Saskatoon’s Josh Nagy has his first “amateur” win after claiming the Scotia Wealth Open at Nipawin’s Evergreen Golf Course on Sunday.

The two-time Saskatchewan junior champion shot 71 and 73 on the weekend, his even score was a stroke better than Ty Campbell, Alex Swinnerton, Kade Johnson, and Kevin Dietz. Nagy said adding the highly coveted win to his resume felt great.

“This is kind of my first amateur win, I haven’t won anything since junior,” he said after the trophy presentation. “It feels great, the field was really tough, I’m just excited.”

The Scotia Wealth Open is an event that allows professionals and amateurs to compete for the same championship. Nagy said holding off the top players across the province was rewarding.

“Not just the amateurs like Roman and everyone like that but throw in Ty and Kade who are now pro Phil Jonas, Kevin Dietz, everyone like that, it’s definitely a little tougher than we get at the Amateur Championship, so it feels great right now,” Nagy said.

The winner of the tournament was awarded a sponsor exemption into the upcoming Elk Ridge Open. Nagy is already in the PGA Tour Canada event for the second year. The Scotia Wealth Open organizing committee decided on a playoff involving the four players tied for second, Campbell birdied hole 18 to secure his spot in the Open.

A notable finish in 52^nd spot was Yorkton’s Ella Kozak. The 16-year-old shot 82 and 78 for a 36-hole total of 160.

The complete results can be found here.

Ladies Northern

Saskatoon’s Kathy Ziglo won the Ladies Northern in Prince Albert for the seventh time and first since 2014.

Ziglo fought back from a three-shot deficit behind Sarah Grieve on day two to claim the trophy and start off the 2022 Women’s Order of Merit (OMT) with a win. She shot 82 in round one Saturday why Grieve posted a 79, Ziglo carded another 82 while Grieve shot 86 allowing the veteran a one-shot win.

Creighton’s Lauren Fox and Saskatoon’s Carrie Verishagen tied for third at 167. Fox shot 82 and 85, Verishagen shot 86 in round one and came back with an 81 on day two to climb the leaderboard.

Saskatoon’s Dianne Bethune was the senior champion with a score of 167 (83, 84), just three strokes back of the overall championship.

The complete results can be found here.

The 2022 Ladies Northern in Prince Albert at Cooke Municipal Golf Course takes place this weekend, marking the start of the Women’s Order of Merit (OMT) Tour.

The Northern series of events held at Cooke are favourites among golfers from all corners of Saskatchewan and beyond, the Ladies event is no different. Chair Andrea Ring said the excitement is evident for the first event since COVID-19 guidelines have been removed.

“We’re very excited, especially after the last couple years, they’ve been tumultuous with COVID and whatnot,” Ring said. “We are so fortunate that golf was able to continue, it’s just better now that we can get together more, plus we’ve kept our field about the same all through out.”

Over 60 players are in the field this year with tee times beginning at 9:36 a.m. on Saturday. Defending champion Brooklin Fry is not in the event so there will be a new champion. Ring said despite not having the young champion in the field, there are still plenty of recognizable names.

“We’ve got some good, good players, some regular players, and some people that just love to play the game. We’re very excited, we’ve got some real low handicappers, [Kathy Ziglo, Lorie Boyle, Lauren Fox] all the veterans, and we’ve got some new girls in that just want to play tournament golf and have some fun,” she said.

Coming off a very successful and sold-out Team Northern event, Cooke Municipal is in premier condition for tournaments of all levels. The 2022 Saskatchewan Amateur Championships host club will also wow the ladies competing this weekend according to Ring.

“I always get such good reviews of our course, they always say it’s in such great shape, and it is. They love the format; they love the fact they can just play golf. We see the same ladies every year and they really do enjoy our facility and our tournament,” Ring concluded.

Men’s Order of Merit

The Men’s OMT Tour will continue this weekend as well in Nipawin with the 2022 Scotia Wealth Open.

The professional and amateur combined event is loaded with talent including reigning champion Phil Jonas.

