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.

Saskatchewan had 10 players competing in Litchfield, Ariz. on the Remembrance Day long weekend at the 2023 Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT) National Championship.

Heading the results was Ochapowace First Nation product Drayjon Sparvier who won the junior boys age category with a 54-hole score of 212, three ahead of Edmonton’s Ryan Garbutt. Sparvier, 19, carded rounds of 67, 76, and 69 at Wigwam Resort claiming the win in in his final MJT event.

Golf Saskatchewan spoke with Sparvier upon his return to Regina.

Kipling’s Winston Grayson and Carter Degelman of Saskatoon tied for 20^th in the age group at 236.

Saskatoon’s Aricin Franklin fell just short of claiming the bantam boys age group. The 14-year-old Riverside Country Club competitor lost in a playoff after he was tied with Pitt Meadows, B.C. player Jaden August. Franklin shot rounds of 73, 71, and 69 for a 54-hole total of 213.

Ethan Hunter was the other Saskatchewan player in the bantam age division. The Casa Rio product opened with an 80 in round one, a 74 during the second round, he concluded the event with a 79 for a total of 233, he tied for 15^th in the age group.

Brayden Skene of Martensville competed in the juvenile boys age group, as did Dane Giesbrecht of Warman. Skene tied for 26^th at 233 (84,74,75) and Giesbrecht was 28^th at 235 (75,75,85).

Pilot Butte youngster Austin Nesbitt placed fourth in the peewee boys age category. The 12-year-old Wascana Country Club member posted scores of 75, 77, and 74 for a three-day total of 226, six shots back of the winner.

In the women’s age groups of under-15 and 15 to 19 Saskatchewan had two players in Arizona competing. Tayla Perry of Regina placed fifth in the under-15 division shooting 87, 84, and 89 for a 54-hole score of 260.

Chloe Wills of Kyle was in the field for the older age group, the Sask. Landing Golf Resort member went 82, 87, 77 at Wigwam to finish in sixth place at 246.

The complete results can be found here.

The Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT) National Championship will tee off Friday at Wigwam Golf Resort in Litchfield, Ar.

The 54-hole championship will feature 10 players from Saskatchewan including their hometown, age division and tee time, in Saskatchewan time.

Tayla Perry (Regina) | U15 Girls – 9:40 a.m.
Chloe Wills (Kyle) | 15-19 Girls – 9:10 a.m.
Carter Degelman (Saskatoon) | Junior Boys – 10:40 a.m.
Aricin Franklin (Saskatoon) | Bantam Boys – 9:10 a.m.
Dane Giesbrecht (Warman) | Juvenile Boys – 10:30 a.m.
Winston Grayson (Kilping) | Junior Boys – 10:50 a.m.
Ethan Hunter (Casa Rio) | Bantam Boys – 9:20 a.m.
Austin Nesbitt (Pilot Butte) | Peewee Boys – 9 a.m.
Brayden Skene (Martinsville) | Juvenile Boys – 10:40 a.m.
Drayjon Sparvier (Ochapowace First Nation) | Junior Boys – 10:30 a.m.

The practice rounds are taking place on Thursday.

For more details on the event click here.

Now into their fourth year of the golf cart business, CMX Powersports says everything is “trending up.”

Harv Martinez, the EZG0 Golf & Fleet Coordinator for Saskatchewan spoke to Golf Saskatchewan regarding their carts and services.

One aspect of the EZGO fleet Martinez highlighted was the Samsung designed lithium batteries, that are said to save courses money.

Earlier this month the RBC Scramble National Championship took place at Cabot Cape Breton.

The team of BJ Carey, Mik Carey, Mike Bauer, and Collin Heppner got into the national event via wins in Rosthern at one of the six provincial qualifiers. The foursome then went on to win the Saskatchewan championship at Deer Valley.

Valley Regional Park Golf Course Conner McGill joined the team as their PGA Professional.

The team ended up fifth overall in the three round event.

BJ Carey spoke to Golf Saskatchewan about the entire experience from building the team to the final day of the event at one of Canada’s top courses.

