The Synergy 8 group in Saskatoon has announced Canadian golfer Adam Hadwin will headline the 2024 Drive for Kids lineup on Sept. 5 at The Willows Club and Prairieland Park.

The event will be the 15th anniversary for the Community Builders group that has used world-renowned golfers as their headliners for years, in more recent years the group has focused on Canadian golfers that have risen to stardom in recent years including Nick Taylor last year fresh of his RBC Canadian Open victory.

The golf tournament is nearing a sellout, dinner tickets are available as well, all the details can be found here.

Golf Saskatchewan spoke with Synergy 8 member Troy Davies following the announcement.

Holly Knudsen put together a top-20 performance for the Minot State University (MSU) Beavers on March 11 and 12 at the Southwest Minnesota State Spring Classic in Litchfield, Az. at the Wigwam Golf Course.

The resident of Chaplin posted an opening round score of 83 before rebounding with a solid 76 during round two. She finished in 19^th place; the Beavers team was 10^th.

The MSU men’s golf team was in action March 4 and 5 in Goodyear, Az. for the Maverick Desert Classic at Palm Valley Golf Club. Chase Gedak of Estevan led the team with a 38^th place finish after rounds of 79 and 74.

The Beavers team was 11^th. The next event for the Beavers women’s team is the MWSA Holiday Inn Express Spring Invitational at St. Joseph Country Club in St. Joseph, Mo. and men’s team will compete at the NSIC Preview at Adams Pointe Golf Club in Blue Springs, Mo. On March 25 and 26.

Hallie Crozier of Regina opened her spring season for Ferris State University in Orange Park, Flo. on March 8 and 9 at the Sacred Heart Spring Break Invite. Crozier shot 75 in round one and 84 in the second round at the Eagle Harbor Golf Club. The Bulldogs team was fifth.

The team traveled to Georgetown, Ky. on the weekend (March 16 – 17) for the SVSU Spring Invitational at Cherry Blossom Golf Course. The team placed second overall while Crozier tied for 17^th at 158 (77,81).

The Bulldogs concluded their busy March schedule with the Findlay Spring Invitational in Lexington, Ky. on March 18 and 19. In the 54-hole event at Boone’s Trace National Golf Club Crozier shot 87, 84, and 82 leaving her in 67^th place.

The Bulldogs were 11^th as a team, next up is the Indianapolis Invitational in Laconia, Ind. on April 1 and 2.

North of the border at Cordova Bay Golf Course in Victoria, B.C., Myles Johnson of Martensville and Max Regier of Saskatoon were in action. Johnson, competing for the University of Victoria at the Vikes Shootout on March 18 and 19. Johnson placed ninth, after an opening round of 77, he bounced back nicely with a 70 in round two to finish at 5-over par.

Regier tied for 11^th as he continued competing for the University of British Columbia Okanagan Heat. The Riverside Country Club member went 73 and 77 to finish at 8-over par.

Johnson’s team was fourth, Regier’s team placed fifth. The Vikes are scheduled to be in Bullhead City, Az. for the Battle at Laughlin Ranch on March 25 and 26. For the UBCO Heat they will prepare for the University/College Championship in Sudbury, Ont. from June 3 to 6.

Alex Swinnerton led the Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) golf team to a seventh place finish at the Ralph Hargett Memorial Intercollegiate this week in Monroe, N.C. Playing at Rolling Hills Country Club, the Crimson Hawks opened their spring season as Swinnerton posted rounds of 74, 71, and 74 to lead the team with a score of 219.

Calgary product and Waskesiu junior graduate Guillermo Salazar also competes for IUP, he shot 75 in round one, 82 in round two, and 75 in the third and final round to place tied for 63^rd.

Jace Carlisle of Estevan was also on the course at Rolling Hills competing with Post University as the TS&M Woodlawn member began his final spring season. The 2018 Saskatchewan Junior Men’s Champion tied for 81^st after back-to-back rounds of 77 and an 83 in the third round to conclude the 54-hole event at 237.

The Eagles were 16^th as a team.

IUP will be in Okatie, S.C. on March 25 and 26 for the USCB Oldfield Classic for their next action, Carlisle and his Post Eagles teammates will be in Goldsboro, N.C. for The Trojan Invitational at the University of Mount Olive from April 7 to 9.

Josh Nagy’s final spring college golf season began this week as the Robert Morris University (RMU) Colonials opened the season at the Carpetbagger Classic in Frederick, Md. on March 16 and 17.

Hosted at the Worthington Manor Golf Club, the RMU team was third overall, just nine strokes back of the lead.

Nagy opened the 36-hole event with a 79 in round one, the Riverside Country Club member shot 77 in round two, he tied for 41^st at 12-over par.

