The 2025/26 Golf Manitoba Board of Directors was announced at the Golf Manitoba Awards presented by AVID GOLF at Niakwa Country Club. The twelve-member board was elected during the associations 23rd Annual General Meeting that was held on October 29, 2025.

The Board of Directors is comprised of dedicated volunteers from across the Golf Manitoba jurisdiction of Manitoba and Northwest Ontario.

The Board’s duties are to direct the business affairs of the association.

The members of the 2025/26 Golf Manitoba Board of Directors are:

OFFICERS

President: Bob Peters, St. Charles Country Club
Vice President: Craig Martin, Minnewasta Golf & Country Club
Vice President & Treasurer: Janice Rees, Windsor Park Ladies
Past President: Susan Wright-Cassan, Emerald Greens Golf Course & Driving Range

DIRECTORS

Rob Bell, Breezy Bend Country Club
Michael Berney, Delahunt Golf & Country Club
Gord Hudson, Southwood Golf & Country Club
D’Arcy Lachance, Elmhurst Golf & Country Club
Justin Price, Glendale Golf & Country Club
Blake Russell, Niakwa Country Club
Matthew Simmons, Whitewater Golf Club
Brayden Watts, Shilo Country Club

In addition to the election, Golf Manitoba also released its 2025 Annual Report, which includes a recap of the past season, as well as the Association’s Financial Statements.

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 game of golf for the benefit of all participants.

(courtesy Michelle Lee)

Good evening everyone and congrats to all of our competitors, volunteers and staff on a successful 2025 season. My name is Michelle Lee and together with Susan Wright-Cassan we have been gifted the opportunity to present Golf Manitoba’s Distinguished Service Award.

This award was created in 2006 and first awarded in 2007 recognizing an individual who has gone above and beyond, who is a true advocate of all aspects of the sport of golf in Manitoba and Northwest Ontario. It is NOT simply based on year of service but rather exceptional service, dedication, and that special je ne sais quoi that  that deserves the title of distinguished!

This evening we are just tickled pink to honor Carol as the newest member of the DSA family and are so pleased that she is able to be with us tonight and I will get back to that in a bit.

Carol and I go back so many years that we both had long, dark, undyed  hair. One of our first meetings was as competitors at the Women’s City & District Championship. Carol fired into the Kingswood Golf & Country Club parking lot in her hot red sports car with her hair flying behind her in the wind and parked right next to me. She had somehow managed to squeeze her clubs into that tiny red sports car and as we were unpacking, she greeted me with that big warm smile of hers and introduced herself. Thanks to golf we created a long lasting connection.

Carol started volunteering initially for the Manitoba Ladies Golf association in 1997 and is still volunteering with Golf Manitoba 28 years strong. There is not any sign of her slowing down. That’s just not Carol’s MO.

Hopefully, some of you read Carol’s media release and her healthy resume. She certainly does check all the boxes for the ‘distinguished’ category.

I would like to speak to another facet that cannot be quantified in a checklist.

Carol is that type of special volunteer who can always put a smile on our faces even if it is something we don’t want to hear:

• like a ruling not in our favor,
• like a time violation warning,
• like an op-positional opinion in our boardroom.

She has taken on being a district rep, club rep, started & scorer, pace of play official, a board member and a rules official …with integrity, discipline, dedication, honesty & fairness …and a true and genuine love for our sport.

Carol is the type of volunteer that you have every confidence in her dependability, in her professional conduct, in her desire to provide the absolute best for Golf Manitoba in each and every volunteer role she has taken on….and yes, that includes the good old days when we worked the night shift Bingo’s.

Carol is the type of volunteer who offers her help before she is asked.

Carol, you have been an absolute pleasure to work with as a volunteer…and that comes from many more volunteers than just me. 

Carol has been a one person recruitment team for our association. No wonder you have recruited so many volunteers – you make it sound like winning the lottery! Thanks for advocating for Golf Manitoba as both a volunteer and as a competitor.

Carol makes volunteering fun. She has a sparkle about her that is infectious. She has been a superb mentor to so many and is always happy to do so.

Always wanting to help, Carol helped with the

• launch of the initial Manitoba Golf in Schools program and went out to her neighborhood schools to promote and educate and obtain funding for the program.
• She was also right there to pitch in with the planning and the day for the  ‘PINK OUT LOUD’ golf for the cure tournaments which saw almost 50 women all in various shades of pink ..golfing and raising money for cancer care Manitoba.

