Mike Masaro/Golf Canada

WINNIPEG, Man. – The 2026 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship, presented by BDO is set for September 8-11 with a field of 156 amateur golfers competing over four rounds at Niakwa Country Club in Winnipeg, Man.

Saskatchewan has nine players in the field led by provincial champion Jim Born. He will compete alongside Brad Phelps and Scott Allan for the inter-provincial championship.

Also playing in the event is Shawn Strelau, Rick Hallberg, Brent Wotypka, Ron Swan, Lonnie Jones, and Ken Rodgers.

The field competing for the John Rankin Memorial Trophy features seven past champions including Don Martone of Sault Ste Marie, Ont. (2025), Doug Hanzel of Savannah, Ga. (2023), Rusty Strawn of Eatonton, Ga. (2022), Darren Ritchie of St. John, N.B. (2021), two-time champion Gene Elliott of Norwalk, Iowa (2019, 2017), Brad Exber of Las Vegas, Nev. (2018) and David Schultz of Calgary Alta. (2013).

“We are proud to welcome a strong field that includes seven past champions and a number of accomplished competitors to the 2026 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship next week at Niakwa Country Club,” said Sam Brown, Tournament Director, Golf Canada. “We are grateful for the tremendous support from the staff and volunteers at Niakwa, whose efforts have helped create a challenging championship experience along with a memorable week for everyone involved.”

Niakwa Country Club is an 18-hole parkland course designed by Stanley Thompson, recently updated by Doug Carrick to remain true to this philosophy. The Niakwa Country Club was launched in the fall of 1921 by a few enthusiasts who envisioned a need in Winnipeg for a high-quality golf course, close to the city. On November 1, 1921, a final decision was made to move forward with development and to name the club “Niakwa” meaning “Winding River”. Stanley Thompson, internationally renowned Canadian golf architect, arrived in November 1922 to begin design. Thompson took full advantage of the Seine River and the ravines that ran through the property.

“On behalf of the membership and staff at Niakwa Country Club, it is our privilege to welcome you to the 2026 Canadian Senior Golf Championship. We our very proud of our historic Stanley Thompson design and know it will be an excellent test for all the competitors,” said Todd Fanning, member, Niakwa Country Club. “Enjoy not only our hospitality but also our great city that we invite you to explore during your stay in Winnipeg. Best of luck to all and may your tee shots be straight this week.”

The Canadian Men’s Senior Championship was established in 1962 for golfers aged 55-and-over and includes a Super Senior division for golfers 65-and-over that was introduced in 1995. The national championship consists of 72 holes of stroke-play with a cut to the low 70 plus ties after 36 holes. Additionally, a minimum of five Super Seniors will make the cut as well as any Super Seniors within 10 shots of the division leader. In addition, the Senior Inter-Provincial Team Championship will run concurrently through the first 36 holes of the tournament. There will be a practice round on Monday, September 7 followed by tournament play beginning on Tuesday, September 8.

Team Ontario will look to go back-to-back in the Inter-Provincial Team Championship after winning the 2025 Inter-Provincial Team Championship at KenWo Golf Club in New Minas, N.S. Martone, Ashley Chinner of Brooklin, Ont. and Mike Kray of Oakville, Ont. were victorious last year ending Alberta’s quest for five straight team titles at the Canadian Men’s Senior Championship. Team Alberta will be in search of their seventh championship in nine years.

A trio of Canadian Golf Hall of Famers lead the way having won the most Canadian Men’s Senior Championships in tournament history including, Bob Wylie of Calgary, Alta. with seven (1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1993, 1995). Nick Weslock of Oakville, Ont. with six (1973, 1974, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1983) and Graham Cooke of Hudson, Que. with four (2001, 2002, 2008 and 2009).

The champion will receive exemptions into the 2027 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, 2027 Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship, 2027 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship (plus a 10-year exemption, if eligible) and the 2027 U.S. Senior Amateur Championship.

For the full player field competing at the 2026 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship, presented by BDO, please click here.

Brady Guenther of Saskatoon has made his golf debut with the Parkland College Cobras based in Champaign, Illinois.

The Saskatoon Golf and Country Club (SGCC) junior was in Normal, Illinois on Aug. 24 and 25 for the Heartland Invitational at Weibring Golf Club. Guenther helped lead the Cobras to a third place finish while he placed in the top 10. He shot 72 in round two to lead the team, overall, he placed tied for eighth at 6-over par, 148.

