Saskatoon’s Alex Swinnerton has his first college championship.

The freshman at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) lapped the field at the Dr. Edwin B. Cottrell Invite in West Chester, PA. on Tuesday winning by eight shots over Crimson Hawk teammate Jackson Buccigross at the Penn Oaks Golf Club.

The 6700-yard, par-71 course saw just two under-par rounds by the 41-player field, both by Swinnerton who shot 70 in round one Monday, he stroked a 68 in round to to finish at 4-under par for the 36-hole tournament.

Swinnerton was ninth in his event a couple weeks ago, this previous week he was tied for third, both performance earned the Waskesiu Golf Course member back-to-back PSAC Men’s Golfer of the Week.

Fellow Waskesiu Golf Course member Guillermo Salazar was also inside the top-10 at the two-day event. The Calgary product shot 73 and 78 to place tied for seventh at 9-over par, 151.

IUP won the team event as well by 13 shots over Gannon thanks to Swinnerton’s win. Their next event is the Bill Blazer Memorial in Urbana, Ohio on April 7.

Swinnerton, 18, spoke with Golf Saskatchewan’s Clark Stork following the win.

Elsewhere, in Denton, TX. at the Wildhorse Golf Club at Robson Ranch Prince Albert’s TJ Baker and Estevan product Chase Gedak were competing for the University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM) this week at the DBU Classic.

Gedak tied for 42nd at the 54-hle hole event shooting 74, 75, and 77 for a , total of 10-over par, 226. Baker was a stroke back in a tie for 48th at 11-over par, 227 (78, 76, 73).

The Weevils were 15th as a team. The next tournament for UAM is the Natural State Classic in Cabot, AR. on April 17.

Saskatoon’s Will Danielson, a sophomore at Milsaps College was in Millington, TN. on April 2 and 3 alongside his Majors teammates for the Rhodes Spring Classic at the Mirimichi Golf Club.

Danielson carded rounds of 73, 78, and 78 for a 54-hole total of 229. He tied for 18th in the three round tournament, the Majors were sixth as a team.

Next up for Milsaps is the SAA Championships in Dickson, TN. on April 28 to 30.

On March 30 and April 1, the University of British Columbia Okanagan Heat and Regina product Hunter Kutcher were in Goodyear, AZ. for the Hot Dirt Shootout at the Golf Club of Estrella.

Kutcher fired a round 72 in the opening round then went 78 and 88 for a 54-hole total of 238. He was tied for 71st overall. The Heat team was 11th.

The Heat squad will now prepare for the Canadian University Championship on May 30 in Komoka, Ont.

Alex Schmidt of Regina and the Lewis-Clark State Warriors had their event this week cancelled due to snow. Their team will now prepare for the Cascade Conference Championships on April 24 to 26 in Cresswell, OR.

Three men who call northern Alberta home are the new owners of Northern Meadows Golf Club near Goodsoil.

Orry Gelowitz, Daniel Gamache, and Devon Kalinski make up Fore Fathers Golf, the purchase of the property was announced on the club’s Facebook page on March 29.

The trio joined Golf Saskatchewan’s Clark Stork to speak about their love of golf, the right fit to purchase the course from the Olan’s and their vision for the next 40 years plus a little barb at one of Saskatchewan’s most treasured entities all in good fun.

When it comes to giving back or never forgetting your roots professional hockey players have a reputation of remembering where you came from, for two-time Stanley Cup champion Dwight King that home is Meadow Lake.

Following his playing career that included a pair of NHL championships with the Los Angeles Kings he returned to Meadow Lake with wife Lauren. The couple now have three kids and a business on the bustling main street of the northern Saskatchewan community.

King recently spoke with Golf Saskatchewan about opening Kingdom Golf Inc., being close to family, and the amazing sport of golf.

Saskatoon’s Connor Scissons has a fourth-place finish and a team win with Arizona Christian University at the ERAU Spring Invite in Prescott Arizona on Sunday and Monday.

The fifth-year Firestorm student-athlete shot rounds of 70, 69, and 73 for a 54-hole total of 212, good enough for fourth overall. Teammate Leon Acikalin was second, as a team the Firestorm won the event by two shots.

Scissons last college season continues April 24 in Sun City, AZ. For the Golden State Athletic Conference Tournament at Briarwood Country Club where the team will chase a GSAC title.

Alex Schmidt of Regina was a shot away from her second straight win. The Lewis-Clark State senior shot 75 and 79 at the Oakbrook Golf Club to finish second at the Puget Sound Invite in Lakewood, WA. on March 25 and 26.