Hallie Crozier of Regina has her first team success at Ferris State University.

The Bulldogs closed their fall season winning the Bill Crabtree Invitational in Owensboro, Ky. on Oct. 23. Crozier fired rounds of 76 and 79 to help the lady Bulldogs win the tournament by six shots over Maryville University. Crozier was also tied for 14^th overall at The Pearl Club.

The team wraps their fall campaign with a team win, a second place finish and a third.

In Tulsa, Okla. on Oct. 23 and 24 the Southern Arkansas University (SAU) Muleriders collected a team win at the Tulsa Cup with assistance from Regina’s Will Blake. Blake was tied for 68^th in the event hosted by The Club at Indian Springs mostly due to an 87 in round one. The Royal Regina Golf Club player shot 75 in round two and an even better 73 in the final round.

The team won by four shots over Rogers State University. SAU is done until the new year.

Josh Nagy’s final fall college golf season is over after Robert Morris University (RMU) competed in the ODU/OBX Intercollegiate in Powells Point, N.C. this past week. The Colonials placed ninth as a team, Nagy was tied for 43^rd. He shot 75, 73, and an 80 at the Kilmarlic Golf Club from Oct. 22 to 24.

Will Danielson of Saskatoon and Assiniboia’s Davin Karst were in action this week concluding the fall season for the Milsaps College Majors at the Chick-fil-A Collegiate Invite in Rome, Ga.

Danielson tied for 63^rd after rounds of 74 and 83 at the Stonebridge Golf Club on Oct. 23 and 24. Karst carded a 90 in round one, but bounced Back nicely with a 79 during round two, he was 103^rd.

The team placed 17^th overall.

The Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) men’s golf team had another strong event capping their fall season as did Saskatoon’s Alex Swinnerton and fellow Waskesiu junior Guillermo Salazar. Salazar tied for sixth at the Iron Valley Golf Club in Lebanon, Pa. with rounds of 75, 79, and 76. Swinnerton was tied for 10^th after going 77 in round one then back-to-back 78’s. The Crimson Hawks were 14 strokes behind the winning school in second place.

Down in Mathews, La. on Oct. 23 and 24 Saskatoon’s Chase Pochylko and Tommy Danielson had their best performances of their rookie seasons at Nicholls State University. Pochylko led the team to a respectable sixth place finish at the La Tour Intercollegiate at the LaTour Golf Club. He led the team shooting 71, 72, and 73 for a 54-hole total of 216, good enough for a tie for 12^th.

Danielson was competing as an individual in the event and posted rounds of 72, 78, and 77, he tied for 40^th.

The Bridge City duo will look to build on their improvements alongside the team in the new year.

The Royal Regina Golf Club (RRGC) is celebrating their 125th year in 2024, and the Saskatchewan Amateur and Mid-Amateur Championships will be part of the celebration.

The ‘Home of Golf’ in Saskatchewan last hosted a provincial championship in 2022 when the juniors were hosted by the club. The last amateur championships held at the Royal were in 2008 when the men’s mid-amateur was held there. The men’s amateur was played at RRGC in 2000, the women’s amateur was played at RRGC in 1996. Now all the championships are played during the same week. RRGC General Manager Ryan Pollock said the club is ecstatic to host the largest event in Saskatchewan while celebrating 125 years.

“The Royal Regina Golf Club is proud to be the host facility for the 2024 Saskatchewan Men’s and Women’s Amateur and Mid-Amateur Championships,” he said. “2024 will be a special year as our club celebrates its’ 125^th anniversary. The championships will be a central part of our celebrations as we incorporate the club’s history into the event as well as launch some new and exciting initiatives.”

The event will run from July 9 to 12. The mid-amateur events for players 25 and over will be three days and played over 54 holes, as will the women’s amateur. The men’s amateur championship is a 72 hole tournament with a cut after day three.

Golf Saskatchewan Manager of Championships and Rules, Alex Schmidt calls the Royal her home club, she said having the amateurs in the Queen City at the historic venue is a perfect way to highlight the history of the club.

