The Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT) has set their 2024 schedule and will make eight stops in Saskatchewan this year.

The events, that will be played alongside one-day Mini-Tour tournaments, will begin in May and run throughout the summer leading up to the National Championships taking place in Arizona over Remembrance Day weekend of 2024.

The first competition will be hosted by TS&M Woodlawn Golf Club in Estevan on May 11 and 12.

The next tournament is the MJT Spring Classic at Elmwood Golf lub in Swift Current from May 18 to 20.

Wildwood Golf Course in Saskatoon welcomes junior golfers to thir Saskatoon course on June 1 and 2. On June 15 and 16 Yorkton’s Deer Park Municipal Golf Course will host an event from June 15 and 16.

The Yorkton MJT tournament will provide a solid teaser for the Saskatchewan Junior Championships being held at Deer Park from July 3 to 5.

On July 15 and 16 Deer Valley Golf Club will host a 36-hole event, Moon Lake Golf and Country Club does the same on July 29 and 30.

The MJT _ PLYR Series at Elk Ridge Golf Resort is scheduled for Aug. 10 and 11, and the Legends Golf Club in Warman will host the final event of the year on Aug. 24 and 25.

All the MJT events will be part of the 2024 Saskatchewan Junior Order of Merit Tours (OMT). The 2024 OMT schedules will be updated later this month.

Registration is now open for all MJT events, for more details click here.

It’s with sadness the Saskatchewan golf community has lost another Hall of Fame person, and player.

Doug Mader passed away on Dec. 30, 2023.

Since his passing, at the age of 83 due to complications from a fall playing pickleball, words from around the golf community have been expressed to honour the 2011 Saskatchewan Golf Hall of Fame inductee.

Former Golf Saskatchewan President, and fellow Royal Regina Golf Club (RRGC) member with Mader, Larry Wagman said Doug will be dearly missed at the “Home of Golf.”

“Golf in Saskatchewan and members at the Royal Regina Golf Club lost an icon with the recent passing of Doug Mader,” Wagman stated. “He will be remembered and missed as a competitor and friendly face throughout his host of friends and acquaintances.”

The RRGC sent a message to their members early in 2024, that read;

It is with great sadness that we announce the recent passing of Royal Regina Life Member, Doug Mader.

“Doug was a RRGC member for 60 years having originally joined the Club in 1964. We send our deepest condolences to his wife Barb, and all their family and friends.” 

In June, of 2020 Golf Saskatchewan was able to sit down with Mader at his and Barb’s beautiful Lumsden home to learn more about his career and life. To view the interview click here.

Long-time Regina Leader-Post Reporter Darrel Davis also wrote about Mader’s passing.

Golf Saskatchewan also sends condolences to Barbara and all of Doug’s family and loved ones.

Makstr McIntyre is the latest Saskatchewan junior golfer to announce he’s going to play collegiate golf.

The 17-year-old Swift Current, Sask. product will attend Rocky Mountain College in Billings, Mont. next year. The Battlin’ Bears compete in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) college athletic circuit.

The Elmwood Golf Club member still has two years left of junior golf and wants to improve on his T-29th place at juniors over the next couple years. His junior career highlight so far is a final eight appearance in the championship flight of the 2023 Lobstick at Waskesiu.

McIntyre plans to study business while at Rocky Mountain College and hopes to stick in the game once he earns his degree.

Hear from McIntyre below as he speaks about his commitment to Golf Saskatchewan.

The game of golf had another unbelievable season in 2023 according to rounds reported from member cubs across Saskatchewan.

One golf club seeing incredible growth is Hidden Hills in Shellbrook, Sask. The nine-hole gem 42 kilometres east of Prince Albert, Sask. reported 26,845 rounds played during the season. The number is up from 20,400 in 2022. Dating back to just 2017, the club counted under 10,000 rounds, a half dozen years later the number has almost tripled.

Four other nine-hole facilities reported over 20,000 rounds played this season including Wakaw Lake Regional Park Golf Course (24,423), Valleyview Delisle Golf Course (22,510), Regina Beach Golf Club (21,795), and Green Acres Golf Course (20,229).