Her efforts over the past two events earned Schmidt the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Women’s Golfer of the Week. That’s her first national weekly honour.

Schmidt was competing at the tournament as an individual. Her next action is the Walla Walla Invitational in Walla Walla, WA. on April 3.

On Monday and Tuesday this week a trio of Saskatchewan products were competing at The Trojan in Goldsboro, N.C. at the Walnut Creek Country Club.

Stealing the show was 18-year-old Saskatoon player Alex Swinnerton who finished in a tie for third place at 2-under par, 214. He carded a couple even-par rounds of 72 and a 2-under par 70 during the two-day, 54-hole event. Swinnerton’s teammate and Waskesiu Golf Course member Guillermo Salazar tied for 44^th place at 237 (79, 75, 83).

Competing for Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) Crimson Hawks Swinnerton led the team to a second-place finish at the tournament. The group is in West Chester, PA. on April 3 in their next event, the Edwin B. Cottrell Invitational.

Also in the field in Goldsboro was Estevan product Jace Carlisle. The Post University junior performed well finishing the tournament tied for 12^th at 6-over par. The TS&M Woodlawn Golf Club member and staffer posted rounds of 72, 74, and 76.

Post was third just four shots behind IUP in the team standings. Carlisle and the Eagles hit the road to Candia, N.H. on April 17 for the Saint Anselm Invitational.

Caden Loeppky of Saskatoon was busy this past week competing with his Waldorf University teammates at two events.

On March 24 and 25 Loeppky and the Warriors hit the highway to the Monzingo Golf and Country Club in Maryville, MO. for the Graceland Spring Invitational.

Loeppky shot 85 in round one and 81 in the second round for a 36-hole total of 166, he tied for 39^th. The Warriors team was was sixth out of nine schools at the tournament.

On March 28 the Warriors were in Fort Madison, IA. for the IWU Spring Tiger Classic. Waldorf was victorious in the one round event winning by nine shots.

Loeppky was tied for sixth at 3-over par, 75 at Sheaffer Memorial Golf Course. Two of Loeppky’s teammates tied for the win at 1-over par, 73.

Next up for Waldorf is the Triton Invitational in Fort Dodge, IA. on April 7 and 8 at the Fort Dodge Country Club.

Wascana Country Club member Autumn Neiszner was on the course this week in Old Hickory, TN. for the Music City Classic on Monday and Tuesday. The Keiser University Seahawks sophomore was competing as an individual at the Hermitage Golf Course General’s Retreat. She carded rounds of 94, 91, and 90 for a 54-hole total of 275. Neiszner was 95^th.

The Seahawks team was second, Keiser player Hoi Ki Lau won the tournament. The team travels to Boca Raton, FL. for the Lynn Invitational on April 3.

Regina golfer Hunter Kutcher is in Goodyear, AZ. this week for the Hot Dirt Desert Shootout alongside his University of British Columbia Okanagan Heat team. Kutcher and the Heat will tee off Thursday to begin the two-day event at the Golf Club of Estrella.

April 3 will start a new week for plenty of Saskatchewan student-athletes as many near the conference championships and potential national events in May.

The Synergy 8 Community Builders have announced that Canadian PGA Tour player Nick Taylor will be the special guest for this year’s ‘Drive for Kids Campaign.’

The group announced the headliners for their 13th event Friday that also include Fox Sports Television Host Taylor Cusack and Saskatchewan comedy star Kelly Taylor. Synergy 8 spokesperson Troy Davies said after having Mackenzie Hughes last year Taylor came with high praise from his Canadian counterpart and the Synergy 8 group listened.

“This is something that we really wanted to promote and it’s great to have Canada doing so well on the PGA Tour, Canadian players are really showing up,” Davies said. “To be able to have them here in Saskatoon is a blessing for us.”

The Synergy 8 group partnered with the Saskatoon Tribal Council, Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital, and the Ministry of Health this year, together the end goal of the 2023 campaign will be the purchase of a pediatric portable MRI machine that will be Saskatchewan’s first of it’s kind and housed at the Saskatoon based children’s hospital. Davies, a medical professional in his own career said the machine was recommended by specialists as a need and the group will now work to raise the million dollars needed for the purchase.

“A typical MRI machine you have to lay a child on it, parents can’t be in there where as this one, being portable it can be wheeled right up to the bed and do the scans right there, parents can be there holding the hands of the child right there,” Davies said.

“Our leads from the experts say this is a much needed piece of equipment that will enhance and treat hundreds of kids across the province and make an impact. This is important to us, it aligns with our mandates and that’s why we went forward with it,” Davies added.

