It’s set to be an exciting week at the Southwood Golf and Country Club in Winnipeg for the PGA Tour Canada stop.

The qualifier on Monday went extremely well for two Saskatchewan professionals. Yorkton’s Kade Johnson shot the low round of the day with a 66 at Southwood to secure a spot in the Manitoba Open.

This will be Johnson’s first PGA Tour Canada event since the Elk Ridge Open which he also qualified for on the Monday ahead of the tournament at Waskesiu Golf Course. That event was cancelled due to heavy rain, the last full event the 2018 Saskatchewan amateur men’s champion played in was the ATB Classic presented by Volvo Edmonton in June.

Joining Johnson in the field is two-time reigning Saskatchewan amateur champion Roman Timmerman. The Saskatoon product earned an exemption into the Elk Ridge Open however he as entered as an amateur. Timmerman concluded his amateur career at the Canadian Championship in Vancouver earlier this month, he is now competing as a professional and making his debut in Winnipeg after winning a playoff Monday securing the final qualifying spot in the championship that begins Thursday.

For more on the Manitoba Open click here.

The long awaited first round of the golf competition at the 2022 Canada Games will begin Wednesday at Legends on the Niagara in Ontario.

Regina’s Hallie Crozier will be the first Saskatchewan player on the Battlefield course starting her opening round at 7:30 a.m. local (SK) time. Ella Kozak of Yorkton begins her first round 10 minutes behind Crozier on hole 10.

Hunter Kutcher will start his Canada Games at 7:40 a.m. Darien Herlick will be a group behind his Royal Regina Golf Club counterpart at 7:50 a.m.

The championship is a four-day, 72-hole tournament with no cut. The boys competition will be played at just over 6,800 yards. The girls event will be contested with a yardage of just under 5,900.

There is a provincial competition combined with the individual championships. Teams will count the lowest score from each gender each round and post a combined score. The tournament is slated to end Saturday but a weather delay day is available on Sunday if necessary.

Practice rounds continue today. Coverage of the final two rounds will be streamed online, to watch the golf coverage click here.

For complete details for the event, visit the Games Golf Genius page.

There were several events across Saskatchewan this past weekend as the 2022 Order of Merit Tours (OMT) wind down.

The Maple Leaf Junior Tour (MJT) made a stop at Elk Ridge Golf Resort on Aug. 13 -14 for the Golf Saskatchewan OOM Series.

Grace Odnokon was the winner of the under-15 girl’s division, and overall winner with a 36-hole score of 169 (82, 87). Chloe Wills of Kyle was six shots back in second, Sarah Henderson rounded out the top-three in the age group with a score of 176.

Edmonton’s Julianne Burlet of Edmonton won the 15-19 girls’ category with a score of 187.

Austin Nesbitt of Pilot Butte was the lowest shooter in the peewee boy’s category with a two-day score of 160 (76, 84). Saskatoon’s Lucas Sturgeon was second just a stroke behind, Swift Current’s Matty Schmeiss was third at 164.

The bantam boy’s division was a tight contest with three players tied at 162 through 36 holes. Saskatoon’s Ryan Mosher made par on the first playoff hole to edge Bridge City counterparts Aricin Franklin and Brady Guenther.

Warman’s Dane Giesbrecht continues his strong season with another win in the juvenile boy’s age group. The Legends Golf Club member shot rounds of 72 and 76 on route to a one-shot win Jordan Heller of Regina. Carter Degelman of Saskatoon picked up a third-place finish with a 36-hole score of 153.

Reigning Saskatchewan junior champion Chase Pochylko was the boys overall winner with a score of 142 thanks to rounds of 70 and 72. Assiniboia golfer Davin Karst pushed Pochylko to edge falling a shot short. Carter Bell of Saskatoon was third at 146.

The complete results can be found here.

The MJT Mini-Tour was in Elk Ridge as well on Saturday, Aug. 13. To see the results from the one-day event played alongside the junior event click here.

