Stony Mountain’s Aaron Cockerill opened the 2024 calendar season with an impressive start.

Cockerill shot a 4-under par 68 in his final round to finish the DP World Tour’s Hero Dubai Desert Classic at 10-under par, good for a T4 finish on the leaderboard.

The fourth place finish earns Cockerill 339.7 points and 351,234 euros ($513,703 Canadian).

Rory McIlroy won the tournament at 14-under par.

For the final leaderboard, click here.

It is with sadness that Golf Manitoba mourns the passing of long-time volunteer, Bob Forcand.

Bob began volunteering with the Manitoba Golf Association in the 1970’s.  After serving in a number of roles during his tenure, he became the Association President in 1989.  In 2013, Bob was awarded the Distinguished Service Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions of volunteerism in amateur golf.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, January 20 from 1 to 3pm at Breezy Bend Country Club.  For more information, please click here.

Golf Manitoba, in association with the CentrePort Canada Rail Park Manitoba Open, are pleased to announce the 2024 champion of the Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur will earn an exemption into the PGA Tour Americas event this summer.

The CentrePort Canada Rail Park Manitoba Open is scheduled for August 22nd to 25th at Southwood Golf & Country Club.

2022 and 2023 Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur champion Braxton Kuntz of Breezy Bend Country Club has competed in the last two Manitoba Open championships.

It was also announced earlier this week Winnipeg Jets defenceman Dylan Samberg will take part as an exemption following in the footsteps of Morgan Barron, Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele.

More information about the 2024 PGA Tour Americas schedule is available here. For more information about the Golf Manitoba Championship schedule, please click here.

WINNIPEG, MB – The Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame and Museum is pleased to announce the Class of 2022 & 2023. Hugh Allan and Gavin Speirs (Class of 2022) and Darcy Furber, Dave McMillan and Adam Speirs (Class of 2023) will be inducted as honoured members in the spring of 2024.

Of special note for the induction ceremony of 2024, it will the first time in the Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame’s 20-year history that a father and son (Gavin Speirs and Adam Speirs) will be inducted as honoured members.

Class of 2022

HUGH ALLAN – Builder

• Born: May 14, 1917  Deceased: May 30, 2004

• Photojournalist including for the Winnipeg Tribune

• Founding member of the Grey Owl Tournament

• Golf Photography for MGA/MLGA from 1950 to 2003 – first recorded golf imagery in 1946 which is held in University of Manitoba Archives. He was published in many national and international publications

• Inducted into the Manitoba Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association Media Roll of Honour

GAVIN SPEIRS – Athlete

• Born: September 10, 1944

• Over course of 47 years he represented Manitoba in 10 National Championships

• Manitoba Junior Team Member (1962 and 1963)

• 1974 Manitoba Willingdon Cup Team – Winning Team

• Manitoba Mid-Amateur Team (1995, 1996 and 1998)

• Manitoba Senior Amateur Team (2001, 2002, 2005, 2006 and 2009)

• Three time Manitoba Senior Men’s Champion (2001, 2005 and 2006)

• Member of 1974 Manitoba Willingdon Cup Team inducted into the Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame

Class of 2023

DARCY FURBER – Athlete

• Born: June 15, 1965

• Darcy became blind so he has accomplishments as both a sighted and blind golfer

Sighted golf accomplishments

• 1983 – Manitoba Individual High School Champion

• 1985 and 1992 Manitoba Willingdon Cup Team

• 1993 Jack Blair Match Play Champion

Blind golf accomplishments

• 2015 – Nations Cup Champion, One of two golfers in his division selected from Canada to represent Canada in a Canada vs. U.S. competition won by Canada

• 2015 and 2019 – Canadian Blind Golf Championship Runner-Up

• 2016 – Canadian Blind Golf Championship Winner – Canadian Champion

• 2022 – Canadian Blind Golf Championship – Low Gross Champion

• 2017 – Canadian Blind Golf Championship – Runner-Up

• 2017 and 2019 – Vision Cup World Blind Golf – selected one of two golfers in his division to represent Canada and North America as part of Team North America against the World in World Blind Golf event

• 2019 and 2022 – Western Canadian Blind Golf Championship – Runner (low gross)

• 5-time Manitoba Blind Golf Champion in his division (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2019)

