Young Regina golfer Autumn Neiszner enjoyed the CP Women’s Open at her own course but she definitely evolved on the summer on the course.

Neiszners’ year that included a career low at the Maple Leaf National event in Phoenix, Arizona.

A recap of her year is the sixth most engaging story of the season.

Yorkton’s Ella Kozak has plenty of experience already competing in junior tournaments around the prairies but in 2018 she took her competitive spirit to a new level.

The 12-year-old Deer Park Municipal Golf Course member entered into the 100th Saskatchewan Women’s Amateur Championship placing fifth overall and landing a spot at the national championship.

Kozak’s story on her venture into the women’s event was our number seven story of the year.

The Wakaw Lake Golf Course has had their share of water issues over the past few years but using spring run off to their advantage rather than combating the annual flow has worked wonders on the nine hole track.

We spoke with superintendent Dean Hildebrandt in July regarding the plans and how the renovations have turned out.

The story seen here, was our eighth most engaging post of the year.

Regina’s Will Blake had a tremendous season on the course taking the under-15 Order of Merit (OMT) championship as well as the bantam division title at the Saskatchewan Junior Boy’s Championship back in July.

The Royal Regina Golf Club member’s season is the ninth top story of 2018. You can see it here.

On route to the women’s Order of Merit (OMT) championship this year, Saskatoon’s Kim Brown won her second straight Lobstick in Waskesiu.

Our coverage of Brown’s victory was the 10th most read story of 2018 on our website.

Click here to read more on her victory.

A man from Virden, Manitoba who attended the CP Women’s Open in Regina along with his wife and his employer is receiving an extra special Christmas gift this year.

Doug and Michele Wright have won the 50/50 daw worth $28,117.50 after their winning ticket was drawn on Aug. 26, the final day of the championship at the Wascana Golf and Country Club. Tracking down the winner took some time but Golf Saskatchewan, who will benefit from the other half of the jackpot has finalized all the details to get the funds to the Wright family. Doug said he’s still in shock from receiving the phone call.

“It’s amazing, of course I mentioned it to my kids and they pretty much have it spent,” he laughed. “I said you aren’t spending any of it until I actually see it and know it’s for sure.”

The Wright’s attended the event from Manitoba with Doug’s company who had a VIP section next to the 18^th green. He said attending a professional golf event was something him and his wife of 32 years had always wanted to do. The couple, both avid golfers in Virden were both impressed with the event even without the win fall.

“We didn’t realize how much we’d enjoy it,” he said. “We’ve never been to anything like this, but it was very well organized. It was nice to see Brooke Henderson win it all too.”

Wright purchased his 50/50 ticket while walking the course and venturing away from the corporate tents along the final hole. The long-time golfer said he was impressed by the talent of the field in Saskatchewan’s capital.

“I’ve been golfing for a long time and I’m a bogey golfer at best but, it’s so routine for the LPGA players. They hit their drives, never in trouble, then they hit their second shot and I’m doing a cart wheel if I hit the green, but these ladies expect to be within 10 to 15 feet of the pin,” Wright said.

The 50/50 jackpot was a cherry on top of the experience the Wright’s took in. The tricky part now is deciding what to with the winnings. Doug said their three kids and four grandchildren have a few ideas.

“The kids were thinking we could go on a family vacation, so it might go to that or it might just be me and Michele going south and doing some golfing. I’m sure they will accept anything we graciously hand out so we will see what happens,” he said.

Golf Saskatchewan is benefitting, more importantly, junior golf in the province will see half the funds directed their way. Wright said that makes the ticket purchase a win-win proposition.

“I am so glad I bought it, I’m a golfer and I’m glad this will help with the junior programs. Keep up the good work because this was a great event,” he said.

This season was a “challenging” year for the Royal Regina Golf Club (RRGC) but there was some highlights and a historic tournament will write another chapter for the province’s oldest course next summer.

