The Southern Arkansas University Muleriders have their first tournament win of the season in NCAA Division II golf.

Saskatoon’s Timmerman carded a 54-hole total of 204, 12-under at the GAC Preview in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Timmerman shot an opening round of 67, his second round, played on the same day was even better at 6-under, 66. The final round was played Sept. 11, Timmerman carded a 1-under, 71 to place second overall. Yorkton’s Kade Johnson was third at 11-under for the event. The reigning Saskatchewan Amateur Champion fired back-to-back 69’s during rounds one and two. Johnson shot 67 during the final round to finish at 205.

As a team, the Muleriders shot a course record total of 35-under par, three strokes lower than SE Oklahoma who finished second in the eight-team tournament.

Johnson and Timmerman will be in Monkey Island, Okla. on Sept. 24 and 25 for the Missouri Southern Fall Invitational in their next competition.

“Where Champions Are Crowned”

Although it’s the marketing tagline for Duncan Meadows Golf Course on Vancouver Island, site of the recent men’s Canadian Amateur Championship, it could be adopted by any of the scores of courses across Canada that play host each year to provincial and national championships.

Ming Hui, owner of Duncan Meadows, says the course hosted its first event, the B.C. Mid-Amateur Championship, in 1999. Since then, the course and its members have welcomed a veritable spectrum of tournaments: provincial junior and amateur championships, Future Links events, the Canadian University/College Championship, the Canadian Women’s Tour, and even an American Junior Golf Association tournament where, says Hui, a young Paula Creamer set the women’s competitive course record before heading off to LPGA Tour stardom.

“The overall experience is fabulous,” Hui says. “Although the members have to give up their course for a few days, it’s a positive experience for everyone. It’s good for our course because it gives us exposure and visibility and it’s good for the game overall.”

At any given time, Golf Canada is in contact with hundreds of courses in order to secure sites over the next three to five years for the 30 or so tournaments they conduct each year, says Adam Helmer, Golf Canada’s director of rules, competitions and amateur status.

“Lots of advance notice and excellent communication is key,” he says. “Once a course hosts an event, they realize it is a positive and lasting experience for all concerned. Some courses want to showcase major changes, celebrate a significant anniversary or get more recognition. Others may target a specific championship because they have strong players in that category and it never hurts to have local knowledge.”

Phil Berube, executive director and CEO of Alberta Golf, agrees. “We are very fortunate in that many clubs in Alberta see this as an opportunity to showcase their facility and demonstrate good will for the golf community.” He says the key is a “partnership” between the golf association, the members and staff of the host club, and the players themselves.

Finding the appropriate number and type of facility is a formidable task for Golf Canada and the provincial associations. Although smaller provinces conduct a relative handful of competitions, Ontario runs more than 50 qualifying events and two dozen championships.

“It’s a very compact season and it’s difficult to schedule them all in during Ontario’s short summer,” says Rob Watson, Golf Ontario’s coordinator of next generation and competitions.

Some provincial associations offer nominal remuneration to host clubs and that has made the experience more palatable for some courses, but there’s much more to the equation. While British Columbia, for example, does so, the association “works with host clubs to help them understand the local economic impact of hosting an event as well as revenue opportunities for food and beverage as well as local sponsorship,” according to Kris Jonasson, CEO of British Columbia Golf.

Golf Canada, says Helmer, is working toward a new hosting model that would leave behind a “lasting legacy” commemorating their contribution to the game. That legacy could include donating Golf In Schools kits to local schools or some other support for growing the game locally.

One of the most memorable events during my 30 years at my club was when I volunteered last year for a Future Links tournament that had a Special Olympics component. We have hosted a men’s Ontario Amateur and some other events over the years and, with our centennial coming in 2019, our club is pursuing another significant championship. An unspoken motivation could be that we’ve got a very good golf course that we’re sick of being referred to as a “hidden gem.”

No matter what your motivation, reach out to your provincial association or Golf Canada to see what’s involved in hosting an event.

If for nothing else, do it for golf.

Most golfers with a knack for the game are on their local course in early school aged days, Regina’s Dean Brown considers himself a “late bloomer.”

Brown, 46, didn’t take up the game on a regular basis until he was nearing his teenage years when he started playing at a par-3 course in the Queen City. By 15 he joined the junior program at the Royal Regina Golf Club and hasn’t looked back. Brown, the general manager of the Royal Regina will be inducted into the Saskatchewan Golf Hall of Fame later this month. He said the honour wasn’t expected.

