Routes2SK Becomes Host Organization for Official Fortinet Cup Event
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.
Nelson and Villeneuve chasing U.S. Blind Open championship
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)
Wednesday marks opening of Canadian Championship registration
Registration for the 2023 Canadian Amateur Championships is now open.
Golf Saskatchewan suggests all players interested in competing at nationals register for the events now. Team Saskatchewan members and quota spot qualifiers can have their entry forms altered prior to the championship being held.
The registration deadline for each championship is outlined, the time of the cut off is 3 p.m. Saskatchewan time.
Golf Canada Championships:
- Canadian University / College Championship, presented by BDO
May 30 – June 2 | Fire Rock Golf Club, Komoka, ON
Deadline | Team – March 24 | Individual – April 21 - Canadian Junior Girls Championship, presented by BDO
July 23 – 27 | Hampton Golf Course, Hampton, NB
Deadline | Early entry – May 17 | Final – June 28 - Canadian Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship, presented by BDO
July 24 – 27 | Mad River Golf Club, Creemore, ON
Deadline | Early Entry – May 17 | Final – June 28 - 109th Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO
July 31 – Aug. 4 | Ashburn Golf Club, Halifax, NS
Deadline | Early Entry – July 5 | Final – July 5 - 118th Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO
Aug. 5 – 10 | The Pulpit Club, Caledon, ON
Deadline | July 12 - Canadian Junior Boys Championship, presented by BDO
Aug. 13 – 17 | North Bay Golf & Country Club, North Bay, ON
Deadline | July 19 - Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship, presented by BDO
Aug. 20 – 24 | The Algonquin Resort, St. Andrews, NB
Deadline | July 26 - Canadian Women’s Senior Championship, presented by BDO
Aug. 29 – Sept. 1 | Mill River Golf Club, Woodstock, PEI
Deadline | Early Entry – May 17 | Final – June 28 - Canadian Men’s Senior Championship, presented by BDO
Sept. 4 – 8 | Big Sky Golf & Country Club, Pemberton, BC
Deadline | Aug. 9 - Canadian All Abilities Championship, presented by BDO
Sept. 13 – 15 | Kamloops Golf & Country Club, Kamloops, BC
Deadline | Early Entry – June 28 | Final – Aug. 16
To register and find more details on Golf Canada’s championship schedule click here.
Registration will open for Golf Saskatchewan’s provincial championships on April 15. To see the complete list of 2023 events click here.
Spring season opens for multiple Saskatchewan student-athletes this week
It’s a busy week on the college golf circuit as March features many more programs teeing it up for the first time across the United States in 2023.
Regina’s Alex Schmidt is entering the final stretch of her great collegiate career at Lewis-Clark State College. The Royal Regina Golf Club member led the Warriors into the RMC Intercollegiate at Reflection Bay Golf Club in Henderson, NV. on March 7 and 8. She carded rounds of 84 and back-to-back 79’s for a 54-hole total of 242. Schmidt placed 16th; the team tied for third.
In second place was the University of British Columbia Okanagan Heat (UBCO). Saskatoon’s Symone Ripley was part of the silver medal winning squad finishing in 46th place in her first event of the year. Ripley shot 93, 95, and 94 at the event.
Schmidt and the Warriors host the LCSC Warrior Spring Invitational on March 20 to 21 in Lewiston, ID. The Heat will stay in Nevada and compete at the Warrior Invitational on March 10 and 11 in Las Vegas, NV.
On the men’s side of the RMC Intercollegiate Regina’s Hunter Kutcher was competing for the UBCO. The Heat placed eighth, Kutcher was tied for 38th. The 2021 Saskatchewan Junior Champion posted rounds of 81, 80, and 77 for a 54-hole score of 238.
The men’s Heat team is also competing in Las Vegas later this week.
The Minot State University (MSU) Beavers women’s team was in Litchfield, AZ. On March 7 and 8 including Chaplin’s Holly Knudsen. She shot 82 in round one and 86 in her second round at Wigwam Golf Course (Red Course). Knudsen tied for 43rd, MSU was eighth as a team at the SMSU Spring Invitational.
The team is back in action again Thursday at Wigwam (Blue Course) for the SMSU Spring Challenge. Scoring can be seen here.
Regina’s Autumn Neiszner made her spring debut competing as an individual at the Keiser Kup at the Okeeheelee Golf Course in West Palm Beach, FL. The 19-year-old Seahawk sophomore shot 89, 80, and 83 for a 54-hole score of 36-over-par which left her tied for 27th.
Keiser’s team won the event, Neiszner’s teammate Hoi Lau won the event. Keiser will take on Carroll University in a match-play event on March 16 in West Palm Beach.
Josh Nagy got his senior spring season at Robert Morris University (RMU) underway this week in Daytona Beach, FL. at the LPGA International – Hills Course for the Daytona Beach Spring Invitational. The Saskatoon product tied for 63rd at 14-over-par (75,74,81).
The Colonials tied for 12th in the team competition of 18 schools in the field. Their next action is March 18 – 19 in Urbana, MD for the Carpetbagger Classic.
Both TJ Baker of Prince Albert and Chase Gedak of Estevan had solid performances for the University of Arkansas – Monticello at the Buccaneer Spring Classic in Memphis, TN. From March 5 to 7. Competing for the Weevils at the Irene Golf and Country Club Baker shot 78, 86, and 71 for a 54-hole total of 235, he tied for 32nd. Gedak was just a shot back in a tie for 36th at 236 (84,74,78).
The team was fifth out of 10. Their next event is the DBU Classic in Denton, TX. On April 3 – 4.