Both events will conclude on Sunday.

Golf Saskatchewan recently commissioned, with assistance from Tourism Saskatchewan, an economic report researching the impact of the sport in the province.

The report provides detailed statistics following the recent trend of golf exploding across the globe since the pandemic. The sport was a safe and healthy outlet during COVID-19 and the momentum has continued. Golf Saskatchewan Executive Director Brian Lee said the results aren’t surprising.

“Once our organization, the Government of Saskatchewan and Saskatchewan Health Authority listed golf as a safe activity, in the Re-Open guidelines, things fell into place. Working with industry stakeholders, golf was allowed to reopen under strict guidelines at first, with reduced tee times, but the golf demand ski rocketed. For two years, the game was one of the most popular past times. We hope the trend continues in 2022 and beyond,” Lee added.

The report completed by PRAXIS Consulting provided a provincial perspective to the 2019 national study conducted by We Are Golf in 2019. PRAXIS looked at financial records from 2019 (the last full year prior to the pandemic) and 2021 to provide an estimate on the growth of the industry since 2019.

The numbers were tabulated through survey responses completed by course administrators in Saskatchewan.

Key Takeaways

 In 2019, golf in Saskatchewan generated:
               · $509.7M in gross economic activity,
               · $295.8 M in gross domestic product,
               · $195.7 M in labour income,
               · 9,799 jobs, and
               · $94M in federal and provincial tax revenues.
               · Roughly 1 in every 58 jobs in the province depend directly and indirectly on golf in Saskatchewan.

In 2021, golf in Saskatchewan generated:
               · $667.3M in gross economic activity,
               · $395.6M in gross domestic product,
               · $228.8M in labour income,
               · 10,801 jobs, and
               · $115.3 M in federal and provincial tax revenues
               · Roughly 1 in every 53 jobs in the province depends directly and indirectly on golf in Saskatchewan.

Golf Saskatchewan surveyed its member base asking for estimates of 2019 and 2021 course revenues, employment, wages, capital expenditures, and estimated non-course participant spending. These provided economic model inputs. Of member courses contacted, 27 responded.

Results were scaled up 1 Defined as greater than 80 kilometres from their place of residence, five to 104 member courses and 209 non-member courses. Scaled up results for 2019 saw $145 million in course revenues, $98 million in course wages and salaries, 7,207 employees, $72 million in non-wage expenditures, $19 million in course capital expenditures, and $72 million in non-course participant spending.

Results in 2021 saw $198 million in course revenues, $104 million in wages and salaries, 7,539 employees, $81 million in non-wage expenditures, $52 million in course capital expenditures, and $93 million in non-course participant spending.

The complete report can be seen here.

Regina’s Autumn Neiszner is back on Canadian soil again after a whirlwind trip to the NAIA National Golf Championships in Oklahoma City last week.

Already expecting her rookie season to be over at Keiser University, Neiszner was already home in Regina ready to cheer her Seahawk teammates on from afar but a couple injuries allowed her to compete at the national championship where the Wascana Country Club member finished tied for 87th at 24-over par in the rain shortened event.

Golf Saskatchewan caught up with Neiszner to discuss her rookie year, the national experience, and goals and plans for the summer before returning to Florida in August.

It took over two decades but Saskatchewan Golf Hall of Fame member Tyler Wright has his third Regina Amateur Men’s Championship trophy.

Hosted at Deer Valley Golf Club and the Wascana Country Club on the weekend Wright battled from behind on his home course to edge a trio of players by a shot. Wright carded a 74 on Saturday at Deer Valley and followed that up with a 71 on Sunday, the top round of the day and only one of two players in the red. Donny Uhren, Ryan McNall, and Cole Obrigewitsch were all tied in second-place at 1-over, 146.

The complete results can be found here.

Wright spoke with Golf Saskatchewan’s Clark Stork Monday after the victory.

Elsewhere on the Saskatchewan Men’s Order of Merit Tour, Darryl Czuy and Connor McGill won the Legends 2 Man Scramble on the weekend.

