NEWS | 6 Manitobans named to MJT Order of Merit
With the 2025 Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour season in the books, it’s time for provincial recognition.
Congratulations to the following Manitoba players on a successful season where they accumulated the most playing points in their respective division:
Girls 15-19: Brooke Henderson (Golf Manitoba Public Players Club)
Girls U15: Angelina Sitarz (Team Manitoba / Elmhurst Golf & Country Club)
Junior Boys: Liam Comaskey (Team Manitoba / Pine Ridge Golf Club)
Juvenile Boys: Hunter Oakden (Team Manitoba / Wheat City Golf Course)
Bantam Boys: Grant Secord (Team Manitoba / St. Charles Country Club)
Pee Wee Boys: Tiago Miranda (Team Manitoba / St. Charles)
WATCH | Sudarshan Yellamaraju goes from Tuxedo Golf Course to the PGA Tour
He was born in India, but according to one of the newest members of the PGA Tour, it was here in Winnipeg where Sudarshan Yellamaraju fell in love with golf.
Yellamaraju played his first competitive round in 2012 at Tuxedo Golf Course finishing fourth overall in the Junior Bantam Championship on the leaderboard at 14-over par 154 shooting back to back rounds of 7-over par 77, just five strokes back of champion John Racciatti Jr. However, his score was good to win the 12 and under division crown, two strokes better than Marco Trstenjak of Elmhurst Golf & Country Club.
Yellamaraju, who credits time at Larters at St. Andrews Golf & Country Club and the Golf Dome for allowing his early development, spoke with Golf Manitoba Director of Communications & Development Brian Munz about the ride it’s been so far and looking ahead to his full time membership on the PGA Tour.
WATCH | Inside the Ropes with Derrick Chlopecki at Pine Ridge Golf Club
After 32 years at Pine Ridge Golf Club as the Head Superintendent, Derrick Chlopecki has announced his retirement.
Chlopecki reflects with Golf Manitoba Director of Communications & Development Brian Munz on his time at Pine Ridge, how he got started and much more.
PURCHASE | Tickets now on sale for Golf Manitoba Awards presented by AVID GOLF
Tickets are now on sale for the Golf Manitoba Awards presented by AVID GOLF.
Our 2025 celebration will take place on Wednesday, October 29th at Niakwa Country Club.
To purchase tickets, click here.
It will be a special night as we recognize 2025 Distinguished Service Award recipient Carol Martel, honour our volunteers and announce the winners of the Female & Male Amateur Golfer of the Year.
The Female Amateur Golf of the Year Finalists are Charmaine Hayden, Addison Kartusch, Cala Korman and Rhonda Orr.
The Male Amateur Golfer of the Year finalists are Todd Fanning, Allan McDonald, Spence Mott and Evan Nachtigall.
Furber enjoying life as Hall of Fame and World Champion Golfer
Since celebrating his 60th birthday in June, Winnipeg’s Darcy Furber feels he is on top of the golfing world.
You will remember in 2023 Furber was inducted into the Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame, which he reminds his closest friends in jest when conversations get a little spicy, but now he also has a World Champion title in his back pocket if required.
In early August, Furber earned a seven stroke victory over the field to win the International Blind Golf Association B1 World Championship in Simcoe, Ontario.
“The last few years have been pretty special to say the least” says Furber. “I was shocked when I got the call for the Hall of Fame and that night is something I think about a lot. Then to win a world title, it’s been so awesome. I’ve been fortunate to play golf all over the world — it’s taken me to some beautiful places. The blind game is really growing and it’s exciting to have more people getting involved.”
Darcy’s passion for the sport began early, and he first made his mark in 1983 by winning the Manitoba High School Championship, a pivotal moment that sparked a lifelong love for golf. He continued to compete at a high level as a sighted golfer, earning spots on Manitoba’s Willingdon Cup Team in 1985 and 1992.
As his vision deteriorated, Furber transitioned into blind golf and quickly rose through the ranks, first in the B2 division, which includes golfers with up to 5% vision and now the B1 division, which is reserved for golfers who are completely blind and play using blackout glasses.
“The big challenge for me or the tough shots are when the ball is below your feet, to get a clean club on the ball” says Furber. “Everything else from tee to green I just kind of take in stride.”
He credits much of his success to his coach and brother-in-law Ron Oliver, a member at Elmhurst Golf & Country Club.
“Ron and the entire staff at Elmhurst led by Dave McMillan and Matt Lorenz have been everything to me” added Furber. “Without them, I would not have been able to get on the course and have as much in my life as I do.”
Next on the calendar, Furber is targeting the 2027 World Blind Golf Championship in Spain.
“That’s the plan, I take things day by day, so I guess we’ll see how it goes”.
RESULTS | Lambert finishes 6th in Chicago
Kaleb Lambert (Elmhurst Golf & Country Club / Chicago State University) shot a 4-over par 76 during his final round at the Windy City Classic Invitational at Harborside International in East Chicago, Illinois.
