Makstr McIntyre is the latest Saskatchewan junior golfer to announce he’s going to play collegiate golf.

The 17-year-old Swift Current, Sask. product will attend Rocky Mountain College in Billings, Mont. next year. The Battlin’ Bears compete in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) college athletic circuit.

The Elmwood Golf Club member still has two years left of junior golf and wants to improve on his T-29th place at juniors over the next couple years. His junior career highlight so far is a final eight appearance in the championship flight of the 2023 Lobstick at Waskesiu.

McIntyre plans to study business while at Rocky Mountain College and hopes to stick in the game once he earns his degree.

Hear from McIntyre below as he speaks about his commitment to Golf Saskatchewan.

The game of golf had another unbelievable season in 2023 according to rounds reported from member cubs across Saskatchewan.

One golf club seeing incredible growth is Hidden Hills in Shellbrook, Sask. The nine-hole gem 42 kilometres east of Prince Albert, Sask. reported 26,845 rounds played during the season. The number is up from 20,400 in 2022. Dating back to just 2017, the club counted under 10,000 rounds, a half dozen years later the number has almost tripled.

Four other nine-hole facilities reported over 20,000 rounds played this season including Wakaw Lake Regional Park Golf Course (24,423), Valleyview Delisle Golf Course (22,510), Regina Beach Golf Club (21,795), and Green Acres Golf Course (20,229).

Seeing the most golfers was Holiday Park Golf Course in Saskatoon. The municipal course has 27 holes allowing more golfers off the tee. In total Holiday Park recorded a whopping 63,446 rounds this season, up from 56,783. The course did reach the 60,000 plateau during the 2021 season with 60,151.

Saskatchewan’s three other 27-hole facilities that reported their round totals to Golf Saskatchewan for 2023 were as follows; Tor Hill Golf Course sent 48,500 golfers out in 2023, the Willows Club in Saskatoon generated 47,833 rounds, and Elk Ridge Golf Resort, with their more remote location and shorter season still saw 22,437 players take in the majestic resort this year.

The busiest 18-hole golf club this year via rounds played was Wildwood Golf Course in Saskatoon. Managed by the City of Saskatoon, alongside Holiday Park and Silverwood Golf Course, golfers in the Bridge City flocked to the courses. Wildwood recorded 39,375 rounds this year, an increase of just under 5,000. Silverwood was the fourth busiest 18-hole course, with shorter pace of place due to length, they saw 35,559 golfers tee off. The Wascana Country Club in Regina’s south end was the second busiest 18-hole course reporting 37,557 in 2023, just edging out the Saskatoon Golf and Country Club’s 36,364 rounds.

Overall, courses that reported back to Golf Saskatchewan account for 1,372,000 rounds in the province in 2023.

Earlier this month Golf Canada promoted that over 10 million members posted scores this year as well, breaking the record of 9.2 million in 2022.

Saskatchewan players posted 272,106 rounds into the Golf Canada Score Centre, up 26,172 rounds over the total from 2022.

The top posting 18-hole course was Riverside Country Club in Saskatoon. Members recorded 20,616 rounds, players at the the Royal Regina Golf Club entered 20,552 scores in 2023, while the Wascana Country Club had 19,294 rounds posted by members.

The top posting nine-hole course was the Maple Creek Golf Club. 3,365 scored were posted from the small southwest Saskatchewan town’s players. Katepwa Beach Golf Club was second at 2,230, Echo Ridge Golf Course at Fort Qu’Appelle posted the third most rounds 2,161.

These numbers are all based on the 2023 season that runs from Nov. 1 to Oct. 31, which is Golf Canada’s fiscal year.

Scores for the 2024 season can now be posted by players hitting the course in warmer climates.

Another Saskatoon junior has committed to a university in California.

Carter Degelman has registered at Dominican University of California and will join fellow Riverside Country Club member Carter Bell at the NCAA Div. 2 school.

Degelman, 17, had an excellent 2023 season that included a pair of Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT) wins, a final appearance at the Junior Lobstick and a tie for 12th at the Saskatchewan Junior Men’s Championship.

He spoke with Golf Saskatchewan regarding his summer, a potential chance to play the Canadian Amateur Men’s Championship at his home course, and where he hopes his “dream” goes.

The 2024 Rosebowl Championship will take place at Harbor Golf and RV Park in Elbow along the shores of Lake Diefenbaker on Aug. 14 and 15.

The two-player team women’s event was last held at Harbor in 2017 where 30 players competed. Head Professional Rhett Bokitch said the club is excited to welcome the event back again.

“The championship was hosted at Harbor Golf and RV Park six years ago, and we couldn’t be more pleased to welcome the participants back for what will surely prove to be a wonderful few days of golf, comradery, and competition,” Bokitch said.

