WATCH | Kartusch & Nachtigall named Female & Male Amateur Golfers of the Year
On behalf of Selection Committee members Rob McMillan, Deb Pritchard, Adam Speirs and Ken Wiebe, Golf Manitoba is pleased to announce the 2025 Amateur Golfer of the Year Award winners.
This year’s recipients were announced on October 29, 2025, at the annual Golf Manitoba Awards presented by AVID GOLF at Niakwa Country Club.
Addison Kartusch of St. Charles Country Club is the 2025 Female Amateur Golfer of the Year.
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. Kartusch 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.
According to available records, for the second straight year Kartusch is the only golfer in Manitoba history to win the Women’s Match Play Championship, Women’s Amateur Championship and Junior Girls Championship in the same season.
With the selection, it is the second consecutive year Kartusch has been recognized as Female Amateur Golfer of the Year.
Evan Nachtigall of Shilo Country Club is the 2025 Male Amateur Golfer of the Year.
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. Nachtigall 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.
With the selection, it is the first time Nachtigall has been recognized as Male Amateur Golfer of the Year.
For a complete list of previous winners, click here.
To view the photo gallery, click here.
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 AVID GOLF – Located at 1580 Taylor Avenue in Winnipeg, Manitoba, AVID GOLF houses 6 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.
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.
Golf Manitoba Annual Meeting & Awards presented by AVID GOLF to be held October 29
The 2024 Golf Manitoba Awards presented by AVID GOLF, will be held Tuesday, October 29, 2024, at St. Charles Country Club.
The annual event recognizes and celebrates all that’s great about the sport of golf in Manitoba and Northwest Ontario – from volunteers to elite performers, teams and milestone achievements including the annual volunteer Distinguished Service Award and the Female and Male Amateur Golfer of the Year awards.
The Golf Manitoba Annual General Meeting will also be held on October 29 and just prior to the start of the Awards banquet. Under Golf Manitoba by-laws, notice of the annual meeting has been sent to all member clubs and leagues via email and to the attention of the Club President & Member Club Representative. All member clubs are invited to RSVP one voting delegate to attend the meeting and to vote on behalf of the club/league.
General admission tickets are now available and can be purchased HERE.
For more information about the Golf Manitoba Awards event presented by AVID GOLF, please contact Golf Manitoba Director of Communications & Development Brian Munz at brian@golfmb.ca.
About AVID GOLF: Located at 1580 Taylor Avenue in Winnipeg, Manitoba, AVID GOLF houses 6 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 league and membership information, visit avidgolf.club.
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.
About the Golf Manitoba Amateur Golfer of the Year Award – 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 >>
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.
Finalists announced for 2024 Female & Male Amateur Golfer of the Year
Golf Manitoba is pleased to announce the finalists for the 2024 Female and Male Amateur Golfer of the Year Awards.
This year’s female and male award finalists were chosen by the selection committee of former Golf Manitoba Champions Jill Hardy, Rob McMillan and Adam Speirs along with Clayton Dreger of Golden West Radio and Ken Wiebe of the Winnipeg Free Press.
The winners will be announced at the Golf Manitoba Awards presented by AVID GOLF on Tuesday, October 29, 2024 at St. Charles Country Club.
During the awards ceremony, we will also honour the Golf Manitoba Volunteer Distinguished Service Award winner.
The 2024 Female Amateur Golf of the Year Finalists are Charmaine Hayden, Addison Kartusch, Jeri Lafleche and Rhonda Orr.
Hayden, 47, from Winnipeg, won the Women’s City & District Championship. She finished second in the Diamond Athletic Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship and lost in the semi final of the Match Play Championship presented by St. Vital Dental Centre. The Breezy Bend Country Club member also placed T4 at the Canadian Women’s Mid-Masters Championship, seventh in the Diamond Athletic Women’s Amateur Championship and T11 at the Canadian Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship.
Kartusch, 18, 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 also finished T3 at the Canadian Junior Girls Championship and T48 at the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship.