“When I got the call I was shocked,” Brown told Golf Saskatchewan. “I always thought something like this is for people that are winding down their career. I feel like I have more left.”

Brown likely does have more to be accomplished being in just the mid-40’s. He’s played many professional events during his career across several tours. He was a member of the 1995 Willingdon Cup team. He’s also an eight-time PGA Saskatchewan Zone Champion and the Assistants’ Champion nine times between 2001 and 2018. Most recently he was able to take part in a Pro-Am at the CP Women’s Open in his home city. He said he hopes to be thought of as more than one of the province’s best professional calibre golfers.

“I hope people remember me as a good golf professional, a good coach. I want them to remember me for what I gave back to the game,” he said.

Brown attended university in the southern United States on a golf scholarship before returning to Regina to work at the Royal Regina. He will be inducted into the Hall of Fame alongside Royal Regina member Kirk McGregor. He said the group including Otto Huber, McGregor, and both the 1985 and 1990 Saskatchewan Senior Women’s teams is an honour to be a part of.

“I’ve known Kirk for years being a member at the Royal Regina, Otto’s accomplishments are exceptional, and the women were great for golf in the province. I never would put myself in their or the current inductees in class,” he said.

You will be able to learn much more about Brown’s career and the rest of the inductees at the gala on Sept. 22 at the Royal Regina. You can purchase tickets by calling 306.975.0850 or online.

MAYNOOTH, Ireland – Denmark, bolstered by the stellar play of 17-year-old identical twins Nicolai and Rasmus Hojgaard, held off a surging field to win its first World Amateur Team Championship at 39-under-par 541 by one stroke over the USA.

The Danes claimed the Eisenhower Trophy in their 25th appearance as Nicolai Hojgaard, the 2018 European Amateur champion, posted a 7-under-par 66 and his brother Rasmus fired a 6-under-67 for a team total of 13-under-par 133 on the par-73 O’Meara Course. Teammate John Axelsen posted a non-counting 4-under 69. Previously, in 2010, Denmark had claimed the silver medal.

“It means a lot,” said six-time Danish captain Torben Nyehuus. “Everybody is watching. It’s just amazing. I was with the team in 2010 when we came in second, so this is just amazing. It’s pretty nice to go one better.”

Nicolai notched five birdies in his final nine holes and Rasmus logged three as they took the lead from a tightly-packed leaderboard. Four teams, Denmark, USA, Spain and New Zealand, were tied at 34-under as the last groups made the turn.

“I feel wonderful,” said Nicolai. “This is a dream come true for all of us. I had a tough start to this tournament, so I was just trying to play some good rounds to help the team. I did that the last two rounds so this is perfect. This is the biggest team event we could have won and to do it with Rasmus is perfect. But, also with John, John is a great friend and we are all having fun. This is just wonderful.”

The USA used a strong finish by University of Texas freshman and 2018 U.S. Amateur semifinalist Cole Hammer (7-under 66) and University of Southern California senior Justin Suh (4-under 69) to pass Spain for the silver medal at 38-under-par 542.

“It says a lot,” said Hammer, the 2018 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball champion. “It speaks a lot to the way our team jelled and how much fun we had together. When you are having fun playing golf, good things happen. To medal in my first international competition, especially on a stage as big as this, is really special.”

Spain took the bronze medal at 36-under 544. New Zealand, which held the lead through 36 and 54 holes, was fourth at 545, followed by Norway, Italy and Thailand tied for fifth at 548; England in eighth at 549, Canada in ninth at 550 and host Ireland and Germany tied for 10th at 553.

Although there is no official recognition, Spain’s Alejandro “Alex” Del Rey was the low individual scorer at 23-under 267. He and England’s Matthew Jordan shot the low scores in the fourth round at 8-under 65.

The Canadian squad carded a final-round of 10 under par to climb into sole possession of 9th place overall. The trio finished at 30 under par, with Joey Savoie of La Prairie, Que., leading the way at 13 under. Fellow Quebec native Hugo Bernard finished at 11 under par while Garrett Rank of Elmira, Ont., closed out at 7 under par.

9th of 72 in the ⁦@IGFgolf⁩ #WATC2018 ⁦@CartonHouseGolf⁩ this year. Not what we wanted but super proud of the effort! ⁦@Hbernard63⁩ ⁦@savoiejoey⁩ #Grank ⁦@wavephysio⁩ represent ⁦@TheGolfCanada⁩ and themselves with class! Congrats men! ??? pic.twitter.com/Ap2V8Y8oj1

— Derek Ingram (@dingramgolf) September 8, 2018

Last week, the Canadian women’s team rallied back from T39 to finish in 7th place.