DAVE MCMILLAN – Athlete & Builder

• Born: December 4, 1968

Golf Awards

• 1989 Manitoba Golfer of the Year

• 1998 PGA of Manitoba Player of the Year

• 2007 and 2016 Manitoba Head Professional of the Year

• 2017 and 2019 PGA of Manitoba Executive Professional of the Year

• 2019 member of 1985 Manitoba Junior Team inducted into Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame

Playing Accomplishments

• 1985 Manitoba Juvenile Champion

• 1985 and 1986 Manitoba High School Golf Champion (Individual)

• 1989 Manitoba Amateur Champion

• 1998 Manitoba Assistant Professional Champion

• 1998 and 2000 Manitoba Open Champion

• 1999 PGA of Manitoba Champion

• 2021 Manitoba PGA Senior Champion

• Has won over 40 PGA of Manitoba events

• Member of Canadian Tour 1993 to 1996

• 1990 NCAA National Team Champions

• Mentored many Manitoba golf professionals and instructor to many top amateurs

• Building and development of Golf Central which was Manitoba’s first year round outdoor driving range

• Executive Director of Golf Course Operations, Elmhurst Golf & Country Club

ADAM SPEIRS – Athlete

• Born: 1978

• Amateur from 1989 to 2001 and since 2012

• Professional from 2002 to 2011

Golf Accomplishments

• 1991 Manitoba Bantam Champion

• 1997 Manitoba Junior Champion

• Manitoba Junior Team Member (1994, 1996, 1997)

• Manitoba Amateur Champion (1999 and 2001)

• Manitoba Willingdon Cup Team (1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001)

• Team Canada World Junior Team Member (1997)

• USGA Amateur Qualifier (2000)

• Played in 2002 U.S. Open (Bethpage Black) and 2007 U.S. Open (Oakmont CC)

• PGA Tour Canada – Winner – 2008 Greater Vancouver Charity Classic

• Player Representative Canadian Tour Board (2008 to 2011)

INDUCTION CEREMONY

Tickets are now available to celebrate the Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame & Museum Class of 2022 & 2023. The Ceremony will be held on Thursday, May 9, 2024, at the Breezy Bend Country Club. Click below to purchase tickets.

Purchase Tickets

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 sponsored 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 manitobagolfhalloffame.com.

Golf Manitoba is pleased to announce its 2024 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 2024 championship season begins May 25^th at the Winkler Golf & Country Club with the Manitoba Match Play Qualifier presented by St. Vital Dental Centre and concludes with the Men’s Four-Ball Championship September 19th at Grand Pines Golf Club.

“With the calendar only a couple weeks away from January, we are excited to officially announce our 2024 Championship Schedule” said Director of Competition and Rules David Borowski. “2023 showed record numbers of people enjoying our sport and we are looking forward to growing those numbers even more in 2024. I would like to express our gratitude to the member clubs who have opened their doors allowing us to play at their course this year.”

Early registration will open from April 1^st to April 15^th for select players and based on their finish in 2023 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 2024 Championship Schedule, including all host venues and registration requirements, click here.

In addition to Golf Manitoba’s annual events, we are pleased to celebrate our athletes August 11^th to 14^th who will take part in the Manitoba Summer Games in Dauphin.

2024 Golf Manitoba Championship Season Calendar at a glance:

The first competitive tee in the ground will be May 25 at the Winkler Centennial Golf Course for the Manitoba Match Play Championship Qualifier presented by St. Vital Dental Centre.

Breezy Bend Country Club will then host the championship matches from May 27 to June 2. It will be the fifth time in course history they host the event. Looking back in the record books, Breezy Bend members Jesse Skelton (2011), Garth Collings (1996) and Bill Parker (1981) previously won the Men’s Championship on their home course.

The John Blumberg Golf Course will host the All Abilities Championship, Women’s City & District Championship and U15 Championship presented by the Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation June 14^th and 15th.

For the first time in course history the Diamond Athletic Men’s Mid-Amateur and Women’s Amateur Championship will be played at the Neepawa Golf & Country Club July 4^th to 6^th. Jeri Lafleche of Clear Lake Golf Course will be vying for her third consecutive Women’s Amateur championship.

