The North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) Host Society is pleased to announce that the 2027 Games (NAIG) will take place in Calgary from July 25 to July 31.

Today, Indigenous leadership from across Alberta, including representatives from Treaty 6, Treaty 7, Treaty 8, and Otipemisiwak Métis Government, gathered together in anticipation of welcoming 756 Indigenous Nations from across North America to the largest sporting and cultural event for Indigenous youth.

With more than 6,000 participants competing in 16 sports, supported by 2,000 volunteers and thousands of spectators and dignitaries, NAIG represents a historic opportunity to celebrate Indigenous excellence in athletics, culture, and community.

“The North American Indigenous Games represent more than competition; they embody the spirit, resilience, and strength of our Nations,” said Chief Lee Crowchild, NAIG Board Member and former Chief of Tsuut’ina Nation. “We are excited to welcome young Indigenous athletes to Calgary and create an environment where they can thrive both on and off the field.”

Participating teams traditionally represent all provinces and territories of Canada, as well as multiple regions from the United States. The 2027 Games will feature 16 sporting events across two youth age categories:

• U18 (Born 2009 or later)
• U15 (Born 2012 or later)

“As one of the founding members of NAIG, I have witnessed firsthand the power of these Games to unite Indigenous youth in sport and culture,” said International Chief Wilton Littlechild, NAIG Founding Member. “This event provides young people a platform to showcase their talents while reinforcing identity, belonging, and self-determination through sport.”

“The 2027 Games will be a transformative moment for Calgary and Indigenous sport,” said Shannon Dunfield, Chair of the 2027 NAIG Host Society. “We look forward to welcoming athletes, coaches, and supporters from across the continent and ensuring an unforgettable experience for all.”

Mark yours calendars golf fans, the Synergy 8 group in Saskatoon is bringing Canadian star Corey Conners to the Bridge City for their 2025 fundraising event at The Willows Club and Prairieland Park.

This year’s tournament and following “Dinner with Corey” will take place on Aug. 28. Prince Albert comedian Kelly Taylor will host the dinner.

Conners is currently one of the top players in the world, he is ranked 27th in the world as of March 24. He was recently part of the Presidents Cup team in Montreal and competed for Canada at the Olympics.

The Synergy 8 group consistently supports the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital, this year a focus will be on Saskatchewan’s Air Ambulance. Saskatchewan Air Ambulance is based at the Saskatoon Airport and uses three Transport Canada-approved King Air B200 aircraft equipped for critical care transport. Flights are staffed by specially trained air medical crews that include critical care flight nurses and critical care paramedics. Over 1,400 patients are transferred to Saskatoon annually.

It’s customary for Synergy 8 to announce many more guests as the event nears. In the past Saskatchewan celebrities such as Kim Coates, Darcy Kuemper, Wendel Clark, and Connor Ingram have been involved.

For more information on the 16th Synergy 8 Drive for Kids Campaign and all their past guests, click here.

Will Danielson of Saskatoon has a runner-up finish on his solid post-secondary resume with the Millsaps Majors. Competing in his final season, Danielson was in Opelika, Alabama from March 12 to 14 for the LTU Spring Break Invitational at Grand National Golf Club. The Riverside Country Club member opened with a 66 in round one, the lowest score for any Millsaps player since 2016. Danielson followed the effort with a 77 in round two, he finished with a 72 in round three to tie for second at 215, two shots behind the event champion.

Danielson’s teammate with the Majors Davin Karst of Assiniboia was competing as an individual in the tournament, Karst shot rounds of 91, 87, and 99 to finish in 61^st spot.

The Majors as a team were sixth led by Danielson. The team heads to Bullard, Texas for the Eagle’s Bluff Intercollegiate from March 31 to April 1.

Alex Swinnerton kicked off his spring season with the Indianna University of Pennsylvania (IUP) Crimson Hawks in Monroe, North Carolina at the Rolling Hills Country Club on March 17 and 18. The Saskatoon product was tied for first after rounds of 67 and 71, but couldn’t quite hold off a talented field, but still tied for fourth after a 72 on Tuesday.

Teammate and former Waskesiu junior Guillermo Salazar of Calgary struggled to an uncharacteristic tie in 79^th place at 233 (80,81,72). The team placed 11^th.

Next up for IUP is the Trevecca Men’s Spring Music City Invitational in Old Hickory, Tennessee at Hermitage Golf Club General’s Retreat Golf Course beginning March 30.

Also, in action this week was Luke Cote and Will Blake, both of Regina. The Southern Arkansas University (SAU) Muleriders travelled to Edmond, Oklahoma on March 17 and 18 for the Oak Tree Invitational at Oak Tree Golf Club.