Seeing the most golfers was Holiday Park Golf Course in Saskatoon. The municipal course has 27 holes allowing more golfers off the tee. In total Holiday Park recorded a whopping 63,446 rounds this season, up from 56,783. The course did reach the 60,000 plateau during the 2021 season with 60,151.

Saskatchewan’s three other 27-hole facilities that reported their round totals to Golf Saskatchewan for 2023 were as follows; Tor Hill Golf Course sent 48,500 golfers out in 2023, the Willows Club in Saskatoon generated 47,833 rounds, and Elk Ridge Golf Resort, with their more remote location and shorter season still saw 22,437 players take in the majestic resort this year.

The busiest 18-hole golf club this year via rounds played was Wildwood Golf Course in Saskatoon. Managed by the City of Saskatoon, alongside Holiday Park and Silverwood Golf Course, golfers in the Bridge City flocked to the courses. Wildwood recorded 39,375 rounds this year, an increase of just under 5,000. Silverwood was the fourth busiest 18-hole course, with shorter pace of place due to length, they saw 35,559 golfers tee off. The Wascana Country Club in Regina’s south end was the second busiest 18-hole course reporting 37,557 in 2023, just edging out the Saskatoon Golf and Country Club’s 36,364 rounds.

Overall, courses that reported back to Golf Saskatchewan account for 1,372,000 rounds in the province in 2023.

Earlier this month Golf Canada promoted that over 10 million members posted scores this year as well, breaking the record of 9.2 million in 2022.

Saskatchewan players posted 272,106 rounds into the Golf Canada Score Centre, up 26,172 rounds over the total from 2022.

The top posting 18-hole course was Riverside Country Club in Saskatoon. Members recorded 20,616 rounds, players at the the Royal Regina Golf Club entered 20,552 scores in 2023, while the Wascana Country Club had 19,294 rounds posted by members.

The top posting nine-hole course was the Maple Creek Golf Club. 3,365 scored were posted from the small southwest Saskatchewan town’s players. Katepwa Beach Golf Club was second at 2,230, Echo Ridge Golf Course at Fort Qu’Appelle posted the third most rounds 2,161.

These numbers are all based on the 2023 season that runs from Nov. 1 to Oct. 31, which is Golf Canada’s fiscal year.

Scores for the 2024 season can now be posted by players hitting the course in warmer climates.

Another Saskatoon junior has committed to a university in California.

Carter Degelman has registered at Dominican University of California and will join fellow Riverside Country Club member Carter Bell at the NCAA Div. 2 school.

Degelman, 17, had an excellent 2023 season that included a pair of Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT) wins, a final appearance at the Junior Lobstick and a tie for 12th at the Saskatchewan Junior Men’s Championship.

He spoke with Golf Saskatchewan regarding his summer, a potential chance to play the Canadian Amateur Men’s Championship at his home course, and where he hopes his “dream” goes.

The 2024 Rosebowl Championship will take place at Harbor Golf and RV Park in Elbow along the shores of Lake Diefenbaker on Aug. 14 and 15.

The two-player team women’s event was last held at Harbor in 2017 where 30 players competed. Head Professional Rhett Bokitch said the club is excited to welcome the event back again.

“The championship was hosted at Harbor Golf and RV Park six years ago, and we couldn’t be more pleased to welcome the participants back for what will surely prove to be a wonderful few days of golf, comradery, and competition,” Bokitch said.

Elbow is a quaint resort community next to Lake Diefenbaker boasts all sorts of amenities from hiking, shopping, enjoying the lake, and the golf course itself is a challenging but fair test to all levels of players.

Meandering through a park style layout with mature trees, challenging greens and picturesque view of the lake, Harbor prides themselves on providing an elevated experience from the course to the clubhouse.

“With a fully stock pro shop and a restaurant with, arguably one of the best views in Saskatchewan, Harbor Golf Club is ready to host at all levels,” Bokitch continued. “The resort village of Elbow offers shopping, coffee shops, a newly built community center and plenty of outdoor activities to make you want to come back for more.”

