The Order of Sport Excellence Award Program was established by the province of Manitoba to celebrate athletic achievements by Manitobans. Administered by Sport Manitoba, the awards give public recognition to the accomplishments of athletes and coaches in provincial, national and international competition. In recognition of this award program, Sport Manitoba and Golf Manitoba would like to congratulate the 2020 provincial golf champions with Award of Merit Certificates:

• 2020 Junior Men’s Champion: Neel Soni
  
• 2020 Junior Women’s Champion: Crystal Zamzow
• 2020 Men’s Amateur Champion: Marco Trstenjak
• 2020 Women’s Amateur Champion: Veronica Vetesnik
• 2020 Men’s Mid-Amateur Champion: Allan McDonald
• 2020 Men’s Mid-Masters Champion: Mike Tibbs
• 2020 Men’s Senior Champion: Bruce North
• 2020 Women’s Senior Champion: Rhonda Orr
• 2020 Super Senior Men’s Champion: Barry Minish
• 2020 Super Senior Women’s Champion: Karen Saarimaki

Congratulations to this years Order of Sport of Excellence Award recipients!

Ada MacKenzie was a pioneer in women’s golf in Canada, both through her competitive accomplishments and her efforts to encourage young women to play golf.  In 1933 she was named Outstanding Female Athlete of the Year by the Canadian Press and later inducted into the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame in 1955 and the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame in 1971.

The Ada MacKenzie Award was created as a tribute to her legacy and is awarded annually by Golf Manitoba. It is a club level competition where each club determines their Ada MacKenzie winner based on the lowest Net score of participating female members. Scores are then submitted to Golf Manitoba and a provincial winner is determined.

This year, Golf Manitoba is pleased to recognize Leslie King of the Tuxedo Ladies Group on winning the 2020 Ada MacKenzie award with a net score of 65. From all of us at Golf Manitoba, congratulations Lesley!

WINNIPEG, MB – Volunteers have been at the heart of Golf Manitoba since its founding in 2003 and prior to that for both the Manitoba Ladies’ Golf Association (MLGA) and the Manitoba Golf Association (MGA). The time and expertise volunteers donate year after year enable Golf Manitoba to achieve its goals. The volunteer contribution, dedication and commitment are vital to the growth of the organization.

Each year, Golf Manitoba recognizes the outstanding individual contributions of a long-serving volunteer through its Distinguished Service Award. The criteria for the award is long-time service to Golf Manitoba (including Manitoba Golf Association & Manitoba Ladies’ Golf Association); going above and beyond the expectations of a volunteer; proving to be an advocate for the game and the Association, demonstrated commitment to amateur golf in Manitoba and Northwest Ontario and displaying qualities of a positive role model for other volunteers.

After a combined 52 years of volunteerism to the sport of golf, Golf Manitoba is pleased to recognize Brenda & Dennis Prystayko as this year’s recipients of the Golf Manitoba Distinguished Service Award.

Brenda’s volunteerism in golf began in 1990 with the Manitoba Ladies’ Golf Association where she served as a Board member and a non-playing captain for numerous junior girl’s provincial teams. When the MLGA merged to become Golf Manitoba, she became actively involved with the junior girl’s development teams that competed in the ladies Nassau League, Western Canada and Canada Summer Games and at national level championships. Brenda’s enthusiasm and her involvement directly contributed to the success of the junior girl’s program where many of her past players have continued to play competitively at university and provincial level championships.

Brenda has been an excellent role model for junior girl’s golf in Manitoba and Northwest Ontario where she created an atmosphere that made playing competitive golf fun. The Nassau team alumni speak fondly of their experience and continue to enjoy their relationship with Brenda. Every parent and every junior girl who where fortunate to know Brenda have nothing but nice things to say about her contributions and her genuine interest in wanting to help and grow junior girls golf.

Brenda Prystayko’s volunteer highlights:

• Began volunteering with the Manitoba Ladies’ Golf Association (MLGA) in 1990
• Previous Board member of the MLGA
• Non-Playing Captain for Provincial teams with the MLGA
• Manager for Team Manitoba at the 2011 Western Canada Games
• Manager for Team Manitoba at the 2013 Canada Games
• Manager for Team Manitoba at the 2017 Canada Games
• Non-Playing Captain for Team Manitoba numerous times at the Canadian Junior
• Non-Playing Captain for the Junior Girls Nassau Team since their inception in 2008

Dennis Prystayko’s volunteerism began in 1998 with the then Manitoba Golf Association and most recently with Golf Manitoba. He has dedicated countless hours assisting with the junior boy’s development program where he acted as a non-playing captain for the junior teams that competed in the Mundie Putter league and at national junior championships. His leadership skills are exceptional, and he has developed an amazing relationship with many junior golfers several of whom have gone on to play college golf, have become top provincial players as well as Club and Touring Professionals. Dennis has shown a genuine interest and dedication in helping to grow the sport of golf during his 22 years of service.