Next up for the Colonials is the Cutter Creek Invitational on March 29 to 31 in Snow Holl, N.C. at the Cutter Creek Golf Club.

Cole Taylor of Nipawin and the Park University Buccaneers were in Buckeye, Az. on March 18 and 19 for the Showdown at Sundance at Sundance Golf Club. Taylor shot 81 and 86 to finish in 38th place, the team was eighth.

They are Prescott, Az. for the OUAZ Invitational on March 24 and 25 at Antelope Hills Golf Club.

Carter Bell of Saskatoon was in Alameda, Ca. from March 11 and 12 for the Tim Tierney Pioneer Shootout alongside the Dominican University of California Penguins golf team.

Bell tied for 60^th with a 54-hole score of 226 (79, 76, 71). His team was 13^th. Their next tournament is the Hanny Stanislaus Invitational in Turlock, Cal. on March 25 and 26.

Darien Herlick has chosen his college where he will earn his degree and play collegiate golf.

The Weyburn product signed with the Minot State University (MSU) Beavers earlier this winter. He will join fellow Golf Kenosee member Winston Grayson at the school beginning in September.

Herlick said he will study Business while at MSU and wants to stay in golf for as long as possible.

After a fifth-place finish a season ago at the Saskatchewan Junior Men’s Championship, the 18-year-old is preparing to take a run at the gold medal in Yorkton in the first week of July.

Herlick spoke with Golf Saskatchewan about the commitment.

Autumn Neiszner of Regina competed in her first event of the spring season at the Keiser Cup hosted by her school, Keiser University. The Wascana Country Club member was competing as an individual in the event hosted at Okeeheelee Golf Course in West Palm Beach, Flo. She carded rounds of 80, 86, and 85 to finish in 34^th place.

Neiszner’s teammates took the team championship in large part because Keiser’s Hoi Ki Lau won the event held from March 3 to 5. The Seahawks next event is the Buccaneer Invitational on March 18 and 19 in Miami Lakes. Flo. at Miami Shores Country Club.

Symone Ripley was in Henderson, Nev. on March 5 and 6 for the RMC Intercollegiate at Reflection Bay Golf Club alongside the University of British Columbia Okanogan (UBCO) Heat. The Saskatoon product was 40^th after rounds of 91, 96, and 96. The Heat were third as a team.

UBCO will travel to Victoria for the Vikes Spring Shootout on March 18 and 19.

Max Regier of Saskatoon was also at Reflection Bay competing for the UNBO men’s team at the RMC Intercollegiate. The Riverside Country Club member tied for 25^th, second on the team with a score of 231 (73,81,77). The Heat were eighth overall in the team competition.

Their next action is also the Vikes Spring Shootout.

In Las Vegas, Nev. at Boulder Creek Golf Club Cole Obrigewitsch of Deer Valley was in the field of 100 players tying for 66^th with scores of 74, 78, and 73. Obrigewitch helped the CSU San Bernardino place tied for sixth in the team competition that featured 20 schools on March 3 to 5.

On March 25 the Coyotes will be in Turlock, Cal. for the 49^th annual Harry Stanislaus Invitational at the Turlock Golf and Country Club.

Carter Bell of Saskatoon was on the course this week as well in Pleasanton, Cal. for the Nighthawk Invitational competing with Dominican University of California. The Penguins were sixth as a team, Bell was 45^th overall with a 36-hole score of 158 after rounds of 78 and 80.

The Tim Tierney Pioneer Shootout is next for Bell and his teammates on March 11 and 12 in Alameda, Cal. at the Corica Park Golf Course.

Prince Albert’s TJ Baker battled an injury at his event and was only able to play two of three rounds at the Hardscrabble Invitational in Fort Smiith, Tex. Baker shot 81 in round one, missed the second round and shot 80 in the third and final round at the Hardscrabble Country Club on March 3 and 4. He helped the University of Arkansas – Monticello Weevils to an eighth place finish at the event.

Next up for Baker and the Weevils will be the Men’s Arkansas Collegiate in El Dorado, Ar. Hosted by the Muleriders with Regina’s Will Blake and Luke Cote hopefully in the field at Mystic Creek Golf Club on March 25 and 26.

Lastly, in Sugar Land, Tex. Chase Pochylko and Tommy Danielson were in action for Nicholls University at the Colin Montgomerie-HCU Invitational at the Pecan-Sweetwater Country Club on March 4 and 5.

Pochylko tied for 20^th at minus-1 thanks to a sparkling 67 in the final round, he carded an opening round 75 and 73 in round two to finish at 215.

Danielson tied for 49^th place at 222 after posting rounds of 71, 74, and 77.

