Lafleche tees off in NextGen Fall Series West Championship
Brian Munz
Jeri Lafleche (Clear Lake Golf Course) is Golf Manitoba’s lone representative this week as the Golf Canada NextGen Fall Series West Championship, fueled by JOURNIE Rewards tees off today at The Hills at Portal Golf Club in Surrey, B.C.
The starting field will feature – 72 Junior Boys and 27 Junior Girls competing for three spots each into their respective Canadian Junior Championships next summer.
For the Junior Girls leaderboard featuring Lafleche, click here.
“The NextGen Fall Series West Championship, fueled by JOURNIE Rewards promises to be a great tournament and provides players another opportunity to compete on the national stage in the fall,” said Golf Canada Tournament Director, Daniel Suppa. “Golf Canada is thrilled to welcome the field to The Hills at Portal Golf Club for our final NextGen series event of the season.”
Practice rounds are scheduled for Wednesday, October 4, before the official The 54-hole tournament concludes Saturday.
The Hills at Portal Golf Club was established in 1928 and was formerly known as Peace Portal. The golf course is regarded as one of the top public courses in the country. The Hills saw a change in ownership in October 2021 with new owners, Joe Haley and Randy Bishop. Since then, the course has undergone numerous changes that have improved playing conditions and have created a more challenging course for players. Off course renovations included a completely renovated clubhouse and restaurant.
This week’s tournament marks the final stop on the NextGen Series schedule for the 2023 season. The NextGen Fall Series West Championship is one of Golf Canada’s eight regional junior championships presented in partnership with JOURNIE Rewards. Rosie Bee Kim of Edmonton and Matthew Wilson of Nanaimo, B.C. won their respective divisions in the 2022 NextGen Fall Series West Championship. – with copy courtesy Golf Canada
St. Charles, St. Boniface & Glen Lea members advance to Ontario following National Golf League Regional Final
Brian Munz
12 two person teams gathered at Southwood Golf & Country Club for the inaugural BDO National Golf League Regional Final.
Throughout this past season, players from participating member clubs Elmhurst Golf & Country Club, Glen Lea Golf Club, Glendale Golf & Country Club, Kenora Golf & Country Club, St. Boniface Golf Club, St. Charles Country Club and Southwood Golf & Country Club qualified for a chance to compete in the Regional Final looking to secure a once in a lifetime, all expenses paid trip to play in the BDO National Golf League Championship just prior to the 2024 RBC Canadian Open.
Using the modified stableford scoring system, Curtis Markusson and Josh Blatt from St. Charles finished in first place with 42 points, one point better than Brett Charette and Nicolas Hince of St. Boniface.
Daniel Beaupre and Benoit Mowbry of Glen Lea needed one playoff hole to eliminate clubmates Sam Vopni and Rob Zihrul to win the final birth to Ontario.
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.
Nominations open for National Facility Awards for Junior Golf
Brian Munz
Golf Canada is now accepting nominations for its 2023 National Facility Awards for Junior Golf.
This award program was created with the intention of celebrating and recognizing facilities making outstanding contributions to junior golf in their communities. Our hope is that these awards will shine a spotlight on the extraordinary support of junior golf by these facilities and set a positive example for others to follow.
Please consider nominating your facility based on the six categories below:
Junior Golf Opportunity Award
Awarded to a facility that provides exceptional access and membership opportunities for junior golfers. Special consideration is given to facilities with strong non-family sponsored junior programs and facilities with fundraising programs to help athletes compete at provincial, national, and international competitions.
2022 Winner: Sawmill Golf Club
Competitive Junior Program of the Year
Awarded to a facility or academy program with many junior athletes competing in provincial and national championships and earning strong results in those championships.
2022 Winner: Académie de Golf Fred Colgan
Grassroots Junior Program of the Year
Awarded to a facility or academy program that is excelling at creating new junior golfers through local programming.
2022 Winner: Blomidon Golf and Country Club
Tournament Host of the Year
Awarded to a facility that gives back to junior golf by embracing the opportunity to host junior competitions. The facility creates an excellent tournament experience for players and involves the local community through volunteers and fundraising support.
2022 Winner: Royal Regina Golf Club
First Tee – Canada Program Location of the Year
Awarded to a First Tee – Canada Program Location that demonstrates excellent enrolment in First – Tee Canada programming and makes a significant impact on growing participation among new juniors within its community.
