Braxton Kuntz of Breezy Bend Country Club carded his second consecutive 4 under par 67 and has a 6 stroke lead on Marco Trstenjak of the host Elmhurst Golf & Country Club entering Saturday’s final round of the Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur Championship.

Trstenjak shot a 3 under par 68 Friday.

Justin McDonald, also of Breezy Bend, who sits third on the leaderboard, tied Kuntz’s low round of the day at 67.

For the complete Manitoba Blue Cross leaderboard, click here.

For Saturday’s final round tee times, click here.

Defending Champion Braxton Kuntz, of Breezy Bend Country Club, opened with back to back birdies on his scorecard at Elmhurst Golf & Country Club and went on to shoot a 4 under par 67 in the Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur Championship.

Kuntz shot a 3 under 32 on the front nine and followed it up with a 1 under par 35 on the back.

Two strokes back on the Manitoba Blue Cross leaderboard is Nathan Wazney, of the host course, who went 36-33 for a 2 under par 69.

Breezy Bend’s Eric Johnson was the only other player to break par at 1 under 70.

For the complete Manitoba Blue Cross leaderboard, click here.

For Friday’s second round tee times, click here.

One of the largest fields in recent history is set to tee off Thursday morning at Elmhurst Golf & Country Club.

147 competitors are registered in the 111th playing of the Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur Championship.

Defending champion, and two time Junior Boys Champion Braxton Kuntz of Breezy Bend Country Club will be in the opening group to tee off at 7:00.

Kuntz, coming off an 11 stroke victory last week at St. Charles Country Club in the Junior Boys Championship presented by the Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation, edged fellow Breezy Bend member Ryan Sholdice by 1 stroke last year at the Neepawa Golf & Country Club.

With this year’s championship decided over 54 holes, the field will be cut following two rounds to the low 60 and ties as well as any players within 10 strokes of first place.

The 2022 Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur Champion will also be given an exemption into the Manitoba Open, August 18-21 at Southwood Golf & Country Club.

For the Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur opening round tee times, click here.

Golf Manitoba (Winnipeg, MB) – Marco Trstenjak of the Elmhurst Golf & Country Club has won the 2020 Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur Championship.

The 8th hole at the Glendale Golf & Country Club

It was a sunny but windy day the Glendale Golf & Country Club for the final round of the 2020 Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur Championship. Rain overnight coupled with a strong west wind pushed the scoring average up to 80.76, almost a full three strokes higher than the previous day of 78.05. Despite the conditions, it did not bother the steady play of Trstenjak.

Trstenjak started the day in a tie for the lead at 2-under par with 2020 Manitoba Junior Men’s runner-up, Braxton Kuntz of the Breezy Bend Country Club. Trstenjak would not give up the top spot throughout the entire last round while on his way to an even par round of 72. Trstenjak, the only player to break par for the 72-hole event, played a steady final round that included 3 bogeys matched by 3 birdies that were good enough for a 3-shot win. Kuntz started off slow by going out with a 2-over par opening nine of 37 and continued to falter on the back to finish with an 81 and in a tie for fourth spot overall. 2020 Junior Men’s Champion Neel Soni of the St. Charles Country Club was the only competitor to make a move against Trstenjak’s lead finishing with a 1-under par round of 71. Soni was the only player to break par in the final round on the wind-stricken Glendale Golf & Country Club track that helped propel him into a solo second finish. Defending champion Colwyn Abgrall of the Southwood Golf & Country Club continued his steady play posting a 1-over par round of 73, moving him into the medals with a third place finish.

It is the first men’s amateur title for Marco Trstenjak.

Final Leaderboard >>

Golf Manitoba would like to sincerely thank Trevor Nott and Nott Autocorp for their continued support as the title sponsor of this event!

Golf Manitoba also wishes to extend a sincere thank you to the membership, management and staff at both our host clubs who really helped to make this event a major success!  Thank you to PGA of Canada head professional Geoff Kehler and his team at the Minnewasta Golf & Country Club. Thank you also to PGA of Canada professional and general manager James Chapman and his team at the Glendale Golf & Country Club. We could not have done this without the skill, patience and support of all those involved at our host clubs. Thank you!

