It was a record breaking year for Golf Manitoba members who posted 283,431 rounds to the Golf Canada Score Centre in 2023. The season total represents a 28.5% increase over 2022 (220,576) and an 8.5% increase over the previous record set in 2021 (261,224).

Of the 283,000 rounds posted, over 138,000 rounds were posted using the Golf Canada App. Golf Canada is also on pace for a record setting year of score posting projecting over 10 million rounds posted nation wide.

The top five member clubs for score posting during the 2023 Active Season were as follows:

1. Breezy Bend Country Club – 21,952
2. Pine Ridge Golf Club – 20,563
3. St. Charles Country Club – 19,135
4. Niakwa Country Club – 18,600
5. Elmhurst Golf & Country Club – 17,579

All Golf Manitoba/Golf Canada members receive access to score posting under the World Handicap System. Any game played at an official Golf Manitoba/Canada Member Club or any club worldwide that has an official Course and Slope Rating under the World Handicap System qualifies towards establishing and maintaining an official Golf Canada Handicap Index.

Not a member? Join Canada’s largest golf community here.

The 2023/24 Golf Manitoba Board of Directors was announced at the Golf Manitoba Awards presented by AVID GOLF at the Glendale Golf & Country Club. The twelve-member board was elected during the associations 21st Annual General Meeting.

The Board of Directors is comprised of dedicated volunteers from across the golf community in the Golf Manitoba jurisdiction of Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario.

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

The members of the 2023/24 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: Kathy Turner, Breezy Bend Country Club

DIRECTORS

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
Janice Rees, Windsor Park Ladies
Fred Smith, Wildewood Golf Club

In addition to the election, Golf Manitoba also released its 2023 Annual Report, which includes a recap of the past season, as well as the association’s 2022/23 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.

For more information:

Brian Munz
Director of Communications
Golf Manitoba
204.899.1092
brian@golfmb.ca

The 2023 Golf Manitoba Awards presented by AVID GOLF, will be held on Wednesday, October 25, 2023, at the Glendale Golf & Country Club.

The annual event recognizes and celebrates all that’s great about the sport of golf in the province – from volunteers to elite performers, teams and milestone achievements including the annual Male and Female Amateur Golfer of the Year awards.

The Golf Manitoba Annual General Meeting will also be held on October 25 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.

Tickets are now available for $25 and can be purchased by emailing amy@golfmb.ca. Appetizers and food stations included with a cash bar available.

For more information about the Golf Manitoba Awards presented by AVID GOLF, please contact Golf Manitoba Director of Communications 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.

A look at the progress of St. Charles Country Club with Director of Golf & COO Cory Kartusch as the restoration project continues.

Golf Manitoba, the Provincial Sport Organization for the sport of Golf, is currently seeking interested individuals to serve on the Board of Directors for a two-year term commencing November 2023.

If you have a passion for Golf and believe that it can contribute to helping to serve and grow the sport in our region, we would like to hear from you. Knowledge of the amateur sport system in Manitoba, including the infrastructure of golf, would be highly valued. Golf Manitoba is committed to making golf more accessible and welcoming to diverse populations and would encourage like-minded individuals to apply. 

The role of a Golf Manitoba Board member is to act as a trustee, always serving the best interests of the organization with integrity and an open mind.  The Board is responsible for upholding our by-laws, determining policy, developing and evaluating strategic priorities, and approving annual budgets. Board members also support the directives of the association through participation on working committees.

Expressions of Interest must include the following:

• Nomination form and

• Current CV

The application deadline for the coming year is October 10, 2023.   

Interested individuals who are members of Golf Manitoba Member Clubs should contact their home club’s general manager and/or head professional to begin the application process. Public Player members can contact Golf Manitoba at 204.925.5729 or at info@golfmb.ca.

Serving the Manitoba and Northwest Ontario golf communities since 1915, Golf Manitoba strives to provide quality, innovative and accessible golf programs and services.  We strive to align with all golf stakeholders through a connected golf community while encouraging both youth and adults to play more golf, more often. Our Mission is to develop, promote, govern and service the game of golf in Manitoba and Northwest Ontario for the benefit of all participants.

All Expressions of Interest will be kept in confidence.

For more information:

Jared Ladobruk
Executive Director
Golf Manitoba
204.925.5729
jared@golfmb.ca

Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/golfmb.ca

To stay informed on Golf Manitoba’s championships, events, and association updates, follow us on Instagram and Twitter, like us on Facebook or visit our webpage at golfmb.ca.

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.

For more, visit nationalgolfleague.ca.

A look at Lakeview Hecla Golf Course with Associate Director of Operations Josh Oberik.

For more details on Lakeview Hecla Golf Course, click here.