Dennis Prystayko’s volunteer highlights:

• Began volunteering for the MGA in 1998
• Non-Playing Captain for Team Manitoba at the Canadian Junior for many years
• Captain of the junior boys Mundie Putter team for 17 years
• Past member of Golf Manitoba’s Player Development Committee

Dennis and Brenda continue to enjoy their passion for golf and are both active, long-time members of the Pine Ridge Golf Club in Winnipeg.

“Golf Manitoba is very fortunate to have received so many years of dedicated service from both Brenda and Dennis Prystayko. They have been fantastic role models for junior golf and have been exceptional ambassadors for the association,” said Golf Manitoba Executive Director Jared Ladobruk. “And on behalf of our association and our volunteers, we are honoured to recognize Brenda and Dennis Prystayko as the Distinguished Service Award recipients for 2020.”

Past Distinguished Service Award recipients:

About Golf Manitoba – Golf Manitoba is provincial sport organization (PSO) for amateur golf in Manitoba. Its mission is to develop, promote, govern and service the sport of golf in Manitoba and Northwest Ontario for the benefit of all participants.

For more information:

Jared Ladobruk
Executive Director
Golf Manitoba
204-925-5729
jared@golfmb.ca

Volunteers have been at the heart of Golf Manitoba since its founding in 2003 and prior to that for both the Manitoba Ladies’ Golf Association and the Manitoba Golf Association.

We cannot say enough about our fabulous group of outstanding, dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers that have continued to sustain Golf Manitoba as a viable organization over our 105 years of operation! Our wonderful volunteers continue to fill the many critical roles necessary to allow Golf Manitoba to achieve its vision of providing quality, innovative and accessible programs and services to our membership. Volunteer roles with Golf Manitoba include:

• Board of Directors
• Committee chairs and members
• Rules referees
• Photographers
• Non-playing captains
• Junior program development
• Course raters
• Starters & scorers
• Pace of play officials
• Rules educators
• Fundraising
• Host club activities

It is vital to Golf Manitoba to recognize and thank its volunteers as we could not deliver our programs and services without them. The Volunteer Recognition Program recognizes volunteers with 5, 10, 15, 20, 25+ years of service. Thank you and CONGRATULATIONS to the following individuals who achieved milestones in volunteerism with Golf Manitoba in 2020:

5-years of Service:

• Rob Bell – Glendale Golf & Country Club – Rules Referee
• Bob Poole – Photographer
• Bob Peters – St Charles Country Club – Board of Directors /Sponsorship Committee Chair

10-years of Service:

• Celeste Pryma – Course Rating
• Lori Russell – Breezy Bend Country Club – Course Rating / Starter
• Vince Mariani – Elmhurst Golf & Country Club – Board of Directors / Past-President

15-years of Service:

• Aija Culley – Carman Golf & Curling Club – Course Rating
• Gord Hudson – Southwood Golf & Country Club – Rules Referee /Course Marker / Officials Committee
• Bill Barbaza – St Charles Country Club – Rules Referee

20-years of Service:

• Don Hargot – St Charles Country Club – Course Rating / Pace of Play Official
• Florence Mehmel – Breezy Bend Country Club – Rules Referee / Pace of Play Official

25-years of Service:

• Betty Grant – Windsor Park Golf Course – Rules
• Michelle Lee – St Charles Country Club – Rules/ Starter/Committee

New for 2020, we are retro-actively recognizing volunteer milestones beyond 25 years. Congratulations and THANK YOU to the following individuals on 30, 35 and 40+ years of service:

30-years of Service:

• On October 23, 2019: Irv Benne – Elmhurst Golf & Country Club – Rules Referee / Course Marker
• On October 23, 2019: Barbara Hamill – St Charles Country Club – Course Rating / Rules / Pace of Play / Starter / Committee
• On October 23, 2019: Brenda Prystayko – Pine Ridge Golf Club – Starter / Junior Program Development
• On October 23, 2019: Lou Spado – Rules Referee /Board Member / Past-President
• On October 21, 2013: George McLeod – Shilo Golf & Country Club – Rules Referee / Course Marker / Past-President
• On October 23, 2006: Rick Thain – Rules Referee / Course Marker / Past-President

35-years of Service:

• On October 22, 2018: George McLeod – Shilo Golf & Country Club – Rules Referee / Course Marker / Past-President
• On October 18, 2011: Rick Thain – Rules Referee / Course Marker / Past-President

40-years of Service:

• On October 24, 2016: Rick Thain – Rules Referee / Course Marker / Past-President

For more information on volunteering with Golf Manitoba, please visit golfmb.ca/volunteering.

WINNIPEG, MB – The 2020/21 Golf Manitoba Board of Directors was announced during the Golf Manitoba Annual General Meeting that was held virtually on October 28, 2020.

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 in Manitoba and North West Ontario for the benefit of all participants.

The Board of Directors is comprised of dedicated volunteers from across the golf community in Manitoba and Northwest Ontario. The Board’s duties are to direct the business of the association.

