Canadian Olympians highlighting Synergy 8 event
Synergy 8 Community Builders have announced the special guests that will appear at their annual fundraising golf tournament.
The group released a statement on Tuesday announcing that Canadian PGA Tour players Corey Conners and Mackenzie Hughes will highlight the day in August. Synergy spokesman Troy Davies said the group is ecstatic to bring two current PGA players to Saskatoon to headline the “Drive for Kids Campaign 2022.”
“We’re very excited to have the line up we have this year,” Davies told Golf Saskatchewan. “For the first time in our history we’re bringing in current PGA Tour players and they also happen to be Canadian Olympians, and two really good guys who are willing to play each other at our event. It’s a completely different opportunity for us.”
In years past Synergy 8 featured John Daly, Feed Couples, Nick Price, Tom Watson, Colin Montgomerie, and many others. Davies said the group has high praise for the Champions Tour veterans that have helped them raise funds over several years, but he said the plan to bring current PGA players in has been a work in progress for a couple years.
“They really like the cause we have this year, so they thought that was important. That’s how we got it done and to add that they were in the Tokyo Olympics together is an added bonus,” Davies said.
Joining Hughes and Conners at the Aug. 30 event will be Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback Cody Fajardo, and Fox Sports personality Taylor Cusack.
The funds raised at the golf tournament at The Willows and coinciding dinner at Prairieland Park in Saskatoon will go towards battling mental health in youth as part of the Saskatoon Tribal Council (STC). Davies said the group’s mobile health bus has seen great success and Synergy 8’s members expect the same from this year’s campaign.
“We’re funding two mobile vans that will be running in Saskatoon, basically they will have outreach and mental health workers working within the core neighbourhood schools and also within the STC Wellness Centre. That directly aligns with our mandate to help kids. Unfortunately, mental health has veered it’s ugly head, especially through COVID. This is something we want to support,” he said.
Davies said the golf tournament will sell out very quickly and could be as of the time this article is published. Tables for the dinner can be purchased without playing in the golf tournament. For more details visit the group’s website.
Cote commits to college
Regina’s Luke Cote is going to join the list of Saskatchewan golfers continuing their career at Southern Arkansas University.
The Royal Regina Golf Club junior made the announcement on his Instagram page Sunday. The 17-year-old said he’s excited to join fellow Royal Regina member Wil Blake with the Muleriders.
“Obviously Will going there played a big part,” Cote told Golf Saskatchewan. “I think going down there with your buddy, it’s a long way from home obviously, but having someone you know there I think makes a difference and really influenced my decision.”
Cote started golfing with his dad at the Wascana Country Club and alongside his grandparents who lived near Avonlea. A few years ago, Cote joined the Royal Regina Golf Club. He started taking lessons with Rick Fries and Dean Brown. He said their help was key in allowing him to follow in the footsteps of Kade Johnson and Roman Timmerman.
“Kade and Roman have had huge success since they’ve gone down there which also really drove me to accept the offer. I think going to Southern Arkansas can really take my golf game to the next level,” Cote said.
Cote is currently playing for the Under-18 AAA Regina Pat Canadians and was listed by the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League’s Estevan Bruins, but he has decided to take the golf route.
You can hear much more from Cote below in his interview with Golf Saskatchewan’s Clark Stork.
Sask. juniors compete in HJGT event
Saskatoon’s Chase Pochylko led the local group of golfers that competed in the Disney Spring Break Junior Open over the weekend in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.
Pochylko, 17, shot rounds of 70 and 73 at Walt Disney World – Magnolia on March 12 and 13 to finish second overall in the 36-hole event. Pochylko was three strokes back of winner Eric Zhao of Toronto.
Tommy Danielson, also of Saskatoon carded rounds of 79 and 75 to finish at 3-over par, the 16-year-old tied for 10th in the boys 16-18 age group. Weyburn’s Darien Herlick was also in the tournament, he finished with a 12-over par, 161 (77, 84) which tied the 16-year-old for 34th place.
On the women’s side of the event Yorkton’s Ella Kozak tied for third place with two other golfers. The Yorkton golfer shot 79 on day one and a 35 on the second day. The tournament was cut to nine holes on the second day due to not all the players completing their rounds before dark. Kozak did play her full second round but only her front nine holes were included. She was six shots back of Honorine Nobuta Ferry of West Palm Beach.