Lafleche, 17, from Winnipeg, won the NextGen Prairie Championship and Manitoba Summer Games. She finished second in the Match Play Championship presented by St. Vital Dental Centre, the Diamond Athletic Women’s Amateur Championship and Junior Girls Championship presented by the Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation. The Niakwa Country Club member also placed T58 on the leaderboard at the Canadian Junior Girls Championship.
Orr, 63, from Winnipeg, won the Diamond Athletic Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship, Hodson Financial Women’s Senior Championship and Super Senior Championship. She finished sixth in the Diamond Athletic Women’s Amateur Championship and ninth a the the Canadian Women’s Mid-Masters Championship. The Southwood Golf & Country Club member also finished T17 at the Canadian Women’s Super Senior Championship, 22nd at the Canadian Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship and T24 at the Canadian Women’s Senior Championship.
The 2024 Male Amateur Golfer of the Year finalists are Zostrianos Giordani-Gross, Braxton Kuntz, Allan McDonald and Marco Trstenjak.
Giordani-Gross, 18, from Brandon, won the Junior Boys Championship presented by the Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation. The Shilo Country Club member also finished T13 on the leaderboard at the Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur Championship and T56 at the Canadian Junior Boys Championship.
Kuntz, 20, from Winnipeg, won the Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur Championship and was T2 on the leaderboard at the Elmhurst Invitational. The Breezy Bend Country Club member finished T3 at the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, the NCAA Bryan National Collegiate Championship and at the NCAA Butler University Don Benbow Invitational. He also placed T12 at the NCAA Fighting Illini Spring Collegiate Championship.
McDonald, 32, from Winnipeg, won the Diamond Athletic Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship. His opening round 10-under par 62 set a new course record at Minnedosa Golf & Country Club. The Breezy Bend Country Club member also finished T6 at the Elmhurst Invitational and T7 in the Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur Championship.
Trstenjak, 24, from Winnipeg, won the Match Play Championship presented by St. Vital Dental Centre and the Elmhurst Invitational. He finished T7 at the Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur Championship. The Elmhurst Golf & Country Club member also placed T74 on the leaderboard at the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship.
A limited number of general admission tickets are available for purchase until 10am on Monday, October 21st.
Tickets are $25 per person, appetizers and food stations included.
To purchase tickets, click here.
About the Golf Manitoba Amateur Golfer of the Year Award – 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 >>
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.
For more information:
Brian Munz
Director of Communications & Development
Golf Manitoba
(204) 223-1119
brian@golfmb.ca
WATCH | 1on1 with Braxton Kuntz
Braxton Kuntz of Breezy Bend Country Club talks with Golf Manitoba Director of Communications Brian Munz about being named the 2023 Male Amateur Golfer of the Year.
Kuntz was unable to attend in person as he continues his studies at Ball State University in Indiana.
WATCH | Orr discusses winning the 2023 Female Amateur Golfer of the Year
Following Wednesday night’s Golf Manitoba Awards presented by AVID GOLF at Glendale Golf & Country Club, Rhonda Orr of Southwood Golf & Country Club met with the media to talk about this year’s honour.
Orr & Kuntz named Female & Male Amateur Golfers of the Year
On behalf of Selection Committee members Clayton Dreger, Jill Hardy, Adam Speirs and Ken Wiebe, Golf Manitoba is pleased to recognize the 2023 Amateur Golfer of the Year Award winners.
This year’s recipients were announced on October 25, 2023, at the annual Golf Manitoba Awards presented by AVID GOLF that was held at the Glendale Golf & Country Club.
Rhonda Orr of Southwood Golf & Country Club is the 2023 Female Amateur Golfer of the Year.
Orr, 62, from Winnipeg, won the Hodson Financial Women’s Senior Championship and Super Senior Championship. She finished third in the Diamond Athletic Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship, fourth at the British Columbia Women’s Senior Championship, T7 at the Canadian Women’s Senior Championship and ninth at the Diamond Athletic Women’s Amateur Championship. The Southwood Golf & Country Club member also qualified for the U.S. Senior Women’s Open.
