Another busy week for Saskatchewan student athletes in the United States.

Saskatoon product Alex Swinnerton and fellow Waskesiu junior graduate Guillermo Salazar and the Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) Crimson Hawks won their home event this week at the Indiana Country Club.

Swinnerton shot 70 in round one on Monday and 71 in the second round to tie for fourth place, Salazar went 70 and 72 tying for sixth place. IUP won the Cecil C. Spadafora Invitational by 16 shots over Charleston.

Next up for the Crimson Hawks is the Bedford Springs Invitational in Bedford, Pa. at the Old Course at Bedford Springs on April 22 and 23.

Carter Bell of Saskatoon has a top-10 finish after a solid performance in Kohala Coast, Hi. From April 15 to 17. Competing for the Dominican University of California Penguins at the PacWest MG Championship at Mauna Lani North Course the Riverside Country Club player opened with an 81, but answered with a 70 on day two, which was tied with several players for low number of the second round. That helped Bell lead his team to a fourth place finish, he was tied for eighth overall.

The Penguins will return from the island of Hawaii and begin preparations for the NCAA West Regionals in Las Cruces, N.M. at the NMSU Golf Course on May 9 to 11.

TJ Baker of Prince Albert continues to wrap up his final college season with Arkansas – Monticello University (AMU). The Weevils were in Cabot, Ark for the Neutral State Golf Classic at Cypress Creek Golf Club on April 15 and 16. Baker went 78, 74, and 73 for a 54-hole total of 225, that left the Waskesiu member and staffer in a tie for 18^th in the field. The Weevils was a solid fourth overall in the team competition. AMU will travel to Broken Arrow, Okla. for the Great American Conference Tournament at The Club at Forest Ridge on April 21 for the team’s next event.

Colby Friedrich of Battleford opened his spring season with the University of Providence this wek in Helena, Mont. In the one-day challenge event with Carrol College Friedrich shot 76 tying for second overall on April 13 at Bill Roberts Golf Course.

The Red River Conference Championship on April 29 to May 1 is the Argos next action at the Victoria Golf Club in Victoria, Tex.

At the Cal Pac Championship at Olivas Links Golf Course in Ventura, Cal. Nipawin’s Cole Taylor and the Park University Bucs were in action this week. The Evergreen Golf Course staff member shot 80, 78, and 76 to leave himself all alone in 20th place.

Park was third out of six schools in the team competition. The Bucs season is over concluding Taylor’s freshman year.

Saskatoon’s Will Danielson also finished just outside the top-20 at his event with Milsaps College in Muscle Shoals Ala. on April 14 to 16 at Robert Trent Jones at the Shoals for the Visit Florence Intercollegiate. Danielson shot 77 in round one, 74 in the middle round and another 77 in the final round, leaving the Riverside Country Club player in a tie for 21^st overall at 228.

Josh Nagy of Saskatoon is close to concluding his collegiate career at Robert Morris University (RMU). The Colonials were at the Pete Dye Golf Club on April 15 and 16 for the Mountaineer Invitational in Bridgeport, W.V. The reigning Saskatchewan amateur men’s champion opened the 4-hole tournament with a 74, he shot 75 in round two, an 82 in the third round dropped Nagy to tie for 63^rd overall. RMU tied for 12^th as a team in the 16 school field.

On Saturday (April 20) the Colonials will start the Horizon League Championship at Howey-in-the-Hills, Flo.

The Majors were seventh as a squad out of 12 schools at the event. The SAA Championships are next for Milsaps starting April 26 in Dickson, Tenn. at the Greystone Golf Club.

The Waldorf Warriors and Caden Loeppky continued their spring session in Fort Dodge, Ia. on April 12 and 13 at the Fort Dodge Country Club. Competing for the Warriors ‘A’ team, Loeppky shot 78 and 88 during the two-round event, he was tied for 54^th place. The team was eighth.

The Luther Invitational on April 20 and 21 is next for Waldorf.

Registration is now open for the 2024 Saskatchewan amateur championships.

