Kindersley’s Brody Istace has begun the spring season of his senior year at Columbia International University.

The Rams men’s golf team was in action this week at The Golf Club at Sanctuary in Waverly, Georgia for the Coastal Georgia Men’s Winter Invitational. Istace shot rounds of 85, 81, and 82 to finish in a tie for 68^th place at plus-32, 248.

As a team the Rams finished in 10^th place out of 15 schools.

Istace and the Rams will now prepare for their home event in Columbia, South Carolina for the CIU Invitational from Feb. 20 to 22.

More and more Saskatchewan student-athletes will begin their seasons in the days ahead including:

• Roman Timmerman (Southern Arkansas University) | Feb. 28 *Timmerman began his season last week
• Will Danielson (Milsaps College) | Feb. 28
• Alex Schmidt (Lewis-Clark State College) | Feb. 21
• Autumn Neiszner (Keiser University) | Feb. 21

Wawota’s Theoren West has committed to play college golf at Bellevue University in Nebraska beginning this spring.

West, 18, graduated last June and has been working steady since but on advice from his parents he was encouraged to pursue a post-secondary education. West put together a Next College Student Athlete (NCSA) account and he said the process to commit to Bellevue was swift.

“After golf season I was just working and dad told me I have to ‘get off my butt’ and find a place to go to school,” he said to Golf Saskatchewan. “I made an account on NCSA and within an hour of being on it the coach called me and asked if I wanted to come down. I went down, I liked it, so I committed.”

The Bellevue Bruins compete in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and have seen a god amount of success so far in the 2021-22 season. The team has six wins already this year out of 11 events dating between September and October of last year. The school also enters many events under coach Rob Brown. West said the winning culture and size of the campus were key factors in his quick decision.

“Number one is how small the school is, there is only 500 people on campus and that’s more comfortable for me because that’s where I come from. They play a lot really good courses like Whistling Straights and TPC Deere Run, and courses like that so that made me excited. They have a really good team and do a lot of winning so I like that too,” West added.

West plans to study business at the school, but he admitted that could change.

The turnaround is quick for the Golf Kenosee member as well. He will leave home on Feb. 25 and hopes to compete in the schools first event of 2022 at the Friends University in Wichita, Kansas on March 7 – 8.

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

The city of Yorkton is committing $7.6 million to construct a new clubhouse for Deer Park Municipal Golf Course.

At the city’s Jan. 31 council meeting the group voted to move ahead with the project that should be completed in time for the 2023 golf season.

Golf Saskatchewan sat down with Yorkton Mayor Mitch Hippsley and Director of Recreation and Community Darcy McLeod to discuss the construction and the excitement of replacing the current building that dates back 60 years.

A younger, committed, driven group of Luseland area residents with assistance from a lot of know-how are revitalizing Luseland Bells Acres Golf and Country Club.

Curtis Reschny farms the land near the nine-hole course and lives in the community of 600 people on with a view of the course that opened in 1963. He told Golf Saskatchewan that the recent conversion of their sand greens to synthetic grass has lit a spark among the town and area.

“After seeing the enthusiasm from the people in the area and from the community after we did the greens its really motivated us to carry on and keep doing what we’re doing,” Reschny said.

Talks of transitioning the greens to synthetic grass began with thoughts of replacing just a few at a time over a longer period, but on the advice of secretary-treasure Ryley Magnus who has a financial background suggested the club fundraise and replace them all. The funds raised before construction began and the project was paid off with monumental support according to Reschny.

“We have had fantastic support from the community and surrounding area, it’s been unreal,” he beamed. “The support has been phenomenal; people are happy to see things going on.”

Next on the club’s wish list is an upgrade to the irrigation system that the group hopes will build more momemtun coming off their busiest season ever. With upgrades to the watering system the club will also touch up around the greens.

“We’re doing hydro-grass seeding around the new greens, same as any construction site, they had their skid-steers digging out the old sand greens. Around the greens is not the way it should be so this spring we have a contractor company lined up to hydro-seed some nice grass and get around the greens cleaned up,” he said.

Last year the club also put some care into the clubhouse with fresh paint, flooring, some appliances and other minor upgrades. This year the plan is to construction new washrooms to accommodate the growing crowds for men’s night and everyday play.