The team was eighth out of 17 schools at the event, Cote led the way tying for 21^st at 228 (73,75,80), Blake tied for 45^th place at 234 (78,76,80). There were 100 players in the field.

SAU hosts the Arkansas Collegiate at Mystic Creek Golf Club next week.

The Minot State University Beavers women’s team led by Holly Knudsen opened their spring season in Litchfield Park, Arizona at well known Maple Leaf Junior Tour national host club Wigwam Resort on St. Patrick’s Day and March 18. She shot 79 and 81, finished tied for 13^th to start her final season at MSU. The Chaplin resident was the top player for her team and aided them to an eighth-place finish.

Next on MSU’s calendar is the NCIS Conference Preview at Paradise Pointe Golf Club in Smithville, Missouri beginning on March 31.

Chase Gedak and Jace Carlisle have started their final college seasons with MSU men’s team.

The Beavers were in Goodyear, Arizona on March 10 and 11 for the Maverick Dessert Classic at Palm Valley Golf Club. The Estevan duo led the team with 24th and 37^th placings. Gedak shot 71 and 77, Carlisle posted rounds of 72 and 79.

Darien Herlick of Weyburn tied for 52^nd with a 36-hole score of 10-over par, 154 (73,81). Kipling product Winston Grayson went 81 and 88 for MSU, he was 78^th, Cameron Schwab of Maple Creek was 80^th at 30-over par, 174 after rounds of 84 and 90.

The Beavers were 12^th in the team competition, next up is the NCIS Conference Preview at Adams Pointe Golf Club in Blue Springs, Missouri starting March 24.

Autumn Neiszner has a top 20 finish after the Regina resident’s 18^th overall result at the Kona Ice Keiser Cup hosted by the Seahawks at Okeeheelee Golf Course in West Palm Beach, Florida on March 9 to 11. The Wascana Country Club member went 81, 84, 81 competing as an individual with Keiser. Neiszner’s teammates won the team championship. The win was the Seahawks fourth victory of the season.

The team is currently in Pembroke Pines, Florida for the Barry Invitational, Neizsner is not in the field.

Cole Taylor of Nipawin and the Park University Buccaneers were in action on March 10 and 11 in Lubbock, Texas for the Top of Texas Invitational hosted by Wayland Baptist University. The Evergreen Golf Club staff shot 79, 83, and 75 to place 25^th overall. The Bucs were second as a squad.

They are back on the course on April 2 for the Park University Gilbert Shootout in San Tan Valley, Arizona at Highlands Golf Club.

 Saskatoon products Carter Degelman and Carter Bell were competing for Dominican University of California also on March 10 and 11. The Penguins were in Alameda, California at the Corica Park Golf Course. Degelman opened with a 75, shot 72 in round two and 70 in the final round, the Riverside Country Club member was 29^th.

Bell shot 84, 74, and 81 to finish in 94^th place. The team was 14^th in the field. Dominican will be in Sonoma, California for the Sonoma State Spring Invitational starting March 24 at the Sonoma Golf Club.

Chase Pochylko was in the Nicholls University match-play event against South Texas on March 10 and 11 in McAllen, Texas at the McAllen Country Club. The Saskatoon player helped the Colonels to a 4-1 win over New Orleans. Nicholls was defeated by UIW and UTRGV in the event.

Next up is the Mobile Bay Intercollegiate in Semmes, Alabama starting March 23 at Magnolia Grove.

U of Regina team competes in NCAA Div. 3 event

The University of Regina Cougars golf team is currently in North Carolina after competing in the Pfeiffer Colonial Shootout in Thomasville at Colonial Country Club.

Out of 14 NCAA Div. 3 schools, the Cougars placed 11^th.

Jackson Wingert of Saskatoon led the team with an excellent showing tying for 14^th and jumping nine spots on the leaderboard in round two. He shot 79 and 74. Micah Tangjerd also of Saskatoon placed tied for 48^th with scores of 86 and 78. Gray product Reece Kuski was also tied for 48^th with rounds of 78 and 86.

Carter Bell of Regina tied for 53^rd at 167 (83,84), Josh Silverson of Regina was 68^th (91,88) while fellow Regina product Jacob Lipp carded rounds of 90 and 92 for a tie for 71^st.

That wraps up year for the Cougars with hopes of more events in the United States in the future.

Golf Saskatchewan has outlined the three events to be used to qualify two females and two males to make up Team Saskatchewan at the upcoming Canada Summer Games.

The 2025 Canada Summer Games will be held in St. John’s, Nfld. with the golf championships being held form Aug. 19 – 22 at Bally Haly Country Club.

To be eligible players must be under 19 years old as of Aug. 1, 2025.