The season will begin in Yorkton at Deep Park Municipal Golf Course with the Junior Championships. The 54-hole event runs from July 3 to 5, with the Junior-Junior (12 and under) taking place on the first two days. The Junior-Junior is a 36-hole Stableford Scoring event used to introduce young players to competition.

The Amateur Championships will be in Regina at the Royal Regina Golf Club as part of the Saskatchewan ‘home of golf’ 125th anniversay.

The Women’s Amateur and Mid-Amateur plus the men’s Mid-Amateur Championships will be 54-hole events played from July 9 to 11, the Men’s Amateur Championship will have a cut after three rounds and conclude on July 12.

The Senior Women’s and Men’s Championships plus the Men’s Mid-Masters (40 and over) will be hosted by beautiful Nipawin Evergreen on July 23 to 25.

The Women’s 4-Ball (Rosebowl) will be held on Aug. 14 and 15 along the banks of breathtaking Lake Diefenbaker at Harbor Golf and RV Park. The two-women team event has been a highlight of the Golf Saskatchewan schedule.

The Mixed Championship is another less-competitive, more casual event with bragging rights prevalent. Over 50 co-ed teams will converge on Golf Kenosee from Aug. 24 to 25 for the two-day alternate shot championship.

Club Champions and competitors from member courses across Saskatchewan will send their best in four age groups for the Champions Cup in Moose Jaw at Hillcrest Golf Club on Sept. 21. Registration for that one-day event will be open later this season.

To find all the information including dates, pricing, and venues, click here, to register for championships, click here.

On Wednesday in Moose Jaw at the Hillcrest Golf Club, the course held their Annual General Meeting. General Manager Jasmine Cameron and Board President Chris Knoop updated the full clubhouse about the year that was plus what’s next for the facility.

The hot button topic has been the development of an updated “master plan” that would revamp the golf course but come with a cost of an estimated $3.5 million. Proceeding with the plan was voted almost unanimously by the members in attendance. Knoop said after the meeting that they stumbled across the club’s almost 40-year-old plans when the discussion arose to replace a couple greens.

“If we’re going to build new greens, should we change the holes was one of the big questions,” Knoop explained. “We thought by redesigning some of this that will help. When we have really busy times, we get logjammed at the end of our front nine, that was one of our goals as well. Maintenance will be a lot less as well.”

Next up for the club and the board will present the plans to the city of Moose Jaw for approval to go forward. Fundraising will now begin as committees are now formed within the club. One member, who did vote in favour of the master plan, did raise concerns about using debt to pay for the upgrades. Knoop hopes that’s also the case as the club moves forward.

“That would be ideal if we don’t have to go there, but again we will see, hopefully we can see this through and we don’t have to go that route. The best thing about it is we have a nice phasing layout for this. We don’t have to do it all at once,” he said.

Original course designer Les Furber returned to Moose Jaw with his team in October, toured the course, and presented two plans back to the Hillcrest. Several meetings have been held in the city including a “townhall” session leading to a quick vote on Wednesday. Knoop said the excitement is evident, but the work will be long lasting.

“It would be at least a five year project, but if we can do it all in 10, I would be ecstatic,” he chuckled.

The Hillcrest is a historic club and has been a centrepiece of the city for a century, Knoop and many others have spent years devoted to the club and playing golf. He said working with the city, corporate partners, and other golfers they want the facility around another 100 years.

“I talked about some greens that don’t really weather well, our irrigation system is old, we need that upgraded, we have done some work with it, but the upper portion of our golf course needs that done as well and it’s not a cheap project. We figured if we are ripping this up anyways let’s make it better,” he concluded.

For this year, the club has made some upgrades already, they installed a 1,200 foot fence along the north boundary to keep public off the course, they installed a new sound system and televisions in the clubhouse, plus the Hillcrest updated their security equipment to help combat a theft issue that has seen the club lose between $100,000 and $150,000 in equipment. Some drainage and cosmetic work is also currently underway in the southwest corner between holes eight and nine, plus a new bridge was built on hole 10.