Elbow is a quaint resort community next to Lake Diefenbaker boasts all sorts of amenities from hiking, shopping, enjoying the lake, and the golf course itself is a challenging but fair test to all levels of players.

Meandering through a park style layout with mature trees, challenging greens and picturesque view of the lake, Harbor prides themselves on providing an elevated experience from the course to the clubhouse.

“With a fully stock pro shop and a restaurant with, arguably one of the best views in Saskatchewan, Harbor Golf Club is ready to host at all levels,” Bokitch continued. “The resort village of Elbow offers shopping, coffee shops, a newly built community center and plenty of outdoor activities to make you want to come back for more.”

The 2023 Rosebowl was held at Moon Lake Golf and Country Club, Wynyard’s Cheryl Lawrence and Linda Sokul won the event. The last time Harbor was host the pair of Deb Dirven and Kim Boreen of Churchbridge won the tournament.

Golf Saskatchewan Manager of Championships and Rules Alex Schmidt is also looking forward to conducting the event at on of Saskatchewan’s marquee resort facilities.

“Elbow and Harbor is such a fantastic golf course and community, we are so excited to invite players for the event to this beautiful spot,” Schmidt said. “The players will no doubt enjoy playing the course, the views, and the off course amenities too. Harbor fits the bill for this event on our calendar.”

Registration will open April 15.

The PGA of Canada has announced their 2023 award finalists with eight being from the Saskatchewan PGA zone.

Mitch Bach from the Willows Club in Saskatoon is up for the Moe Norman Apprentice of the Year Award. Cody Callaway is another Willows Club professional up for an honour, he was named a finalist for the Jack McLaughlin Junior Leader of the Year.

Among the nominees for the Ben Kern Coach of the Year is Jeff Chambers from Elmwood Golf Club in Swift Current.

Brad Lovatt from the Wascana Country Club in Regina is a finalist for the Stan Leonard Class “A” Assistant Professional of the Year. Also from the Wascana Country Club, Garrett McMillan is one of the nominees for the George Knudson Teacher of the Year.

Lloydminster Golf and Curling Centre Head Professional and Golf Shop Owner Marty Wheaton was named a finalist in the Pat Fletcher Retailer of the Year.

Waskesiu Golf Course General Manager Tyler Baker is a finalist for the Dick Munn Executive Professional of the Year, and Amanda Minchin from TS&M Woodlawn Golf Club is up for the Murray Tucker Professional of the Year.

Former Regina golfer Lindsay Bernakevitch is also a finalist for the Murray Tucker award.

Each year, a National Selection Committee evaluates nominations from professionals across Canada. The winners will be revealed on social media over the next few weeks and will be celebrated during Canada Night at the PGA Show in Orlando on Jan. 24, 2023.

To see more about the nominees click here.

Originally from Medicine Hat, now Saskatoon based PGA of Canada Professional Clinton Schmaltz is heading into his fourth decade as a pro.

Beginning at young age at Connaught Golf Club in the balmy Alberta city, the 49-year-old enjoyed the game from the start, developed into a strong player, eventually becoming part of the inaugural golf management class in Lethbridge, Alta.

Several stops along the way in Canada and across the world, now based at the Willows Club in Saskatoon still has a part in golf in countries from right in the Bridge City with his Tour Path Putting System.

Developed from an experience playing in South Africa, an idea stuck with Schmaltz, the idea is now into it’s sixth year with thousands of Tour Path Putting Systems sold worldwide.

Golf Saskatchewan chatted with Schmaltz to learn more about his three decade career.

For many Saskatchewan golfers, and likely more only dreaming of a warm, golf getaway this winter, Golf Saskatchewan had some fun on some sand closer to home.

Pike Lake Provincial Park Golf Course is a nine-hole sand green designed by Bill Kinnear located in park outside Saskatoon, opening in 1922 for the cost of $0.25 a day. The course (now without flagsticks for the season) is free with your provincial park pass, so the cost has actually gone down.

Kinnear is also behind the designs of Saskatoon Golf and Country Club and the host of the 2024 Canadian Amateur Men’s Championship, Riverside Country Club.

This week during an unusually warm December day, Golf Saskatchewan Executive Director Brian Lee played a quick nine at the course, and also took along a Stimpmeter to show how it works, and just how the ball rolls, on the beachy surface.

When courses are discussed among players (it’s a common question, how were the greens?!) the putting surface speed and condition is always among the chatter.

Of course sand green courses will always roll slower than now traditional grass putting surfaces, but for many small communities like The Eddy at Earl Grey), Bengough Regional Park Golf Club, and the Robertdale Golf & Country Club in Radville, plus many more across in Saskatchewan. It’s estimated that 60 sand green courses still exist in the province.

In the end the hole is still 4.25″ wide and the opportunity to play our beautiful game remains, right here at home.

