Southwood Golf & Country Club has named Rob Guthrie as their new Chief Operating Officer.

Guthrie, who has spent the last 40 years in the golf industry, sat down with Golf Manitoba Director of Communications & Development Brian Munz to talk about his past experiences and excitement moving forward.

Golf Manitoba Director of Competitions & Rules David Borowski announced today the 2024 Diamond Athletic Men’s Mid-Amateur & Women’s Amateur will be held July 4^th to 6^th at the Minnedosa Golf & Country Club.

“This will be the first major championship our course has the privilege of hosting in over a decade” said Minnedosa General Manager & PGA of Canada Head Golf Professional Patrick Law. “Led by Superintendent Dan Bailey, I know our course will be in terrific condition and a true test to all of the competitors. The town of Minnedosa and surrounding area will benefit from having everyone here that week.”

The 54 hole championship was scheduled to be hosted at the Neepawa Golf & Country Club however due to a delay in irrigation renovations this decision was made.

“While it is disappointing not to host this year’s championship, we believe it is best for everyone involved” said Neepawa General Manager & PGA of Canada Head Golf Professional Landon Cameron. “We look forward to having the province’s best return to Neepawa in the near future for exciting competition like we saw in 2021 during the Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur won by Braxton Kuntz on the 18^th hole of the final round.”

“I would like to thank Landon and Patrick for their quick action in this situation” said Borowski. “When Landon reached out to say it was best to focus on another year to host, Patrick immediately opened his doors to us. We look forward to returning to Neepawa in the future.”

The Minnedosa Golf & Country Club recently hosted the 2022 Men’s Senior Four-Ball Championship and 2016 Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur Qualifier.

Golf Canada Launches Season-Long Campaign That Highlights
The Many Health Benefits of The Sport

New Golf and Health campaign website along with Golf Canada mobile app enhancements to focus on the sport’s positive physical, mental, and social benefits for participants.

Golf Canada is highlighting the physical, mental, and social benefits that the sport can provide on Canadians through its brand-new Golf and Health campaign.

The campaign – Golf, It’s Good for You – launches this weekend leading into World Health Day April 7. All of the World Health Organization’s key criteria for health enhancing physical activity can be achieved through the sport of golf and Golf Canada is prioritizing communicating health as part of its strategic plan.

“We are proud to launch this campaign ahead of World Health Day to showcase the breadth and depth of mental, physical and social health benefits that the game of golf can provide for all participants,” said Tim McLaughlin, chief marketing officer with Golf Canada. “The campaign brings awareness to what Canadians think they know about golf with the many known health benefits they might not be aware of. We launched a website resource with the latest clinical research focused on golf and health. We are also working with golf clubs across the country to share this impact with golfers who are enjoying the game in record numbers. We have also made it easier for Canadians to track their health progress through new health tracking features and enhancements to our Golf Canada Mobile App.”

The Golf and Health campaign focuses on three key pillars: mental, physical, and social.

The mental benefits of golf include enhanced overall well-being, improved brain health, and helping to reduce the risk of dementia. Golf can also assist to boost confidence, promote increased focus and concentration, and help to reduce anxiety, stress, and depression. Being out on the golf course can also help to slow down stress response and induces a feeling of calm.

As published in The R&A Golf and Health Report, and in addition to the mental benefits, the physical benefits of golf are undeniable. Research has shown that playing golf regularly can add five years to your life highlighted by the physical exercise, mental stimulation, and time spent outdoors while playing. As a physical activity that can be enjoyed for a lifetime, golf can also help to prevent or lessen the impact of over 40 different chronic illnesses including diabetes, cancer, along with heart attacks and stroke.

Golf is viewed as a moderately demanding form of exercise and is a great way to contribute to daily step goals. The average golfer walks 5,000 steps in a 9-hole round which is the equivalent of three to five kilometres. With nearly 2,300 golf courses in Canada including both public and private facilities, the sport is highly accessible and significant strides have been made in accessible technology to make the game more inclusive for the differently abled people of all ages.

The inherent social nature of the game is also an important factor in helping increase social well-being and is a great way to bond with old friends and meet new ones. It is a sport that welcomes families and partners to be active together and is also an effective way to network and build business relationships.

Operating as small businesses in communities across Canada, golf courses provide players of all ages and skill levels the opportunity to enjoy the game. Golf Canada is collaborating with the Provincial Associations to provide information and assets on the Golf and Health campaign to club operators across the country.

Golf Canada has launched a new website that highlights the benefits of the game including helpful resource information and articles – please visit health.golfcanada.ca to find out more.

The Golf Canada Mobile App continues to be the all-in-one place to track progress and connect with colleagues and friends. In support of the Golf and Health campaign, the app is providing significant health tracking enhancements to the golfer experience. In addition to tracking scores and stats, users can now gain valuable personal insights into how each round positively affects their health. New health stat features include number of steps, distance walked, stand time, calories burned, elevation gained and heart rate. Users will also be able to view health statistics over different periods of time all of which is private and secure within their profile. For more information on the Golf Canada Mobile App, please click here. To download on Apple devices click here, to download on Google Play devices, click here.