The events used to make the teams will be as follows:

• Maple Leaf Junior Tour – Spring Classic | Elmwood Golf Club (Swift Current) | May 18 – 20 | REGISTER
• Golf Canada – NextGen Prairie Championship | The Legends Golf Club (Warman) | June 13 – 15 | REGISTER
• Golf Saskatchewan | Junior Championships | Lloydminster Golf & Curling Centre (Lloydminster) | July 8 – 10 | REGISTER (Will open April 15 – Payments processed May 15)

The teams will be announced shortly after the provincial championships.

If there are any ties among players eligible for a spot on the team, the player(s) with the better finish at the 2025 Golf Saskatchewan Junior Championships will be chosen.

Stay tuned for more information regarding the Games as the season nears opening day.

To view all the details of the Games golf championship, click here.

Ella Kozak of Yorkton’s second event of the spring was shortened by weather last week in Humacoa, Puerto Rico. The Western Carolina Catamounts were at Palmas Del Mar on March 4 to 6 for the Puerto Rico Shootout. With rounds of 77 and 73, the Yorkton product tied for 34^th after round three was cancelled.

Western Carolina placed seventh in the team competition. The Catamounts are in Raleigh, North Carolina for the City of Oaks Collegiate beginning March 21 at Lonnie Poole Golf Club.

Saskatoon’s Symone Ripley’s spring season with the University of British Columbia Okanagan (UBCO) Heat got underway on March 4 and 5 in Henderson, Nevada. Competing at the Reflection Bay Golf Club the nursing student fired rounds of 90, 92, and 90 for a 54-hole total of 56-over, 272. Ripley was 39^th in the field.

The Heat were third as a team, 2023 Saskatchewan Amateur Women’s champion Emily Cornwall of UBCO won the event finishing 2-over par.

The Heat remain in Nevada and will compete in the Vegas Warrior Invitational at Wildhorse Golf Club in Henderson beginning March 14.

Chase Pochylko and the Nicholls University Colonels were in action for the second time this spring in Sugar Land, Texas for the HCU Colin Montgomerie Invitational hosted at Sweetwater Country Club. The Riverside Country Club player opened with a 78 I round one on March 3, the Saskatoon product followed that up with 73 and 74 to finish in a tie for 33^rd at 12-over par.

Nicholls was eighth as a team. The Colonels are already on the course again this week competing in South Texas Match Play in McAllen, Texas.

Upwards of 20 student-athletes could begin their spring schedules this week. Golf Saskatchewan will have more results later this week.

Another one of Saskatchewan’s top junior golfers has signed a commitment with a college golf squad in the United States.

Saskatoon resident Ben Staines will attend Mount Aloysius College in Cresson, Pennsylvania starting in the fall of 2025..

Staines has climbed the ranks of Saskatchewan junior men’s golf in the last couple years, the Riverside Country Club member was 58th in his first provincial championship in 2002, in 2023 Staines was 21st, last year he was 14th.

With one year of under-19 competition ahead and a future amateur career following university, Staines hopes some national opportunities arise as well.

He joined Golf Saskatchewan to speak about his start in golf, route to college, and future in the game.

As we get closer to spring, especially in the United States, college golf schedules are getting busier.

Last week Nipawin’s Cole Taylor was the lone player in action competing for Park University in Arizona. The Buccaneers started the season with a team win at the Sea Beggar hosted by Providence Baptist Invitational on Feb. 18 and 19. The team won the event by seven shots over the host school. Taylor tied for 14^th with rounds of 75 and 81 at the Angeles National Gold Club in Sunland, California.

The Bucs are in Lubbock, Texas on March 10 and 11 for the Wayland Baptist Invitational.

Yorkton’s Ella Kozak began her spring season with the Western Carlina Catamounts on Feb. 21 to 23 at the Reynolds Lake Oconee Invitational in Greensboro, Georgia. The 2024 Saskatchewan Junior champion shot 81, 85, and 75 to place 73^rd overall at the National Course.

The Catamounts were 13^th as team. Kozak and Western Carolina will be in Puerto Rico from March 4 – 6 for the Puerto Rica Classic at Palmas del Mar.

Will Danielson (pictured above) opened his last spring season with the Milsaps Majors in Houston, Texas at Gus Wortham Park Golf Course on Feb. 24 and 25. The Saskatoon product opened with a 1-over par, 72 in round one, he fired a 76 in round two and 79 in the final round to finish in a tie for 25^th. Milsaps placed seventh in the team competition.

Next up is a trip to Opelika, Alabama for the LTU Spring Break Invitational from March 12 to 14 at Grand National Golf Club.

Down in New Orleans, Louisianna on Feb. 24 and 25 Chase Pochylko and Nicholls University teed it up for the first time this spring. The Saskatoon-born player carded rounds of 74, 76, and 77, the Riverside Country Club member tied for 52^nd at English Turn in the ‘Big Easy.’

