Golf Canada and the Golf Canada Foundation are pleased to announce that Golf Manitoba President Susan Wright-Cassan (Emerald Greens Golf Course & Driving Range) of Thunder Bay, Ont. and Carly Crooks of Scarborough, Ont. have been named the 2024 recipients of the Lorie Kane Community Spirit Awards.

Following a national call for nominations to the Canadian golf community, Wright-Cassan and Crooks were identified by the selection committee as recipients of the Lorie Kane Community Spirit Awards. The recognition celebrates a pair of individuals who demonstrated excellence in using golf as a platform to positively impact their communities.

“On behalf of Golf Canada and the Golf Canada Foundation, we are very proud to recognize Susan Wright-Cassan and Carly Crooks as our 2024 Lorie Kane Community Spirt Award recipients,” said David McCarthy, President, Golf Canada. “Nominations were brought forth from across the country highlighting the many contributions of passionate individuals who willingly give their time to inspire others through the game of golf. Congratulations to Susan and to Carly for this deserved honour and we thank them for their continued contributions to the sport in their communities.”

Wright-Cassan has been named the recipient of the 2024 Lorie Kane Community Leader Award, having made a significant impact in her community where she has been volunteering for over 20 years. Wright-Cassan currently serves as the President of Golf Manitoba and is a member of the Emerald Greens Golf Course and Driving Range in Thunder Bay. Wright-Cassan earned her community coaching certificate from First Tee and has been teaching junior golf and supporting the introductory First Tee – Canada program in Thunder Bay. Among her many contributions to the game, she has organized a variety of programming including “Golf in Schools” for over 1000 students, “Summer Camps for Kids”, the “Thunder Bay Queens”, “Try Golf Day” held in conjunction with the Thunder Bay Multi-Cultural Association and the Superior North Ladies Golf Association which has an outreach of 800 kms. Last year, Golf Manitoba presented Wright-Cassan with her 20-year volunteer certificate in recognition of her involvement with course rating in Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario.

“I want to thank those that have supported me in my golf endeavors. I am honoured to be the recipient of the 2024 Lori Kane Community Leader Award. I must thank the people with the First Tee Program and Golf in School, those that I’ve met teaching at the junior and adult levels, playing at club and competitive levels and especially to those that without thinking of it, have encouraged myself and others,” said Susan Wright-Cassan. “This is a game that I love both to play and share my passion. It is a game for all ages, juniors through senior. The social aspects at all ages, the discipline, self-imposed applications of the rules, health benefits, friendships developed and maintained over the years, and other countless benefits are a few of the reasons that I and many others are involved with the game. The Lorie Kane Community Leader Award will fuel me to carry on with the programs I’m involved with.”

Wright-Cassan will receive a $5,000 donation from the Golf Canada Foundation to advance a golf program or golf-related initiative of her choice.

Crooks has been named the recipient of the 2024 Lorie Kane Future Leader Award. The 21-year-old has dedicated her summers to coaching with First Tee – Canada, both in her community and across Ontario. After completing training as a First Tee – Canada coach in 2023, Crooks has coached in First Tee – Canada programming at the RBC Canadian Open, Golf Ontario’s Indigenous Try it Day, All-Girls First Tee along with programming at Tam O’Shanter Golf Course in Scarborough, Ont.

“Winning this award is so exciting, and I couldn’t have done it without the amazing people in my corner,” said Carly Crooks. “Shout out to my coach, Sean Burke, for always pushing me to be better, and to my parents for their endless support. My twin sister has been with me through everything, and I’m especially grateful to the First Tee – Ontario team for getting me involved.”

Crooks will receive a $5,000 donation towards her post-secondary education. Wright-Cassan and Crooks will be honoured during the RBC Hall of Fame Day in August during the CPKC Women’s Open at Mississaugua Golf and Country Club in Mississauga, Ont.

Submissions for the Lorie Kane Community Spirit Awards were evaluated by a selection committee that includes representatives from Golf Canada, the Golf Canada Foundation, Honoured Members of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame, industry representatives and the Golf Journalists Association of Canada.  

The Lorie Kane Community Leader Award celebrates individuals over the age of 19 with a demonstrated ability to lead community initiatives; who have contributed a measurable impact through volunteerism or charity; or have showcased excellence in their involvement with, or support of youth programs such as First Tee – Canada or other junior golf activities.

The Lorie Kane Future Leader Award honours a young individual who embodies community leadership; has a history of sportsmanship or demonstrated activities to make the game more inclusive; or an individual who has used golf to create a meaningful impact in their community.

The Lorie Kane Community Spirit Awards were named to honour the Canadian golf icon for a longstanding commitment to advancing the sport, charitable work and giving back to the game that defined her Hall of Fame career. Kane is a member of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Canada Sports Hall of Fame as well as a recipient of the Order of Canada.

A call for nominations for the 2025 Lorie Kane Community Spirit Awards will go out later this year.

Netflix’s hit docuseries Full Swing returns for its third season, and this time, Canadian golf fans have even more reason to tune in.

The show follows the journeys of some of the biggest names in the sport, and among them are two of Canada’s own—Nick Taylor and Adam Hadwin.

The pair, both hailing from Abbotsford, B.C., have been linked throughout their careers, from their early junior golf days to their rise on the PGA Tour. The new season delves into their long-standing friendship, offering a behind-the-scenes look at their bond both on and off the course.

Their episode captures a mix of competitive spirit and camaraderie, with moments ranging from high-stakes tournament play to lighthearted scenes—like an attempt to track down a Vancouver Canucks game while on the road. The series showcases Taylor’s incredible success, including his unforgettable RBC Canadian Open victory, while also highlighting Hadwin’s pursuit of his own breakthrough moments.

Executive producer Chad Mumm describes this season as deeply character-driven, aiming to appeal not just to golf enthusiasts but to a broader audience as well. The inclusion of Taylor and Hadwin adds a unique Canadian angle to the show, emphasizing their journey, challenges, and the mutual support that has defined their careers.

While the season builds towards the drama of the Presidents Cup at Royal Montreal, the journey itself is what makes their story compelling. Whether it’s the thrill of competition or the shared moments along the way, Full Swing provides an intimate look at what it takes to succeed at the highest level—while never forgetting where it all began.

2024 Golf Manitoba Junior Boys Champion Zostrianos Giordani-Gross (Shilo Country Club / Miles College) has won his first college championship south of the border.

Giordani-Gross earned a two stroke victory in the Men’s Division #2 Championship of the Arcis HBCU Golf Championship at The Club at Weston Hills – Players Course in Weston, Florida carding rounds of 75, 72 and 37 (only nine holes due to weather) to finish at 4 over par 184.

Final leaderboard

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.

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.