The 2024 Men’s Order of Merit Tour (OMT) is underway after this past weekend’s Regina Dental Group City Amateur and Legends 2-Man Scramble in Warman.

This year’s running of the Regina Amateur Championship featured an interclub competition and senior division for the first time. It was also the first event for Saskatchewan newcomer Joergen Viken, the winner of the championship. Originally from Kongsberg, Norway, Viken resides in Regina and plays out of the Royal Regina Golf Club, the amateur was his first official event.

The graduate of Lewis-Clark State opened with a 68 on Saturday at Deer Valley Golf and Estates, followed that performance with a 69 on day two at the Wascana Country Club. Wascana member Tyler Zaba shot 67 during the second round, the low for the day forcing a playoff that Viken won on the second hole.

He picks up 500 OMT points to take the early lead in the standings.

Regina’s Wade Huber was third, just a shot behind Viken and Zaba. Mitch Matichuk and Adam Schoettler rounded out the top-five tying for fourth at 3-under par.

Eight players finished under par in the 36-hole event.

Viken spoke with Golf Saskatchewan following the win.

Rick Ledingham and Ken Rodgers tied for the senior division win. Team Wascana was the club champions. The complete results can be found here.

Legends 2-Man Scramble

In Warman at the Legends Golf Club on May 25 and 26, the 2-Man Scramble took place over 36-holes.

Tim Acaster and Scott Mackay took the overall title shooting 21-under par. They will split the 500 OMT points for the win.

Travis Fehr and Jordan Swenson tied for second with Team Moser, Bradley and David as the teams each finished at 18-under par.

Darryl Czuy and Connor McGill were fourth (-14), Shane Reid and Brad Righi were fifth at 13-under par.

The full results can be seen here.

RBC Canadian Open Qualifier

Lloydminster shooter Clint Schiller was the lone local taking part in Monday’s final RBC Canadian Open Qualifier at TPC Toronto – North Course.

Schiller played well posting a score of 75, he was tied for 35^th.

Four players qualified for the event at Hamilton Golf and Country Club. 28 Canadians will make up the field for this year’s championship.

Aricin Franklin of Saskatoon led the way for the Saskatchewan players at the NextGen Western Championships in Leduc, Alta. over the weekend.

Franklin, 15, got better everyday at the Leduc Golf Club after opening with a 75 on day one Friday. The Riverside Country Club member fired a 73 in the middle round and finished with an even-par 71 in the final round, he tied for ninth at 6-over par, 219.

Two other Saskatchewan junior men made the cut at the 54-hole championship, Max Regier shot 73 in the first round, 78 in the second round, and a sparkling 70 in the final round to jump nine spots up the leaderboard and place tied for 12th.

Fellow Bridge City player Ryan Mosher was the other player to play all three rounds on the men’s side. He shot 76, 77, and 71 for a 54-hole total of 224, good enough for a tie for 22nd.82

Other players in the field were:

Darien Herlick (Weyburn) | 78-81
Dade Bernatchez (Sucker River) | 78-82
Ben Staines (Saskatoon) | 80-81
Dane Giesbrecht (Warman) | 80-82
Jack Maharaj (Saskatoon) | 82-81
Justin Miller (Saskatoon) | 82-88
Hudson Diederichs (Saskatoon) | 89-84
Connor Millsap (Saskatoon) | 86-87
Jordan Heller (Regina) | 88-86
Anthony Pesenti (Saskatoon) | 93-86
Owen Trischuk (Saskatoon) | 96-87

In the women’s championship Chloe Wills was the lone player to make the cut.

The Kyle product and member at Saskatchewan Landing Golf Resort placed 14th. Wills shot 77 on day one, 84 in the second round and caped the weekend with an 81 for finish 29-over par.

Regina’s Tayla Perry shot 83 and 85, Ada Dillon of Onion Lake carded rounds of 88 and 87, and Arwen Mosher of Saskatoon shot 108 and 106.

To see all the results click here.

The NextGen Championship series shifts to Whitewater Golf Club in Thunder Bay, Ont. from June 7 to 9.

156 of Canada’s top Junior golfers are competing over 54 holes in Leduc, Alta., vying for exemptions into the Canadian Junior Boys and Junior Girls Championships taking place at Innisfail Golf Club and Marine Drive Golf Club respectively.

Golf Canada’s 2024 championship season continues Friday, May 24, at Leduc Golf Club in Leduc, Alta. with the NextGen Western Championship.  