In North Battleford at the Golf and Country Club the Auto Dealers Northwest Amateur took place over two days. The team of Tim Acaster and Wyatt Kasokeo were the winners with a score of 127 (62, 65). Danny Klughart and Cory Selander were three shots back in second place. Justin Wood and Jehremy Ryde were third at 128 (65, 63).

More scores can be seen here.

In Kenosee Lake the annual Moose Mountain Classic took place with women’s, senior, and men’s divisions.

Abra Thompson is the 2022 ladies champion after posting a 36-hole score of 165 (85, 80) at Golf Kenosee on the weekend. Shelly Big Eagle was second with a score of 167 (83, 84), and Sandy Marsellus rounded out the top-three with a two-day score of 169 (79, 90).

The complete results can be seen here.

Golf Kenosee member Paul Grimes won the senior men’s championship thanks to a steady 1-over par, 145 on the weekend. Ken Appell was second eight shots behind Grimes. Tom Dodd was third at 156 (76, 80).

The senior results can be found here.

In the men’s division another local claimed the win. Wawota’s Theoren West picks up his first win outside of juniors. West played well on both days and ousted the field by six strokes. With a 69 on day one and a 68 in the final round West was half a dozen shots ahead of Carson Harcourt. Jace Carlisle was third at 144 (71, 73).

The complete men’s results can be seen here.

The OMT standings will be updated as soon as possible.

This week the Coca-Cola Junior Lobstick is underway in Waskesiu. The Senior Men’s Northern runs this week as well at Cooke Municipal Golf Course in Prince Albert.

Created by Golf Canada, the national amateur golf governing body, the ‘Hole-in-one Report’ takes a look inside the stories of the memorable shots that create moments that stand with players forever.

Congratulations to everyone who has joined, or added to the hole-in-one club!

Hanif Hemani – Saskatoon Golf & Country Club | Hole 15, PAR 3, 185 yards

“It was men’s night at SGCC, and hole 15 is a bear of a par 3. It also happened to be a closest to the pin hole. 

Unbeknownst to me, the sign for ‘KP’ was about one foot directly in front of the hole (on line with tee box). The group directly in front noticed this, and suggested “what if someone could have got a hole in one, but the KP sign obstructed in?”.. So they took the liberty to moving it the same length (1 foot), beside the hole…and sure enough I hit a clean 4 iron and it rolled in…likely on the path that the KP sign was obstructing… So.. good lesson for all…the team ahead was obviously also quite excited – by their foresight!”

Arnold Shaw – Holiday Park Golf Course | Hole 2, PAR 3, 105 yards

“I was playing with the Senior Golf Club and hit a wedge on the second hole. The ball bounced once and landed in the hole. I bought beer for my friends after the round.”

Glenn Hoffman – Murray Municipal Golf Course | Hole 7, PAR 3, 198 yards

“I was playing men’s night with my usual group of Mike Merk, Donny Mah, and Scott Manz. The wind was left to right at 30 kilometres an hour. I hit a 4 Hybrid, it landed about 6 feet in front of pin, one hoped and went in!”

Nancy Forrester – Elmwood Golf Course | Hole 2, PAR 3, 112 yards

“My husband Glenn and our friends Tom & Bernice Ross, were out golfing celebrating July 1 as we have often done. My tee shot, flew straight to the hole landed about 10 feet away and we all watched as it slowly tracked to the hole. This was my second hole in one as I previously had one on July 26, 2010 on the 8th hole at Elmwood, needless to say I was ecstatic! We golfed with this same couple a few years ago when Tom got a hole in one on our 8th hole.

It was a great day out with friends celebrating July 1, 2022!”

Golf Canada and Osprey Valley have announced a major partnership and bold vision to build a new Home for Canadian Golf – a momentous project that will see the National Sport Federation relocate its corporate base of operations to TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley in Caledon, Ont.
 
In addition to Golf Canada’s national headquarters and the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Museum, the vision for the Canadian golf campus on the grounds of TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley will feature the national headquarters for First Tee – Canada which will include a publicly accessible community putting green and an indoor training centre.
 