First Tee – Prairies now in operation
Long standing golf program First Tee is now in Saskatchewan and Manitoba at First Tee – Prairies.
Michael Kananoja is the Manager of the Prairie chapter in Winnipeg. He joined Golf Saskatchewan’s Clark Stork to discuss the goals of the program, how clubs, schools, and community centres and others can be involved and more.
Royal Regina Golf Club recognized among inaugural National Facility Awards for Junior Golf
At Golf Canada’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) on March 2, the national amateur golf governing body announced the first ever National Facility Awards for Junior Golf.
Among just six clubs from across the nation the Royal Regina Golf Club (RRGC) was recognized as the Tournament Host of the Year for their efforts in hosting the Saskatchewan Junior Women’s and Men’s Championships last July. RRGC General Manager Ryan Pollock said many people deserve recognition for the execution of the tournaments.
“It is with great pride we accept this award and would like to thank Golf Canada for the recognition,” Pollock said. “Our club set out to make this event the best it possibly could be. Thanks to our committed staff, numerous volunteer members, and leadership from Golf Saskatchewan the week was a tremendous success.”
The event attracted 108 golfers under the age of 19 including the second running of Golf Saskatchewan’s Junior-Junior for golfers 12 and under. Pollock added the RRGC takes hosting all events professionally with a goal to benefit the future of the sport.
“As a club, we feel we have a responsibility to promote the game of golf to aspiring young athletes. We look forward to furthering opportunities now and into the future,” he said.
President of Golf Saskatchewan and longtime member of the RRGC Larry Wagman was able to see the commitment from both sides of hosting the event and feels the honour is justified.
“Congratulations to the Royal Regina Golf Club on being named as the Golf Canada’s Junior Tournament Host of the year for 2022 at their AGM,” Wagman said. “I am very proud of the accomplishment and personally witnessed the event which was well deserving of the national attention.”
For all the details of the first ever National Facility Awads for Junior Golf click here.
Regier chooses Canadian college
Saskatoon’s Max Regier has provincial age group championships and a Junior Lobstick win, now the 17-year-old has a college commitment on his resume.
The Saskatoon Golf and Country Club member will attend the University of British Columbia Okanagan and play for the Heat in USports Canada West.
Regier will join Hunter Kutcher on the men’s team, Saskatoon’s Symone Ripley competes for the women’s golf squad. Regier said having familiar faces, plus staying in Canada were a couple of pros regarding his choice on where to get an education while playing.
He joined Golf Saskatchewan’s Clark Stork to discuss his choice of school, his accomplishments, and goals heading into the season.
Light college schedule for locals in America
The college golf news for Saskatchewan players has been trending with a string of recent commitments to U.S. schools, but there was also three players in action this week.
Saskatoon’s Connor Scissons is wrapping up his solid college career at Arizona Christian University (ACU) this spring. Scissons and the Firestorm were in Ventura CA. for the Warrior Invitational on Feb. 27 and 28. Scissons carded rounds of 77 and 71 to finish in a tie for 13th, his play helped the team tie for second in the event held at Olivas Links.
ACU placed fifth at their opening event of the spring season in late January. Next up for the Firestorm is the Embry Riddle Spring Invite in Riddle, AZ. on March 20 and 21.
Milsaps College sophomore Will Danielson of Saskatoon opened his spring season on Feb. 27 – 28 at Clubs of Kingwood Forest in Forest, TX. The Majors finished in seventh place in the event. Danielson fired rounds of 78 and 80, he was tied for 34th at 14-over-par.
They will head to Bossier, LA. for the Hal Sutton Invitational on April 3 – 4.
Meanwhile two former junior college teammates in Reedley, CA., Noah Kozack or Regina and Cole Obrigewitsch of Deer Valley were back on the same course competing for separate Div. II schools.
Obrigewitsch is in his first year with California State University San Bernardino while Kozack has joined the California State Monterey Bay Otters program.
Both schools were in Laquinta, CA. from Feb. 27 to March 1 for the Desert Invitational at PGA West Mountain Course for the Battle in the Desert. Obrigewitsch tied for 49th place at +11, 227 (76, 76, 75) while Kozack went 77, 77, 81 for a 54-hole total of 235, he was 71st.
The Otters were third in the team standings, Obrigewitsch’s results helped the Coyotes finish with the silver medal.
Next up for the Kozack is the Desert Classic in Las Vagas, NV. on March 6 to 8, the Coyotes travel to Oakland, CA. for the Tim Tierney Pioneer Shootout at the Corica Park Golf Club on March 13 and 14.
Many more students will be on the course beginning March 6. For more information on Saskatchewan’s student athletes click here.
Karst commits to college in southern US
Assiniboia born junior golfer Davin Karst is the latest Saskatchewan player to announce he’s signed a letter of commitment to join a United States university golf program.
Karst, 17, will attend Milsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi in the fall. Saskatoon’s Will Danielson currently plays for the Majors golf program.
Karst spoke with Golf Saskatchewan’s Clark Stork about his start in the sport with his grandmother at Willow Bunch Golf Course, his route to committing to Milsaps and his future post school.
Bell commits to California college
Saskatoon’s Carter Bell is the latest junior golfer from Saskatchewan to sign a commitment with a United States University.
Bell, 17, will play collegiate golf for Dominican University of California starting in the fall.
Bell spoke with Golf Saskatchewan’s Clark Stork about his beginning in the game, his competitive growth, college options and what the future holds after his four years with the Div. II Penguins golf program in San Rafael, CA.