2022 Winner: Club de Golf Municipal Dallaire
Youth on Course Program Location of the Year
Awarded to the facility that provides the largest number of Youth on Course green fee subsidies to junior golfers in the calendar year.
Nominations are set to close Sunday, October 1st 2023 and we will announce the 2023 Awards Winners at the Golf Canada Annual General Meeting in early 2024.
If you have any questions in regard to the awards or nomination process, please feel free to email NFAJG@golfcanada.ca.
Golf Manitoba, in association with Golf Canada, is pleased to welcome Marvellous Meadows Golf Course as our newest member club.
Located 10 minutes north of Gimli along Highway #222, this nine hole course can be played from two sets of tee boxes ranging from 2,834 to 3,240 yards.
”After a 15 year hiatus, we are excited to have this course available for everyone to enjoy” said owner / superintendent Shawn Magnusson. “We rebuilt a number of the greens and now in our second season, are proud of their maturation and look forward to sharing it with golfers of all ages and skill level.”
Marvellous Meadows Golf Course features a driving range, putting green and a full menu in their restaurant. Every Wednesday is Kids Day where they can play free of charge when accompanied by an adult.
As an official Golf Manitoba / Canada member club, all rounds played at Marvellous Meadows Golf Course are acceptable for handicap purposes and may be recorded toward establishing or maintaining an official Golf Canada Handicap Index.
For more information, check out their website or call the proshop at (204) 642-4653.
Golf Manitoba, in association with Golf Canada, is pleased to welcome Gladstone Golf & Country Club as our newest member club.
Located just off Highway #16, south of Gladstone along Highway #34, this nine hole course can be played from three sets of tee boxes along with a new set of junior tees in the fairway.
“Our junior tees have been very popular getting more young people introduced to the game” said 2nd Vice President Ivan Milne. “Our course is in real good shape, the greens are fantastic, so it’s been a good summer for us and we are excited about the future.”
The Gladstone Golf & Country Club also features a driving range, putting green and a full menu in their restaurant.
As an official Golf Manitoba / Canada member club, all rounds played at the Gladstone Golf & Country Club are acceptable for handicap purposes and may be recorded toward establishing or maintaining an official Golf Canada Handicap Index.
For more information, check out their Facebook page or call the proshop at (204) 385-2998.
Sadie Blazeiko finishes 1st, Carson Chapman 2nd at Junior Skills Challenge National Event
Brian Munz
The 14th edition of the Junior Skills Challenge National Event wrapped up today in Vancouver after 24 of the top Canadian junior golfers showcased their skills in one of Golf Canada’s signature junior events. The event took place at Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club which will also play host to the CPKC Women’s Open from August 24-27th.
The National Event culminates a year-long program consisting of over 100 qualifying events across Canada and 2,000 participants.
In partnership with the PGA of Canada and Cobra-Puma Golf, participants went head-to-head in putting, chipping, and driving competitions:
Putting: each competitor received one putt from each distance of 5, 10, and 20 feet with points awarded for holing the putt and proximity to the hole.
Chipping: each competitor received three shots for chipping with points awarded on distance of the chip from the target.
Driving: each competitor received three drives with points awarded for distance and aim of the drive.
The winners for each division of the Junior Skills Challenge National Event received a brand-new driver courtesy of Cobra-Puma Golf.
Below are the winners in each of the age groups:
PHOTO BERNARD BRAULT, GOLF CANADA VANCOUVER, BC, AUGUST 20, 2023 SHAUGHNESSY GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB JUNIOR SKILLS CHALLENGE
Girls 9 to 11:
Four participants competed including Sadie Blazeiko, Jordyn Butler, Chloe Lam, and Avery McGuire.
Blazeiko of Winnipeg, MB took home the title with a score of 175 (60 points from driving, 25 points from chipping, 80 points from putting).
Boys 12 to 14:
Carson Chapman, Cedrick Hamelin, Siddharth Kaja, and Clayton Michel participated.
Kaja of Mississauga, ON captured the title with a final score of 215, with the most impressive chipping scores of the day (70 points from driving, 55 points from chipping, 90 points from putting).
Chapman finished second with 185 points (75 points from driving, 20 points from chipping, 90 points from putting).
Boys 8 and under:
Four participants competed including Albert Cui, Eliott Forest, Clifton McLeod, and Waris Wirring.
McLeod of Calgary, AB captured the title with a score of 165 (55 points from driving, 20 points from chipping, and 90 points from putting).