Golf Ontario and the Club Management Association of Canada (CMAC) have committed to relocate their corporate headquarters to Caledon, Ont., collaborating with Golf Canada to embrace the golf community and develop a dynamic home campus for Canadian golf. The PGA of Canada has also committed to a strategic partnership with Golf Canada to assist in executing grassroots component along with coaching and training activities.
 
The invitation for Canadian golf industry partners as well as government stakeholders, and long-time global affiliates at the R&A, PGA TOUR, and LPGA Tour to plug into the Home for Canadian Golf, will be signature moment in the advancement of the sport of golf in Canada.
 
“Our vision to be a world leader in golf contemplates more than just a physical building—culture, collaboration, and innovation are critical elements,” said Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum. “Establishing a new headquarters and a Canadian golf campus with our partners to meet, play, train, plan, celebrate and collaborate, represents a transformative moment to advance the sport. The vision that the Humeniuk family and the leadership group at Osprey Valley have invited us to be a part of with this world-class property is progressive and incredibly exciting.”
 
TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley is a renowned 54-hole golf facility in Peel Region, located in the heart of Caledon, Ont. The property is currently undergoing a significant privately funded expansion and commercial development that includes the construction of new clubhouse and conference amenities as well as improvements to the practice facility and guest experience with accommodations and hosting facilities onsite.
 
For Osprey Valley President Chris Humeniuk, partnering with Golf Canada and industry partners to bring a Canadian golf campus to life is part of the ongoing story of Osprey Valley becoming a signature destination for Canadian golf and an effort to uplift the game of golf in Canada.
 
“We’re thrilled by the vision presented by Laurence and the entire Golf Canada team and are elated to collaborate with partners who share our vision of elevating golf to new heights in this country,” said Humeniuk. “Our family has long dreamed of Osprey Valley as a great Canadian golf destination, and we believe this announcement is a wonderful addition to the momentum we’ve been fortunate to experience in recent years.”
 
TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley has welcomed a number of signature events in Canadian golf including the Osprey Valley Open on PGA TOUR Canada as well as Golf Canada’s Junior Skills Challenge National Event. The facility has also hosted qualifier events for both the RBC Canadian Open and the US Open and has committed to host the 2026 Canadian Junior Girls Championship, presented by BDO.
 
In 2021, the Humeniuk Family Foundation and TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley made a major chapter-founding gift to Golf Canada Foundation that aligns with the property serving as the national headquarters for First Tee – Canada.
 
Phase one of the Home for Canadian Golf project—which will include the corporate headquarters, a reinvigoration of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Museum, and a 30,000 square foot community putting green inspired by the Himalayas Putting Course in St. Andrews – will break ground in 2023 with an expected completion by 2025.
 
 The vision for phase two includes the development of First Tee – Canada National Headquarters that will support coaching education and programming for First Tee chapters across Canada. The indoor short game complex will double as a national talent identification centre for the next generation of Canadian players, bolstering Golf Canada’s goal to advance 30 Canadians to the LPGA and PGA Tours by 2032. 
 
For the leadership group at Golf Ontario and the Club Management Association of Canada, joining forces on the Canadian golf campus was an opportunity for deeper collaboration across the sport.
 
“We are thrilled to rally and support this tremendous project and new home for Canadian golf, helping to unify and provide the golf community a true base which will no doubt create efficiencies, inspire collaboration, and help introduce more participants to our great sport,” said Golf Ontario CEO Mike Kelly.
 
“Our purpose is to develop, promote and support the profession of club management by providing educational and networking opportunities for our members, including golf, city, multi-sport, yacht, faculty and social clubs,” said Suzanne Godbehere, CEO of the Club Management Association of Canada. “Integrating CMAC’s operation into the Canadian golf campus really is a special opportunity for thought sharing with our partners.”
 
The PGA of Canada and their members will plug into the Canadian golf campus with the delivery of grassroots programs as well as training, education, and coaching upon the completion of phase two.
 