The course will make an opening date announcement soon.

You can hear more from Knoop in his interview with Golf Saskatchewan.

Thanks to the help of Holly Knudsen’s top-10 finish the Minot State University (MSU) Beavers reached the podium at the Augustana Spring Invitational this week in Sioux Falls, S.D. at the Elmwood Golf Course. The Chaplin product shot 81 and 82 tying for 10^th place.

The Beavers will now prepare for the NSIC playoffs April 26 to 28 in Smithville, Mo. at Paradise Pointe Golf Club. The MSU men’s team with Estevan’s Chase Gedak are also in preparation for the event later this month.

The Ferris State Bulldogs and Hallie Crozier of Regina took part in a couple events in first nine days of April. First off, the team was at the Indianapolis Invitational in Laconia, Ind. at Chariot Run Golf Course on April 1 and 2. The Royal Regina Golf Club member shot 80, 76, and 88 for a 54-hole total of 244, her 28-over par score left Crozier in 24^th. The Bulldogs were third in the team competition.

This week Ferris was in Grove City, Ohio for the NC4K Classic taking home another third place team finish. Competing at the Pinnacle Golf Club Crozier posted rounds of 82 and 84, tying for 43^rd.

The GLIAC Women’s Championships are next on April 19 – 21 in Augusta, Michigan.

Cole Obrigewitsch continued his outstanding spring season with California State University – San Bernardino on April 5 and 6 in Goodyear, Az. at The Golf Club of Estrella. The Coyotes were fifth in the 18 team field led by the Deer Valley products’ tie for fourth overall. Obrigewitsch posted scores of 72 and 69 to finish at 3-under par.

Josh Nagy of Saskatoon had a busy couple weeks competing alongside his Robert Morris University (RMU) teammates at two events.

Back on March 29 to 31, the Colonials were in Snow Hill, N.C. for the Cutter Creek Invitational at the Cutter Creek Golf Club. The Riverside Country Club member and reigning Saskatchewan amateur champion opened the 54-hole event with a 69, then followed up with scores of 75 and 73, good enough for a tie in 24th place, leading the team.

The Colonials placed 14^th in the team competition.

This week (April 8/9) in Lafayette Hill, Pa. RMU took part in the Dragon Match Play Invitational finishing third overall. The Colonials beat Lafayette’s A Team, they also knocked off the school’s B Team.

Nagy placed tied for fifth in stroke play in the tournament played at the Green Valley Country Club. Next for the Colonials is the Mountaineer Invitational on April 15 and 16 in Morgantown, W. Va.

Another Riverside Country Club member was in action this week in New Orleans, La. Millsaps College junior Will Danielson went 75, 77, 79 at English Turn Golf and Country Club, leading to a tie for 19^th place. The Majors as a team were fifth. They are back at it again on April 14 in Florence, Ala. for the Shoals Intercollegiate at RJT Fighting Joe Golf Course.

Sticking with Riverside Country Club players, Chase Pochylko and Tommy Danielson wrapped up the Koasati Pines Intercollegiate in Kinder, La. on Wednesday with Nicholls University.

Pochylko opened with a 77 but dialled in the final two rounds with a 69 and 68 leaving him in a tie for 11^th place at 214.

Danielson went 76, 75, and 80 for a 54-hole total of 231, he was 51^st.

Nicholls was seventh as a team. They will be in Kerrville, Tex. for the Southland Conference Championship starting April 22 at Commanche Trace Golf Club.

Caden Loeppky of Saskatoon has also been busy over the past couple weeks at Waldorf University. On March 29 and 30 the Warriors were in Waverly, Ia. for the Wartburg Spring Invite at Prairie Links Golf Course. Competing for Waldorf’s ‘B’ Team, Loeppky shot 83 in round one and 81 in the second round, that left him in a tie for 37^th. His team was 10^th in the event, the Warriors’ ‘A’ Team placed fourth.

This week Waldorf was in Newton, Ks. at the Sand Creek Station Golf Course for the Bethany College Classic. Loeppky fired 82 and 80 tying for 42^nd place overall. Again, competing on the Warriors ‘B’ Team, they were 10^th.

