The City of Saskatoon’s Holiday Park Golf Course is now hosting Golf Saskatchewan’s second SoloRider golf cart.

The cart is used for people living with disabilities that allows them full access on a golf course as well as being stood up either left or right handed enabling a golf swing. Golf Saskatchewan has had a SoloRider cart at Silverwood Golf Course since 2014 and delivered another cart to Holiday Park on Sept. 1. Saskatoon Recreation Services Manager Roxanne Melnyk said adding another cart to the city’s golf courses is an important initiative.

“We’re really excited to partner with Golf Saskatchewan and to have them allow us to bring the SoloRider to Holiday Park Golf Course,” Melnyk said.

According to the City of Saskatoon the SoloRider at the par-3 Silverwood course is used once a week during the season. Melnyk said adding a cart to the fleet at the city’s flagship championship course that has 27 holes to play will hopefully get more people out playing.

“It’s used on a regular basis over there, so we’re really excited to increase accessibility to people in the Saskatoon area,” Melnyk said.

Golf Saskatchewan purchased the carts with grant assistance from Para Athletics and Saskatchewan Wheelchair Sports Association. The amateur golf association also has a third cart that could potentially end up being housed at Wildwood Golf Course in Saskatoon. Melnyk said anything the city can do to make physical activity more accessible is key for Saskatoon.

“Our goal is to ensure we have facilities that are accessible to everybody and to be able to provide recreation to everybody in the city of Saskatoon and this is just another amenity that we are able to now provide,” she added.

The trio of SoloRiders in Golf Saskatchewan’s fleet have travelled around the province. Royal Regina Golf Club had one for several years, most recently a cart was in North Battleford that allowed a few locals to get back into the game according to Golf Saskatchewan Executive Director Brian Lee.

“Even if they want to go out and tag along with their friends, they can now do that. If they want to play one hole, 18 holes, or they want to start competition again, this unit definitely allows someone to come back and experience the game in a positive light,” Lee said.

The carts are available at the golf courses for anyone needing mobility assistance to play, there is no charge to use the cart.

Golf Saskatchewan hopes to increase their fleet in years to come and have as many as 10 across Saskatchewan if the need is there. Lee wished the carts weren’t needed for anyone, but unfortunately accidents occur, and health cycles will continue, but he added if one person is able to use the cart at any facility to play one more round, it’s a moment that may live on for many years.

“We just want to have them available, especially to now the citizens of Saskatoon, so that they can come out and enjoy this great game. We call this the greatest social game ever created and I think everyone if they are able, or want to come out and play,” Lee concluded.

Many non-profit organizations use golf tournaments as fundraisers allowing groups to provide services and support to their clients they support in their fields and Spinal Cord Injury Saskatchewan Inc. (SCI) is no different.

SCI couldn’t host a tournament in 202 due to COVID-19 but on Aug. 7 the organization was able to host a tournament at Mark’s Nine Golf Course near Prince Albert. Executive Director Launel Scott said the day turned out fantastically.

“It was really good because obviously the golfers were anxious to do it,” Scott said. “We had more teams than we could accommodate actually at the end of it. We really lucked out again with a great day, the rain was looming, but it turned out great. It was a perfect day.”

The event raised approximately $25,000 that will go towards supporting SCI’s 1,100 clients province wide in areas such as rehabilitation, education and employment, awareness, and inclusion, as well as systems navigation. Scott added that the money raised will assist in the organization expanding services to not so accessible areas of the province.

“One of the priorities that we’ve had and it’s shown up in our strategic plan is to increase our engagement and connections to people who are Indigenous living with physical disabilities, particularly in the north. We are looking to commit new funds and the funds from the tournament to allow us to reach out more. We’ve been doing things virtually, but we also have the goal to set up a physical satellite office as well,” Scott explained.

One of the people that participated in the golf tournament was Karthik Babu Menon, SCI’s client service coordinator. Babu Menon had never golfed before due to living with his disability but that didn’t stop him thanks to one of three SoloRider golf carts Golf Saskatchewan stocks across the province.

“You know what, I thought when I was holding the club in my hands it was really satisfying. For a person who has never played golf in my entire life it was really satisfying,” he said.

SoloRider carts are made to travel anywhere on a golf course while allowing people living with disabilities to play. The SCI group used the cart that is housed at Saskatoon’s Wildwood Golf Course. Babu Menon said getting a chance to play the game was special.