Registration is open for the golf tournament at The Willows Club on Aug. 29, tables for the following dinner at Prairieland Park are also now available through any Synergy 8 member.

Meadow Lake’s Gerry Nelson and Chris Villeneuve are on their way home from Columbus, GA with a U.S. Blind Golf Championship victory.

Gerry, a blind golfer along with his coach Chris were first in net score a the 36-hole, two-day tournament, the dynamic-duo was second in net score.

The results are not posted but Golf Saskatchewan was informed by Meadow Lake Golf Course Superintendent Daryl Wood that Nelson and Villeneuve did indeed win the event.

Earlier this month Nelson and Villeneuve sat down with Golf Saskatchewan to discuss their friendship, careers, and accomplishments with Nelson admitting the U.S. Blind Golf Championship as the trophy he coveted the most, that he has now claimed alongside his “best friend.”

Regina’s Alex Schmidt has another collegiate championship as her college career winds down.

Schmidt, 22, cruised to a seven shot win at the LCSC Warrior Spring Invite at the Lewis-Clark State College home course in Lweiston, ID. on Monday and Tuesday. She shot rounds of 71 and 72 at the Lewiston Golf and Country Club leading the Royal Regina Golf Club member’s second college win.

Three of Schmidt’s teammates were behind her on the leaderboard as the Warriors won their home event by a dominating 87 strokes.

Next up in the Warriors’ spring season is a trip to Walla Walla, WA. on April 3 and 4 for the Walla Walla Invitational.

Connor Scissons college career is also coming to an end at Arizona Christian University (ACU). The Saskatoon product was in Nipton, CA. this week alongside the Firestorm for The Primm Battle at Primm Valley Golf Club on March 20 and 21. Scissons finished in 46^th place at 16-ver par, 229. His rounds of 71, 82, and 76 helped the team place third out of 11 schools competing at the 54-hole tournament.

ACU travels to Sunrise, AZ for the GSAC Conference Tournament from April 24 to 26.

In Monroe, N.C. three players with Saskatchewan tied were in the field at the Hargett Memorial Invitational at the Rolling Hills Country Club.

Saskatoon’s Alex Swinnerton tied for ninth place overall at even par. The Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) freshman posted rounds of 73 and 71 on Monday and Tuesday.

Fellow Waskesiu Golf Course member and teammate Guillermo Salazar tied for 19^th place in the event. The Calgary product shot 77 in round one, but bounced back nicely with an even 72 to finish five-over par.

As a team the Crimson Hawks were eighth out of 16 schools in the event. They will be in Goldsboro, N.C. on March 27 and 28 for The Trojan at Walnut Creek Country Club.

Estevan’s Jace Carlisle was also in the field competing for the Post University Eagles. The 2019 Saskatchewan Junior champion shot 80 and 79 to leave the TS&M Woodlawn member and employee in a tie for 75^th at 15-over par.

The Eagles placed 11^th overall.

Both schools will be in Goldsboro, N.C. on March 27 and 28 for The Trojan at Walnut Creek Country Club.

Milsaps College sophomore Will Danielson of Saskatoon was in Bossier City, LA. for the Centenary/Hal Sutton Invite at The Golf Club at Stonebridge on Monday and Tuesday.

Danielson carded rounds of 78 and 80 for a 36-hole total of of 14-over par, 158. He was tied for 17^th.

The Majors as a team were ninth. Their next event is the Rhodes Spring Classic in Millington, TN. on April 2 and 3.

Regina’s Will Blake was in competition this week as an individual in Edmond, OK. Competing in the Broncho Invitational at Rose Creek. The Southern Arkansas University Mulerider started with an 85, then shot 76 and 80 for a 54-hole total of 241. Blake was tied for 67^th.

The Muleriders squad placed 12^th out of 16. Next up is a trip to Denton, TX. for the DBU Men’s Classic on April 3 and 4.

Details on all of the Saskatchewan student-athletes click here.

Saskatoon’s Symone Ripley and the University of British Columbia Heat Women’s Golf Team did some winning in Las Vegas last week on the course.

The Heat were competing in the Warrior Invitational at The Legacy Golf Club in Henderson, NV on March 89 to 11. Ripley cared rounds of 81, 91, and 87 for a 54-hole total of 259, +43 and tied for 21^st place overall.

Ripley’s teammate and 2022 Saskatchewan Amateur Women’s competitor Emily Cornwall led the Heat by tying for second place.

The team victory comes days after the group was second at the RMC Intercollegiate just days earlier.

Next up is the Embry-Riddle Invitational in Prescott, AZ on March 26 and 27.

