Over the August long weekend, Estevan’s TS&M Woodlawn Golf Club hosted the Frametech Classic and Cooke Municipal held their Men’s Northern Championship.

In Estevan Paige Wheeler won the ladies event with a 36-hole score of 27-over par, 171 thanks to rounds of 87 and 84. She was 12 shots lower than Maxine Starkewski who placed second. Heather Heath finished in third place with a score of 43-over par, 187.

The complete results can be seen here.

In the men’s championship Daryl Donovan won for the second consecutive year.

Donovan carded rounds of 73, 70, and 71 on route to a five shot win.

Chase Gedak and Nolan Rohatyn tied for second at 3-over par, 219. Jace Carlisle was fourth, Logan Chernoff rounded out the top-five.

The complete results including the senior championship that was won by Rick Hallberg can be found here.

You can hear from Donovan as he spoke about the win with Golf Saskatchewan’s Clark Stork.

Prince Albert’s Cory Selander has his second Men’s Northern Championship victory.

Selander was the low shooter in the qualifying round and then went on to beat Brady Leachman, defending champion Greg Swenson, Danny Klughart and Ashley Ziegeman in the match-play final on Monday.

Selander also spoke with Golf Saskatchewan’s Clark Stork after the win.

Elvin Mitchell didn’t start playing golf regularly until he was about 40 years old but now 97, he’s making up for lost time.

Mitchell plays 18 holes pretty much every day at Thomson Lake Golf Course. Recently he celebrated his 97th birthday at the club by shooting his age.

Golf Saskatchewan chatted with Elvin, alongside long time clubhouse manager Fawn Weisgerber to discuss his love for the game that has truly become a game for his life.

After being cancelled in 2021 due to COVID-19 the Tony Cote First Nation Games took place on July 26 and 27 at Dakota Dunes Golf Links.

Over 60 players from First Nations across Saskatchewan competed in the golf event. The format was Stableford with two-player teams.

In the under-15 girls division Ada and Keliah Dillon of the Onion Lake First Nation won the gold medal with a score 53. Artisa Henderson and Bianca Eagle were second with a score of 39, Parker Laliberte competed as a single, she had a score of 30, good enough for the bronze medal.

In the under-17 girls category, Cassidy Strongarm and Hailey Thunderchild were competing for the Touchwood Agency Tribal Council and won the tournament with a score of 51. Onion Lake’s Tannis and Mylynn Lewis placed second with a score of 43, while Julia McCarthy and Cassandra Yuzicappi took home the bronze medal with a score of 37.

The under-15 boys winners were Woodland golfers Dade Bernatchez and Kael Ratt with a score of 65.

Yorkton Tribal Council players Laurie Delorme and Dylan Brass won the silver medal with a score of 64, Jonas and Ethan Badger-Rae of the Saskatoon Tribal Council was third with a score of 53.

The results from those age groups can be seen here.

In the under-17 boys division Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs competitors Gabriel Generaux and Keaton Gerard won the gold medal with a score of 126.

The silver medal was won by Theron Netmaker and Deegan Wapass who recorded a score of 109. The bronze medal went to Tavian Ermine and Chase Felix who posted a score of 103.

The complete results from the under-17 boys category are here.

To see more photos from the Games click here.

Several future Saskatchewan Golf Hall of Fame members added to their impressive amateur careers with Saskatchewan championships on Thursday in Estevan.

The 2022 Saskatchewan Senior Women’s (50+), Senior Men’s (55+), and Mid-Masters (40+) concluded on Thursday at the TS&M Woodlawn Golf Club after three days and 54 holes of play.

In the women’s championship Regina’s Kim Walker repeated as champion with a three round score of 15-over par, 231 (73, 80, 78). She held off Regina’s Tamara Harasen by three shots to win her third senior championship in four years since being eligible in 2019.

Moose Jaw’s Lorie Boyle already a member of the provincial golf hall won the Mae Balmos Award for being the top senior woman over 65. She finished with a score of 24-over par, 240 to claim third overall. Fellow Moose Jaw resident and Hillcrest Golf Club member Shelley Ruecker placed fourth at 26-over par, Lloydminster’s Jo-Anne Schiller rounded out the top five with a score of 27-over par.

