Long standing golf program First Tee is now in Saskatchewan and Manitoba at First Tee – Prairies.

Michael Kananoja is the Manager of the Prairie chapter in Winnipeg. He joined Golf Saskatchewan’s Clark Stork to discuss the goals of the program, how clubs, schools, and community centres and others can be involved and more.

At Golf Canada’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) on March 2, the national amateur golf governing body announced the first ever National Facility Awards for Junior Golf.

Among just six clubs from across the nation the Royal Regina Golf Club (RRGC) was recognized as the Tournament Host of the Year for their efforts in hosting the Saskatchewan Junior Women’s and Men’s Championships last July. RRGC General Manager Ryan Pollock said many people deserve recognition for the execution of the tournaments.

“It is with great pride we accept this award and would like to thank Golf Canada for the recognition,” Pollock said. “Our club set out to make this event the best it possibly could be. Thanks to our committed staff, numerous volunteer members, and leadership from Golf Saskatchewan the week was a tremendous success.”

The event attracted 108 golfers under the age of 19 including the second running of Golf Saskatchewan’s Junior-Junior for golfers 12 and under. Pollock added the RRGC takes hosting all events professionally with a goal to benefit the future of the sport.

“As a club, we feel we have a responsibility to promote the game of golf to aspiring young athletes. We look forward to furthering opportunities now and into the future,” he said.

President of Golf Saskatchewan and longtime member of the RRGC Larry Wagman was able to see the commitment from both sides of hosting the event and feels the honour is justified.

“Congratulations to the Royal Regina Golf Club on being named as the Golf Canada’s Junior Tournament Host of the year for 2022 at their AGM,” Wagman said. “I am very proud of the accomplishment and personally witnessed the event which was well deserving of the national attention.”

For all the details of the first ever National Facility Awads for Junior Golf click here.

Saskatoon’s Max Regier has provincial age group championships and a Junior Lobstick win, now the 17-year-old has a college commitment on his resume.

The Saskatoon Golf and Country Club member will attend the University of British Columbia Okanagan and play for the Heat in USports Canada West.

Regier will join Hunter Kutcher on the men’s team, Saskatoon’s Symone Ripley competes for the women’s golf squad. Regier said having familiar faces, plus staying in Canada were a couple of pros regarding his choice on where to get an education while playing.

He joined Golf Saskatchewan’s Clark Stork to discuss his choice of school, his accomplishments, and goals heading into the season.

The college golf news for Saskatchewan players has been trending with a string of recent commitments to U.S. schools, but there was also three players in action this week.

Saskatoon’s Connor Scissons is wrapping up his solid college career at Arizona Christian University (ACU) this spring. Scissons and the Firestorm were in Ventura CA. for the Warrior Invitational on Feb. 27 and 28. Scissons carded rounds of 77 and 71 to finish in a tie for 13th, his play helped the team tie for second in the event held at Olivas Links.

ACU placed fifth at their opening event of the spring season in late January. Next up for the Firestorm is the Embry Riddle Spring Invite in Riddle, AZ. on March 20 and 21.

Milsaps College sophomore Will Danielson of Saskatoon opened his spring season on Feb. 27 – 28 at Clubs of Kingwood Forest in Forest, TX. The Majors finished in seventh place in the event. Danielson fired rounds of 78 and 80, he was tied for 34th at 14-over-par.

They will head to Bossier, LA. for the Hal Sutton Invitational on April 3 – 4.

Meanwhile two former junior college teammates in Reedley, CA., Noah Kozack or Regina and Cole Obrigewitsch of Deer Valley were back on the same course competing for separate Div. II schools.

Obrigewitsch is in his first year with California State University San Bernardino while Kozack has joined the California State Monterey Bay Otters program.

Both schools were in Laquinta, CA. from Feb. 27 to March 1 for the Desert Invitational at PGA West Mountain Course for the Battle in the Desert. Obrigewitsch tied for 49th place at +11, 227 (76, 76, 75) while Kozack went 77, 77, 81 for a 54-hole total of 235, he was 71st.

The Otters were third in the team standings, Obrigewitsch’s results helped the Coyotes finish with the silver medal.

Next up for the Kozack is the Desert Classic in Las Vagas, NV. on March 6 to 8, the Coyotes travel to Oakland, CA. for the Tim Tierney Pioneer Shootout at the Corica Park Golf Club on March 13 and 14.

Many more students will be on the course beginning March 6. For more information on Saskatchewan’s student athletes click here.

Assiniboia born junior golfer Davin Karst is the latest Saskatchewan player to announce he’s signed a letter of commitment to join a United States university golf program.

Karst, 17, will attend Milsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi in the fall. Saskatoon’s Will Danielson currently plays for the Majors golf program.

Karst spoke with Golf Saskatchewan’s Clark Stork about his start in the sport with his grandmother at Willow Bunch Golf Course, his route to committing to Milsaps and his future post school.

Saskatoon’s Carter Bell is the latest junior golfer from Saskatchewan to sign a commitment with a United States University.

