Golf Manitoba members set a new record in 2024 with 289,188 scores registered in the Golf Canada Score Centre. That is an average of just over 28 rounds posted per member.

The 2024 season total represents a 2% increase over the previous record set in 2023 (283,431) and a 39% increase from the 205,000 rounds posted in 2019.

Of the 289,000 rounds, over 169,000 rounds were posted using the Golf Canada App.

Nationally, Golf Manitoba members contributed to a record breaking season reported by Golf Canada of 10.7 million rounds which betters the previous year’s record of 10 million.

Scores posted nationally in 2024 are 47% higher from the 2019 total of 7.3 million.

The top five member clubs in Manitoba for score posting during the 2024 Active Season were as follows:

1. Breezy Bend Country Club – 21,025
2. Pine Ridge Golf Club – 19,431
3. Rossmere Country Club – 18,044
4. Southwood Golf & Country Club – 17,773
5. Niakwa Country Club – 17,003

All Golf Manitoba/Golf Canada members receive access to score posting under the World Handicap System. Any nine or 18 hole round played at an official Golf Manitoba/Canada Member Club or any club worldwide that has an official Course and Slope Rating under the World Handicap System qualifies towards establishing and maintaining an official Golf Canada Handicap Index.

Not a member? Join Canada’s largest golf community here.

The 2024/25 Golf Manitoba Board of Directors was announced at the Golf Manitoba Awards presented by AVID GOLF at St. Charles Country Club. The twelve-member board was elected during the associations 22nd Annual General Meeting that was held on October 29, 2024.

The Board of Directors is comprised of dedicated volunteers from across the Golf Manitoba jurisdiction of Manitoba and Northwest Ontario.

The Board’s duties are to direct the business affairs of the association.

The members of the 2024/25 Golf Manitoba Board of Directors are:

OFFICERS

President: Susan Wright-Cassan, Emerald Greens Golf Course
President Elect: Bob Peters, St. Charles Country Club
Vice-President: Matthew Simmons, Whitewater Golf Club
Past-President: Wayne McWhirter, Southwood Golf & Country Club
Treasurer: Janice Rees, Windsor Park Ladies

DIRECTORS

Rob Bell, Breezy Bend Country Club
Michael Berney, Delahunt Golf & Country Club
John Braun, Pine Ridge Golf Club
D’Arcy Lachance, Elmhurst Golf & Country Club
Craig Martin, Minnewasta Golf & Country Club
Justin Price, Glendale Golf & Country Club
Blake Russell, Niakwa Country Club

In addition to the election, Golf Manitoba also released its 2024 Annual Report, which includes a recap of the past season, as well as the Association’s 2023/24 Financial Statements.

About Golf Manitoba – Golf Manitoba is the governing body for golf in the province of Manitoba and Northwest Ontario. Its mission is to develop, promote, govern and service the game of golf for the benefit of all participants.

Team Canada earned a second place finish at the 52nd Copa Juan Carlos Tailhade (Copa Tailhade) at Los Lagartos Country Club in Buenos Aires, Argentina on Sunday.

Canada shot a combined score of 575 over four rounds, finishing four shots behind Colombia (571). Host nation Argentina finished third with a total score of 576.

Canada was represented by Team Canada NextGen members Braxton Kuntz (Breezy Bend Country Club) and Antoine Jasmin of Quebec.

Jasmin finished T5 at 3-over in the individual standings following rounds of 71-73-70-73-287. Kuntz finished T8 at 4-over with rounds of 73-68-72-75-288.

Juan Martin Loureiro of Argentina won individual honours, finishing the tournament at 5-under.

Canada has won the Copa Tailhade four times in tournament history winning titles in 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2023. Austin Connelly (Clare, N.S.) and Corey Conners (Listowel, Ont.) won in 2014, Eric Banks (Truro, N.S.) and Tony Gil (Vaughan, Ont.) in 2015, Joey Savoie (La Prairie, Que.) and Josh Whalen (Napanee, Ont.) in 2017 and Brady McKinlay (Lacombe, Alta.) and Felix Bouchard (Montréal, Que.) in 2023.

Since 1996, Australia has won five titles (1998, 1999, 2002, 2007, 2012), in addition to Canada, England and Argentina have also won the tournament four times.

Zostrianos Giordani-Gross (Shilo Country Club) has won the Junior Boys Division Championship at the 2024 MJT National Championship at Orange Lake Golf Resort in Kissimmee, Florida.