“It has been a pleasure to serve the golfing community as President of Golf Manitoba for the past year. Thank you to the entire Board of Directors. It has been an honour and a privilege to serve with such an incredibly committed and engaged group of individuals. I am looking forward to what 2021 will bring,” said Golf Manitoba President Ken Warwick.

The 2020/21 Golf Manitoba Board of Directors is made up of the following individuals:

Officers:

Vince Mariani (Past President) has been a Golf Manitoba board member since 2011 and has served as Treasurer and Vice-President.  Vince has been a proud member of Elmhurst Golf and Country Club since 1992 and served on the board of directors for several years and as president in 2009 and 2010.  A CPA, CMA, Vince is recently retired after 35 years as Secretary-Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of the River East Transcona School Division.

Craig Martin (Treasurer) is an Assistant Professor of Business and Organizational Administration in the Redekop School of Business at Canadian Mennonite University.  He has a PhD in Agricultural Economics and Business from the University of Guelph and is a CPA, CMA.  He joined the Board of Assiniboine Golf Club in July of 2016.  He became President of the Assiniboine Golf Club in 2017.  He joined the Board of Golf Manitoba in 2017.

Wayne McWhirter (President Elect) has been a Golf Manitoba Board Member since 2015  and is currently  the Chair of the Course Rating Committee.   Wayne is a member of Southwood Golf and Country Club, and was President of the Club in 2013-2014. As part of his Community involvement, he was Chair of the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce and a Board member of Winnipeg and Canadian Chambers of Commerce. He retired in 2016 as a partner in MNP LLP , a national accounting firm.  He was a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012. He is currently the chair of the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority.

Ken Warwick (President) has served as a Golf Manitoba Board member since 2014 and is also currently the Tournament Committee Chairman. He has represented Manitoba golf on many occasions at the National level. Ken has been a member of Niakwa Country Club since 1986 and has been on the Social and Competition Committee for 10 years and the Greens Committee for many years before that. Ken currently resides as the  Captain of the Senior Putter Golf Team and Past Captain of the Mundie Putter Team. He is a licensed realtor since 1988 and has been with Century 21 Bachman & Associates since 1993.

Susan Wright-Cassan (Vice-President) has been a member of the Golf Manitoba Board of Directors since 2016. As part of her Board duties, she serves on the Tournament Committee, Course Rating Committee, Finance Committee, Nominating Committee and is Chair of the Membership Committee. Sue earned her PGA of Canada Community Golf Coach certification in the spring of 2018 and has been organizing Golf in School programs in Thunder Bay for the last 6 years.

Sue helps to organize and run a mixed fun event with all raised funds supporting the Golf in School program.  To date, eight schools have received equipment and classroom instructions from the three years that she has run this event.  Sue is also President of the Superior North Ladies Golf Association since inception in 2011.  They run four golf events each year with a mandate to introduce more women to the sport of golf in the region.

Volunteer and career highlights:

• Chair on the McKenzie Tour Staal Open in Thunder Bay for the 5 years it was held
• She had volunteered for the Ryder Cup in 2016 and the LPGA when it was played at St. Charles.
• Past President of Emerald Greens Golf Course where she was President for over 15 years.
• Course rating for 16 years with Golf Manitoba.
• Competes at the Provincial and National level in the Senior Women’s category.
• Started golfing in 1998 after retiring from competitive fastball
• Member of the Executive Committee for the Port Arthur Curling Club and also for Artisans Northwest
• Volunteered in 2020 for the National Special Olympics held in Thunder Bay, and the last 3 years with Operation Red Nose. Also volunteers with the Salvation Army Christmas Dinner in Thunder Bay.
• Grew up in Hamiota, Manitoba and moved to Winnipeg for Post-Secondary schooling and currently resides in Thunder Bay.
• Retired from CIBC as a Manager.

Directors:

Michael Berney has served as a member of the Golf Manitoba Board since 2016 and has been active in the Manitoba golf community since the early 80s.  He has competed in numerous Golf Manitoba and Golf Canada events.

Mike has been a member of Transcona Golf Club for over 35 years and has served on their Board of Directors since the 90’s and most recently from 2011 until 2017 in the role of Golf Director. He has extensive experience organizing successful tournaments.

Mike is a life long Manitoban residing in Winnipeg and retired from the railroad in 2010 after 37 years of service.

James (Jim) Gosman has served as a Golf Manitoba board director since 2014 and the Rules Chairman for 1 year.  He started with Golf Manitoba as a rules official in 2012 and has since obtained a level 3 ranking, where he officiates 6-8 golf tournaments each year.  Jim was a teacher for 32 years and has been associated with sport as a player, coach, and referee for over 60 years.  He has coached basketball at the Junior High, High School, and the Provincial Levels and was the coach of a silver medal team at the Canada Games. Jim spent 30 years as a NCCP Theory of Coaching facilitator at all levels receiving the 2014 Community NCCP Coach Development Award from Sport Canada. In addition to officiating golf, he has refereed basketball and volleyball for many years. James has been part of the mission staff for Sport Manitoba at the Manitoba Games, the Western Canada Games, and the Canada Games.  He is a currently a member of the Golf Manitoba Public Players program and since retirement has maintained a membership in the EDG (Every Day Golfers) group.