The course purchased two carts for rentals that were very popular. More carts are eventually planned according to Reschny.

In the past the club has hosted a ‘Bosses Night Out’ event that Reschny described as a community Christmas party. Due to COVID-19 the event is on a two-year hiatus. An online auction is currently underway on Facebook that features over 100 donated items. The auction closes Saturday night at midnight. It’s expected to raise over $30,000, well above their goal. Overall, the future is bright at Bells Acres and Reschny is confident the club will continue to be a vibrant, key meeting place for the town and region.

“This little community is getting more young people sticking around so they’ve joined the committee and they are eager. These young people are ambitions, they want to improve it, it’s been really good. I’m not taking anything away from what anybody, but the young blood has been really great.”

Roman Timmerman has kicked off his final spring college golf season with a solid showing at the Houston Classic.

The Southern Arkansas University (SAU) senior put a 54-hole score of 223 together to finish in a tie for 14^th at the event that concluded on Tuesday. The Saskatoon product and 2021 Saskatchewan Men’s Amateur champion shot 75 in the opening round Monday morning. Timmerman followed that with a 78 in round two, also on Monday. Tuesday he caped the event with a 70 to help lead the Muleriders to a seventh-place finish as a team at the Golf Club of Houston in Humble, Texas.

The SAU men’s golf team will compete again on Feb. 28 and March 1 at the Broncho Invitational in Oklahoma City.

Several other Saskatchewan student-athletes will begin their spring seasons in the next few weeks.

For more details on the players competing south of the border click here.

The governing body of amateur golf in Saskatchewan is announcing another event for the 2022 schedule.

Golf Saskatchewan will hold a 36-hole, Four-Ball championship on May 21 and 22 at Valley Regional Park and Golf Course. Golf Saskatchewan Manager of Championships Steve Ryde said the organization is excited to launch this team event.

“For over half a century, Golf Saskatchewan has run successful team events such as the Women’s Rosebowl and the Mixed Championships. To bring back another team event, open to all genders, is great for golf in the province. Our individual stroke-play events focus on high level golf but opening a new avenue to compete for a provincial title with someone close to you is extra special,” Ryde said.

The stroke play format for the two-day event over the Victoria Day weekend consists of a two-person team, with the lowest score from either team member counting for their team score.

“Similar provincial events have been played in the past, but this is a new focus on a popular format. You now have the ability to lean on your partner.” Executive Director Brian Lee said.

Valley Regional Head Professional Conner McGill worked in collaboration with Ryde on the finalizing of the event. McGill said he’s wanted to bring a Golf Saskatchewan tournament to the course that’s highly regarding among the Saskatchewan golf community.

“Obviously it’s exciting to host a new event,” McGill said to Golf Saskatchewan. “We always hear people say, I’ve never played there before, so it’s nice to try to attract a few people that haven’t played Valley Regional before. I’ve always wanted to host a Golf Saskatchewan event; I just wasn’t sure if it was possible without a driving range. It’s something a little more, not just a one-player stroke-play event, it’s kind of perfect.”

Valley Regional is a “hidden gem” located between Saskatoon and Prince Albert. The course features tree lined fairways, rolling terrain, and a “peaceful” atmosphere of a small Saskatchewan town. Camping is available at the park. McGill said players will be pleased with spending the May long weekend at Valley Regional.

“We’re going to try to have the course in as good as shape as possible for such a big event. We will just keep doing what we do daily with the customer service and hopefully the weather holds off and it’s good in May,” McGill said.

Registration opens for all events on April 15.

Sask Sport has named Chase Pochylko their 2021 Youth Male Athlete of the Year.

Nominated by Golf Saskatchewan, the 17-year-old Saskatoon product was named the winner during the amateur sport association’s virtual awards gala on Thursday. Pochylko had several people to thank upon receiving the honour.

“A huge thanks to my parents for their endless support throughout my journey in golf,” Pochylko said. “They’ve just helped me so much through the years. I’d like to thank all my coaches in my junior golf career. I’d like to thank Sask Sport for putting on this ceremony and just helping grow the amateur sports scene here in Saskatchewan.”

Pochylko capped a great season that included a trip to both the amateur and junior Canadian championships, an appearance at the Elk Ridge Open, a win at the Maple Leaf Junior Tour National Championship, and the 2021 Saskatchewan Order of Merit junior men’s championship.