The twosome shot a two-day total of 123 (21-under) and edged Travis and Devin Fehr by just one shot.

Dan Olyinyk and Nicolas Kendall were third at 129.

The complete results can be seen here.

The organizing committee of the Elk Ridge Open is continuing to build excitement for the first full-field event at the resort, the third stop on the PGA Tour Canada schedule this season.

During a virtual media conference today, Elk Ridge Resort Managing Partner Ryan Danberg said hosting the scaled down event last year provided the group a so-called test run at hosting a world-class golf championship.

“We’re very grateful that we had that event last year,” Danberg responded to the question posted by paNOW’s Jeff D’Andrea. “I think it gave us a taste of what to expect this year. I’ve learned that the PGA Tour Canada is very in depth, and they do a wonderful job of covering off every little logistic. The stage is much different this year, this field is going to be full of immense talent.”

Danberg added that 200 volunteers are needed at an event to this magnitude. He also said last year with border issues still a concern the field was loaded with Canadians and locals. This year they have had to turn down upwards of 60 sponsor exemption requests.

“Believe me, it’s been one of the hardest parts is declining all the sponsor exemption requests, obviously this field is going to full of immense.” he said.

The field will consist of 156 players competing for a purse of $200,000 from June 23 to 26. Roman Timmerman, the 2021 Saskatchewan Amateur Champion and Josh Nagy, an Elk Ridge junior player now attending Robert Morris University are two already announced entrants.

Two-time Saskatchewan amateur champion and PGA Tour professional Graham DeLaet is the event ambassador once again. He said Elk Ridge is a capable venue and has everything world-class players need in a facility.

“It’s in good shape, it’s fair, pace of play moves along well, you get treated well, you have other amenities other than golf and I think that’s what Elk Ridge has. Even though it’s not in a big city like some other stops along the PGA Tour Canada, but there are things to do and places to stay. Elk Ridge really ticks all the boxes,” DeLaet said.

More sponsor details will be announced in the future. The 2022 season gets underway on June 2 in Victoria at Uplands Golf Club for the Royal Beach Victoria Open.

The Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT) kicked off their 2022 Saskatchewan schedule with a 54-hole event at Swift Current’s Elmwood Golf Club on the May long weekend.

The MJT was supposed to begin their season in Saskatchewan earlier in May but due to the weather that event is pushed back leading the Elmwood tournament as the opener with a field of 106 players across six age groups.

Yorkton’s Ella Kozak started her season off strong with taking 15–19-year-old girl’s category with a three-round score of 218 (70, 74, 74) playing the course at just under 6,000 yards. Regina’s Hallie Crozier was was second shooting 247, Calgary golfer Gabrielle Roznicki was third with a score of 262.

In the under-15 girl’s category Chloe Wills of Kyle was a four-stroke winner over Niya Friesen of Swift Current. Wills fired rounds of 81, 84, and 85 for a total of 250. Friesen carded 85, 81, and an 88 on route to 254. Tayla Perry of Regina was third at 257.

On the boy’s side, in the peewee (under-13) age group Jayden Arnold of Calgary was the winner. The 11-year-old held off Saskatoon’s Lucas Sturgeon and Austin Nesbitt of Pilot Butte to take the victory. Arnold posted a score of 228 (78, 74, 76), Sturgeon was nine shots back in second, Nesbitt shot 243.

In the bantam (under-15) category another Alberta golfer came out on top. Taber’s Lyndon Kuryvial won in a playoff over Ryan Mosher of Saskatoon. Each finished the event at 235 through 54 holes but Kuryvial outlasted Mosher for the win. Jack Maharaj took the bronze medal, the Saskatoon product was just two strokes back.

In the juvenile (under-17) division Saskatoon’s Max Regier was a one-shot winner over Weyburn’s Darien Herlick. Regier carded rounds of 72, 73, and 74, just holding off Herlick in the group that evolved into a two-player race. Dane Giesbrecht was third at 235 (73, 84, 78).

