Three Saskatchewan student athletes had their collegiate seasons end this week at the NCAA Div. II National Championship in Winter Garden, Flo.

Estevan product Jace Carlisle saw his college career at Post University come to an end at the championship that ran from May 21 to 23. The TS&M Woodlawn staffer shot 74, 76, and 75 for a 54-hole total of 225. That left the Post University senior in a tie for 91^st. The Eagles as a w team were 20^th.

Golf Saskatchewan will hear from Carlisle following his travel home to Estevan following graduation. He will be returning to the United States in the fall for Grad School at Minot State University. Carlisle will join the Beavers golf team as he has a year left of eligibility.

Saskatoon’s Alex Swinnerton and fellow Waskesiu junior graduate Guillermo Salazar were also in the field at the Orange County National Golf Centre competing for Indianna University of Pennsylvania (IUP). Swinnerton opened with a 75 before posting a 71 in round two and 74 on the final day for a total of 220. He tied for 65^th. Salazar, a Calgary resident, posted rounds of 76, 77, and 70 for a score of 223, tied for 83^rd. The Crimson Hawks team was 18^th.

The winner of the championship was Wyatt Provence of West Texas A&M, he was 12-under par.

The next collegiate event is June 3 to 6, that is the Canadian University/College Championships in Sudbury, Ont.

The route to college golf is different for everyone, including Deer Valley’s Cole Obrigewitsch who recently graduated from California State University – San Bernardino.

After graduating from Lumsden High School in 2017 and a standout junior career, Obrigewitsch didn’t have interest in college golf, so he went to Moose Jaw for post secondary education. It was his good friend and fellow collegiate player Noah Kozak that tipped Obrigewitsch off about Reedley College, where Obrigewitsch played two years before moving up to the NCAA Div. II level with the Coyotes until last week’s graduation.

Upon returning from California, Obrigewitsch spoke with Golf Saskatchewan about his choice to take the junior college route, making the jump, and what’s next with the work-golf balance.

Chloe Wills is the new owner of the Elmwood Golf Club’s women’s course record after posting a 69 in the final round of the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT) Spring Classic this past weekend.

The Kyle product and member at Saskatchewan Landing Golf Resort posted the record-breaking round on Victoria Day leading to a win in the 15 to 19 women’s category. Wills shot 80 in round one, and 79 during the second round before going three-under par over the final 18 holes to take the championship by 13 shots.

In second was Swift Current’s Niya Friesen, she finished at 241 (83,79,79), Camrose, Alta. golfer Jayla Kucy was third at 244 thanks to rounds of 84, 83, and 77.

In the under-15 women’s division, it was Calgary’s Sela Ogada taking the win, edging Saskatoon Grace Odnokon by a single stroke. Odnokon opened the 54-hole event with an 80, she followed that with a 71 on day two, the Saskatoon Golf and Country Club member finished with an 83, just missing out on the win with a score of 234.

Just three peewee boys were in the event, Oscar Gosgnach was the winner shooting 225, Regina’s Jun Lee was second at 234 (76,73,85), Kellen Hunter of Casa Rio, Sask. was third at 283.

Winning the bantam boys’ category was Chase Strang of Airdrie, Alta. The top Saskatchewan player in the under-15 age group was Austin Nesbitt of Pilot Butte. The 12-year-old was just three strokes back of the winner despite being two years younger. Nesbitt was very consistent on the weekend, going 75, 73, 75, tying for third at 223.

Lucas Sturgeon of Saskatoon rounded out the top-five at 225 (82,73,70).

Alberta golfers took the juvenile and junior age groups at the event as well.

Jalen Apedoe of Calgary took the juvenile (under-17) and overall title with a score of 215. The top juvenile from Saskatchewan was Aricin Franklin of Saskatoon who shot 229 (80,77,72), 14 back of the champion.

Two other Bridge City players rounded out the top five of th,e division, Oliver Matyczuk was fourth at 233 (71,77,85) and Jack Maharaj was fifth at 234 (85,73,76).

Strathmore’s Parker Riou won the junior group in a playoff with Zaiden Dennis of Calgary after both players shot 226 over the three rounds.

Weyburn’s Darien Herlick was in the hunt, tying for third at 227, just a stroke back.

