Article courtesy Sask Sport

Bill Briscoe has been a volunteer within Saskatchewan’s amateur sport system for over four decades.

Since first taking on his role as President of the Maple Creek Golf Club in the early 1980s, Bill has continued to support the sport he fell in love with in 1976.

In 1991, he got involved with Golf Saskatchewan and served three consecutive terms on the Board of Directors. During that time, Bill was heavily involved with the junior golf development program, nurturing the future of golf in Saskatchewan.

Following a 10-year hiatus, Bill reconnected with Golf Saskatchewan in 2009, when he re-certified in the rules of golf and commenced volunteering as a rule official at provincial golf championships.

In 2017, Bill and his wife, Marilyn, retired and began volunteering alongside each other with Golf Saskatchewan, which is when Marilyn also became instrumental in rule officiating.

Sask Sport spoke with Bill about what has kept him volunteering for so many years and the experience of volunteering as a couple. Here is what he had to share:

Who first got you involved in volunteering?

“When I was stationed in North Battleford, a neighbour came over for the evening and mentioned that he started going golfing but was going by himself, so he asked me to go with him. I borrowed his wife’s clubs and went golfing. After those first nine holes in North Battleford that day, I was totally hooked on the sport.”

What has kept you returning as a volunteer for so many years?

“The growth and development of the local sport itself. The growth of golf in Saskatchewan and personal growth from working with great people and learning. I strive to do better personally and learn what I can about the rules.”

What is your favorite part of volunteering as a couple?

“I was working full time and Marilyn was as well, before we retired in 2017, which gave us an opportunity to travel the province together, rather than me just going to tournaments while she stayed home to work. We enjoy being able to learn and grow together — we very diligently sit around the table at various times of the year and study the rules together, talk about scenarios and just enjoy being together, working as a dual team.”

What has impacted you the most as volunteers?

“At tournaments, being able to help players evolve in some capacity on the course while rules officiating. Watching the juniors from the time that they were hardly able to hold the club right, to graduating at 18 and going off on scholarships has been really amazing. I think too, when you work at a tournament and meet the parents of the junior golfers and then the following year end up in a different area of the province and renew acquaintances year after year. Both of us have grown over the years and experiencing the togetherness, it’s nice belonging to a community.”  

What you say to inspire the next generation of volunteers?

“That’s the million-dollar question. Numbers are declining and people who were starting out rule officiating when I did back in the day are not around anymore. I think that getting volunteers out in general — and I know for rule officiating in golf — is more difficult. I don’t know what the answer is other than get out and have fun in a social environment where you can meet new friends. Whatever activity you’re involved in, numbers are dwindling and we’re looking for people [to volunteer]. I’ve always maintained the concept that it is personal growth, as well as outwardly. But also, I ask the question: ‘If not you, then who? If I don’t step up and do it, then who else is going to?’ And that is why I believe we [Marilyn and I] enjoy being as involved as we are.”

Jack Maharaj of Saskatoon has chosen a school in the United States to play collegiate golf.

The 17-year-old Saskatoon Golf and Country Club member has committed to Highland Community College in Freeport, Illinois starting in the fall.

Maharaj will join a Cougars golf team that has players from England, Ecuador, Venezuela, Argentina, and New Zealand.

He joined Golf Saskatchewan and spoke about his commitment.

Thanks to the strong performances by Russell Henley and Victor Hovland, Cal Glasman is the 2026 Rotary Club of Saskatoon Masters pool champion.

The Saskatoon resident, and 20-plus year pool entrant picked a list of players that raked in over $11 million, well ahead of the second place finisher.

Glasman, 72, who plays in the Wildwood Golf Course men’s league said he came close to winning in 2006 but thanks to Tim Clark’s second place finish and hole out from the 18^th greenside bunker he was pushed down the money total, but 2026 was his year to claim the pool win.

“I was at a show at TCU Place the night before when I got the email. “So, I didn’t get a chance to put much thought into it. In years past I would look at previous winners but this year there was no time for that, and it worked out better,” Glasman laughed.

His list consisted of Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, Colin Morikowa, Henley, Hovland, Justin Rose, Bryson DeChambeau, Corey Conners, Patrick Reed, and Jordan Spieth. His picks earned him $11,043,225. The second place finisher, Murray Humble of Martensville had $10,092,600.

Glasman admitted the grand prize money “won’t change our lives” but him and his wife want to enjoy the modest win fall with a potential golf trip in the future.

