Tickets are now available to celebrate the Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame & Museum Class of 2022 & 2023.
Hugh Allan and Gavin Speirs (Class of 2022) and Darcy Furber, Dave McMillan and Adam Speirs (Class of 2023) will be inducted as honoured members on Thursday, May 9 at the Breezy Bend Country Club.
For more information about the Class of 2022 & 2023, click here.
To purchase tickets, click here.
WINNIPEG, MB – The Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame and Museum is pleased to announce the Class of 2022 & 2023. Hugh Allan and Gavin Speirs (Class of 2022) and Darcy Furber, Dave McMillan and Adam Speirs (Class of 2023) will be inducted as honoured members in the spring of 2024.
Of special note for the induction ceremony of 2024, it will the first time in the Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame’s 20-year history that a father and son (Gavin Speirs and Adam Speirs) will be inducted as honoured members.
HUGH ALLAN – Builder
GAVIN SPEIRS – Athlete
DARCY FURBER – Athlete
Sighted golf accomplishments
Blind golf accomplishments
DAVE MCMILLAN – Athlete & Builder
Golf Awards
Playing Accomplishments
ADAM SPEIRS – Athlete
Golf Accomplishments
Details about the induction ceremony will be made available early in the new year.
About the Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame & Museum Inc. – The Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame & Museum Inc. was formed to acknowledge the contributions and accomplishments made by Manitobans as competitors, both amateur and professional, builders and course superintendents to the game of golf. It is a tripartite organization, the partners being Golf Manitoba, Manitoba Golf Superintendents’ Association and the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) of Manitoba. The annual induction ceremony is sponsored by the Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation.
Individual members and member clubs wishing to nominate an individual (amateur or professional golfers, superintendents, builders, media, etc.) for the Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame may obtain nomination forms through any of the three member organizations or at manitobagolfhalloffame.com.
For more information:
Jared Ladobruk
Executive Director
Golf Manitoba
204.925.5729
jared@golfmb.ca
It was another special night at Niakwa Country Club as the golf community gathered to celebrate the Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame Class of 2021.
The festivities had been on hold due to COVID, however those in attendance were honoured and welcomed with open arms.
The 2021 Class included Donna Brownridge, Derrick Chlopecki, Gerald Morrissey, and the 1991 Manitoba Junior Girls Interprovincial Team Champions.
In the Athlete category, Brownridge finished 3rd in the Manitoba Amateur in 2001 and qualified for the interprovincial Women’s Amateur Team in 2001 (alternate), 2002 and 2003. She qualified for the Western Amateur Team in 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002 while also qualifying for the Manitoba Women’s Senior Team in 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2012. In 2003, Team Manitoba finished in 3rd place. Brownridge was a member of the winning Nassau League team representing Elmhurst G & CC in 1986, 1987, 1999, 2006, 2007, 2014 and 2014. She was a member of the winning team in the Manitoba Ladies Interclub Championship representing Elmhurst G & CC in 1976, 1979, 1986, 1987, 1989, and 1990. Her resume includes twice winning the Tamarack women’s match play along with twice winning the Elmhurst Club Championship and won the Elmhurst Ladies’ Open.
In addition to her playing record, Donna had a long history of club volunteerism acting as captain of the Elmhurst Ladies Nassau Team from 2003-2006 and 2011-2013. She was also the Nassau League President in 2014-15. Brownridge also served for 12 years on the Elmhurst Board of Governors and become the first (and only) female president in the club’s 114-year history (as of April 2020). Brownridge was also the researcher and author of the golf history book “Elmhurst – The Home of Champions” that was completed in 2014.
Donna Brownridge passed away on December 18, 2020.
In the Builders Catagory, Chlopecki started his career in the golf industry in 1987 as the Equipment Technician at the Rossmere Country Club. In 1991 he assumed the role of Superintendent. Derrick was hired in 1993 as Superintendent at the Pine Ridge Golf Club, a position that he still holds to this day. During his 29 years at Pine Ridge, Derrick has consistently delivered exceptional course conditions for its membership and has hosted numerous club, provincial, national and professional events including an impressive 22 years as the host Superintendent of the Manitoba Open. Derrick has been the host Superintendent 23% of all Manitoba Opens hosted in the events 100+ year history.
Chlopecki, a long-time member of the Manitoba Golf Superintendents’ Association, was named Superintendent of the Year by his peers in 2017.