RRGC General Manager Dean Brown said, like most courses in the southern half of the province the past season was plagued with poor weather and tough conditions. Brown said with the Royal Regina being a private member club the green fees were there, but other departments of the club were hit hard.

“We aren’t quite at risk like a daily fee club because there are prepaid memberships so from that standpoint that revenue is fixed, and you are okay that way. The daily sales, the food and beverage sales, all that stuff you count on, that takes a hit when you drop 4,000 to 5,000 rounds because of weather. It’s such a short season, you don’t get it back in the fall,” Brown said.

In late September the RRGC hosted the eighth Saskatchewan Golf Hall of Fame induction gala. Brown and Royal Regina member Kirk McGregor were members of the induction class. Brown said the induction was a memorable night for them and the club.

“For me it was, I know Kirk had his hip replaced and didn’t play much golf this year but for both of us that was a great honour and a lot of fun. I think for both of us it was the highlight of the year for sure,” he said.

The club is turning their focus to 2019 and has locked down hosting a monumental event for Golf Saskatchewan. The 100^th Senior Men’s and Mid-Master’s Championship will be played at the course along with the 56 Saskatchewan Senior Women’s Championship. The course hosted the 100^th Amateur Men’s Championship as well. Brown said the RRGC is honoured to welcome the province’s top senior players.

“Our golf course is a good fit for that with our demographic,” he said. “Getting it in it’s 100^th anniversary and being the oldest club in the province is a cool thing, it seemed like a good match so we’re excited to get it.”

The announcement that the Royal Regina was hosting the event was made during this past season’s senior tournament at Golf Kenosee. The participants playing that event were buzzing following the news. Brown said that’s great to hear players are excited for the historic championship.

“We’ve heard it from a lot of our members too that say they are going to play that haven’t in the past. I’m excited for it, it should be a fun week,” he said.

The course layout will play well for both the men and women according to Brown. He said the RRGC amenities will be well received by the players as well.

“We have one of the best chefs in the city here, they will get treated to a dinner or two and some breakfasts, it will be a good event. The golf course will be a challenge for the players. The women will get the shorter tee, but they still have the same amount of trouble. The weather will dictate how thick the rough and that can be a little more of a challenge for the ladies,” he said.

The provincial championships will run from Aug. 6 – 8. Registration will be open in April.

National spots will be on the line in both championships, the Canadian Women’s Mid-Amateur and Senior Championship will take place in Osoyoos, British Columbia. The Canadian Men’s Senior Championship will be held at Cedar Brae Golf Club in Scarborough. Ontario.

Joey Savoie of La Prairie, Que. and Maddie Szeryk, a London, Ont., resident, have been recognized as Canada’s top male and female amateur golfers for 2018 as Golf Canada announced the final standings for its National Orders of Merit.

The 2018 season marks the fourth straight year that Maddie Szeryk has finished atop the women’s National Order of Merit. The 22-year-old recorded back-to-back collegiate victories this season for the Texas A&M Aggies at the Bruzzy Challenge and Dale McNamara Invitational. The wins were part of a season which saw Szeryk collect 11 top- 10 NCAA finishes. She concluded her season with a runner-up performance at the prestigious Women’s Porter Cup. Szeryk recently turned professional and will compete on the Symetra Tour in 2019.

Calgary’s Jaclyn Lee finished second on the National Order of Merit. In 2018, the 21-year-old standout posted two collegiate victories for Ohio State while adding four other top 10 results for the Buckeyes. Lee, who recently turned professional, made noise with a semi-finalist appearance at the Ladies British Amateur and quarter-finalist showing at the U.S. Women’s Amateur. Lee also had success in the pro ranks, placing in a tie for 35th at the LPGA’s Meijer Classic.

Brigitte Thibault of Rosemère, Que., finished third on the Order of Merit. Thibault collected three top-10 finishes as a member of the Fresno State Bulldogs, including a runner-up finish at the UNLV Collegiate Showdown. She added top-10 results at the Women’s Western, North & South and Quebec Amateur. Thibault was recently named to Team Canada’s National Amateur Squad.