The Junior Boys & Girls Championship presented by the Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation will be played July 10^th to 12^th at Niakwa Country Club. The last time this event was held at Niakwa, Stony Mountain’s Aaron Cockerill won the Junior Boys Championship in 2010.

Rossmere Country Club will host the Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur Championship July 22^nd to 24^th. Breezy Bend’s Braxton Kuntz will be looking to become the first player in Manitoba history to win four consecutive Men’s Amateur championships.

The busy month of July comes to an end at Selkirk Golf & Country Club from the 29^th to 31^st as they host the Hodson Financial Men’s & Women’s Senior Championship. Rhonda Orr of Southwood Golf & Country Club is vying for her ninth straight and 11^th Senior Women’s Championship.

The popular two person four-ball championships close our summer of competition with the Women playing August 8^th at Portage Golf Club, the Men’s Senior event at Shilo Country Club September 5^th followed by the Men’s championship two weeks later at Grand Pines Golf Club on September 19^th.

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 our proud sponsors, 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, Manitoba Blue Cross, Nott Autocorp, Diamond Athletic, St. Vital Dental Centre, Hodson Financial, Taylormade Canada and our sport partners at Sport Manitoba and Golf Canada.

Oakville, Ont. – Golf Canada members posted a record number of scores in 2023, with over 10 million being recorded, breaking the previous high of 9.2 million set in 2022. 

On December 12, 2023, the 10 millionth score in 2023 was recorded. The round was placed at Boca Raton Golf and Racquet Club in Florida, United States by Jocelyn.

The provinces of Ontario and British Columbia accounted for just over half of all scores recorded in 2023 while the month of July saw the most rounds played at almost 2 million.

The first known recorded online round was played on June 23, 2005, at Bear Mountain Golf and Country Club in Victoria, B.C. Most of the early scores were posted in offline systems that were eventually imported in batches as the clubs migrated to the online system. Uplands Golf Club in Victoria, B.C. was one of the first courses to adopt the online version of Score Centre with 85 of the first 100 scores recorded were played at that course.

The COVID-19 pandemic saw a boom in the sport of golf with a large increase in participation since 2019. Between 2019 and 2023, almost 45 million scores were recorded. This can be attributed to the numerous health benefits associated with the sport including, relieving stress, improving your mental health, weight loss, reducing the chance of developing heart disease and increased interaction with friends and family.

“Golf Canada is thrilled to see the sport of golf continuing the momentum and success it experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. We have seen increased levels in membership and more people spending time out on the golf course. With that, we have reached this incredible milestone of 10 million scores being posted this year,” said Ryan Logan, Director of Memberships, Golf Canada.

As the sport continues to grow in popularity, we look forward to beating this milestone in 2024. Not a member? Join Golf Canada’s largest golf community.

Golf Manitoba is pleased to announce its 2024 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.

The first of the winter education series will be a Rules of Golf for the beginner session on January 25, 2024 from 7-8:30pm. The session is free for all Golf Manitoba/Canada members.

Are you interested in learning more about the Rules or have a desire to referee at the provincial level? If so, please contact David Borowski, Director of Competitions & Rules by email.

For more information and to register for one of our winter Rules sessions, please visit golfmb.ca/rules.

If you are planning a golf getaway this winter, consider protecting your vacation with Golf Manitoba and Manitoba Blue Cross.

A Golf Manitoba/Canada membership is the perfect travel companion for Canadian golfers. Members of Golf Manitoba/Canada are automatically covered under a Golf Canada Incident Policy.

Golf equipment can be a costly investment and Golf Manitoba/Canada offers its members the ability to protect that investment.

If anything happens to your equipment, if you damage a motorized golf cart by accident, or if an errant shot breaks a window, Golf Canada Incident Policy helps get you back on the course by reimbursing your replacement costs or damages:

• Up to $1,500 reimbursement for damaged, lost or stolen equipment
• Up to $1,000 towards the cost of repairing or replacing a window
• Up to $1,500 for golf cart related accidents
• Up to $1,000 for any travel related incidents

Join today and receive member-exclusive benefits for the low price of $59.95 for a full 12 months of membership.

Learn More & to Join

While Golf Manitoba has your golf game covered, Manitoba Blue Cross can look after everything in between. With trip cancellation, emergency medical and trip interruption coverage solutions, Manitoba Blue Cross can help alleviate the worry of those unexpected challenges that can ruin your hard-earned vacation.

