Inside Golf Manitoba

Golf Manitoba remembers Gavin Speirs

It is with profound sadness the Speirs family announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, Gavin Robert Speirs, on July 2, 2026.

Gavin is lovingly remembered by the love of his life and wife of 56 years, Lois (née Cooper); his sons, Robert (Natalie Carriere) and Adam (Kristin); his sisters, Catherine Tucker and Mary Hunter; his cherished niece, Anne Turner, whom he loved like a daughter; and his treasured grandchildren, Grayson, Carrie, Harper, Kennedy and Declan, whom he proudly considered his fifth grandchild.

He was predeceased by his parents, Gavin “Guy” Tully Speirs and Elma Speirs (née McFetridge), and his sister, Elspeth “Ellie” Turner.

Raised in Winnipeg’s West End, Gavin developed a lifelong love of sport at an early age, playing hockey with Orioles Community Club and golfing at Assiniboine Golf Club. A gifted athlete, he represented Manitoba on several Provincial golf teams and played hockey for the University of Manitoba Bisons, serving as assistant captain on the 1964–65 national championship team. His love of hockey even took him overseas to play professionally in Cologne, Germany.

In 1970, Gavin married Lois, beginning a remarkable partnership that would span more than five decades. Together they built a family rooted in love, laughter and unwavering support. Gavin was a devoted father who coached Rob and Adam in hockey, introduced them to the game of golf, and spent countless hours alongside them on courses and at rinks across Manitoba.

Golf remained one of Gavin’s greatest passions throughout his life. A proud member of Southwood Golf & Country Club and later St. Charles Country Club, he earned the respect of golfers across the province through both his talent and his character. He won three Manitoba Senior Championships and was honoured with induction into the Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame. Yet, those who knew Gavin understood that the trophies were never what mattered most. He loved the challenge of competition, the friendships forged over a round of golf, the post-round handshake, and sharing a beer while reliving every shot.

Above all else, Gavin was devoted to his family. Nothing brought him greater joy than being “Pop.” Whether driving grandchildren to and from school/games/recitals/competitions, sharing stories, or simply listening, he made each of them feel loved, valued and supported. His patience, kindness and presence created a foundation that will remain with them forever.

To his family, Gavin was our anchor. He was always there—with steady advice and encouragement when it was needed, and unconditional love every step of the way. He taught us by example how to compete with integrity, how to treat people with respect, and how to be there for the people you love.

Dad, you were one of the very best. We will miss your guidance, your humour, your strength, and your unwavering love. Thank you for everything you gave us. We promise to take care of Mom, just as you took care of all of us. We will miss you dearly and love you always.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to KidSport Manitoba.

Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation Inside Golf Manitoba Manitoba Junior Boys Championship Manitoba Junior Girls Championship Media Release Team Manitoba

WATCH | Oakden & Thomas win Junior Boys & Girls Championships presented by the Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation at Pine Ridge Golf Club

Photo Courtesy: Sandra Shibata / Golf Manitoba

Hunter Oakden (Team Manitoba / Wheat City Golf Course) and Camryn Thomas (Team Manitoba / St. Charles Country Club) are the 2026 Junior Boys and Girls Champions.

Oakden made an eagle on par five – second hole at Pine Ridge Golf Club which was selected as the first playoff hole versus Gavin Carver (Team Manitoba / St. Charles) and Adam Blair (Team Manitoba / Elmhurst Golf & Country Club) for victory.

All three players finished the 54 hole event at 3-over par 219.

Other division winners:

12 & Under Boys: Tiago Miranda (Team Manitoba / St. Charles)
13 & 14 Boys: Tomas Scarcello (Pine Ridge)
15 & 16 Boys: Hunter Oakden (Team Manitoba / Wheat City)
17 & 18 Boys: Adam Blair (Team Manitoba / Elmhurst)

For the final Manitoba Blue Cross leaderboard, click here.

To view the Junior Boys Championship photo gallery, click here.

Oakden, Blair and Carver will now make up Team Manitoba to represent our province at the Canadian Junior Boys Championship in Regina.

Thomas, who won the Women’s City & District Championship and finished T3 at the Diamond Athletic Women’s Amateur, continued an impressive 2026 Championship Season with a one stroke decision over Jewel Lafleche (Niakwa Country Club). Angelina Sitarz (Team Manitoba / Elmhurst) won the bronze medal.