The complete results can be seen here.

Walker is optimistic about the chance to lead a team into the Canadian Senior Women’s Championship later this summer in Headingly, Manitoba.

Senior Men’s Championship

Two-time defending senior men’s champion Rick Hallberg had to fight from behind to complete the trifecta and win his third title in a row on Thursday near his hometown of Weyburn.

Delisle’s Colin Coben led through the first and second rounds but was passed by Hallberg on the final day. Hallberg stayed steady through three days shooting 1-over par in Wednesday’s middle round and bookending the tournament with even-par 72’s to win the event by one shot over Swift Current’s Brent Wotypka.

Saskatoon’s Rick Hillestad was just one of three golfers (Hallberg, Wotypka) to not shoot over par on the final day, the Riverside Country Club member’s 72 on day three vaulted him into third place overall and first in the super senior (65+) age division. Hillestad earned a spot at the Canadian Senior Men’s Championship as did Hallberg.

Coben shot 80 in round three, he placed fourth overall and earned the alternate spot on Team Saskatchewan.

Brad Phelps jumped two spots on the leaderboard to round out the top five.

Moose Jaw’s Ken Bradley was the lone competitor in the Legends (75+) age group, he shot an impressive score of 15-over par, 231. Bradley, 79, outscored 11 other players competing from a forward set of tee boxes.

In the Mid-Masters (40+) Championship, Hallberg was the winner of that title as well thanks to his 1-over par, 217. With the win, Hallberg earns an exemption into the Canadian Mid-Amateur Championship in Thornhill, Ontario later this season.

Wotypka was second, Kris Carley of Carnduff and Chris Reid of Meadow Lake tied for third in the division.

The complete results of all the age categories can be seen here.

There is no new leaders in any of the age categories competing in the Saskatchewan Senior Women’s, Men’s, and Mid-Masters (40+) Championships in Estevan.

Delisle’s Colin Coben will take a four shot lead into Thursday’s final round after posting a 1-over par, 73 during the second round at TS&M Woodlawn Golf Club on Wednesday. Coben took a four shot lead after a 4-under par, 68 on Tuesday. He’s also the leader of super-senior (65+) age group.

Coben is chasing his fourth Saskatchewan senior provincial win and first since 2014. Lurking in second place is two-time defending champion Rick Hallberg of Weyburn. Hallberg also shot 73 Wednesday and sits at 1-over par for the event.

Brent Wotypka of Swift Current was a big mover on the day jumping six spots up the leaderboard to join Coben and Hallberg in the final group on Thursday.

In the Mid-Masters Championship Chris Reid retained his first round lead over the field. Reid wasn’t as sharp as he was in round one when he shot 4-under par, 68, but the Meadow Lake product is still a shot ahead of Hallberg at even par thanks to his 4-over par, 76 on Wednesday.

Wotypka is third in the division at 3-over par.

The complete results from the senior men’s championships can be seen here.

Regina’s Kim Walker is one round away from defending her senior women’s championship and third in four years.

The Wascana Country Club player is six strokes ahead of both Lorie Boyle of Moose Jaw and Tamara Harasen of Regina. Walker shot 73 on Tuesday in round one, she followed that with an 8-over par, 80 to maintain the lead at 9-over par going into the final round at TS&M Woodlawn Golf Club.

Boyle shot 9-over par, 81 in round two, Harasen carded a round of 11-over par, 83.

Shelley Ruecker (Moose Jaw) and Jo-Anne Schiller (Lloydminster) are tied for fifth place at 20-over par.

Boyle leads the Mae Balmos (60+) age division over Schiller.

The complete results of the Senior Women’s Championship can be found here.

The final round of the championships will begin at 7:30 a.m. in Estevan.

Defending Saskatchewan Senior Women’s Champion Kim Walker is off to a strong start at the 2022 event.

The Wascana Country Club golfer shot a 1-over par, 73 on day one of the championship being held at TS&M Woodlawn Golf Club in Estevan. She leads Regina’s Tamara Harasen by three shots.