“Within that one day I have created a niche in my mind that golfing is a good activity to get around, get to know people, and socialize. After being stuck at home for one and a half years getting onto the golf course and socializing was great fun,” he beamed.

Golf Saskatchewan has a new SoloRider at the North Battleford Golf and Country Club. One was also housed at the Royal Regina Golf Club but has since been returned to the provincial organization with plans in place as to where the cart can be utilized at a more southern course. For now, Babu Menon said he encourages others to give the cart and sport a try.

“When I talk to our clients, I always tell them if there is something you want to do to just to get away from boredom golfing is a good learning experience. I don’t have the particular words, it’s just a great overall learning experience when you play for the first time,” he added.

SCI is now planning for their third annual tournament in 2022.

North Battleford’s Ron Inkster cannot wait to get back on the golf course. Thanks to SaskSport’s ‘Adaptive Sport Grants‘ and Golf Saskatchewan Inkster can utilize a new SoloRider cart that will be housed at the North Battleford Golf and Country Club (NBGCC).

Inkster was on hand on Wednesday at the club when Golf Saskatchewan delivered their third cart of the provincial fleet. He was an avid golfer at the NBGCC before Multiple sclerosis began to limit his mobility six years ago. However, with the SoloRider at his home course Inkster was able to swing again.

“It’s very good, it seems very good to drive,” he said after testing the one-person cart out. “Hitting will take a little bit of practice but at this point in time that’s what I will do is practice.”

Inkster admits he was never a competitive player but enjoyed playing the game on a social level. His wife Zelda was on hand for the delivery and stated it will be great for Ron to get “back with the boys.” Inkster could not hide his excitement for a return to the links as well.

“I have been more a social golfer, and this will be helpful for me to go out with people once in a while, hit the ball, and hopefully not lose too much money,” Inkster joked.

Golf Saskatchewan has a SoloRider at the Silverwood Golf Course in Saskatoon, and the other is available for use at the Royal Regina Golf Club. NBGCC head professional Dana Johnson said he’s excited for Inkster and others to have the option of the cart at his club.

“It makes me so happy for a gentleman like Ron who missed the game of golf for so many years unfortunately and now he’s able to take part again, I am so proud to see him out and I’m so happy for him. You can see the gleam in his eye, he has that golf bug back, it’s great,” Johnson said.

Brian Lee is the executive director of Golf Saskatchewan. He seconded the notion of Inkster’s excitement after the test run of the SoloRider.

“It’s basically a rejoining of some resemblance of normal for a number of folks that may have thought golf was over or time with their friends and family were gone, now this gives them an opportunity to come back. It may not be exactly the way they used to play but they get to be part of the game. Hopefully this will be used at the NBGCC for years and decades to come,” he said.

Randall Kaeys with Spinal Cord Injury Saskatchewan Inc. He added how important initiatives such as the SoloRider placement is too people with injuries.

“Adaptive technologies – like the SoloRider – allow persons with spinal cord injuries and other physical disabilities to stay active within the community, and to continue with activities that may have been enjoyed pre-injury. These adaptive technologies also allow individuals with SCI and other physical disabilities to enjoy new experiences and participate in inclusive activities,” he said.

The SoloRider is available for other clubs in the region to utilize, the same for the carts in Saskatoon and Regina. Anyone interested in more details or availability of the SoloRiders can call Golf Saskatchewan at 306.975.0850.

Alex Swinnerton is now a four time college champion after winning the Hannastown Invitational this week for Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP).

The Saskatoon product has started the fall season for the Crimson Hawks on a torrid pace finishing second, third, and now first at the Hannastown Golf Club. Swinnerton shot an opening round of 70, then carded back-to-back rounds of 69 to win by a shot over Robin Duzman.

Swinnerton’s results, plus Waskesiu junior graduate Guillermo Salazar’s tie for fifth helped IUP take the team title as well. Salazar, who resides in Calgary but spend many summers in Waskesiu went 70, 71, and 72.

Next up for the Crimson Hawks is the Howard “Bud” Elwell Invitational in Erie, PA. beginning on Oct. 7.

In Lake City, Minn. on Sept. 24 and 25 the Minot State University (MSU) Beavers were in action for the Watkins Fall Invitational at The Jewel Golf Club. Loaded with Saskatchewan talent, the Beavers were fourth out of 13 schools at the event led by Estevan’s Chase Gedak. He shot 72 and 71, good enough for a tie for 12^th place overall.