Girls 8 and under:
Four participants competed including Sophie Dai, Ophelie Duguay, Eisla Kim, and Brooke Sundquist.
Dai of Calgary, AB dominated in her division, earning first place with a final score of 140 (45 points from driving, 25 points from chipping, and 70 points from putting).
Boys 9 to 11:
Competing in the division included Patrik Geary, Damian Gonzalez, Carter Sam, and Jagger Shi.
It was a close competition, but Gonzalez of Oakville, ON pulled away with a final score of 150 (50 points from driving, 20 points from chipping, 70 points from putting).
Girls 12 to 14:
Aliyah Hull, Tatum Lohnes, Mila Snook, and Hannah Thomas participated.
Hull of Chestermere, AB was a stand-out competitor with an impressive final score of 215, with the best driving score of the day across all age groups in both male and female divisions (100 points from driving, 45 points from chipping, and 70 points from putting).
For more information on the Junior Skills Challenge National Event, click here.
For the complete Junior Skills Challenge leaderboard, click here.
The 2023 Junior Skills Challenge was made possible thanks to the Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation, the Southwood Golf & Country Club, Cobra Puma Golf, Government of Canada, R&A, PGA of Canada and Golf Canada.
Golf Manitoba, in association with Golf Canada, is pleased to welcome to Winnipegosis Golf Club as our newest member club.
Located 40 minutes north of Dauphin, this 9 hole course can be played from two sets of tee boxes.
“We are a first come first serve golf course where families can come out and enjoy the game” said Secretary Suzette Crandall. “We work on the honour system and are very low key where people just leave their 10 dollar green fee in an envelope and away they go.”
Winnipegosis Golf Club features an all day play rate of $15. They also have junior memberships (17 years of age and under) for only $75.
As an official Golf Manitoba / Canada member club, all rounds played at Winnipegosis Golf Club are acceptable for handicap purposes and may be recorded toward establishing or maintaining an official Golf Canada Handicap Index.
The important role of municipal golf courses and the need to keep them
Golf Manitoba
In recent years, some people have called for municipalities to repurpose city-owned public golf courses for other uses like housing or parks. They believe that golf is a sport exclusive to the affluent and that the land used for municipal golf courses does not cater to a broad or diverse group of residents.
As the national governing body for golf in Canada, we fundamentally disagree and encourage people who hold this view to learn more about the modern realities of our sport. Golf will be played by approximately 6 million Canadians from a variety of socioeconomic backgrounds this year. In fact, golf is now the most-played sport in Canada.
Municipal courses provide affordable golf opportunities for people of various ages and economic means. They also serve as community hubs for recreation, events and gatherings that bring together people from all walks of life. In Canada’s major cities, it’s common to see people hopping on public transit or riding their bicycles with golf bags on their back as they head to their local municipal golf course for social time outdoors and away from their screens.
City governments should treat municipal golf courses as community resources that support the health and well-being of residents. Recent research has shown golf is a sport that encourages physical activity, mental well-being, cardiovascular health and muscular strength and flexibility, while also providing safe and fun opportunities for in-person social interaction. Golfers walk between six and eight kilometres over 18 holes, burning up to 2,000 calories.
Municipal golf courses are especially welcoming for kids and offer high-quality youth recreation at an affordable price. For example, an annual junior pass providing access to all five of Toronto’s municipal courses costs $378, with financial aid also available for qualifying families. An annual pass to Cedar Hill Golf Course in Victoria costs $325. Membership at a municipal golf course provides kids with an entire spring, summer and fall’s worth of outdoor activity and in-person social time for a cost that is more affordable than many other activities.
Some junior golfers at municipal courses dream of becoming the next Brooke Henderson or Nick Taylor, while others simply enjoy having fun with their friends. Several municipal golf courses across Canada allow junior golfers to play for only $5 per round through Golf Canada’s Youth on Course program. And other municipal courses also operate First Tee, a program that introduces golf to Canadian youth of all backgrounds and teaches them life skills through the sport. RBC, a major sponsor of professional golf, including the RBC Canadian Open, has also invested significantly in these grassroots programs to help them thrive at municipal courses.