The Colonels were 13^th in the team event led by Pochylko and will now hit the road to Kinder, Lou. for the Koasati Pines Intercollegiate on April 8.

Long-time PGA Professional Ryan Danberg has taken over the role of general manager at Wascana Country Club (WCC) in Regina.

The club made the hiring announcement on their Facebook page on March 1 that Danberg would take over for Eric Thorsteinson. With over 25 years experience as PGA of Canada Professional, Danberg spent the last decade at Elk Ridge Resort and said the WCC is full of potential.

“The club has come a long ways in the last three years and I am excited to come in and work with the existing team and really get it to it’s full potential,” he told Golf Saskatchewan. “There’s lots of deep history here and obviously strong players.”

Aside from his lead roles at three golf clubs in Danberg’s career he also spent five years as the manager for the city of Melfort. He also served as president of the PGA of Saskatchewan in 2012-13 and in 2023 was awarded the Queen’s Jubilee Award of Saskatchewan for his work in municipality management and the PGA.

In the last few years the WCC has expanded beyond golf to service their membership with “signature events” such as a concert series, plus other winter activities when golf is unplayable. Danberg said he wants to use his experience to elevate all aspects of the club alongside golf.

“With my resort background and coming in here expanding the offering of the country club to be a year-round facility is something that has been very welcomed in the past by the membership and I think we’re looking to expand that even more. It’s very nice to say that in a country club setting it is a pretty memorable unique experience out here right now, even at this time of year,” he said.

Will Danielson of Saskatoon has a top-15 performance in the books after this week’s Milsaps College scheduled event in Houston, Tex. Competing for the Majors at the Gus Wortham Park Golf Course on Feb. 26 and 27, the Riverside Country Club member rattled off rounds of 71, 78, and 76 for a score of 225, leaving the Milsaps junior tied for 13^th at the Space City Classic.

The Majors as a team were sixth in the 10 team field. Next up is the Wolf Pack Invitational in New Orleans at the English Turn Golf and Country Club on April 8 and 9.

Cole Obrigewitsch had the second highest placing for a Saskatchewan student-athlete this week as the spring collegiate season continues in the United States.

The Deer Valley product was in Borrego Springs, Cal. from Feb. 26 to 28 competing in the Battle of the Desert for California State University San Bernardino. Obrigewitsch carded rounds of 76, 70, and 72 for a 54-hole score of 218, good enough for a 15^th place finish.

The Coyotes tied for third in the team competition as well at the Rams Hill Golf Club that was played at 6,955 yards. The Las Vegas Desert Classic at Boulder Creek Golf Club on March 4 and 5.

Tommy Danielson and Chase Pochylko continue to improve at the Div. 1 level with Nicholls University. Pochylko led the team with a tie for 20^th at the 2024 Gulf Coast Collegiate in New Orleans at the same club Tommy’s brother Will and Milsaps will compete at next event.

Pochylko got better every round going 77, 76, and 75 for a three round total of 228. Danielson shot 77 in round one, 82 during the middle round, and 81 in round three for a score of 240, he was tied for 66^th.

The Colonels were 12^th as a team at the event and will now travel to Sugar Land, Tex. for the HCU Colin Montgomerie Invitational on March 4 and 5.

In Victoria, Tex. on Feb. 26 and 27, the University of Houston-Victoria hosted their home event at Victoria Country Club, with Edson’s Cort Tunall in the field. Rounds of 79, 78, and 84 secured Tunall spot at 46^th overall at 241. He was competing as an individual in the tournament.

His teammates placed second overall in the squad competition. Next up is the Schreiner Shoot-Out at Comanche Trace Golf Club in Kerrville, Tex. on March 4 and 5.

Several other players will make their spring season debuts on March 4.

Golf Saskatchewan is thrilled to announce a multi-year partnership with PUMA Golf seeing the brand as the official apparel and footwear of the organization.

All Team Saskatchewan competitors, volunteers, and staff will wear PUMA’s extensive performance apparel and footwear while representing the province in Saskatchewan or at national championships.

Dwayne Boecker, Head of Golf at COBRA PUMA GOLF – Canada said the company is happy to become partner with Golf Saskatchewan.

“We are very pleased to partner with Golf Saskatchewan and support the strong contingent of talented athletes and staff within the province. It is a great opportunity to strengthen our connection with Saskatchewan’s top amateur players and we look forward to watching them succeed while sporting the iconic PUMA Cat.”

PUMA Golf is also the official apparel and headwear partner of Golf Canada’s National Team Program as well as the title sponsor of Golf Canada’s Junior Skills Challenge events. Golf Saskatchewan Executive Director Brian Lee said adding a familiar brand supporting at the Canadian level now partnering with Golf Saskatchewan is exciting.

