The Government of Saskatchewan is updating the guidelines for golf courses as the season gets underway in the province.

Tournaments are now permitted in Saskatchewan but award presentations and receptions must be done virtually. Shotgun starts are now allowed with one group of four allowed on a tee box at a time.

Tee times have also been reduced, instead of ten minute allotments courses can run tee times eight minutes apart. Players are now allowed to walk in and book a tee time if course administrators wish to use that system. Last season tee times had to be pre-booked.

Golf Saskatchewan is continuing to work with the provincial Business Response Team to make sure golf can be played safely for all involved.

The updated guidelines can be viewed here.

Mike McEvay grew up in British Columbia on busy golf courses and after careers in several locations the 37-year-old is excited to lead the team at Elmwood Golf Club in Swift Current.

McEvay takes over the general manager position replacing long-time GM Sheldon Reinhart.

McEvay sat down with Golf Saskatchewan to discuss the move from Edmonton to the southwest Saskatchewan city, the excitement of a new position as well as the Elmwood hosting the provincial amateur championships in July.

Regina’s Jacob Kydd has been busy competing on the collegiate golf circuit this spring.

The Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) student was in Noblesville, Indiana on April 2 and 3 for the Purgatory Intercollegiate. Kydd posted scores of 74 and 79, his 9-over, 153 was good enough for a tie for 12^th. That matches his career best finish since he tied for 12^th at the Players Club Invitational in September of 2020.

Kydd’s performance helped the Wildcats capture the team championship at the event. IWU was three shots better than Mount Mercy University.

Next up for Kydd and the team is the Shotgun Sagamore Shootout on April 12, also in Noblesville.

Brody Istace of Kindersley and the Columbia International University (CIU) Rams competed against Bob Jones University in a match-play event in Greenville, South Carolina this week. The two-day event termed the ‘Competitors Cup’ featured three rounds of different formats including four-ball, alternate shot, and 1 v. 1.

On day one, Monday the Rams picked up 8.5 of a possible 10 points. During the second day the Rams were victorious in five matches and lost four. Istace was instrumental in the victory sinking a birdie on the final hole to clinch the win. CIU coach Tucker MacDonald said the team performed well over two days.

“Brody had a clutch birdie on the last hole to clinch the Competitors Cup. This was an excellent event for our guys, and hopefully, we can take advantage of this momentum going into the conference championship.”

Their next tournament is the Appalachian Athletic Conference in Asheville, North Carolina on April 19 and 20.

Saskatoon’s Josh Nagy was in action on April 2 and 3 as well with the Robert Morris Colonials.

The two-time Saskatchewan junior champion is coming off a college career best 75 in his last competitive round in March. Nagy carded rounds of 81 and 78 this week at the FDU Invitational in Fayetteville, Pennsylvania. He placed 38^th at 15-over par.

The Colonials tied for second place in the team competition. Their next scheduled tournament is in Clarksburg, West Virginia for the Health Plan Mountaineer Invitational on April 12 and 13.

The golf course in Watson at McNab Regional Park is receiving funds to make some upgrades to the clubhouse.

The funding of $182,000 is going to be used for replacing the existing shower house, adding a high-efficiency furnace, on-demand water heaters, new siding, and new doors. Manager Kim Mitchell said the work has been a long time coming.

“This has been on our radar for five years,” she said.

McNab Regional Park features a nine-hole, grass green course with a full-service clubhouse. The facility also has a swimming pool (that will open this year, last year the pool was closed due to COVID-19), a campsite, playground and mini-golf course. The work on the clubhouse cannot be performed while the pool is open so Mitchell said the upgrades will begin in late August. She said the park authority has put lots of focus on upgrades in the last couple years and this work adds to the list.

“It’s been kind of exciting,” she said. “The last few years in Watson has been great, we’ve really upgraded a lot of stuff, we’re getting there. The clubhouse is going to look like a whole new building and we’re looking forward to the end result. Our members and visitors are going to love it.”

The total cost of the work is just over $246,000. The federal government is contributing $100,000, the province will chip in an estimated $83,000 with the park on the hook for the rest of the price tag.

