With what started as a small group of women in the Emma Lake region playing golf has ballooned into a sold out 98 player tournament filled with “women supporting women.”

Fore the Girls spokeswoman Julie Nicholson said the group started encouraging other women to join Ladies night at Emma Lake Golf Course. “We would consistently encourage them and say, just come, if you don’t like it lift your ball, put it at my spot, whatever,” she told Golf Saskatchewan. Some of these ladies were petrified to swing a club in front of other women.

“It’s getting outside, it’s being with like-minded women, it really turned into so much more than just a game.”

 Earlier this spring the group held their second tournament, that was sold out in a day and a half via word of mouth. Nicholson admitted the concept caught on and the event quickly became something special as support for inclusion grew among the community.

The event hosted at Emma Lake Golf Course is two days, two lady best ball format with nine holes of qualifying followed by 27 more holes of match play. Amazing take aways such as registration gift bags, door prizes, flight prizes and two lunches and a supper all provided.

Nicholson feels the committee really came together after participating in the Ladies Lobstick at Waskesiu Golf Course last summer. “First of all, the calibre of competition was amazing, but the most important thing was women supporting women in golf and really driving the importance of equality and we belong there, it’s not gentlemen only, ladies forbidden, right?  It was just women supporting women,” Nicholson said.

The tournament had many entrants from Calgary Alberta to Shell Lake, Saskatoon, Prince Albert and Laronge to name a few.

Due to the success of the event Fore the Girls decided to give back to the Emma Lake community as they did raise some funds through the tournament the last couple years, although most was raised this year. Nicholson said the group thought about the future of the funds raised before they decided on where to distribute the money.

“We want better playgrounds for the kids, we want more sporting things supported, maybe a junior curling program, maybe a roof over the outdoor hockey rink, better camp programs. It was all about putting the money back into the community, not going anywhere else and hopefully supporting generations coming up for years in advance so we chose the Lakeland Lions,” Nicholson beamed.

Looking back on the second year of the event, the group is still talking about the weekend almost three weeks after it’s conclusion. Nicholson said the money and giving back is marvelous, but it was never meant to be a fundraiser. Women support in so many ways all throughout the year, this is one weekend we want them to participate and be carefree.  Fore the Girls wants to promote supporting each other and making sure the game provides a spot for everyone.

“Crappy golfer, we don’t care, we just want you to come hang with us, and if you are a good golfer well then you will end up where you need to be and you will have fun too,” Nicholson said. “At the end of the day we are all playing our game, and I think the importance of putting out articles about women’s golf and how important it is for us to feel important, and we deserve that day as well.”

To learn more about Fore the Girls, check their Instagram page.

On Saturday at Saskatchewan Landing Golf Resort Kerry Ford aced hole six and won $15,000.

The long-time golfer and entrant in the Urban Cellars Tournament of Aces event, Ford became the second person to hit a hole-in-one at the event, while getting his second ace on the same hole, five years apart.

Hole six at the Landing was playing 150 yards, Ford used his eight iron for the shot that earned him the win fall he plans to split with his group.

Golf Saskatchewan spoke with Ford to hear all about the memorable moment.

Although she’s a course owner, Debbie Arnst admits she doesn’t play much golf, but a recent round was a lucrative one.

Debbie and her husband Larry own Rolling Pines Golf and Country Club near Tobin Lake. The nine-hole gem carved through the trees north of Nipawin hosted the Nipawin Chamber of Commerce annual scramble Friday, June 7, that’s where Arnst recorded her first ever ace, and with it a prize of $10,000.

She hit the shot into a stiff breeze from 145 yards out with her driver on hole four. She said the pin placement didn’t allow the group to see the ball drop but the witnesses provided the exciting news.

“It was sailing nice, it was on the left side of the green, the pin was more in the middle but the shot was left,” she explained. “I guess it just hit and rolled just right.”

To Arnst’s knowledge, the hole-in-one prize has never been handed out at the Chamber’s annual event that flip flops between Rolling Pines and Evergreen Golf Course.

Although around golf everyday, Arnst admits she doesn’t play lots. Friday was just her third round of the year. Debbie hopes that she can play more this year with a couple full time staff members at Rolling Pines easing hers and Larry’s workload.

“That was my third round of the year, people that golf there know I am in the clubhouse much more than I am on the golf course, but I am hoping to change that,” she added.

Leading up to the event, Thursday prior to the tournament board members and volunteers were setting up sponsor signs and other amenities when Arnst joked about what she would do if hitting the memorable shot.

“Last year I bought a small camper, and my daughter and grandkids went camping, I said oh, if I was lucky enough to win $10,000 I will buy a bigger trailer,” she said.

Sarah Henderson is the champion of the 2024 Saskatoon Women’s Amateur.

Henderson, 16, posted consecutive career low rounds in competition play shooting 77 and 76 on Saturday and Sunday at the Saskatoon Golf and Country Club (SGCC). She edged fellow SGCC member Beth Davis by three shots, claiming her first amateur win in her debut.

Kim Brown, already with the Ladies Northern title on her resume this season placed third, six shots back of Henderson.

