Saskatoon’s Alex Swinnerton will be continuing his golf career with a Division 2 United States university next year.

Swinnerton, 17, has committed to Indiana University of Pennsylvania located about 100 kilometres north of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Joining Swinnerton at the school will be his close friend and Waskesiu Golf Course co-worker Guillermo Salazar. Swinnerton admitted the move to a university with over 10,000 students will be easier having Salazar alongside.

“I introduced him to coach (Dan) Braun at IUP and he offered him a spot,” Swinnerton explained. “We both visited down there, and we felt at home as soon as we got there.”

Swinnerton said the process to decide on a college has spanned a couple years. He said when he was 14 years old, he began to take the game more seriously, competed in tournaments, and made the decision to achieve the goal of collegiate golf.

“I saw myself improving, I went with Jeff (Chambers), 15 came and again I started playing more tournaments like the provincials, Future Links, things like that. That was big, to play in those big events. That’s when I really told myself golf is what I want to do,” he said.

The grade 12 student has one year left of junior eligibility and has his sights set on the Saskatchewan Junior Men’s Championship and the Canada Games. He said having his education plans set he can focus on having a positive season to cap his junior career.

“I just want to have fun playing this year, be with the friends for a little bit longer then hit the road to Pennsylvania,” he said.

Swinnerton plans to study business and marketing in the classroom and hopefully continue t stay in the golf industry once he graduates.

You can hear more from Swinnerton in his interview with Golf Saskatchewan’s Clark Stork below.

*Note – Golf Saskatchewan will hear from Salazar on Tuesday.

Already a Saskatchewan Golf Hall of Fame inductee, Moose Jaw’s Lorie Boyle is being honoured by the same recognition in her hometown.

Last Thursday the Moose Jaw and District Sports Hall of Fame announced members for both 2020 and 2021. The 2020 induction was cancelled due to COVID-19. Boyle was distinguished with the provincial hall of fame honour for her excellent golf career in 2017. She said now being recognized by her hometown is special.

“What can I say? I’m extremely honoured to be chosen for this. You know for something you love to do and to have this on top of that, it’s just, wow,” Boyle said.

Boyle is being honoured alongside football player Levi Steinhauer, wrestler Frank Abdou, and the 1992 Amber Holland junior women’s curling rink. Boyle said being included in the group of deserving athletes is humbling.

“It’s pretty cool to be in with these people,” she beamed. “I still can’t believe that I’m being chosen for this. Honest to god, this is just amazing.”

The induction ceremony will take place in the fall of 2022. The committee will also enshrine a 2022 class with the 2020 and 2021 inductees as well.

More details on the announcement can be seen here.

Inspired to support the life skills and development values ingrained in golf, the Gragtmans Family Foundation has announced a major $1M USD donation to the Golf Canada Foundation to directly power the advancement of First Tee – Canada.

The generosity of the Gragtmans Family Foundation as the Founding Donor and Trustee of First Tee – Ontario will fund and facilitate the provincial chapter launch including program development and delivery with multi-faceted activities designed for schools, community centres, and youth facilities.

First Tee – Canada will provide Canadian youth, and especially those in underrepresented groups, access to affordable and meaningful character education programs through golf. Golf Canada intends on launching chapters in every province in Canada by 2022, with the goal of 100,000 annual participants in the program by 2023.

“The Gragtmans Family Foundation focuses on the positive development and advancement of youth in Canada and abroad,” said Ian Gragtmans, Founder of the Gragtmans Family Foundation. “We are thrilled to be aligned with one of the world’s premiere and proven international youth development organizations. Our mission of providing youth with support to help positively design and advance their lives aligns well with the First Tee values of integrity, respect and perseverance.” A pursuer of growth and knowledge, Mr. Gragtmans credits many who have and continue to act as mentors, and his support of First Tee Canada directly reflects the ongoing responsibility of giving back by helping others.

“The pace of growth behind First Tee – Canada since being announced in Fall 2020 has been incredible, and that’s because of the shared vision of youth champions like the Gragtmans Family Foundation,” said Golf Canada Chief Sport Officer Kevin Blue. “The generosity of the Gragtmans Family Foundation towards this provincial chapter-founding, multi-year gift brings incredible momentum to our national youth development program in Canada’s largest market and will surely set the example and encourage deeper expansion across the Canadian philanthropic community.”