The next event for Guenther and the Cobras is the Cougar Fall Classic in East Peoria, Illinois at Metamora Fields Golf Club beginning on Sept. 8.

Golf Saskatchewan spoke with Guenther about his commitment and his collegiate debut.

Maharaj and Blanch also make first starts

Also making their debuts in late August were a pair of other SGCC juniors Jack Maharaj and Griffin Blanch.

The duo is on the Highland Junior College Cougar golf team based in Freeport, Illinois and have had a busy start to their college careers. Beginning with the Highland 36 on Aug. 21 in Freeport at the Park Hills Golf Course. The tournament is a one day 36 hole event, but weather forced the cancelation of the second round after about 12 holes. The first round score was all that counted, Blanch shot 78 and Maharaj carded an 87. The team was third overall.

From Freeport, the team travelled to Northbrook, Illinois for another one day event, this time the Oakton Owls Fall Invitational at Heritage Oaks Golf Club. This event went much better with the team winning the tournament after two rounds.

Blanch shot 72 and 71, Maharaj posted rounds of 72 and 74. Blanch tied for 11^th, Maharaj was tied for 21^st.

In Plymouth, Indiana on Sept. 1 and 2, the Cougars were at the Swan Lake Resort for the NJCAA DII Fall Preview.

With 20 schools in the field, Highland placed tied for seventh overall. Blanch played the first two rounds of the event shooting 76 and 77, he was replaced by teammate Brock Brown in round three. Maharaj did not compete.

Next up for the Cougars is the Wolfpack Challenge in Madison, Wisconsin on Sept. 10 and 11.

Golf Saskatchewan will hear from Blanch following a busy beginning to his career prior to the Wolfpack Challenge event.

The FrameTech Classic in Estevan held every August long weekend at TS&M Woodlawn Golf Club will forever be known as the Amanda Minchin Classic.

Minchin was the general manager and head professional at the club before passing away from cancer in May. Assistant General Manager and Professional Jace Carlisle grew up in Estevan and was part of the discussion to attach Amanda’s name to the event she was such a huge part of.

“The classic tournament has been a huge part our club for so many years, and she fore fronted the whole thing for 15 plus years,” Carlisle said. “We talked with our sponsor [FrameTech] and they and they agreed it would be great to get her name on that. It was really great because we had the Dave Price Memorial Horse Race that night too, Amanda and Dave were great friends and really close, so it just seemed right to put her name on that tournament.”

The Classic is one of the few three day events in the province and a fixture on the Saskatchewan circuit for amateur women, men, and senior men. Carlisle said the legacy of Minchin and the event will continue to remind everyone of Minchin’s impact on the sport in Estevan and beyond.

“It was pretty emotional for everyone, and it’s been an emotional year for everyone down here. It’s just something now that her name is going to live on forever. It’s a way to continue her legacy for everything she did here at the club and also in the city of Estevan,” he added.

Golf Saskatchewan is pleased to announce the 2026 SAGE Scholarship Recipients.

The Saskatchewan Academic and Golf Excellence (SAGE) Scholarship program annually presents scholarships to assist deserving members in their pursuit of high school and post-secondary academic excellence. 

The successful Golf Saskatchewan recipients were selected based:

1. academic average | grade point average (GPA), and
2. a small percentage based on the individual’s sports excellence.

The 2026 SAGE & High School Bursary recipients include: (*SCF – Saskatoon Community Foundation)

• Golf Saskatchewan Scholarship #1 (Valued at $1,000)
  • Dane Giesbrecht, Legends Golf Club, Warman
• Golf Saskatchewan Scholarship #2 (Valued at $1,000)
  • Luke Cote, Royal Regina Golf Club, Regina
• Graham DeLaet Scholarship (valued at $1,000)
  • Aiden Walker, Royal Regina Golf Club/Wascana Country Club, Regina
• Fletcher-Reid Scholarship (valued at $1,000)
  • Chloe Wills, Saskatchewan Landing Golf Resort, Kyle                 
• Ron Young Memorial Scholarship (valued at $1,000)
  • Cole Taylor, Evergreen Golf Course, Nipawin
• Cooke-Kinnear Scholarship (values at $1,000)
  • Carter Bell, Riverside Country Club, Saskatoon
• Kozy Scholarship (valued at $1,000)
  • Chase Pochylko, Riverside Country Club, Saskatoon       
• Leddy-Heywood Scholarship (valued at $1,000)
  • Ryan Mosher, Riverside Country Club, Saskatoon
• Dr. Garry Hayes Memorial Scholarship (valued at an amount TBD by SCF)
  • Tayla Perry, Royal Regina Golf Club, Regina
  • Makstr McIntyre, Elmwood Golf Club, Swift Current
• Meredith MacPherson-Stalwick Memorial Scholarship (valued at an amount TBD by SCF)
  • Brady Guenther, Saskatoon Golf and Country Club, Saskatoon   