Deer Valley product Cole Obrigewitsch was on the course alongside the California State University San Berndino on March 13 and 14 in Alameda, CA. The freshman finished 75^th at 10-over par, 154 after back-to-back rounds of 77 at the Tom Tierney Pioneer Shootout hosted by California State University, East Bay at the Chuck Corica Golf Complex.

The Coyotes tied for ninth as a squad. The team travels to Turlock, CA for the Hanny Stanislaus Invitational on March 27 and 28.

This week’s schedule is extremely busy with up to 11 Saskatchewan student-athletes competing across America beginning Monday.

WASKESIU LAKE, Saskatchewan | Elk Ridge Resort is thrilled to welcome back the Elk Ridge Saskatchewan Open, a PGA TOUR Canada event, as part of the 2023 Fortinet Cup, the tournament announced Wednesday. As owner of Elk Ridge Resort, Routes2SK will serve as the host organization and operate the day-to-day tournament functions.

The future stars of the PGA TOUR will be playing in Northern Saskatchewan from June 19-25, as the Tour’s second tournament of the season.

This year’s Elk Ridge Saskatchewan Open features a unique re-branding that emphasizes the pride the tournament has in its province. As the only PGA TOUR-sanctioned event in Saskatchewan, the Elk Ridge Saskatchewan Open looks forward to showcasing the beauty in the province and providing a true “Saskatchewan” experience for PGA TOUR Canada players, sponsors, volunteers and fans.

“We are absolutely thrilled to be partnering with PGA TOUR Canada to bring high-calibre professional golf back to the province,” said Elk Ridge Resort Managing Partner and Tournament Director Ryan Danberg. “Our partnership group is extremely proud of Elk Ridge Resort, and we can’t wait to showcase the property to the world through our partnership with the PGA TOUR Canada.”

“It’s a distinct pleasure for us to partner with Routes2SK. We’re excited to work closely with Routes2SK and help its vision for the tournament come to fruition,” said PGA TOUR Canada Executive Director Scott Pritchard. “Elk Ridge is a beautiful golf course that I’m confident the players will not only enjoy but embrace. The Elk Ridge Saskatchewan Open will play a key role as players battle for Fortinet Cup points and what they hope is eventual membership on the 2024 Korn Ferry Tour.”

Elk Ridge Resort is a 27-hole golf facility, with three distinct, nine-hole courses, the Tamarack, Aspen and Birch. PGA TOUR Canada will use a combination of holes for the tournament. Making up the front nine of the tournament composite course is Tamarack’s No. 1 and Aspen’s Nos. 2 through 9. The back nine is the entire Birch Course.

“This is an incredibly exciting event, not just for the northern region but for our entire province,” said Saskatchewan Premier, Scott Moe. “Saskatchewan has amazing tourism and sporting opportunities, and we are happy to welcome this event that will help showcase what we have to offer on a national stage.”

Saskatchewan has a previous history of hosting PGA TOUR Canada tournaments. An event on the original 2013 schedule—the Dakota Dunes Open, was held in Saskatoon through 2016.

For the 2023, 2024 PGA Tour Canada event, all proceeds of the event will be donated to both Hockey Saskatchewan and several local junior golf programs in the Northern Region of the province.

“When you look at what the PGA TOUR Canada and the PGA TOUR are doing, it’s so important to give back, and this has always been one of our goals. We will contribute to the sports of hockey and golf for the next couple of years and continue to provide the young people in these sports with more opportunities. A formal announcement on these two partnerships will be conducted soon,” said Danberg.

Elk Ridge Resort is Saskatchewan’s premier all-season resort, located in the surrounding areas of the Lakeland region and Prince Albert National Park and has been a part of the golf scene in this area since 1994.

Gerry Nelson and Chris Villeneuve have won golf tournaments across the world, but one event is still eluding the pair, the 2023 ISPS Handa U.S. Blind Open.

Nelson and Villeneuve, who call Meadow Lake home leave on St. Patrick’s Day for the event in Columbus, GA at the Green Island Country Club. The 36-hole championship runs on March 21 and 22.

Golf Saskatchewan sat down with the high-ranked blind golf duo at Kingdom Golf where they practice weekly during the winter months.

Nelson and Villeneuve discuss Gerry’s eyesight, how he got into golf, what the sport has meant to their lives, the travels, and chasing the U.S. Blind Open Championship.

The duo has been featured at length over the years for their accomplishments and amazing story. Below is a list of other features chronicling the careers of Gerry and Chris.

• Golf Canada YouTube | April 16, 2015
• Golf Canada Magazine | June 3, 2015
• CTV Saskatoon | June 15, 2018
• Blind Golf Canada Podcast (Co-hosted by Gerry)