“It’s money we can look at doing something with and my wife thought a golf trip,” Glasman said. “There’s a course in Nova Scotia that’s around $400 for a green fee, normally I wouldn’t look at that. I also thought we might go to Toronto, take in a Jays game and then go to Glen Abbey.”

Ironically enough Glasman is heading to Comox, British Columbia for a previously planned golf trip, but now perhaps another bucket list course will get checked off.

To see the complete results of the Rotary Club’s pool click here.

Saskatoon based Synergy 8 Community Builders have announced the headlining guest for their annual golf tournament and banquet.

The group will have Edmonton Oiler legend and Hockey Hall of Fame member Grant Fuhr as the main attraction at the Drive for Kids event on Sept. 3 in Saskatoon. Synergy 8 spokesman Troy Davies said the group ventured away from a golfer as the guest speaker this year, but the game is special to Fuhr along with his storied hockey career.

“A little bit of a twist from the golfers, but he is a hardcore golfer, a bit of a scratch golfer as well,” Davies said. “He has those 1980’s Oiler dynasty days stories as well that he is willing to share.”

This is the 17^th year of the Drive for Kids event, and another sell out for the golf tournament hosted at The Willows Club. Dinner tickets are still available. Joining Fuhr on stage will be staple Kim Coates and Kelly Taylor. Coates, a proud Saskatoonian launched to stardom through his role on Sons of Anarchy while Taylor is a well known Prince Albert based comedian. Davies said having the core crew back will provide attendees with a remarkable day.

“We are very excited that this is going to another huge success,” he added.

For almost two decades the event has raised millions of dollars in funding that has gone back into healthcare initiatives in Saskatchewan. This year will focus on a new pediatric ambulance, adding to the fleet of two others also purchased by the group. One in 2009, the other in 2016. Davies, who is also the CEO of the Jim Pattison Hospital Foundation, said the service the ambulance provides is crucial to kids in Saskatchewan.

“To have the inside track and see what the PICU and NICU transport teams that we need in Saskatchewan that go get sick kids and bring them back to the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital is key,” Davies added.

Over 4,000 kids have been transported in the ambulances. This year’s goal is $360,000.

As mentioned, the golf tournament sold out for the 17^th consecutive year, but tickets for the banquet, or sponsorship is available. For more details click here.

Ella Kozak and the Idaho University Vandals were in Goodyear, Arizona this week for the Bobcat Desert Classic on April 13 to 15 played at The Club of Estrella. The Yorkton, Sask. native shot 79, 80, and 74 moving up a dozen spots on the leaderboard the final day to settle for a tie for 52^nd.

The Vandals were 10^th overall in the category. Next up is the Big Sky Conference Championship in Litchfield Park, Arizona at Wigwam Golf Course, which has hosted several Maple leaf Junior Golf Tour National Championships. The 54 hole championship begins April 20.

Reigning Saskatchewan amateur women’s champion Chloe Wills of Kyle, Sask. was in St. Louis, Missouri this week at Norwood Hills Country Club for the UMSL Spring Invitational. She posted an 84 in round one, 86 in the second round, and a solid 77 in the final round to climb nine spots for a tie for 59^th.

Wills’ school, the Drury Panthers were tied for 11^th in the team category. The team travelled to Peru, Indiana for the Great Lakes Valley Conference Championship. The first round is Friday, to see the leaderboard click here.

Alex Swinnerton and Guillermo Salazar’s final season at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) continues to wind down with another solid performance for the Crimson Hawks in their only home event of the season.

The Waskesiu Golf Course junior graduates were at home in Indiana, Pennsylvania at the Indiana Country Club for the Cecil C. Spadafora on April 14 and 15. Salazar, who is from Calgary but spent his summers in Waskesiu tied for fourth at 147 after rounds of 71 and 76. Swinnerton shot equal rounds of 74, the Saskatoon product tied for ninth.

The Crimson Hawks were second in the team competition, four shots back of the champions from West Chester. IUP will be in Bedford, Indiana on April 20 and 21 for the Bedford Springs Invitational for the last regular season tournament.

Nicholls University and Saskatoon’s Chase Pochylko were in Jonesboro, Arkansas on April 13 and 14 for the Arkansas State Spring Invitational at Ridgepoint Country Club. He signed for rounds of 85, 77, and 80 to place in 66^th place.

The Colonels were 11^th in the school standings. The Southland Conference Championship in Kerrville, Texas is next for Nicholls. That begins on April 20 at Comanche Trace.

Cameron Schwab of Maple Creek, Sask. was the lone local in the field this week for the Minot State University (MSU) Beavers event in Rapid City, South Dakota. Competing at the Golf Club at Red Rock for the Texas Roadhouse Spring Invitational Schwab shot 96 and 88 to place 32^nd.

