Golf Manitoba is pleased to announce its 2022 rules education schedule 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, and Rules of Handicapping. 

The first of the winter education series will be a Rules of Golf for the beginner session on January 26 from 7-8:30pm. The session is free for all Golf Manitoba/Canada members.

For more information and to register for any of our winter education seminars, please visit golfmb.ca/rules

Golf Manitoba is pleased to announce its 2022 Championship schedule. The provincial amateur golf governing body will host 14 events at member clubs across Manitoba. The first official event of the 2022 season will begin with the Manitoba Match Play Championship qualifier May 28 at the Carman Golf & Curling Club.

Golf Manitoba is also excited to announce that it has received long-term championship hosting commitments from nine Winnipeg-area private and semi-private member clubs until 2035.  Under the agreement, the nine member clubs will form a rotation to host up to three Golf Manitoba major championships per year including the Match Play, Junior, Women’s Amateur and Men’s Mid-Amateur, Men’s Amateur and Senior Championships.  The multi-year hosting commitment schedule is as follows:

• Breezy Bend Country Club: 2025 Senior, 2028 Men’s Amateur, 2031 Women’s Amateur & Men’s Mid-Amateur, 2034 Junior
• Elmhurst Golf & Country Club:  2025 Match Play, 2028 Junior, 2031 Match Play, 2034 Senior
• Glendale Golf & Country Club: 2023 Match Play, 2026 Senior, 2029 Men’s Amateur, 2032 Women’s Amateur & Men’s Mid-Amateur, 2035 Junior
• Niakwa Country Club: 2024 Junior, 2027 Match Play, 2030 Senior, 2033 Men’s Amateur
• Pine Ridge Golf Club: 2023 Women’s Amateur & Men’s Mid-Amateur, 2026 Junior, 2029 Match Play, 2032 Senior, 2035 Men’s Amateur
• Rossmere Country Club: 2024 Men’s Amateur, 2027 Women’s Amateur & Men’s Mid-Amateur, 2030 Junior, 2033 Match Play
• St. Boniface Golf Club: 2023 Senior, 2026 Men’s Amateur, 2029 Women’s Amateur & Men’s Mid-Amateur, 2032 Junior, 2035 Match Play
• St. Charles Country Club: 2025 Women’s Amateur & Men’s Mid-Amateur, 2028 Senior, 2031 Men’s Amateur, 2034 Women’s Amateur & Men’s Mid-Amateur
• Southwood Golf & Country Club: 2027 Men’s Amateur, 2030 Women’s Amateur & Men’s Mid-Amateur, 2033 Junior

“Since inception in 1915, Golf Manitoba has had the tremendous support of its member clubs in hosting golf events and competitions, and we are extremely appreciative of those clubs that have committed to host in 2022,” said Wayne McWhirter, President of Golf Manitoba.  “Today’s long-term schedule announcement is a major step forward in securing the long-term viability and future of our provincial golf championships. To receive this kind of commitment is a tremendous recognition of and investment in both player development and amateur golf by our city member clubs and our association cannot be more appreciative of this show of support.”

The 111th Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur will see a change in 2022 moving from a 72-hole to a 54-hole event with a cut after 36 holes. “This change was necessary to allow Golf Manitoba to successfully conduct this event for years to come,” said Jared Ladobruk, Executive Director of Golf Manitoba. “With increased demand on tee-sheets and member access, this move was crucial to the viability of this championship. We of course, cannot conduct this event without the support of our member clubs and they have been very receptive to this change and are excited to host this championship in its new format.”