As a level 2 certified rules official, Carol demonstrates a kindness and fairness that helps us to realize that the rules officials are actually there to help us…not punish us.

Always there, always ready to ‘pitch in’, always with a positive and engaging attitude and ALWAYS ready to let out her trade mark “WOOP WOOP”!

Carol has driven that same hot red convertible right up to this year. But don’t worry, she simply replaced it with another red convertible and she still can fit her golf clubs in it and still let’s her ‘not as long and a bit more gray hair‘ fly in the wind!

So from your volunteer family, your fellow competitors and friends, all of Golf Manitoba…our warmest congratulations and gratitude.

Earlier I had mentioned ‘I’ll get back to that in a bit’ ..So here is that ‘bit’.

Carol has managed to be with us tonight while she is living through a very difficult time that is related to family illness. I just know that this entire room sends out to Carol their care & support. Tough to ‘woop woop’ right now so on behalf of Carol I would like to express her sentiments about being the 2025 recipient of the DSA award.

Firstly, Carol feels both honored and touched to have been chosen. Being part of Golf Manitoba for 28 years has been a wonderful journey that has created for her a second family. She thanks the past MLGA for her ‘start’ on this Journey and to Golf Manitoba and our sponsors for providing the opportunities to continue on with her learning, growing, and creating an even larger 2^nd family.

Carol has always followed the motto of paying it forward and Golf Manitoba has provided her the opportunity to do just that. To the volunteer family – it has been a priceless gift to have had so many adventures, laughs and challenges together with all of you. For Carol, the experience of spending decades in creating this cherished circle of friends has been a joyous time and her hope, her wish, and her belief is that there will be much more of that to follow.

She is beyond pleased to accept this award and is both proud and humbled to be the 2025 recipient.

Thank you to Golf Manitoba, to her fellow volunteers and of course to her own family who has steadfastly supported her volunteer work.

Honoring a Community of Volunteers

In addition to the Martel, this year’s awards ceremony celebrated the dedication of twelve outstanding volunteers who have reached significant milestones in their service to Golf Manitoba. These individuals have been recognized for their continuous contributions of 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

All volunteers were honoured during the 2025 Golf Manitoba Awards presented by AVID GOLF on Wednesday, October 29 at Niakwa Country Club.

To view the photo gallery, click here.

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

Thank you to our host facilities, volunteers, competitors, corporate partners and fans who made 2025 a year to remember.

Enjoy a look back courtesy of Mike Peters, May Contain Studios.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

The 2025 Golf Manitoba Awards presented by AVID GOLF, will be held Wednesday, October 29th at Niakwa 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.

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 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 leagues 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. To see the past recipients, click here.

About the Golf Manitoba Female and Male Amateur Golfer of the Year Award – The Golf Manitoba Female and Male 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. To see the past winners, click here.

The 2024/25 Golf Manitoba Board of Directors was announced at the Golf Manitoba Awards presented by AVID GOLF at St. Charles Country Club. The twelve-member board was elected during the associations 22nd Annual General Meeting that was held on October 29, 2024.

The Board of Directors is comprised of dedicated volunteers from across the Golf Manitoba jurisdiction of Manitoba and Northwest Ontario.

The Board’s duties are to direct the business affairs of the association.

The members of the 2024/25 Golf Manitoba Board of Directors are:

OFFICERS

President: Susan Wright-Cassan, Emerald Greens Golf Course
President Elect: Bob Peters, St. Charles Country Club
Vice-President: Matthew Simmons, Whitewater Golf Club
Past-President: Wayne McWhirter, Southwood Golf & Country Club
Treasurer: Janice Rees, Windsor Park Ladies

DIRECTORS

Rob Bell, Breezy Bend Country Club
Michael Berney, Delahunt Golf & Country Club
John Braun, Pine Ridge Golf Club
D’Arcy Lachance, Elmhurst Golf & Country Club
Craig Martin, Minnewasta Golf & Country Club
Justin Price, Glendale Golf & Country Club
Blake Russell, Niakwa Country Club

In addition to the election, Golf Manitoba also released its 2024 Annual Report, which includes a recap of the past season, as well as the Association’s 2023/24 Financial Statements.

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 game of golf for the benefit of all participants.

Thank you to our competitors, host facilities, volunteers, corporate partners and fans who made 2024 a year to remember.

Enjoy a look back courtesy of Mike Peters, May Contain Studios.