The Colonels tied for 11^th. Their next event is the HCU Colin Montgomerie Invitational starting March 3 at Sweetwater Country Club in Sugar Land, Texas.

Several more Saskatchewan student-athletes will start their seasons in the first week of March, by the middle of the month all schools will have had an event.

The NextGen Prairie Championship is coming to The Legends Golf Club in Warman this year, the first Golf Canada event ever hosted by the course.

Almost 120 players from five provinces, and 36 players from Saskatchewan are on the pending registration list, Golf Canada started taking entries on Feb. 19. The 54-hole championship runs from June 13 – 15. Legends General Manager and Davidson Matyczuk said the club is delighted to host the event.

“We are very excited to have been given the opportunity to host this Golf Canada event,” Matyczuk said. “We can’t wait to welcome everyone to Warman and the Legends Golf Club this June. It’s going to be a great event for both the juniors in our province as well as those traveling from other provinces to participate.”

The Legends is a par-72 championship caliber course that plays over 7,200 yards from the back tees. Matzczuk said the competitors are all talented players and will be tested by the course in various aspects.

“The players should expect to see a very strong field with the top juniors from Saskatchewan competing alongside some of the top junior golfers in Canada. The Legends has a history of identifying worthy champions as proven by the list of winners in previously held provincial championships. We expect the course will provide a fair but challenging test where their skills, course management, and mental toughness will all be required to be successful,” he added.

The NextGen Prairie Championship rotates between Saskatchewan and Manitoba each year. In 2023 Nipawin’s Evergreen Golf Course hosted the event over three days in June. Killarney, Man. product Cala Korman and Alberta resident Kye Fisher were the champions that year. Both players are now Division 1 collegiate players in the United States. Matyczuk, a longtime professional that has played around the world on several professional tours. He said events such as the NextGen Championship could be key in any junior golfer’s development.

“A win in any NextGen Championship has proven to be huge. It is often a turning point in a player’s development as well as opening new opportunities going forward. Events like this are a fantastic means for individuals to begin to validate their skills and building their own personal belief that they can compete amongst the best Canada. I’m hopeful that for many players (and specifically the Saskatchewan players) that this event might become a defining experience. For some it comes in the form of a win or earning an exemption into the Canadian championships, but even if it doesn’t, this event hopefully lights a spark and gives them the confidence to keep advancing towards their individual goals,” Matyczuk added.

The NextGen Prairie Championship will also be part of the Canada Summer Games qualifying process in Saskatchewan. Golf Saskatchewan will release the entire qualification process in March.

The college golf season is getting underway in the warmer states of the U.S.A.

Autumn Neiszner and the highly ranked Keiser University Seahawks team were in Jekyll Island, Ga. for the Coastal Georgia Winter Invitational on Feb. 10 and 11. The Regina product competed as an individual at the Jekyll Island Golf Course, she shot 82 and 80, good enough for a tie for 34th in the field of 76 players.

Neiszner’s team took the overall championship of the event. Next up for the Seahawks is the Babs Steffens Invitational hosted by Stetson University on Feb. 24 and 25 in DeBary, Flo.

Fellow Regina golfer Luke Cote and the Southern Arkansas University (SAU) Muleriders opened their spring season in Texas at the Golf Club of Houston on Feb. 10 and 11. The Royal Regina Golf Club member tied for 46th place after rounds of 73 and 78.

The Muleriders were 10th in the team competition. SAU travels to Edmond, Okla. on March 17 for the Oak Tree Invitational at Oak Tree Golf Club

Saskatoon product Carter Degelman got his spring season underway at Dominican University of California on Feb. 10 and 11. The Penguins placed 13th at the CSUSM Fujikura Invitational with Degelman at 68th. The Riverside Country Club player fired 80, 79, and 87 at Shadowridge Golf Club in Vista, Cal.

The Tim Tierney Pioneer Shootout in Alameda, Cal. at Corica Park Golf Course on March 10 and 11 is next up for Dominican.

Dick DeRyk, who was president of Golf Saskatchewan following the amalgamation of the amateur women’s and men’s organizations in the province has been honoured by the City of Yorkton.

DeRyk served as the president of Golf Saskatchewan from 2000 to 2002. He has also been a key member of many golf events hosted by Deer Park Municipal Golf Course serving as either the chair or co-chair of many provincial and national events hosted by the club between 1986 and 2017.

The city of Yorkton celebrated their sixth edition of the annual Civic Recognition Awards prior to a council meeting on Jan. 27.

More details from Yorkton This Week can be found here -> Dick DeRyk chosen as Yorkton’s Civic Recognition Award winner – SaskToday.ca.