Other division winners:

12 & Under Girls: Leah Klippenstein (Team Manitoba / Glendale Golf & Country Club)
13 & 14 Girls: Angelina Sitarz (Team Manitoba / Elmhurst)
15 & 16 Girls: Camryn Thomas (Team Manitoba / St. Charles)
17 & 18 Girls: Kailie Matthews (Kelowna Golf & Country Club)

For the final Manitoba Blue Cross leaderboard, click here.

To view the Junior Girls Photo Gallery, click here.

Thomas, Lafleche and Sitarz will represent as Team Manitoba at the Canadian Junior Girls Championship in Toronto.

We appreciate the time and effort of our host facility, Pine Ridge Golf Club led by General Manager Jason Ludke, PGA of Manitoba Head Professional Shane Dick, Golf Shop Manager Ron Bilawka, Course Superintendent Jeremy Sokal, Food & Beverage Manager Heather Mahood, their staff and membership for your warm welcome.

Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation Inside Golf Manitoba Manitoba Junior Boys Championship Manitoba Junior Girls Championship Media Release Team Manitoba

WATCH | Thomas, Comaskey & Carver lead Junior Boys & Girls Championships presented by the Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation through 36 holes

Camryn Thomas (Team Manitoba / St. Charles Country Club) has a two stroke lead on Jewel Lafleche (Niakwa Country Club) entering Thursday’s final round of the Junior Girls Championship presented by the Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation at Pine Ridge Golf Club.

Thomas shot an 82 in her second round to sit at 14-over par 158 through 36 holes.


Lafleche has carded back to back 80’s and has a four stroke lead on third seeded Payton Chapman (Team Manitoba / Glendale Golf & Country Club) who shot two straight 82’s.

For the Junior Girls final round tee times, click here.

For the Manitoba Blue Cross Junior Girls leaderboard, click here.

Brady Comaskey (Team Manitoba / Pine Ridge) and Gavin Carver (Team Manitoba / St. Charles) share the Junior Boys Championship lead at even par 144 through two rounds.

Carver carded a 3-under par 69 in a round that featured a 29 on the back nine with an eagle and five birdies.

Comaskey also had an impressive Wednesday at 1-under par 71 starting the day with three birdies in the opening four holes.

Hunter Oakden (Team Manitoba / Wheat City Golf Course) is one stroke off the lead following a 1-over par 73.

For the Junior Boys final round tee times, click here.

For the Manitoba Blue Cross Junior Boys leaderboard, click here.

Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation Inside Golf Manitoba Manitoba Junior Boys Championship Manitoba Junior Girls Championship Media Release Team Manitoba

WATCH | Blair, Thomas & Sitarz open early lead in Junior Boys & Girls Championship presented by the Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation at Pine Ridge Golf Club

Adam Blair (Team Manitoba / Elmhurst Golf & Country Club) was the lone player in the 88 person field to go under par in the opening round of the Junior Boys and Girls Championships presented by the Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation at Pine Ridge Golf Club.

Blair’s 2-under par 70 gives him a two stroke lead over Hunter Oakden (Team Manitoba / Wheat City Golf Course) and a three stroke advantage on Hudson Hunnie (Team Manitoba / Rossmere Country Club), Brady Comaskey (Team Manitoba / Pine Ridge) and Ryder St. Laurent (Team Manitoba / Niakwa Country Club) in the Junior Boys Championship.

Camryn Thomas (Team Manitoba / St. Charles Country Club) and Angelina Sitarz (Team Manitoba / Elmhurst) share the lead in the Junior Girls Championship at 4-over par 76 entering Wednesday’s second round.

They sit four strokes ahead of Jewel Lafleche (Niakwa) and six up on Payton Chapman (Team Manitoba / Glendale Golf & Country Club).

For the Junior Boys tee times, click here.

For the Manitoba Blue Cross Junior Boys leaderboard, click here.

For the Junior Girls tee times, click here.

For the Manitoba Blue Cross Junior Girls leaderboard, click here.

Inside Golf Manitoba Media Release

Welcome Halcrow Lake Golf & Country Club

Golf Manitoba, in association with Golf Canada, is pleased to welcome Halcrow Lake Golf & Country Club as our newest member club.

Located west of The Pas off Highway #283, this nine hole course built in 1952 welcome golfers of all ages and skill level to play from two sets of tee boxes ranging from 3,216 to 3,299 yards.

The fully licensed clubhouse includes a restaurant available to host both family and corporate gatherings, fundraising events and weddings. They also have a small proshop.

A driving range and putting green is available to get you ready for your round.