The 54-hole stroke play gets underway with a practice round beginning on Thursday, May 23, with the championship rounds taking place from May 24th-26th. After 36 holes, the field will be cut to the top 47 Junior Boys and top 23 Junior Girls, including ties, looking to compete in the final round which wraps up on Sunday, May 26.   

In the field, there will be 156 male and female competitors– 105 Junior Boys and 51 Junior Girls – competing in hopes of advancing to the Canadian Junior Championships later this season. Witnessing a strong field of junior golfers at Leduc Golf Club for the NextGen Western Championship, will create unforgettable moments, cementing pathways for the next generation of junior golfers. Among those vying for exemption into the Canadian Junior Championship later this summer, notables to watch are Jerry Li of Vancouver, B.C. who secured the NextGen Pacific Championship last season and Rosie Bee Kim of Edmonton, Alta. who won the NextGen Fall Series East Championship last season.  

 The top eight golfers in the Junior Boys Division will earn direct exemption into the 2024 Canadian Junior Boys Championship, presented by BDO, happening August 12-16 at Innisfail Golf Club in Innisfail, Alta. The top eight players in the Junior Girls Division (including ties) will also earn direct exemptions into the 2024 Canadian Junior Girls championship, presented by BDO, happening July 21-25 at Marine Drive Golf Club in Vancouver, B.C. In addition, the top five finishers in each division will also earn a spot in the 2024 Notah Begay III Canadian Championship at the Kanawaki Golf Club from July 29-30. 

Leduc Golf Club began as a nine-hole golf course in 1961. Leduc Golf Course has presently overgone numerous changes over the years, now evolving into a challenging 18th hole golf course. The golf course features tree lined fairways, several challenging water hazards that intersect the fairways, an-all grass tee driving range and a full-service food and beverage facility. In addition, the club is proud to offer a fair challenging test of golf highlighting an easy walking golf course with captivating scenery landmarks overlooking the 18th green. Leduc Golf club is working hard to enhance more future tournaments, promoting exciting events and continuing to welcome the public to have a memorable experience by enjoying a round of golf.  

 ”We are excited to be hosting the NextGen Western Championship this year, with the help of our membership and local support, we are looking forward to a world class event. Our club is committed to the growth of junior golf, it truly is the future of our club and the game and there isn’t a better way to shine a spotlight on the incredible talent some of these golfers have and we wish them all the best of luck in the tournament,” said Rick Brown, Vice President at Leduc Golf Club.  

To follow the live leaderboard of the NextGen Western Championship, click here. 

About the NextGen Championships 

The NextGen Championships are a high-performance junior golf series which totals six competitions. From May to July, six championships will take place across Canada where the region’s best junior golfers will compete to earn exemptions into their respective 2024 national championships. NextGen Championships provide junior players an opportunity to develop and showcase their skills at the highest level of tournament golf.

Three Saskatchewan student athletes had their collegiate seasons end this week at the NCAA Div. II National Championship in Winter Garden, Flo.

Estevan product Jace Carlisle saw his college career at Post University come to an end at the championship that ran from May 21 to 23. The TS&M Woodlawn staffer shot 74, 76, and 75 for a 54-hole total of 225. That left the Post University senior in a tie for 91^st. The Eagles as a w team were 20^th.

Golf Saskatchewan will hear from Carlisle following his travel home to Estevan following graduation. He will be returning to the United States in the fall for Grad School at Minot State University. Carlisle will join the Beavers golf team as he has a year left of eligibility.

Saskatoon’s Alex Swinnerton and fellow Waskesiu junior graduate Guillermo Salazar were also in the field at the Orange County National Golf Centre competing for Indianna University of Pennsylvania (IUP). Swinnerton opened with a 75 before posting a 71 in round two and 74 on the final day for a total of 220. He tied for 65^th. Salazar, a Calgary resident, posted rounds of 76, 77, and 70 for a score of 223, tied for 83^rd. The Crimson Hawks team was 18^th.

The winner of the championship was Wyatt Provence of West Texas A&M, he was 12-under par.

The next collegiate event is June 3 to 6, that is the Canadian University/College Championships in Sudbury, Ont.

New Economic Impact Study Released

OTTAWA, May 23, 2024 – After a four-year pause due to COVID-19, the National Allied Golf Associations (NAGA) are on Parliament Hill leading National Golf Day and discussing with Parliamentarians the many positive benefits of golf for Canadians.

The golf industry representatives are also releasing the results of a new Canadian Golf Economic Impact Study highlighting golf’s financial contributions and incredible popularity as the number one participation sport in Canada.