Myles Johnson of Martensville was seventh at 231.

The full results can be seen here.

The Saskatchewan Junior Order of Merit (OMT) standings have been updated, to see the rankings after two events, click here.

The next event on the Junior OMT is the MJT Maui Jim Series at Wildwood Golf Course in Saskatoon on June 1 and 2.

Hidden Hills of Shellbrook, a nine-hole gen in north-central Saskatchewan has caught the eye of Golf Canada for the amazing year the club had in 2023.

According to data collected from the Golf Canada Score Centre, Hidden Hills had the most rounds recorded last year for nine-hole courses in Saskatchewan. Board President Brad Helm said the news that CEO Laurence Applebaum and the staff at the national organization were impressed with the numbers pushed through was a pleasant surprise.

“I guess the biggest thing, it makes me have some pride for our community and our club,” Helm told Golf Saskatchewan. “To see everybody enjoys coming out and playing and taking pride that we have a really nice course and enjoy coming out.”

Four nine-hole clubs in Saskatchewan posted over 20,000 rounds last season, Hidden Hills led the way with a whopping 26,845 posted. In 2022 that number was just over 20,000. Helm credited the entire Shellbrook and Prince Albert area for the course’s growth and traffic through out the season.

“We have pretty good local base of communities that come out and play this course. The locals like coming to hang out and use the course. I consider it in good shape, it’s a fun nine-hole course to come play,” he added.

Applebaum was impressed with the small town’s commitment to the game, and once hearing about the large number of rounds the national organization sent a Golf Canada gift package to the club. Golf Saskatchewan delivered the package on May 12.

Helm was appreciative of the notion that will likely be used as prizes for their numerous leagues or club events.

Not only was Shellbrook one of the busiest courses in the province the last couple years, but the increase in rounds has also been steady since the club recorded under 10,000 in 2017. Helm said work travels fast and the community is proud of what they have and the people that play the course.

“Other people hear, you know, come out and play Shellbrook,” Helm said. “I think that’s a wildfire, it just takes off and more people want to come out and try it. Then they decide to become members even. They will commute from Prince Albert or from different areas to be a member of this course. It’s kind of nice to see.”

The 2024 Saskatchewan Junior Order of Merit Tour (OMT) is underway following this past weekend’s Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT) event in Estevan.

TS&M Woodlawn Golf Club hosted over 70 players on May 11 and 12 for the 36-hole event.

In the 15 to 19 year-old girl’s category Ella Kozak of Yorkton was champion shooting rounds of 72 and 81 for a two-day total of 153.

Tayla Perry of Regina was second at 160 after the Wascana Country Club member carded back-to-back rounds of 80. Chloe Wills from Kyle was third, three shots back of Perry at 163 (82,81).

Yuna Lee was the lone competitor in the under-15 girl’s division. The Royal Regina Golf Club junior shot 93 and 89.

In the peewee boy’s division, Jun Lee was the champion with a score of 143. The 11-year-old posted rounds of 72 and 71 to take the age group by 13 shots.

Keaton Kreklewich of Melville was second at 156 (79,77), Lloydminster golfer Cooper Roberge was third at 181 (91,90).

Lucas Sturgeon of Saskatoon took home the bantam championship edging Shae Maunula of North Battleford in the under-15 age group.

Sturgeon shot 75 and 70, Maunula carded rounds of 73 and 74, giving Sturgeon the opening win of the year. Pilot Butte’s Austin Nesbitt posted scores of 78 and 76 to place third. Tylan Wallin of Humboldt was fourth at 155 (79,76).

Ethan Hunter of Casa Rio started his season with a win in the juvenile boy’s division. The Saskatoon Golf and Country Club member posted 73 on day one and a 77 in round two to win by three shots over fellow Saskatonian Aricin Franklin (79,74).

Another Bridge City player, Brady Guenther was third at 156 thanks to back-to-back rounds of 78, Gray’s Wyatt Frei was fourth at 157 (75,82), Ayden Ross of Swift Current rounded out the top-five at 158 with identical 79’s on the card.

Brandon, Man. Product Zostrianos Giordani-Gross took the overall boy’s title and the junior division with a 36-hole score of 149 (76,73).