“Having a destination for PGA of Canada professionals to come together for education and junior golf program development including First Tee – Canada training will be a huge boost for the growth of our sport,” said Kevin Thistle, CEO of the PGA of Canada. “Collaboration and innovation with partners have always been driving forces in Canadian golf and there is no doubt that a campus environment will bolster these experiences.” 
 
Cost for phase one of the Home for Canadian Golf project is estimated at approx. $20M and the financial funding model will be led by Golf Canada along with a donation from Osprey Valley. Phase two of development is expected to cost $10M and will only proceed upon successful fundraising campaigns supported by the Golf Canada Foundation and private donors as well as through naming rights, contributions from industry partners, and government support.
 
The Home for Canadian Golf project aligns with a multi-million-dollar Drive Campaign launched by the Golf Canada Foundation to fund First Tee – Canada headquarters, chapters, and programming along with enhancements to Team Canada’s high-performance program. To date, $36.9M of the $70M fundraising goal has been secured through major gift donations.
 
“We’re excited to partner with the Humeniuk family, TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley, and Golf Canada on a new Home for Canadian Golf,” said Golf Canada Foundation CEO Martin Barnard. “Not only will this become home for the Foundation, but it will also anchor the Drive Campaign, unprecedented in Canadian sport. Our major donor Trustees have a long history of supporting up-and-coming Canadian players and have now also put substantial support behind launching First Tee in Canada, ensuring broad access for all young Canadians to the character-building life lessons the sport of golf can provide.”
 
The Town of Caledon has already extended its support towards becoming a hub community for Canadian golf with a recommendation to the Regional Municipality of Peel to approve a $2.5M investment towards bringing the project to life.
 
“I am thrilled that Caledon will be the new home of Golf Canada’s National Headquarters and the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Museum,” said Caledon Mayor Allan Thompson. “In addition to the significant economic benefits to our community, the campus will also feature the youth development program, First Tee, an accessible program designed to empower and inspire youth through sport – This is GREAT news for Caledon.”
 
Hicks Design Studio has been selected by Golf Canada as the architect of record to bring the Canadian golf campus to life.
 
The announcement of the Home for Canadian Golf follows several years of due diligence by Golf Canada to explore a long-term solution and forward-looking vision for the relocation of its corporate headquarters as well as the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame, which are currently located on the grounds of Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont.
 
Once complete, the Home for Canadian Golf will be a multifaceted, world-class tourist facility that will support community recreational benefits; drive inclusivity and community among equity-deserving youth; and become a foundational pillar that supports grassroots participation and high-performance golf.

Another scramble tournament in Saskatchewan and another big winner with a hole-in-one.

At the Ultimate Ace event in at the Wynyard Golf Club on Saturday, Karen Anderson put a one on her card on hole six and also cashed in a cheque for $30,000.

Anderson talked to Golf Saskatchewan’s Clark Stork about the shot and winning the prize sponsored by Midway Ambulance.

The winners of the tournament were Bob Reynolds, Phil Johnson [who also recorded a big money ace this summer], Kent McMann, and Jim Anderson who are pictured left to right below.

Saskatchewan’s eight players have returned to the province following the 117th Canadian Amateur Men’s Championship in Vancouver, B.C. last week.

The top placing local was Saskatoon’s Marc Sweeney who shot 4-over par, 288 over 72 holes at two different golf clubs. The Riverside Country Club member started with a sizzling 68 in round one at Point Grey Golf and Country Club setting himself up for a solid second round of 73 at the Seymour Golf & Country Club. The 24-year-old ended up tied for 38th at the championship.

He spoke with Golf Saskatchewan’s Clark Stork on Monday recapping the week.

Roman Timmerman of Saskatoon was the only other Saskatchewan player to make the cut finishing in a tie for 81st.

Ochitwa competed in his first national event at the Canadian Amateur Championship. He also spoke with Golf Saskatchewan about the week and his breakout year on the amateur circuit in the province.

