Following a T2 finish Tuesday in Chilliwack, British Columbia at the Canada West Golf Championship, Rory Neill (Glendale Golf & Country Club) of the University of Manitoba Bisons shares his experience with Golf Manitoba Director of Communications & Development Brian Munz.

Rory Neill (Glendale Golf & Country Club) shot an 8-under par 64 Wednesday at the Chilliwack Golf Course in British Columbia to lead the University of Manitoba Bisons on their final day at the Canada West Golf Championship.

Neill’s round featured 9 birdies, 8 pars and a bogey. With a 9-under par 135 total, he finished T2 on the leaderboard with Ryan Gillis of the University of British Columbia Okanagan, just one stroke back of the University of Victoria’s Owen Croft.

Derek Benson (Golf Manitoba Public Players Club) finished three strokes of the lead at T6 at 7-under par (66-71), Ryan Blair (Elmhurst Golf & Country Club) finished T15 (72-70), Ethan Portey (Golf Manitoba Public Players Club) and Eric Prokopowich (Dauphin Lake Golf Club) finished T19 at (71-73) and (74-70) respectively.

As a team, the Bisons earned third place at 21-under par 555, eight strokes back of the first place University of British Columbia Okanagan.

For the final leaderboard, click here.

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)

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.

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.

Tickets are now on sale for the Golf Manitoba Awards presented by AVID GOLF.

Our 2025 celebration will take place on Wednesday, October 29^th 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.

Since celebrating his 60^th 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”.

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.

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.

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 29^th 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.