2022 Golf Manitoba Championship Schedule

• Match Play Championship Qualifier – Carman Golf & Curling Club (May 28)
• Match Play Championship Matches – Quarry Oaks Golf Course (June 2-5)
• Women’s City & District & Junior Bantam Championships – TBA (June 25 & 26)
• Diamond Athletic Women’s Amateur & Men’s Mid-Amateur Championships – Granite Hills Golf Club (July 6-8)
• Junior Girls & Boys Championship – St. Charles Country Club (July 13-15)
• Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur Championship – Elmhurst Golf & Country Club (July 21-23)
• Hodson Financial Women’s & Men’s Senior Championship – Larters at St. Andrews Golf & Country Club (August 10-12)
• Women’s Interclub Championship – St. Boniface Golf Club (August 23)
• Men’s Senior Interclub Championship – Oak Island Golf Resort (August 26)
• Men’s Provincial Interclub Championship – Southwood Golf & Country Club (September 20)

Also on the local golf calendar for 2022 is the Golf Canada junior NextGen Prairie Championship being held at the Quarry Oaks Golf Course from June 10-12 in Steinbach, Manitoba. Golf Canada’s NextGen program aims to support and develop Canada’s next wave of future Team Canada athletes.

More information on Golf Manitoba championships including dates, times, eligibility, how to register and host venue will be available in the coming weeks on the competitions schedule page at golfmb.ca. Registration for most Golf Manitoba championships is set to open at 12pm on April 15, 2022.

Instagram/Twitter/Facebook

To stay informed on Golf Manitoba’s championship play, events, and additional updates, make sure to follow us on Instagram and Twitter, and like us on Facebook.

For more information:

Brian Munz
Director of Communications
Golf Manitoba
204.899.1092
brian@golfmb.ca

Golf Manitoba Director of Communications Brian Munz goes 1on1 with the new Head Professional at Glendale Golf & Country Club, Derrik Goodwin.

OAKVILLE – (Golf Canada) – Some golfers claim their favourite aspect of the game is recanting highlights (and maybe even some lowlights) with friends following a round of golf. 

Now, members of Golf Canada and their respective provincial golf association who track their games with Golf Canada Score Centre can do just that… digitally.

Introducing Golf Canada #MyGolfYear – a retrospective of a member’s golf year generated by the scoring data posted to the Golf Canada Score Centre in 2021.

Statistics on the graphics, which were emailed direct to members on December 28t^h, 2021, include total best round, number of holes played, distance played and most-played golf courses. 

Golfers who posted scores using hole-by-hole method will see additional statistics added to their graphics, including total number of pars, birdies or better and holes-in-one.

Golf Canada is encouraging members to share their graphics with friends via email or post them to their favourite social networking platform using the hashtag #MyGolfYear. Below are just a few examples shared since the inaugural campaign launched.

NOT A MEMBER? JOIN GOLF CANADA AND START TRACKING YOUR GAME

With the festive season upon us, Golf Manitoba is reflecting on the year that’s coming to a close – with gratitude to our members, member clubs and our volunteers. You’ve made it a year to be proud of and it couldn’t have happened without your support. 

On behalf of the Board of Directors and the staff at Golf Manitoba, we wish everyone a new year filled with hope, good health and beautiful moments.

Hours of Operation 

The Golf Manitoba office will be closed beginning Friday, December 24, 2021 and will reopen at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, January 4, 2022.

The PGA of Canada has announced the finalists for its 2021 National Awards.

“We are blessed to have a family of over 3,600 professionals who proudly share their passion and expertise with golfers from coast-to-coast,” said Teejay Alderdice, the association’s president. 

“On behalf of the PGA of Canada, I would like to congratulate all nominees and finalists for their outstanding accomplishments this year. I look forward to celebrating their collective achievements later this month during our virtual National Awards Ceremony.”

Golf Manitoba junior development team coaches Bri-ann Tokariwski and Derrik Goodwin have both been nominated for national awards. Tokariwski, who is an assistant professional out of the Elmhurst Golf & Country Club, has been nominated for the Moe Norman Apprentice of the Year award. Goodwin, the head professional at the Glendale Golf & Country Club, has been nominated for both the Jack McLaughlin Junior Leader of the Year and the George Knudson Teacher of the Year awards.