Giordani-Gross, who carded a 3-over par 75 in his final round Sunday, finished the 54 hole event at 2-under par 214, one stroke better than Austin Krahn of British Columbia.

Payne Wood (Team Manitoba / St. Boniface Golf Club) finished seventh on the leaderboard at 230 (74-74-82), Kaleb Lambert (Team Manitoba / Elmhurst Golf & Country Club) was eighth at 231 (82-70-79) while Austin Boge (Pine Ridge Golf Club) ended play at 240 (81-75-84).

Brayden Boge (Team Manitoba / Rossmere Country Club) finished fifth on the Juvenile Boys leaderboard at 8-over par 224 (77-73-74). Ryan Tuck (St. Boniface) at 247 (75-93-79) and Gavin Carver (Team Manitoba / Glendale Golf & Country Club) at 254 (85-84-85).

Ty Montour (Scotswood Links) ended play seventh in the Pee Wee Boys Division at 262 following rounds of 86-84-92. Grant Secord (Team Manitoba / St. Charles Country Club) at 278 (100-92-86).

Ryder St. Laurent (Team Manitoba / Niakwa Country Club) was the top Manitoban in the Bantam Boys Division at 235 (77-77-81). Rhett Dyck at 249 (79-86-84), Aris Mercury (Team Manitoba / Glendale) at 163 (83-80-87).

For the final leaderboard, click here.

Zostrianos Giordani-Gross (Shilo Country Club) has a five stroke lead in the Junior Boys Division following the second round of the 2024 MJT National Championship at Orange Lake Golf Resort in Kissimmee, Florida.

Giordani-Gross, who shot a 3-under par 69 Saturday, has a two day total 5-under par 139. Payne Wood (Team Manitoba / St. Boniface Golf Club) is fourth on the leaderboard at 4-over par 148 (74-74), Kaleb Lambert (Team Manitoba / Elmhurst Golf & Country Club) is eighth at 152 (82-70) while Austin Boge (Pine Ridge Golf Club) is in ninth place at 156 (81-75).

Brayden Boge (Team Manitoba / Rossmere Country Club) sits fifth on the leaderboard at 6-over par 150 in the Juvenile Boys Division following rounds of 77 and 73. Ryan Tuck (St. Boniface) is at 168 (75-93) while Gavin Carver (Team Manitoba / Glendale Golf & Country Club) is at 169 (85-84).

Ty Montour (Scotswood Links) is seventh in the Pee Wee Boys Division following rounds of 86-84. Grant Secord (Team Manitoba / St. Charles Country Club) improved his opening round by eight strokes carding a 100, then followed it up with a 92.

Ryder St. Laurent (Team Manitoba / Niakwa Country Club) is tied for 11th place in the Bantam Boys Division after shooting a pair of 77’s. Aris Mercury (Team Manitoba / Glendale) is at 163 after an 83 and 80. Rhett Dyck opened with a 79, then shot an 86.

For the full leaderboard, click here.

Zostrianos Giordani-Gross (Shilo Country Club) is four strokes off the lead after the opening round in the Junior Boys Division of the 2024 MJT National Championship at Orange Lake Golf Resort in Kissimmee, Florida.

Giordani-Gross shot a 2-under par 70 to start the 54 hole event. Payne Wood (Team Manitoba / St. Boniface Golf Club) carded a 74, Austin Boge (Pine Ridge Golf Club) had an 81 while Kaleb Lambert (Team Manitoba / Elmhurst Golf & Country Club) came in with an 82.

In the Pee Wee Boys Division, Ty Montour (Scotswood Links) shot an 86 to sit nine strokes off the lead. Grant Secord (Team Manitoba / St. Charles Country Club) carded a 100.

Ryder St. Laurent (Team Manitoba / Niakwa Country Club) is five strokes back of first place in the Bantam Boys Division following a 77. Rhett Dyck had a 79 while Aris Mercury (Team Manitoba / Glendale Golf & Country Club) carded an 83.

Ryan Tuck (St. Boniface) shot a 75 in the Juvenile Boys Division. He is seven stroke off the lead. Brayden Boge (Team Manitoba / Rossmere Country Club) shot a 77 while Gavin Carver (Team Manitoba / Glendale) had an 85.

For the full leaderboard, click here.