National Golf Day also celebrates golf’s physical and mental health benefits, its safe sport attributes, social merits, environmental stewardship, diversity, life skills for youth, and economic value to the business community. National data indicates that hundreds of thousands of Canadians have entered the sport since Covid-19, totaling six million Canadian golfers and further strengthening golf’s status as the number one participation sport in the country.

“Canadians played 74 million rounds of golf in 2023, a considerable 24% increase from the last Study in 2019,” stated Jeff Calderwood, CEO of the National Golf Course Owners Association Canada, and Chair of NAGA.

“Existing golfers have been playing more often and new golfers have been taking up the game at impressive levels,” said Calderwood. “The broad appeal of golf as a safe, healthy, outdoor recreation that can be enjoyed by all ages, genders, abilities, and budgets, anywhere in Canada, generates continued growth in the game. The impressive economic impacts that are then generated reflect that popularity.”

NAGA conducts an economic impact study every five years to measure such financial contributions as employment, charitable support, tourism, and gross domestic product. The sport and business of golf are thriving post-pandemic and continue to be an important economic engine for Canadians and their communities across Canada. Some of the highlights from the Canadian Golf Economic Impact Study include:

• Golf contributes a massive amount to Canada’s GDP at $23.2 billion, an increase of $4 billion since the previous Study.
• Golf supports 237,000 person-years of employment, illustrating its importance as a vital source of livelihood for countless Canadians. Nearly 135,000 Canadians work directly in golf, with 45,000 being student employment.
• Golf-related activities generated over $14.2 billion in labour income, sustaining families and generating significant economic spin-off spending.
• $382 million was raised through golf activities for charities across Canada, a return to the pre-Covid-19 range and tops among all participation sports.
• Approximately 6 million Canadians played golf in 2023, an all-time high for the number one participation sport in the country, generating 74 million rounds played.
• Golfer spending totalled $14.2 billion in 2023.
• Golf course operations contributed $8.1 billion to Canada’s GDP.
• Capital expenditure by golf course operations in 2023 was $907 million.
• Taxes paid to governments by the Canadian golf industry were $4.7 billion in 2023.

“Golf is a sport that brings so many benefits to Canadians – not just the economic contributions. It is also a holistic solution to many of life’s necessities and an activity that can enjoyed for a lifetime,” said Laurence Applebaum, CEO, Golf Canada.

“Golf is a healthy, safe activity, promoting environmental stewardship, providing exceptional social value, and is great for business. And importantly, we’re seeing tremendous diversity in our growth with incredible levels of engagement,” said Applebaum. “In addition, the recent success of our Canadian LPGA and PGA Tour Pros has further propelled the enthusiasm for the sport, with such stars on the world stage as Brooke Henderson and Nick Taylor.”

Other attributes of Canadian golf include:

• 18 holes of golf burns up to 2000 calories, a very healthy 15 km walk and active exercise in nature.
• 95% of golfers in Canada feel that golf is very good for their mental health, which has also been clinically proven.
• 83% of Canadian golfers state that the social aspects of golf are important to them and improve their lives.
• Spectator interest in professional golf is at an all-time high. The RBC Canadian Open and CPKC Women’s Open are setting records for attendance and commercial success.
• Golf is a trusted Safe Sport environment for both recreational and competitive play.
• Canadian golf has been experiencing great diversity, including a 6% increase in active women golfers and 33% growth in BIPOC golfers in 2023.
• Off-course golf including simulator play and virtual golf experiences have bolstered the growth in  participation.
• Sustainable golf has become a leading environmental stewardship movement in Canadian golf, with golf courses throughout the country embracing sustainability pledges and best practices.

Golf flourished during the pandemic as the nature of the sport easily allowed for social distancing while delivering a social recreation experience that could not be found elsewhere.

With golf now better recognized as an important part of the solution, and all of the health, social and economic benefits, the positive spotlight on golf and its impact on Canadian communities has since sustained most of that increased demand.

In summary, the study clearly shows that golf is good for Canada and Canadians.

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The route to college golf is different for everyone, including Deer Valley’s Cole Obrigewitsch who recently graduated from California State University – San Bernardino.

After graduating from Lumsden High School in 2017 and a standout junior career, Obrigewitsch didn’t have interest in college golf, so he went to Moose Jaw for post secondary education. It was his good friend and fellow collegiate player Noah Kozak that tipped Obrigewitsch off about Reedley College, where Obrigewitsch played two years before moving up to the NCAA Div. II level with the Coyotes until last week’s graduation.

Upon returning from California, Obrigewitsch spoke with Golf Saskatchewan about his choice to take the junior college route, making the jump, and what’s next with the work-golf balance.

Chloe Wills is the new owner of the Elmwood Golf Club’s women’s course record after posting a 69 in the final round of the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT) Spring Classic this past weekend.