Five PGA of Canada Manitoba Zone members have also been nominated for awards and include the following:

• Murray Tucker Club Professional of the Year: James Chapman, Glendale Golf & Country Club
• Dick Munn Executive Professional of the Year: Al Scott, Falcon Lake Golf Course
• Ben Kern Coach of the Year: Derek Ingram, Golf Canada
• Pat Fletcher Retailer of the Year: Kris Ehnes, Breezy Bend Country Club
• Stan Leonard Class “A” Professional of the Year: Jeremy Gallant, St. Charles Country Club

Each year, a National Selection Committee evaluates nominations from professionals across Canada. Winners for each national award are traditionally recognized during PGA of Canada Night at the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, Fla., however, this year will see winners revealed live during the association’s virtual National Award Ceremony on January 27, 2022. 

Looking for a last minute stocking stuffer for the golfer on your list? Give the gift of golf this holiday season with a Golf Manitoba/Golf Canada membership!

The Golf Manitoba/Canada membership is a must-have for every Canadian golfer. For only $49.95, members receive annual equipment protection coverage, can establish and maintain an official handicap index and receive exclusive access to special offers and discounts year-round. The full suite of game-enhancing benefits include:

• Incident protection of up $6,000 in total annual coverage (365 days from date of purchase) for damaged, lost or stolen golf equipment and golf cart and window damage coverage
• An Official Golf Canada Handicap Index through the NEW World Handicap System
• Access the Golf Canada Score Centre to post scores and track golf stats
• Golf Canada App that includes GPS distances for over 1,400 courses in Canada
• Exclusive offers on event tickets & merchandise
• Exclusive offers from Golf Canada, Levelwear, AVIS and Hilton
• Golf benefits with RBC Insurance for home and auto
• Free access to online rules education access
• Membership dues are reinvested into Grow the Game programs such as Golf in Schools, mobile clinics and junior development teams

For more information on the Golf Manitoba/Golf Canada membership and to purchase, please visit join.golfcanada.ca.

This time of year, we are inundated with “gift guides for the golfer in your life.” I’m here to tell you I am that golfer and I don’t want most of that stuff.

Why the greatest game has the cheesiest accessories is beyond me. You’ve seen them: Caddyshack gopher head covers, ugly sweaters and those visors with the fake hair sprouting out the top. Note to my family: Buy me one of those and the next time you see one while walking through the local thrift store and remark, “Hey, that’s just like the one we got Uncle John for Christmas,” rest assured it is the same one.

So here’s the real stuff the golfer in your life (and likely you) want for Christmas.

A book you can’t put down

It’s been said that “the smaller the ball, the more is written about it” and, despite the fact I’ve never seen much literature about marbles, I believe that to be true. There are so many great books about every conceivable facet of golf. I particularly enjoy reading about the people, especially if they are Canadian. Gary Cowan’s new autobiography (written with David McPherson) From Rockway to Augusta chronicles his outstanding career. Cowan, an honoured member of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame, remains the only man to win the U.S. Amateur twice at stroke play. Hard- and soft-cover versions are available for order here.

A Golf Canada membership

If the recipient doesn’t belong to a Golf Canada member club which includes a Golf Canada membership as part of their benefits, get them one. Priced around $50, it’s a bargain, providing an official handicap index among a plethora of other benefits including access to the full-feature Golf Canada app and incident protection coverage against lost, damaged, or stolen equipment. Learn all about it here. 

A club-fitting session

Here’s a vital tip. DO NOT buy golf clubs for the object of your affection. Few things are more personal than a golfer’s choice of tools. Getting fitted for clubs (and balls) is essential. A gift certificate for your local pro shop may seem a touch antiseptic but, trust me, it will be deeply appreciated. While an in-person fitting is preferable, most equipment companies offer sophisticated online fitting apps.

Tickets to Canada’s National Opens

Canada’s national open championships (CP Women’s Open and RBC Canadian Open) make their highly anticipated return after a two-year break. Consider the full experience of world-class golf with tickets for you and yours.