Regina’s Hallie Crozier opened the event with an 81 in round one, the 17-year-old shot 44 through nine holes on the second day before the event was stopped. She was tied for 18th.
To see the complete results, click here.
Gedak reacts to making college debut
Playing competitive golf again has been a work in progress for Chase Gedak but the Estevan product has his first collegiate event under his belt.
Originally committing to the University of Arkansas at Monticello in November of 2019, a hockey injury set the now 20-year-old back but Gedak continued to work hard and get back on the course competing for the Weevils.
The member at TS&M Woodlawn finished the 54-hole event in a tie for 53rd place at the Hardscrabble Invitational on March 7 and 8.
Gedak chatted with Golf Saskatchewan’s Clark Stork to discuss his injury, comeback, his debut and goals for the future.
Top-20 for TJ, Gedak makes collegiate debut
Estevan’s Chase Gedak made his college golf debut this week for Arkansas – Monticello in Fort Smith, Arkansas. The 20-year-old has had his college career delayed due to an injury but was finally able to compete on Monday and Tuesday alongside TJ Baker of Prince Albert at the Hardscrabble Invitational.
Gedak put rounds together of 77, 82, and 83 for a 54-hole total of 242. The 20-year-old placed in a tie for 53rd at 32-over par.
Baker tied for 16th overall at 15-over par. Baker shot 73, 75, and 77 at the Hardscrabble Country Club.
As a team the Weevils were seventh out of 13 schools. Their next action is March 20 to 22 in El Dorado, Arkansas hosted by SAU.
Roman Timmerman tied for 25th at plus-9 at his event in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The Saskatoon born senior at Southern Arkansas University (SAU) was competing in the Broncho Invitational at the Gaillardia Country Club.
Timmerman, 23, shot rounds of 76 and 77 in the 36-hole event on Monday and Tuesday this week. As a team the Muleriders didn’t have their best week finishing in 12th place of 14 schools. Next up for SAU is the Oak Tree Invitational, also in Oklahoma City.
Regina product Jacob Kydd was back in action for the first time this spring as well. The Indiana Wesleyan University senior was 50-over at the Skyhawk Invitational in Pine Mountain, Georgia this week.
Kydd shot 84 and back-to-back 91’s at Callaway Gardens – Mountain View on Monday and Tuesday. He placed 84th. The Wildcats team was 14th in the field. Their next event is the GARN Championship in Nicholasville, Kentucky on March 28 and 29.
On March 5, Alex Schmidt and the Lewis-Clark State Warriors competed in a one-day match-play event against Whitworth and Whitman. Schmidt tied both her matches that the Warriors did win.
Their next tournament is the Rocky Mountain Intercollegiate in Henderson, Nevada on March 15 and 16.
Saskatoon product Symone Ripley also got her spring season underway for the University of British Columbia Okanagan Heat. She shot rounds of 92 and 90 to finish in a tie for 29th at the UVic Vikes Canada West Spring Shootout in Victoria.
The Heat will travel to Las Vegas and compete in the Rocky Mountain College Invitational on March 14.
Kutcher hunts down college commitment
Regina’s Hunter Kutcher has decided to stay in Canada to play college golf and get an education.
The 17-year-old Royal Regina junior will be a part of the University of British Columbia Okanagan (UBCO) Heat starting in the fall. Kutcher said he’s excited to have his golf and education future confirmed.
“I’m pretty happy about it,” Kutcher told Golf Saskatchewan. “It’s been a process for quite a while now. Initially I was looking at the States but once UBCO reached out to me and I started looking into their school, it got me really excited, so I am glad to make it official.”
Kutcher said the “comfort” of staying in Canada was a factor for him in his decision. He added that playing time was also important in his college choice. The 2021 Saskatchewan junior champion said there was life outside golf that played a part as well.
“I just feel if I were to go down to Florida, snowmobiling and skiing is a huge part of my life outside of golf obviously. Staying in Canada it just makes it easier for that to stay in my life and that was a huge factor as well,” Kutcher said.
Kutcher will transfer to Kelowna around the middle of August and prepare to settle into college life. He will join Saskatoon’s Symone Ripley who competes for the women’s golf team at UBCO. Kutcher said to prepare for the next level he’s competing in the top amateur events in the province this year.
“I will be playing in the Scotia Wealth [in Nipawin] for the first time, obviously men’s amateur, junior provincials, the bigger tournaments like that. That will help me for sure just getting used to a bigger stage. Hopefully when I head out to Kelowna, I will be well prepared to get going with my first season,” he said.
