Taylor commits to college in Arizona
Nipawin’s Cole Taylor has announced that he will play college golf at Park University Gilbert after he graduates.
The Evergreen Golf Course member will join the Arizona based Buccaneers National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) program in September.
Taylor, 17, spoke to Golf Saskatchewan’s Clark Stork about his start in golf, becoming competitive, his goals, and future in the game.
Spring college season underway in America
The spring college golf season has teed off in some parts of the United States.
Saskatoon’s Connor Scissons already has an event under his belt this spring with Arizona Christian University (ACU). Competing in his final season with the Firestorm Scissons was at the Sterling Grove Golf and Country Club in Sunrise, AZ. on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 for the OUAZ Spring Invitational.
He shot rounds of 82, 80, and 81 finishing in a tie for 47th place. The team was fifth overall in the 11 team field. ACU will be back on the course on Feb. 27 in Venture, CA. for the Warrior Invitational at Olivas Links.
Three other Saskatchewan student-athletes were on the course in Humble, TX. last week.
Competing at the Houston Classic on Feb. 13 and 14 at the Golf Club of Houston Regina’s Luke Cote was the top local playing for Southern Arkansas University (SAU). Cote tied for 37th after rounds of 78, 73, and 77. The Muleriders placed eighth in the team standings.
The news wasn’t as positive for Prince Albert’s TJ Baker and Estevan product Chase Gedak and the University of Arkansas at Monticello Weevils. Baker led his team with a 239 (80, 85, 74) that left junior in a tie for 75th.
Gedak shot 82, 78, and 80 for a 54-hole score of 240, he placed in a tie for 77th. The Weevils placed 17th in the event.
The next tournament for Baker and Gedak is the Buccaneer Spring Classic in Memphis, TN on March 6 and 7.
Many more collegiate golfers will begin their spring season later in February or early March.
Two more Saskatchewan athletes have committed to U.S. colleges, Golf Saskatchewan will have their features posted next week.
To learn more about Saskatchewan players competing at the college level click here.
Schatz named head professional at Waskesiu Golf Course
Regina’s Paul Schatz has been named the new head professional at Waskesiu Golf Course.
Schatz, 35, will take over the coveted position from Andrew Hnatiuk who resigned late in 2022.
Schatz spoke to Golf Saskatchewan about the position and how excited he and his family are for the new chapter.
Evergreen Golf Course ecstatic to host NextGen Prairie Championship
The Golf Canada NextGen Prairie Championship will be hosted by the Evergreen Golf Course in Nipawin this June.
Returning to Saskatchewan since Yorkton’s Deer Park Municipal Golf Course hosted the event that alternates between Saskatchewan and Manitoba each year. Last year the event attracted over 30 players from the province to Quarry Oaks in Stainbach, Man.
Nipawin will host the 54-hole championship from June 15 – 18.
Golf Saskatchewan sat down with Evergreen Club President and Junior Golf Advocate Kevin Duchscherer and Manager of Sport Development Steve Ryde to discuss the long road to bring a Golf Canada event to the town and course as well as the momentum built off last year’s event that saw Alex Swinnerton win the boy’s championship.
Johnson shares PGA Tour Monday Qualifier experience
Yorkton’s Kade Johnson is back in Phoenix, Arizona following the Farmers Insurance Open Monday Qualifier in Murrieta, California.
Johnson, 24, spoke to Golf Saskatchewan Tuesday and talked about the last year on the professional golf journey and sharing the experience Monday at Bear Creek Golf Club with long-time friend and college teammate Roman Timmerman.
2022’s top golf moments in Saskatchewan
Every year golf provides amazing moments and memories with Saskatchewan being no different.
Despite our somewhat short season the sport had it’s share of remarkable recognitions courtesy of the game.
Here’s a look back on the top-10 stories of 2022 based on readership/viewership
The city of Yorkton is committing $7.6 million to construct a new clubhouse for Deer Park Municipal Golf Course.
Read more.
A jam-packed field of the province’s best amateur golfers will converge on Prince Albert’s Cooke Municipal Golf Course this week for the Saskatchewan Amateur Championships.
Read more.
With a young family including three boys the Stupak family is hoping an indoor golf facility will grow golf and play a role in more recreational family-friendly options for Warman, Martensville, and the area.
Read more.
Saskatoon’s Josh Nagy has his first “amateur” win after claiming the Scotia Wealth Open at Nipawin’s Evergreen Golf Course on Sunday.