The 2023 Rosebowl was held at Moon Lake Golf and Country Club, Wynyard’s Cheryl Lawrence and Linda Sokul won the event. The last time Harbor was host the pair of Deb Dirven and Kim Boreen of Churchbridge won the tournament.

Golf Saskatchewan Manager of Championships and Rules Alex Schmidt is also looking forward to conducting the event at on of Saskatchewan’s marquee resort facilities.

“Elbow and Harbor is such a fantastic golf course and community, we are so excited to invite players for the event to this beautiful spot,” Schmidt said. “The players will no doubt enjoy playing the course, the views, and the off course amenities too. Harbor fits the bill for this event on our calendar.”

Registration will open April 15.

The PGA of Canada has announced their 2023 award finalists with eight being from the Saskatchewan PGA zone.

Mitch Bach from the Willows Club in Saskatoon is up for the Moe Norman Apprentice of the Year Award. Cody Callaway is another Willows Club professional up for an honour, he was named a finalist for the Jack McLaughlin Junior Leader of the Year.

Among the nominees for the Ben Kern Coach of the Year is Jeff Chambers from Elmwood Golf Club in Swift Current.

Brad Lovatt from the Wascana Country Club in Regina is a finalist for the Stan Leonard Class “A” Assistant Professional of the Year. Also from the Wascana Country Club, Garrett McMillan is one of the nominees for the George Knudson Teacher of the Year.

Lloydminster Golf and Curling Centre Head Professional and Golf Shop Owner Marty Wheaton was named a finalist in the Pat Fletcher Retailer of the Year.

Waskesiu Golf Course General Manager Tyler Baker is a finalist for the Dick Munn Executive Professional of the Year, and Amanda Minchin from TS&M Woodlawn Golf Club is up for the Murray Tucker Professional of the Year.

Former Regina golfer Lindsay Bernakevitch is also a finalist for the Murray Tucker award.

Each year, a National Selection Committee evaluates nominations from professionals across Canada. The winners will be revealed on social media over the next few weeks and will be celebrated during Canada Night at the PGA Show in Orlando on Jan. 24, 2023.

To see more about the nominees click here.

Originally from Medicine Hat, now Saskatoon based PGA of Canada Professional Clinton Schmaltz is heading into his fourth decade as a pro.

Beginning at young age at Connaught Golf Club in the balmy Alberta city, the 49-year-old enjoyed the game from the start, developed into a strong player, eventually becoming part of the inaugural golf management class in Lethbridge, Alta.

Several stops along the way in Canada and across the world, now based at the Willows Club in Saskatoon still has a part in golf in countries from right in the Bridge City with his Tour Path Putting System.

Developed from an experience playing in South Africa, an idea stuck with Schmaltz, the idea is now into it’s sixth year with thousands of Tour Path Putting Systems sold worldwide.

Golf Saskatchewan chatted with Schmaltz to learn more about his three decade career.

For many Saskatchewan golfers, and likely more only dreaming of a warm, golf getaway this winter, Golf Saskatchewan had some fun on some sand closer to home.

Pike Lake Provincial Park Golf Course is a nine-hole sand green designed by Bill Kinnear located in park outside Saskatoon, opening in 1922 for the cost of $0.25 a day. The course (now without flagsticks for the season) is free with your provincial park pass, so the cost has actually gone down.

Kinnear is also behind the designs of Saskatoon Golf and Country Club and the host of the 2024 Canadian Amateur Men’s Championship, Riverside Country Club.

This week during an unusually warm December day, Golf Saskatchewan Executive Director Brian Lee played a quick nine at the course, and also took along a Stimpmeter to show how it works, and just how the ball rolls, on the beachy surface.

When courses are discussed among players (it’s a common question, how were the greens?!) the putting surface speed and condition is always among the chatter.

Of course sand green courses will always roll slower than now traditional grass putting surfaces, but for many small communities like The Eddy at Earl Grey), Bengough Regional Park Golf Club, and the Robertdale Golf & Country Club in Radville, plus many more across in Saskatchewan. It’s estimated that 60 sand green courses still exist in the province.