In the classroom Kutcher plans to study Sustainability.
You can hear more from Kutcher in his interview with Golf Saskatchewan’s Clark Stork.
Golf Saskatchewan pays tribute to Past President
Golf Saskatchewan is paying tribute to a long-time sports volunteer and one of their former presidents.
Don Kunkel passed away peacefully at the Yorkton Regional Health Centre on Feb. 25.
Current Golf Saskatchewan President Larry Wagman said he will be missed.
“The golf community in Saskatchewan and particularly in Yorkton is saddened with the announcement of the passing of Don Kunkel. He was a strong voice for golf through his volunteer time with Golf Saskatchewan particularly leading the organization through the first year of COVID as president. He will be missed by his fellow board members, family and community. Rest In Peace.”
Golf Saskatchewan Executive Director Brian Lee has known Kunkel for years, he said Kunkel has always had a passion for golf, and people.
“Don Kunkel was a long time golf enthusiast and supporter of golf in Saskatchewan. Whether it was his competitive drive as a young player trying to make the provincial teams, winning the Saskatoon High School Championship, or competing for an elusive Waskesiu Lobstick title, Don loved the sport. Don brought his knowledge and experiences to our organization as a volunteer on the board of directors and eventually being elected the Association President in 2020. Don will be missed but his legacy and friendship to many will not be forgotten. Until we meet again, rest in peace.”
Kunkel’s obituary can be seen here.
Kunkel’s longtime friend Dick Deryk in Yorkton has launched a GoFundMe page to raise money to plant some trees at Deer Park Municipal Golf Course in his memory.
A look at the Stealth driver lineup
On Feb. 4 TaylorMade released the Stealth lineup of drivers to the world with rave reviews.
Golf Saskatchewan joined TaylorMade Territory Sales and Marketing Manager for Saskatchewan Mike Langin at the Ramada Golf Dome to showcase the Stealth Plus, Stealth, and Stealth HD drivers.
To book a custom fitting in your area visit TaylorMade’s website.
Schmidt starts final spring season with top-4 finish, Istace in action again
The final spring season of Alex Schmidt’s collegiate golf career got off on the right foot this week.
The Lewis-Clark State College Warrior senior shot rounds of 80, 82, and 77 for a 54-hole total of 239, plus-23 at the Ottawa University Arizona Sterling Grove Shootout in Surprise, Arizona on Monday and Tuesday.
The Regina products performance led her team to a third-place finish in the tea competition while Schmidt tied for fourth, just 10 strokes back of the winner. Warriors Head Coach Brady Campbell said on the Lewis-Clark website that Schmidt continues to play great golf for the school.
“It was great to see the girls come back today and forget yesterday,” Campbell said. “Alex continued to do what she has done all year with another top 5. Deana and Kyla gave us some solid rounds”.
The Warriors will be in Henderson, Nevada from March 15 and 16 for the Rocky Mountain Intercollegiate event for the teams next competition.
Kindersley’s Brody Istace was in action again this week for his second event of the spring with the Columbia International University (CIU) Rams.
The 36-hole CIU Invitational was held at the Columbia Country Club in Blythewood, South Carolina on Feb. 21 and 22. Istace tied for 13th with a two-round score of 158 (80, 78). The winner was plus-6.
As a team the Rams finished second behind Spartanburg Methodist College.
The school’s next event is the Truett McConnell Golden Tiger Invitational on March 13 in Gainesville, Georgia.
Back-to-back rounds produce life-long memories
The odds of hitting a hole-in-one is 12,500 to one, 14 percent of golfers will hit another ace in their playing career, but what about the odds of putting a one on your card in back-to-back days?
Numbers weren’t readily available to break down the timeline percentages for two aces in a two round or day span but add Warman’s Dan Hesje to the list of who has accomplished the incredible feat.
Hesje, a member at The Legends Golf Course in Warman dropped his tee shot on hole 15 (93 yards) at Harbor Golf Club & Resort on July 17, 2021. The 37-year-old was playing in Elbow with his father. The next day at The Legends, Hesje hit the “perfect” drive on the 343-yard par four eighth hole for his second hole-in-one while playing with a group of good friends.
Both days provided some fantastic moments for the lifetime player and has fueled his fire to take the game more seriously once again.
Hesje spoke with Golf Saskatchewan to relive the memories from two amazing days in July at two marquee courses.