Read more.
Estevan’s Jace Carlisle is headed to a collegiate national championship.
Read more.
Elvin Mitchell didn’t start playing golf regularly until he was about 40 years old but now 97, he’s making up for lost time.
Read more.
Regina’s Hunter Kutcher has decided to stay in Canada to play college golf and get an education.
Read more.
For Cole Jenkins, the thought of playing college sports has always been a dream but the Prince Albert product didn’t know what sport could lead him to his goal once high school was complete.
Read more.
Much like the Canadian Senior Women’s Championship in Winnipeg, all reports back from Red Deer is the men’s event was also fantastic.
Read more.
July 25, 2022 will stand out in the mind of Regina’s Mark Johnston for years to come.
Read more.
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
Saskatchewan Sport Award recipients and winners announced
Four Saskatchewan golfers were nominated in their respective categories for this years Saskatchewan Sport Awards, but none of the four were named provincial finalists.
Sask Sport is tasked with selecting the top three candidates from nominees across all sports to be finalists for their awards. Golf Saskatchewan nominated Ella Kozak (Yorkton) for the Youth Female Athlete of the Year, Kim Walker (Regina) was nominated in the Female Athlete of the Year category, Keaton Kreklewich (Melville) was up for the Youth Male Athlete of the Year, and Brett Henry (Prince Albert) was nominated in the Male Athlete of the Year.
Sask Sport announced all the finalists on Wednesday. To read more click here.
The 2022 Saskatchewan Sport Awards will be celebrated gala on Thursday, Jan. 26 at 7 p.m. at TCU Place in Saskatoon.
CJGA releases Saskatchewan tournament schedule
After returning to Saskatchewan last year, the Canadian Junior Golf Association (CJGA) will hold four events in the province in 2023.
On July 17 and 18 Deer Valley Golf Club will play host to the CJGA Saskatchewan Linkster Challenge and the CJGA Saskatchewan Showcase. The Linkster event is a one day format, the Showcase is two days. Deer Valley Head Professional John Greenough said their facility is excited to host the CJGA and expand junior golf opportunities.
“Deer Valley is a proud supporter of junior golf and we are excited to host juniors from across the province for the CJGA event this year,” Greenough said.
The nationwide junior tour returned to Yorkton last year, Deer Park Municipal Golf Course will host the CJGA again in 2023 on Aug. 1 to 3. The CJGA Saskatchewan Linkster Championship will run on Aug. 1, the CJGA Saskatchewan Championship will be played for three days. CJGA Director Tour Operations Tyler Torrieri said the organization
“We are extremely excited to bring the CJGA back to Saskatchewan for the 2023 season,” he said. “After the strong response to our event in 2022, we have decided to expand to four events in the province for the 2023 season. Continuing our relationship with Deer Park in Yorkton was vital, and we secured a new course in Deer Valley. We are ecstatic to continue to build junior golf in Saskatchewan in 2023 and beyond.”
All the events are part of the Saskatchewan Junior Order of Merit (OMT) Tours.
More information on the CJGA can be found on their website.
Beyond the Contour exceeding expectations
When 14-year-old Andrew Harvie decided to take his love of golf and create content for the internet he never dreamed a decade later he’s nearing a completion of playing all 100 of Canada’s top clubs.
Beyond the Contour has grown to multiple writers and avenues alongside Harvie, originally from Lethbridge but now calls Toronto home. Recently Harvie spent two days in Saskatchewan’s north playing Waskesiu, Elk Ridge, and Cooke Municipal in Prince Albert.
The reviews on Waskesiu and Cooke are now available to view.
– Waskesiu Golf Course
– Cooke Municipal Golf Course
Golf Saskatchewan caught up with Harvie, a participant in the 2018 Saskatchewan Amateur Men’s Championship at Dakota Dune Golf Links, to hear about the trip back to the prairies and his thoughts on the two iconic courses in Saskatchewan.
Crozier commits to college
Regina’s Hallie Crozier has committed to college to continue her golf career and pursue a career in the industry.
Last week the Royal Regina Golf Club member announced she was going to attend Ferris State University in Big Rapids, MI.
Crozier, 18, is going to study Professional Golf Management while attending with a goal of working in the golf business. Crozier spoke with Golf Saskatchewan Clark Stork and discussed her decision to join the Bulldogs.