Swift Current and Rocky Mountain College commit Makstyr McIntyre and Brayden Skene of Martensville tied for second place at 151.

Weyburn’s Darien herlick started his summer with a 153 (74,79) taking fourth place, Brody Sawchyn of Saskatoon picked up a top five finish with a score of 154 (79,75).

The complete results can be seen here. To see the updated 2024 OMT standings click here.

The next event on the schedule is the MJT Spring Classic in Swift Current at Elmwood Golf Club on May 18 to 20.

(All images courtesy Jeff Chambers)

For the second time in their collegiate careers, Jace Carlisle, Alex Swinnerton, and Guillermo Salazar will compete at the NCAA DII National Golf Championships later this month.

For Carlisle, the Estevan product will conclude his college career at Post University with another shot at a national title thanks to a fifth place team finish at the Atlantic/East Regionals in Wheeling, W.V. on May 9 to 11 at Speidel Jones Course.

Carlisle opened the 54-hole event with an 83 in round one, but the TS&M Woodlawn Golf Club staffer answered with a 72 on day two, followed by 75 on the final round. Carlisle tied for 41^st overall, the team was fifth, that secured a trip to Winter Garden, Flo. for the national tournament from May 21 to 25.

Also heading to Orange County National in Florida for the championship is Saskatoon’s Alex Swinnerton and fellow Waskesiu junior Guillermo Salazar and Indianna University of Pennsylvania (IUP). The Crimson Hawks punched their ticket to Florida with a fourth place team finish in Wheeling at the same regional Post was at.

Salazar led the way for IUP with a sixth place performance on the weekend. The Calgary resident shot 7, 69, and 71 to finish at 218, seven strokes behind the winner. Swinnerton was tied for 19^th at 223 (76, 75, 72).

This is the second consecutive year going to nationals for the Crimson Hawks.

Deer Valley’s Cole Obrigewitsch was also chasing a national DII spot with California State University San Bernardino this past weekend, but unfortunately the Coyotes fell short and Obrigewitsch’s college career is over.

Competing at the NCAA Central/West Regional in Las Cruces, N.M. at the University Golf Course, Obrigewitsch and the Coyotes team placed 14^th. He started sluggish with an 82 in round one, but the Deer Valley Golf and Estates member improved to 74 on day two and fired a 70 in his last college round. Overall Obrigewitsch was tied for 78^th.

Golf Saskatchewan will hear from Obrigewitsch later this week to cap his collegiate career.

The rookie season for Regina’s Hallie Crozier is over as well at Ferris State. The Bulldogs wrapped up their spring season on May 8 at the Prairie View Golf Club in Carmel, Ind. for the NCAA DII East Regional.  

Crozier tied for 53^rd in the event with the team placing in a tie for seventh missing out on a national bid. Crozier carded rounds of 80, 88, and 79 for a three round total of 247.

Austin Nesbitt has another podium finish on the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT) as the first Saskatchewan event nears.

On May 4 and 5 at the Kildonan Park Golf Course in the Manitoba capital, the Pilot Butte Junior was second in the bantam (under-15) age group with a 36-hole score of 149 after rounds of 78 and 71. The Wascana Country Club member was just three shots off the leader.

Nesbitt placed third at an MJT event in Lethbridge in late April.

Also in the field in Winnipeg was Warman’s Tina and Kevin Liu.

Tina was fourth in the 15-19 girls category with a score of 202 (100, 102) while Kevin was 11th in the bantam boys group after rounds of 96 and 95.

The first Saskatchewan MJT event will also open the Junior Order of Merit Tour season on May 11 and 12 in Estevan at TS&M Woodlawn Golf Club.

To register, click here.

The 2024 Saskatchewan Summer Games will be held in Lloydminster this summer with the Lloydminster Golf and Curling Centre being the host of the golf championships.

Nine district qualifiers will be held around the province before the Games begin on July 21. Teams will consist of three females and three males, a manager, and a coach. Players must be under 17 years of age as of the final day of the 2024 Canadian Junior Girls and Junior Boys Championships. The date for females is July 25, for the males it’s Aug. 16.

The Saskatchewan Summer Games golf championships will be a 72-hole, four day competition running from July 21 to 24.

