Beginning Friday at the Harbor Golf Club and Resort, Golf Saskatchewan will crown a champion in the 100^th Women’s Amateur Championship but one golfer is hoping the winner is 12-years-old.

Grade 6 student Ella Kozak, the current U15 Junior Women’s Order of Merit (OOM) leader will play in the 54-hole competition. Kozak started the game young with her dad, not always wanting to go to the course, she was bribed with a bag of chips that “always worked.” Eventually her love for the sport evolved, Kozak said she likes meeting new people and playing in tournaments such as the Future Links and Maple Leaf Junior Tour (MJT). She’s had success at those events, however the humble Kozak feels older competition is the best for her development.

“I don’t know about being a gifted golfer, but I started to play against older players and was able to keep up and I played a couple tournaments in Alberta and Manitoba and was able to play well against tough competition,” she said.

She has a first and second place showing on the MJT tour and a pair of 18^th place finishes on the Future Links tour this season. Most of her events she plays against girls up to 15-years-old, she said playing the Women’s Amateur doesn’t make her nervous.

“I am used to being the youngest, most of the time girls I play with can’t believe I am only in Grade 6 and I know some of the younger ladies in this tournament so that will help me be more relaxed. My dad is caddying for me and he gets really nervous, so I will have to keep him calm,” she laughed.

Kozak said her game is averaging in the 80’s this season and she hopes to continue that pace through the three-round event. With a bright future in the sport ahead of her she said playing golf in college is in her sights despite six more years of school in Yorkton.

“Right now, the goal is to play as many tournaments as I can to get experience and then hopefully I have the opportunity to play college golf and get an education somewhere hot,” she said.

Kozak credits the work of coaches Jason Schneider, Jeff Chambers, and Amanda Minchin as well as Deer Park professional Allan Sauser for her development.

“We are there a lot and Deer Park is a great course to play everyday.”

Thanks to some local volunteers and an initiative through Eagle Point Resort owners Lolita and Wade Mohr; the game of golf’s popularity in the North is growing. This year the course in La Ronge is offering free golf to anyone under the age of 18. The course has clubs, balls, and tees free to use to assist kids getting on the facility after numbers dropped overt the past decade. On June 24 the club hosted a junior golf “warm up” tournament with 24 kids taking part. Organizer Devin Bernatchez said the event went well.

“We had a great turnout of kids who just had a lot of fun,” he said. “We don’t keep score or anything like that, it’s just about keeping the kids busy and getting them out on the course.”

Last year Bernatchez organized a local “open” tournament, over 50 golfers took part across three different age groups. He has a second annual tournament planned for Sept. 15. Bernatchez’s son Dade plays on the Maple Leaf Junior Tour (MJT), Parker Layton, another La Ronge golfer also competes on the Tour. Bernatchez said with the number of players increasing and the work of newly certified coaches Darcy McPhail and Steve Hopper conducting weekly clinics the talent is improving. A few locals took part in the Lobstick at Waskesiu and will enter the Junior Lobstick later this summer. He said the focus isn’t about putting up low scores.

“The kids just love to golf, we have had such great support from the parents and kids, it’s so much fun for them,” Bernatchez said.

The next MJT event is June 30 and July 1 in Saskatoon at Moon Lake.

100 years in the making, the Harbor Golf Club and Resort is prepared to host a monumental tournament in Saskatchewan. The course at Elbow, on the banks of Lake Diefenbaker will welcome the province’s best amateur golfers for the 100^th annual Amateur Women’s Championship and the 55^th annual Senior Women’s Championship. Head professional and pro shop manager Mark Patterson said the staff has worked hard to bring the course back from a tough winter, a late start in growth due to the cold spring, and the malfunction of one of their pumps.

“The conditions with all that being said are in pretty good shape. I think when the ladies get here they are going to enjoy the facilities. They will enjoy the course and the set up,” Patterson said.

As of 1 p.m. Tuesday 17 golfers (eight/amateur; nine/seniors) were entered in the event. The deadline to register is 5 p.m. Both tournaments feature the returning champions from last year. Regina’s Brooke Hill is the Amateur winner, Jo-Anne Schiller of Lloydminster is the reigning Senior champion. Also, in the field is last year’s Junior Women’s winner Chloe Sies of Melville, 12-year-old Ella Kozak of Yorkton will compete as well. Patterson said hosting the prestigious event is an honour.

