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.

Volunteer Call: Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship in August

Riverside Country Club and the Saskatoon Golf & Country Club are honoured to host 119^th Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship presented by BDO. The Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship is one of the most esteemed events in the Golf Canada calendar, showcasing top-tier talent.

As residents of Saskatoon & area, we have the unique opportunity to not only witness exceptional golf but also to actively contribute to the success of the tournament.

Hosting a championship of this magnitude requires a dedicated team of volunteers. If you’re interested in contributing your time and expertise to ensure the smooth execution of the event, we’d love to have you on board.

Volunteers will be:

• Expected to work at least two (2) shifts (approx. 5 hours in length).
• Receiving a golf shirt and hat, as well as be provided with water and bagged lunch.

Schedule of events:

• Friday, August 2 – Qualifier (Riverside only)
• Saturday, August 3 – Official Practice Round 1 (both courses)
• Sunday, August 4 – Official Practice Round 2 (both courses)
• Monday, August 5 – Round 1 (both courses)
• Tuesday, August 6 – Round 2 (both courses)
• Wednesday, August 7 – Round 3 (Riverside only)
• Thursday, August 8 – Round 4 (Riverside only)

How to sign up:

1. Click here to go to the VOME Volunteer Registration System.
2. Set up a VOME account. Your information is private and will only be used by the Organizing Host Committee & Golf Canada.
3. Validate your VOME account by following their registration email instructions.
4. Proceed to fill out the registration form, and indicate which jobs you are interested in.

Register as a volunteer by June 12 to receive official volunteer clothing. 

Your involvement will not only enhance the championship experience but also demonstrate our city’s commitment to fostering the growth and development of the game we all love.

We believe that the 119^th Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship will be a landmark event for our city, and your support will play a crucial role in its success. Let’s come together as a community to showcase the hospitality and camaraderie of Saskatoon.

Craig Sled, Host Committee Chair
Jonny Bast, Volunteer Committee Chair

Jace Carlisle joins the list of Saskatchewan student-athletes to graduate from their school, and respective golf teams this spring, however the Estevan resident is going back.

Carlisle graduated from Post University earlier this month and is now back home in Estevan set for another summer on TS&M Woodlawn Golf Club. Degree in hand, he will return to college in the fall and conclude his career on the course with the Minot State Beavers, joining longtime Estevan friend Chase Gedak.

Beginning his collegiate journey at Lake Superior State University, then heading to Post, Carlisle has nothing but positive remarks when looking back on five years south of the border ad his excitement to join the Saskatchewan loaded Beavers golf squad in September.

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.