A look at Deloraine Golf Club with President Jay Sunaert.

For more details on Deloraine Golf Club, click here.

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.

The Board of Directors of the Golf Manitoba Scholarship Fund are pleased to announce its award recipients for 2023.

These students are active in the Manitoba golf community either through participation or employment, have demonstrated academic excellence and are pursuing post-secondary studies at Canadian universities and colleges. In 2023, the Fund awarded $17,500 in scholarships to 11 deserving students.

DR. DWIGHT PARKINSON AWARD – Grady Chuback

The Dr. Dwight Parkinson Award has been made possible by Mr. Dave Hill of the St. Charles Country Club. The award recognizes Dr. Parkinson’s long-time commitment to the sport of golf. This $2,000 award is available to a student entering their first year of studies at a post-secondary institution.

Grady graduated from St Paul’s High School in the spring of 2023 and is set to begin his freshman year in Business/Commerce at the University of British Columbia.  He will also represent UBC as a member of the men’s golf team. Grady was active in his high-school community organizing events such as the Freshman Retreat and graduation. Outside of school activities, he volunteers time at Winnipeg Harvest and the Siloam Mission.

BRIAN GILHULY AWARD – Eric Strick

The Brian Gilhuly Memorial Scholarship was made possible by a generous donation from the estate of the long-time Golf Manitoba volunteer, Mr. Brian Gilhuly. Brian started his volunteerism with Golf Manitoba in 1986 where he served in a variety of capacities for over 30 years until his passing in 2017. This $2,000 award is available to students who are currently in the process of continuing with post-secondary studies.

Eric, a member of the Rossmere Country Club, is enrolled at the Asper School of Business at the University of Manitoba where he is majoring in Actuarial Mathematics.  In addition to his studies, Eric plays the piano (has achieved Level 9 status through The Royal Conservatory) and volunteers with both the Asper Winnipeg Harvest and the University of Manitoba Actuarial Club.

GOLF MANITOBA SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS

• Jacob Armstrong
  St. Boniface Golf Club
  University of the Fraser Valley / Bachelor of Business Administration
• Evan Nachtigall
  Wheat City Golf Course
  Brandon University / Bachelor of Arts
• Trent Robertson
  Niakwa Country Club
  University of Manitoba / Bachelor of Commerce
• Mackenzie Forsythe
  Elmhurst Golf & Country Club
  Asper School of Business, University of Manitoba / International Business
• Samual Sullivan
  Carman Golf & Curling Club
  Humber College / Professional Golf Management
• Camryn Desjarlais
  Golf Manitoba Public Players Club
  University of British Columbia / Science
• Elle Wood
  St. Boniface Golf Club
  University of Manitoba / Bachelor of Arts Honours

Golf Manitoba scholarship awards are made possible each year by the Scholarship Fund. These awards are made available to both high school and post-secondary students who are pursuing studies in Canada. Scholarships are awarded based largely on academic achievement; however, golf ability and community involvement are also considered. In 2023 each recipient will receive $1,500.

CRAIG YAHIRO MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS

• Hayden Liberty
  Glendale Golf & Country Club  
  Humber College / Professional Golf Management
  
  Hayden is currently enrolled in Humber College in the professional golf management program.  He has been a member of the grounds crew at Glendale Golf & Country Club for the past three seasons in addition to holding a 4.3 handicap index.
• Maddie Pennell
  Clear Lake Golf Course
  Brandon University / Bachelor of Arts
  
  Maddie is entering her third year at Brandon University in the Bachelor of Arts/Education Integrated Degree program. Maddie has a long history working in the golf industry where she has been employed at the Clear Lake Golf Course for eight seasons! In the winter months, Maddie works for the Brandon Wheat Kings organization.

The Craig Yahiro Memorial Scholarship Award is made possible through the generosity of the Yahiro Family and participants in an annual fundraising event at Rossmere Country Club in memory of the late Craig Yahiro. Craig Yahiro was a long-time member of the PGA of Canada where his skillful instruction and great personality and sense of humour helped many improve their game. These awards are available for students who are either Golf Manitoba members or who are currently involved with golf either through employment or participation.

The Board of the Golf Manitoba Scholarship Fund extends its sincere congratulations to the 2023 recipients and wishes them all the best in their post-secondary studies.

About the Golf Manitoba Scholarship Fund
The Golf Manitoba Scholarship Fund (GMSF) is a registered charity that provides financial assistance to young golfers entering or continuing in a post-secondary educational institution in Canada. Since 1986, the Fund has awarded over 200 scholarships and over $240,000 to students throughout Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario.

For more information about the Scholarship Fund including information on how to apply or to make a donation, please visit golfmb.ca/scholarship.