Morrissey joins the Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame in the Athletes Category following his time as the head golf professional at the Rossmere Country Club from 1958 to 1991. “Moose” as his peers would call him, lived his 34-year golf career by playing and promoting the sport to which he devoted so much to. During his tenure, he amassed an impressive playing record including two-time PGA of Manitoba Zone Senior Champion, 4-time Kenora Open champion, 3-time Falcon Beach Open champion, 2-time Pine Falls Open champion, 2 Brandon Western Open Championships, won the PGA of Canada Team Pro-am at Disney World in Florida, 3 top-ten finishes in the Manitoba Open in addition to numerous PGA of Manitoba Zone events and pro-am victories. In 1991, he was awarded the PGA of Manitoba Zone Club Professional Award.
Morrisey was also an avid promoter of the sport where he taught golf lessons at the Y.M.C.A, and local schools. He also organized indoor golf lessons and numerous golf tours and trips for his members and students to within Canada, the South Pacific, Europe and Australia and New Zealand.
A 62-year member of the PGA of Canada, Morrissey served as the president of the PGA of Manitoba Zone in 1967-68, was a member of the Board of Directors for the PGA of Canada from 1966-68 and was vice-captain of the PGA of Canada in 1968. In 1997 and at the PGA of Canada Annual Meeting, he was awarded Life Membership status.
The 1991 Manitoba Junior Girls Interprovincial Team of Raina Best, Brionie Brown, Angela Daykin and Christine Power entered the Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame in the Team Catagory.
They finished in first place, on home soil, by shooting a 36-hole team score of 500 and six shots clear of second place Team Alberta (506). The team championship was conducted during the first two days of 1991 Canadian Junior Girls Championship that was held August 21-24 at the Pine Ridge Golf Club in Sunnyside, Manitoba.
To view the photo gallery from the 2021 induction ceremony, please click here.
About the Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame & Museum Inc. – The Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame & Museum Inc. was formed to acknowledge the contributions and accomplishments made by Manitobans as competitors, both amateur and professional, builders and course superintendents to the game of golf. It is a tripartite organization, the partners being Golf Manitoba, Manitoba Golf Superintendents’ Association and the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) of Manitoba. The annual induction ceremony is sponsored by the Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation.
Individual members and member clubs wishing to nominate an individual (amateur or professional golfers, superintendents, builders, media, etc.) for the Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame may obtain nomination forms through any of the three member organizations or at manitobagolfhalloffame.com.
WINNIPEG, MB – The Selection Committee for the Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame and Museum is pleased to announce the class of 2021. Donna Brownridge, Derrick Chlopecki, Gerald Morrissey, and the 1991 Manitoba Junior Girls Interprovincial Team Champions will be inducted as honoured members in the spring of 2023.
DONNA BROWNRIDGE (Athlete)
In addition to her playing record, Donna had a long history of club volunteerism acting as captain of the Elmhurst Ladies Nassau Team from 2003-2006 and 2011-2013. She was also the Nassau League President in 2014-15. Brownridge also served for 12 years on the Elmhurst Board of Governors and become the first (and only) female president in the club’s 114-year history (as of April 2020). Brownridge was also the researcher and author of the golf history book “Elmhurst – The Home of Champions” that was completed in 2014.
Donna Brownridge passed away on December 18, 2020.
DERRICK CHLOPECKI (Builder)
Derrick started his career in the golf industry in 1987 as the Equipment Technician at the Rossmere Country Club. In 1991 he assumed the role of Superintendent. Derrick was hired in 1993 as Superintendent at the Pine Ridge Golf Club, a position that he still holds to this day. During his 29 years at Pine Ridge, Derrick has consistently delivered exceptional course conditions for its membership and has hosted numerous club, provincial, national and professional events including an impressive 22 years as the host Superintendent of the Manitoba Open. Derrick has been the host Superintendent 23% of all Manitoba Opens hosted in the events 100+ year history.
Chlopecki, a long-time member of the Manitoba Golf Superintendents’ Association, was named Superintendent of the Year by his peers in 2017.
GERALD MORRISSEY (Athlete)
Gerald Morrissey was the head golf professional at the Rossmere Country Club from 1958 to 1991. “Moose” as his peers would call him, lived his 34-year golf career by playing and promoting the sport to which he devoted so much to. During his tenure, he amassed an impressive playing record including two-time PGA of Manitoba Zone Senior Champion, 4-time Kenora Open champion, 3-time Falcon Beach Open champion, 2-time Pine Falls Open champion, 2 Brandon Western Open Championships, won the PGA of Canada Team Pro-am at Disney World in Florida, 3 top-ten finishes in the Manitoba Open in addition to numerous PGA of Manitoba Zone events and pro-am victories. In 1991, he was awarded the PGA of Manitoba Zone Club Professional Award.