“Harbor is really excited to have the opportunity to host the province,” he said. “Hopefully out of this we get return business and to spread the word about what we have here in Elbow.”

The amateurs will play 5,720 yards, the seniors tournament will play 5,439 yards long. The tournament will begin at 10 a.m. om Friday. The championship is 54 holes and the winners will be crowned on Canada Day. Patterson is the President of PGA of Canada said it’s great for a small-town club to be selected for the centennial event.

“From that position with the PGA of Canada and having the event like this is a feather in the facility’s staff and ownership. We’re going to brag about this for a very long time,” he said.

You can follow along with the scoring online, click here for the amateurs, the senior’s results are here.

For the first time since being a junior golfer, Kipling’s Carson Harcourt is a tournament champion.

The 20-year-old Minot State University student was the lone golfer to finish under par (one under) during the 36-hole event at the Tor Hill Golf Club in Regina on the weekend. Harcourt stroked a two over par during round one, sitting two shots back of Tyler Zaba after the opening round, Harcourt had the low round of 69 over the final 18 holes to edge Yorkton’s Kade Johnson by a single shot. Zaba shot 75 on day two leaving him in third place at three over. Johnson was even for the event. Harcourt said he hit two bad shots off the tee over the two days but battled through the miscues.

“On the first day I hit one out of bounds and that resulted in a quadruple bogey,” he told Golf Saskatchewan. “That was tough to come back from. On the final day I hit one in the bush and that resulted in a bogey, I was able to minimize the damage. It seemed whenever I was on the green putting for birdie I was making it. That really helped, after you take a quadruple it’s tough to come back from.”

Harcourt grew up playing at the Kipling Golf Course before becoming a member at nearby Golf Kenosee. When he was 12-years-old he joined a Golf Saskatchewan team led by Phil Gross. Several tournament wins followed during his junior career including his last ever event. He said being victorious on the Men’s Order of Merit Tour (OOM) was a big confidence boost.

“It feels pretty good, I haven’t won since my last junior event at the Wascana Country Club, that was a couple years ago. It was a good field and it makes me realize I can play with these guys and win tournaments in the future and win college tournaments in my future too,” he said.

The win earns Harcourt 500 OOM points, Johnson picked up 400 points. Zaba collected 350 for his third-place finish.

The full results can be found here along with the OOM standings.

The Senior Publinx champion was Rob Schneider, the Tor Hill member shot 146 (72, 74) for a four-stroke victory over Ken Rodgers, also of the Tor Hill. Mike Hammer, another Tor Hill member placed third with a nine over 151 (76, 75). The win was Schneider’s first OOM event of the season, he picked up 500 OOM points with the win, he sits in sixth place overall. Lionel Fauchoux sits in top spot.

The results from the senior’s event and OOM standings can be seen here.

The next OOM event for both the men and seniors is the Mine Supply Central Amateur Senior Men’s Division from June 30 – July 2 at Saskatoon Golf and Country Club.

Golfers battled the elements as well as breast cancer at the Rosetown Golf Club on June 10 during the course’s Golf for a Cure event.

Courses across Saskatchewan and Canada have been hosting the fundraising tournaments for 15 years. This year 40 women took part in the Rosetown event. The attendees raised just over $5,600 through donations, a silent auction and the registration fees. Event organizer Sue Skinner said 60 kilometre per hour winds played a part in the golf, however the gusts didn’t damper the spirits of the women that took part.

“The weather was not perfect, but the enthusiasm was vibrant and heartwarming throughout the day,” she said.

The theme of the event was, “together let’s tee off on breast cancer.”

Participating courses are eligible for an invite to the national GOLF fore a CURE event in Thornhill, Ont. on Sept. 24. Invites are based on dollars raised, last year Elkridge Golf Course was the top Saskatchewan club. They will host their event on July 5. Deer Park Golf Course in Yorkton will hold their event on July 14. Both the Melville Golf and Country Club and Meadow Lake Golf Club will host events on July 18.

More information on the initiative can be found here.

After being closed for a season the golf course at Sandy Beach Regional Park is open for business and business is good.

Officially named a regional park in 1966, a nine-hole sand green course was built shortly thereafter. Although the facility was well used according to board president Howard Mehain, he said the group operating the course had a decision to make. The group pondered expanding to 18 holes with nine new grass greens about five years ago, but the final decision was made to revamp the current layout and change the greens to grass. Mehain said the outcome is better than the committee envisioned.

