Thanks to sponsor exemptions, six Saskatchewan golfers were given the opportunity to compete in the upcoming Mackenzie Tour event, the Elk Ridge Open.

The Mackenzie Tour event is from Sept. 6 – 10 at Elk Ridge Resort. Among the field through exemptions will be Phil Jonas, Ryan Wells, Roman Timmerman, Danny Klughart, Josh Nagy, and Trevor Bloom.

Elk Ridge Managing Partner Ryan Danberg said the group excited to welcome these players to the event.

“Our Routes2SK Inc. group is very excited for this event; we are proud of all the Saskatchewan talent that represents our six sponsor exemptions. All these golfers are great people, and we wish them all the best in this event. Our province will be well represented with this group,” Danberg stated.

Jonas, a former PGA Tour Professional and competitor in four major championships relocated to Saskatoon from the Vancouver area. Jonas has won several PGA of Saskatchewan events since his arrival. He said returning to a PGA Canada Tour event is exciting.

“I’m very honoured to receive a sponsor exemption into the Mackenzie Tour Elk Ridge Open. It has been 35 years since I played my first Mackenzie (Canadian) Tour event and so it’s exciting to be at the first of many tour events at Elk Ridge. I’ve heard a lot of good things about the course and resort so I’m looking forward to it,” Jonas said.

Wells is the current head professional at Elk Ridge, a position he’s held since the new ownership group took over the property. He said the experience will be great, especially at his home course.

“I’m very honoured to play in the Elk Ridge Open and represent Elk Ridge Resort and the PGA of Saskatchewan at this years fall event. It’s going to be a great experience and I’m looking forward to meeting and playing with the future Members of the PGA Tour,” Wells said.

Danny Klughart of Prince Albert receives his exemption after winning his third straight Saskatchewan Mid-Amateur Championship in July at Swift Current. Klughart said making his professional event debut close to his home in Prince Albert makes the experience extra noteworthy.

“Obviously it’s pretty special to get this experience,” he said. “It’s something I’ve wanted to do for quite a few years now. I always wanted to play in the one at Dakota Dunes but now having the opportunity to play at Elk Ridge so close to home is a special opportunity. I want to thank the management group for the opportunity for all of us, there is going to be a great local contingent in the next couple weeks.”

Bloom, originally from Canwood, Saskatchewan now calls Kelowna home but his familiarity with Waskesiu Golf Course assisted him on route to a Men’s Lobstick win and a sponsor’s exemption into the Elk Ridge. He said getting the exemption is exciting.

“It’s sweet to get the exemption into the Elk Ridge Open,” he said after the Lobstick win.

Nagy, a two-time Saskatchewan junior men’s champion is an Elk Ridge Junior Player graduate, the Robert Morris University player will make his professional debut at the event. Nagy said he is thankful for the opportunity to play in his first professional event.

“Thank you to Elk Ridge for giving me and the rest of us the opportunity to see how our game stands against the next level of talent,” Nagy said.

Timmerman earned his start through his record-breaking win at the Saskatchewan Amateur Championship earlier this year. The Saskatoon product was 26-under at the event, breaking the previous record of 22-under held by Elk Ridge Open Ambassador Graham DeLaet. Unfortunately, Timmerman won’t be playing in the event. The schedule didn’t align with his school itinerary as he starts his final year at Southern Arkansas University.

For more information on the Elk Ridge Open, click here.

Yorkton’s Kade Johnson, the 2018 Saskatchewan Amateur Men’s champion is now a professional.

Johnson, 22, made the announcement alongside RE/MAX Blue Chip Realty owner Rob Kozak on Monday in Yorkton. The two parties have agreed on a three-year sponsorship agreement. Johnson said receiving support from the Kozak family is appreciated.

“It’s really nice to have a company that’s not just giving you money to play but they really want to help me out through the whole process,” he told GX94’s Benny Walchuk on Monday after the announcement.

His first event as a professional will be later this month in Prince Edward Island on the Mackenzie Tour. Kozak said assisting Johnson in his journey is something he is happy to do as he knows the financial restraints that can come with starting a career.

“It was a no-brainer, I understand being a golfing dad myself the expenses that go into it especially when you’re starting your pro career and I’ve known Kade a long time and know he works hard and is determined and we were happy to get support him for the next three years,” Kozak said.

Johnson will play six Mackenzie Tour events this year including the Elk Ridge Open.

His last tournament as an amateur was the Mark’s Blue Owl in Yorkton at his home course, Deer Park, fittingly he won the championship.

