Golf Canada has dropped an app update that is sure to get golfers pumping their fists!

The latest version of Golf Canada’s app now features the ability to set up Match Play, Skins or Stroke Play games against friends using Gross or Net scoring.

Put the pencil down and forget about dotting the scorecard. You no longer need to worry about who gets strokes on what hole. The Golf Canada app has you covered.

Plus, users can discover new places to play using a revamped course finder tool. The new look-up functionality allows golfers to search for courses using criteria like number of holes, type of facility (private, public, semi-private) and ease of walking, among many others.

The app is also helping golfers get better connected with their favourite facilities – users can look up clubs who are specifically offering promotions. 

These new Golf Canada App features are in addition to those users already enjoy, like real-time course GPS data and game tracking.

Don’t play another round until you download the latest version of this app.

On behalf of the Golf Manitoba community, we send our condolences to the Boivin family following the passing of avid golfer and volunteer Rudy Boivin (May 2, 1928 to May 14, 2021).

“Rudy loved golf and gave back to the game in many ways over several decades including his term in 1988 as President of the Manitoba Golf Association. He was an exceptional volunteer and was a key contributor to many initiatives undertaken by Golf Manitoba including playing significant roles with marketing/sponsorship efforts and the scholarship fund” said Golf Manitoba Hall of Fame Committee Member Don MacDonald.  “One of Rudy’s many attributes was his energy for getting things accomplished. He was always thinking about ways to support golfers whether they be at the highest level of competition or just learning the game. We will miss Rudy but will always remember his enthusiasm and his support of golf in Manitoba”.

Family Obituary:

We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our husband, father, and Grandfather Rudy Boivin on May 14, 2021. He left us peacefully May 14, 2021 at home with his wife and daughter by his side. Dad will be remembered by his wife Phyllis, children Darren (Kathy), Tracy (Tom), Leslee (Doug). He also leaves his grandchildren Katelyn, Ben, Victoria, Jackson, and Cameron as well as step-grandson Adam.

Our Dad was a man who wore many hats in his prosperous life. He completed his formal education at Daniel McIntyre Collegiate followed by 2 years at Angus Business College. In 1947 he joined the Manitoba Power Commission which later became Manitoba Hydro. Dad started as a clerical worker and rose the ranks to retire as Manager, Energy Management Services in 1992. Dad was a company man to the end, and we wish to thank everyone he worked with as you all played a role in his success.

Dad’s work was not limited to Manitoba Hydro. It gave him great pride to give back to the community and he volunteered with many organizations including Fort Garry Chamber of Commerce, Red River Exhibition and Riverview Health Care Center. His volunteer participation was unparalleled and as a result was the recipient of numerous volunteer awards. However, Dad’s greatest contribution was to the game of golf. He became a member of Southwood Golf and Country Club in 1966, thus beginning his love for the game. He began volunteering with the Manitoba Golf Association in 1980. He was a founding member of the MGA Golf Annual Magazine later known as the Golf Manitoba Journal. In 1983 Dad joined the MGA Board of Directors serving as President in 1988. He also served as the non- playing captain of the Willingdon Cup Team in 1985, 1986 and 1987. Dad continued his volunteer work with the MGA sitting on numerous committees and as a result was presented with the Golf Manitoba Distinguished Service Award in 2011.

Southwood Golf and Country Club was Dad’s second home. He sat on the Board of Directors from 1971-1978 and was Member of the Year in 1976, Club President in 1977 and Club Captain from 1990-1993. Dad was honoured in 2003 as a life -time member and played right up to the summer of 2020.

If a man’s worth is measured by friendship Dad would have been a wealthy man. He had a natural way of including people and making them feel special. Dad made special friends in Florida, on the golf course, in the condo community and even at the bus stop. He will always be remembered as a kind and generous man.

Dad’s greatest source of joy, when not shooting a round, was to be surrounded by his children and grandchildren. We were the light of his life. He was so proud of everyone’s accomplishments and supported whatever endeavor we chose to embark on. On his last day he repeatedly asked how his children and grandchildren were doing. We know how much we were loved.

It was Dad’s wish that there be no funeral. To honour him we ask that you raise a glass at 5:00 and make a toast to “Rudy”. If you so wish, you can make a donation to The Manitoba Renal Clinic at the St. Boniface Hospital or the Winnipeg Pet Rescue Shelter. We are also establishing a Golf Manitoba Scholarship in his name.

Golf Manitoba, in association with Golf Canada, wishes to extend a warm welcome to the Netley Creek Golf Course, our newest member club.

Under the guidance of new owners Alan and Jackie Grabinski, along with Bethany Luptak, this 18 hole course is located just north of Winnipeg in the town of Petersfield where golfers can select to play from three sets of tees, ranging from 5,068 to 6,328 yards.

“You notice the nature instantly upon arrival.  This is target golf, don’t let the shorter yardages fool you.  We have a lot of elevation change with a ton of scenery.  There are six bridges to help navigate Netley Creek which runs through the course.  Our greens wintered extremely well so we are thrilled with the start to the season we’ve had” said Luptak.

Available to host corporate and recreational tournaments, the Netley Creek Golf Course features the Mallard Eatery which is fully licensed restaurant with patio.

For those interested in spending more time in the area, an RV park is available with seasonal sites available.

As an official Golf Manitoba/Canada member club, all rounds played at the Netley Creek Golf Course are acceptable for handicap purposes and may be recorded toward establishing or maintaining an official Golf Canada Handicap Index.