“We started doing some work in the fall two years ago, we had the course closed last year and reopened this year. We are happier than we could ever be,” he said.

On June 23, the club celebrated a grand re-opening inviting sponsors, volunteers, staff and contractors to the course located just North of Lloydminster. Mehain said recognizing the people that contributed to the renovations was important to the board.

“We were really fortunate that we found local people at great rates,” he said. “Lots of people expected we’d take our 30-foot diameter sand greens, dig them up, put dirt in and seed them to grass. We ended up reshaping them, 4,500 square feet with lots of modulations. The course is way better than we ever thought,” he said.

The crews working on the course focused on other aspects as well, trees were relocated or removed, and a new irrigation system was installed. The course is equipped to expand to 18-holes but Mehain said the committee feels focusing on nine holes at this point is the proper venture. He said the group wants to provide the best experience possible for golfers and visitors to the park.

“We’re really happy with how it worked, so far we’ve been really busy. We have a few more things we’d like to do but so far we are thrilled with how it turned out,” he said.

Sandy Beach’s annual open tournament will return this year, that is scheduled for Aug. 11.

Delisle’s Colin Coben is the 2018 Auto Clearing Senior Men’s Golf Champion.

Coben fired 207 (71, 68, 68) over 54-holes at Moon Lake Golf and Country Club to be crowned the winner on Thursday. Rick Hallberg of Weyburn placed second with a score of 219 (76, 74, 69). Moon Lake member Lionel Fauchoux placed third with a score of 222 (76,73,73).

With the victory, Coben earns 750 points on the Saskatchewan Senior Men’s Order of Merit Tour (OOM). He sits second overall behind Fauchoux.

The up to date OOM standings and complete results of the Auto Clearing Championship can be seen here.

The next OOM event is the Men’s Publinx Championship at Tor Hill Golf Course in Regina on Friday and Saturday.

This past weekend at the Evergreen Golf Course in Nipawin the local Special Olympics athletes collected prizes and shared smiles during their annual tournament.

The event is held every year in the Saturday before Father’s Day. This year 17 people took part, all from Nipawin except for one golfer who travelled from Tisdale. In the past athletes from La Ronge, Price Albert, and Regina. The Special O golf program holds one-hour practices during the week every spring. Nipawin Special O board member Ren Lukoni volunteered at the tournament. She said the event is a highlight for their athletes every year.

“This event is a great boost in morale for our athletes as they enjoy the sport and the other golfers. The athletes are so supportive with each other and lots of high fives are given after great shots as well as many words of encouragement after a not so great shot. It’s all positive,” she said.

Lukoni said the event is great for their athletes because golf allows anyone to enjoy the game despite varied skill levels. She said the athletes also enjoy the tournament because it is different from the weekly practices.

“Our athletes love this tournament because they get the opportunity to play rather than just practicing skills. We have athletes of all age and ability levels. That’s why they like golf; they know that all can play regardless of ability. It can be recreational or more competitive and that’s okay,” Lukoni said.

The coaches of this year’s Special O spring golf program were Betty Blue and Jean Miskiman, Tim and Lynn Verklan and Tina Haluke also assisted during the practices.

There is a lot of excitement for August’s LPGA CP Canadian Women’s Open which will be going at the Wascana Golf and Country Club in Regina

The sport will certainly have the spotlight on it in Saskatchewan when the best in the world test out what the course has to offer.

Golf Saskatchewan’s executive director Brian Lee hopes it will result in the younger demographic perhaps trying out the sport.

“If the week we will see inspires young girls or boys to take up the game, it’s just an advocate for a better sport overall.”  Lee said.

Like many others, Lee is excited to see what the world’s best women’s golfers will do when they start battling the course as it has been a tough test for many Golf Saskatchewan events that have been put on over the years,

He says Mother Nature could play a big role.

“This course is going to be a great test. “Lee said. “It can showcase and identify a player’s weakest characteristics. You need to keep the ball in play, because if you don’t you can post an incredible number.  If the wind picks up, you could four different golf courses, but it will be a treat for golf in Saskatchewan to see how they fare.”

(Story courtesy Mitchell Blair via www.620ckrm.com)

Sixty-nine of the best golf professionals from around the country descends upon the venerable Mississauga, Ont., venue all vying for the association’s most prestigious championship and historic P.D. Ross Trophy

[ACTON, ONT.]—The PGA of Canada’s best players tee it up next week at Credit Valley Golf & Country Club for the 97th playing of the PGA Championship of Canada presented by TaylorMade and adidas Golf.