Special thanks also to Golf Manitoba performance partners Eric Johnson of TaylorMade Golf Canada and Paige Lawrence of adidas golf Canada for their support of our provincial championships.

And last but not least, thank you to all the competitors for your support and your fine play this past week!!!

Golf Manitoba (Morden, MB) – It was moving day at the Glendale Golf & Country Club for the third round of the 2020 Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur Championship. Braxton Kuntz of Breezy Bend Country Club and Marco Trstenjak of Elmhurst Golf & Country Club will head into Sunday’s fourth and final round tied for the lead at 2-under par 214 shooting 76 and 73 respectively. In third place is Justin McDonald of Breezy Bend at 1-under par for the event after shooting a 1-over 73. Defending champion Colwyn Abgrall of the Southwood Golf & Country Club and Curtis Markusson of St. Charles Country Club are tied at 4th at 1-over par at 217. Markusson’s move into fourth place was aided by a 2-under par round of 70 that also included an ace on the 9th hole.

The move of the day goes to Connor Stewart of the Southwood Golf & Country Club who started the day at 8-over par and 14 shots back of the lead. Stewart carded a 4-under par round of 68 that included a back nine score of 32 to move him within just 6 shots of the lead and in a tie for the 8th place.

Other notables near the top include 2020 Mid-Amateur Champion Allan McDonald of Breezy Bend shooting 71 to put him in a tie for 11th at 221. 2020 Junior Men’s Champion Neel Soni of St. Charles Country Club posted 73 to move into a tie for 6th. And 2019 Men’s Amateur Champion runner-up Austin Dobrescu of the Shilo Country Club shot a 1-under par round of 71 to move him 6 shots back of the lead and also into a tie for 6th place.

Round three scores >>

The final round will start will start tomorrow at 12pm.

Golf Manitoba (Morden, MB) – Round two of the 2020 Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur Championship was finally completed early Saturday morning at the Minnewasta Golf & Country Club. Round 2 was called late Friday afternoon due to darkness with 8 groups still on the course.  After 36-holes, Braxton Kuntz of the Breezy Bend Country Club holds a 3-shot lead after posting a 4-under par round of 68 for a 36-hole total of 4-under par 138. In a tie for second place is Justin McDonald of Breezy Bend and Marco Trystenjak of Elmhurst Golf & Country Club on rounds of 71 and 68 respectively and good for a 36-hole total of 3-under par 141. Defending champion Colwyn Abgrall of Southwood Golf & Country Club sits in a tie for 6th at even par 144.

Final round 2 scores >>

The cutline was +17 and the top 60 now move on to Glendale Golf & Country Club for round three later today with tee times beginning at 2pm.

Golf Manitoba (Morden, MB) – Round two of the 2020 Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur Championship was suspended due to darkness. Those players still on the course will return to Minnewasta Golf & Country Club to complete round two starting at 7:45am on Saturday, July 18. Upon completion of round two, the field will then be reduced to the top 60 and ties and those within 10 shots of the lead.

Round two scores >>

Round three is schedule to go at 2pm on Saturday, July 18 at the Glendale Golf & Country Club.

Golf Manitoba (Morden, MB) – Round one of the 2020 Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur Championship is in the books. Leading the way after the opening 18-holes is 2019 Mid-Amateur Champion Eric Johnson of Breezy Bend and 2020 runner up at the Junior Men’s Championship, Braxton Kuntz, also of Breezy Bend. Both Johnson and Kuntz posted 2-under par rounds of 70 on a sunny but windy day on the Minnewasta Golf & Country Club layout. Lurking just one shot behind is 2018 Amateur Champion Justin McDonald of Breezy Bend and Ryan Terdik of the Pine Ridge Golf Club, both who shot rounds of 1-unde par 71. Tied for 5th is 2020 Mid-Amateur Champion Allan McDonald of Breezy Bend who shot an even par round of 72.

Defending champion Colwyn Abgrall of the Southwood Golf & Country Club opened with a solid round of 1-over par 73 good enough for a tie for 8th spot.