Each qualifier will be an 18-hole, one day event. Players do not need to be Golf Saskatchewan members, but if a player does qualify for their district that player will need to become a member and have a valid Handicap Index. The Saskatoon qualifier will be hosted by The Willows Club and will be combined with the course’s Saskatoon Junior Open. Scores from Saturday’s round will be used to choose the Saskatoon qualifiers.

The dates and locations are as follows:

• Regina (Joanne Goulet Golf Course) | June 1
• Southwest (Chinook Golf Course, Swift Current) | June 9
• Southeast (TS&M Woodlawn Golf Club, Estevan) | June 8
• Rivers West (Lloydminster Golf and Curling Centre, Lloydminster) | June 8
• Parkland Valley (Deer Park Municipal Golf Course, Yorkton) | June 9
• Northern (Eagle Point Resort, La Ronge) | June 9
• Saskatoon (The Willows Club) | June 22
• Prairie Central (Humboldt Golf Club, Humboldt) | June 23
• Lakeland (Cooke Municipal Golf Course, Prince Albert) | July 7

Participants will pay their fees at the golf course on the day of their respective tryout, the deadline to register for each event is 10 days prior to the date.

To register click here.

If anyone is interested in becoming a team manager or coach contact Golf Saskatchewan Executive Director Brian Lee at Blee@golfsaskatchewan.org.

The Minot State University (MSU) Beavers spring golf season is over, so are the years for Holly Knudsen and Chase Gedak.

Knudsen and the women’s team was in Smithville, Mo. for the NSIC Championship at Paradise Pointe – Outlaw from April 26 to 28. The Chaplin product carried the number one bag for the team and was the lowest Beaver tying for 21^st. Knudsen shot 85 in round one, bounced back nicely with a 77 on day two, and finished with an 83 for a 54-hole total of 245.

The team was ninth overall.

Gedak has had a strong finish to his season with the Beavers men’s team after transferring from the University of Arkansas at Monticello. Coming off a tie for fifth (78,73) at the Augustana Spring Invitational on April 8 and 9 in Sioux Falls, S.D. at Elmwood Golf Course, the Estevan product’s top-notch play continued at the NSIC Championship from April 19 to 21 at Adams Pointe Golf Club in Blue Springs, Mo.

Also leading the team into the event, Gedak went 75, 73, and 72 for a three-round score of 220, that left him in eighth place overall. MSU was ninth as a team in the season concluding championship.

Both Knudsen and Gedak are expected to return to the Beavers in the fall.

Will Danielson’s junior season along with Davin Karst’s freshman campaign at Milsaps College are over.

The Majors were in Dickson, Tex. for the SAA Conference Championship from April 26 to 28 at Greystone Golf Club.

Saskatoon’s Danielson carded rounds of 77, 76, and 81, at 234 he was 39^th. Karst opened with an 80, responded with a 74 in the middle round, and an 84 on the final day. The Assiniboia product was 42^nd.

The team was sixth. Teammate Preston Severs tied for third and now awaits a chance at the national event.

Colby Friedrich of Battleford was in action this week in Victoria, Tex. at the Victoria Country Club for the University of Providence Argos at the Red River and Frontier Conference Championship. Friedrich led the team and had his best result with the school. After opening with an 81, the North Battleford Golf & Country Club member shot back-to-back 77’s for a 54-hole total of 235. Tying for 22^nd.

The team ended their season with a ninth-place finish.

More regionals will be played next week with several student-athletes still chasing national spots.

The Canadian University/College Championships will take place June 3.

The collegiate golf career for TJ Baker has come to an end.

The Prince Albert product and summer staffer at Waskesiu Golf Course wrapped up his career at the University of Arkansas at Monticello last week at the Great America Conference Tournament with a solid tie for 22nd place.

Although Baker wasn’t able to collect a collegiate win with the Weevils, the Carlton Comprehensive High School graduate was a steady force in the UAM men’s golf lineup weekly, many times leading the team at events across the southern United States.

Baker received his degree in Finance and Marketing and will graduate after a couple finals this week.

He spoke with Golf Saskatchewan about his career, what he’d do differently, and what is next personally, and in golf.