The Beavers were third in the team event. The NSIC Championship at Paradise Pointe Golf Club in Smithville, Missouri on April 17 to 19 is the final scheduled tournament MSU.

Saskatoon product Justin Miller and the Southwestern Community College (SCC) Spartans were at Fort Dodge Country Club in Fort Dodge, Iowa on April 10 and 11 for the Iowa Central Invitational. The Riverside Country Club member posted rounds of 77 and 76, that left him in a tie for 46^th. SCC tied for sixth in the team category.

The Spartans will host an event on April 22 and 23 at Lake Panorama National Golf Club in Panora, Iowa for their next championship.

On April 13 and 14, Warman’s Dane Giesbrecht and the South Mountain Community College Cougars were in Safford, Arizona for the Gila Monster Shootout at Mt. Graham Golf Course. Giesbrecht carded back-to-back 75’s and closed with a 72 to finish in 12^th place.

The Cougars were second as a team. The next tournament for Giesbrecht and South Mountain is the NJCAA Region 1 Div. 2 Championships hosted at Ocotillo, Arizona at Ocotillo Golf Course from April 20 to 22.

The spring season continued this week for Saskatoon’s Anthony Pesenti and the Waldorf Warriors in Dubuque, Iowa for the Loras Invitational on April 12 and 13 at The Meadows Golf Club. Playing as an individual, Pesenti signed for an 84 and 86, he was 65^th. His Warrior teammates tied for second overall in the team championship.

Waldorf heads to Sioux City, Iowa for the GPAC Championships at Dakota Dunes Country Club on April 20 and 21.

Lastly, Ayden Ross of Swift Current returned from injury to the Hannibal-Lagrange University Trojans lineup for the Kentucky Christian University Invitational at Hidden Cove Golf Course in Grayson, Kentucky on April 13 and 14.

The Elmwood Golf Club member competed for the Trojans ‘A’ team and shot rounds of 79 and 80, good enough for a solid 18^th place tie. The team was sixth.

Beginning on April 20, Ross and the Trojans are slated to be in Melbourne, Arkansas for the American Midwest Conference Championships at Cooper’s Hawk Golf Club.

The Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame announced seven inductees to the class of 2026 on Tuesday.

Included in the class is Otto Huber, a blind golfer that was inducted into the Saskatchewan Golf Hall of Fame in 2018.

Huber lost his eyesight in a hunting accident when he was 28 years old. He took up golf and quickly succeeded at it winning the Saskatchewan blind golfers’ tournament seven times between 1974 and 2007.

You can see much more regarding Huber’s impacts on the sport in his Hall of Fame biography.

Huber passed away in 2022 at the age of 90.

In most parts of Saskatchewan, it’s not yet golf weather, but registration is now open for the 2026 amateur championship season.

Golf Saskatchewan calendar looks like this:

Junior Championships | July 7/9 | Warman | The Legends Golf Club
Amateur Championships | July 14/17 | Kenosee Lake | Golf Kenosee
Senior & Men’s Mid Masters (40+) Championships | July 24/26 | Meadow Lake | Meadow Lake Golf Club
Women’s Rosebowl | Aug. 18/19 | Saskatoon | Greenbryre Golf & Country Club
Mixed Team Championship | Aug. 29/30 | Yorkton | Deer Park Golf Course
Champions Cup | Sept. 26 | Rosthern | Valley Regional Park Golf Course (Registration will open later this year for this event)

To see the full schedule and register click here.

How did you become a member of the PGA of Canada/Saskatchewan?

After playing Division 1 golf for the Florida Gators, professionally in mini tours, the Epson Tour (Symetra Tours when I played) and the Australian tour, I started coaching just for fun in 2020 and realized I loved it. I got in touch with someone at the PGA of Canada and sign up to work towards being a Class ‘A’ professional.

How many years have you been a golf professional?

A little over 11 years.

I was a touring/playing professional since 2015, and I became a PGA of Canada professional in 2021.

What is your favourite memory or most uplifting story from your time in the game of golf?

My favourite memory is when I got to play the LPGA’s Canadian Open. It was my LPGA debut and the first one ever held in Saskatchewan. I didn’t play my best, but it was the first time I realized that I could compete with the players on the LPGA Tour. 