Gift cards to your local pro shop

On the topic of gift certificates, how about patronizing your local courses this holiday season? Most offer gift cards for everything from merchandise, food and beverage, lessons and even a contribution toward annual dues.

Practice and tracking progress

Unless you live in balmy British Columbia, your practice is pretty well restricted to indoors. If you are committed to game improvement in the offseason, consider purchasing a launch monitor or visiting an indoor facility with access. Putting mats like the Wellputt are under 200 bucks and we all know how many strokes poor putting costs us.

This is my opinion only but mid- to high-handicappers don’t need an expensive rangefinder. The free Golf Canada mobile app offers GPS data alongside detailed hole-by-hole scoring.

A new push cart

The recent boom in golf participation has revealed that many golfers prefer to walk and use a push cart which is proven to be easier on the body (and better for your score) than carrying your clubs. Non-motorized carts like Bag Boy’s Nitron have all sorts of options. But if you want to splurge, go for something in the Motocaddy line of electric trolleys.

A donation to golf’s future

Give a donation to the First Tee – Canada. Your gift in any amount will help prepare kids for their future in golf and beyond. Give back to the game that’s given us all so much.

A final caveat: Supply-chain issues being what they are, you should order your golf gifts as soon as possible.

It was another active year for Golf Manitoba members posting over 260,833 rounds to the Golf Canada Score Centre in 2021. The season total represents a 17% increase over 2020 (223,711) and a 28% increase over 2019 (205,384).

The top five member clubs for score posting were as follows:

1. Breezy Bend Country Club – 23,051
2. St. Charles Country Club – 20,203
3. Pine Ridge Golf Club – 17,513
4. Niakwa Country Club – 17,409
5. Elmhurst Golf & Country Club – 16,846

There was a total of 4,101 members who posted 25 scores or more. Two hundred and seventy-six (276) members posted over 100 scores.

Below is a summary of Golf Manitoba member golfers, categorized by gender and Handicap Index (as of November 9, 2021):

November 18, 2021 – On behalf of selection committee members Clayton Dreger, Jill Hardy, Adam Speirs and Ken Wiebe, Golf Manitoba is pleased to announce the 2021 Female and Male Amateur Golfer of the Year Award winners. 

Bobbi Uhl of Shilo Country Club is the Female Amateur Golfer of the Year. 

Uhl had a flawless 2021 provincial competitive season.  She started with a win at the Women’s City & District Championship, her first ever title in the event and carried that momentum going on to capture the Diamond Athletic Women’s Amateur Championship.  It was the first provincial women’s amateur title for Uhl and her second straight tournament victory. With the amateur win, Uhl has now won every single Golf Manitoba major women’s event including the Junior Girls, City & District, Match Play and Amateur championships.

Having won this award in 2020, the 21 year old follows in the footsteps of 2018 and 2019 winner Rhonda Orr.

Uhl is currently in her senior year at Longwood University majoring in Athletic Training.

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

Kuntz was a perfect 2-0 in provincial competition in 2021. He led wire-to-wire at the Junior Boys Championship shooting a three-day total of 219, good for a three-shot victory.  The 18 year old carried the momentum from his first junior boys title into the Nott Autocorp Amateur Championship where he posted an impressive 16-under par total winning his first men’s amateur title. 

With the win, Kuntz set a new Men’s Amateur scoring record in relation to par and becomes only the 4^th golfer in Manitoba golf history to win both the junior boys and the men’s amateur championships in the same year joining Todd Fanning, Rob McMillan and Mike Keast, who also accomplished the feat.

Kuntz is currently in his first year at Nicholls State University majoring in Finance.

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.

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 for the benefit of all participants. 

For interview requests with Uhl and Kuntz, contact:

Brian Munz
Director of Communications
Golf Manitoba
(204) 899-1092
Email: brian@golfmb.ca