The trio made up the final group Sunday afternoon, the field was 44 players.

The complete results can be seen here.

Henderson spoke with Golf Saskatchewan after the championship.

Ryan Mosher is the 2024 NextGen Prairie Championship winner going wire-to-wire this past weekend at the Whitewater Golf Club in Thunder Bay, Ont.

The Riverside Country Club member opened the 54-hole event with a 70 to take the lead, and he never looked back shooting two more rounds of 74 to win the championship by three shots over Josiah Tong of Heritage Pointe, Alta.

Mosher becomes the first Saskatchewan junior to win a NextGen event since Alex Swinnerton in 2022.

Mosher spoke with the media after the win.

Chloe Wills continued her solid play to start the season punching her ticket to the Canadian Junior Girls Championship (July 22-25 at Marine Drive Golf Club in Vancouver B.C.) with a top-five performance.

The Kyle, Sask. junior opened the event with an 81, chopped a stroke off during round two, and posted a 76 on the final day to climb one spot on the leaderboard into the top five.

Arwen Mosher was the other Saskatchewan player on the women’s side, she shot 103 and 98.

Six other junior men made the trip to Thunder Bay for the championship.

The complete results can be seen here. Golf Canada has more on the championship.

Mosher also picks up 750 points on the Men’s Under-19 Order of Merit Tour (OMT) with the win, Wills adds 375 points to her total in the Women’s Under-19 race. The standings can be found here.

For the third straight year, an Alberta golfer has taken the Senior Men’s Lobstick Championship as Calgary’s Paul Briske cooled the competition on route to the win Thursday at Waskesiu Golf Course.

The Priddis Greens Golf & Country Club member had some of Saskatchewan’s top 55-plus players chasing him down for 54 holes, but Brisk hung on to win by four shots with a three round score of 221 (71,73,77).

Rick Hallberg of Weyburn was second overall at 225 (78,70,77), and Mark Albert of Moose Jaw rounded out the top three at 228 after rounds of 76. 77, and 75.

Brad Phelps was fourth overall, Martin Ring of Prince Albert, and co-winner of the weather shortened event in 2021 was fifth.

Other flight winners:

Keith Silvernagle of Biggar is this year’s super senior (70+) champion.

He carded rounds of 74, 81, and 71 for a solid 54-hole score of 226.

Daryl Davies and Dale Marshal tied for second, eight shots back of Silvernagle.

The complete Senior Men’s Lobstick results can be seen here.

The next event on the Senior Men’s Order of Merit Tour (OMT) is the Auto Clearing Senior Men’s Championship at Moon Lake Golf and Country Club from June 18 to 20.

The standings after one event can be seen here.

Nine Saskatchewan juniors in the field

Thunder Bay, Ont.  The NextGen Prairie Championship, begins this week with a field of 84 Junior golfers set to compete at the Whitewater Golf Club in Thunder Bay, Ont.  

The starting field will feature – 64 Junior Boys and 20 Junior Girls competing for spots each into their respective Canadian Junior Championships this summer. After 36 holes, the field will be cut to the top 53 Junior Boys and top 17 Junior Girls, including ties. 

“Hosting the Golf Canada NextGen Prairie Championship is a tremendous honour for Whitewater Golf Club and for the Thunder Bay community. This event not only showcases the talent and dedication of junior golfers from across the country but also highlights the exceptional quality of our course and the natural beauty of Northwestern Ontario,” states Director of Whitewater Golf Club, Matt Simmons. “We are excited to welcome these young athletes and provide them with a challenging and memorable experience & it’s an opportunity for our club to contribute to the growth of the game, support the next generation of golfing stars, and proudly represent our region on a national stage.” 

Practice rounds are scheduled for Thursday, June 6 before the official 54-hole tournament kicks off on Friday, June 7. The tournament will conclude on Sunday, June 9 and will determine who has qualified to compete in their respective Canadian Junior Championship later this summer.  

The Whitewater Golf Club stretches north from the banks of the Kaministiquia River and is known for its two McBroom designed courses – the Forest and River – which is one of the finest 18- hole golf courses in the province.  The golf course features a chipping, putting green and a 400-yard driving range, allowing all golfers to enjoy various aspects of the game. Off course additions are continuing to be developed with a planned community of 500 homes, a resort hotel, community amenities and new recreational activities.  

“We really look forward to hosting the 2024 NextGen Prairie Championship this week. Our team of Volunteers in place strive to run an efficient and quality NextGen Championship and we certainly can’t thank you enough for travelling to Thunder Bay,” said NextGen Prairie Tournament Host Chairman, Chris Gardner. “On a deeper level, this has been a long time coming for our community and we celebrate it with respect and gratitude. We really want to show you our Northern Touch with great hospitality and genuineness at its finest. To all the competitors, I wish you so much luck but most of all I wish you great memories to take away from this Championship. Play hard and go get it.” 

This week’s tournament marks the fourth stop on the NextGen Series schedule for the 2024 golf season. The NextGen Prairie Championship is one of Golf Canada’s six regional junior championships. Kye Fisher of Leduc, Alta. and Cala Korman of Killarney, Man. claimed their respective divisions in the 2023 NextGen Prairie Championship last season. 