One of the biggest things that held me back when I played professionally was that I knew I was really good, but on a world scale I didn’t have the belief that I was great. I had opportunities to experience playing “a level up” before actually getting to the next level; but when I played professionally, it took a long time to get into an LPGA event to see how I compared. It’s difficult to believe something if you haven’t seen proof, and I had played against LPGA players in Mini Tour events and beat them but it wasn’t enough. The LPGA as a whole was a pedestal that I had never been on. That week I saw that I could hit the shots they did, I could compete with the game I had. It was an awesome experience and I was quite nervous because this was a big step in my career.

I learned that putting dreams on a pedestal makes them feel out of reach even when you get so close. My mind got in the way of my success because I hadn’t adjusted my goals high enough to reflect the things I had already achieved. It showed me that continually striving for higher and higher goals can open up endless possibilities if you’re open to them.

I still set ambitious goals for myself in all aspects of my life; I am happier and more fulfilled continually striving to be better. I would have never learned how to push and change the limits of my mind without this experience.   

If you had the opportunity to speak to the entire province at once, how would you encourage more females to take up the sport of golf?

Sign up for a few lessons to get the basics. Golf is hard even when you know what to do, so taking to time and investment of at least one lesson could make a big difference in your enjoyment. 

Countless people tell me after they’ve had one lesson that they wish they took a it sooner because it made the game so much more enjoyable. If you don’t want to go alone, find a friend and book one!

Have fun however you have fun with golf! People love golf for a wide range of different reasons and all are valid.

Arguably Saskatchewan’s greatest golfer, Graham DeLaet is giving back to his hometown once again.

Back in 2016, the Graham and Ruby DeLaet Foundation contributed $30,000 to the Weyburn and District Hospital Foundation (WDHF) as the city continues to construct a new facility.

This week the WDHF announced on Facebook that the DeLaet’s have donated another $100,000 to the cause.

The DeLaet’s created their foundation in 2014. The new hospital in Weyburn to replace the current 70-year-old facility will open later this year.

To read more, click on this article courtesy DiscoverWeyburn.

The trio of Luke Cote, Will Blake, and Carter Bell and the Southern Arkansas University (SAU) Muleriders were in Mayetta, Kansas on April 6 and 7 for the Firekeeper Open at Firekeeper Golf Course.

Bell led the locals with a tie for 41^st place at 224 (76, 74, 74). Cote tied for 66^th with a 54 hole score of 229 (77, 76, 76), and Blake, who competed as an individual was 84^th after rounds of 78, 77, and 79.

The Muleriders were 15^th in the team competition. SAU’s next tournament is the Great American Conference Championships in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma from April 18 to 21.

Carter Degelman of Saskatoon was on the course in Sonoma, California on April 6 and 7 competing for Dominican University of California. He opened with 75 at the Sonoma Golf Club, shot 81 in round two and 80 in the third and final round to conclude the Dominican Spring Invitational in 30^th place. The Penguins were fourth out of seven schools competing.

On April 13 and 14 Degelman and Dominican will be in Turlock, California for the Hanny Stanislaus Invitational at the Turlock Golf and Country Club.

Swift Current native Makstyr McIntyre and the Wheeling University Cardinals were in action this week. In Wheeling, West Virginia at Oglebay Resort on April 7 and 8 McIntyre posted rounds of 76 and 75 to leave him tied for 42^nd.

Competing for Wheeling’s ‘B’ team, they were 10^th out of 17 schools. Wheeling’s top team was fifth.

The Cardinals will travel to Indiana, Pennsylvania for the IUP Invitational on April 14 and 15 for their next tournament. Fellow Saskatchewanian Alex Swinnerton will also be in the event.

Saskatoon’s Anthony Pesenti played in two one day events this week with Waldorf University. The Riverside Country Club member was in Boone, Iowa for the DMACC Spring Invitational on April 6 at Cedar Pointe Golf Course. He carded a round of 92 which was 28^th overall. Pesenti was playing as an individual, the Warriors team was fourth.

From there, Waldorf traveled to Oskaloosa, Iowa for the Spring Statesmen Invitational at Edmunson Golf Course. Pesenti, again competing as an individual scored better shooting 83, good enough for a tie for 26^th in a larger field of 56 players.

The Warriors team faired much better too taking second place in the team competition. On April 12 and 13 Waldorf will play in the Loras Invitational in Dubuque, Iowa.

Justin Miller of Saskatoon also had a one day event this week with Southwestern Community College (SCC). The Spartans are coming off a team win at their last tournament. This week at Glen Oaks Country Club in West Des Moines, Iowa SCC was seventh. Miller played as an individual and placed tied for 35^th with an 83.

The Spartans are in Fort Dodge, Iowa for the Iowa Central Spring Invitational on April 10 and 11 at Fort Dodge Country Club.