Golf Manitoba would like to congratulate Jeri Lafleche (Niakwa Country Club / Clear Lake Golf Course) on signing with North Dakota State University.

Golf Manitoba Director of Communications & Development Brian Munz caught up with Lafleche to talk about joining the Bison and her 2024 season.

Golf Manitoba members set a new record in 2024 with 289,188 scores registered in the Golf Canada Score Centre. That is an average of just over 28 rounds posted per member.

The 2024 season total represents a 2% increase over the previous record set in 2023 (283,431) and a 39% increase from the 205,000 rounds posted in 2019.

Of the 289,000 rounds, over 169,000 rounds were posted using the Golf Canada App.

Nationally, Golf Manitoba members contributed to a record breaking season reported by Golf Canada of 10.7 million rounds which betters the previous year’s record of 10 million.

Scores posted nationally in 2024 are 47% higher from the 2019 total of 7.3 million.

The top five member clubs in Manitoba for score posting during the 2024 Active Season were as follows:

1. Breezy Bend Country Club – 21,025
2. Pine Ridge Golf Club – 19,431
3. Rossmere Country Club – 18,044
4. Southwood Golf & Country Club – 17,773
5. Niakwa Country Club – 17,003

All Golf Manitoba/Golf Canada members receive access to score posting under the World Handicap System. Any nine or 18 hole round 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 2024/25 Golf Manitoba Board of Directors was announced at the Golf Manitoba Awards presented by AVID GOLF at St. Charles Country Club. The twelve-member board was elected during the associations 22nd Annual General Meeting that was held on October 29, 2024.

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

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

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

OFFICERS

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

DIRECTORS

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

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

About Golf Manitoba – Golf Manitoba is the governing body for golf in the province of Manitoba and Northwest Ontario. Its mission is to develop, promote, govern and service the game of golf for the benefit of all participants.

For more information:

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

Team Canada earned a second place finish at the 52nd Copa Juan Carlos Tailhade (Copa Tailhade) at Los Lagartos Country Club in Buenos Aires, Argentina on Sunday.

Canada shot a combined score of 575 over four rounds, finishing four shots behind Colombia (571). Host nation Argentina finished third with a total score of 576.

Canada was represented by Team Canada NextGen members Braxton Kuntz (Breezy Bend Country Club) and Antoine Jasmin of Quebec.

Jasmin finished T5 at 3-over in the individual standings following rounds of 71-73-70-73-287. Kuntz finished T8 at 4-over with rounds of 73-68-72-75-288.

Juan Martin Loureiro of Argentina won individual honours, finishing the tournament at 5-under.

Canada has won the Copa Tailhade four times in tournament history winning titles in 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2023. Austin Connelly (Clare, N.S.) and Corey Conners (Listowel, Ont.) won in 2014, Eric Banks (Truro, N.S.) and Tony Gil (Vaughan, Ont.) in 2015, Joey Savoie (La Prairie, Que.) and Josh Whalen (Napanee, Ont.) in 2017 and Brady McKinlay (Lacombe, Alta.) and Felix Bouchard (Montréal, Que.) in 2023.

Since 1996, Australia has won five titles (1998, 1999, 2002, 2007, 2012), in addition to Canada, England and Argentina have also won the tournament four times.

Zostrianos Giordani-Gross (Shilo Country Club) has won the Junior Boys Division Championship at the 2024 MJT National Championship at Orange Lake Golf Resort in Kissimmee, Florida.

Giordani-Gross, who carded a 3-over par 75 in his final round Sunday, finished the 54 hole event at 2-under par 214, one stroke better than Austin Krahn of British Columbia.

Payne Wood (Team Manitoba / St. Boniface Golf Club) finished seventh on the leaderboard at 230 (74-74-82), Kaleb Lambert (Team Manitoba / Elmhurst Golf & Country Club) was eighth at 231 (82-70-79) while Austin Boge (Pine Ridge Golf Club) ended play at 240 (81-75-84).