For tee times and more information call (204) 738-GOLF (4653), visit them on Facebook, Instagram and online at www.netleycreekgolf.ca.

Updated Provincial Health Order includes specific wording with respect to outdoor sporting activities including the following under Order 13:

• 13(1) Subject to subsection (2), outdoor sporting and recreational facilities, including golf courses, may open, subject to the requirements of this section.
• 13(3) Persons may engage in any type of outdoor sporting or recreational activity but they must not engage in an activity with a person who does not live at their private residence. 

• outdoor gatherings with anyone from outside a household are no longer allowed and this applies to all recreation spaces including playgrounds, golf courses, parks and sports fields.

• only one person per household will be allowed to enter a business, with some exceptions, such as a single parent with children, or someone who requires a caregiver.

The new changes to public health orders will be in place until 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, May 26.

As golf courses in Manitoba remain open, the Manitoba Allied Golf Associations (Canadian Society of Club Managers, Golf Manitoba, Manitoba Golf Superintendents Association, National Golf Course Owners Association Canada and PGA of Manitoba), continue to encourage all member clubs to remain vigilant to ensure that all public health measures are met or exceeded at all of our golf courses.

A reminder, physical distancing (2 meters / 6 feet) is mandatory with people from outside your household.

For further information, contact:

Brian Munz
Director of Communications
Golf Manitoba
Phone: (204) 899-1092
Email: brian@golfmb.ca

Golf Manitoba alumni Aaron Cockerill checks in during a break in his European Tour schedule with Golf Manitoba Director of Communications Brian Munz.

The Teulon, Manitoba product talks about life on Tour overseas, tying his career low round and playing with one of golf’s most popular personalities.

The Province of Manitoba has confirmed that within the current Public Health Order (May 12, 2021), all persons engaged in an outdoor sporting or recreational activity must maintain a separation of at least two metres from other participants (Order 13 (5)).

This includes golf carts when used by patrons not from the same household. 

If an appropriate barrier is in place, such as a plastic shield between the driver and the passenger, two people from separate households can share a golf cart.

Now more than ever, the Manitoba Allied Golf Associations (Canadian Society of Club Managers, Golf Manitoba, Manitoba Golf Superintendents Association, National Golf Course Owners Association Canada and PGA of Manitoba), continue to encourage all members to remain vigilant to ensure that all public health measures are met or exceeded at all of our golf courses moving forward.

As an industry, we are all responsible for the health and safety of all Manitoban’s together.

For further information, contact:

Brian Munz
Director of Communications
Golf Manitoba
Phone: (204) 899-1092
Email: brian@golfmb.ca

LaBroquerie Golf Course Director of Golf Mitch Tetrault details their course with Brian Munz

The Province of Manitoba has advised that within the current Public Health Order (May 12, 2021), organized team, league play events or competitions such as Ladies Day, Men’s Night, Club leagues or Match Play events including Mundie Putter and Ladies Nassau events are not allowed at this time under Order 13 (4).

As golf courses in Manitoba remain open, the Manitoba Allied Golf Associations (Canadian Society of Club Managers, Golf Manitoba, Manitoba Golf Superintendents Association, National Golf Course Owners Association Canada and PGA of Manitoba), continue to encourage all member clubs to remain vigilant to ensure that all public health measures are met or exceeded at all of our golf courses moving forward.

A reminder, physical distancing (2 meters / 6 feet) is mandatory with people from outside your household.

We strongly recommend the following “best practices” public health standards for both golf courses and golfers to abide by:

1. Hand sanitizer is available at entrances and exits for public and staff use.
2. Washrooms have frequent sanitization and a regime for business sanitization is in place.
3. Public use items, such as ball washing stations, bunker rakes and water fountains are closed or removed.
4. Pins on green remain in the hole at all times during play.

For further information, contact:

Brian Munz
Director of Communications
Golf Manitoba
Phone: (204) 899-1092
Email: brian@golfmb.ca

Golf Manitoba, in association with Golf Canada, wishes to extend a warm welcome to the MacGregor Town and Country Golf Club, our newest member club.

This nine hole course is located between Winnipeg and Brandon on Highway #1, where golfers can select to play from three sets of tees, ranging from a family friendly 2,500 yards to 3,000 yards.

Melody Chambers, Ladies Club President and restaurant co-manager, tells Golf Manitoba “during the week the adult green fee is $18 for nine holes and $21 on the weekend.  Each additional nine holes you want to play is only $4.  Those 12 years of age and under play for free when accompanied by a paid adult.  We are so pleased to see the support of golf in our area and the number of young players taking up the game is just phenomenal.  They are the future and we have to keep them coming to the course”.

Available to host corporate and group tournaments in their newly renovated club house that can hold up to 225 people, the MacGregor Town and Country Golf Club has a fully licensed restaurant and patio.

2021 is the 40^th anniversary of the golf course and Chambers says they are planning a celebration in September when the timing and current medical climate is safe to do so.

As an official Golf Manitoba/Canada member club, all rounds played at the MacGregor Town and Country Golf Club are acceptable for handicap purposes and may be recorded toward establishing or maintaining an official Golf Canada Handicap Index.

For tee times and more information call (204) 685-3100, visit them on Facebook and online at www.macgregorgolfcourse.ca.

Due to recent COVID-19 restrictions, the MJT Manitoba Series at Pine Ridge Golf Club in Winnipeg, MB, scheduled to be held May 15 & 16, and the MJT Mini Tour at The Players Course scheduled to take place June 6 also in Winnipeg, have been postponed.

New dates for these events will be announced once arrangements have been finalized.