PGA of Manitoba handed out their annual awards during the 2024 PGA of Manitoba Buying Show.

Congratulations to:

Apprentice Professional of the Year – Devon Schade (Larters at St. Andrews Golf & Country Club)

Class “A” Assistant Professional of the Year – Brendan Baldwin (Southwood Golf & Country Club)

Club Professional of the Year – Matt Simmons (Whitewater Golf Club)

Coach of the Year – Sean Murray (St. Charles Country Club)

Distinguished Service Award – Garth Goodbrandson (pictured)

Executive Professional of the Year – Greg Hesom (Minnewasta Golf & Country Club)

Junior Leader of the Year – Chris Gardner (Whitewater Golf Club)

Player of the Year – Ryan McMillan (Elmhurst Golf & Country Club)

Professional Development Award – Sean Murray (St. Charles Country Club)

Retailer of the Year – Craig Strand (St. Charles Country Club)

Salesperson of the Year – Eric Johnson (Taylormade Canada)

Teacher of the Year – Jeremy Gallant (St. Charles Country Club)

Thank you to our competitors, host facilities, volunteers, corporate partners and fans who made 2024 a year to remember.

Enjoy a look back courtesy of Mike Peters, May Contain Studios.

(courtesy Michelle Lee)

As stewards of the sport of golf in Manitoba and Northwest Ontario, Harvey and his late wife, Marion Goehring have a combined for over six decades of volunteer dedication to the golfing community and association.

As a mother, Marion started her volunteer journey and overseeing a program that included over 100 Juniors at the John Blumberg Golf Course. She organized and ran the Junior championships. Throughout her life Marion was a potent advocate for, and to, the youth of Manitoba golfers; she held an unwavering commitment to their development and she derived great joy from watching their growth both on and off the golf course. 

She became President of the Breezy Bend Country Club Ladies League and volunteered her time as a Golf Manitoba championship starter, scorer, fundraiser, and representative. In an unofficial role, Marion also maintained all historical archives.

As a role model for others, Marion would always offer support and encouragement to all players of all levels, took on her volunteer responsibilities with absolute dedication, enthusiasm and positivity. The quiet support she offered may have initially gone unnoticed but the longstanding positive impact is undeniable. Indeed, many golfers today speak so kindly and respectfully of Marion. Without question, one of her contributions was to work together with her husband while advocating for the enhancement of the philosophy, spirit and goals of Golf Manitoba.

Harvey has held numerous roles and positions with both the Manitoba Golf Association and Golf Manitoba proudly provided over 30 years of volunteerism. His portfolio ranges from the club level through to the National level. As with his wife, Harvey always saw great benefit in giving his efforts to player development – especially at the ground level. He, too, ran the junior program at his home club.

Harvey spent several years serving on the Board of Directors of both the MGA & Golf Manitoba. He was a member of every committee of Golf Manitoba with the exception of one. He believed it was important to fully understand the functioning and purpose of each and every facet of our association. Truly dedicated to the mission, philosophy and spirit of our association, Harvey fulfilled several terms on the Board of Directors and became President of Golf Manitoba in 2009-2011.

A brief synopsis of his busy Golf volunteer life includes: 

• Non-playing captain at the National level 3 times.
• Manitoba representative on the RCGA Provincial Council at the inception of this committee and continued on for several years.(governance, strategic & policy issues affecting all provincial associations).
• Golf Canada Governance Committee (Regulatory and structural aspects of the Board of Golf Canada)
• Board member of Golf Manitoba with contributions &/or chair of all but 1 committee
• President 2009 – 2011
• Past President 2012 – 2014
• Active volunteer throughout his 30 years with refereeing, starting, scoring, fund raising, player development and advocate.
• For 20 years, and to this day, sits on the Board of Directors for the Golf Manitoba Hall of Fame Committee.

Harvey believes that golf is a ‘sport for a lifetime’ and his volunteering has been a ‘lifetime experience’. Having devoted well over 1/3 of his almost 90 years of life, he continues to be a staunch advocate for the sport of Golf in Manitoba & Northwest Ontario.

Without question, Marion & Harvey embrace the ideals of Golf Manitoba’s Mission statement. Their longstanding and dedicated volunteerism attest to those principles. Their goal of introducing more people to our sport, their encouraging and positive attitudes, their humble but enthusiastic participation, leadership, dedication, team work, and lifetime contributions have made the Goehrings the most deserving recipients of the 2024 Distinguished Service Award.