Saskatchewan Sand Green Championship

The Frontier Golf Course has shown interest in revitalizing the Saskatchewan Sand Green Championship by hosting the event, which at one point was the province’s highest attended event of the summer.

The last time the championship was held was 1988. See more details here on the events’ history.

Stay tuned for more details on the potential return of the event.

Over 100 players are expected to take part in the 2024 Saskatchewan Mixed Championship hosted at Golf Kenosee next summer.

The event will be held on Aug. 24 and 25.

The co-ed, alternate shot format event is a highlight on the Golf Saskatchewan schedule each year. The two-day, 36-hole championship has been bringing golfing friends, couples, relatives, and strangers together since 1999 when it was added to the provincial lineup. Golf Kenosee hosted the event in 2019, 98 players took part in the championship that year. Proshop Manager Ben Brown said the course is thrilled to welcome the event back to Kenosee Lake.

“We’re very excited,” Brown said. “We’re super proud of our little golf course down here in the southeast and we’re looking forward to showing it off to the rest of the province for sure.”

Not only does Golf Kenosee provide a full-service, championship calibre 18-hole course carved into the forest of Moose Mountain Provincial Park, the entire region provides the full resort feel which makes the golf tournament more of a getaway for players.

“We see a lot of couples coming through, usually once they come and check us out, they are coming back and bringing some friends as well, so it’s a great fit for the Mixed Championship,” Brown said.

Lorie Boyle and Chris Knoop of Moose are the defending champions of the Mixed Championship that was held at Hillcrest Golf Club this year. When Golf Kenosee hosted in 2019, Kathy Ziglo and Ian Larocque won their sixth of seven total Mixed titles.

Golf Saskatchewan Manager of Championships and Rules Alex Schmidt said having Golf Kenosee welcome the championship back is fantastic for the organization as the facility and Kenosee Lake region are a perfect fir for the event.

“First off, Golf Kenosee is a beautiful course, with a top-notch proshop and restaurant. Alongside the entire beach and resort area, nearby casino, campgrounds, and stuff for kids to do, we welcome players to make an entire weekend escape and play some fun, but competitive golf. Alost 100 players enjoyed the event in 2019, next summer is expected to be even better,” Schmidt said.

Registration will open April 15.

Yorkton’s Ella Kozak has signed a Letter of Intent to play collegiate golf at Western Carolina University.

Kozak, 17, made the signing announcement on Thursday at Sacred Heart High School in Yorkton.

She spoke with Golf Saskatchewan about the committment.

The 2024 Saskatchewan Junior Golf Championships will be held at Deer Park Municipal Golf Course in Yorkton next July.

Already a busy golf course for competitive junior events in the province including the Maple Leaf Junior Tour and the Canadian Junior Golf Association, Director of Golf Services Allan Sauser said they have noticed an uptake in junior golf in the city and the excitement of hosting the provincials will only help grow the game.

“It is really exciting for us,” Sauser said. “We have seen a strong resurgence with the junior membership this last year. With the Dr. Brass Academy, we have seen some solid golfers playing a little more golf and being affiliated with a school, that’s certainly the right direction for us.”

The 18-hole championship course last hosted a provincial event in 2020 when Sauser and the Deer Park staff took on the task of hosting the Senior Championships on short notice during the pandemic. The last time the under-19 championships were held in the east-central Saskatchewan city was in 2015. A pair of Prince Albert golfers were crowned champions that year with Brooke Hobson and Cory Selander each won in playoffs. Sauser was there for the event, and many others over the years. He said with the addition of the recently built clubhouse the event and course will provide the players with a great week.

“It’s been a few years, so it is exciting. It’s always nice to host a provincial tournament or a national tournament every few years. It’s exciting because people from other areas come to the golf course, also the new clubhouse, it’s also a good opportunity to get some fresh faces in there as well,” Sauser said.

Since the 2020 senior event the course has made some alterations not including the clubhouse. The signature par-3 hole-8 has been redone, still a magnificent par-3, plus the new seventh green will be in play as it was under construction in 2020. Sauser said those improvements simply add to an already fantastic layout at the course.

“Number eight has always been a fantastic hole and it’s hard to believe they could improve on what it was, so it’s turned out to be a great hole. The new green, the other one was flat, this one has more angulation and is definitely trickier. The new holes are definitely making the golf course a little more exciting,” he said.

The 54-hole championships will be held from July 3-5, with practice rounds being played on July 2. New junior champions will be crowned in Yorkton, as defending champions Sarah Armstrong and Luke Cote each graduated to amateurs. Golf Saskatchewan Manager of Championships and Rules Alex Schmidt said Deer Park will provide everything needed for a great week of golf.

“Deer Park has always been a great place to visit and play,” she said. “The course is playable from all tees, the staff is always fantastic, and now with that beautiful new clubhouse, a couple hole renovations, I can’t wait to see how everything plays out in July in Yorkton.”

Registration will open on April 15.