“Golf brings people together and has an incredible impact on our personal heath and well being,” added McLaughlin. “Whether through physical activity over a lifetime, mental health improvements or the wonderful social experience shared by family and friends, now is a great moment for the Golf and Health campaign to inspire golfers and new enthusiasts to consider the incredible impact that our sport is having on Canadians.”

The Golf, It’s Good for You campaign will run season long and be featured at Golf Canada championships and events including Canada’s National Open Championships – the RBC Canadian Open at Hamilton Golf and Country Club in Ancaster, Ont. and the CPKC Women’s Open at Earl Grey Golf Club Calgary, Alta.

For the second straight week, Clara Peake (Minnedosa Golf & Country Club / Redlands Community College) has earned a victory south of the border.

Peake finished the 36 hole OCAC Championship at Crimson Creek Golf Course in El Reno, Oklahoma at 1-under par 143 (71-72) earning herself a 12 stroke victory.

For the final leaderboard, click here.

Clara Peake (Minnedosa Golf & Country Club) shot a 1-over par 71 to finish in a tie for first place in the Hardscrabble Invitational in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

Peake, who is attending Redlands Community College, carded four birdies, nine pars and five bogeys at the Hardscrabble Country Club.

Due to weather, competitors were only able to play 18 holes.

For the final leaderboard, click here.

Golf Manitoba is excited to announce that the sport of Golf will again be included in the 2024 Manitoba Summer Games powered by Manitoba Hydro. The 2024 Manitoba Summer Games will be held in Dauphin, Manitoba with the golf event will take place at the Gilbert Plains Country Club from August 11 to August 14.

To be eligible to participate in golf, athletes must be 16 years old or younger (boys) and 17 years old or younger (girls) as of August 17, 2024.  For more information about athlete eligibility, regions, and FAQs, please click here.  The Golf Technical Package is also available here.

2024 Manitoba Summer Games Regional Training Squad Program

Multi-sport Games provide an opportunity for the Manitoba’s developing athletes, coaches and officials to participate in a multi-sport event in preparation for a higher level of competition. A chance to represent their communities and compete for the province of Manitoba.

Five different regions will have access to coaching by a PGA of Canada golf professional commencing in the late summer/early fall of 2023 and carrying over into 2024. Each Training Squad Member will receive approximately 20 hours of training in preparation for the team qualifier (date and locations TBD be each coach) to represent their region in the 2024 Manitoba Summer Games powered by Manitoba Hydro.

2024 Athlete ID Camps & Qualifying Schedule

Winnipeg Region

• May 27, 5-7pm: Camp #1 at Southwood G & CC
• June 2, 4-6pm: Camp #2 at Southwood G & CC
• June 8, 4-5pm: Team Qualifying at Southwood G & CC

South Region

• May 18, 4:30-6:30pm: Camp #1 at Breezy Bend CC
• June 15, 4:30-6:30pm: Camp #2 at Southwood G & CC
• June 21, 9am: Team Qualifying at Glendale G & CC

West Region

• April 28, 10:00am-12:00pm: Camp #1 at EVO Golf Brandon
• May 26, 10:00am-12:00pm: Camp #2 at Minnedosa G & CC
• June 30, 9am: Team Qualifying at Minnedosa G & CC

East Region

• May 11, 1-3pm: Camp #1 at Elmhurst G & CC
• June 9, 1-3pm: Camp #2 at Elmhurst G & CC
• June 30, 3:30pm: Team Qualifying at Elmhurst G & CC

North Region

TBA

Play for your region!

For more information on how to participate in the sport of golf at the 2024 Manitoba Summer Games, please click here.

Early registration for all 2024 Golf Manitoba championships opens Monday, April 1, 2024 at 12am CST. Golf Manitoba is entering its fourth season using Golf Genius for its Tournament Management Software including all registrations. Early registration is for competitors based on their past results.  

General registration for all interested competitors will open on Tuesday, April 16, 2024 at 12am CST.

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 you can click here to join.

Golf Genius

The championship registration process is easier, less time consuming and accessible through Golf Canada’s Score Centre. 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

How To Register

To enter an event, you must first log-in to your Golf Canada Score Centre account.  Next, you must select the competitions tab found under the user menu on the top right-hand side of the web page. Please see image below:

This competitions tab will take you to the championship page. From here you will select the event that you wish to register in and complete the registration process.

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.

If you have any questions regarding registration, please do not hesitate to contact Amy at amy@golfmb.ca.

You can view our 2024 championship schedule and register, click here.

Inaugural BDO National Golf League champions will gain an exemption into The R&A 9 Hole Challenge at Royal Troon

Imagine walking the historic fairways of Royal Troon Golf Club; the same course where legends and global stars of the game have completed in pursuit of glory.