Orr has won the last eight consecutive and 10 of the last 11 Hodson Financial Women’s Senior Championships. With the selection, it is the fifth time that Orr has been recognized as Female Amateur Golfer of the Year (2016, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023).
Braxton Kuntz of Breezy Bend Country Club is the 2023 Male Amateur Golfer of the Year.
Kuntz, 19, from Winnipeg, won the Manitoba Match Play Championship presented by St. Vital Dental Centre and the Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur Championship. Representing Nicholls State University (NCAA) south of the border he placed fourth in the Gulf Coast Collegiate Championship, T6 at the Colin Montgomerie Invitational and T7 at the Tunica National Intercollegiate Championship. The Breezy Bend Country Club member was also T8 at the Elmhurst Invitational and T9 at the Glencoe Invitational.
Kuntz was the first player in Manitoba to win both the Manitoba Junior and Men’s Amateur Championship in back-to-back seasons (2021 and 2022). He is also just the third player to have won the Men’s Amateur Championship in three consecutive years (Todd Fanning 1990, 91, 92 and R.J Reith 1935, 36, 37).
With the selection, it is the third time in as many years that Kuntz has been named Male Amateur Golfer of the Year (2021, 2022, 2023).
Kuntz was unavailable to attend the awards banquet in person as he is currently in his junior year at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana.
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 Northwest Ontario. Its mission is to develop, promote, govern and service the sport of golf for the benefit of all participants.
Finalists announced for 2023 Female & Male Amateur Golfer of the Year
Golf Manitoba is pleased to announce the finalists for the 2023 Female and Male Amateur Golfer of the Year Awards.
This year’s female and male award finalists were chosen by the selection committee of Clayton Dreger of Golden West Radio, Ken Wiebe of the Winnipeg Free Press as well as former Golf Manitoba Junior and Amateur Champions Jill Hardy and Adam Speirs.
The winners will be announced at the Golf Manitoba Awards presented by AVID GOLF on Wednesday, October 25, 2023 at the Glendale Golf & Country Country Club.
The 2023 Female Amateur Golf of the Year Finalists are Addison Kartusch, Cala Korman, Jeri Lafleche and Rhonda Orr.
Kartusch, 17, from Winnipeg, won the Manitoba Match Play Championship presented by St. Vital Dental Centre and the Women’s City & District Championship. She finished second in the Junior Division of the Elmhurst Invitational, third at the Golf Canada NextGen Prairie Championship and fourth in the Junior Girls Championship presented by the Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation. The St. Charles Country Club member also placed seventh in the Diamond Athletic Women’s Amateur Championship, 31st in the Juvenile Division of the Canadian Junior Girls Championship and T42 in the Canadian Junior Girls Championship.
Korman, 18, from Killarney, won the Golf Canada NextGen Prairie Championship at the Evergreen Golf Course in Nipawin, Saskatchewan. She finished second in the Diamond Athletic Women’s Amateur Championship and third in the Junior Girls Championship presented by the Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation. The Golf Manitoba Public Player member also placed T35 on the leaderboard at the Canadian Junior Girls Championship and 78th at the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship.
Lafleche, 16, from Winnipeg, won the Diamond Athletic Women’s Amateur Championship, finished second at the Junior Girls Championship presented by the Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation, third in the Junior Girls Division at the Elmhurst Invitational and was a semi finalist in the Championship Flight of the Manitoba Match Play Championship presented by St. Vital Dental Centre. The Clear Lake Golf Course member also completed the Canadian Junior Girls Championship T32 on the leaderboard in the Juvenile Division and T46 in the overall championship.
Orr, 62, from Winnipeg, won the Hodson Financial Women’s Senior Championship and Super Senior Championship. She finished third in the Mid-Amateur Championship of the Diamond Athletic Women’s Amateur Championship, 4th in the B.C. Women’s Senior Championship, T7 at the Canadian Women’s Senior Championship and ninth at the Diamond Athletic Women’s Amateur Championship. The Southwood Golf & Country Club member also qualified for the U.S. Senior Women’s Open.