And, as an added bonus, all Golf Manitoba members save 10% on travel insurance from Manitoba Blue Cross using discount code: GOLFMB.

Protect your vacation with Manitoba Blue Cross. Learn more and get a quote today.

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New men’s intercollegiate team championship at Öviinbyrd Golf Club will mark the first NCAA Division I golf event held in Canada

Oakville, Ont. – Golf Canada is pleased to announce the creation of the Canadian Collegiate Invitational tournament that will take place at Öviinbyrd Golf Club in MacTier, Ont. from September 15 – 17, 2024.

The tournament will be conducted by Golf Canada and co-hosted by Kent State University and Penn State University who are both led by Canadian head coaches, Jon Mills (Kent State) and Mark Leon (Penn State). The tournament will feature NCAA Division I men’s golf teams with prominent Canadian ties along with the team champions of the 2024 Canadian University/College Championship.

Joining the co-hosts from Kent State and Penn State will be Miami University (Ohio), University of Michigan, Michigan State University, University of Missouri, University of Notre Dame, Rutgers University, and Washington State University. Also competing will be the 2024 Canadian University/College Men’s Team champions crowned next spring at Idylwylde Golf & Country Club in Sudbury, Ont.

The inaugural Canadian Collegiate Invitational marks the first time that an NCAA Division I men’s golf tournament will be played in Canada.

In addition, the selection camp tournament for the Team Canada – NextGen boys squad will be contested concurrently with the Canadian Collegiate Invitational at Öviinbyrd Golf Club as Canada’s best junior boys look to qualify for the 2025 Team Canada – NextGen squad. Invitation criteria for the selection camp will be made available early in the new year.

“We are excited to add a new tournament to our Amateur Championship schedule and we thank Kent State and Penn State for co-hosting this invitational as we welcome some of the top Division I NCAA collegiate programs to compete in Canada for the first time,” said Mary Beth McKenna, Director, Amateur Championships and Rules, Golf Canada. “We also extend our thanks to Öviinbyrd Golf Club and the partners Paul McLean, Peter Schwartz and Rob Fraser for their gracious support in hosting this inaugural invitational at their golf course. We are also excited to concurrently run our Team Canada – NextGen selection camp tournament, which will provide high-level junior players the opportunity to compare themselves with top-tier NCAA competition.”

Öviinbyrd Golf Club is one of Canada’s premier golf courses, designed by Thomas McBroom and opened in 2004 in Muskoka, Ont. The 7,118-yard layout is set amongst the forests and exposed granite of the Canadian shield in Ontario’s famous cottage country and will create a challenging and memorable experience for the players. Öviinbyrd’s recently renovated practice facility features world class training conditions and state-of-the-art technology and will benefit players participating in both the NCAA event and the Team Canada – NextGen selection camp.

“The Öviinbyrd members and management team look forward to sharing our unique club culture with some of the best NCAA college players and top Canadian junior boys in the fall of 2024,” said Lindsay Franklin, General Manager, Öviinbyrd Golf Club. “With Muskoka as the backdrop to this inaugural event, we are excited to give back to Canadian golf, while creating memorable experiences for the players and helping to advance Canada as a world-class golf country.”

The inaugural championship will be contested over 54 holes in two days, with 36 holes played in the opening round and 18 holes in the final round. The team component will feature five members per team with the top four scores for the round counting to the overall team score. The individual competition will be stroke-play with the winner receiving an exemption into the 2025 RBC Canadian Open and the top-five receiving exemptions into the 2025 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO.

Consideration is on-going for the addition of a women’s NCAA Division I tournament in parallel with additional opportunities to expand the women’s competitive golf schedule in Canada. The full 2024 Amateur Championship schedule including the Team Canada – NextGen Girls selection camp tournament will be announced in the new year.