Through its deep network of donors and trustees, Golf Canada Foundation is a critical partner in supporting the launch and advancement of First Tee Canada through its fundraising and philanthropic efforts. Canada’s Provincial Golf Associations will also play a role in the advancement of First Tee Canada as chapters form in markets across Canada.

“We are extremely grateful to Ian Gragtmans and the Gragtmans Family Foundation for their incredible generosity as the catalyst to officially launch the first Ontario chapter of First Tee Canada,” said Golf Canada Foundation CEO Martin Barnard. “The meaningful support of our donors and corporate champions has far exceeded our early expectations and has provided real momentum in our discussion with others who want to get behind this character building program for youth.”

The generosity of the Gragtmans Family Foundation joins a growing number of chapter-founding and program advancement gifts that have been secured in 2021 with additional investments to be announced in the coming weeks.

Since its inception in 1997, First Tee has impacted more than 15 million young people through its character-building programs on golf courses, in schools and at youth-serving locations. The First Tee network has grown to over 150 chapters and more than 1,200 program locations across the United States as well as six international chapters in Australia, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Morocco, and Canada, delivering programs that help young people build character and develop life skills through the game of golf.

Golf Canada and the Golf Canada Foundation are continuously pursuing more gifts, which will allow more chapters to launch in Canada. For more information on First Tee – Canada, to get involved, or to donate, visit www.firstteecanada.ca

The community of Rocanville and the town’s golf course knew the need for a new clubhouse was critical for their future, but the question remained, how can they proceed?

The current structure is half a century old, has been added on to several times, and only seated about 35 people. The board of directors, and likely volunteers and members have been saving and discussing a replacement for the last few years. Long time Rocanville resident Denise Kruppi is the club’s secretary. She told Golf Saskatchewan that the clubhouse provided countless memories over the last 50 years but it’s at the end of its time.

“The doors wouldn’t close properly, the floors felt like you were going to fall through, they were squishy, rotten from moisture damage underneath, the kitchen was horrendous, makeshift wiring to allow us to have power even in the kitchen,” she said. “It was well used; it served its purpose in the time being but we’re definitely well overdue for a new clubhouse for sure.”

The group discussed building new on site, modular options, ready-to-move options as well and everything was out of their range. Then Kruppi was on her way to Tobin Lake to do some fishing when her family passed through Archerwill. She spotted a for sale sign in front of a building that housed a restaurant. She did some research on the internet and was shocked at the “ridiculous” [in a positive way] and, on the way, home she stopped to investigate the property with her not-so-sure daughter.

“My daughter was in the vehicle with me, and she said, ‘oh mom as if this is ever going to work out,’” Kruppi laughed. “I peaked in the window and looked at the layout, I thought oh my god, the layout was perfect. The windows are facing out to the course and could go up number one and the door out to the parking lot.”

A couple weeks later Kruppi returned to the property with another Rocanville resident with a long construction background. The two looked at the building with the realtor and the decision was made quickly to tee up the purchase.

“He said you need to jump on this because its well-built, nothing was spared in the construction, everything is top-notch,” Kruppi beamed.

The golf club inquired about financing options about a year ago, but the timing didn’t line up but with another successful year on the course everything fell into place. The building is also in place at the course after a team moved it next to the “largest oilcan in the world.” Kruppi said the board will look at having the new building open all year if the community shows interest in that, but they would like to be respectful of other restaurants in the town and region. There has also been interest in possibly hosting weddings or other events. Kruppi said now that the building has arrived and been laid on the foundation its real and the excitement is evident.

“Absolutely it is, everybody knew we needed one so being able to bring the building in, yes it’s about 10 years old but it was only in operation for four. Inside its almost like brand new. The outside needs some work but it’s wired for stucco so we will get that done. It’s going to be a beautiful building on site for sure,” she said.

The club is still taking donations for costs associated with the purchase and move. A tax receipt will be provided if you donate through the Town of Rocanville.

Kruppi said plans include a wraparound deck and once the old clubhouse is demolished and cleaned up, they would like to add a putting green in the area. She concluded that finding the building and having support from all stakeholders down to the building movers everything fell into place.