Lorie Boyle of Moose Jaw rounds out the top three at 6-over par.

The complete results and tee times for round two can be seen here.

The 54-hole championship resumes at 10 a.m. on Wednesday.

The top senior on the men’s side of the draw after round one is Delisle’s Colin Coben(above). The three-time winner of the provincial senior championship was one of two players to shoot under par on day one. Coben shot a 4-under par, 68 in Estevan to cushion himself with a three shot lead over Regina’s Richard Michell.

Two-time reigning champion Rick Hallberg is sitting in third place after an opening round 72.

The results from day one and Wednesday’s tee times can be found here.

The Saskatchewan Mid-Masters (40 and over) is also being played this week in Estevan. Meadow Lake’s Chris Reid has the first round lead in the 54-hole tournament.

Reid is 4-under par after his round on Tuesday, that gave him a three shot lead over Regina’s Ron Swan who shot 71 on day one.

Hallberg is in third place in that division as well sitting at even par.

The Mid-Masters Championship details including the leaderboard and tee times for round two can be seen here.

Tee times will begin at 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday.

July 25, 2022 will stand out in the mind of Regina’s Mark Johnston for years to come.

Playing in a fundraising scramble for the Jax Mac Foundation at the Royal on Monday Johnston aced the seventh hole at the club and won himself $25,000 and another $25,000 thanks to sponsor Prairie Soil Services.

Johnston spoke to Golf Saskatchewan’s Clark Stork about the shot, how special the moment was for him and the foundation and what makes golf a game for life.

Later this season four Saskatchewan junior golfers will represent the province at the Canada Summer Games in Niagara, Ontario.

Ella Kozak (Yorkton), Hallie Crozier (Regina), Darien Herlick (Weyburn), and Hunter Kutcher (Regina) earned the opportunity to compete in the multi-sport games that will take place from Aug. 6 to 21. The golf competition at the Games will be held at the Legends on the Niagara (Battlefield) from Aug. 17 to 20.

Kozak, 16, said getting a chance to compete in the once-in-a-four-year cycle is an exciting opportunity.

“I am looking forward to attending Canada games and I’m sure it will be a great experience and a good opportunity for me,” she said.

Crozier is one of two Royal Regina Golf Club members to make the team alongside Kutcher. The 17-year-old said she’s ecstatic to get a chance to play at the Games and take in all the festivities.

“I am so excited to go to the Canada Summer Games and represent Saskatchewan golf,” she said. “To have the opportunity to play at this event is something I have been working towards this season. I am really excited about the team we have put together. I am also looking forward to all the events that we will be able to take part in at the Games.”

Kutcher will add the experience to his resume that includes a Saskatchewan Junior Men’s Championship in 2021. He said getting a chance to play in the Games and experience a different national championship is enticing.

“I am very excited to play in an event that I have never had the opportunity to before, as well as being apart of the team that will represent Saskatchewan at a national event. I’m looking forward to meeting new people and experiencing all that the event has to offer,” Kutcher said.

Herlick is now playing more golf in Regina at the Royal, but he started his junior development at the Weyburn Golf Club. Getting a chance to join Kutcher in the boy’s field at the Games and represent the province has the 16-year-old anticipating the event.

“I am looking forward to golfing at the Canada Summer Games for Saskatchewan,” Herlick said. “I’m excited to compete against other teams from different provinces, plus I think Saskatchewan has a very strong team. It’s going to be a great experience.”

The Games were originally scheduled for last summer but were cancelled due to COVID-19.

For the first time since 2015 a provincial golf championship will be held at Estevan’s TS&M Woodlawn Golf Club this week. The 2022 Senior Women’s, Men’s, and Mid-Masters (40+) will take place at the course from July 26 – 28.

The Saskatchewan Men’s Amateur Championship was held in Estevan in 2015, the last senior event to take place at Woodlawn was the men’s in 1987 when Regina’s George Holizki won. The senior women last competed at the course in 1982 when Saskatchewan Golf Hall of Fame inductee Pat Lawson won the championship. General Manager Amanda Minchin said the club is excited to welcome Golf Saskatchewan back.