Waldorf has three more events in April starting with the Triton Invitational on April 10 and 11.

The Trojan at Walnut Creek Country Club featured three players with Saskatchewan connections in Goldsboro, N.C. on April 8 and 9.

Calgary resident and Waskesiu junior graduate Guillermo Salazar tied for 17th place with the Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) Crimson Hawks. He carded rounds of 77, 75, and 71 to finish at 7-over par, 223. IUP teammate and Saskatoon product Alex Swinnerton posted rounds of 78, 76, and 74 for a 54-hole score of 12-over par, 228. He was 31^st.

Estevan’s Jace Carlisle was also in the field playing his final season with Post University. He opened with a 78, posted an 82 in the middle round, and finished with a 76 for a score of 20-over par, 236. The TS&M Woodlawn member tied for 44^th.

IUP was fifth in the team race, Post was seventh in the 12 school field.

Carlisle and the Eagles are in Manchester, N. H. on April 15 and 16 for the Penman Men’s Spring Invitational at Derryfield Country Club, the Crimson Hawks next event is the Cecil C. Spadafora IUP Invitational at their home club on April 15 and 16 in Indiana, Pa.

Program Locations:

We are excited to expand programming at our Program Locations this upcoming spring. Over the winter, we have successfully recruited additional coaches and volunteers, who will be able to lead structured, weekly programming at these locations. Our new coaches will receive training in April from the PGA of Canada, with two new learning facilitators being trained as well. Amanda Minchin (TS&M Woodlawn Golf Club, Estevan, Sask.) and Bri Tokariwski (MB) are set to become our new First Tee level II LF’s, allowing for training to become more accessible throughout our chapter.

We continue to engage in conversations with new program locations to grow our reach and impact throughout the Prairies. We will continue to explore opportunities to ensure that we are making the intended impact of the program.

School and Community Programs:

Since January, we have signed on five new schools and two new community groups throughout the Prairies, that will work to offer the program this upcoming spring. We will further connect these groups with the program location within their hub, to help interested youth continue their golf
journey.

Alvin Buckwold School (SK)	Austin Elementary (MB)	Burnskill School (SK)
College Park Elementary School (SK)	Collette Bourgonje School (SK)	Connaught Community School (SK)
Dalhousie School (MB)	Ecole Marie-Anne Gaboury (MB)	Garden City Community Centre (MB)
Girls in the Game (SK)	Greystone Heights School (SK)	H.S. Paul School (MB)
IRCOM (MB)	Isaac Beaulieu Memorial School (MB)	Joseph Teres School (MB)
Langruth Elementary (MB)	Plumas Elementary (MB)	Sister MacNamara School (MB)
Stanley Knowles School (MB)	St. Norbert Immersion (MB)	Thomson Community School (SK)
TAYFFI (SK)	Wellington School (MB)	Westgrove School (MB)
Weston School (MB)	William Whyte Community School (MB)	YMCA of Regina (SK)
YMCA of Saskatoon (SK)

BDO National Golf League:

League registration is now open for the 2024 BDO National Golf League in support of First Tee – Canada! Make sure your league gets a spot by letting your league operator know about the opportunity!

The BDO National Golf League is a nationwide, season-long competition created by Golf Canada to enhance the league experience for men, women, and junior players. This fun, new format adds value to your existing recreational golf league experience with opportunities to compete in the BDO National Golf League regular season, Provincial Championships, and the National Championship.

Learn More About the BDO National Golf League

Save the Date – Ace’s for First Tee:

We have scheduled our first annual Ace’s for First Tee tournament at Aspen Links Country Club on Aug. 23. Each hole on the course will be shortened to par 3 lengths, giving attendees a better chance to chase that elusive hole-in-one! We will be sending out formal invitations in the coming weeks.