In addition to being affordable, municipal golf courses are highly utilized outdoor green spaces. They are constantly occupied from sunrise to sunset due to golf’s format, which allows for a continuous flow of players. Different than soccer fields and baseball fields, municipal golf courses are used all day by golfers engaging in physical activity, whether it be during early morning tee times or late afternoon rounds. And in winter months, municipal golf courses are used for non-golf outdoor recreational activities of all kinds, such as cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Municipal golf courses are important sources of health and physical activity for a broad cross section of Canadians from varied socioeconomic backgrounds. By prioritizing them, municipalities can demonstrate a commitment to the well-being of their communities, while also providing accessible and affordable opportunities for residents to enjoy the numerous benefits that golf offers. We encourage city governments to think of municipal golf courses just as they do other recreational facilities — as key contributors to healthier, more connected and inclusive communities.
Written by: Kevin Blue, Golf Canada Chief Sport Officer
National Indigenous History Month: Renewing Relationships with First Tee – Canada
Golf Manitoba
The world just turned its attention to Toronto for the PGA TOUR’s RBC Canadian Open. Meanwhile, First Tee – Canada is also taking a moment to reflect in honour of National Indigenous History Month and National Indigenous Peoples Day.
This month serves as a reminder to acknowledge that we live, work, and play on the unceded traditional homelands of Indigenous communities, stand with those who are impacted by residential school systems and ongoing colonial structures and policies, and celebrate Indigenous cultures, traditions, and heritage together.
Canada recognizes three groups of Indigenous peoples: First Nations, Inuit, and Métis, each with unique histories, languages, cultural practices, and spiritual beliefs. Nearly two million Canadians identify as Indigenous.
First Tee – Canada is made up of five chapters: First Tee – British Columbia, First Tee – Premier départ Quebec, First Tee – Atlantic, First Tee – Ontario, and First Tee – Prairies, with First Tee – Alberta launching later this year.
Each chapter has unique and dynamic relationships with local Indigenous communities.
BC has the greatest diversity of Indigenous cultures in Canada. First Tee – British Columbia opened its first program location, The Musqueam Golf and Learning Academy, on traditional Musqueam First Nation territory in 2021.
Since then, it has expanded to over 53 program spaces and sold out every session this year. This summer, CPCK Women’s Open will be held at Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club, which is also located on Musqueam traditional territory. During tournament week, First Tee – British Columbia will host youth clinics at Musqueam Golf and Learning Academy, offer behind-the-scenes tours of the event grounds for local community groups, and provide children with positive experiences through golf.
Being home to more than 200 First Nations, First Tee – British Columbia hopes to continue to strengthen its existing relationships with Indigenous communities, but also strives to expand its network and collaborate with additional Indigenous communities across the province.
In Quebec, there are over 40 Indigenous communities across the province. First Tee – Premier départ Quebec currently collaborates with the Mohawk community of Kahnawake, the Cree community of Waskaganish, and the First Nation of Mashteuiatsh through First Tee golf course, school, and community programming.
The Quebec team also works closely with the Club 24 Athletics Foundation, a nonprofit organization supporting young Indigenous leaders through sport and education.
Last year, First Tee – Premier départ Quebec hosted programming for 18 Indigenous participants. The team hopes to more than double that number this year.
In the Kahnawake First Nations reserve, there are seven golf courses in under 50 km. The community’s volunteer coaches are introducing as many children as possible to golf through First Tee, developing multisport athletes to open more doors in their futures.
First Tee – Premier départ Quebec has been able to provide most programming at no cost to participants, with an entirely Indigenous coaching staff.
Ontario is home to over 23 percent of all Indigenous peoples in Canada.
First Tee – Ontario currently works with Anishnabeg Outreach Kitchener and Fort Erie Native Friendship Centre to offer First Tee community programming at their locations throughout the summer and will provide an on-course fun day at nearby golf courses this summer, too. Ahkwesahsne Mohawk Board has also come on board and will offer First Tee school programming this fall.
Additionally, last week, First Tee – Ontario coaches supported Golf Ontario’s Indigenous Try Golf Day event held at Sandusk Golf Club and led First Tee programming for children who attended the event.
First Tee – Prairies and First Tee – Atlantic are in the beginning stages of building relationships with Indigenous communities within their provinces, but hope to launch programming soon, some even this summer.
The continued focus for First Tee – Canada is to build out community hubs of accessible pathways for golf participation through community centres, schools, and golf courses, ensuring the sport of golf reflects the strengths of Canada’s diversity.
Each chapter is dedicated to building trusting and authentic relationships with community organizations, stakeholders, and volunteers in their provinces to provide support for equity-deserving groups, including Indigenous communities.
Click here for learning resources about First Nations, Inuit, and Metis across Canada. Visit firstteecanada.ca to learn more about program efforts across the country.