Honoring a Community of Volunteers

In addition to the Goehrings, this year’s awards ceremony celebrated the dedication of twelve outstanding volunteers who have reached significant milestones in their service to Golf Manitoba. These individuals have been recognized for their continuous contributions of 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25+ years of service.

5 YEARS
Brad Beghetto
Wally Jackson
Bo Kampmann
Scott Kaler
Wayne McLeod
Lloyd Pluschow
Steve Wallace

20 YEARS
Susan Wright-Cassan

25 YEARS
Roy Smith

35 YEARS
Irv Benne
Barbara Hamill
Lou Spado

All volunteers were honoured during the 2024 Golf Manitoba Awards presented by AVID GOLF Tuesday, October 29 at St. Charles Country Club.

To view the photo gallery, click here.

About the Golf Manitoba Distinguished Service Award

The Golf Manitoba Distinguished Service Award (DSA) recognizes volunteers who have gone above an beyond in making a positive impact on the golf community locally, regionally and/or nationally. The ideal candidate will display qualities of a positive role model to fellow volunteers through leadership, creativity, mentorship, excellent communication skills and dedicated service to the sport of golf and to Golf Manitoba.

Past DSA recipients

About Golf Manitoba – Golf Manitoba is the governing body for golf in the province of Manitoba and North West Ontario. Its mission is to develop, promote, govern and service the sport of golf in Manitoba and North West Ontario for the benefit of all participants.

On behalf of Selection Committee members Clayton Dreger, Jill Hardy, Rob McMillan, Adam Speirs and Ken Wiebe, Golf Manitoba is pleased to recognize the 2024 Amateur Golfer of the Year Award winners. 

This year’s recipients were announced on October 29, 2024, at the annual Golf Manitoba Awards presented by AVID GOLF that was held at St. Charles Country Club.

Addison Kartusch of St. Charles Country Club is the 2024 Female Amateur Golfer of the Year. 

Kartusch, 18, from Winnipeg, won the Match Play Championship presented by St. Vital Dental Centre, the Diamond Athletic Women’s Amateur Championship and the Junior Girls Championship presented by the Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation. The St. Charles Country Club member also finished T3 at the Canadian Junior Girls Championship and T48 at the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship.

According to available records, Kartusch is the first golfer in Manitoba history to win the Women’s Match Play Championship, Women’s Amateur Championship and Junior Girls Championship in the same season.

With the selection, it is the first time that Kartusch has been recognized as Female Amateur Golfer of the Year.

Braxton Kuntz of Breezy Bend Country Club is the 2024 Male Amateur Golfer of the Year.

Kuntz, 20, from Winnipeg, won the Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur Championship and was T2 on the leaderboard at the Elmhurst Invitational. The Breezy Bend Country Club member finished T3 at the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, the NCAA Bryan National Collegiate Championship and at the NCAA Butler University Don Benbow Invitational. He also placed T12 at the NCAA Fighting Illini Spring Collegiate Championship.

Kuntz is the first player in Manitoba history to win the Men’s Amateur Championship in four consecutive years (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024) surpassing the previous record of three consecutive years held by Todd Fanning (1990, 1991, 1992) and R.J Reith (1935, 1936, 1937). He was also the first player to win both the Junior Boys Championship and Men’s Amateur Championship in back-to-back seasons (2021 and 2022).

With the selection, it is the fourth time in as many years that Kuntz has been named Male Amateur Golfer of the Year (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024).

About the Golf Manitoba Amateur Golfer of the Year Award – The Manitoba Amateur Golfer of the Year award recognizes outstanding performance by Manitoba golfers in all levels of competition with the first award presented in 1975. In 2015, the award was re-established to include both a female and male category.

For a complete list of all previous winners, click here.

To view the photo gallery, click here.

About AVID GOLF – Located at 1580 Taylor Avenue in Winnipeg, Manitoba, AVID GOLF houses 6 indoor simulators using Foresight Sports technology, has an indoor putting green and a bar and lounge. AVID GOLF caters to both serious and recreational golfers in addition to providing a social venue for people looking for a fun and interactive experience.

About Golf Manitoba – Golf Manitoba is the governing body for golf in the province of Manitoba and Northwest Ontario. Its mission is to develop, promote, govern and service the sport of golf for the benefit of all participants.