Waskesiu’s Guillermo Salazar didn’t have far to carry home his prize pack from the Maple Leaf Junior Tour’s (MJT) stop in Elk Ridge over the weekend.

Making the shortest commute to the resort for the 36 hole tournament, Salazar posted rounds of 69 and 74 to win the junior boys and overall championship at the event.

Chase Pochyko, coming off an extremely busy July placed second at 150 with back-to-back 75’s while his Saskatoon counterpart Jackson Wingert was just a shot behind Pochylko at 151 (76, 75).

Regina’s Luke Cote and Micah Tangjerd of Saskatoon were tied for fourth at 153.

Juvenile Boys

Saskatoon’s Tommy Danielson was a winner again on the MJT this year, he fired rounds of 71 and 80 for a two day total of 151 to claim the juvenile boys category.

Walker Cote of Saskatoon was second at 154 (79, 75), Estevan’s Ryan Chernoff shot 78 and 77 to finish at 155, good enough for third place.

Max Regier of Saskatoon was fourth at 156 (79, 77). Oly Zintel (Saskatoon) and Darien Herlick (Weyburn) tied for fifth at 159.

Bantam Boys

A familiar name could be found at the top of the bantam boys age group after the event, Elias Haukeness of Buena Vista was a winner by three shots.

Haukeness posted a 77 on day one followed by a 79, his 156 kept him ahead of Kerr Cudmore who placed second at 159 (82, 77). Ryan Mosher of Saskatoon and Sucker River product Dade Bernatchez tied for third at 160.

Peewee Boys

Saskatoon’s Aricin Franklin is finding success this season on the MJT circuit. The 12-year-old ran away with the peewee boys category winning by eight shots. Franklin shot 82 in round one but chopped eight shots off on day two for a 156.

Shae Maunula of North Battleford finished second at 164 (81, 83). A pair of Regina golfers tied for third place. Kai Kriekle and Adam Muntain each shot 36-hole totals of 169.

Under-15 Girls

Chloe Wills of Kyle used back-to-back rounds of 89 to win the under-15 girls division at Elk Ridge. Wills’ score of 178 was 10 shots better than Niya Friesen of Swift Current. Friesen carded a 91 on day one, she shot 97 during round two.

Tayla Perry of Regina was third at 191 (98, 93).

15 – 19 Girls

Saskatoon’s Sarah Grieve has another MJT title to her lengthy junior resume. She shot 75 during round one and followed that with a 72 for a 147 and first place.

Symone Ripley of Saskatoon was second at 157 (80, 77). Regina’s Autumn Neiszner was third at 158 with identical rounds of 79.

The complete results from the MJT event can be found here.

*All photos courtesy Jeff Chambers

A pair of Katepwa Beach Golf Club members are the 50^th Rosebowl winners on their home course.

Carol Walsh and Pat Pratt won the two-player team event on Friday in Katepwa with a score of 5-under, 139. For Pratt, one of the host committee leads, said gathering for a celebration of the women’s event was more important than the win.

“It was fantastic but none of this happens without the competitors,” Pratt said during awards presentation. “This is quite emotional actually, I want to thank all the golfers, you guys make the Rosebowl. You have to keep coming back, we need these recreational golfers in tournaments.”

The 36-hole two-day tournament was cancelled in 2019 due to COVID-19. There were 19 teams and 38 players in the field.

Walsh said having such a monumental year of the event at her home course made her feel proud of what the club does daily.

“I am really, really proud to be from Katepwa. One person in Katepwa doesn’t do great things but many people do small things in a great way. We are so lucky here, what an honour to host everybody, meet new people, we hope they come back again,” Walsh added during the presentation.

There was a playoff for second place, Katepwa Beach members Toni Norton and Marlene Bennett won the playoff hole over Linda Reakes and Anita Ford, both teams were tied at 3-under, 141.

The complete results can be found here.

Theoren West will return home to Saskatchewan with a top-20 finish at the Canadian Junior Boys Championship at Vallée du Richelieu – Le Club.

The Golf Kenosee member carded rounds of 79, 74, 73, 73, for a four day total of 299 in Sainte-Julie, Québec. He finished in a tie for 19th overall at 11-over.

Tommy Danielson of Saskatoon was 18-over, 306 (78, 72, 78, 78). That landed the Riverside Country Club member in a tie for 49th.

Chase Pochylko, also of out Riverside finished tied for 69th. He posted rounds of 77, 73, 79, 83 for a 72-hole total of 24-over, 312.

Regina’s WIll Blake started with a 72, he shot 80, 84, 81 to conclude the championship at plus-29, 317.

The complete results can be found here.

