, located at 1580 Taylor Avenue in Winnipeg.

AVID GOLF Simulators & Lounge is the presenting partner of the Golf Manitoba Awards, held annually to celebrate the Female and Male Amateur Golfer of the Year as well as our volunteers and the Volunteer Distinguished Service Award winner.

For more information on AVID GOLF Simulators & Lounge, click here.

Inside Golf Manitoba Manitoba Open Media Release

5 course rotation to host Manitoba Open

PGA TOUR Americas and the Manitoba Open announced today a dynamic five-course host rotation for the Manitoba Open starting in 2025.

In addition to the rotation, James Richardson & Sons, Johnston Group and Princess Auto have all committed to becoming Proud Partners of the Tournament. 

Breezy Bend Country Club will be the first facility to host the event in 2025 (August 19-24), with four other clubs hosting in the ensuing years.

“We are thrilled and deeply honored to have been selected as the host course for the PGA TOUR Americas 2025 Manitoba Open,” said Cory Johnson, General Manager and Chief Operating Officer of Breezy Bend Country Club. “This is an exciting opportunity to welcome some of the world’s best golfers to our club and to showcase our course, and the many improvements that have been made in recent years, on an international stage.

Breezy Bend Country Club has a proud and storied history with the Manitoba Open, having hosted the championship in 1969, 1975, 1981, and from 1991 to 1993. Our members, volunteers and staff are committed to making the 2025 Manitoba Open an unforgettable experience for players, fans and sponsors alike. We look forward to a memorable event.”

Following Breezy Bend Country Club, in the rotation will be Elmhurst Golf & Country Club (2026), Glendale Golf & Country Club (2027), Pine Ridge Golf Club (2028) and Southwood Golf & Country Club (2029) will serve as the hosts. Two of these clubs previously hosted the event when it was part of PGA TOUR Canada: Southwood Golf & Country Club (2018-24) and Pine Ridge Golf Club (2013-15).

“This unique partnership couldn’t have happened without the commitment of our Proud Partners have shown to this event in addition to many other local partners,” said Scott Pritchard, Vice President of PGA TOUR Americas. “We are very excited about the future of the Manitoba Open and feel fortunate to have the support of these five preeminent clubs and their members.”

Helping to usher in the new era of the Manitoba Open, Brendan Baldwin will transition into a full-time role as Tournament Director. Baldwin previously served in the same role for the 2024 Manitoba Open.

Baldwin, who played collegiate golf at Chicago State University, has been recognized as one of the top golf professionals in Manitoba. Baldwin will lead a tournament committee made up of representatives from each club and will provide strategic leadership to execute the needs and visions of the tournament and host organizations.

The three proud partners of the Manitoba Open – James Richardson & Sons, Johnston Group and Princess Auto – and all three are eager to see the continued support for the True North Youth Foundation who will continue as the charitable partner for tournament.

Established in 1857, Richardson & Sons is a private, family-owned and operated Canadian corporation involved primarily in the international grain trade and has been a partner of Manitoba Open for over 10 years. Johnston Group provides employee benefits solutions to over 30,000 Canadian businesses and has been a partner dating back many years. Princess Auto is a private, Canadian-owned company that employs over 3,400 team members. Founded in 1933 in Winnipeg, Princess Auto has been a proud partner of the Manitoba Open for over 10 years.

Past participants of the Manitoba Open include PGA TOUR members Taylor Pendrith, Mackenzie Hughes, Jake Knapp, and Hayden Springer.

Since the tournament became a PGA TOUR-sanctioned event in 2013, over $910,000 has been raised for local charities and has brought nearly $16 million in economic activity to the province of Manitoba. The True North Youth Foundation will remain the primary charitable partner of the event.

The Manitoba Open is a 72-hole event where 156 PGA TOUR Americas members compete for a $225,000 purse and to earn points toward the season-long Fortinet Cup points list. At the conclusion of the 16-event season, the top-10 players in the Fortinet Cup points list will earn Korn Ferry Tour cards for the 2025 season.

