Golf Manitoba is excited to announce the three finalists for the inaugural Golf Manitoba Impact Award.
Created to recognize member facilities that drive innovation, remove barriers to entry, and build welcoming communities across Manitoba and Northwest Ontario, the Impact Award evaluates facilities relative to their size and available resources.
The winning facility of the inaugural Golf Manitoba Impact Award and $2,000 Grow-the-Game Legacy Grant will be announced on Thursday, October 15th and honoured at the Golf Manitoba Awards presented by AVID GOLF on Monday, November 2nd at Elmhurst Golf & Country Club.
To purchase tickets for the Golf Manitoba Awards presented by AVID GOLF, click here.
Following a review of nominations from across the region by our selection committee, three outstanding facilities have been named our 2026 Impact Award Finalists:
EVO Golf (Off-Course / Simulator Facility)
Representing the growth of year-round golf in Westman, EVO Golf has changed how local players train and stay connected in the offseason. Led by Golf Canada Professional Austin Dobrescu, EVO Golf offers high-quality instruction and accessible indoor golf. Highlights from their season include:
- Women’s Golf Nights: Hosting free weekly instructional nights every Tuesday in June, giving golfers of all skill levels a relaxed, supportive place to learn.
- Junior Development: Running specialized Junior Development Days and summer camps across regional courses to build core skills.
- Indoor League Play: Building Westman’s largest indoor golf league, featuring flexible scoring formats and a brand-new Women’s Division.
Shooters Family Golf Centre & Restaurant (Public Facility)
Shooters Family Golf Centre & Restaurant continues to set the standard for approachable, family-focused public golf. Managed by Amy Cerasani, they focus on making golf welcoming and fun for everyone. Highlights from the 2026 season include:
- Youth Programs: Prioritizing junior development through affordable programs like their Junior Golf Camps, Spring Swing, and FORE Golf initiatives.
- Welcoming Environment: Creating a pressure-free atmosphere that encourages multi-generational family play, beginners, and social golfers.
- Active Community Leagues: Hosting popular men’s, ladies’, and social leagues that help players stay active and build lasting friendships.
Southside Golf Course (Public Facility)
Led by Director of Golf Operations Garret Dykun, Southside Golf Course has focused on grassroots innovation and making golf as flexible and affordable as possible. Highlights from their season include:
- Evening Access & Night Golf: Operating Manitoba’s only fully lit 18-hole night golf course and driving range, removing daylight constraints so working professionals, students, and busy families can play outside standard work and school hours.
- Strong Women’s Participation: Supporting a massive ladies’ league with over 700 active golfers.
- Affordable Rates & Food: Keeping golf budget-friendly with subsidized junior green fees ($20 for 9 holes / $30 for 18 holes) and a $5 food truck menu.
The Golf Manitoba Community Honor Roll
The strength of regional golf relies on dedicated facilities, staff, and volunteers who work hard every day to grow the sport. Golf Manitoba is proud to recognize the following member facilities on our 2026 Community Honour Roll:
- Glendale Golf & Country Club: Approved construction for a new year-round performance center, released a comprehensive junior booklet featuring Operation 36 and specialized girls’ programming, and achieved record club participation at the Manitoba Junior Boys’ and Girls’ Championships presented by the Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation.
- Lorette Golf Course: Introduced over 300 junior and beginner golfers through their Discover Golf program and “Kids 11 & Under Free” policy, raised over $100,000 for cancer research via Drive for a Cure, and hosted the inaugural Manitoba Golf Creator Invitational.
- Neepawa Golf & Country Club: Championed zero-barrier youth golf by making golf 100% free with free equipment rentals for kids under 16, while hosting the regional Golf Canada NextGen Prairie Championship.
- Winnipeg Fore the Fun of Golf: Built a social network of over 2,000 local golfers through 50+ casual annual rounds, four flighted net tournaments, and winter indoor partnerships.
Celebrating Our 2026 Nominees
Golf Manitoba extends a heartfelt congratulations and thank you to all our 2026 nominees! We appreciate everything these facilities, staff, and volunteers do every day to promote the sport, welcoming new players, and strengthening golf in their local communities.
Stay tuned to golfmb.ca and our digital channels for ongoing updates and community highlights!
About the Golf Manitoba Impact Award
The Golf Manitoba Impact Award celebrates member facilities across the region for their outstanding contributions to advancing the game. Open to all member clubs regardless of size or budget, the award measures facility impact across four key pillars: Junior & Grassroots Growth, Competitive Culture, Community Connection, and Event Excellence. The annual winner receives top honors at the Golf Manitoba Awards banquet along with a grant to reinvest into grassroots golf initiatives.
