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.

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.

Charmaine Hayden

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.

Addison Kartusch

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.

 

Cala Korman

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.

Rhonda Orr

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.

Todd Fanning

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.

Allan McDonald

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.

Spence Mott

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.

Evan Nachtigall

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.

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.

Swan River Golf & Country Club was established in 1934 and is the most northern picturesque 18 Hole golf course in Manitoba, set between the Duck and Porcupine Mountains.

The Golf Club oversaw a major renovation project with the expansion of another 9 holes, designed by David Grant and opened in 2010.

Currently seeking a highly motivated Superintendent in 2026, this position is full-time seasonal, from mid-March to mid-November. The Golf Course Superintendent, will be reporting to the General Manager and will be responsible for managing all aspects of the golf course property and turf maintenance team.

Responsibilities;

• Course set up
• Equipment, operation and maintenance
• Ensure all record keeping and required government permits are current
• Irrigation operation and maintenance on fully automated system
• Cultural practices (Aeration/Topdressing, Verti cutting)
• Chemical application
• Lead the turf care team
• Directly work with and report to the General Manager

Experience;

• Diploma or Certificate in Turfgrass management or equivalent experience
• Previous golf course maintenance experience
• Knowledge of Rain Bird irrigation systems
• Ability to communicate with General Manager/and membership
• Valid Manitoba Pesticide applicator license (or willing to obtain)
• Ability to lift 50lb and work in sometimes challenging environments
• Positive attitude towards staff and moving the golf course in the right direction
• Flexible shift times including weekends / evenings and holidays

Swan River Golf & Country Club offers a competitive salary and benefits package commensurate with experience which includes;

• Golf and Power cart Privileges
• Pro Shop and Meal Discounts
• Professional Development and Association Dues
• Clothing Allowance
• Cell Phone allowance
• Gas Allowance

While we thank all applicants for their interest, only those selected for interviews will be contacted. 

Please forward resume to clintonweir@outlook.com by January 31^st, 2026.

Daniel Beaupre and Benoit Mowbray of Glen Lea Golf Course are the 2025 National Golf League Provincial Champions.

Using the modified stableford scoring system, Beaupre and Mowbray combined for 44 points at Bridges Golf Course to edge Kerry Barkman and Thomas Friesen of Shilo Country Club by a single point.

Beaupre played to a handicap index of 14 while Mowbray played to a 17. Their round featured one eagle, 8 birdies, 7 pars and two bogeys.

Elmhurst Golf & Country Club‘s Dan Chubey and Chad Willis rounded out the top three with 42 points.

These top three teams earned an all expenses paid trip to play in the BDO National Golf League Canadian Championship just prior to the 2026 RBC Canadian Open at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley.

For the final leaderboard, click here.

16 two person teams are on the course today at Bridges Golf Course for the third annual BDO National Golf League Provincial Final.

Throughout this past season, players from participating member clubs Elmhurst Golf & Country Club, Glendale Golf & Country Club, Golf Manitoba Public Players Club, Kildonan Park Golf Course, LaBroquerie Golf Course, Shilo Country Club and Wheat City Golf Course qualified for today.

For tee times, click here.

For the leaderboard, click here.

The top three teams will advance to compete in a once in a lifetime, all expenses paid trip to play in the BDO National Golf League Championship just prior to the 2026 RBC Canadian Open.

We appreciate the time and effort of the host club, Bridges Golf Course led by PGA of Manitoba General Manager Corey Braaksma, PGA of Manitoba Head Professional Larry Robinson, Course Superintendent David Linstead and Food & Beverage Manager Jessica Delorme along with their staff and club members for their warm welcome.

About the National Golf League

The BDO National Golf League is a nationwide, season-long competition created by Golf Canada to enhance the league experience for men, women, and junior players. The league is open to all existing recreational golf leagues and provides opportunities to compete in a BDO National Golf League regular season, regional playoffs, and a national championship.

For more, visit nationalgolfleague.ca.

Monday, September 22nd we were fortunate to gather at Glendale Golf & Country Club to show our appreciation to our volunteers for their time and dedication to our sport. Without them, it would not be possible.

To view the photo gallery, click here.

We would also like to thank Glendale Golf & Country Club for hosting us led by PGA of Manitoba Professional & General Manager James Chapman, PGA of Manitoba Head Professional Derrik Goodwin, Course Superintendent Greg Mitchell, Food & Beverage Manager Paige Monzon along with their staff and club members for their warm welcome.

Hunter Oakden (Team Manitoba / Wheat City Golf Course) representing Brandon’s Vincent Massey Collegiate shot an 8-under par 64 to win the Provincial High School Boys Golf Championship at Oak Island Resort & Golf.

Oakden’s round featured birdies on holes 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13 and 14.

Ryder St. Laurent (Team Manitoba / Niakwa Country Club) from Ecole Regional Gabrielle Roy in Ile-des-Chenes came in second place carding a 3-under par 69. St. Paul’s High School’s Brady Comaskey (Pine Ridge Golf Club) rounded out the top three at even par 72.

Jewel Lafleche (Niakwa) of College Jeane-Sauve is the Junior Girls Champion after shooting an 86, good for a two stroke decision over Portage Collegiate Institute’s Lexi Henderson. Kora Montour, also of Portage was third with a 91.

For more information and the final leaderboards, click here.

Golf Manitoba, the Provincial Sport Organization for the sport of Golf, is currently seeking interested individuals to serve on the Board of Directors for either one or two-years term commencing November 2025.

If you have a strong passion for, and understanding of the sport of Golf, we would like to hear from you.  We are searching for strategic thinkers with experience in any of the following areas: Community Engagement, Human Resources, Governance, Public Affairs & Communications, Quality & Performance Management, and Strategic Planning. We are committed to making golf more accessible and welcoming to diverse populations, and would encourage like-minded individuals to apply.

The role of a Golf Manitoba Board member is to act as a trustee, always serving the best interests of the organization with integrity and an open mind.  The Board is responsible for upholding our by-laws, determining policy, developing and evaluating strategic priorities, and approving annual budgets. Board members also support the directives of the association through participation on working committees.

Expressions of Interest must include both of the following:

• Nomination Form
• Current CV

The application deadline for open applications is September 26, 2025.   

Interested individuals who are members of Golf Manitoba Member Clubs should contact their home club’s general manager and/or head professional to begin the application process. Public Player members can contact Golf Manitoba directly by email at jared@golfmb.ca.

Serving the Manitoba and Northwest Ontario golf communities since 1915, Golf Manitoba strives to provide quality, innovative and accessible golf programs and services.  We strive to align with all golf stakeholders through a connected golf community while encouraging both youth and adults to play more golf, more often. Our Mission is to develop, promote, govern and service the game of golf in Manitoba and Northwest Ontario for the benefit of all participants.

All Expressions of Interest will be kept in confidence.

For more information:

Jared Ladobruk
Executive Director
Golf Manitoba
204.925.5729
jared@golfmb.ca

Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/golfmb.ca

To stay informed on Golf Manitoba’s championships, events, and association updates, follow us on Instagram, X, and Facebook or visit our webpage at golfmb.ca.

Manitoba Moose defenceman Dawson Barteaux joins Golf Manitoba Director of Communications & Development Brian Munz at Clear Lake Golf Course to talk all things golf.

Barteaux, from Foxwarren, shares his passion for the sport, how he got into it and who his dream foursome on the course includes.