Savoie claims top spot in the men’s National Order of Merit ranking after an impressive season highlighted by winning both individual and team honours at the Tailhade Cup in Argentina. The Middle Tennessee graduate also notched top-five results at the Argentine Amateur, Azalea Invitational, St. Andrews Links Trophy and Duke of Kent. Savoie finished T19 at the 2018 Canadian Men’s Amateur and medaled at the U.S. Amateur Qualifier in Lexington, Ky. Savoie was recently named to Team Canada’s National Amateur Squad.

Henry Lee, 20, of Coquitlam, B.C., finished second on the Order of Merit thanks in part to earning four top-20 NCAA finishes for the University of Washington, as well as a top 10 result at the Canadian Men’s Amateur.

Charles Corner, 22, of Cayuga, Ont., rounded out the top three after recording three top-five NCAA finishes for the UTEP Miners.

Future Links, driven by Acura Junior Order of Merit

On the Future Links, driven by Acura National Junior Order Merit, Matthew Anderson of Mississauga, Ont., and Céleste Dao of Notre-Dame-de-l’Île-Perrot, Que., took home top honours in their respective divisions.

Anderson, 18, tallied six top-10 results this season, including an impressive T6 finish at the Canadian Junior Boys Championship. The Team Ontario member also captured Golf Ontario’s Junior Spring Classic and finished T28 at the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship.

Rounding out the top three on the Future Links, driven by Acura Junior Boys Order of Merit are Laurent Desmarchais (17) of Longueil, Que., and Cam Kellett (19) of London, Ont. Desmarchais was recently named to Team Canada’s National Junior Squad.

Dao topped the junior girl’s Order of Merit for a second consecutive year after a remarkable rookie campaign with Team Canada’s National Junior Squad. The 17-year-old was in the winner’s circle three times in 2018, including a three-stroke victory at the Canadian Junior Girls Championship. The Notre-Dame-de-l’Île-Perrot, Que., product also qualified for the U.S. Women’s Open and won the Mexican Junior and Quebec Junior Championships. Dao had success on the international scene as well, collecting a 5th place finish at the Toyota Junior Golf World Cup in Japan. She led the Canadians at the 2018 World Junior Girls Championship in Ottawa with a 5th place finish.

Finishing runner-up behind Dao is 14-year-old Emily Zhu of Thornhill, Ont., while Ellie Szeryk (17) of London, Ont., rounded out the top three. Both Zhu and Szeryk were selected to the 2019 Team Canada National Junior Squad.

Golf Canada’s National Orders of Merit are used to identify and give recognition to top-performing amateur golfers from across Canada. They also provide an objective national ranking system, enabling Canada’s top players to compare themselves to counterparts across Canada.

Golf Canada also uses the National Order of Merit to assist with the Team Canada player selection and International event player selection process. For full Order of Merit standings and a points breakdown, please visit www.golfcanada.ca/nationalordersofmerit/

The following are top-10 National Order of Merit finishers from each respective division:

National Men’s Order of Merit

National Women’s Order of Merit

National Junior Boys Order of Merit driven by Acura

National Junior Girls Order of Merit driven by Acura

Hometown member Rick Hallberg claimed the Senior Men’s Provincial Championship this past season at Golf Kenosee, now the south Saskatchewan course will focus on a more laid-back event in 2019.

The 21^st annual Saskatchewan Mixed Team Championship will be held at Kenosee on Aug. 24 and 25, 2019. Golf Kenosee Operations Manager Cheryl Dubois said the mixed event will be a great fit for their tournament schedule.

“We are very excited to be able to host the mixed provincials and once again showcase Golf Kenosee,” she told Golf Saskatchewan via email. “We have hosted many Golf Saskatchewan events over the years, but the mixed event is our favourite. The format makes for some interesting golf shots for the participants. We like the more relaxed feeling this tournament has, and the players always have such a good time.”