Phil Guenther is a member of the Steinbach Fly-In Golf Club and joins the Board of Directors for his first term in 2020/21. Phil has over 42 years of experience in grocery retail, finance and accounting, property management, purchasing and as a senior administration in education. He also brings with him consider Board experience having served on the Manitoba Community Services Council (2000-2002), the Grace Church (2000-present) in Steinbach, Manitoba, the Steinbach Fly-In Golf Club (1993-2002) and the Hanover School Division (2009-present). In addition to his past board experience, Phil has served in a volunteer capacity as Secretary and Treasurer of the Steinbach Fly-In Golf Club (2004-2015) and Treasurer of the Town of Steinbach Provincial Men’s Curling Championship Host Committee.

R.F. (Bob) Peters has served as a Golf Manitoba Director since 2017 and was appointed Chair of the Sponsorship Committee this year. Bob is a Partner with the law firm Fillmore Riley LLP. and practices primarily in the area of Regulatory Law and Administrative Law representing clients in the relationship between government and its citizens. Bob has, throughout his advocacy practice, appeared before the Supreme Court of Canada, the Manitoba Court of Appeal, the Federal Court of Appeal, the Court of Queen’s Bench, the Public Utilities Board, Canadian Radio-television Telecommunications Commission, and numerous other Administrative Tribunals. Bob is involved with golf through St. Charles Country Club where he was a member of the committee that brought Brooke Henderson to Winnipeg in July 2018 in support of junior golf in Manitoba.

Fred Smith  has served as a Golf Manitoba Director since 2019 and was appointed Chair of the Player Development Committee.  As well, he volunteers on the Course Rating Team.  Fred is a long-time member of Wildewood Golf Course.  He spent 30 years in public education as a teacher, coach and school administrator.  After retirement, he spent 17 years in private business as a consultant.  Previously, he has served as a director in several volunteer organizations such as the Lake of the Woods Property Owners Association and the Organization for Co-operation In Overseas Development.  In the 1970’s, while a high school teacher, he initiated, organized and supervised the development of the Winnipeg School Division’s annual high school golf tournaments.

Kathy Turner is a retired Assistant Commissioner for the Canada Revenue Agency.  Kathy’s working background is in accounting, finance, information technology, and tax policy and has significant senior management experience. She has board and volunteer experience in golf at the club level and with the former Canadian Ladies Golf Association (CLGA).  Kathy also has board experience with charitable organizations such as the United Way and Citizen’s Advocacy of Ottawa (an organization that works with adults with disabilities).  Kathy was a founding director of Camelot Golf and Country Club.

For more information:

Jared Ladobruk
Executive Director
Golf Manitoba
204-925-5729
jared@golfmb.ca

October 22, 2020 – The Golf Manitoba Amateur Golfer of the Year Award Selection Committee is pleased to announce the finalists for the 2020 Male and Female Amateur Golfers of the Year awards.

The female Amateur Golfer of the Year nominees for 2020 are: Rhonda Orr (Southwood Golf & Country Club), Bobbi Uhl (Shilo Country Club), Veronica Vetesnik (Kingswood Golf & Country Club), and Crystal Zamzow (Swan River Golf & Country Club).

From left to right: Rhonda Orr, Bobbi Uhl, Veronica Vetesnik, and Crystal Zamzow

Rhonda Orr of the Southwood Golf & Country Club had a T5th in the City & District Championship and a win at the 2020 Senior Women’s Championship. Impressive was not only her 9-shot victory at the Senior Championship but also that the win was her 7th title in the last 8 years.

Bobbi Uhl started the summer competitive season with an impressive win at the Golf Manitoba Women’s Match Play Championship that was contested at the St. Charles Country Club. Uhl took the title with a 5 and 4 victory defeating defending champion Hannah Diamond in the finals. The win was her first in the event after two straight runner-up finishes in both 2019 and 2018. She then followed her Match Play victory with a runner-up finish in the Diamond Athletic Women’s Amateur Championship where she missed tying top spot by a single shot.

Veronica Vetesnik started her season by making it to the first round matches in the Women’s Match Play Championship. She took that momentum forward to capture the 2020 Diamond Athletic Women’s Amateur Championship that was held at the Bel Acres Golf & Country Club. It was Vetesnik’s first amateur title and against the strongest female field in provincial championship amateur golf.

At only 14 years of age, Crystal Zamzow had an impressive 2020 season. Zamsow’s season included a 2nd place finish in the Junior Women’s Bantam Championship, 10th in the Diamond Athletic Women’s Amateur and a win at the Junior Women’s Championship played at the Selkirk Golf & Country Club. Zamzow also added two Maple Leaf Junior Tour 1st place finishes to her 2020 competitive season resume.