The feature hole at Halcrow Lake Golf & Country Club is the par four, fourth hole that allows golfers to carry the water off the tee with a good drive, or else course management comes into play to avoid losing a ball!

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

To reserve a tee time or for more information, call the proshop at (204) 627-2300 or click here to book a tee time online.

You can also follow Halcrow Lake Golf & Country Club on Facebook and Instagram.

Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation Inside Golf Manitoba Manitoba Junior Boys Championship Manitoba Junior Girls Championship Media Release Team Manitoba

PREVIEW | Junior Boys and Girls Championship presented by the Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation at Pine Ridge Golf Club

Photo Courtesy: Mike Peters / Golf Manitoba

72 Junior Boys and 16 Junior Girls are vying for the Junior Boys and Girls Championships presented by the Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation Tuesday through Thursday at Pine Ridge Golf Club.

The three day, 54 hole event will have a new champion in 2026 as Spence Mott (Shilo Country Club) and three time champion Addison Kartusch (St. Charles Country Club) have aged out.

“Pine Ridge Golf Club is thrilled to officially welcome the provinces top young talent as the proud host of the Junior Boys & Girls Championship presented by the Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation.” said Pine Ridge Golf Club General Manager Jason Ludke. “Our historic course is in excellent condition and ready to test the skill, strategy, and sportsmanship of Manitoba’s finest junior golfers. We are honoured to partner with Golf Manitoba and look forward to delivering an exceptional, memorable championship experience for all competitors, families, and spectators.”

Pine Ridge will play to a par 72 for both the Boys and Girls Championships. The Boys will be tested at approximately 6,300 yards while the Girls will navigate approximately 5,600 yards.

“Pine Ridge will offer a true test of golf for these players” added Ludke. “Accuracy off the tee will be important and competitors will need to pay close attention to where they leave their approach shots. The undulation of the Donald Ross greens will play a factor and hitting shots to the middle on most greens will be an excellent strategy for all players this week.”

For the Junior Boys tee times, click here.

For the Manitoba Blue Cross Junior Boys leaderboard, click here.

For the Junior Girls tee times, click here.

For the Manitoba Blue Cross Junior Girls leaderboard, click here.

Registration by Member Clubs:

Anderson’s Homestead Golf Course (1)
Assiniboine Golf Club (1)
Bel Acres Golf & Country Club (2)
Breezy Bend Country Club (2)
Bridges Golf Course (1)
Carman Golf & Curling Club (1)
Elmhurst Golf & Country Club (10)
Gilbert Plains Country Club (1)
Glendale Golf & Country Club (8)
Golf Alberta Public Players Club (1)
Golf Manitoba Public Players Club (12)
Golf Ontario Public Players Club (4)
Heron Landing Golf Course (1)
Kelowna Golf & Country Club – British Columbia (2)
Larters at St. Andrews Golf & Country Club (1)
Minnewasta Golf & Country Club (2)
Niakwa Country Club (3)
Pine Ridge Golf Club (6)
Quarry Oaks Golf Course (1)
Rossmere Country Club (5)
St. Boniface Golf Club (1)
St. Charles Country Club (8)
Scotswood Links (3)
Selkirk Golf & Country Club (2)
Shilo Country Club (1)
Southwood Golf & Country Club (2)
Spring Lakes Golf Club – Ontario (1)
Wheat City Golf Course (2)
Whitewater Golf Club (3)

With our 2026 championship season underway, Golf Manitoba would like acknowledge our Official Performance Partners:

Sport Manitoba

Manitoba Blue Cross

PUMA GOLF – Ryan Sommerfeld, PGA of Canada, Territory Manager

Taylormade Canada – Eric Johnson, Sales & Marketing Territory Manager

Stay connected on the course by following Golf Manitoba’s official FacebookInstagram  
and X accounts.

Diamond Athletic Women's Amateur Championship Inside Golf Manitoba Media Release Team Manitoba

WATCH | Kartusch earns Diamond Athletic Women’s Amateur Championship Three Peat; Diamond wins Mid-Amateur Championship

For the third consecutive year Addison Kartusch (St. Charles Country Club) is the Diamond Athletic Women’s Amateur Champion.

Kartusch shot even par 72 during her final round to finish the 54 hole event at 1-under par 215.

Jeri Lafleche (Niakwa Country Club) carded a 4-over par 76 Monday afternoon to finish second on the leaderboard while Jewel Lafleche (Niakwa), Clara Peake (Minnedosa Golf & Country Club) and Camryn Thomas (Team Manitoba / St. Charles) ended regulation play in a three way tie for third.