Golf Saskatchewan High School Bursary (valued at $400)

• Yuna Lee, Royal Regina Golf Club, Regina
• Shae Maunula, North Battleford Golf and Country Club, North Battleford

Jason Ryan Memorial Fund High School Bursary (value determined by the Sask Sport Legacy Fund) (NEW)

• Lucas Sturgeon, Saskatoon Golf and Country Club, Saskatoon
• Miranda Merriman, Eagle Point Golf Resort, Air Ronge

The Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT) had their final event in Saskatchewan this season over the weekend in Warman at the Legends Golf Club.

Highlighting the 36 hole two day tournament was Natalie Maunula of North Battleford hitting a hole-in-one on hole 3 on day one. She went on to win the under-15 age group by 10 shots over Alyxa Melsted of Wynyard. Maunula shot 75 and 76, Melsted carded rounds of 80 and 81.

Clara Zhang of Saskatoon was third at 173 (84, 89).

In the under-19 women’s division Tina Liu of Warman was the champion. The 17-year-old signed for rounds of 80 and 77 to hold off the field.

Yoyo Zhu of Saskatoon placed second 10 strokes back of Liu. Air Ronge golfer Miranda Merriman placed third at 168, a shot higher than Zhu.

In the under-13 men’s category Hudson Deibert of Regina won again in style. The 11-year-old shot 135 with rounds of 69 and 66, an MJT record low according to tournament director Jeff Chambers.

Deibert edged Cohen Bridge of Saskatoon in a playoff as Bridge also played fantastic posting a 135.

Moose Jaw junior Bennett Bechtold was third.

Dalton Stephens of Craik was the winner in the under-15 men’s category. He carded rounds of 73 and 75 for his first MJT win of the season.

In second was Jace Munro of Swift Current and Casa Rio golfer Kellen Hunter who each posted a 151 over two days.

Matty Schiess was the overall junior men’s winner with a two day score of 146 (75, 71).

The Elmwood Golf Club member held off over 70 players to win the event. Tylan Wallin and Ty Nochowny tied for second place at 148.

Hudson Moreau won the under-19 men’s age group with a score of 151. The Kindersley native shot 75 and 76, good enough to edge Tryce Wallin of Humboldt for the win.

Wallin posted rounds of 75 and 77 to place second, Oliver Matyczuk of Saskatoon and Warman golfer Levi Young tied for third in the age group at 153.

To see the full results and more images from the MJT event click here.

It took 25 attempts but Pauline McDougall is the Ladies Lobstick champion.

The Prince Albert resident came to tears after outlasting Kim Brown in a playoff to win the event on Aug. 28. The Cooke Municipal member was the fourth seed after the 36 hole qualifying rounds at Waskesiu and beat Sue Skinner and Julianne Burlet before she downed Brown in the final.

Skinner went on to beat Denise Hersikorn in the consolation match final.

To see the full results click here.

McDougall spoke to Golf Saskatchewan after the win.

It was a repeat performance for Alex Schmidt and Joergen Viken at the Saskatchewan Mixed Championships.

The Regina couple shot 12-under par over two days at Yorkton’s Deer Park Golf Course to claim their second straight mixed win and tied their record score of 12-under.

Kathy Ziglo was back in her hometown, and alongside partner Derek Schneider, they placed second overall at 6-under par.

Kim Walker and Ryan McNall of Regina placed third at 3-under par.

To see the full results click here.

Four of Saskatchewan’s top junior players have returned home from Bath, Ont. with more national championship experience.

Saskatchewan under-15 women’s champion Natalie Maunula from North Battleford and Wynyard’s Alyxa Melsted competed in their first national events this week at the Under-15 Canadian Championships hosted by the Loyalist Golf Club.

Melsted carded two solid rounds of 83 and 84, she tied for 37th, Maunula signed for rounds of 88 and 91 while placing 43rd.