Three female golfers also received honourable mention for their performance in 2020 and include Cala Korman, Golf Manitoba Public Player (2020 Junior Women’s Bantam Champion, 3rd in the Manitoba Junior and 7th in the Women’s Amateur), Charmaine Mackid of Breezy Bend Country Club (T2nd in the City & District Championship and 5th in the Women’s Amateur), and Marissa Naylor of Pine Ridge (T2nd in the City & District Championship and 4th in the Women’s Amateur).

The male Amateur Golfer of the Year nominees for 2020 are: Austin Dobrescu (Shilo Country Club), Braxton Kuntz (Breezy Bend Country Club), Neel Soni (St. Charles Country Club) and Marco Trstenjak (Elmhurst Golf & Country Club).

From left to right: Austin Dobrescu, Braxton Kuntz, Neel Soni, and Marco Trstenjak

Austin Dobrescu of the Shilo Country Club started his summer championship season by successfully defending his Match Play Championship title with a win at St. Charles Country Club. The victory propelled Dobrescu into another strong showing at the Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur where he finished tied for 4th.

Braxton Kuntz of the Breezy Bend Country Club had a successful start to his year making it to the quarter-final matches in the Match Play Championship. He followed that performance with a 2nd place finish in the Manitoba Junior Men’s Championship missing out on top spot by a single shot. He then followed with a 4th place at the Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur where he led after 54-holes. In addition to his Golf Manitoba championship season, Kuntz added two wins on the Maple Leaf Junior Tour where he posted a six round scoring average of 70.6. In recognition of his strong performance this past summer, Kuntz was invited to participate in the 2020 Golf Canada National Junior Squad Selection Camp that was held October 14-18, 2020 at the Bear Mountain Golf Resort in Victoria, B.C.

Neel Soni of the St. Charles Country Club finished his junior competitive career by winning the 2020 Junior Men’s Championship. Soni took the lead in the 54-hole event after round one and never looked back posting rounds of 68-70-70 enroute to his first junior championship title. Soni continued his strong play later that week at the Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur Championship where he posted a four-day total of 289 to finish alone in 2nd and just three shots back of the winner. By right of his play with an impressive 71.0 scoring in both the junior and amateur championships, Soni would have qualified to represent Manitoba on both the junior men’s and men’s amateur interprovincial teams had the 2020 national season not been canceled due to the pandemic.

Marco Trstenjak of the Elmhurst Golf & Country Club started his competitive season making with medalist honours in the Match Play Qualifier and then to the round of 16 in the Match Play Championship. At his next event, the Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur Championship, Trstenjak played steady over the 72-hole event to finish at 2-under par 286 and good for a three-shot victory and his first amateur title. Just a few weeks later at the Elmhurst Invitational, Trstenjak, on his home course, posted an even par score of 141 for the win in the 36-hole event.

Four golfers also received honourable mention for their play in 2020 and include 2019 Male Amateur Golfer of the Year Colwyn Abgrall of Southwood (3rd in the Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur and T12th in the Elmhurst Invitational), Eric Johnson of Breezy Bend (T2nd in the Diamond Athletic Mid-Amateur and T6th in the Nott Autocorp Amateur), Allan McDonald of Breezy Bend Country Club (Won Diamond Athletic Mid-Amateur and T8th Nott Autocorp Amateur), and Justin McDonald also of Breezy Bend (T2nd Diamond Athletic Mid-Amateur and T6th Nott Autocorp Amateur).

Unfortunately and due to current indoor gathering restrictions, the annual Golf Manitoba Awards Reception has been cancelled. This year’s announcement for the 2020 Manitoba Male and Female Golfers of the Year award will be made online on the Golf Manitoba website at golfmb.ca and on the official Golf Manitoba Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages on Wednesday, November 4, 2020.

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 male and female category.

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.

For more information:

Jared Ladobruk
Executive Director
Golf Manitoba
204-925-5729
jared@golfmb.ca

The governing body of amateur golf in Manitoba will host its Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, October 28, 2020. Due to the current restrictions on indoor gatherings that have been imposed by the province of Manitoba, this year’s meeting will be held via web conference call. The time of the meeting and instructions on how to attend the meeting will be forwarded to all member clubs shortly.

All member clubs are entitled to one vote at the Annual General Meeting. For information on your club’s voting delegate, please contact your club’s general manager or contact Jared Ladobruk, Executive Director of Golf Manitoba at 204.925.5729 or at jared@golfmb.ca.

Also due to current indoor gathering restrictions, the annual Golf Manitoba Awards Reception has been cancelled. This year’s recognition and award winners, including the 2020 Manitoba Male and Female Golfers of the Year and our volunteer Distinguished Service Award, will be announced digitally on the Golf Manitoba website at golfmb.ca and on the official Golf Manitoba Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages on Wednesday, November 4, 2020.