Bell, 17, will play collegiate golf for Dominican University of California starting in the fall.

Bell spoke with Golf Saskatchewan’s Clark Stork about his beginning in the game, his competitive growth, college options and what the future holds after his four years with the Div. II Penguins golf program in San Rafael, CA.

Nipawin’s Cole Taylor has announced that he will play college golf at Park University Gilbert after he graduates.

The Evergreen Golf Course member will join the Arizona based Buccaneers National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) program in September.

Taylor, 17, spoke to Golf Saskatchewan’s Clark Stork about his start in golf, becoming competitive, his goals, and future in the game.

The spring college golf season has teed off in some parts of the United States.

Saskatoon’s Connor Scissons already has an event under his belt this spring with Arizona Christian University (ACU). Competing in his final season with the Firestorm Scissons was at the Sterling Grove Golf and Country Club in Sunrise, AZ. on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 for the OUAZ Spring Invitational.

He shot rounds of 82, 80, and 81 finishing in a tie for 47^th place. The team was fifth overall in the 11 team field. ACU will be back on the course on Feb. 27 in Venture, CA. for the Warrior Invitational at Olivas Links.

Three other Saskatchewan student-athletes were on the course in Humble, TX. last week.

Competing at the Houston Classic on Feb. 13 and 14 at the Golf Club of Houston Regina’s Luke Cote was the top local playing for Southern Arkansas University (SAU). Cote tied for 37^th after rounds of 78, 73, and 77. The Muleriders placed eighth in the team standings.

The news wasn’t as positive for Prince Albert’s TJ Baker and Estevan product Chase Gedak and the University of Arkansas at Monticello Weevils. Baker led his team with a 239 (80, 85, 74) that left junior in a tie for 75^th.

Gedak shot 82, 78, and 80 for a 54-hole score of 240, he placed in a tie for 77^th. The Weevils placed 17^th in the event.

The next tournament for Baker and Gedak is the Buccaneer Spring Classic in Memphis, TN on March 6 and 7.

Many more collegiate golfers will begin their spring season later in February or early March.

Two more Saskatchewan athletes have committed to U.S. colleges, Golf Saskatchewan will have their features posted next week.

To learn more about Saskatchewan players competing at the college level click here.

Canadian golf icon and philanthropist to help foster donor relationships and support the advancement of First Tee programming for children and families across Canada

TORONTO, February 21, 2023 – Golf Canada and the Golf Canada Foundation are pleased to announce that Canadian Golf Hall of Famer and dedicated philanthropist Mike Weir has been named the first official First Tee – Canada ambassador.

As an ambassador for First Tee – Canada, Weir will support the program through attendance at fundraising events, helping to foster donor relationships, and broadening the reach of First Tee – Canada’s positive impact on children and families.

Born and raised in Bright’s Grove, Ont., the eight-time PGA TOUR winner and 2003 Masters champion has been a philanthropic supporter of Canadian youth for nearly 20 years through the charitable work of the Mike Weir Foundation.

First Tee – Canada provides affordable access to golf for youth across the country, striving to diversify and grow the game of golf to reflect the strengths of Canada’s multiculturalism more closely. Inclusive programming is delivered at golf courses, schools, and community centres introducing golf and providing life-enhancing experiences through sport to children.

“I am honoured to take on the role of First Tee – Canada ambassador,” said Weir. “Historically, golf has not been the most accessible sport for families to get involved with, and I am proud to be part of a program that is working with donors and community leaders to break down those barriers. My passion for golf and supporting children’s development is well aligned with the First Tee – Canada’s mission and I am excited to contribute wherever I can.”

“We are extremely proud to welcome Mike Weir as a First Tee – Canada ambassador,” said Golf Canada Chief Sport Officer Kevin Blue. “Mike has meant so much to Canadian golf and his altruism and charitable experience will help generate meaningful awareness of First Tee across the Canadian philanthropic community. We highly anticipate Mike’s ambassadorship adding to the continued advancement of the program, and its ability to positively impact Canadian youth.”

Weir, who took up the game at Huron Oaks near Sarnia, Ont. was recently named International Team Captain of the 2024 Presidents Cup at Royal Montreal Golf Club. As a philanthropist, the Mike Weir Foundation has raised over $8,000,000 for Canadian children’s charities since 2004.

Launched in 2020 with the generous support of the Golf Canada Foundation and its network of donors, First Tee – Canada has operating chapters in Ontario, British Columbia, Quebec, the Atlantic region, and a newly launched Prairies region. With programming in schools, at community centres, and at golf courses, Golf Canada’s goal is to welcome 100,000 First Tee – Canada participants by 2024.

For more information and to learn how you can support First Tee – Canada, visit www.firstteecanada.ca.

Regina’s Paul Schatz has been named the new head professional at Waskesiu Golf Course.

Schatz, 35, will take over the coveted position from Andrew Hnatiuk who resigned late in 2022.

Schatz spoke to Golf Saskatchewan about the position and how excited he and his family are for the new chapter.