“For Golf Saskatchewan to be a part of the historical year at RRGC is special,” she said. “I grew up playing here and seen what the sport means here, and the people who show great pride in their club. The week will see some amazing golf, we will celebrate four champions, and more importantly, the club will be fantastic hosts.”

Registration will open for all the 2024 championships on April 15.

The PGA of Saskatchewan hosted their annual Buying Show at Dakota Dunes Resort on Oct. 23 and 24.

With the show, that allows clubs to meet face to face with retailers ahead of next year, the Saskatchewan’s professional golf organization hosts their annual awards.

During the program it was announced that Saskatoon’s Sloane Harder has taken over for Ken Morrow as the executive director, as of Oct. 1. Harder was also the recipient of the Bill Taylor Award for the third time.

Harder, and Junior Leader of the Year Cody Callaway spoke to Golf Saskatchewan following the event.

All the award winners can be seen in the gallery below. Not pictured were Jeff Chambers, he won Coach of the Year, and Garrett McMillan who was named the Teacher of the Year. Both were unable to attend.

Fall college season continues for Saskatchewan student-athletes

In Kelowna, Saskatoon’s Symone Ripley and Regina’s Hunter Kutcher were in action at a match play event for the University of British Columbia Okanagan (UBCO) Heat as they met the University of Fraser Valley Cascades this week. Ripley won both her matches, Kutcher won one and squared his other match.

The event will continue in the spring on Vancouver Island. The Cascades won the inaugural event in 2022 by a score of 16-12. The heat leads this year’s competition 11-6.

Their fall season is over.

Hallie Crozier of Regina continued her rookie season with the Ferris State Bulldogs this week in Birmingham, Mich. for the Chippewa Invite. She was tied for 30^th place at 16-over par thanks to rounds of 78 and 82 at the Birmingham Country Club. The Bulldogs finished sixth as a team.

Crozier has one more event before the fall season ends, that will be the Bill Crabtree Memorial in Owensboro, Ky. on Oct. 22 and 23.

Saskatoon’s Caden Loeppky concluded his fall season with the Waldorf Warriors golf squad this week at the Culver Stockton Invitational.

Loeppky was a part of Waldorf’s ‘A’ team at the event as the school had two teams competing in the event in Canton, Mo. Loeppky shot 87 and 83 during the tournament, his team was third, the overall leaderboard was not available.

The Southern Arkansas University (SAU) Muleriders were in action with Regina’s Will Blake in the field at the NCAA Regional Preview in Edmond, Okla. on Oct. 16 and 17. He tied for 85^th after rounds of 78, 75, and 76 at the Kickingbird Golf Course.

The Muleriders team was ninth overall. SAU travels to Tulsa, Okla. for the Tulsa Cup at Indian Springs Country Club on Oct. 23 and 24 to conclude the fall season.

Two Saskatchewan student-athletes were in the field this week at the Otter Invitational in Seaside, Cal. at the Bayonet Golf Course.  

Deer Valley’s Cole Obrigewitsch and the California State University Coyotes were there, as was Saskatoon’s Carter Bell and the Dominican University of California Penguins.

Obrigewitsch carded rounds of 77, 82, and 76, he was 60^th while Bell posted back-to-back rounds of 80 and a 77 in round three, he tied for 63^rd.

The Coyotes were tied for eighth in the team standings, the Penguins were 10^th.

Obrigewitsch’s next scheduled event is the HPU Sharks Shootout on Oct. 23 and 24 in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. Bell’s fall season is over.

Eston’s Cort Tunall wrapped up his fall season at the University of Houston-Victoria this week at their home event, the UHV Fall Classic in Victoria, Tex. Tunall was competing as an individual and played well finishing in a tie for 28^th. He shot 80 in round one, then went back-to-back 79’s for a 54-hole total of 238.

UHV won the team event. Tunall and the Jaguars are now off until February.

More events will occur next week with 14 Saskatchewan student-athletes having tournaments on their school schedules.