For one lucky Canadian pairing, that dream will become a reality as The R&A 9 Hole Challenge is set to take place on Friday, July 12, just days before the 152nd playing of The Open in Troon, Scotland.

The R&A 9 Hole Challenge is a 9-hole net Stableford scoring competition that features teams that have qualified in their home country and hold a registered handicap index. Players from England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Argentina, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand have previously competed.

Canada along with Germany have been added for 2024. The full field competing in The R&A 9 Hole Challenge will be finalized in June.

Kevin Barker, Director – Golf Development: GB&I and Africa at The R&A, said, “Every year we are seeing more people compete in The R&A 9 Hole Challenge with its popularity spreading all over the world. We are pleased to welcome golfers from Canada into the Challenge this year for the first time.

“For people looking for an alternative option to 18-hole golf, it showcases that nine-hole golf can be played competitively by people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds.

“For all golfers taking part, there is the incredible opportunity to compete on golf’s biggest stage ahead of The Open and I would encourage players to enter a qualifying competition at your local club to give you the chance to play at Royal Troon.”

As part of the BDO National Golf League Championship, the winning team will earn an exemption into The R&A 9 Hole Challenge and with it, become the first pairing from Canada to compete since the Challenge inception in 2016.

Fifty-two teams of two (104 golfers total) are 18-holes away from claiming the inaugural championship and with it a spot in The R&A 9 Hole Challenge. The BDO National Golf League Championship will be taking place on Saturday, May 25, just days before the start of the 2024 RBC Canadian Open at the historic Hamilton Golf and Country Club.

Last season, over 10,000 participants from 107 leagues from coast-to-cost began their journey of competing for Canada’s first league golf national championship.

“We are excited to have a Canadian team take part in The R&A’s 9 Hole Challenge for the first time and we extend a big thank you to our partners at The R&A for this incredible opportunity,” said Tim McLaughlin, chief marketing officer, Golf Canada. “The inaugural season of the BDO National League has been a success highlighted by the growing numbers of women and men playing, with the goal of competing for not only a national championship but a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that The R&A’s 9 Hole Challenge offers.”

The 146-year-old Royal Troon Golf Club will host its tenth Open Championship from July 14-21, 2024, and its first since 2016. The club also hosted the AIG Women’s Open on one occasion in 2020.

For more information on The R&A 9 Hole Challenge, please visit randa.org/en/nine-hole-challenge.

Want a chance to compete in The R&A 9 Hole Challenge? Registration is now open for the 2024 BDO National Golf League, and to sign-up or get more information, please visit nationalgolfleague.ca.

Golf Manitoba announced today the official opening of a state-of-the-art indoor golf performance centre located in the Sport Manitoba building, 145 Pacific Avenue in Winnipeg. The Golf Manitoba Performance Centre features two golf simulators powered by Foresight Sports and a 160-square foot putting green to provide training and coaching opportunities that will assist in growing its player development program.

“The opening of this indoor training facility moves the needle for our player development program,” said Golf Manitoba Executive Director Jared Ladobruk. “We recognized a unique opportunity to add efficiencies and improvements by integrating both golf specific and athlete training in one central location. In addition to that, the Foresight technology provides our coaches with new options and more flexibility that will allow them to assess and train our athletes 12 months of the year.”

In addition to golf specific training, Team Manitoba athletes will continue to access strength and conditioning and nutrition services provided by Sport Manitoba Performance and mental performance services by Attollo Mental Health & Performance.

“With the addition of this high-performance training centre, Golf Manitoba has taken an important step toward helping our association achieve its strategic player development goals,” added Golf Manitoba President Sue Wright-Cassan. “We are now better aligned and equipped to contribute to Golf Canada’s enhanced national player development program that was announced in February of 2022.”

“Sport Manitoba is thrilled to house this new indoor golf training centre,” said Janet McMahon, President & CEO of Sport Manitoba. “The goal of our facility has always been to provide athletic and recreation opportunities to Manitobans, and with this addition, Golf Manitoba will be able to further enhance player development throughout all four seasons.”

The Golf Manitoba Performance Centre was made possible by funding and support from the 2017 Canada Summer Games Legacy Fund, Sport Manitoba, the Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation, and a private donation from Don & Sandi Janzen.

About Golf Manitoba

Golf Manitoba is the Provincial Sports Organization and governing body for golf in Manitoba and Northwest Ontario representing over 10,000 golfers and 87 member clubs. A proud partner of Golf Canada and Sport Manitoba, Golf Manitoba’s mission is to develop, promote, govern and service the game of golf for the benefit of all participants.

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.

Golf Manitoba is excited to share a unique student intern opportunity for the 2024 season!

We are looking for a dynamic and passionate individual to join our team in delivering grassroots golf instruction and helping to run our provincial golf championships.

To learn more about the position and to apply, please visit http://golfmb.ca/jobs