The trio of Timmerman, Alex Swinnerton, and Brett Henry (pictured below) made up Team Saskatchewan in the Willingdon Cup race, the group placed seventh at 17-over par. Quebec won the inter-provincial event with a score of 3-under par.

Golf Canada’s 2022 championship season continues at Rivershore Estate & Golf Links in Kamloops, B.C. for the 83^rd playing of the Canadian Junior Boys Championship, presented by BDO, from Aug. 7-10.

This national championship, which was first held in 1938 in London, Ont., offers an opportunity for the top junior male golfers from coast-to-coast to compete against the best in their class in a 72-hole stroke play competition. This year, 156 players will clash on the west coast of Canada aiming to add the Silver Cup to their trophy cases.

“Golf Canada is excited to return to British Columbia for the Canadian Junior Boys Championship,” said tournament director Daniel Suppa. “I’m looking forward to seeing how the juniors play at the highest level this week. The calibre of this year’s field is amongst the best we’ve seen in recent history, and I know I will be thoroughly impressed. We’re confident that Rivershore will prove as a testy challenge as these elite juniors look to showcase their talents.”

Designed by Robert Jones Sr., Rivershore Estate & Golf Links is setup uniquely as a links-styled course that is buried in a desert-like setting and protected by the sagebrush hills above. Nestled along the shores of the South Thompson River, this championship course features 95 bunkers that are moderately surrounded by water hazards and other areas that will cause havoc for players of all calibres. The par-72 will play at a maximum of 6,852 yards for the 2022 Canadian Junior Boys Championship.

The championship has served as a significant milestone in several professional and amateur careers. Before playing on the PGA Tour, Abbotsford, B.C., native Nick Taylor captured the 2006 Canadian Junior Boys title. The championship counts Canadian Golf Hall of Fame members Doug Silverberg, George Knudson, Gary Cowan and Doug Roxburgh among its winners.

Headlining this year’s pool of competitors is none other than the defending champion, Jean-Phillippe Parr. In 2021, the 18-year-old made pars on the final eight holes at Club de Golf Vallée du Richlieu in his home province of Québec, to claim the Canadian Junior Boys Championship. The St Célestin, Qué., native carded rounds of 65-73-66-74 for a total score of 10-under par en route to the one-stroke victory.

Parr, a member of Team Canada’s National Junior Squad, returns this year looking to become the ninth back-to-back winner in the tournament’s history, and first since fellow Quebec-native Christopher Vandette accomplished the feat in 2018 and 2019.

Looking to spoil Parr’s attempt at a title defence are 11 of the remaining 12 players on the National Junior Squad, including Cooper Humphreys (Vernon, B.C.), who finished as the runner-up to Parr in last year’s competition. Eric Zhao (North York, Ont.), Ethan Wilson (St Albert, Alta.) and Félix Bouchard (Otterburn Park, Qué.), who won gold for Team Canada alongside Humphreys at the 2022 Toyota Junior Golf World Cup, are also in the field.

Ben MacLean (Niagara Falls, Ont.), James Newton (Ottawa, Ont.) and Owen Kim (Oakville, Ont.), who each secured top-10 finishes in 2021, are also returning to bid for the national title. Gavyn Knight (Parksville, B.C.), Malik Dao (Notre-Dame-de-Île-Perrot, Que.) and Mathieu Lafontaine (Vaudreuil-Dorion, Que.) round out the Team Canada contingent.

Returning this year is the interprovincial team competition. The interprovincial championship, first held in 1959, will be played in conjunction with the first 36 holes of the competition, with three-player teams vying for the team title. In rounds one and two the best two scores of the three golfers from each provincial team count towards the team’s score. The lowest aggregate score over rounds one and two determines the champion.

Team Québec are the reigning champions. Christopher Vandette and Laurent Desmarchais – who are coming off an interprovincial championship win at the 2022 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship – accompanied Logan Boucher at Covered Bridge Golf & Country Club in New Brunswick and bested the Albertans by eight strokes in 2019.