To follow the live leaderboard of the NextGen Prairie 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 

Wildwood Golf Course in Saskatoon was this past weekend’s stop for the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour.

Over 110 players including several from Alberta and Manitoba competed in the 36-hole two-day tournament on June 1 and 2.

Grace Odnokon of Saskatoon was the winner of the girls under-15 division. The Saskatoon Golf and Country Club (SGCC) junior fired rounds of 80 and 78 to claim the win. Sienna Taylor, also from the SGCC was second at 177 (90,87).

Chloe Wills’ strong season continues, but the Kyle product was pushed in the 15 to 19 year-old girls category. Wills shot 85 and 84 on the weekend, just good enough to hold off Tayla Perry of Regina and Lethbridge, Alta golfer Grace Murphy who both finished two shots back at 171.

The peewee boys category was decided in a playoff with Casa Rio junior Kellen Hunter getting the victory edging Cooper Roberge of Lloydminster. Each posted rounds of 89 and 87, flip flopping on days however Hunter won in a playoff.

Emmett McDougall of Prince Albert placed third in the age group.

The bantam boys’ division winner was Lucas Sturgeon of Saskatoon. The 14-year-old has two championships on the MJT this season now after taking the title in Estevan back in May. Sturgeon shot 73 and 74 at Wildwood to take the division by four shots over Bennett Love of Red Deer, Alta.

Hunter Oakden of Brandon, Man. rounded out the top three.

The juvenile boys’ winner and overall champion was Jack Maharaj of Saskatoon. The 15-year-old outscored all competitors playing the course at just over 5,700 yards shooting 73 and 71 for a two-day score of 144.

Fellow Saskatonians Brady Guenther and Griffin Blanch also made the podium with scores of 148 and 153, respectively.

Casey Sliva (Red Deer, Alta) and Aricin Franklin (Saskatoon) tied at 154 to round out the top five.

The champion of the junior boys division was Ryan Chernoff from Estevan. The long time TS&M Woodlawn junior posted a score of 147 with rounds of 74 and 73, beating Solomon Ness by four strokes. Ness shot 76 on day one and 75 during the second round Sunday.

Blake Derksen and Brody Sawchyn tied for third place at 157.

Three others tied for fifth at 158.

The complete results can be seen here. The Junior Order of Merit Tour (OMT) standings are also up to date, click here to view all age groups.

The next junior event on the OMT is the NextGen Prairie Championship in Thunder Bay, Ont. beginning on June 8.

All photos courtesy Jeff Chambers.

The 2024 Saskatchewan Women’s Order of Merit Tour (OMT) is underway with some familiar names starting the season off strong in Prince Albert at the Ladies Northern.

Kim Brown of Saskatoon won the championship for the sixth time, and the Saskatoon Golf and Country Club members first since winning four in a row from 2019 to 2019, with a 36-hole score of 151 after rounds of 76 and 75 at Cooke Municipal Golf Course. Brown won the event by 10 shots over the reigning OMT champion, Kim Walker of Regina. Walker did take the senior (50+) title (pictured below) with her two round score of 161 (82,79).

Kathy Ziglo of Saskatoon and Cooke member Pauline McDougall tied for third overall after each player shot 163 over the weekend.

Rounding out the top five was Rosetown’s Sue Skinner, who was four back of the third place players at 176.

The complete results of the Ladies Northern can be seen here.

Brown earns 500 points in the OMT standings to take the early lead. Next on the schedule is the Saskatoon Women’s Open on June 8 and 9. Registration is now open.

20th Scotia Wealth Open

In Nipawin at the Evergreen Golf Course, the Scotia Wealth Open took place for the 20th time.

Saskatoon’s Chase Pochylko has his first win as an amateur after posting a second round of 67 Sunday to hold off Alex Swinnerton and Kyle Wiebe.

The 2022 Saskatchewan Junior champion finished at 5-under par. Swinnerton was 3-under (72,69), Wiebe shot 71 on day one and 72 during the second round.

A three-way tie for fourth at 144 consisted of Jerry Christiansen, Tommy Danielson, and Shawn McNall.

The complete results can be seen here.

Golf Saskatchewan spoke with Pochylko following the win, and Chair Dean Prosky following the 20th annual event.

As the world’s best golfers currently try to tackle Hamilton Golf and Country Club for the RBC Canadian Open Championship, four Royal Regina Golf Club (RRGC) members are looking back on a recent trip to the course.

Aiden Shanks, along with teammate Chad McCormick and fellow RRGC members Chris Frohlick and Dan Morin recently took part in the inaugural National Golf League National Championship in Hamilton.

Weather forced Golf Canada and the organizers to trim the event to just nine holes, but Shanks said the experience was still a fantastic one.

Shanks and McCormick tied for 18th on their nine holes (front nine) with 17 Stapleford Points. Morin and Frohlick played the back nine holes and tied for fourth with 20 points.

For details on how to get your league involved, click HERE as registration is now open across Canada.

Shanks spoke with Golf Saskatchewan about the experience, and encourages league’s across the province to get involved.