Mitchell added this work is part of a five-year plan that the course and park had laid out, the work on the wish list will be completed in just three years so the board will adjust their next step in continuing to make McNab an east-central Saskatchewan stop for golfers.

The golf course in Watson at McNab Regional Park is receiving funds to make some upgrades to the clubhouse.

The funding of $182,000 is going to be used for replacing the existing shower house, adding a high-efficiency furnace, on-demand water heaters, new siding, and new doors. Manager Kim Mitchell said the work has been a long time coming.

“This has been on our radar for five years,” she said.

McNab Regional Park features a nine-hole, grass green course with a full-service clubhouse. The facility also has a swimming pool (that will open this year, last year the pool was closed due to COVID-19), a campsite, playground and mini-golf course. The work on the clubhouse cannot be performed while the pool is open so Mitchell said the upgrades will begin in late August. She said the park authority has put lots of focus on upgrades in the last couple years and this work adds to the list.

“It’s been kind of exciting,” she said. “The last few years in Watson has been great, we’ve really upgraded a lot of stuff, we’re getting there. The clubhouse is going to look like a whole new building and we’re looking forward to the end result. Our members and visitors are going to love it.”

The total cost of the work is just over $246,000. The federal government is contributing $100,000, the province will chip in an estimated $83,000 with the park on the hook for the rest of the price tag.

Mitchell added this work is part of a five-year plan that the course and park had laid out, the work on the wish list will be completed in just three years so the board will adjust their next step in continuing to make McNab an east-central Saskatchewan stop for golfers.

Regina’s Chad McCormick is very pleased he has a Golf Canada membership.

McCormick was in Kelowna last year for a family wedding celebration when a vehicle in the parking lot at the course he was playing was broken into. The vehicle was “cleaned out” according to McCormick with many wedding gifts being swiped as well as clubs belonging to several players, including McCormick. With thousands of dollars worth of goods snatched, the group filed a police report and went through all protocols required in a theft. Thinking about claiming the stolen golf merchandise through his sister’s home insurance the club pro in Kelowna suggested using the Golf Canada benefits package if they were members. McCormick, a member at the Royal Regina Golf Club admitted he didn’t know much about membership benefits.

“I’ve actually told multiple people about it now that if something like this happens,” he said. “I was skeptical about it at the start honestly because I didn’t know anything about it and it worked out really well.”

McCormick, and the other members with stolen property all filed their claims through the Golf Canada website and within a couple weeks had compensation for their stolen property. McCormick said the process was smooth and very pleasant.

“This for me was unbelievable,” McCormick added. “It was so easy, much cheaper, the premiums aren’t changing on my house, the premiums aren’t changing on the vehicle because of the insurance that was here. It’s a no-brainer for me not to. You are crazy not to.”

To see more about McCormick’s experience with Golf Canada’s benefits watch his interview with Golf Saskatchewan below.

Regina’s Chad McCormick is very pleased he has a Golf Canada membership.

McCormick was in Kelowna last year for a family wedding celebration when a vehicle in the parking lot at the course he was playing was broken into. The vehicle was “cleaned out” according to McCormick with many wedding gifts being swiped as well as clubs belonging to several players, including McCormick. With thousands of dollars worth of goods snatched, the group filed a police report and went through all protocols required in a theft. Thinking about claiming the stolen golf merchandise through his sister’s home insurance the club pro in Kelowna suggested using the Golf Canada benefits package if they were members. McCormick, a member at the Royal Regina Golf Club admitted he didn’t know much about membership benefits.

“I’ve actually told multiple people about it now that if something like this happens,” he said. “I was skeptical about it at the start honestly because I didn’t know anything about it and it worked out really well.”

McCormick, and the other members with stolen property all filed their claims through the Golf Canada website and within a couple weeks had compensation for their stolen property. McCormick said the process was smooth and very pleasant.

“This for me was unbelievable,” McCormick added. “It was so easy, much cheaper, the premiums aren’t changing on my house, the premiums aren’t changing on the vehicle because of the insurance that was here. It’s a no-brainer for me not to. You are crazy not to.”