Brayden Boge (Team Manitoba / Rossmere Country Club) finished fifth on the Juvenile Boys leaderboard at 8-over par 224 (77-73-74). Ryan Tuck (St. Boniface) at 247 (75-93-79) and Gavin Carver (Team Manitoba / Glendale Golf & Country Club) at 254 (85-84-85).

Ty Montour (Scotswood Links) ended play seventh in the Pee Wee Boys Division at 262 following rounds of 86-84-92. Grant Secord (Team Manitoba / St. Charles Country Club) at 278 (100-92-86).

Ryder St. Laurent (Team Manitoba / Niakwa Country Club) was the top Manitoban in the Bantam Boys Division at 235 (77-77-81). Rhett Dyck at 249 (79-86-84), Aris Mercury (Team Manitoba / Glendale) at 163 (83-80-87).

For the final leaderboard, click here.

Zostrianos Giordani-Gross (Shilo Country Club) has a five stroke lead in the Junior Boys Division following the second round of the 2024 MJT National Championship at Orange Lake Golf Resort in Kissimmee, Florida.

Giordani-Gross, who shot a 3-under par 69 Saturday, has a two day total 5-under par 139. Payne Wood (Team Manitoba / St. Boniface Golf Club) is fourth on the leaderboard at 4-over par 148 (74-74), Kaleb Lambert (Team Manitoba / Elmhurst Golf & Country Club) is eighth at 152 (82-70) while Austin Boge (Pine Ridge Golf Club) is in ninth place at 156 (81-75).

Brayden Boge (Team Manitoba / Rossmere Country Club) sits fifth on the leaderboard at 6-over par 150 in the Juvenile Boys Division following rounds of 77 and 73. Ryan Tuck (St. Boniface) is at 168 (75-93) while Gavin Carver (Team Manitoba / Glendale Golf & Country Club) is at 169 (85-84).

Ty Montour (Scotswood Links) is seventh in the Pee Wee Boys Division following rounds of 86-84. Grant Secord (Team Manitoba / St. Charles Country Club) improved his opening round by eight strokes carding a 100, then followed it up with a 92.

Ryder St. Laurent (Team Manitoba / Niakwa Country Club) is tied for 11th place in the Bantam Boys Division after shooting a pair of 77’s. Aris Mercury (Team Manitoba / Glendale) is at 163 after an 83 and 80. Rhett Dyck opened with a 79, then shot an 86.

For the full leaderboard, click here.

Zostrianos Giordani-Gross (Shilo Country Club) is four strokes off the lead after the opening round in the Junior Boys Division of the 2024 MJT National Championship at Orange Lake Golf Resort in Kissimmee, Florida.

Giordani-Gross shot a 2-under par 70 to start the 54 hole event. Payne Wood (Team Manitoba / St. Boniface Golf Club) carded a 74, Austin Boge (Pine Ridge Golf Club) had an 81 while Kaleb Lambert (Team Manitoba / Elmhurst Golf & Country Club) came in with an 82.

In the Pee Wee Boys Division, Ty Montour (Scotswood Links) shot an 86 to sit nine strokes off the lead. Grant Secord (Team Manitoba / St. Charles Country Club) carded a 100.

Ryder St. Laurent (Team Manitoba / Niakwa Country Club) is five strokes back of first place in the Bantam Boys Division following a 77. Rhett Dyck had a 79 while Aris Mercury (Team Manitoba / Glendale Golf & Country Club) carded an 83.

Ryan Tuck (St. Boniface) shot a 75 in the Juvenile Boys Division. He is seven stroke off the lead. Brayden Boge (Team Manitoba / Rossmere Country Club) shot a 77 while Gavin Carver (Team Manitoba / Glendale) had an 85.

For the full leaderboard, click here.

PGA of Manitoba handed out their annual awards during the 2024 PGA of Manitoba Buying Show.