Winston Grayson (Kipling) opened with a 77 but bounced back beautifully with a 70 in round two, he tied for 20^th.

Jace Carlisle, also of Estevan tied for 22^nd at 5-over par, 148 (72, 76). Darien Herlick of Weyburn started with a 77, the Golf Kenosee member chopped a handful of strokes off inn the second round tying for 26^th at 6-over par, 249.

In the women’s event, Holly Knudsen of Chaplin shot 81 and 79 for a two day total of 160, she tied for 32^nd overall.

The women Beavers’ team was eighth in the squad competition.

MSU will head to Bismarck, N.D. for the Marauder Fall Invitational at Hawktree Golf Course beginning Sept. 30.

In Robinsonville, Miss. the Milsaps Majors and Saskatoon’s Will Danielson were in action at the Tunica National Golf and Tennis on Sept. 23 and 24. The Riverside Country Club member opened the event with a 77, , he followed that with a 78, but played much better in the final round shooting 72 and vaulting 13 spots up the leaderboard on the final day eventually placing in a tie for 40^th.

The Majors were 14^th as a team and will look to rebound on that finish at the West Pines Collegiate in Douglasville, Ga. On Oct. 7 and 8.

Saskatoon’s Caden Loeppky was on the course competing for the Waldorf University Warriors on Sept. 21 and 22. Loeppky was in Storm Lake, IA. for the Buena Vista Invite, he shot 83 and 91 at the Lake Creek Country Club, that left him in 43^rd place. The Warriors team placed eighth.

Next stop is the Waldorf Invitational in Albert Lea, Minn. starting Sept. 29.

In Shelby, Mont. on Sept. 23 and 24 there was plenty of Saskatchewan talent on display. Besides a match-play event earlier in September, Swift Current’s Makstyr McIntyre got his college career off and running. The Elmwood Golf Club member is attending Rocky Mountain College, his first full stroke play event was 54 holes where McIntyre shot 78, 72, and 81 for a solid 13^th place finish. He was competing as an individual.

Also in the field was Colby Friedrich of North Battleford and Reigna’s Adam Husli competing for the University of Providence Argos. Husli, shot 81, 76, and 76, he was 15^th. Friedrich was 25^th after posting rounds of 86, 85, and 76.

Both Friedrich and Husli suit up for the Argos men’s hockey team as well with Friedrich serving as the captain.

Rocky Mountain College won the four team event, Providence was fourth.

The Battlin’ Bears host their next action on Sept. 29 to Oct. 1 in Billings, Mont. for the Beartooth Invitational, the Argos will be in the event as well.

The MSSU Fall Invitational took place at Shangri La Resort on Sept. 23 and 24^th with the Southern Arkansas University (SAU) Muleriders in the tournament.

The weather shortened the event to 36 holes with Regina’s Luke Cote and Will Blake in the field competing for SAU. Cote shot 74 and 75, he was tied for 40^th, Blake posted a 77 and 75, he was tied for 58^th.

The Muleriders were 15^th as a team. SAU will travel to Hot Springs, Ark. for the Battle for the Belt on Sept. 30 at Hot Springs Country Club.

From Sept. 15 to 17 Regina’s Hallie Crozier and the Ferris State Bulldogs were in Allendale, Mich. for the Folds of Honour Qualifier at The Meadows at Grand Valley State. The Royal Regina Golf Club member led the team with a top 10 performance. Crozier shot 77, 79, and a solid 73 to finish at 229, 16 strokes off the winner.

Ferris collected the bronze medal as a team led by Crozier’s finish. The Bulldogs are in Findlay, Oh. for the Beall Fall Classic on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1.

Cole Taylor of Nipawin and the Park University Buccaneers were at Las Colinas Golf Club on Sept. 23 and 24 for the Park Gilbert Fall Invitational. The Evergreen Golf Course player and staffer played well tying for 16^th at 1-under par, 212. He shot rounds of 73, 71, and 68.

Team standings were not available. Park will be in Surprise, Ariz. for the OUAZ Fall Invitational kicking off an Sept. 30 at Sterling Grove Golf and Country Club.

At the Tot Hill Farm Invitational on Sept. 23 and 24 Ella Kozak and the Western Carolina University Catamounts were in action. Competing in Asheboro, N.C. the Yorkton product helped the team to a seventh place finish by shooting 80, 75, and 81 and ending up in 38^th place overall.