Sixty-nine of the best golf professionals from around the country descends upon the venerable Mississauga, Ont., venue all vying for the association’s most prestigious championship and historic P.D. Ross Trophy.

“The field for this year’s PGA Championship of Canada presented by TaylorMade and adidas Golf is arguably the finest since the rebirth of the championship in 2011,” said PGA of Canada president Mark Patterson.

Teeing it up at Credit Valley includes 21 past PGA of Canada national championship winners and 42 total national championship titles. Four Saskatchewan golfers will participate, Jeff Gross and Brennan Rumancik of Swift Current, Regina’s Pat Marcia and Dean Brown. Former Emerald Park player Lindsay Bernakevitch will also take part.

“With nearly a third of the field having won a PGA of Canada national championship in the past, we’re definitely going to feature a winner at week’s end with a solid pedigree.”

Additionally, 44 of the top 50-ranked players from the RBC PGA of Canada Player Rankings are in the field, which includes all 10 from the top 10.

Past PGA Championship of Canada winners in the field at Credit Valley Golf & Country Club include:

• JP Cornellier, 2017
• Marc-Etienne Bussieres, 2016
• Danny King, 2015
• Dave Levesque, 2014
• Bryn Parry, 2013
• Eric Laporte, 2012
• Jim Rutledge, 1984

For first round tee times, CLICK HERE.

Cornellier looks to become the first back-to-back winner of the championship since George Knudson won in 1976 and 1977.

Ranked No. 80 on SCOREGolf’s Top 100 Courses in Canada for 2016, Credit Valley traces its golfing beginning back to 1930. Ontario’s then Lieutenant Governor, W.D. Ross, commissioned that a nine-hole course be built on the original property which was located where the driving range and parking lot now stand. Since its original design by Stanley Thompson in 1930, the club most recently underwent renovations to the course including changes to the first five holes, the 10th hole and a complete bunker renovation. In addition, in 2016, the Credit Valley redesigned its practice facility, which now includes 65,000 square feet of bent grass tee decks, eight target greens, a target fairway, two practice bunkers, a short game area, three putting greens and a dedicated teaching area, making it among the best practice facilities in Canada.

Credit Valley last hosted the PGA Championship of Canada 25-years ago in 1993, which was won by 12-time PGA TOUR winner Steve Stricker. The club has also recently hosted two PGA Women’s Championships (2010 and 2016) and a PGA Seniors’ Championship in 2015.

“Our members are very excited to host PGA of Canada top players from across the country in this year’s PGA of Canada Championship,” said Credit Valley’s chief operating officer and PGA of Canada executive professional Ian Webb. “Much has changed in the 25 years since Steve Stricker’s win, but with recent course and practice facility renovations, we have no doubt the players are in for a real treat.”

Credit Valley was also home to PGA of Canada Hall of Fame member Al Balding, a four-time winner of the PGA Championship of Canada, as well as recently deceased PGA of Canada member Jerry Anderson, who won the championship in 1987.

Re-launched in 2011, the PGA Championship of Canada was contested strictly as a match play event through 2014 with players from the four brackets—Stan Leonard, George Knudson, Al Balding and Moe Norman—looking to advance through the six rounds to capture the historic P.D. Ross trophy. However, the 2015 championship at Cabot Links saw a format change, with 69 top-ranked players from the PGA of Canada Player Rankings presented by RBC playing two rounds of stroke play. The top-16 players from the 36-hole stroke play portion of the event filled out the four match-play brackets with the eventual champion winning four match play rounds.

This year’s championship at Credit Valley follows the same format.

In addition to Cornellier, past champions of the PGA Championship of Canada include Moe Norman, George Knudson, Marc-Etienne Bussieres, Danny King, Dave Levesque, Eric Laporte, Bryn Parry, Al Balding, Bob Panasik, Steve Stricker, Tim Clark, Lanny Wadkins, Jim Rutledge, Wilf Homenuik, Stan Leonard, Lee Trevino and Arnold Palmer.

The player who sits atop the PGA of Canada Player Rankings presented by RBC at the conclusion of the PGA Championship of Canada earns an exemption into the RBC Canadian Open at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont.

To follow the PGA Championship of Canada presented by Taylormade and adidas Golf online throughout tournament week, visit pgaofcanada.com, twitter.com/pgaofcanada, instagram.com/thepgaofcanada and facebook.com/pgaofcanada