Despite being particularly new to the golf industry, Calgary based Kailani Sports is finding success within the sport.

Launching two and half years ago, President & CEO Sean Alexander took a chance on trying to wedge into the golf industry this past season.

Alexander spoke with Golf Saskatchewan at the 2022 PGA of Saskatchewan Buying Show to describe his company and how the expansion to golf, and the future.

Residents of Estevan and the surrounding area of southern Saskatchewan have a new indoor golf option.

Earlier this week Global Golf Plus had a soft opening in the city showing off their four GolfZon simulators, they also have two StrikeZon baseball simulators as well. Manager Sheldon Beatty told Golf Saskatchewan that the excitement in Estevan for indoor golf is evident.

“We had tonnes and tonnes of positive feedback,” he said. “Lots of people are saying when they walk into the place it gives off big city vibes.”

Owners Rob Peloquin and Pete Seregella travelled to a couple cnetres including Winnipeg and Red Deer before a final trip to Ontario settled the debate on what software and equipment to purchase. The ownership decided on GolfZon with Golf Vision Plus Plus technology.

“We have over 220 different courses available and they are adding more courses every week. A month ago there was only 180, now we’re over 200,” Beatty said.

Beatty said they are planning weekly ladies, junior, and men’s leagues for the new year and discussions have been in progress with TS&M Woodlawn Head Professional Amanda Minchin to host lessons and clinics in the city over the long winter months.

“We’ve been chatting with Amanda, she’s been in a couple times. We’re pretty sure she’s going to come in and do some junior lessons, and some private lessons,” he said.

Global Golf Plus is fully licensed with a pub-style menu ready to serve any size group. Beatty said with the soft opening and a buzz around the community more fun stuff is planned for after CHristmas.

“We’ll be doing other fun things, I can’t really say as of yet. We just want to get all these Christmas parties out of the way and the early bumps and bruises out of the way before we do that. When we do it, we want to do it right,” Beatty concluded.

To learn more about Global Golf Plus visit their website.

You can also hear more from Beatty in his interview with Golf Saskatchewan’s Clark Stork.

The PGA of Canada announced their 2022 award nominees on their social media Friday afternoon with several Saskatchewan professionals being given nominations.

Dick Munn Exec Professional of the Year | McLaren Taylor (Saskatoon Golf & Country Club)
George Knudson Teacher of the Year | Garrett McMillan (Wascana Country Club)
Jack McLaughlin Junior Leader of the Year | Brad Lovatt (Wascana Country Club)
Ben Kern Coach of the Year | Jeff Chambers (Elmwood Golf Club)
Pat Fletcher Retailer of the Year | Ryan Wells (Elk Ridge Golf Resort)
Stan Leonard Class “A” Professional of the Year | Sloane Harder (Saskatoon Golf & Country Club

The award winners will be announced in mid-December with the winners being celebrated at the PGA Show in Orlando, Florida on Jan. 26.

The City of Yorkton’s construction of a new clubhouse at Deer Park Municipal Golf Course continues into the winter months.

The city released a time-lapse video updating residents and their followers on the progress of the $7.6 million facility. Since the demolition of the 60-year-old structure crews have been at the site. Operations of the course in 2022 were conducted out of a double-wide Atco trailer. Yorkton Director Recreation & Community Services Darcy McLeod said the patrons at the course this season were very understanding.

Our golfers were awesome, they know what they are going to get I think,” McLeod said to Golf Saskatchewan on Thursday. “They were really good, we were all super pleased with the cooperation from everybody that came out golfing, it was really good.”

The weather didn’t cooperate at the start of the construction, that forced a backlog on various contractors and some mild confusion at the course, but McLeod said everything is now on track.

“It’s not completely sheeted in, there is some areas exposed to the elements in some areas. It’s almost sheeted in, the roof is almost complete, all the framing is up inside, it’s almost framed in then they can get some heat going and get inside,” McLeod explained.

The city expects to be welcoming golfers at the clubhouse in May.

In late October during the PGA of Saskatchewan Buying Show Golf Saskatchewan caught up with several retailers including clothing company Rolo Golf.

Known for their “loud” patterns and bright colours President Ryan Gobeil speaks about the products and their future in the industry.