In 29 appearances at the World Amateur Team Championship, Canada has captured the Eisenhower Trophy on one occasion (1986) and earned runner-up honours five times. In 25 appearances at the Women’s World Amateur Team Championship, Canada has earned runner-up honours four times.

The 32nd World Amateur Team Championship for the Eisenhower Trophy and the 29th Women’s World Amateur Team Championship for the Espirito Santo Trophy are set for Hong Kong in 2020.

Click here for full scoring.

American Brady Exber is the 2018 Canadian Men’s Senior champion.

The Las Vagas, Nevada golfer stroked a four-day total of 278 at the Gowan Brae Golf Club in Bathurst, New Brunswick to win by seven shots.

Saskatchewan’s top golfer was Weyburn’s Rick Hallberg. The Golf Kenosee player fired a 304 over the 72-hole event that concluded Friday evening. Hallberg at one point had climbed into fifth place, Saskatchewan’s senior champion played great finishing in a tie for 22^nd overall.

Regina’s Ken Rodgers finished in a tie for 43^rd at plus-19, Colin Coben of Delisle cared a 23-over, good enough for a tie in 61^st.

As a team, Saskatchewan finished just two shots off the lead and placed fourth overall.

Saskatoon’s Tony Turay, Biggar’s Keith Silvernagle, and Stu Innes of Regina also took part in the tournament.

The complete leaderboard can be found here.

Flirting with a potential top-five finish at the Canadian Men’s Senior Championship, Weyburn’s Rick Hallberg slipped to a tie for 17^th at the event in Bathhurst, New Brunswick Thursday.

Hallberg started the day in a tie for fifth overall at plus-3, his stellar play continued during round three at the Gowan Brae Golf Club until the Golf Kenosee player completed his round with bogeys on holes 15 and 16. He then picked up an eight on the par-3, 17^th. Hallberg is at plus-9 for the tournament.

Regina’s Ken Rodgers carded an 8-over, 80 on Thursday, he’s tied for 54^th place. Colin Coben of Delisle is tied for 63^rd at plus-18. Team Saskatchewan with Hallberg, Rodgers, and Tony Turay finished in a solid fourth-place in the inter-provincial championship portion of the event. That part of the tournament is over the first two rounds.

Las Vegas, Nevada golfer Brady Exber is the leader at 11-under-par. The championship concludes Friday.

Online scoring is here.

Yorkton’s Ella Kozak didn’t have the average summer for a 12-year-old.

The avid swimmer didn’t spend her days at the local pool or beach enjoying the water with her friends, her break from school was on the golf course. Kozak jumped into the world of competitive golf head first and the foray paid off. Rob Kozak, Ella’s dad caddied for her at the Saskatchewan Women’s Amateur Championship as well as the Canadian Amateur Women’s Championship. He said the season taught both him and Ella some lessons.

“The summer was incredible looking back on it now,” he told Golf Saskatchewan. “When we were in the moment it was pretty intimidating. Looking back now we are so thankful for that experience. For me I can’t wait to get back there because we have a better idea of what it’s like to compete at that level.”

Kozak played in 12 tournaments across the Golf Saskatchewan Order of Merit Tour (OMT), the Maple Leaf Junior Tour (MJT), and Future Links Tour. The highlight for her was the three weeks she spent in British Columbia. The national amateur was played at Marine Drive Golf Club in Vancouver and the Canadian Junior Girl’s Championship was in Tsawwassen, B.C.

“It was such a great experience for me,” she said. “I had so much stuff to learn. It was intimidating and I was nervous, but the tournaments were cool. I think I got used to it after a couple days.”

Kozak was edged by Saskatchewan junior girl’s champion Brooklin Fry in the OMT standings in the under-15 age category. She finished the year with three MJT wins in the same age group. She said overall, playing in a dozen competitive events increased her passion for the game.

“Yeah, I have become more interested in the tournaments. Knowing what’s going on, last year I was kind of just day dreaming. I’m into them now and I’m older and I think matured. I can understand what’s going on,” she said.

The Kozak’s also got to experience the professional side of women’s golf as well. The pair spent a day inside the ropes at the CP Women’s Open event in Regina late in August. Ella said watching the players was beneficial for her own game.

“It was cool to see the similarities and differences between the pros and me. How pros don’t hit every perfect shot, I need to understand that, I always found pros perfect. When I saw them play I was more interested with how they deal with their mistakes,” she said.