Morrisey was also an avid promoter of the sport where he taught golf lessons at the Y.M.C.A, and local schools. He also organized indoor golf lessons and numerous golf tours and trips for his members and students to within Canada, the South Pacific, Europe and Australia and New Zealand.
A 62-year member of the PGA of Canada, Morrissey served as the president of the PGA of Manitoba Zone in 1967-68, was a member of the Board of Directors for the PGA of Canada from 1966-68 and was vice-captain of the PGA of Canada in 1968. In 1997 and at the PGA of Canada Annual Meeting, he was awarded Life Membership status.
1991 MANITOBA JUNIOR GIRLS INTERPROVINCIAL TEAM NATIONAL CHAMPIONS (Team)
The 1991 Manitoba Junior Girls’ Interprovincial Team finished in 1st place and on home soil by shooting a 36-hole team score of 500 and six shots clear of second place Team Alberta (506). The team championship was conducted during the first two days of 1991 Canadian Junior Girls Championship that was held August 21-24 at the Pine Ridge Golf Club in Sunnyside, Manitoba.
The induction ceremony for the Class of 2021 was postponed in that same year due to the pandemic and will be held on May 17, 2023, at the Niakwa Country Club.
About the Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame & Museum Inc. – The Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame & Museum Inc. was formed to acknowledge the contributions and accomplishments made by Manitobans as competitors, both amateur and professional, builders and course superintendents to the game of golf. It is a tripartite organization, the partners being Golf Manitoba, Manitoba Golf Superintendents’ Association and the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) of Manitoba. The annual induction ceremony is sponsored by the Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation.
Individual members and member clubs wishing to nominate an individual (amateur or professional golfers, superintendents, builders, media, etc.) for the Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame may obtain nomination forms through any of the three member organizations or at manitobagolfhalloffame.com.
For more information:
Jared Ladobruk
Executive Director
Golf Manitoba
204.925.5729
jared@golfmb.ca
The Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame formally inducted the class of 2020 last night at the St. Charles Country Club. The event was postponed in the fall of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The honored inductees for the class of 2020 include Brian Gilhuly, Tom Kinsman, Rhonda Orr and the 1967 Manitoba Junior Boys Interprovincial Team Champions. For more information on the class of 2020, please click here.
The event was a tremendous success with over 100 guests in attendance. A note of thanks to the members of St. Charles Country Club for their hospitality in hosting this year’s induction ceremony. Thank you also to the Alex & Peggy Colonello Foudation, title sponsor of the Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.
Special thanks also to Mike Lagace, Golf Manitoba volunteer photographer. To view the event photo gallery, please click here.
About the Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame & Museum Inc. – The Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame & Museum Inc. was formed to acknowledge the contributions and accomplishments made by Manitobans as competitors, both amateur and professional, builders and course superintendents to the game of golf. It is a tripartite organization, the partners being Golf Manitoba, Manitoba Golf Superintendents’ Association and the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) of Manitoba. The annual induction ceremony is sponsored by the Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation.
Individual members and member clubs wishing to nominate an individual (amateur or professional golfers, superintendents, builders, media, etc.) for the Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame may obtain nomination forms through any of the three member organizations or at manitobagolfhalloffame.com.
For more information:
Jared Ladobruk
Executive Director
Golf Manitoba
e. jared@golfmb.ca
p. 204.925.5729
The Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame will hold its induction ceremony for the class of 2020 on May 10, 2022 at the St. Charles Country Club. The 2020 induction ceremony was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The honored inductees for the class of 2020 include Brian Gilhuly, Tom Kinsman, Rhonda Orr and the 1967 Manitoba Junior Men’s Interprovincial Team Champions. For more information on the class of 2020, please click here.
About the Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame & Museum Inc. – The Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame & Museum Inc. was formed to acknowledge the contributions and accomplishments made by Manitobans as competitors, both amateur and professional, builders and course superintendents to the game of golf. It is a tripartite organization, the partners being Golf Manitoba, Manitoba Golf Superintendents’ Association and the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) of Manitoba. The annual induction ceremony is sponsored by the Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation.
Individual members and member clubs wishing to nominate an individual (amateur or professional golfers, superintendents, builders, media, etc.) for the Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame may obtain nomination forms through any of the three member organizations or at manitobagolfhalloffame.com.
For more information:
Jared Ladobruk
Executive Director
Golf Manitoba
e. jared@golfmb.ca
p. 204.925.5729
It was another active year for Golf Manitoba members posting over 260,833 rounds to the Golf Canada Score Centre in 2021. The season total represents a 17% increase over 2020 (223,711) and a 28% increase over 2019 (205,384).