“It’s a diamond in the rough, literally stumbled upon it, its magical how it worked out. It literally couldn’t have worked better; the golf gods were watching over us.”

The golf pipeline from Saskatchewan to Southern Arkansas University (SAU) is continuing.

Regina’s Will Blake has committed to the Muleriders golf program for the 2022 season following in the footsteps of Yorkton’s Kade Johnson and Roman Timmerman of Saskatoon. Blake said he’s ecstatic to commit to the program.

“It feels awesome, it’s a big relief to get it done,” the 17 year-old Royal Regina Golf Club member said to Golf Saskatchewan. “It was in the works for quite a while, I verbally committed right before golf season started so it was a really big relief to officially put pen to paper.”

Blake said he sent emails to several college golf coaches with SAU being at the top of the list and was hoping for at least an email back from the coaching staff at SAU. He said the school replied and the two began to communicate.

“Seeing the success that Kade and Roman have had coming out of there, I wanted to shoot a shot,” he said. “That was a really big factor, I want to have the success they have had and follow in their footsteps.”

With his school plans written in ink Blake will turn his attention to his final season of junior golf. He said the excitement of the Saskatchewan Junior Championships is high but national appearances are also in his sights.

“I think the biggest thing is provincials at the Royal, it’s my home track so hopefully I can put on a good show there, obviously the end goal is to win it. Junior boys’ nationals will be another big thing, the Canada Games are this summer, hopefully that happens depending on COVID, but I’d definitely say provincials. I think that would be really awesome and an honour to win on my home course,” he said.

Blake plans to study business in the classroom and stay in the golf industry once he graduates.

You can hear more from Blake below in his interview with Golf Saskatchewan’s Clark Stork.

For anyone looking to gain club head speed Golf Saskatchewan is putting on a speed clinic in partnership with SuperSpeed Golf.

The SuperSpeed equipment consists of three weighted sticks, two lighter than your driver and another that weighs more than a driver. Ryan Robillard, a PGA of Canada member, and the Canadian Sales Manager for SuperSpeed Golf said the key is getting your body to allow for faster swings, safely.

“The thing we’re trying to do is reprogram your neuromuscular reaction time,” he said. “What that means is that every player essentially has a governor in their body that allows how fast they swing. Our training and when we reduce the load or the weight of the club our training gets the body to move faster than it normally does and that process over time gets the body and brain to believe it can move faster than it currently can.”

Over 250,000 players around the world use SuperSpeed Golf training gear including 700 touring professionals worldwide.

Robillard added that when players are looking to improve their game the number one instinct is to improve equipment. He added that although better clubs will assist in improvement the swing remains the same.

“We believe the biggest opportunity for a player is let’s increase your club head speed and that’s what we are offering. In the most part what we’ve seen over getting a quarter-million users. We see the average player increases their club head speed by up to five percent in the first six weeks,” Robillard explained.

Registration for the six-week program is now open. For $399 you will get the training plus the three weighted sticks to keep. Robillard said their system isn’t reinventing the wheel or ground-breaking, other sports also use the training to improve.

“Overspeed training is very prominent in most rotational sports,” he explained. “Baseball pitchers, football quarterbacks, Olympic throwing events such as shotput or javelin, if we want o get something to move faster we need to reduce the load before we start to reintroduce the load and that’s what we feel we do at SuperSpeed Golf.”

Another benefit is training time, Robillard said training is about 15 minutes three times a week.

For more information on the clinic contact Golf Saskatchewan’s Steve Ryde at 306.290.4880. The deadline to register is Nov. 18. The fist session is Nov. 29 at the GolfDome in Saskatoon.

Mixed Championship heading to Elk Ridge; Spiritwood set to host Rosebowl

The host sites of Golf Saskatchewan’s two team events in 2022 have been finalized.

The Spiritwood Golf Course is going to host the 2022, and 51^st Rosebowl on Aug. 11 and 12. The 23^rd Mixed Championship is set for Aug. 27 and 28 at Elk Ridge Golf Resort.

Golf Saskatchewan Manager of Championships Steve Ryde said both facilities will be perfect venues for their coinciding events.