The Golf Manitoba Awards selection committee would also like to recognize Charmaine Hayden (2nd place at the Mid-Amateur Championship of the Diamond Athletic Women’s Amateur Championship and 3rd place at the Women’s City & District) and Crystal Zamzow (Champion of the Junior Girls Championship presented by the Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation and Champion of the Junior Girls Division at the Elmhurst Invitational) on their accomplishments during the 2023 season.
The 2023 Male Amateur Golfer of the Year finalists are Jay Doyle, Todd Fanning, Braxton Kuntz and Marco Trstenjak.
Doyle, 56, from Winnipeg, won the Hodson Financial Senior Men’s Championship and finished sixth in the Mid-Masters Championship of the Diamond Athletic Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship. The Niakwa Country Club member also placed T20 on the leaderboard at the Diamond Athletic Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship and T48 at the Canadian Men’s Senior Championship.
Fanning, 55, from Winnipeg, finished second in both the Hodson Financial Senior Men’s Championship and the Diamond Athletic Men’s Mid-Masters Championship. The Niakwa Country Club member placed third at the Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur Championship, T8 at the Diamond Athletic Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship and T12 at the Canadian Men’s Senior Championship.
Kuntz, 19, from Winnipeg, won the Manitoba Match Play Championship presented by St. Vital Dental Centre and the Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur Championship. South of the border he placed fourth in the Gulf Coast Collegiate Championship, T6 at the Colin Montgomerie Invitational and T7 at the Tunica National Intercollegiate Championship. The Breezy Bend Country Club member was also T8 at the Elmhurst Invitational and T9 at the Glencoe Invitational.
Trstenjak, 23, from Winnipeg, won the Elmhurst Invitational. He finished 2nd in the Manitoba Match Play Championship presented by St. Vital Dental Centre and finished seventh at the Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur Championship. The Elmhurst Golf & Country Club member also place T45 on the leaderboard at the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship.
The Golf Manitoba Awards selection committee would also like to recognize Curtis Markusson (Mid-Masters Champion at the Diamond Athletic Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship) and Patrick Perrin (Diamond Athletic Men’s Mid-Amateur Champion) for their play during the 2023 season.
Tickets are available for purchase until 5pm on Friday, October 20th by contacting Golf Manitoba at (204) 925-5730 or by email at info@golfmb.ca.
Tickets are $25 per person, appetizers and food stations included.
About the Golf Manitoba Amateur Golfer of the Year Award – 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 >>
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.
For more information:
Brian Munz
Director of Communications
Golf Manitoba
(204) 899-1092
brian@golfmb.ca
Finalists announced for 2022 Female & Male Amateur Golfer of the Year
Golf Manitoba is pleased to announce the finalists for the 2022 Female and Male Amateur Golfer of the Year Awards.
This year’s female and male award finalists were chosen by the selection committee of Clayton Dreger of Golden West Radio, Ken Wiebe of Rogers Sportsnet as well as former Golf Manitoba Junior and Amateur Champions Jill Hardy and Adam Speirs. The winners will be announced at the Golf Manitoba Awards reception on Tuesday, November 2, 2022 at the Breezy Bend Country Club.
The 2022 Female Amateur Golf of the Year Finalists are Addison Kartusch, Jeri Lafleche, Charmaine Mackid and Rhonda Orr.
Kartusch, 16, from Winnipeg, won the Manitoba Junior Girls Championship presented by the Alex and Peggy Colonello Foundation and represented Manitoba with a 30th place finish at the Canadian Junior Girls Championship. She was a semi-finalist in the Manitoba Play Championship presented by St. Vital Dental Centre, placed fourth in the Diamond Athletic Women’s Amateur Championship, tied for fifth at the Golf Canada NextGen Prairie Championship and finished ninth at the Canada Summer Games. The St. Charles Country Club member also qualified to take part in the 2022 Golf Canada NextGen Selection Camp that was held at TPC Osprey Valley in Toronto, Ontario.