The Juvenile division – a subdivision for boys 16 and under – remains in place this year and will run concurrently with the Junior division through the 72-hole competition. Humphreys was awarded the Jack Bailey Trophy in 2021, winning by a commanding 13 strokes over runner-up Zhao. Since its inception in 1970, only ten players have won both the Junior and Juvenile division titles.

New to this year’s tournament is a purse payout. To align with the modernized Rules of Amateur Status, players at the Canadian Junior Boys Championship will now compete for a purse of $8,000 CAD. Amateur golfers may accept prize money up to a maximum of $1,200 CAD, and payouts will be awarded to the top-10 finishers and ties.

Practice rounds are scheduled for August 6^th, followed by the official tee off to the championship on August 7^th. A champion will be crowned at the conclusion of the final round on August 10^th. The field will be reduced to the low 70 players (including ties) at the halfway point of the competition.  

The winner will receive an exemption into the 2023 U.S. Junior Amateur Championship at Daniel Island Club in Charleston, S.C., as well as a spot in 2023 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship.

For more information about the 2022 Canadian Junior Boys Championship click here.

The Canadian Junior Girls Championship wrapped up in Ottawa, Ontario on July 29 with Yorkton’s Ella Kozak being the top local placing 47th overall.

Kozak, 16, carded rounds 77, 76, 79, and 77 for a 72-hole score of 21-overpar, 309. Prior to competing at the Canadian event Kozak travelled to Bowling Green, Kentucky for the United States Junior Girls Championship where she missed the cut by just two strokes.

Kozak chatted with Golf Saskatchewan to recap a busy month leading up to the Canada Summer Games in Niagara later this month.

Kyle’s Chloe Wills also competed in the Canadian Junior Girls Championship as well, her first national event.

Wills missed the cut in her national debut shooting 53-over par. She also spoke to Golf Saskatchewan about the experience and potential for more opportunities.

To see all the results of the Canadian Junior Girls Championship click here.

Located on the banks of the South Saskatchewan River Outlook’s Riverview Golf Club has been providing the small community with memories for 50 years and on Saturday the town will celebrate have a century of golf.

Mario Chabot transferred to Outlook from Gull Lake for work in 2009, he settled into the community for a couple years before joining the board a decade ago, now the president Chabot said the club has etched itself into the fabric of Outlook but like many other smalltown courses COVID-19 has revived enthusiasm around the facility.

“We kind of got exposed to new clientele and members because COVID shut down a lot of other sports, so people were coming out,” Chabot said. “We got a long of new members and even when restrictions were lifted people stuck around because they found the golf course accessible for beginners, or the player that goes out five days a week.”

According to the club’s website the curse was established in 1972. The course offers three sets of tee boxes and plays between 2800 and 3100 yards depending on the tees a player chooses. The clubhouse is licensed with a fully serviced proshop, plus after your round or if you just need to relax a covered deck overlooks hole nine. Chabot said getting to 50 years is an accomplishment and that can be attributed to longtime community members.

“The fact that it’s been around for 50 years and still thriving today just shows the level of commitment from our senior members that have been around since the start. The people that were there before me showed an excellent commitment and it’s something we want to keep going,” he said.

The course has an entire day of activities lined up for Saturday to celebrate the milestone including a pancake breakfast, $10,000 hole in one chance for members, raffle draws, a bar-b-cue supper, and a karaoke night to wrap up the day. Chabot said the board’s goal is to get everyone together and celebrate the accomplishment of 50 years.

“It will be a nice, relaxed atmosphere and have some fun,” he said. “We’re hoping some longtime members are around and share a few stories and highlight some of the people that have been instrumental in the course. Men’s and ladies’ nights are always different so were hoping everyone comes out and talks about the special place we have.”

As for the next 50 years, Chabot said the plan is to continue to upkeep the course, make all experiences positive and “plug away and make sure we offer the best course we can to the members and public.”