“There is no doubt PUMA Golf is one of the industry leaders in footwear, apparel, and equipment,” Lee stated. “To have our team players, our staff, and volunteers clothed by such a historic and significant company in the world of golf is fantastic. Every time a player is at an event representing the province, or one of our events is being conducted, we want everyone to act professional, and look their best, this partnership will enrich the opportunity and we couldn’t be more excited.”

To view the latest styles from PUMA Golf, please visit ca.pumagolf.com. You can also follow PUMA Golf on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter/X.

TJ Baker and Will Blake opened their respective spring seasons at the Houston Classic in Humble, Tex. a week ago.

For Baker, this will be the final season of his collegiate career at Arkansas – Monticello. The Prince Albert product tied for 57^th with rounds of 80, 80, and 78 at the Golf Club of Houston on Feb. 12 and 13. Baker was his teams’ low shooter, the Weevils were 15^th in the team competition.

Next up for the school is the Hardscrabble Invite in Fort Smith, Ark. on March 4 and 5.

Blake and the Southern Arkansas University (SAU) Muleriders placed 10^th in the 54-hole event. The Regina resident was 81^st in the field with rounds of 88, 83, and 81.

SAU is back on the course March 18 in Edmond, Okla. for the Oak Tree Invitational.

2023 Team Saskatchewan Men’s Amateur member Cole Obrigewitsch was in action alongside Carter Bell of Saskatoon on Feb. 12 and 13 in Omaha, Neb. at the Shadow Ridge Country Club for the CSU San Marcos Fujikura Invite.

Deer Valley’s Obrigewitsch was competing as an individual, the California State University San Bernadino Coyote posted rounds of 75, 79, and 75 to place tied for 49^th, his teammates were ninth overall.

Bell competes for Dominican University of California, he fired back-to-back 79’s and 80 to place tied for 62^nd. The Penquins team was 12^th overall.

Obrigewitsch and the Coyotes will host a tournament from Feb. 26 to 28 at Rams Hill Golf Club in Borego Springs, Cal., Bell’s next event is the Nighthawk Invitational in Pleasanton, Cal. on March 4 and 5 at Callippe Preserve Golf Course.

The Park University Buccaneers and Cole Taylor of Nipawin started their fall season with a smaller two-school shootout in Arizona over the Family Day Weekend.

Battling two teams from Ottawa University Arizona (OUAZ), the Buccaneers placed in the middle of the pack at the Los Colinas Golf Course in Queen Creek, Ariz. The Evergreen Golf Course member carded a 72 in round one and 75 in the second round, good enough to tie for 13^th place.

Next up a trip to Las Vegas for the RMC Intercollegiate at Reflection Bay Golf Club from March 5 and 6.

The first fall season for Saskatoon’s Chase Pochylko and Tommy Danielson is now underway as well at Nicholls University. The duo was Montgomery, Tex. on Feb. 12 and 13 for the Bentwater Intercollegiate at the Bentwater Country Club.

Danielson led the team with a 54-hole score of 236 (78,75,73) and a tie for 46^th place in the field. Pochylko carded back-to-back rounds of 77, and then carded an 81 in the third round to finish at 235, tied for 68^th.

The Colonels were 13^th as a team, they are heading to the Big Easy, New Orleans for the Gul Coast Collegiate on Feb. 26 and 27.

Several more Saskatchewan student athletes will begin their seasons on Feb. 26 across the United States.

A nationwide look at WHS ranks; an inside look at 10 million posted rounds

Golf Canada reported their second straight record year when it comes to recording scores on the course last season in 2023.

In 2022, Golf Canada members posted 9.2 million rounds, this past season, that number climbed over 10 million.

These numbers provided by the nation’s amateur golf overseer to Golf Saskatchewan for average Handicap Indexes broken down into both women and men along with the national average provides several benefits.

Golfers that post scores through the Golf Canada Score Centre are more prone to monitor their Index than recreational players, however as the averages show across Canada, you may be a much better player than the average.

Where do you rank? What are your 2024 goals when it comes to your World Handicap Index?

Golf Saskatchewan supports your goals!

For players heading into the summer, there has been WHS changes. For everything you need to know heading into the season and managing your Index, click here.

Another incredible achievement for Gerry Nelson.

The blind golfer from Meadow Lake was named to Team North America for the upcoming 2024 Vision Cup. The teams are comprised of 12 men and two women.

The sixth edition of the event that pits golfers with visually disabilities from North America against the rest of the world. This tournament is held bi-annually and rotates hosting location from North America and the Rest of the World locations.

The Vision Cup will be held in Vienna, Austria from July 22 to 27.