“Elk Ridge is one of, if not the top golf resort in Saskatchewan and for Ryan Danberg, Ryan Wells, Blaine Fagnou, and the entire crew up there to step up and welcome the Mixed Championship is fantastic. Not only will the competitors get great golf for a few days they will be treated with amenities second to none. The mixed is an event that usually features couples so having the tournament at a resort of Elk Ridge’s caliber will make this a must play,” Ryde said.

He added that Spiritwood has been looking to host the Rosebowl for a couple years and now that the courses’ RV park has been expanded and some course upgrades have been undertaken the ladies who compete in the event will have plenty of fun and play a great golf course.

“The ownership group behind Spiritwood reached out a couple years ago to host this fun event for higher handicap ladies and we are finally getting there after COVID put a hold on the event for a year in 2020. The club was able to upgrade areas of the facility and now they are ready to welcome the teams of ladies. It’s also 18 holes which will be appreciated by the competitors in this unique and historical event,” Ryde added.

Elk Ridge last hosted the Mixed Championship in 2018. Kathy Ziglo and Ian Larocque won the event that year, the duo are the reigning champions after winning the championship for the seventh time at Candle Lake this past year. Head Professional Ryan Wells said welcoming golfers from across the province is exciting.

“We are very happy to be able to host the 2022 Mixed provincials. Blaine and his crew will have the course in tournament shape for the PGA Tour Canada Elk Ridge Open at the end of June and will continue for all competitors of the Mixed Championship at the end of August. The course will be a good challenge but also fair for all players. The community and staff are looking forward to showcasing our hospitality in all departments of the resort and all the changes the ownership group has done to this beautiful resort in it’s first year of reopening,” Wells said.

The Rosebowl will be the first event Golf Saskatchewan has taken to Spiritwood. The ownership group, that includes five people released a statement saying they are excited to showcase their facility on a provincial level.

“Spiritwood Golf Course is extremely happy to be able to host such a prestigious tournament as the Rosebowl. Our course has been getting great reviews this year and we are very proud of the awesome conditions it is in. We are sure the ladies will be extremely impressed with the beauty and the challenge Spiritwood provides,” the statement said.

Carol Walsh and Pat Pratt are the defending Rosebowl champions.

Registration for both events will open in April.

Phil Jonas was the big winner this year after the PGA of Saskatchewan announced their annual award recipients.

Jonas, a B.C. Golf Hall of Fame inductee that now calls Saskatoon home took home the Frank Fowler Trophy for lowest stroke average, the Peter Cusher Trophy for the Order of Merit championship, as well as the Scott Knapp Trophy for player of the year. Jonas said the honours are special.

“I’m really proud to have won this award against strong competition, it means a lot to me having just moved to Saskatchewan. I will savour this, given my advancing age opportunities will be few,” Jonas said.

Patty Jonas, also a B.C. Golf Hall of Fame member who co-operates the Jonas Golf Academy out of Saskatoon Golf and Country Club (SGCC) was named the John Gaudet Trophy winner that goes to the teacher of the year.

“This did come as a surprise to me as I have only been here a year and while I have been teaching a long time,” she said. “I’m sure there were others that have done more in the province to date then myself. I am very happy and honoured to have been recognized and will continue to create opportunities for people to learn and stay excited about playing golf.”

The Graham Coulter Trophy for professional of the year went to SGCC Head Professional McLaren Taylor. He said he’s very appreciative of the recognition.

“It really is a special honour to be named professional by the PGA of Saskatchewan,” Taylor said. “We’re a big province with golf professionals in all directions who work hard to serve the game. We don’t get together often but there’s a lot of camaraderie at our events and seminars, so to be recognised by the group is really special. Of course, it doesn’t happen without a lot of support from our home clubs. I’m fortunate to have a great management team at SGCC, and a supportive board and membership to serve.”

The assistant professional of the year award went to The Legends Golf Club’s Brent Eikelenboom. Junior leader of the year was Paul Schatz from the Joanne Goulet Golf Course in Regina. Saskatoon’s Jason Schneider was named the coach of the year for 2021. He said being recognized for his work is a privilege.

“It’s an honour and privilege to be recognized by your peers. I’m lucky to get to work with amazing athletes who make coaching them easy and enjoyable,” Schneider said.