Western Carolina University is off until Oct. 11 when they head to Chapel Hill, N.C. for the Ruth’s Chris Tar Heel Invitational.

Justin Miller of Saskatoon continued his rookie season for the Southwestern Community College (SCC) Spartans over the last week as well. On Sept. 19 the team competed in the one day stroke play Graceland Fall Invitational in Lamoni. Cal. Playing as an individual Miller shot 10-over par 82, he tied for 22^nd. The Spartans won the team portion of the event.

Their next event is the NJCAA Division II Men’s National Championship Preview at Swan lake Resort in Plymouth, Ind. teeing off on Sept. 30.

Here in Canada, Myles Johnson and the University of Victoria Vikes golf team opened their season at the Simon Fraser University True North Classic in Burnaby, B.C. on Sept. 23 and 24. Competing at the Riverway Golf Course, the Martensville product opened his fall season with a 39^th overall finish at 20-over par 236 (82, 75, 79).

The Vikes were sixth as a team. The team will travel south and meet up with Taylor and potentially Solomon Ness at the OUAZ Fall Invitational on Sept. 30.

Jace Carlisle
Estevan, TS&M Woodlawn Golf Club
Lake Superior State University (2019) Post University (2020 – 24) Minot State University (2024 – 25)

Holly Knudsen
Chaplin, Golf Saskatchewan Public Player
Minot State University

Chase Gedak
Estevan, TS&M Woodlawn Golf Club
University of Arkansas at Monticello (2019 – 23) Minot State University (2023)

Will Danielson
Saskatoon, The Willows Golf & Country Club
Milsaps College

Caden Loeppky
Saskatoon, The Willows Golf & Country Club
Waldorf University

Autumn Neiszner
Regina, Wascana Country Club
Keiser University

Symone Rypley
Saskatoon, Saskatoon Golf & Country Club
University of British Columbia Okanagan

Colby Friedrich
Battleford, North Battleford Golf & Country Club
Medicine Hat College (2020 – 22) University of Providence (2023)

Adam Husli
Regina, Royal Regina Golf Club
University of Regina (2022 – 23 Providence (2024)

Will Blake
Regina, Royal Regina Golf Club
Southern Arkansas University

Alex Swinnerton
Saskatoon, Waskesiu Golf Course
Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Guillermo Salazar
Calgary, Waskesiu Golf Course
Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Luke Cote
Regina, Royal Regina Golf Club
Southern Arkansas University

Hallie Crozier
Regina, Royal Regina Golf Club
Ferris State University

Cole Taylor
Nipawin, Evergreen Golf Course
Park University Gilbert

Carter Bell
Saskatoon, Riverside Country Club
Dominican University of California

Davin Karst
Assiniboia, Assiniboia Golf Club
Milsaps College

Myles Johnson
Martensville, Legends Golf Club
University of Victoria

Chase Pochylko
Saskatoon, Riverside Country Club
Nicholls State University

Ella Kozak
Yorkton, Deer Park Municipal Golf Course
Western Carolina University

Carter Degelman
Saskatoon, Riverside Country Club
Dominican University of California

Makstyr McIntyre
Swift Current, Elmwood Golf Club
Rocky Mountain College

Winston Grayson
Kipling, Golf Kenosee
Minot State University

Darien Herlick
Weyburn, Golf Kenosee
Minot State University

Solomon Ness
Saskatoon, Riverside Country Club
Ottawa University

Justin Miller
Saskatoon. Riverside Country Club
Southwestern Community College

Cam Schwab
Maple Creek, Maple Creek Golf Club
Minot State University

Porter Barnett
Carlyle, Golf Kenosee
Minot State University

Dane Giesbrecht
Warman, The Legends Golf Club
South Mountain Community College (Fall, 2025)

Hudson Heistad
Avonlea, Long Creek Golf Club
Providence Christian College (Fall, 2025)

Ben Staines
Saskatoon, Riverside Country Club
Mount Aloysius College (Fall, 2025)

Sarah Henderson
Saskatoon, Saskatoon Golf & Country Club
Lewis University (Fall, 2025)

University of Regina (Program began in 2023) | ROSTER

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Golf Saskatchewan aims to promote and encourage a love for golf and being active for all individuals. We hope to enrich people’s lives through empowering an understanding of how to lead healthy, happy lifestyles, both physically and mentally using our great game.