In the under-19 junior boy’s age group Chase Pochylko, a winner at the MJT National event last October has another win.

The Saskatoon player shot back-to-back 71’s and a sparkling 68 in the final round to win the overall championship with a score of 210. Reigning provincial champion Hunter Kutcher was second at 217. Alex Swinnerton of Saskatoon was tied for third with Zachary Szakacs at 218.

The complete results of the event can be found here. The tournament was the first of five events that will be used to determine the Saskatchewan teams at the Canada Summer Games.

The next event is the NextGen Prairie Championship on June 10 – 12 in Ste. Anne, Manitoba. Golf Saskatchewan is taking a bus to the event, if you wish to register contact Steve Ryde at sryde@golfsk.org as soon as possible.

Earlier this spring TaylorMade released their newest line of Spider putters.

Product Specialist Mike Langin showed off the models at the Ramada Golf Dome in Saskatoon earlier this spring alongside Golf Saskatchewan.

Golf Canada is adding new financial benefits available to competitors at the Canadian Junior Girls Championship, Canadian Junior Boys Championship, Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, and Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, each presented by BDO.

To help defray the cost of participation, a limited number of needs-based financial assistance grants will be available for competitors who must travel to play in the Canadian Junior Girls Championship and Canadian Junior Boys Championship. A total of 26 grants of $500 each will be provided to eligible participants based on family financial need using an application process that is similar to how universities allocate financial aid.

“Golf Canada recognizes the financial demands associated with attending national championships and sees this as a modest way to help junior players and their families,” said Mary Beth McKenna, Director of Amateur Championships and Rules. “We will evaluate the impact of this pilot initiative as we plan for future years.”

In addition, in accordance with the modernized Rules of Amateur Status, players at the Canadian Junior Girls Championship, Canadian Junior Boys Championship, Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, and Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, will now compete for a purse of $8,000 CAD at each event. 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.

McKenna says these new financial initiatives are part of Golf Canada’s commitment to operating globally prominent amateur championships and its increased efforts to grow the number of Canadians competing on the LPGA Tour and PGA TOUR.

Applications for financial assistance grants for the national junior championships will open on May 16, 2022 and may be submitted by any junior golfer who qualifies for the Canadian Junior Girls Championship or Canadian Junior Boys Championship, both presented by BDO. For the financial assistance grant application form click here.

For more details about the financial assistance grants click here. For more information on the purse payout plan click here.

Golf Saskatchewan has announced the introduction of a one-day tournament in September that will allow club champions to compete for the inaugural Saskatchewan Champions Cup.

Member clubs across the province will be eligible to send six club champions to the 18-hole event being hosted by The Legends Golf Club in Warman on Sept. 24. Golf Saskatchewan Director of Championships Steve Ryde said adding an event in the fall has been a goal for a few years.

“Having an event that wraps up the championship season in a fun, competitive way, while potentially increasing the stakes for club championships at our member facilities, our organization figured this was a win-win for golfers from across Saskatchewan to show pride in their home club or community,” Ryde said.

As mentioned, clubs can send up to six players from their facility with the top four players scores used to determine the first ever Saskatchewan Champions Cup winners. The competitors can be junior, amateur, or senior champions, either women or men. Players must be members of Golf Canada and Saskatchewan.

“We’re very excited to host the first of many Champions Cups,” said Davidson Matyczuk, the General Manager at The Legends. “We’ve hosted several Golf Saskatchewan events in recent years and are looking forward to this one-day tournament. Our club champions here take great pride in the inter-club competitions, adding a chance to represent and promote you club on a provincial level is a nice add to club playdowns across Saskatchewan.”

More details will be announced as the season progresses.

Golf Saskatchewan also announced Friday that the newly announced Saskatchewan Four-Ball Championship will be rescheduled for later this year. The event was slated for May 21 and 22 at Valley Regional Park Golf Course. The 36-hole all-inclusive tournament will now be played July 23 and 24 at Rosthern.

More details on all the 2022 provincial championships click here.