Retailer of the year is Brennan Gee from the SGCC and the Bill Taylor Award for sportsmanship is Sloane Harder.

The awards are normally announced during the PGA of Saskatchewan’s buying show and annual general meeting, but that event was cancelled due to COVID-19.

It’s been quite the run for Josh Nagy on the college golf circuit this past month. With a third-place finish earlier this year Nagy was second in his last event with Robert Morris University going into this week’s fall season finale at the Montclair Golf Club in New Jersey.

Originally scheduled for Sunday and Monday, the Metropolitan Intercollegiate Championship was altered to a 27-hole one-day event on Nov. 1. Nagy shot 2-over, 107 that left the Saskatoon product in a three-way tie for the lead. Nagy and Pat Healy parred the ninth hole, Wyatt McGovern bogeyed the hole securing a third-place finish. The playoff could not continue due to darkness and Healy was awarded the win via the “Match of Card Tiebreaker.”

The Colonials tied for second in the team rankings thanks to Nagy’s great play. The team will now be off until March 2022.

Jacob Kydd and the Indiana Wesleyan University Wildcats concluded their fall season this week as well. The Regina golfer was in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico on Nov. 1 and 2 for the Coqui Classic at the Rio Mar Country Club.

Kydd was coming off a top-10 finish last week in Louisiana and has another as his college career winds down. Kydd opened the Coqui Classic with a sparkling 67 in the first round. The senior posted back-to-back 81’s for a 54-hole total of 229, good enough for a ninth-place finish.

Kydd was competing as an individual in the three school event.

The team is also off until the new year.

Coming off a record season of golf in Saskatchewan many are wondering how they can keep their game up or even improve their skills while the province is blanketed with winter.

Thankfully the province has an abundance of indoor facilities with top-of-the-line simulators to cure what ails hardcore players who want to keep swinging the clubs. First Tee owner and PGA of Canada professional Garret McMillan has told Golf Saskatchewan in the past that playing all year has several benefits if you choose to take your game indoors.

“The winter time is the perfect time to making changes especially if you want to commit to making big pattern changes,” he said. “There’s really no consequence, if you shoot a high number inside it’s easier on the ego than inside. You can really develop a new pattern over the winter and not be overly concerned about the consequence side of it. If you develop your pattern properly over the winter by the time you get to the course you hopefully have new shots in the bag you can roll with.”

If you are interested in playing more indoor golf this winter, there are locations with varying numbers of simulators and brands in no particular order.

• Golf in the Alley – Rosthern | One simulator, 190 courses
• Divots Indoor Golf – Regina | Seven simulators, 80 courses, men’s, ladies, and senior leagues
• Nutrien Sportsplex – Moosomin | Four simulators, 100 courses, different leagues (men’s, ladies, snowbird, and yacht club), several other simulated sports options
• First Tee – Regina | 10 simulators, 80 courses, men’s league
• Aspen Links Golf Course – Emerald Park | Four simulators, 100 + courses, ladies and men’s nights
• Golf YXE – Saskatoon | Five simulators, various leagues, and ladies/men’s nights
• The Sweet Spot – Moose Jaw | Four simulators, 90 courses, various leagues four days of the week
• Humboldt Golf Club – Humboldt | Two simulators, 95 courses, three 8-week leagues
• Let’s Golf – Lloydminster | Four simulators, 27 courses, men’s, ladies, and couples’ leagues
• Royal Regina Golf Club – Four simulators
• The Willows Golf Club – Saskatoon | One simulator, 50 courses
• The Golf Dome – Saskatoon | 37 hitting bays, seniors’ discounts, mini-golf course
• Bunkers Indoor Golf & Axe Throwing – Yorkton | Three simulators, 65 courses
• Cooke Municipal Golf Course – Prince Albert | One simulator, 99 courses
• Railway Social House – Swift Current | Two simulators, over 50 courses

*Information on locations is from web sources, if any errors or misinformation on facilities Golf Saskatchewan apologizes and will make corrections. Email cstork@golfsk.org if updates need to be made or if we missed any indoor facilities.

Long-time golf journalist John Gordon wrote an article for Golf Canada detailing what simulators can do for you and your game.