ABOUT THE TEAMS…

Kent State Golden Flashes (Co-Host)
The Golden Flashes earned four top-10 finishes this fall, including a second-place finish at the Gopher Invitational in September. Kent State are led by head coach Jon Mills of Belleville, Ont. and have three Canadians currently on their roster with Team Canada – NextGen member Ben MacLean of Niagara Falls, Ont., Chris Vandette of Beaconsfield, Que. and James Newton of Ottawa. 2023 NextGen Ontario winner Isaiah Ibit of Ottawa will be a freshman in the fall of 2024. Kent State has been a feeder program to the PGA TOUR for Canadians in the past with Corey Conners, Mackenzie Hughes and Taylor Pendrith all having played for the Golden Flashes during their collegiate careers.

“Kent State has long been associated with excellence in Canadian golf, and we are very excited to welcome other college teams to compete in Canada for the first time and experience Muskoka in the fall,” said Jon Mills.

Penn State Nittany Lions (Co-Host)
The Nittany Lions earned four top-10 finishes during the fall season. Penn State are led by head coach Mark Leon of Toronto and have one Canadian on the roster—Zach Smith of Brampton, Ont.—who will be a sophomore in 2024.

“As a proud Canadian and Penn State Nittany Lion, I’m very proud to be hosting some of the best NCAA programs at the Canadian Collegiate Invitational at Oviinbyrd. Canada continues to emerge as a globally significant golfing country and Penn State looks forward to this groundbreaking event,” said Mark Leon.

Miami (Ohio) RedHawks
The RedHawks have earned four top-10 finishes during the fall season including a pair of fourth place finishes at the Island Resort Collegiate and the Virtues Intercollegiate. Miami features two Canadians on the roster—Cameron Pero of Bloomfield, Ont. and Michael Weber of Burlington, Ont.—who will both be entering their junior years in 2024.

Michigan Wolverines
The Wolverines have had a successful fall season winning two tournaments in September. Michigan won their season opener, the Island Resort Intercollegiate, finishing at 30-under and followed it up a couple weeks later winning the Virtues Intercollegiate with a score of 34-under. Michigan closed the fall season with a runner-up finish at The Clerico. Michigan’s Director of Sports Performance and Assistant Coach is Matt Hoffman of Thornhill, Ont. The Wolverines also have two Canadians on their roster—Hunter Thomson of Calgary, Alta. and Bavake Sihota of Caledon, Ont.—who will both be seniors in 2024.

Michigan State Spartans
The Spartans finished as runners-up in the Folds of Honor Collegiate tournament in September. 2023 Canadian Men’s Amateur Champion and 2023 World Amateur Team Championships Team Canada member, Ashton McCulloch of Kingston, Ont. will be entering his senior year for the Spartans in 2024.

Missouri Tigers
The Tigers enjoyed a strong fall season with one win and one runner-up finish in six tournaments. The Tigers were co-winners with Wake Forest at the Chicago Highlands Invitational in September after finishing at 31-under. Missouri opened the season with a runner-up finish at the Golfweek Collegiate Kickoff, finishing 13-under.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Notre Dame are led by head coach John Handrigan of Bracebridge, Ont. and have one Canadian on the roster—Owen Mullen of Truro, N.S.—who will be a senior in 2024. The Fighting Irish won their first tournament of the fall season, the Folds of Honor Collegiate by overcoming a five-shot deficit on the final two holes of the tournament, finishing at 8-over.

Rutgers Scarlet Knights
The Scarlet Knights earned five consecutive top-10 finishes during the fall season. Current senior and team captain Xavier Marcoux is a Canadian citizen and represents Canada in competition.

Washington State Cougars
The Cougars have had a strong fall season earning four top-five finishes in five tournaments. The Cougars finished as runners-up at the Golfweek Fall Challenge and the Oregon State Invitational and added a third-place finish at the Visit Stockton Pacific Invitational. 2021 Canadian Men’s Amateur champion and Team Canada member Max Sekulic of Rycroft, Alta. is a recent graduate.

Manitoba’s Aaron Cockerill opened his 2023/24 DP World Tour campaign this past week at the Joburg Open in Johannesburg, South Africa. Cockerill completed the 72-hole event at a 3-under par on rounds of 68-70-70-69 finishing T32. The finish earned Cockerill $7,707 euros and 24 Race to Dubai points.

For complete results of the Joburg Open, please click here.

Next up for Cockerill is the Investec South African Open Championship November 30-December 3 being played at the Blair Atholl Golf & Equestrian Estate, Lanseria, in Johannesburg, South Africa.