About PGA TOUR Americas

PGA TOUR Americas is an international tour that provides professional golfers with competitive opportunities and prepares them to advance their careers on the Korn Ferry Tour and PGA TOUR. The 2024 schedule consisted of 16 events – six in Latin America and 10 in North America – and the inaugural season culminated in September with the Fortinet Cup Championship, where the top-10 players on the season-long points list earned Korn Ferry Tour membership for the 2025 season.

Golf Canada LPGA PGA Tour

Canada’s Conners & Henderson team up for Grant Thornton Invitational

Old friends Corey Conners and Brooke Henderson usually have to keep tabs on each other from afar, but this week they’ll get to see one another up close.

Conners and Henderson will team up once again at the Grant Thornton Invitational, a unique event where some of the best golfers from the PGA and LPGA Tours compete as pairs. The tournament is quickly becoming an annual reunion for the two graduates of Golf Canada’s junior program.

“Since turning professional, our careers have gone separate ways, and we haven’t been able to cross paths too much,” said Conners, who finished the men’s season 39th on the FedEx Cup standings. “I’m always cheering her on from afar, and always have my eye on the LPGA Tour leaderboard when she’s playing.”

Henderson, likewise, has been keeping tabs on Conners’s exploits.

“It’s just been really fun to watch his career and cheer him on,” said Henderson, who finished 13th in the women’s tour’s rankings. “I think this event has reconnected us, in a way, and it’s been really special and great to be able to know his family and just to watch this game and be his partner here is really cool.”

Both were on Team Canada back in 2013 when they won the Copa de las Americas along with Albin Choi and Augusta James.

Conners and Henderson also represented Canada at the last two Olympics but due to COVID-19 restrictions they didn’t get to interact at the Tokyo Games in 2021. The men’s and women’s tournaments were on different weeks at the Paris Games this past summer.

The two Canadians finished second at the inaugural Grant Thornton Invitational last year with a combined score of 25 under, a shot behind New Zealand’s Lydia Ko and Australia’s Jason Day.

“It’s been great to be able to share some experiences like the Olympics and this event last year and spending more time together has been awesome,” said Conners, who is from Listowel, Ont. “She’s this amazing person, amazing golfer, and a fun partner at this event.”

The stacked leaderboard will see 16 pairs tee off on Friday at Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, Fla. American Tony Finau withdrew from the event on Wednesday afternoon. He was replaced as top-ranked Nelly Korda’s partner by Daniel Berger.

“I feel like we make a great team, and I’m excited for Friday to tee it up and hopefully make some birdies and be inspired by (Conners’s) great shots,” said Henderson, who is from Smiths Falls, Ont.

PGA TOUR — Six Canadians are vying for a PGA Tour card at the PGA Tour Q-School this week. Roger Sloan of Merritt, B.C., Edmonton’s Wil Bateman, Myles Creighton of Digby, N.S., Toronto’s Sebastian Szirmak, as well as Matthew Anderson and Sudarshan Yellamaraju of Mississauga, Ont., will all be in the field at Dye’s Valley Course and Sawgrass Country Club in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., this week.

LPGA TOUR — Hamilton’s Alena Sharp and Maude-Aimee Leblanc of Sherbrooke, Que., both earned full status on the LPGA Tour for 2025 after solid showings at the final qualifying stage of the Q-Series on Monday. Sharp tied for 21st at 7 under and Leblanc tied for 24th at 6 under. The top 25 finishers in the tournament earned their status.

Canadians Sharp & Leblanc secure LPGA Tour Cards for 2025

Canadian golfers Alena Sharp and Maude-Aimée Leblanc will return to the LPGA Tour in 2025 after earning their cards through the LPGA Tour Qualifying Series. Sharp, from Hamilton, Ont., finished tied for 21st at seven-under, while Leblanc, of Sherbrooke, Que., tied for 24th at six-under.

Sharp continues storied career

Sharp, 43, has been a fixture on the LPGA Tour since 2005. Over her career, she has made 375 official starts, earning $3,086,599 in prize money and recording 16 top-10 finishes. Her best result on the tour came at the 2016 CPKC Women’s Open, where she placed fourth.

In 2024, Sharp made seven cuts in 13 starts, with her best finish a tie for 19th at the Dana Open. She ended the season ranked No. 123 on the Race to CME Globe Points List.