In the under-15 men’s championship Saskatchewan champion Keaton Kreklewich of Melville opened with a score of 77 and shot 76 on day two, the 14-year-old was tied for 26th.

Jun Lee of Regina competed in his second straight national under-15 tournament, this year he tied for 29th after opening with an 84 in round one, but the 14-year-old rebounded with a super 70 in the second round to jump 16 spots on the leaderboard.

The full results can be found here.

The next Canadian championships is the Senior Men’s Championships, those begin Sept. 8 in Winnipeg.

Just over a week ago (Aug. 17 – 19) the Gerry, Chris, and Friends Invitational blind golf tournament was hosted by Meadow Lake Golf Club.

Gerry Nelson, along with coach and caddy Chris Villenueve invited 20 of their blind golfing friends to their community for the event. With countless hours of help from Chris’ now retired brother Terrance and his wife Terry the group pulled off an amazing event that Nelson claims will stand out for the rest of his life.

“I don’t think there has been better days than I have experience,” he told Golf Saskatchewan.

Nelson is a six-time Canadian champion and two-time top five world finisher in blind golf events. He has travelled the world playing with Chris’ assistance and the two admit they are best of friends. After the 2025 provincial championships, Terry suggested to Chris that Meadow Lake host an event for the players. Terrance, who owned the Northern Pride Newspaper, but is now retired jumped on board and according to Nelson, it was a dream come true.

“I always knew because Woody (Daryl Wood, superintendent) and Brent (Assman, proshop manager) and the whole community treat us so well, we are very lucky to have what we have,” Nelson added. “The way the community came out, and the way the golfers came out it just blew me away the way we are looked upon in the blind golf community.”

Nelson was unfortunately unable to play both days due to a rib injury he suffered at the Western Canadian Championships in Alberta earlier this year. He was very proud of the field and their accomplishments in years past.

“Every single golfer, except for one because she is brand new, every single golfer has won a tournament across Canada or the world. The coolest thing is they came from the east coast to the west coast and once they got themselves to Meadow Lake, it didn’t cost them a dime out of their pocket,” Nelson said.

With Terrance’s experience in the media industry in Meadow Lake his business connection is extensive, he immediately began seeking the community’s help in fundraising alongside Terry. For the golfers if they could get to Saskatoon or Meadow Lake, volunteers, the club, and community took care of the rest.

“We got volunteers to shuttle them to and from Meadow Lake from Saskatoon, we covered their rooms, their meals, and we even gave them some lunch money,” Villeneuve joked.

“It’s been a week and we are still getting replies from the golfers saying how much they enjoyed it,” he added. “We are hearing from community members how much they enjoyed having the blind golfers, it exceeded all expectations.”

The duo was supposed to be in Moncton, New Brunswick for an event but Nelson has decided to completely heal his ribs and prepare for next season playing fall golf at home.

Nelson has called Meadow Lake home since 2021. Villeneuve grew up in the city. Being a teammate of Nelson and being able to experience events across the globe with him are motivational, but bringing this event to his hometown will be three days he won’t forget either.

“It’s a passion for us; Gerry has always been an inspiration but to see 20 other players and coaches and get inspired by a group, going to these tournaments for me is rewarding. It makes me a better person when I come home to my family and just my life in general,” he concluded.

The McNab Regional Park Golf Course in Watson celebrated 25 years in August.

The club held a 25 hole par 3 tournament to commemorate a quarter of a century for the course in the tight knit community. The park also houses a swimming pool and a campground alongside the nine hole course. Park Board Chair Kathryn McNulty said the day was everything the community could have hoped for.

“We had a whole bunch of the original community members, volunteers, and board members come to the clubhouse, we sat around and had coffee, and the stories just started to pour out about the building of the golf course,” she told Golf Saskatchewan. “That was just a unique experience. To hear their memories about what it looked like to now, what an amazing undertaking.”

As part of the celebration prior to the 25 holes for 25 years a time capsule was buried by the first tee box. It’s not clear when that will be revisited.

McNulty added that the course and park is a fixture in the town and area and means so much to most of the residents in the region.

“It’s a place that celebrates recreation and at it’s core it brings the community together. Whether it’s through a game of golf, swimming at the pool, camping, family reunions, we host the ‘Jaywalk’ every year that supports a family, it’s about bringing the community together and just being that place,” she added.