Golf Kenosee offers tight tree lines, differing elevations, and countless penalty areas over their picturesque 18 holes. The track will likely be set up somewhat simpler than what the senior and mid-master men faced this past season. Dubois said Golf Kenosee provides one of the most intriguing rounds in the province for golfers.

“The course is cut out of the forest and every hole is unique which is what makes it so interesting. There are scenic vistas everywhere and most people comment that you would never know that you are in Saskatchewan. One of the competitors last year said hole one was the scariest tee shots he has ever hit with all the spectators watching,” she said.

The format of the mixed event is unique and provides entertainment over the 36 holes. Each player tees off, the teammates proceed to their partners ball and plays it to the green. Once on the green, the teams decide which ball to hit with alternating shots until that ball is holed. Ian Larocque and Kathy Ziglo won the event at Elk Ridge Resort and Golf this past season.

Dubois said the clubhouse will add to the participants’ experience by providing quality food and beverages during the two-day event as well.

“Club 19 is a wonderful restaurant with spectacular views of both number one and Kenosee Lake. We renovated and expanded our deck and it is fun to sit out there and enjoy a fabulous meal while watching everybody tee off the number one hole,” she said.

Registration for the championship will open in April.

“The Rink” fan experience named “Best in Class Element” in 2018

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FLORIDA – The RBC Canadian Open was recently honoured at the PGA TOUR’s Tournament Meetings thanks to the success of its fan experience “The Rink”, earning a TOUR award for “Best in Class Element.”

“On behalf of the PGA TOUR, I am pleased to congratulate the RBC Canadian Open for this special recognition,” said PGA TOUR Chief Tournaments and Competitions Officer Andy Pazder. “The tournament committee should be extremely proud of its hard work and innovation in making the tournament the best among its peers on TOUR.”

For the past two years, the RBC Canadian Open transformed the par-3 seventh hole at Glen Abbey Golf Club into “The Rink,” a fan experience combining Canada’s most popular pastimes – golf and hockey. The area was modelled after an ice hockey rink, complete with hockey boards lining the hole, upgraded bleachers and viewing decks, while featuring marshals dressed as referees. A net, puck and sticks were available for PGA TOUR players to test their hockey skills as part of Wednesday’s Championship Pro-Am. In addition, several Team RBC Olympians and NHL players also made visits to “The Rink” throughout tournament week to greet fans, take photos and sign autographs.

“From the beginning we felt integrating ‘The Rink’ into our Canadian-themed activation made a lot of sense and was a perfect extension of the fan experience at the RBC Canadian Open,” said Matt McGlynn, Vice-President, Brand Marketing, RBC. “This recognition by the PGA TOUR is a testament to the hard work of everyone involved with the RBC Canadian Open, including fans, players, event volunteers, organizers and partners. Thanks to Golf Canada and the PGA TOUR for working with us to bring this Canadian tribute to life.”

Golf Canada, organizers of the RBC Canadian Open, credited the award to RBC and the collaboration between all event stakeholders.

“Feedback on ‘The Rink’ has been overwhelmingly positive and we are extremely proud that it’s been embraced as an institutional centrepoint for fan, player and partner engagement at the RBC Canadian Open,” said Bryan Crawford, RBC Canadian Open Tournament Director. “Our partners, led by RBC, Steam Whistle, Levelwear and Golf Town, have brought the area to life and we’ve got great momentum heading to Hamilton Golf & Country Club in 2019 with this signature activation.”

The 2019 RBC Canadian Open, headlined by defending champion and Team RBC member Dustin Johnson, will be held at Hamilton Golf and Country Club, June 3-9.

The new early June date begins an exciting new chapter for Canada’s National Open Championship. Fans attending will witness unforgettable golf, top-notch activities for all ages including ‘The Rink’, hip local food and patio experiences, plus new event features soon to be announced.

Get your tickets today to kick-off summer at one of Canada’s premier sporting experiences – www.rbccanadianopen.com/tickets.

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To view all winners announced during the PGA TOUR Tournament Meetings, click here.