“I’d like to thank all my friends and family who have supported me so much over the years. It really helps me stay motivated in pursuing my dream,” Pochylko concluded.

As announced last week by the Canadian Junior Golf Association (CJGA) and Golf Saskatchewan, the nationwide junior tour is returning to the province.

The CJGA last held an event in Saskatchewan in May of 2017. This year the CJGA Prairie Championship will be held from June 17 to 19 at Yorkton’s Deer Park Municipal Golf Course. CJGA Director of Tour Operations Tyler Torrieri said part of his goal within his role at the association was to bring an event back to the province.

“We’ve been out of it for three or four years now, the pandemic kind of messed with things but even before that we just weren’t seeing the players out there,” he told Golf Saskatchewan. “I really wanted to get back into Saskatchewan and give players another avenue to play.”

The CJGA holds 120 events across Canada for junior golfers up to the age 24. The organization has the customary junior competitive circuit as well as their “Linkster” program for players four to 14. Deer Park last hosted a large-scale junior event in 2019 when Golf Canada hosted the then Future Links [now NextGen] Prairie Championship. Torrieri said he’s looking forward to bringing the event to the east-central city.

“We’re very excited to provide another avenue for these golfers out there because you guys have some fantastic junior golfers that we want to provide that opportunity to and provide notoriety for them too with some of the ranking associations and put their names on the map,” he said.

The 54-hole tournament is also one of five events that will be used to determine Team Saskatchewan that will represent the province at the Canada Summer Games in August. He added that the incentive the event provides is fantastic.

“Absolutely, we’re excited that you guys (Golf Saskatchewan) have offered that opportunity to us as well to be a qualifier for the Canada Games and provide this opportunity for players because you guys deserve it out there,” Torrieri said.

For more details on the CJGA you can visit their website.

You can hear more below in Torrieri’s interview with Golf Saskatchewan’s Clark Stork.

Golf Saskatchewan has announced the criteria that will outline who will compete for the province at the 2022 Canada Summer Games in Niagara this summer.

The golf competition at the Games will be held at the Legends on the Niagara (Battlefield) from Aug. 17 to 20. Team Saskatchewan will be made up of two females and two males under the age of 19. Golf Saskatchewan Manager of Sport Steve Ryde said the internal competition to be a part of Team Saskatchewan will be fun to follow along this upcoming season.

“Saskatchewan is rich in talent, there are at least a dozen or more talented, male players that could possibly make the team. On the female side, we have a handful of competitors ready to represent the green and gold on the national stage. As the coach for the golf team, my goal is to create a team atmosphere leading up to the games that expands through the entire process to the final hole in late August,” Ryde said.

The teams will be announced following the Saskatchewan Junior Championships at the Royal Regina Golf Club from July 5 to 7. Four other tournaments leading up to the provincial championships will also be used to determine the team. Ryde added that despite the fact the Games are still over seven months away, preparation for players is underway for a chance to compete in this potential once in a lifetime opportunity.

“We are months away from the Canada Games however, golfers in Saskatchewan are already training and planning their competitive schedules. Our organization wanted to finalize the details regarding the process, so all the players are ready when registration for all the events are open,” Ryde said.

“There are so many PGA professionals, fitness experts, and coaches that help in the development of our junior golfers in Saskatchewan, I am proud to say that we are all Team Saskatchewan. The excitement is building towards another amazing season for our juniors and all golfers,” Ryde concluded.

For the complete Junior Order of Merit Schedule click here.

Saskatoon’s Chase Pochylko is being recognized by Sask Sport Inc. for his tremendous season on the golf course.

On Wednesday the 17-year-old was named one of the finalists for Youth Male Athlete of the Year for 2021.

Pochylko competed at both the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship and the Canadian Junior Boy’s Championship. He missed the cut by just one stroke in the men’s event and finished in 69^th place at the boy’s national event.

He was the winner of the Saskatchewan Junior Order of Merit Tour in 2021 and had his season capped by winning his age group at the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT) National Championship in British Columbia over the Thanksgiving weekend.

Pochylko is a finalist alongside baseball player Carson Hindmarsh.

You can read more on the finalists here.

Sask Sport will announce the winners virtually on Jan. 27.