The Invictus Games, held in Toronto in September 2017, included a golf event hosted by St. George’s Golf Club where spectators were treated to outstanding performances by the athletes. Those of us fortunate enough to attend the event could not help but imagine the opportunities of engaging more people with disabilities in golf.

“This was the most memorable and inspirational event we have been a part of,” said Jason Clarke, CCM, who was general manager at St. George’s during the Games.

“St. George’s has a long history of recognizing the contributions made by Canadian service men and women, so hosting the Invictus Games was a natural fit for us,” said Clarke. “This was the first time that golf was included as an official sport of the Invictus Games and the first time they were hosted [in] Canada. We were determined to make Canada proud and give the athletes the ‘St. George’s experience.’ It was inspiring to see so many of our members volunteering for the games, including most of the caddies.

“We had the honour of hosting two Invictus athletes who utilized the Paramobile adaptive golf cart; it is a game changer! These three-wheeled vehicles can enter and exit a sand bunker, drive on a green and even navigate over a 10-inch curb. The Paramobile cart assists the athlete to standing position. This is a sensation that these golfers never thought they would experience again. It is difficult not to get emotional witnessing this achievement.”

Making your club more welcoming and accessible

Jan Bel Jan, of Jan Bel Jan Golf Course Design, is president of the American Society of Golf Course Architects and an advocate for golfers with a disability.

“People with disabilities are people first. Each of us knows someone who has difficulty with access, due to a congenital condition or because they have lost some ability because of illness, injury or age,” said Bel Jan. “The opportunity to enjoy golf provides wonderful social, recreational and healthful experiences for everyone. A welcoming and accessible golf facility can benefit economically through increased food and beverage, pro-shop sales and fees, as well as from the satisfaction of providing a valuable service.”

Obstacles can present barriers to people with disabilities in many aspects of their lives. Bel Jan believes the biggest obstacle may be that we are not comfortable in knowing how to treat people with disabilities. It is essential that everyone at a golf facility be trained to be aware of a person with a disability and to feel comfortable assisting them. When in doubt, Bel Jan encourages using common customer courtesy. Because degrees of impairments vary, she suggests asking people with a disability if they need help before attempting to assist them, and then asking how you may assist. For formal training, Bel Jan has found that coaching done by people who have disabilities can be helpful.

“The opportunity to enjoy golf provides wonderful social, recreational and healthful experiences for everyone. A welcoming and accessible golf facility can benefit economically through increased food and beverage, pro-shop sales and fees, as well as from the satisfaction of providing a valuable service.” – Jan Bel Jan, Jan Bel Jan Golf Course Design

The range of disabilities is very broad and, while there are laws and codes to address building accessibility, foresighted golf facility operators can learn how to better accommodate golfers with a disability. Proper signage that directs patrons to the facility’s goods and services is beneficial to everyone. Golf course operators should ensure easy access to at least one teeing area per hole. Creating additional tees, in a safe and accessible place, can meet this need. If readily achievable (with not much difficulty or expense), unobstructed golf cart access should be provided to all areas to be reached by the golfer. Golf cart paths should provide a modest slope for motorized vehicles, including for regular and single rider golf carts.

Ropes and GPS limits on carts can be barriers for those who need to get closer to the green for safety or for ease of access. Both can be adjusted – ropes can be lowered and replaced, and GPS units can be programmed for a specific cart. Red cart flags permit closer proximity to tees and greens and can help to improve access and speed of play. Consider making a map of accessible routes that may include accessible tees, areas of the course to be avoided and bunkers that may be difficult to access or egress.

Another consideration on the course is providing accessible washrooms. If permanent facilities are not available, accessible port-a-potties can meet the need. Also, consider the heights and locations of water and other materials around the course. Where there are steep slopes or difficult-to-access bunkers, the facility can establish the use of the “Modified Rules of Golf for Players with Disabilities” developed by the R&A and USGA. These Modified Rules permit a safe drop area away from the slope or outside the bunker, as well as other accommodations. When course renovations are undertaken, it is important to consider how to make the facility barrier-free.

Should a golf club or practice range want to encourage people with a disability to enjoy the game, inviting adult or children’s groups for clinics may inspire new golfers. Become familiar with programs in your area for people with disabilities. A golf facility could also establish a relationship with a rehabilitation hospital as part of their community outreach. Golf can aid significantly in recovery through an outdoor experience, with a helpful focus on hand-eye coordination, improved balance, strength and flexibility as well as sense of purpose. All of these contribute to the wellbeing of the person with the disability as well as to family, friends and companions.

Finally, Bel Jan recommends that golf facilities audit themselves for accessibility, programs and training. They should include information on their website to promote their accessibility, as well noting any instruction, clinics or programs that may interest people with disabilities and their families.

“An ‘invitation’ is always a great way to make people feel welcome to your course,” said Bel Jan.