In the end the hole is still 4.25″ wide and the opportunity to play our beautiful game remains, right here at home.

Saskatchewan Sand Green Championship

The Frontier Golf Course has shown interest in revitalizing the Saskatchewan Sand Green Championship by hosting the event, which at one point was the province’s highest attended event of the summer.

The last time the championship was held was 1988. See more details here on the events’ history.

Stay tuned for more details on the potential return of the event.

New men’s intercollegiate team championship at Öviinbyrd Golf Club will mark the first NCAA Division I golf event held in Canada

Oakville, Ont. – Golf Canada is pleased to announce the creation of the Canadian Collegiate Invitational tournament that will take place at Öviinbyrd Golf Club in MacTier, Ont. from September 15 – 17, 2024.

The tournament will be conducted by Golf Canada and co-hosted by Kent State University and Penn State University who are both led by Canadian head coaches, Jon Mills (Kent State) and Mark Leon (Penn State). The tournament will feature NCAA Division I men’s golf teams with prominent Canadian ties along with the team champions of the 2024 Canadian University/College Championship.

Joining the co-hosts from Kent State and Penn State will be Miami University (Ohio), University of Michigan, Michigan State University, University of Missouri, University of Notre Dame, Rutgers University, and Washington State University. Also competing will be the 2024 Canadian University/College Men’s Team champions crowned next spring at Idylwylde Golf & Country Club in Sudbury, Ont.

The inaugural Canadian Collegiate Invitational marks the first time that an NCAA Division I men’s golf tournament will be played in Canada.

In addition, the selection camp tournament for the Team Canada – NextGen boys squad will be contested concurrently with the Canadian Collegiate Invitational at Öviinbyrd Golf Club as Canada’s best junior boys look to qualify for the 2025 Team Canada – NextGen squad. Invitation criteria for the selection camp will be made available early in the new year.

“We are excited to add a new tournament to our Amateur Championship schedule and we thank Kent State and Penn State for co-hosting this invitational as we welcome some of the top Division I NCAA collegiate programs to compete in Canada for the first time,” said Mary Beth McKenna, Director, Amateur Championships and Rules, Golf Canada. “We also extend our thanks to Öviinbyrd Golf Club and the partners Paul McLean, Peter Schwartz and Rob Fraser for their gracious support in hosting this inaugural invitational at their golf course. We are also excited to concurrently run our Team Canada – NextGen selection camp tournament, which will provide high-level junior players the opportunity to compare themselves with top-tier NCAA competition.”

Öviinbyrd Golf Club is one of Canada’s premier golf courses, designed by Thomas McBroom and opened in 2004 in Muskoka, Ont. The 7,118-yard layout is set amongst the forests and exposed granite of the Canadian shield in Ontario’s famous cottage country and will create a challenging and memorable experience for the players. Öviinbyrd’s recently renovated practice facility features world class training conditions and state-of-the-art technology and will benefit players participating in both the NCAA event and the Team Canada – NextGen selection camp.

“The Öviinbyrd members and management team look forward to sharing our unique club culture with some of the best NCAA college players and top Canadian junior boys in the fall of 2024,” said Lindsay Franklin, General Manager, Öviinbyrd Golf Club. “With Muskoka as the backdrop to this inaugural event, we are excited to give back to Canadian golf, while creating memorable experiences for the players and helping to advance Canada as a world-class golf country.”

The inaugural championship will be contested over 54 holes in two days, with 36 holes played in the opening round and 18 holes in the final round. The team component will feature five members per team with the top four scores for the day counting to the overall team score. The individual competition will be stroke-play with the winner receiving an exemption into the 2025 RBC Canadian Open and the top-five receiving exemptions into the 2025 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO.

Consideration is on-going for the addition of a women’s NCAA Division I tournament in parallel with additional opportunities to expand the women’s competitive golf schedule in Canada. The full 2024 Amateur Championship schedule including the Team Canada – NextGen Girls selection camp tournament will be announced in the new year.