Back in February of 2021 the Eddy Golf Club board and members began a campaign to raise funds for an irrigation system for their nine-hole sand green course.

Almost two years later the project has moved along nicely starting with the fundraising according to long-time Earl Grey resident Robert Fyfe.

“We had another good year, we had 286 members this year, we had a couple of good fundraising tournaments, it went well,” Fyfe told Golf Saskatchewan when the organization reached out for an update on the project.

When the golf club originally posted on their Facebook page a couple years ago that the group was going to begin fundraising, they had about $7,500 of the $70,000 needed. Fyfe said they are “okay in that regard.”

Once this season ended a group of three base volunteers including Fyfe began trenching and installing the system. With the assistance of other locals, the backfilling was completed on Oct. 18. Fyfe said there will be some cleanup in the spring, but the excitement is building as the end nears.

“Everything is good, the pond is up and running,” he explained. “We’re using the Hunter TTS-800 Series sprinkler heads, so each head is controlled individually. You can program each one individually whenever you want. It’s going to be such a huge help.”

The group is searching for a one-phase pump to complete their system and it’s expected to be complete in the spring.

Next for the club is a new mower to keep up with the improved watering system.

“It’s going to be hard to keep up,” Fyfe chuckled. “I know sometimes when we get some good rains, two or three in a month we are out there quite a bit cutting.”

Fyfe added the board will be looking for volunteers to help with the clean up and any funds are still welcomed.

Team Saskatchewan has announced a list of 16 players that will work towards representing the province at the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG).

The development squads are:

GIRLS:
Hailey Thunderchild
Mya Whitecap
Vanetta Tipewan
Gabrielle Paskemin
Julia Mcarthy
Cassidy Strongarm
Chloe Young
Myah Thomas

BOYS:
Dante Gamble
Dade Bernatchez
Gabriel Halkett
Keedon Whitefish
Jagger Bitz
Keston Gerard
Tyson Naytowhow
Gabriel Genereaux

The 2023 NAIG will take place in Halifax, Nova Scotia from July 15 – 23. The Saskatchewan golf team will consist of eight players. Two boys and two girls from each age group that include under-19 and under-17.

The team will be selected in the spring.

Saskatoon’s Adrian Cochet is a TPI Certified Physical Therapist and Fitness Professional and was recently at the PGA of Saskatchewan Buying Show meeting with industry stakeholders and sharing ideas on how his services can benefit the golf industry.

Cochet spoke with Golf Saskatchewan’s Clark Stork to discuss his specialties and what he can do for golfers and clubs going forward.

A recent golf trip to Phoenix for a Regina man has turned into a trip he will never forget.

Ken Selinger took a few years off of travelling to the United States due to COVID and some health concerns, but recently the 69-year-old and a group of friends went to Arizona to play golf only to come back with an amazing tale.

On Nov. 7 Selinger sunk not one, but two aces in the same round, a feat that happens an estimated one in 67 million rounds. The Wascana Country Club member spoke with Golf Saskatchewan’s Clark Stork about the round he will will never forget.

Pilot Butte’s Austin Nesbitt was the highest placed local competing in the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT) National Championship over the weekend in Orlando, Florida.

Nesbitt, 11, fired back-to-back rounds of 77 to finish tied for fourth in the peewee boys category at Orange Country National Golf Club on Sunday. He was 10 shots behind the winner. 12-year-old Lucas Sturgeon of Saskatoon shot rounds of 83 and 79, he finished in eighth spot in the peewee boys division.

Regina’s Tayla Perry and Grace Odnokon of Saskatoon competed in the girls under-15 division, Perry was eighth 183 (89, 94) while Odnokon was ninth at 194 (95, 99).

Hallie Crozer of Regina placed ninth in the girls under-19 category with a 36 hole score of 159 (79, 80).

In the bantam boys category Saskatoon’s Jack Maharaj made the top 10 thanks to rounds of 76 and 79. The 14-year-old was 13 shots behind the winner. Aricin Franklin of Saskatoon was also competing in the bantam group, the 13-year-old shot 80 and 78.

Saskatoon golfers Carter Bell and Jackson Wingert were also in Florida at the championship competing in the junior boys division. Bell was 18th at 161 (82, 79) and Wingert was 19th with an 84 and 80.

The complete results can be found here.