The Kyle product and member at Saskatchewan Landing Golf Resort posted the record-breaking round on Victoria Day leading to a win in the 15 to 19 women’s category. Wills shot 80 in round one, and 79 during the second round before going three-under par over the final 18 holes to take the championship by 13 shots.

In second was Swift Current’s Niya Friesen, she finished at 241 (83,79,79), Camrose, Alta. golfer Jayla Kucy was third at 244 thanks to rounds of 84, 83, and 77.

In the under-15 women’s division, it was Calgary’s Sela Ogada taking the win, edging Saskatoon Grace Odnokon by a single stroke. Odnokon opened the 54-hole event with an 80, she followed that with a 71 on day two, the Saskatoon Golf and Country Club member finished with an 83, just missing out on the win with a score of 234.

Just three peewee boys were in the event, Oscar Gosgnach was the winner shooting 225, Regina’s Jun Lee was second at 234 (76,73,85), Kellen Hunter of Casa Rio, Sask. was third at 283.

Winning the bantam boys’ category was Chase Strang of Airdrie, Alta. The top Saskatchewan player in the under-15 age group was Austin Nesbitt of Pilot Butte. The 12-year-old was just three strokes back of the winner despite being two years younger. Nesbitt was very consistent on the weekend, going 75, 73, 75, tying for third at 223.

Lucas Sturgeon of Saskatoon rounded out the top-five at 225 (82,73,70).

Alberta golfers took the juvenile and junior age groups at the event as well.

Jalen Apedoe of Calgary took the juvenile (under-17) and overall title with a score of 215. The top juvenile from Saskatchewan was Aricin Franklin of Saskatoon who shot 229 (80,77,72), 14 back of the champion.

Two other Bridge City players rounded out the top five of th,e division, Oliver Matyczuk was fourth at 233 (71,77,85) and Jack Maharaj was fifth at 234 (85,73,76).

Strathmore’s Parker Riou won the junior group in a playoff with Zaiden Dennis of Calgary after both players shot 226 over the three rounds.

Weyburn’s Darien Herlick was in the hunt, tying for third at 227, just a stroke back.

Myles Johnson of Martensville was seventh at 231.

The full results can be seen here.

The Saskatchewan Junior Order of Merit (OMT) standings have been updated, to see the rankings after two events, click here.

The next event on the Junior OMT is the MJT Maui Jim Series at Wildwood Golf Course in Saskatoon on June 1 and 2.

Hidden Hills of Shellbrook, a nine-hole gen in north-central Saskatchewan has caught the eye of Golf Canada for the amazing year the club had in 2023.

According to data collected from the Golf Canada Score Centre, Hidden Hills had the most rounds recorded last year for nine-hole courses in Saskatchewan. Board President Brad Helm said the news that CEO Laurence Applebaum and the staff at the national organization were impressed with the numbers pushed through was a pleasant surprise.

“I guess the biggest thing, it makes me have some pride for our community and our club,” Helm told Golf Saskatchewan. “To see everybody enjoys coming out and playing and taking pride that we have a really nice course and enjoy coming out.”

Four nine-hole clubs in Saskatchewan posted over 20,000 rounds last season, Hidden Hills led the way with a whopping 26,845 posted. In 2022 that number was just over 20,000. Helm credited the entire Shellbrook and Prince Albert area for the course’s growth and traffic through out the season.

“We have pretty good local base of communities that come out and play this course. The locals like coming to hang out and use the course. I consider it in good shape, it’s a fun nine-hole course to come play,” he added.

Applebaum was impressed with the small town’s commitment to the game, and once hearing about the large number of rounds the national organization sent a Golf Canada gift package to the club. Golf Saskatchewan delivered the package on May 12.

Helm was appreciative of the notion that will likely be used as prizes for their numerous leagues or club events.

Not only was Shellbrook one of the busiest courses in the province the last couple years, but the increase in rounds has also been steady since the club recorded under 10,000 in 2017. Helm said work travels fast and the community is proud of what they have and the people that play the course.

“Other people hear, you know, come out and play Shellbrook,” Helm said. “I think that’s a wildfire, it just takes off and more people want to come out and try it. Then they decide to become members even. They will commute from Prince Albert or from different areas to be a member of this course. It’s kind of nice to see.”

The 2024 Saskatchewan Junior Order of Merit Tour (OMT) is underway following this past weekend’s Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT) event in Estevan.

TS&M Woodlawn Golf Club hosted over 70 players on May 11 and 12 for the 36-hole event.