With an 54 hole total of 11 over par, Lambert finished in sixth place on the leaderboard, just five strokes back of top spot.
For the final leaderboard, click here.
RESULTS | Korman finishes T9 in Montana
Cala Korman (Killarney Lakeside Golf Club / Weber State University) carded her second straight 1-over par 73 Tuesday during the final round of the Sun Mountain Intercollegiate at The Ranch Club in Missoula, Montana to earn a top 10 finish on the leaderboard.
With rounds of 75, 73 and 73, Korman placed T9, just seven strokes back of champion Braylyn Bayer, also of Weber State.
For the final leaderboard, click here.
Carol Martel named 2025 Distinguished Service Award recipient
Golf Manitoba is proud to announce Carol Martel as the recipient of the 2025 Distinguished Service Award, recognizing her extraordinary dedication, leadership, and long-standing volunteer service to the sport of golf in Manitoba and Northwest Ontario.
The presentation of the award will take place on Wednesday, October 29th during the Golf Manitoba Awards presented by AVID GOLF at Niakwa Country Club.
Carol’s involvement with organized golf began in 1997 with the Manitoba Ladies’ Golf Association (MLGA), marking the start of a remarkable 28-year commitment to advancing the sport. From her early days as a district representative and club delegate for Transcona Golf Club, to her post-amalgamation appointment as an officer on the Golf Manitoba Board of Directors, Carol has consistently demonstrated forward-thinking leadership and a deep commitment to the game.
The Transcona Golf Club member has contributed in virtually every facet of the sport. She has served as a starter, scorer, pace of play official, and, most notably, as a certified Level 2 Rules Official – a role she held through this most recent season. Beyond the course, she played a key role in launching the Golf in Schools program, securing funding for educational kits in her district, and served on the PGA of Manitoba Awards Committee for over a decade.
Known for her mentorship, dependability, and dedication to women’s golf, Carol is widely respected not just for what she does, but how she does it – with kindness, integrity, and a genuine love of the sport.
Also recognized this year will be 14 individuals who reached milestone volunteer anniversaries with Golf Manitoba. The Golf Manitoba Volunteer Recognition Program acknowledges those volunteers for 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25+ years of service.
5 year: David Kazina, Joan Todd
10 year: Rob Bell, Bob Peters, Bob Poole
15 year: Sandra Cross, Vince Mariani, Celeste Pryma, Lori Russell
20 year: Aija Culley, Gord Hudson
25 year: Florence Mehmel
30 year: Betty Grant, Michelle Lee
General admission tickets for the Golf Manitoba Awards presented by AVID GOLF are available for purchase HERE. Tickets are $25 per person with appetizers and food stations included.
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 AVID GOLF: Located at 1580 Taylor Avenue in Winnipeg, AVID GOLF houses six 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.
For more about AVID GOLF including winter leagues and membership information, visit avidgolf.club.
Finalists announced for 2025 Female & Male Amateur Golfer of the Year
Golf Manitoba is pleased to announce the finalists for the 2025 Female and Male Amateur Golfer of the Year Awards.
This year’s female and male award finalists were chosen by the selection committee of Golf Manitoba Past Champions Rob McMillan and Adam Speirs along with PGA of Manitoba Executive Director Deb Pritchard and Ken Wiebe of the Winnipeg Free Press.
The winners will be announced at the Golf Manitoba Awards presented by AVID GOLF on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at Niakwa Country Club.
During the awards ceremony, we will also honour the Golf Manitoba Volunteer Distinguished Service Award winner, who will be announced on Monday, October 6.
The 2025 Female Amateur Golf of the Year Finalists are Charmaine Hayden, Addison Kartusch, Cala Korman and Rhonda Orr.
Hayden, 48, from Winnipeg, won the Women’s City & District Championship, Diamond Athletic Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship and Saskatchewan Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship. She finished T3 at the Canadian Women’s Mid-Masters Championship and placed fourth on the leaderboard at both the Diamond Athletic Women’s Amateur Championship and U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship Qualifier. The Breezy Bend Country Club member lost in the quarter final of the Match Play Championship presented by St. Vital Dental Centre and finished T6 at the Canadian Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship.
Kartusch, 19, 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 recently won the the NCAA A-Ga-Ming Invitational in Kewadin, Michigan and finished T2 at the Mid-American Conference Championship. She placed T18 at the Canadian Junior Girls Championship.
Korman, 20, from Killarney, won the Match Play Championship Qualifier presented by St. Vital Dental Centre. She finished T2 in the Diamond Athletic Women’s Amateur Championship and lost in the Match Play Quarter Final. South of the border, the Killarney Lakeside Golf Club member placed T4 at the Fresno State Classic, T6 at the Bobcat Desert Classic and 10th at the Big Sky Conference Championship. She also finished T57 on the leaderboard at the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship.