The top five member clubs for score posting were as follows:
1. Breezy Bend Country Club – 23,051
2. St. Charles Country Club – 20,203
3. Pine Ridge Golf Club – 17,513
4. Niakwa Country Club – 17,409
5. Elmhurst Golf & Country Club – 16,846
There was a total of 4,101 members who posted 25 scores or more. Two hundred and seventy-six (276) members posted over 100 scores.
Below is a summary of Golf Manitoba member golfers, categorized by gender and Handicap Index (as of November 9, 2021):
| Handicap Index | Women | Men |
| Less than 0 | 2 | 104 |
| 0.0 – 4.9 | 20 | 627 |
| 5.0 – 9.0 | 63 | 1,353 |
| 10.0 – 14.9 | 130 | 1,868 |
| 15.0 – 19.9 | 258 | 1,373 |
| 20.0 – 24.0 | 327 | 692 |
| 25.0 – 29.9 | 326 | 237 |
| 30.0 – 34.9 | 231 | 70 |
| 35.0 – 39.9 | 151 | 35 |
| 40.0 – 44.9 | 48 | 9 |
| 45.0 – 49.9 | 43 | 5 |
| 50.0 + | 21 | 5 |
| No Handicap | 354 | 1,315 |
| Total | 1,974 | 7,693 |
Michelle Lee is the sixteenth recipient of the volunteer Distinguished Service Award.
Michelle’s volunteerism with golf first began serving as a district representative with the Manitoba Ladies’ Golf Association. In this role, Michelle would visit and advocate for the MLGA with member clubs inside the district. She also ran the district “Bronze Tournament” where she met numerous women golfers from around the city. Michelle remained a volunteer of the MLGA until the amalgamation with the Manitoba Golf Association in 2003.
In 2004, Michelle joined the Board of Golf Manitoba where she completed a full 10-year term. During that time, Michelle was very active taking on numerous volunteer roles including the following:
Of special note in 2007/2008, Michelle assisted Volunteer Committee Chair Bonnie Stephenson in establishing the inaugural Golf Manitoba volunteer Distinguished Service Award.
In addition to her volunteerism with Golf Manitoba, Michelle also volunteered at St. Charles Country Club, her home course. She joined the Board of St. Charles where she completed three full terms holding the following appointments:
Michelle continues to sit as a member of the St. Charles Ladies Executive serving as the Communications Chair.
“On behalf of the Board of Directors and our entire Golf Manitoba volunteer family, it is my great pleasure and honour to recognize Michelle Lee of the St. Charles Country Club as the 2021 Distinguished Service Award recipient,” said Wayne McWhirter, President of Golf Manitoba. “Michelle’s leadership and contributions to the sport of amateur golf during her many years of service are admirable and very worthy of this award. Thank you, Michelle, for all that you have given.”
Golf Manitoba is very pleased to honour Michelle Lee as the volunteer Distinguished Service Award recipient for 2021.
Golf Manitoba is pleased to announce our 2021 Volunteer of the Year and the Female and Male Amateur Golfer of the Year award winners during our Virtual Awards presentation.
To watch our show: click here.
WINNIPEG, MB – Wayne McWhirter has been elected as President of Golf Manitoba by members at the 19th Golf Manitoba Annual General Meeting that was held virtually on November 3, 2021. McWhirter, a member of the Southwood Golf & Country Club, becomes the 11th president of the association.
Also elected at the meeting were returning Board members Craig Martin (Assiniboine Golf Club), Bob Peters (St. Charles Country Club), and Ken Warwick (Niakwa Country Club). Two new Board members were also elected and include D’Arcy Lachance (Elmhurst Golf & Country Club) and Matt Simmons (Whitewater Golf Course).
Of special note, Ken Warwick (Niakwa Country Club), concluded his two-year term as president and Vince Mariani (Elmhurst Golf & Country Club), Past President of Golf Manitoba, concluded his 10-year term of Board service. Matt Simmons also assumes his seat on the Board representing the PGA of Canada Manitoba Zone.
The Board of Directors is comprised of dedicated volunteers from across the golf community in the Golf Manitoba jurisdiction. The Board’s duties are to direct the business affairs of the association.
In addition to the election, Golf Manitoba also released its 2021 Annual Report, which includes a recap of the past season, as well as the association’s 2020/21 Financial Statements.
The members of the 2021/22 Golf Manitoba Board of Directors are:
Board Executive
Directors
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.
For more information:
Jared Ladobruk
Executive Director
Golf Manitoba
204-925-5729
jared@golfmb.ca