First Round leaderboard >>

Round two is scheduled for tomorrow with an 8am start.  After tomorrow’s round, the field will be reduced to the low 60 and ties and those within 10 shots of the lead and will move to the Glendale Golf & Country Club for the final 36-holes of play.  New for 2020, the Men’s Amateur Championship will conclude on a Sunday.

For scores and updates, follow Golf Manitoba on Twitter @golf_manitoba.

Golf Manitoba (Winnipeg) – The 2020 Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur Championship is set to go July 16-19 and will be co-hosted by the Minnewasta Golf & Country Club and the Glendale Golf & Country Club.  New for 2020, this event will conclude on a Sunday for a weekend finish.

MEN’S AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP INFORMATION

Colwyn Abgrall

Dates: July 16-19
Course(s): Minnewasta Golf & Country Club | Glendale Golf & Country Club
Yards/Par: 6,646 yards/72 | 6,728 yards/par 72
Field: 120 (full field)
2019 Champion: Colwyn Abgrall, Southwood Golf & Country Club
2019 Runner-up: Austin Dobrescu, Shilo Country Club
Format: 72 holes of stroke play, field cut to low 60 and ties after 36-holes
Awards/Placing: Prizes will be awarded to the 1-5 lowest competitors.

First Round Tee Times >>

LOOKING BACK

In a rematch of sorts, Colwyn Abgrall of Southwood Golf & Country Club claimed the 2019 Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur Championship at the Quarry Oaks Golf Course. After three rounds of 71-71-72, Abgrall found himself in the final group with first round leader and 2019 Match Play Champion Austin Dobrescu who plays out of the Shilo Country Club. The two were no strangers to one another as they met earlier in 2019 in the Match Play Championship Final. But for Abgrall, the outcome was in his favour this time around. Dobrescu made things interesting with a birdie on the 70th hole to tie for the lead at 1-under, however Abgrall made birdie on the 72nd hole to post a final round even-par score of 72 for four-day total of 286 and a two shot victory over Dobrescu; Abgrall was the only player to score under par for the championship.

2019 Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur Championship leaderboard >>

HISTORY

Past Champions:

Complete past champions directory >>

FAST FACTS

Minnewasta Golf & Country Club

• Sponsors:
  • Event title sponsor: Nott Autocorp.
  • Golf Manitoba association sponsors: TaylorMade Golf Canada, adidas Golf Canada
• The top five players will place in the event.
• Players this week will compete under the Golf Manitoba 2020 Conditions of Competition and Protocols including enhanced health and safety standards in response to COVID-19.
• Caddies and spectators are not permitted. 
  • Exception: One parent allowed to spectate if the junior is 17. Must adhere to the spectator code of conduct.
• For media inquiries, please contact Lisa Andersen, Director of Competitions at lisa@golfmb.ca.
• Scoring updates will be available on the Golf Manitoba Twitter and Facebook pages.
• Leaderboards will be available on the event information webpage:
  • 2020 Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur Championship leaderboard >>

ABOUT THE COURSE

For more information on the host golf courses, please click on the links below:

• Minnewasta Golf & Country Club
• Glendale Golf & Country Club

Austin Dobrescu of Shilo Country Club continued his hot play this season with a T31 finish at the Golf Canada Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship that was played August 5-8 at the Glen Arbour Golf Course and The Links at Brunello in Hammonds Plains, Nova Scotia. Dobrescu, a member of Team Manitoba that finished 5th in the Willingdon Cup inter-provincial team championship, was the lone Manitoban to make the cut in this year’s event shooting rounds of 76-74-72-71 for a 293 total. Equally impressive in his feat, Dobrescu was in a tie for 11th for Canadians who made the cut in what has now become a top international event on the world amateur golf circuit.

See final leaderboard >>

Adding to his impressive finish at the Canadian Amateur, Dobrescu, who plays collegiate golf for the Chicago State NCAA Division I Cougars, started the season with a win at the Golf Manitoba Match Play Championship, finished T3rd in the Elmhurst Invitational and had a runner-up finish in the Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur Championship.

Upon his return to Manitoba, Dobrescu will have little time to rest as he was recently awarded a sponsor’s exemption into the 2019 Players Cup, the local stop on the PGA Tour Canada Mackenzie Tour, that will take place August 12-18 at the Southwood Golf & Country Club.