To see more about McCormick’s experience with Golf Canada’s benefits watch his interview with Golf Saskatchewan below.

TORONTO – Golf Canada and title sponsor RBC have confirmed that the membership of St. George’s Golf and Country Club in Toronto have strongly supported the hosting of the 2022 RBC Canadian Open, with nearby Islington Golf Club serving as the official practice facility for the tournament.

St. George’s and Islington re-committing their involvement for the 2022 RBC Canadian Open follows two years of cancellations due to international travel and government restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2021 RBC Canadian Open was scheduled to be held June 7-13.

“I am so pleased that the membership of St. George’s Golf and Country Club as well as Islington Golf Club will join us in hosting the 2022 RBC Canadian Open,” said Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum. “We are already looking forward to the return of the PGA TOUR  to Canada and so grateful that both clubs including their respective membership and our host volunteer committee continue to work towards the celebrated return of the RBC Canadian Open.”

“Together with our partners at RBC and the PGA TOUR, we welcome both clubs to be a part of what is sure to be a special moment in Canadian golf.”

“RBC is proud to be title sponsor of Canada’s National Open Championship, one of the oldest events on the PGA TOUR schedule with a strong history of celebrating the importance of golf to Canadians,” said Mary DePaoli, Executive Vice-President and Chief Marketing Officer, RBC. “We are looking forward to welcoming back defending champion Rory McIlroy, our Team RBC golfers, and inspiring the next generation of golf talent at the 2022 RBC Canadian Open.”

St. George’s Golf and Country Club has previously hosted the RBC Canadian Open on five occasions, dating as far back as 1933 and most recently in 2010.

“We are proud to continue along the path that we dedicated the club and our membership to for 2020,” said RBC Canadian Open Tournament Chair Mark Teskey. “With more than 200 volunteer members having devoted countless hours and many others lending their support in a meaningful way, we are excited to continue with those efforts to make the 111^th RBC Canadian Open a great success.”

“Islington Golf Club is very happy to be partnering with Golf Canada and St. George’s to deliver a fantastic experience for players, volunteers and Canadian golf fans at the RBC Canadian Open,” said Tournament Co-Chair Chris Tortorice. “We are very excited to welcome the PGA TOUR back to Toronto in 2022.”

Part of the FedExCup Regular Season and conducted by Golf Canada for more than a century, the RBC Canadian Open provides an opportunity for Canada’s top talents to compete against the world’s best golfers while also creating a positive impact in the event’s host community. Established in 1904, Canada’s national open golf championship is the third-oldest national open golf championship worldwide next to the British Open and the U.S. Open. The RBC Canadian Open is proudly sponsored by RBC, Audi, Acushnet, Steam Whistle, Hilton, Levelwear, Sargent Farms, Coca-Cola and the Government of Ontario and the Government of Canada. The RBC Canadian Open is proud to support the Golf Canada Foundation as the event’s official charity partner.

TORONTO – Golf Canada and title sponsor RBC have confirmed that the membership of St. George’s Golf and Country Club in Toronto have strongly supported the hosting of the 2022 RBC Canadian Open, with nearby Islington Golf Club serving as the official practice facility for the tournament.

St. George’s and Islington re-committing their involvement for the 2022 RBC Canadian Open follows two years of cancellations due to international travel and government restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2021 RBC Canadian Open was scheduled to be held June 7-13.

“I am so pleased that the membership of St. George’s Golf and Country Club as well as Islington Golf Club will join us in hosting the 2022 RBC Canadian Open,” said Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum. “We are already looking forward to the return of the PGA TOUR  to Canada and so grateful that both clubs including their respective membership and our host volunteer committee continue to work towards the celebrated return of the RBC Canadian Open.”

“RBC is proud to be title sponsor of Canada’s National Open Championship, one of the oldest events on the PGA TOUR schedule with a strong history of celebrating the importance of golf to Canadians,” said Mary DePaoli, Executive Vice-President and Chief Marketing Officer, RBC. “We are looking forward to welcoming back defending champion Rory McIlroy, our Team RBC golfers, and inspiring the next generation of golf talent at the 2022 RBC Canadian Open.”