Save the Date – Gladstone Golf and Country Club:

Gladstone Golf and Country Club will be hosting a fundraising tournament this summer to help raise funds that will be directly support the First Tee program within their community. Occurring on July 18, the tournament will be a celebration of Gladstone, the surrounding towns, and their
commitment to creating accessible golf for youth.

Chapter Partners:

We are pleased to welcome Stride Credit Union (MB) as a community partner supporting our Gladstone Community Hub.

With the support of Golf Saskatchewan, we are the successful recipients of the Sports Program Grant from the City of Saskatoon, that will help two new schools get access to the First Tee program!

Golf Canada Launches Season-Long Campaign That Highlights
The Many Health Benefits of The Sport

New Golf and Health campaign website along with Golf Canada mobile app enhancements to focus on the sport’s positive physical, mental, and social benefits for participants.

Golf Canada is highlighting the physical, mental, and social benefits that the sport can provide on Canadians through its brand-new Golf and Health campaign.

The campaign – Golf, It’s Good for You – launches this weekend leading into World Health Day April 7. All of the World Health Organization’s key criteria for health enhancing physical activity can be achieved through the sport of golf and Golf Canada is prioritizing communicating health as part of its strategic plan.

“We are proud to launch this campaign ahead of World Health Day to showcase the breadth and depth of mental, physical and social health benefits that the game of golf can provide for all participants,” said Tim McLaughlin, chief marketing officer with Golf Canada. “The campaign brings awareness to what Canadians think they know about golf with the many known health benefits they might not be aware of. We launched a website resource with the latest clinical research focused on golf and health. We are also working with golf clubs across the country to share this impact with golfers who are enjoying the game in record numbers. We have also made it easier for Canadians to track their health progress through new health tracking features and enhancements to our Golf Canada Mobile App.”

The Golf and Health campaign focuses on three key pillars: mental, physical, and social.

The mental benefits of golf include enhanced overall well-being, improved brain health, and helping to reduce the risk of dementia. Golf can also assist to boost confidence, promote increased focus and concentration, and help to reduce anxiety, stress, and depression. Being out on the golf course can also help to slow down stress response and induces a feeling of calm.

As published in The R&A Golf and Health Report, and in addition to the mental benefits, the physical benefits of golf are undeniable. Research has shown that playing golf regularly can add five years to your life highlighted by the physical exercise, mental stimulation, and time spent outdoors while playing. As a physical activity that can be enjoyed for a lifetime, golf can also help to prevent or lessen the impact of over 40 different chronic illnesses including diabetes, cancer, along with heart attacks and stroke.

Golf is viewed as a moderately demanding form of exercise and is a great way to contribute to daily step goals. The average golfer walks 5,000 steps in a 9-hole round which is the equivalent of three to five kilometres. With nearly 2,300 golf courses in Canada including both public and private facilities, the sport is highly accessible and significant strides have been made in accessible technology to make the game more inclusive for the differently abled people of all ages.

The inherent social nature of the game is also an important factor in helping increase social well-being and is a great way to bond with old friends and meet new ones. It is a sport that welcomes families and partners to be active together and is also an effective way to network and build business relationships.

Operating as small businesses in communities across Canada, golf courses provide players of all ages and skill levels the opportunity to enjoy the game. Golf Canada is collaborating with the Provincial Associations to provide information and assets on the Golf and Health campaign to club operators across the country.

Golf Canada has launched a new website that highlights the benefits of the game including helpful resource information and articles – please visit health.golfcanada.ca to find out more.

The Golf Canada Mobile App continues to be the all-in-one place to track progress and connect with colleagues and friends. In support of the Golf and Health campaign, the app is providing significant health tracking enhancements to the golfer experience. In addition to tracking scores and stats, users can now gain valuable personal insights into how each round positively affects their health. New health stat features include number of steps, distance walked, stand time, calories burned, elevation gained and heart rate. Users will also be able to view health statistics over different periods of time all of which is private and secure within their profile. For more information on the Golf Canada Mobile App, please click here. To download on Apple devices click here, to download on Google Play devices, click here.