Golf for people who are visually impaired

Glenn Babcock is the president of the Ontario Visually Impaired Golfers Association, serves as a director on the board of Blind Golf Canada and sits on the Human Resources Committee of Golf Canada. Babcock was born with his visual impairment. His father was a golf professional, so Babcock grew up around golf courses and had the benefit of learning to golf from a young age.

He says that some golfers are born blind or visually impaired, while others have lost their sight due to injury or illness, or simply as they age. For those who have lost their sight, being able to continue an activity that they enjoy is important to their physical, social and emotional wellbeing.

There are many golfers whose vision loss requires them to seek assistance to play the game. Their “guide” may be a fellow golfer, a non-golfing friend or a family member committed to helping them enjoy the game. The guide helps the golfer get safely around the course, lines them up for each shot and provides information on distances and obstacles and, of course, the guide must also find the ball!

Staff at golf courses should understand this partnership of golfer and guide. Starters and marshals should be made aware of the presence of a “walker.” Groups may be slower, as it takes more time to set up a golfer who is blind or visually impaired. Babcock recommends asking the golfer about their speed of play and how much time they need for setup with their guide and then adjust the group size if necessary.

Some courses have recognized the challenges in arranging a game and offer incentives to encourage blind and visually impaired people to play. Two-for-one rates for the golfer and their guide, even if the guide is playing, are offered by some. Others offer a discount and one club even offers a complimentary nine-hole round for two golfers, and their guides, each week on Monday afternoons.

Golf for people with missing limbs or limited mobility

Kristian Hammerback is the president of the Canadian Amputee Golf Association and is a member of Golf Canada’s Amateur Competitions Committee. As a golfer who was born missing a limb, golf provided him with a childhood activity he could participate in with his friends. He believes that it is important to provide golfing opportunities for people who are missing limbs or with reduced mobility and that it can be instrumental in getting back into life after an injury or illness.

Golfers with missing limbs or limited mobility may have challenges getting around the course and getting to the ball. They don’t like to play long rounds or slow play down for other golfers. Using carts or “solo rider” units, providing red flags and being lenient with cart rules will help to speed their play.

Hammerback, who has helped organize several tournaments for amputee golfers, has found that golf courses are always very helpful and “bend over backwards” to give the competitors a great experience. He encourages golf courses to promote golf participation for all, get involved with organizations for people with disabilities to offer golf clinics and partner with local rehabilitation facilities to provide golf opportunities as part of the recovery process.

Golf for people who are deaf or hard of hearing

Alain Turpin, the executive director of the Canadian Deaf Sports Association, says that the biggest challenge is communicating with deaf and hard of hearing golfers.

“Sometimes, it is difficult for pro-shop employees to communicate with deaf golfers who speak poorly or can’t speak and use language signs,” he said.

He recommends speaking face-to-face with deaf or hard of hearing golfers and writing simple messages on a sheet of paper to communicate.

When golfers who are deaf or hard of hearing take part in a sanctioned competition, it is important for the host committee to reserve a sign language interpreter. It makes a big difference for the deaf golfer to feel included and equal. As well, creating awareness for fellow competitors, competition officials and facility staff of the importance of face-to-face and written communication is essential.

Golf for military veterans who are ill or injured

Joe Kiraly, the outreach and communications manager for Soldier On, a program of the Canadian Armed Forces Transition Group, attests to the impact that golf brings to the recoveries of veterans.

“Golf has been a surprising addition to my life following an injury resulting in physical limitations and loss of personal identity,” said Kiraly. “I saw how golf helped others and decided to try it myself.”

The Soldier On golf program, one of its most robust initiatives, is championed by Michael Feyko, who works at Royal Oaks Golf Club in New Brunswick. Feyko is a PGA of Canada teaching professional and a former soldier who used golf as an integral part of his own recovery from injury. The program began as a grassroots initiative to support Armed Forces personnel suffering loss of ability, loss of identity or loss of career and was found to help improve mental and physical health.

Kiraly reports golf clubs being very welcoming to ill and injured men and women. Many veterans who have experienced

sensory or mobility loss, or who have been suffering emotionally, have found golf to be an important component of their healing. With the support of the golf community, the Soldier On golf program is continuing to grow across the country, with three week-long camps planned in 2020.

Golf is for everyone

While you may not have the opportunity to host the Invictus Games, you can make your club welcoming and accessible to all golfers and potential golfers. We all know people with a disability. Providing them the chance to learn the game or continue an activity they enjoy following the loss of ability is tremendously beneficial to them, their families and your club!

This article originally appeared in the Spring 2020 issue of Club Manager Quarterly, a publication of The Canadian Society of Club Managers (CSCM), and is reprinted with their permission. The original article can be found online here.

Leslie Dunning is the past president of Golf Canada. She believes golf is for everyone and that inclusion is key to growing the game. She is a member of Earl Grey and Bigwin Island Golf Clubs.