Golf Saskatchewan will hear from the four once they return to the province, several will likely be in the field when the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour stops in Elk Ridge Resort on Aug. 14 – 15.

Wawota’s Theoren West navigated in the right direction Wednesday at the Canadian Junior Boys Championship.

West shot 73 in round three at Vallée du Richelieu – Le Club in Sainte-Julie, Québec to help him drive 23 spots up from day two of the event. The Golf Kenosee player sits at 10-over, 226 through three rounds. He will tee off at 5:40 a.m. (Sask. time) Thursday to wrap up the tournament.

Saskatoon’s Tommy Danielson has bookended a round of 72 with 78’s over 54-holes, he is at 12-over, tied for 32nd. His last round starts at 5:30 a.m. local time.

Chase Pochylko of Saskatoon sits at 13-over, 229 (77, 73, 79), he’s tied for 50th. Pochylko tees off Thursday at 6 o’clock in the morning.

Regina’s Will Blake is shot 84 on Wednesday, he sits in 74th position going into the last 18 holes. He begins his final round at 7:30 a.m.

Jean-Phillippe Parr of St. Celestin, Quebec is the leader at 12-under par.

The complete results are here.

Four players from Saskatchewan have made the cut at the Canadian Junior Boys Championship in Sainte-Julie, Québec.

Chase Pochylko, Tommy Danielson, Will Blake, and Theoren West will all play the final two rounds at the Vallée du Richelieu – Le Club on Wednesday and Thursday.

Pochylko followed his opening round of 77 with a 73, Danielson carded a 72 on Tuesday, both players are tied for 31st at 6-over.

Blake started the day in ninth place overall but an 80 in the second round dropped the Regina product to 47th. He sits at 8-over par, two under the cut line.

West chopped five shots off his opening round score of 79 leaving the Golf Kenosee member at 9-over par, a shot under the cut.

Alex Swinnerton, Hunter Kutcher, and Max Regier will not be playing the final 36 holes. Swinnerton and Kutcher will finsh the championship at 15-over par, Regier was 15-over.

Danielson will tee off at 5:30 a.m. Saskatchewan time on Thursday. Pochylko is on the tee 10 minutes later at 5:40 a.m. Blake will begin at 5:50 a.m. while West begins at 6:40 a.m.

The full results can be seen here.

Regina’s Will Blake is the top Saskatchewan golfer at the Canadian Junior Championships in Sainte-Julie, Québec.

The Royal Regina Golf Club member shot even par on day one of the championship at the Vallée du Richelieu – Le Club. He had five birdies on his card leading himself into a tie for ninth place going into round two.

Saskatoon’s Max Regier and another Royal player, Hunter Kutcher are tied for 47th at 4-over par. Chase Pochylko (Saskatoon) sits at 5-over, he is tied for 62nd. Tommy Danielson of Saskatoon was 6-over in round one, he’s tied for 82nd. Theoren West was 7-over, the Wawota product is tied for 91st and Alex Swinnerton of Saskatoon is in a tie for 135th after shooting 11-over, 83 on Monday.

Blake will tee off for round two at 5:40 a.m. Saskatchewan time, he’s the first local on the course Tuesday. Kutcher is next at 6:50 a.m. while Pochylko starts at 7:20 a.m. Regier tees off with the 10:40 a.m. group, Danielson will begin at 11:10 a.m. West will be back on the course just past noon local time at 12:10 p.m. and Swinnerton will be in the second last group of the day beginning at 12:20 p.m.

The top 70 players and ties will make the cut. The complete results can be seen here.

The six players from Saskatchewan that competed in the Canadian Amateur Men’s Championship last week in Windsor are back and reflecting on the week that was.

For Saskatoon’s Josh Nagy, his finish in a tie for 59^th is monumental as the two-time Saskatchewan junior champion made his first cut at a national event in his fourth try. Nagy said he rebounded nicely from a couple big numbers during round one to stick around for all 72 holes.

“I was hitting the ball a lot better than the scores,” he told Golf Saskatchewan on Monday. “I mixed in two triples in the first round so I knew what I had to do during the second round. It was nice to be able to go out and do it and finish 1-under over the last three. It was good to feel a different type of pressure.”

Nagy opened the championship with a round of 77 before bouncing back with a 70 on day two. He wrapped up the event shooting 76, 69 for a four-round total of 8-over, 292.

“It was good to get a couple rounds under par, those under par rounds I struck it really nice. It was just good to see the game move along in the right direction and see some decent scores,” Nagy added.