“Golf brings people together and has an incredible impact on our personal heath and well being,” added McLaughlin. “Whether through physical activity over a lifetime, mental health improvements or the wonderful social experience shared by family and friends, now is a great moment for the Golf and Health campaign to inspire golfers and new enthusiasts to consider the incredible impact that our sport is having on Canadians.”

The Golf, It’s Good for You campaign will run season long and be featured at Golf Canada championships and events including Canada’s National Open Championships – the RBC Canadian Open at Hamilton Golf and Country Club in Ancaster, Ont. and the CPKC Women’s Open at Earl Grey Golf Club Calgary, Alta.

The last week of March is another busy stretch for college golfers south of the border including 10 Saskatchewan student-athletes in action in various events across the country.

Cole Obrigewitsch continues his impressive season with California State University San Bernardino leading the locals with a tie for 12^th at his event in Turlock, Cal. at the Turlock Golf and Country Club on March 25 and 26. Obrigewitsch shot 69 in round one, 68 during the second round, and a 76 during the final round to finish the 54-hole Hanny Stanislaus Invitational at 3-under-par.

The team was fourth.

Carter Bell of Saskatoon was also in the field competing for Dominican University of California. He carded back-to-back rounds of 75, and a third round score of 76, leaving the Riverside Country Club member in a tie for 58^th.

The Penguins were 13^th in the team category.

Obrigewitsch’s next event is the Hot Dirt Desert Shootout in Goodyear, Az. at the Golf Club of Estrella on April 5 and 6. Bell’s next tournament is the PacWest Championships in Waimea, Hawaii at the Mauna Lani Golf Course from April 15 to 17.

Alex Swinnerton of Saskatoon was carrying the top bag for Indianna University of Pennsylvania (IUP) this week at the Oldfield Classic in Okatie, S.C. He posted rounds of 76, 73, and 78 for a 54-hole score of 227. That left the Riverside Country Club member in a tie for 14^th.

Fellow Waskesiu junior graduate and IUP teammate Guillermo Salazar played great tying for 14^th at 222. The Crimson Hawks team was seventh. The club will be in Indiana, Pa. on April 15 and 16 for the Cecil C. Spadafora IUP Invitational at the Indiana Country Club.

The collegiate career of TJ Baker continued at the University of Arkansas at Monticello at a familiar event in Arkansas. The Weevils were in El Dorado, Ark. on March 25 and 26 for the Men’s Arkansas Collegiate. Carrying the top bag for the team, Baker shot a pair of 83’s to finish in a tie for 42^nd. The team was 11^th.

Southern Arkansas University was also in the field as the host, Regina’s Will Blake was on the Muleriders ‘B’ team for the event, he was tied for 57^th overall with rounds of 87.  The Royal Regina Golf Club member was part of the 12^th place team in the tournament.

Next up for Baker and Blake is the Natural State Classic at the Cypress Creek Golf Club in Cabot, Ark. on April 15.

Minot State University had both their golf teams on the road last week including Chase Gedak and Holly Knudsen.

The men’s team was in Blue Springs, Mo. on March 25 and 26 at Adams Pointe Golf Club for the NSIC Preview.

Estevan’s Gedak tied for 32^nd. The Golf Kenosee member shot rounds of 74 and 78 leaving him 11 strokes behind the leader. The Beavers were eighth as a team.

Knudsen was also on the course this weekend leading the Minot State University (MSU) Beavers into the Holiday Inn Express Classic in St. Joseph, Mo. on March 25 and 26. The second round was cancelled, Knudsen shot 81 in the only recorded round. The Beavers were eighth as a team in the event.

Their next event is the Augustana Invitational at Elmwood Golf Course in Sioux Falls, S.D. starting on April 8, the men’s team will also compete at that tournament.

Cole Taylor of Nipawin is getting more comfortable at college, he posted rounds of 82 and 77 at Antelope Hills South Course on March 24 and 25 during the ERAU Invitational in Prescott, Az. The Nipawin product tied for 15^th at the event.