Congratulations to:

Apprentice Professional of the Year – Devon Schade (Larters at St. Andrews Golf & Country Club)

Class “A” Assistant Professional of the Year – Brendan Baldwin (Southwood Golf & Country Club)

Club Professional of the Year – Matt Simmons (Whitewater Golf Club)

Coach of the Year – Sean Murray (St. Charles Country Club)

Distinguished Service Award – Garth Goodbrandson (pictured)

Executive Professional of the Year – Greg Hesom (Minnewasta Golf & Country Club)

Junior Leader of the Year – Chris Gardner (Whitewater Golf Club)

Player of the Year – Ryan McMillan (Elmhurst Golf & Country Club)

Professional Development Award – Sean Murray (St. Charles Country Club)

Retailer of the Year – Craig Strand (St. Charles Country Club)

Salesperson of the Year – Eric Johnson (Taylormade Canada)

Teacher of the Year – Jeremy Gallant (St. Charles Country Club)

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

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

In August 2023, the small town of Gladstone, Manitoba joined forces with the newly launched First Tee – Prairies program to create more accessible pathways to junior golf and make a positive impact on youth in their community.

Ivan Milne, the president of Gladstone Golf and Country Club, recognized the potential of First Tee – Prairies programming and was a huge part of bringing this initiative to life.

“I’ve always loved golf, and when I saw First Tee was coming to Canada, I knew it was something our community needed and could benefit from,” Milne shared.

The Westlake – Gladstone area has a population of 3,100 and faces unique challenges such as limited access to organized sports, proper equipment, and certified coaches.

That is where First Tee – Prairies stepped in.

There are currently six schools, Austin Elementary, Langruth Elementary, Plumas Elementary, Isaac Beaulieu Memorial School, Gladstone Elementary, and William Morton Collegiate, delivering First Tee – Prairies programming to students through their physical education curriculum.

First Tee – Prairies provides online training for teachers, necessary equipment and turnkey lesson plans to deliver programming, all at no cost to the schools or participants.

Additionally, in Sandy Bay Ojibway First Nation, Recreational Director and First Tee – Prairies coach, Jesse Spence, has witnessed firsthand the positive impact First Tee has made on the community.

“Being a part of this program is so rewarding,” said Spence. “Without First Tee, many kids would not be exposed to golf or think of golf as a sport for them. My goal is to introduce them to golf here at school and make it fun and inviting so that they want to try it again.”

Sandy Bay’s Councillor, Jason Starr, and Educational Director, Rene Roulette have also helped grow the program within Sandy Bay.

In addition to Spence, four other dedicated coaches from the Westlake – Gladstone area including Darcy Zairwney, Mirv Spence, Morris Pelletier and Jason Lucas attended First Tee coach training administered by the PGA of Canada this spring.

“This is different than your regular junior golf program, it’s bigger than golf,” said coach Zairwney. “Each lesson plan integrates valuable life lessons learned through golf. We discuss the value of honesty when teaching them about scoring, perseverance after you hit a bad shot, self-confidence to believe you can sink that putt, the importance of respect and etiquette on the course, and more.”

Gladstone Golf and Country Club offers registered on-course programming and field trips for local schools and community organizations.

“We hope that many children can call First Tee – Prairies and Gladstone Golf Club home,” said Milne. “We want to ensure that kids from all backgrounds feel welcome here and find a sense of comfort on the course.”

First Tee came to Canada in 2021 and is Golf Canada’s youth development program that provides life-enhancing experiences through golf to children from all backgrounds. First Tee – Prairies is one of six chapters operating programming in its respective regions across the country.

Although newer to the Prairies, First Tee has engaged over 30,000 youth with free golf programming since last summer, across nearly 40 program locations in Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

This is only the beginning of a lasting impact First Tee – Prairies aims to have on this community.

“Who knows, the next Brooke Henderson or Corey Conners may come out of Gladstone,” said Milne. “If not, hopefully we created a golfer for life, or at the very least provided a positive impact on a child’s development through the sport we love.”

The growth of First Tee across the Prairies is made possible by a network of generous individuals and corporations who champion youth. If you are interested in donating to help First Tee – Prairies’ mission, please click here.