Winnipeg, MB – Breezy Bend Country Club’s Braxton Kuntz has been selected to attend Golf Canada’s National Junior Squad Selection Camp to take place at Bear Mountain Golf Resort in Victoria, BC from October 14-18th 2020.

Golf Canada coaching staff will be conducting the selection camp whereby athletes are invited to attend and compete for spots on the Squads through a series of objective testing protocols assessing skill and a 54-hole head-to-head tournament. Following the camp, Golf Canada’s selection committee will use the results from the camp assessments along with supplementary information to select the teams.

Kuntz’s invite comes after a solid 2020 campaign that included a 2nd place finish in the Manitoba Junior Men’s Provincial Championship, a T6th in the Manitoba Men’s Amateur Championship and a win and two 2nd place finishes in three Maple Leaf Junior Tour events where he posted a six round scoring average of 70.3. Kuntz is one of just thirteen junior boys and fourteen junior girls from across the country who have been invited to participate in the national team camp.

The intention of the Team Canada program is to provide the best possible support and services to athletes and assist them in attaining their goals. Each player receives a personalized program tailored towards his or her needs and in turn each team member is expected to be fully committed to the program with the goal of becoming one of the top ranked amateur golfers worldwide.

Team Canada players, lead by PGA of Canada head coach Robert Ratcliffe, will receive a full program inclusive of training (technical, physical, mental), competition coaching, sport science support, training camps, centralization support, in addition to uniform and equipment support. The program also includes athlete participation in major amateur competitions including the Pacific Junior Team Championship, Toyota World Junior Qualifier and Final, Glencoe Invitational, the Canadian Amateur and Junior Championships and the World Junior Girls Championship.

More information on the Team Canada golf program is available at golfcanada.ca/team-canada.

Like many of you, I’ve always been diligent about maintaining an accurate handicap. The reasons are ridiculously obvious: I want to know if my game is improving (or not) and I want to ensure that when I compete in net events, I’m being honest and equitable with my fellow competitors.

I never really thought about the mechanics of the system, perhaps because I was too lazy or disinterested to read through the ponderous Handicap Manual (now called the Rules of Handicapping). I gave full credit to the boffins who came up with the convoluted doorstop but never cared to interview the geniuses behind the curtain.

And then, this year, along came the World Handicap System.

Perhaps because of the restrictions due to COVID-19, golfers had more time on their hands. In any case, I’ve never been asked more handicap-related questions at the course or on social media. So, taking a cue from the manuals that accompany your new car or fridge or TV, here’s my version of a “Quick Start Guide” for the World Handicap System.

Why a new handicap system?

Why not? Golf now has both a globally recognized set of Rules as well as a worldwide handicap system. Even if you never travel outside Canada, you can be assured you are playing the same game as every other golfer around the world. The new system may require some tweaking after it’s been in effect for a while but it’s doubtful there will be another significant revision in the near future.

How does the new World Handicap System work?

At one of the meetings of the 23-member committee tasked with creating the new system, a USGA delegate compared understanding the intricacies of the handicapping system with air travel.

“I have no idea how an airplane works. I don’t understand jet propulsion, aeronautics and so on, but I trust that when I get on that plane, it will get me safely to the destination I intended.”*

Likewise, the process of coming up with the World Handicap System would make your head spin, so just concern yourself with the final outcome.

But if you’re in quarantine or a masochist or one of those aforementioned boffins, you can review the Rules of Handicapping here.

Has the Course Handicap calculation changed?

Yes. To your benefit. Under the old system, there might have been just a two- or three-shot difference in your Course Handicap from the front to back set of tees, despite the fact that those tee decks might be separated by 1,500 yards.

Under the new system, that difference now might be 10 to 12 shots because the par of the course has been integrated into the calculation.

Why doesn’t my Handicap Index go up when I post a high score?

Under the old system, the low 10 of your most recent 20 scores were used to calculate your Handicap Index. Under the new system, the low eight are used. So that bad score may not enter into the calculation. Similarly, using the most recent eight scores instead of 10 may have lowered your Index.

What the heck is Net Double Bogey?

“Net Double Bogey” has replaced the old Equitable Stroke Control system (ESC).

Now everyone’s maximum score for handicap purposes is net double bogey. Simply put, this is the par of the hole PLUS two strokes (double bogey) PLUS any handicap strokes you may be allowed on that hole.

If you don’t want to have to figure that out when you’re posting your score, let the Golf Canada Score Center do it for you. When you enter your score hole by hole, the Score Center automatically adjusts for net double bogey.

And for those of you complaining about posting scores hole by hole: You play the game hole by hole so why not post your score that way? It takes only a couple of minutes and provides some interesting data.

Here’s my Super Easy Quick Start Guide:

Post all your scores hole by hole immediately after your round. Let the Golf Canada Score Centre take care of the rest. And check out the new app which makes the process even easier.

(*Thanks to Craig Loughry, Director of Golf Services at Golf Ontario, for this anecdote and other invaluable assistance with this article. Loughry was the Canadian representative on the World Handicap Operations Committee.)