Sharp has also found success on the Epson Tour, where she has two career wins and 14 additional top-10 finishes. Her most recent victory came in 2023 at the Champions Fore Change Invitational.

A three-time Olympian, Sharp represented Canada in Rio in 2016, Tokyo in 2021 and Paris in 2024, with her best Olympic finish a tie for 30th in Rio.

A graduate of New Mexico State University, Sharp continues to be a role model for Canadian golfers.

Leblanc builds on strong form

Leblanc, 35, has competed on the LPGA Tour since 2012. In 2024, she made eight cuts in 19 starts, with her best result a tie for 19th at the CPKC Women’s Open.

Leblanc has four career top-10 finishes on the tour, the most recent at the 2022 ISPS HANDA Women’s Scottish Open, where she tied for eighth.

Leblanc has also had a standout career on the Epson Tour, with 26 top-10 finishes. In her last full season on the developmental circuit in 2021, she made 12 cuts in 17 starts and posted nine top-10 results.

A graduate of Purdue University, Leblanc was part of the Boilermakers’ NCAA championship-winning team in 2010. The former Team Canada alumna also had a decorated amateur career, winning the Canadian Junior Championship and the International Junior Orange Bowl in 2006.

Canadians ready for 2025

Both Sharp and Leblanc are set to bring experience and consistency to the LPGA Tour in 2025, highlighting the strength of Canadian golf on the global stage.

Their achievements reflect the dedication and determination that have made them role models for the next generation of players. With new opportunities ahead, they will look to build on their careers and inspire golf fans across Canada.

For more information on the 2025 CPKC Women’s Open, taking place August 20-24 at Mississauga Golf & Country Club, click here.

Golf Canada Inside Golf Manitoba

WATCH | Kuntz on joining Team Canada NextGen Program

Brian Munz

With one international event now under his belt representing Team Canada and a full calendar of academics underway at Ball State University, Braxton Kuntz (Breezy Bend Country Club) catches up with Golf Manitoba Director of Communications & Development Brian Munz.

Inside Golf Manitoba

Golf Manitoba remembers James (Jim) Scollan Sr.

Brian Munz

Golf Manitoba extends its condolences to the family and friends of James (Jim) Scollan Sr. who passed away after a lengthy illness on November 2, 2024 at the age of 82.

Scollan was a member at Elmhurst Golf and Country Club for over 50 years and very involved as a competitor and a volunteer. He won club their championship, was part of the “Mundie” Putter squad and provincially won the Manitoba Seniors Championship in 1998.

As a volunteer he was president at Elmhurst, then president of the Manitoba Golf Association (Golf Manitoba), the Golf Manitoba Scholarship Foundation and finally spent ten years with the RCGA (Golf Canada) in various capacities.

He is survived by his loving wife Caroline, sons James (Maria) and David, granddaughters Stephanie and Kyra, two great-grandchildren, sisters Bonnie, Mary-Jane, and Lorraine, brother John, and many nieces and nephews. Jim was predeceased by his parents James and Irene and granddaughter Angela at birth.

Jim was born in 1942 and spent his formative years in East Kildonan in a busy household with four siblings and lots of lifelong friends from the neighborhood. In his teenage years he briefly considered becoming a priest but as we all know he chose a different path. Also, at this time he showed his scholastic skills by skipping a grade and fairly versatile athletic skills for a “big guy”.

Jim married Caroline in 1965 and started a family shortly thereafter with two sons James (Jr) and David. The family lived in East Kildonan and North Kildonan through the early years and eventually settled in East St. Paul, where they resided for the past 24 years.

Jim became a Chartered Accountant in 1970 and eventually owned his own practice. He worked as an accountant for over 50 years and truly loved the business, especially his clients. He also really enjoyed the end of tax season when a glass of wine or two could be lifted.

As mentioned before, he loved sports and competing. He was left-handed, so he was behind the eight ball already as finding sports equipment, etc. was difficult for “lefties” back in the day. However, he persevered, bad back and all and competed at the highest level as an amateur golfer in Manitoba.

A special thanks to all his doctors and medical practitioners who kept him upright over the years.