ABOUT THE TEAMS…

Kent State Golden Flashes (Co-Host)
The Golden Flashes earned four top-10 finishes this fall, including a second-place finish at the Gopher Invitational in September. Kent State are led by head coach Jon Mills of Belleville, Ont. and have three Canadians currently on their roster with Team Canada – NextGen member Ben MacLean of Niagara Falls, Ont., Chris Vandette of Beaconsfield, Que. and James Newton of Ottawa. 2023 NextGen Ontario winner Isaiah Ibit of Ottawa will be a freshman in the fall of 2024. Kent State has been a feeder program to the PGA TOUR for Canadians in the past with Corey Conners, Mackenzie Hughes and Taylor Pendrith all having played for the Golden Flashes during their collegiate careers.

“Kent State has long been associated with excellence in Canadian golf, and we are very excited to welcome other college teams to compete in Canada for the first time and experience Muskoka in the fall,” said Jon Mills.

Penn State Nittany Lions (Co-Host)
The Nittany Lions earned four top-10 finishes during the fall season. Penn State are led by head coach Mark Leon of Toronto and have one Canadian on the roster—Zach Smith of Brampton, Ont.—who will be a sophomore in 2024.

“As a proud Canadian and Penn State Nittany Lion, I’m very proud to be hosting some of the best NCAA programs at the Canadian Collegiate Invitational at Oviinbyrd. Canada continues to emerge as a globally significant golfing country and Penn State looks forward to this groundbreaking event,” said Mark Leon.

Miami (Ohio) RedHawks
The RedHawks have earned four top-10 finishes during the fall season including a pair of fourth place finishes at the Island Resort Collegiate and the Virtues Intercollegiate. Miami features two Canadians on the roster—Cameron Pero of Bloomfield, Ont. and Michael Weber of Burlington, Ont.—who will both be entering their junior years in 2024.

Michigan Wolverines
The Wolverines have had a successful fall season winning two tournaments in September. Michigan won their season opener, the Island Resort Intercollegiate, finishing at 30-under and followed it up a couple weeks later winning the Virtues Intercollegiate with a score of 34-under. Michigan closed the fall season with a runner-up finish at The Clerico. Michigan’s Director of Sports Performance and Assistant Coach is Matt Hoffman of Thornhill, Ont. The Wolverines also have two Canadians on their roster—Hunter Thomson of Calgary, Alta. and Bavake Sihota of Caledon, Ont.—who will both be seniors in 2024.

Michigan State Spartans
The Spartans finished as runners-up in the Folds of Honor Collegiate tournament in September. 2023 Canadian Men’s Amateur Champion and 2023 World Amateur Team Championships Team Canada member, Ashton McCulloch of Kingston, Ont. will be entering his senior year for the Spartans in 2024.

Missouri Tigers
The Tigers enjoyed a strong fall season with one win and one runner-up finish in six tournaments. The Tigers were co-winners with Wake Forest at the Chicago Highlands Invitational in September after finishing at 31-under. Missouri opened the season with a runner-up finish at the Golfweek Collegiate Kickoff, finishing 13-under.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Notre Dame are led by head coach John Handrigan of Bracebridge, Ont. and have one Canadian on the roster—Owen Mullen of Truro, N.S.—who will be a senior in 2024. The Fighting Irish won their first tournament of the fall season, the Folds of Honor Collegiate by overcoming a five-shot deficit on the final two holes of the tournament, finishing at 8-over.

Rutgers Scarlet Knights
The Scarlet Knights earned five consecutive top-10 finishes during the fall season. Current senior and team captain Xavier Marcoux is a Canadian citizen and represents Canada in competition.

Washington State Cougars
The Cougars have had a strong fall season earning four top-five finishes in five tournaments. The Cougars finished as runners-up at the Golfweek Fall Challenge and the Oregon State Invitational and added a third-place finish at the Visit Stockton Pacific Invitational. 2021 Canadian Men’s Amateur champion and Team Canada member Max Sekulic of Rycroft, Alta. is a recent graduate.