She didn’t get to see Brooke Henderson win the event and become the first Canadian to be victorious at the tournament since 1973. Kozak said she was very happy that she did pull off the win.

“It was cool to see her in person, I always see her on tv, but I was like wow, it’s Brooke Henderson. I am proud of her that she won. It was neat to see her and watch how she plays the game,” she said.

Saskatoon’s Anna Young was in the LPGA event making her debut. The five-time Saskatchewan champion didn’t make the cut at the CP Open. Despite her result, Kozak was cheering her on as well.

“I was rooting for her lots. She did really good, it was cool to see her and meet her. It was nice,” she said.

Kozak had another highlight of the summer, she hit her first career hole-in-one at an MJT event in Winnipeg as well.

She will play in the MJT National Champion in Phoenix, Arizona in November to wrap up the golf year. Kozak is a competitive swimmer in Yorkton so she will now return to the pool and the classroom until next season.

You can hear more from the Kozak’s who spoke to Golf Saskatchewan’s Clark Stork on Wednesday.

Weyburn’s Rick Hallberg is in position at the Canadian Men’s Senior Championship to make a run going into the final two rounds of the tournament.

The Golf Kenosee member fired a 1-over, 73 during Wednesday’s second round. Hallberg, the reigning Saskatchewan senior champion is 3-over par after 36-holes and tied for eighth place, eight strokes behind leader Brady Exber.

Regina’s Ken Rodgers made the cut, he is in a six-way tie at plus-8 at 32^nd. Delisle’s Colin Coben is in 60^th place at 12-over with 14 others. Plus-8 was the cutline of the event.

Tony Turay of Saskatoon shot 7-over Wednesday, Regina’s Stu Innes fired a plus-11 during round two and Keith Silvernagle carded a plus-16. The three players missed the cut and won’t play the third and fourth rounds.

The tournament concludes on Friday at the Gowan Brae Golf Club in Bathhurst, New Brunswick.

Online scoring is available here.

Highlighted by the stories of the “Goose”, the 2018 Synergy 8 golf tournament and gala was a rousing success.

On Aug. 28, 260 people took part in the golf tournament at the Willows in Saskatoon. Later in the day almost 1,000 attended the banquet at Prairieland Park. Long-time golf commentator Gary McCord, two-time US Open champion Retief Goosen, and Golf Channel personality Holly Sonders took the stage highlighting the program. During the evening, Premier Scott Moe presented the Synergy 8 group with the Saskatchewan Premier’s Service Club Award for their charity work over the last decade. Synergy 8 member Rob Lozinski said the 10^th annual event was a memorable one.

“From our award from the province given by Premier Moe, to the silent and live auctions, to the meal, to NHLers Eric Gryba and Cam Talbot auctioning off some Edmonton Oiler hockey tickets and arena tours. The Humboldt Broncos and Saskatoon Blades event announcement on Sept. 22, to the question and answer session with Holly Sonders, Gary McCord, and Retief “The Goose” Goosen, it was quite an evening,” he said.

The Blades are going to honour the families effected by the bus crash in April involving the Broncos. Canadian LPGA golfer Alena Sharp used a specially designed Broncos golf bag at the CP Women’s Open in Regina last month. The bag was auctioned off for $19,000 with the proceeds benefitting the Humboldt & District Hospital Foundation. The emotional portion of the event was short lived, Lozinski said the three celebrity guests kept the crowd laughing all night.

“Retief regaled us with his story of being struck by lightning and talking about his two US Open wins. McCord was delightfully hilarious and spontaneous with stories of the best putters and strikers of the ball he’d ever encountered. Holly added beauty to the two golf beasts up on stage,” he said.

The proceeds from the overall event are going to the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation. Lozinski said they are still gathering the total. Since the group’s inception they’ve raised $3.6 million.

The team of Rick Hallberg, Tony Turay, and Ken Rodgers have put themselves in a position to win the inter-provincial championship at the Canadian Men’s Senior Championship.

Team Saskatchewan is tied for first place at plus-4 with Alberta after 18 holes of the event in Bathhurst, New Brunswick. Rodgers and Hallberg, both shot 2-over, 74’s during the first round at the Gowan Brae Golf Club. They sit in a tie for eighth. Turay carded an 8-over, 80 in his first round.

Also, in the 156-player field are Colin Coben, Keith Silvernagle, and Stu Innes. Coben is in a tie for 97^th at plus-9, Silvernagle shot a 10-over, 82. He is in a tie for 109^th, Innes is in 144^th place at 14-over par.

Round two starts Wednesday morning, online scoring is available here.