Jim loved his family, friends and all things about life. He had an easy smile, boisterous laugh and as we all know a booming voice which he used on occasion to demonstrate another of his loves, singing. Danny Boy was a personal favorite of his, along with many other songs. His legacy touched many people and he will be missed. Rest in Peace “Sr”.

Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday November 22 at Holy Redeemer Parish, 264 Donwood Drive.

In Lieu of flowers, donations in Jim’s memory may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation Inside Golf Manitoba Manitoba All Abilities Championship Manitoba Junior Boys Championship Manitoba Junior Girls Championship Manitoba Men's Mid-Amateur Championship Manitoba Women's Amateur Championship Match Play Championship Media Release Men's Four-Ball Championship Men's Senior Four-Ball Championship Nott Autocorp Men's Amateur Championship Senior Women's & Men's Championships Team Manitoba U15 Championship Women's Four-Ball Championship Women's City & District Championship

Golf Manitoba announces 2025 Championship Schedule

Brian Munz

Golf Manitoba is pleased to announce its 2025 Championship Schedule.

As the Provincial Sport Organization and governing body of golf in Manitoba and Northwest Ontario, Golf Manitoba conducts premier amateur golf championships to support the development of the province’s competitive golfers at Golf Manitoba member clubs.

The 2025 championship season begins May 24th at Winkler Golf & Country Club with the Manitoba Match Play Qualifier presented by St. Vital Dental Centre and concludes with the Men’s Senior Four-Ball Championship September 4th at the Pinawa Golf & Country Club.

“We are excited to officially announce our 2025 Championship Schedule” said Director of Competition and Rules David Borowski. “2024 once again showed a record number of golfers enjoying our sport at both the recreational and competitive levels. With the courses we have set to host our 2025 championships, there will be a lot of excitement. I would like to thank our member clubs for working these championships into their very busy calendars.”

Early registration will open from April 1st to April 15th 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 16th.

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

2025 Golf Manitoba Championship Season Calendar at a glance:

The first competitive tee in the ground will be May 24th at Winkler Centennial Golf Course for the Manitoba Match Play Championship Qualifier presented by St. Vital Dental Centre.

For the sixth time is course history, Elmhurst Golf & Country Club will host the championship matches from May 29th to June 1st. The last time it was played at Elmhurst was 2016 when Tom Humniski of the host club won his second consecutive Men’s Senior Championship.

Carman Golf & Curling Club will host the All Abilities Championship, Women’s City & District Championship and U15 Championship presented by the Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation June 7th and 8th.

The Diamond Athletic Men’s Mid-Amateur and Women’s Amateur Qualifier will be contested at Transcona Golf Club June 20th. The 54 hole Championship will be played at St. Charles Country Club July 2nd to 4th where Addison Kartusch looks to defend her 2024 Women’s Amateur Championship at her home course.


The Junior Boys & Girls Championship presented by the Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation will be played July 7th to 9th at Quarry Oaks Golf Course.

Minnewasta Golf & Country Club will host the Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur Championship July 15th to 17th. Braxton Kuntz of Breezy Bend Country Club would be looking to become the first player in Manitoba history to win five consecutive Men’s Amateur championships.

The month of August opens on August 5th at River Oaks Golf Course with the Women’s Four-Ball Championship.

The Hodson Financial Men’s & Women’s Senior Championship will be at Glendale Golf & Country Club August 11th to 13th. Rhonda Orr of Southwood Golf & Country Club is vying for her 10th straight and 12th Senior Women’s Championship.

The Men’s Four-Ball Championship is scheduled for August 28th at Wheat City Golf Course in Brandon.

The Men’s Senior Four-Ball Championship on September 4th at Pinawa Golf & Country Club concludes our championship summer of competition.

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.

Inside Golf Manitoba

WATCH | Lafleche commits to North Dakota State University

Brian Munz

Golf Manitoba would like to congratulate Jeri Lafleche (Niakwa Country Club / Clear Lake Golf Course) on signing with North Dakota State University.

Golf Manitoba Director of Communications & Development Brian Munz caught up with Lafleche to talk about joining the Bison and her 2024 season.