In the 15 to 19 year-old girl’s category Ella Kozak of Yorkton was champion shooting rounds of 72 and 81 for a two-day total of 153.

Tayla Perry of Regina was second at 160 after the Wascana Country Club member carded back-to-back rounds of 80. Chloe Wills from Kyle was third, three shots back of Perry at 163 (82,81).

Yuna Lee was the lone competitor in the under-15 girl’s division. The Royal Regina Golf Club junior shot 93 and 89.

In the peewee boy’s division, Jun Lee was the champion with a score of 143. The 11-year-old posted rounds of 72 and 71 to take the age group by 13 shots.

Keaton Kreklewich of Melville was second at 156 (79,77), Lloydminster golfer Cooper Roberge was third at 181 (91,90).

Lucas Sturgeon of Saskatoon took home the bantam championship edging Shae Maunula of North Battleford in the under-15 age group.

Sturgeon shot 75 and 70, Maunula carded rounds of 73 and 74, giving Sturgeon the opening win of the year. Pilot Butte’s Austin Nesbitt posted scores of 78 and 76 to place third. Tylan Wallin of Humboldt was fourth at 155 (79,76).

Ethan Hunter of Casa Rio started his season with a win in the juvenile boy’s division. The Saskatoon Golf and Country Club member posted 73 on day one and a 77 in round two to win by three shots over fellow Saskatonian Aricin Franklin (79,74).

Another Bridge City player, Brady Guenther was third at 156 thanks to back-to-back rounds of 78, Gray’s Wyatt Frei was fourth at 157 (75,82), Ayden Ross of Swift Current rounded out the top-five at 158 with identical 79’s on the card.

Brandon, Man. Product Zostrianos Giordani-Gross took the overall boy’s title and the junior division with a 36-hole score of 149 (76,73).

Swift Current and Rocky Mountain College commit Makstyr McIntyre and Brayden Skene of Martensville tied for second place at 151.

Weyburn’s Darien herlick started his summer with a 153 (74,79) taking fourth place, Brody Sawchyn of Saskatoon picked up a top five finish with a score of 154 (79,75).

The complete results can be seen here. To see the updated 2024 OMT standings click here.

The next event on the schedule is the MJT Spring Classic in Swift Current at Elmwood Golf Club on May 18 to 20.

(All images courtesy Jeff Chambers)

For the second time in their collegiate careers, Jace Carlisle, Alex Swinnerton, and Guillermo Salazar will compete at the NCAA DII National Golf Championships later this month.

For Carlisle, the Estevan product will conclude his college career at Post University with another shot at a national title thanks to a fifth place team finish at the Atlantic/East Regionals in Wheeling, W.V. on May 9 to 11 at Speidel Jones Course.

Carlisle opened the 54-hole event with an 83 in round one, but the TS&M Woodlawn Golf Club staffer answered with a 72 on day two, followed by 75 on the final round. Carlisle tied for 41^st overall, the team was fifth, that secured a trip to Winter Garden, Flo. for the national tournament from May 21 to 25.

Also heading to Orange County National in Florida for the championship is Saskatoon’s Alex Swinnerton and fellow Waskesiu junior Guillermo Salazar and Indianna University of Pennsylvania (IUP). The Crimson Hawks punched their ticket to Florida with a fourth place team finish in Wheeling at the same regional Post was at.

Salazar led the way for IUP with a sixth place performance on the weekend. The Calgary resident shot 7, 69, and 71 to finish at 218, seven strokes behind the winner. Swinnerton was tied for 19^th at 223 (76, 75, 72).

This is the second consecutive year going to nationals for the Crimson Hawks.

Deer Valley’s Cole Obrigewitsch was also chasing a national DII spot with California State University San Bernardino this past weekend, but unfortunately the Coyotes fell short and Obrigewitsch’s college career is over.

Competing at the NCAA Central/West Regional in Las Cruces, N.M. at the University Golf Course, Obrigewitsch and the Coyotes team placed 14^th. He started sluggish with an 82 in round one, but the Deer Valley Golf and Estates member improved to 74 on day two and fired a 70 in his last college round. Overall Obrigewitsch was tied for 78^th.

Golf Saskatchewan will hear from Obrigewitsch later this week to cap his collegiate career.

The rookie season for Regina’s Hallie Crozier is over as well at Ferris State. The Bulldogs wrapped up their spring season on May 8 at the Prairie View Golf Club in Carmel, Ind. for the NCAA DII East Regional.  

Crozier tied for 53^rd in the event with the team placing in a tie for seventh missing out on a national bid. Crozier carded rounds of 80, 88, and 79 for a three round total of 247.