As mentioned, Nagy missed the cut at two previous junior national championships and the one amateur he took part in. He said there is a mental approach you need when playing an event of this nature.

“It’s definitely a lot different, there is a big relief once you made it. It’s different in the aspect that you must go out on in the third and fourth rounds and regain your focus. Now you are playing to win but that was the mentality you have to have otherwise shots can slip away from you,” he said.

Nagy will play one more competitive event in North Battleford this summer before he heads back down to Robert Morris University for his junior season later in August.

For Yorkton’s Kade Johnson, he’s looking back on another strong performance at nationals placing tied for 17^th at the Ambassador Golf Club in Windsor.

Johnson said he was happy with his performance as well as the other five Saskatchewan representatives.

“I was a great week, it was an enjoyable week,” he said. “We had a good crew of us, six of us that went out which is a little smaller than normal, but it was awesome. All of us played really well, five of the six of us made the cut and then Chase (Pochylko) missing it by one, only being 17 and his first am, that’s really impressive playing. I was very happy with it, it was a great field this year and I felt like I contended well.”

The Deer Park member opened the tournament with a 74 before going low in the second round with a 66 to secure his participation in the final two rounds. Johnson shot 72 in round three before shooting the lights out again in round four with a 65. He said the week was a little bit of a rollercoaster score wise.

“It’s one of the courses where my game wasn’t too much different over four days,” Johnson explained. “It’s one of those courses set up for nationals, really thick rough, fairways rolling quick so it’s tough to keep it on the edge of the fairway, it tends to roll into the rough. Once it rolls into the rough you have to play conservative to the middle of the greens, you can’t really be aggressive. The two rounds I scored better I hit the ball better off the tee, when you hit fairways you can be more aggressive and attack pins. I tightened up in those two rounds and was able to score.”

Johnson, coming off a win at the Mark’s Blue Owl in Yorkton on the weekend is now preparing for his first professional event. Johnson will travel to Prince Edward Island later this month and compete in the Mackenzie Tour PEI Open from Aug. 23 to 29. He will play in the Brudnell River Classic on the island as well and will know this week if he gets into four more PGA Tour Canada events including the Elk Ridge Open in September. Johnson admitted his first rounds are holding him back slightly and he is working on ironing out the early kinks ahead of traveling east.

“It’s really becoming a trend over the last year or so. I don’t really know what it is, obviously I like playing from behind. Something I’ve been trying to work on is getting into that playing from behind mindset off the first tee on the first day. Getting off to a better start is definitely something I’ve noticed and trying to work on for sure,” he stated.

Saskatoon’s Ty Campbell finished in a tie for 29^th at the championship, he was 1-over, 285. Roman Timmerman of Saskatoon tied for 35^th at 2-over, 286. Regina’s Tyler Wright was the other player to make the cut, unfortunately for Wright he was dealing with a bad back and had to withdraw after making the 36-hole cut.

The complete results can be found here.

Seven players from Saskatchewan are set to tee it up at the Canadian Junior Boys Championship starting on Monday.

The 72-hole tournament is being hosted at Vallée du Richelieu – Le Club in Sainte-Julie, Québec.

Provincial champion Hunter Kutcher of Regina leads the group into the championship. Also in the field are Chase Pochylko (Saskatoon), Tommy Danielson (Saskatoon), Max Regier (Saskatoon), Will Blake (Regina), Alex Swinnerton (Saskatoon), and Theoren West (Wawota).

The championship will be contested on the par 72, 7,056 yard Rouville Course at Vallée du Richelieu.  The club has played host to a number of PGA, LPGA, and PGA TOUR Champions Tour events.

The Canadian Junior Boys Championship is a 72-hole stroke play event, with a 36-hole cut to the low 70 players and ties. In the event of a tie at the end of four rounds, there will be a hole-by-hole playoff immediately following completion of 72-holes.

The winner of the championship will receive an exemption into both the 2022 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship at Point Grey Golf & Country Club in Vancouver (Aug. 1-4) and the 2022 U.S. Junior Amateur at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Bandon, Oregon (July 25-30).

Regier, the under-17 Saskatchewan champion will be first on the course on Monday, he starts at 5:40 a.m. Saskatchewan time for his first round. Danielson will tee off at 6:10 a.m. local time. West begins his opening round at 7:10 a.m. Swinnerton will start at 7:20 a.m. while the remaining three start a little later in the morning.

Blake tees off at 10: 40 a.m., Kutcher will start his round at 11:50 a.m. and Pochylko will be last Saskatchewan player on the course when his group is on the blocks at 12:20 p.m.

All the championship information can be seen here.