“On behalf of the board of directors, management team, our membership and the city of Estevan, we welcome the 2022 Saskatchewan Senior Championships to our club. We are extremely excited and proud to host this event and look forward to meeting all the competitors. We hope they enjoy their time with us at TS&M Woodlawn Golf Club and we can’t wait to see some great golf,” Minchin said.

The best amateur women over 50 and men over 55 will compete for a spot on Team Saskatchewan at the national championships in 2022. Golf Saskatchewan Manager of Championships Steve Ryde said TS&M Woodlawn will make a great host for the championships.

“I toured the course already this week and I can say TS&M Woodlawn is a premier golf club in the province, and we’re excited to bring a provincial event back to the southern part of the Saskatchewan. Due to the geography of our province and the long distances between clubs and being outside the two big cities, Woodlawn may not get the credit it deserves as a top-notch facility with all the amenities players would expect from a provincial championship,” Ryde said.

Regina’s Kim Walker is the defending senior women’s champion, Rick Hallberg from Weyburn is the two-time reigning senior men’s champion and the 2021 mid-master’s winner.

Over 100 players will compete in the 54-hole championships. To see the field for the women click here, the men’s championships details can be found here.

July has been a busy month for competitive golfers in all four Order of Merit (OMT) Tours and beyond.

On July 18 and 19 the 100th Regina Ladies Open took place after three years of waiting to finally host the centennial edition of the event. Unfortunately the 36-hole tournament was cut to just one day due to heavy rains in the Queen City. The Wascana Country Club player shot 75 on day one at her home course to open a five shot lead over Crystal Piero. Diane Bethune was third at 9-over par.

Day two at the Royal Regina Golf Club was cancelled. Walker has won the event nine times. She will be playing in the Pharmasave Ladies Open in Weyburn on Saturday before the Saskatchewan Senior Women’s Championship begins Tuesday in Estevan.

The Senior Men’s OMT Tour was busy over the last couple weeks with a tournament in Warman and Swift Current recently.

On July 11 and 12 The Legends Golf Club hosted the Senior 2-Man Best Ball event. Scott Hodson and Frank Enns were the winners with a 36-hole score of 135. The duo just outshot Brian Rittwage and Barry Macooh by two shots to win the tournament. Ian Larocque and Geoge Janson rounded out the top three at 140.

In Swift Current at the Elmwood Golf Club on July 11 to 13 the Mercator Financial Southwest Championship took place.

Saskatoon’s Warren Proctor won the event with a 54-hole score of 218 (69, 72, 77). Mark Selinger was second with back-to-back rounds of 73 and a 77 on the final day.

Rob Schneider was third at 228.

The Saskatchewan Senior Men’s Championship runs from Tuesday to Thursday at TS&M Woodlawn Golf Club in Estevan.

Prior to winning his second straight Saskatchewan Men’s Amateur Championship, Roman Timmerman also claimed the Saskatoon Open championship on July 10. He edged his long-time friend and college teammate Kade Johnson by three shots to win the event.

SOUTH OF THE BORDER

Several Saskatchewan golfers were in the United States last week competing in high-end events.

Yorkton’s Ella Kozak became the first Saskatchewan junior to compete in the U.S. Junior Girl’s National Championship since Anna Young in 2012.

Kozak missed the cut by just two strokes after solid rounds of 77 and 76 at The Club at Olde Stone in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

At the FCG Callaway World Championships in Rancho Mirage, California last week, both Kyle’s Chloe Wills and Warman’s Dane Giesbrecht were in the field.

Wills competed in the girls 13 – 14 age division. The Elmwood Golf Club player fired back-to-back 84’s and a 91 to place 51st.

Giesbrecht, competing in the 13 – 14 boys age group shot rounds of 74, 72, and 74 for a 54-hole total of 220. The Legends member placed in a tie for 33rd in a field of over 70 golfers.

Also last week, Saskatoon’s Josh Nagy competed in the Idaho U.S. Amateur Qualifier in Wilder, Idaho at River Bend Golf Course. Nagy carded a 77 on day one, he improved to a 73 on day two to finish in 14th place.