Lafleche, 15, from Winnipeg, won the Diamond Athletic Women’s Amateur Championship and was a member of Team Manitoba at the Canadian Women’s Amateur. The Clear Lake Golf Course/Niakwa Country Club member placed fifth at the Manitoba Junior Girls Championship presented by the Alex and Peggy Colonello Foundation, made the cut at the Canadian Junior Girls Championship (T61), seventh at the Women’s City & District Championship and eighth at Golf Canada’s Prairie NextGen Championship.
Mackid, 45, from Winnipeg, was a semifinalist in the Manitoba Match Play Championship presented by St. Vital Dental Centre. She finished second in the Mid-Amateur Flight of the Diamond Athletic Women’s Amateur Championship and third overall. The Breezy Bend Country Club member also tied for sixth place on the leaderboard in the Mid-Master Flight of the Canadian Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship where she finished in a tie for ninth place overall.
Orr, 61, from Winnipeg, won the Mid-Amateur Flight and finished second overall at the Diamond Athletic Women’s Amateur Championship. She represented Team Manitoba at the Canadian Women’s Amateur. The Southwood Golf and Country Club member won the Hodson Financial Women’s Senior Championship, her seventh senior provincial championship in a row and ninth in the last ten years. Orr went on to finish 10th on the leaderboard playing for Team Manitoba at the Canadian Women’s Senior Championship. Orr also tied for eighth place at the AGA Women’s Senior Amateur Championship in the United States.
The Golf Manitoba Awards selection committee would also like to recognize Cala Korman (1st Women’s City & District and 3rd at the Manitoba Junior Girls), Marissa Naylor (2022 Women’s Match Play Champion) and Veronica van der Meer (T19 Canadian Women’s Amateur Champion) on their accomplishments during the 2022 season.
The 2022 Male Amateur Golfer of the Year finalists are Braxton Kuntz, Curtis Markusson, Rob Oliphant and Marco Trstenjak.
Kuntz, 18, from Winnipeg, won the Manitoba Junior Championship presented by the Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation and represented Team Manitoba finishing in a tie for fifth place at the Canadian Junior Boys Championship. The Breezy Bend Country Club member also won the Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur Championship. Kuntz is the first player in Manitoba to win both the Manitoba Junior and Amateur Championship in back to back seasons (2021 and 2022). He also finished tied for third place at the Elmhurst Invitational.
Markusson, 41, from Winnipeg, won the Canadian Men’s Mid-Master Championship and tied for 12th place representing Team Manitoba at the Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship. He tied for second place in the Mid-Masters Flight and tied for ninth place at the Manitoba Mid-Amateur Championship. The St. Charles Country Club member also tied for seventh place at the Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur Championship.
Oliphant, 57, from Winnipeg, won the Manitoba Match Play Senior Championship presented by St. Vital Dental Centre. The Rossmere Country Club member also won the Hodson Financial Men’s Senior Championship. While representing Team Manitoba, he tied for 65th on the leaderboard at the Canadian Men’s Senior Championship.
Trstenjak, 22, from Winnipeg, won the Manitoba Match Play Championship presented by St. Vital Dental Centre. He finished second at both the Elmhurst Invitational and the Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur Championship. The Elmhurst Golf and Country Club member placed 54th on the leaderboard while representing Team Manitoba at the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship.
The Golf Manitoba Awards selection committee would also like to recognize Jacob Armstrong (T2 Canadian College/University Championship), Jay Doyle (T7 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship), Ryan McMillan (T7 Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur & T76 Canadian Men’s Amateur) and Ryan Sholdice (2022 Mid-Amateur Champion) for their play during the 2022 season.
Tickets for the 2022 Golf Manitoba Awards reception Tuesday, November 2, 2022, at Breezy Bend Country Club are available by contacting Golf Manitoba.
About the Golf Manitoba Amateur Golfer of the Year Award – 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 >>
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.
For more information:
Brian Munz
Director of Communications
Golf Manitoba
204.899.1092
brian@golfmb.ca
Bobbi Uhl & Braxton Kuntz named 2021 Amateur Golfers of the Year
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 4th 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