Kartusch, Jeri and Jewel Lafleche will now represent our province as Team Manitoba at the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship July 21st to 24th at the Toronto Golf Club in Mississauga, Ontario.

Hannah Diamond (St. Charles) won the Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship. It’s the first stroke play victory for Diamond adding to her resume of two Women’s Match Play titles from 2018 and 2019.

Georgia Dalke (Niakwa) finished in second place, one stroke better than Mindy Lichtman (St. Boniface Golf Club).

Diamond, Lichtman and Rachel Harms (Elmhurst) will now represent our province as Team Manitoba at the Canadian Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship August 5th to 7th at the Burlington Golf & Country Club in Burlington, Ontario.

For the final Manitoba Blue Cross leaderboard, click here.

We appreciate the time and effort of the host club, St. Charles Country Club led by President Heather Smart and the Board of Governors, General Manager Robert Shedden, Director of Golf and PGA of Manitoba Professional Cory Kartusch, PGA of Manitoba Head Professional Craig Strand, Course Superintendent Braydon Gilbert along with the staff and membership for their warm welcome.

Diamond Athletic Women's Amateur Championship Inside Golf Manitoba Media Release

Kartusch carries momentum into final day of the Diamond Athletic Women’s Amateur Championship at St. Charles Country Club

Addison Kartusch (St. Charles Country Club) made five birdies during her final nine holes to open up an eight stroke lead on the field heading into the Monday’s second round at St. Charles Country Club of the Diamond Athletic Women’s Amateur Championship.

Kartusch’s 2-under par 70 included six birdies, eight pars and four bogeys.

Jeri Lafleche (Niakwa Country Club) sits second on the leaderboard at six over par 78 followed by Camryn Thomas (Team Manitoba / St. Charles) at 8-over par 80.

Hannah Diamond (St. Charles) shot a 12-over par 84 to lead the Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship by eight strokes over Mindy Lichtman (St. Boniface Golf Club).

The second round tees off Monday morning at 8:06. The final round will follow at 2:02pm.

For tee times, click here.

For the Manitoba Blue Cross leaderboard, click here.

Diamond Athletic Women's Amateur Championship Inside Golf Manitoba Media Release

PREVIEW | Diamond Athletic Women’s Amateur Championship at St. Charles Country Club

14 competitors will be at St. Charles Country Club over the next two days for the Diamond Athletic Women’s Amateur Championship.

Sunday’s opening round gets underway just after 3:00 and will be followed by 36 holes on Monday.

Addison Kartusch of the host club is vying for her third consecutive title after wins last year at St. Charles and in 2024 at Minnedosa Golf & Country Club.

For tee times, click here.

For the Manitoba Blue Cross leaderboard, click here.

Registration by Member Clubs:

Elmhurst Golf & Country Club (2)
Glendale Golf & Country Club (1)
Golf Manitoba Public Players Club (1)
Killarney Lakeside Golf Club (1)
Minnedosa Golf & Country Club (1)
Niakwa Country Club (3)
Pinawa Golf Club (1)
St. Boniface Golf Club (1)
St. Charles Country Club (3)

With our 2026 championship season underway, Golf Manitoba would like acknowledge our Official Performance Partners:

Sport Manitoba

Manitoba Blue Cross

PUMA GOLF – Ryan Sommerfeld, PGA of Canada, Territory Manager

Taylormade Canada – Eric Johnson, Sales & Marketing Territory Manager

Stay connected on the course by following Golf Manitoba’s official FacebookInstagram  
and X accounts.

Diamond Athletic Men's Mid-Amateur Championship Inside Golf Manitoba Media Release

Quarry Oaks Golf Course to host Diamond Athletic Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship

Golf Manitoba, in association with Quarry Oaks Golf Course, is pleased to announce the 2026 Diamond Athletic Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship will be held Tuesday, July 21st and Wednesday, July 22nd.

“First of all, our thoughts are with everyone in Western Manitoba dealing with these devastating floodwaters; please know the entire golf community stands with you during this incredibly difficult time” said Golf Manitoba Executive Director Jared Ladobruk. “Since Tuesday afternoon we have received several calls from golf courses offering their facility to host this championship showing how close the golf community is. Thank you to the membership and staff at Quarry Oaks for working us into your calendar.”

The schedule of play will have competitors playing 36 holes on Tuesday starting with tee times at 7:00am.

The final round will be Wednesday morning with tee times starting at 8:00.