St. George’s Golf and Country Club has previously hosted the RBC Canadian Open on five occasions, dating as far back as 1933 and most recently in 2010.

“We are proud to continue along the path that we dedicated the club and our membership to for 2020,” said RBC Canadian Open Tournament Chair Mark Teskey. “With more than 200 volunteer members having devoted countless hours and many others lending their support in a meaningful way, we are excited to continue with those efforts to make the 111^th RBC Canadian Open a great success.”

“Islington Golf Club is very happy to be partnering with Golf Canada and St. George’s to deliver a fantastic experience for players, volunteers and Canadian golf fans at the RBC Canadian Open,” said Tournament Co-Chair Chris Tortorice. “We are very excited to welcome the PGA TOUR back to Toronto in 2022.”

Part of the FedExCup Regular Season and conducted by Golf Canada for more than a century, the RBC Canadian Open provides an opportunity for Canada’s top talents to compete against the world’s best golfers while also creating a positive impact in the event’s host community. Established in 1904, Canada’s national open golf championship is the third-oldest national open golf championship worldwide next to the British Open and the U.S. Open. The RBC Canadian Open is proudly sponsored by RBC, Audi, Acushnet, Steam Whistle, Hilton, Levelwear, Sargent Farms, Coca-Cola and the Government of Ontario and the Government of Canada. The RBC Canadian Open is proud to support the Golf Canada Foundation as the event’s official charity partner.

It was another busy week south of the border for Saskatchewan’s student athletes.

Kade Johnson was up to his old tricks for the Southern Arkansas University Muleriders. The Yorkton product carded rounds of 73 and 74 for a 36-hole total of 147, five-over par at the 6,873-yard Shoal Creek Golf Club in Kansas City, Missouri on Monday and Tuesday. Johnson’s score left him in a tie for fourth in the 2021 NSIC Preview.

Teammate Roman Timmerman of Saskatoon finished alone in 17^th place. Timmerman shot 75 on day one and followed that with a 76 to finish at nine-over, 151.

As a team the Muleriders placed sixth out of 26 schools. They are back on the course in two weeks at the NSU Classic in Tahlequah, Oklahoma.

Connor Scissons had a great showing this week. The Saskatoon native picked up a 10^th place finish at the ACU Spring Invitational. The Arizona Christian University junior put up rounds of 73 and 71 on Monday and Tuesday to finish at even par at the almost 7,200-yard Moon Valley Country Club in Phoenix, Arizona. Scissons was just nine strokes back of the winner.

The Firestorm placed third in the team competition that included eight colleges. Scissons and the team will travel to Sun City West, Arizona on April 27 and 28 for the GSAC Championships.

Prince Albert’s TJ Baker’s season continued this week. The freshman at Arkansas-Monticello was competing in the Bulldog Bash at Canebrake Golf Club in Athens, Alabama. Baker improved on every round shooting 79, 76, and 75 for a 54-hole score of 14-over, 230. That left him in a tie for 44^th. The Arkansas-Monticello team placed sixth out of ten. They are scheduled to travel to Northeastern State University in Muskogee, Oklahoma on April 12 and 13.

Jacob Kydd and the Indiana Wesleyan Wildcats were in action in Indianapolis for the Butler Spring Invitational. The Regina product fired rounds of 76, 77, and 78 over two days at the Highland Golf and Country Club. Kydd’s 21-over, 231 left him in a tie for 48^th.

The Wildcats team finished seventh out of 11 universities. They travel to Noblesville, Indiana on April 2 and 3 for the Purgatory Intercollegiate for their next event.

Reigning Saskatchewan amateur champion Ty Campbell competed this week as well. Campbell, in his final season at Southern Wesleyan University was in Lenoir City, Tennessee for the River Rumble.

Campbell ended up tied for 54^th in the 98-player field. The Saskatoon resident posted rounds of 76, 75, and 73 for a 54-hole total of plus-eight, 224.

Campbell and the Warriors placed 14^th out of 18 teams. Their next event is the Conference Carolinas Men’s Championship from April 18 to 20.