The team lost in a playoff for the overall title. Next up for the Park Buccaneers is the Cal Pac Conference Championships beginning April 15 at Olivas Links Golf Course in Venture, Cal.

Caden Loeppky of Saskatoon started his spring season with the Waldorf Warriors on March 22 in Maryville, Mo. at the Graceland Invitational. The second round of the tournament was cancelled due to weather, Loeppky shot 95 at Mozingo Lake Recreation Park Golf Course, that left the Willows Club member in 39^th. He was competing for the Warriors ‘B’ team, the squad tied for eighth.

Next up is the Wartburg Invitational starting Good Friday in Waverly, IA. at Prairie Links Golf Course.

In late February, Golf Saskatchewan announced a partnership with PUMA Golf that will see all volunteers, national teams, and staff support PUMA and wear the brand at provincial and national events.

Ryan Sommerfeld is a long-time PGA of Canada Professional, now based in Winnipeg, after working in the golf industry across Canada, Sommerfeld is the Territory Manager for Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Thunder Bay.

He sat down with Golf Saskatchewan to speak about his career in the industry, the PUMA brand, and his excitement for the new partnership with in the province.

The board of directors and staff of Golf Saskatchewan are looking back on another tremendous year for the sport following the organization’s Annual General Meeting on Saturday.

The game saw an increase in players competing at Saskatchewan championships, posting rounds through the Golf Canada Score Centre, plus more players competed for national championships than in 2022. Nipawin resident Kevin Duchscherer was reclaimed as president and will lead the board for another year. Also, the president of the Evergreen Golf Course in his hometown, Duchscherer said competing in a couple provincial events and being on hand at the others across the province, the comments were optimistic from the players, hosts, and volunteers.

“I heard a lot of positives that came out of those events with regards to players enjoying the opportunity to come out and compete at whatever level they are at,” Duchscherer said after the meeting.

Golf Saskatchewan saw 35 more players compete in provincial championships in 2023 from 2022, 26,000 more rounds were posted in Saskatchewan by players as well. With all industry stakeholders working to grow the game at both grassroots and elite playing levels, Duchscherer said the governing body of amateur golf will continue to assist in all areas of the game.

“Our membership, our owners, PGA members that are out there giving lessons and that, they are working very hard to try to continue to grow the game,” he said. “I hope in Golf Saskatchewan’s perspective we are able to support those individuals as much as we can.”

The organization welcomed two new board members, Lori Bernt of Moose Jaw and a member at Lynbrook Golf Club and Saskatoon resident and Holiday Park Golf Course member Brian Topp joined the executive, Regina’s Dianna Kerr will sit for another term in the vice-president role, the position the Wascana Country Club member held in 2023.

After providing the financial statement as treasurer of Golf Saskatchewan, Teddy Wiens stepped down from the board, as did long-time volunteer Delbert Betnar, including a term as president. Duchscherer said the outgoing members will be noticeably absent.

“I owe him a lot with regards to my knowledge, not only the workings of Golf Saskatchewan, but he’s also taught me stuff about the game too. I really enjoy every opportunity I have to be with Delbert, whether it’s on the course, at the 19^th hole, or at the board table, or whatever, he’s definitely knowledgeable. Both those men are passionate about the game and will be missed,” he said.

Duchscherer added he’s excited to continue working with Kerr on the board and both Bernt and Topp going into the season that will begin on April 15.

To view the 2023 Golf Saskatchewan Annual Report, click HERE.

You can hear more from Duchscherer below.

The Synergy 8 group in Saskatoon has announced Canadian golfer Adam Hadwin will headline the 2024 Drive for Kids lineup on Sept. 5 at The Willows Club and Prairieland Park.

The event will be the 15th anniversary for the Community Builders group that has used world-renowned golfers as their headliners for years, in more recent years the group has focused on Canadian golfers that have risen to stardom in recent years including Nick Taylor last year fresh of his RBC Canadian Open victory.

The golf tournament is nearing a sellout, dinner tickets are available as well, all the details can be found here.

Golf Saskatchewan spoke with Synergy 8 member Troy Davies following the announcement.