Orr, 64, from Winnipeg, won the Hodson Financial Women’s Senior and Super Senior Championships, the Taylor McCaffrey Women’s Four-Ball Championship alongside partner Fran Povoledo and the British Columbia Super Senior Championship. She finished T3 in the Diamond Athletic Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship and T8 in the Diamond Athletic Women’s Amateur Championship. The Southwood Golf & Country Club member also placed 27th on the leaderboard at the Canadian Women’s Senior Championship.
The 2025 Male Amateur Golfer of the Year finalists are Todd Fanning, Allan McDonald, Spence Mott and Evan Nachtigall.
Fanning, 57, from Winnipeg, won the Hodson Financial Men’s Senior Championship. With the victory, he became the first Manitoban to complete the Manitoba Grand Slam (Junior, Amateur, Mid-Amateur, Senior). The Niakwa Country Club member also finished second in the Diamond Athletic Men’s Mid-Masters Championship, fifth at the Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur Championship and ninth at the Diamond Athletic Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship.
McDonald, 33, from Winnipeg, won the Diamond Athletic Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship. The Breezy Bend Country Club member finished sixth on the leaderboard at the Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur Championship, T35 at the Elmhurst Invitational and T38 at the Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship.
Mott, 18, from Brandon, won the Junior Boys Championship presented by the Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation. He finished T3 in the Junior Boys Division of the Elmhurst Invitational and T4 at the Canada Summer Games. The Shilo Country Club member also finished T29 at the Elmhurst Invitational, T37 at the NextGen Prairie Championship and T41 at the Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur Championship.
Nachtigall, 24, from Brandon, won the Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur Championship, Match Play Qualifier presented by St. Vital Dental Centre and Taylor McCaffrey Men’s Four-Ball Championship along partner Drew Jones. The Shilo Country Club member was eliminated in the Match Play Semi Final presented by St. Vital Dental Centre and finished T12 at the Elmhurst Invitational. He also competed in his first professional event, the Manitoba Open.
General admission tickets for the Golf Manitoba Awards presented by AVID GOLF are available for purchase HERE. Tickets are $25 per person with appetizers and food stations included.
About the Golf Manitoba Amateur Golfer of the Year Awards – The Golf 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.
Past Amateur Golfer of the Year recipients
Past Distinguished Service Award winner recipients
About AVID GOLF: Located at 1580 Taylor Avenue in Winnipeg, AVID GOLF houses six 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.
For more about AVID GOLF including winter leagues and membership information, visit avidgolf.club.
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.
Fall golf and your handicap: Six things to know
As the leaves turn and temperatures drop across the country, fall is one of the most scenic — and often favourite — times of year to be on the golf course. It also signals the approach of the end of the active season, which varies by province.
Before you pack up your clubs for winter, it’s important to know how fall golf can affect your Handicap Index under the World Handicap System (WHS).
Here are six things to keep in mind:
1. Active seasons vary by Province
The Active Season is the period when scores from your specified area are eligible for handicap purposes. These dates are based on when courses are typically in mid-season condition, as they were when rated.
Weather and course conditions can affect the accuracy of course ratings, which is why scores eventually become ineligible for handicap purposes. Even if the active season is over, you can still post your scores to your Golf Canada account, though they won’t be factored into your Handicap Index.
2. Playing Conditions Calculation (PCC)
Frost delays, soggy lies and swirling winds are all part of fall golf. Conditions can be unpredictable, but the Playing Conditions Calculation (PCC) helps account for tougher days.
PCC is an automatic process that compares daily scores against expected scoring patterns. If enough players post scores outside expectations from the same course on the same day, the WHS adjusts score differentials to reflect difficulty. The PCC only activates if at least eight rounds are posted from the same tee/course, so post your score the same day.
3. Preferred lies and wet fairways
When the ground gets damp, many clubs implement preferred lies (lift, clean and place) to ensure fair play. These rounds are still acceptable for handicap purposes under the WHS, as long as the local rule is in place and the round follows the Rules of Golf. When in doubt, check with the pro shop.
4. Shorter days means more 9-Hole and incomplete rounds
With less daylight in the fall, fitting in 18 holes can be a challenge. The WHS supports posting 9-hole rounds and incomplete rounds (10–17 holes).
As long as you play a full front or back nine, your score can be posted. You’ll receive a score differential for the holes played and the system will combine them to produce an 18-hole differential. Twilight nines are still a great way to keep scores in your record.
5. Playing on aerated greens
Many Canadian courses aerate their greens in the fall. While bumps and sand may affect putting, these scores are still valid.
Rounds played on aerated greens are acceptable, and a PCC adjustment may apply. It’s important to post these scores, even if conditions feel less than ideal.
6. Keep posting your scores
Fall golf in Canada can be both stunning and challenging. While the season may be short, those final rounds still matter in maintaining a fair and accurate Handicap Index.
Whether you’re playing competitively or just enjoying the last stretch of good weather, remember the WHS is designed to account for seasonal conditions.
So don’t put your clubs away just yet — post your scores, enjoy the colours and finish your season strong.