The leaderboard at the 22nd Annual NSU Golf Classic had two familiar faces near the top of the list on Tuesday.

In fact, when the 54-hole event in Muskogee, Oklahoma drew to a close Kade Johnson was atop the board tied for first place with Luke Palmowski at 6-under par. Johnson, from Yorkton and nearing the end of his collegiate career was shooting for his second win at the NCAA Div. II level, but the Sourthern Arkansas University (SAU) Mulerider lost on the second hole of a playoff to Palmowski of Rogers State University.

Johnson had the lead after day one when the tournament was postponed after 33 holes. He fell back to a tie for fourth at one point during the third round but battled back to force the playoff claiming a solid second place.

Saskatoon product Roman Timmerman, also a SAU student performed well finishing in a tie for third place just two strokes off the lead.

The long-time college teammates scores helped the Muleriders place fourth overall out of 20 universities in the competition.

Also competing in the tournament was Prince Albert’s TJ Baker. The college freshman at Arkansas-Monticello University finished in a tie for 109th at 28-over par. There were 116 players in the field. His team finished in 16th place.

Regina’s Alex Schmidt was having a stellar two days on the course herself for the Lewis-Clark State Warriors.

The junior placed fourth overall with a 36-hole score of plus-15, 159 at the Bushnell Invite in Creswell, Oregon at the Emerald Valley Golf Club.

The Royal Regina Golf Club member’s strong showing led her team to a silver medal finish.

Next up for Schmidt and Lewis-Clark is the Cascade Conference Championships at the end of April.

Weyburn’s Darien Herlick is picking up golf championships in Florida while his home province shovels away hopefully one last blast of winter.

Herlick, 15, is currently in the sunshine state attending the Henry Brunton Golf Academy. While attending the academy the students live in a house five minutes from the training facility, practice and enter events while keeping up with their schoolwork online. One of the tournaments Herlick took part in this past weekend was the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour (HJGT) Orange County National Spring Junior Open. He was able to shoot 1-over par on day one of the tournament and with the second round washed out by weather Herlick was crowned the boys 14-15 age group champion.

“I hit a lot of fairways and greens,” he told Golf Saskatchewan. “Not many putts fell but I took two putts all day. I think that was key as to how the conditions were.”

The HJGT is the “United States version of the Maple Leaf Junior Tour (MJT) here in Canada” with events across the nation. Herlick has his fair share of wins in his home country and province but winning in Florida provided a big confidence boost.

“There’s kids from all over and definitely way bigger fields than usual. If you look at the leaderboard it was pretty stiff competition. Everyone was within two or three strokes. I did not even know about the leaderboard until I came in. I for sure thought the leader would be a little under par. Even though I did not play my absolute best I was still leading and that proved to me I have a good chance at winning,” Herlick said.

The 14-15 age group had 27 players in the field. Herlick said the set up was about 6,700 yards and his age group played the same distance as the 16-18 competitors which he enjoyed. He said hearing of the second-round cancellation was disappointing, but he is still happy with the result.

“It would have been a little more satisfying to get the second day in, but a win is a win I guess,” he said.

Herlick will spend the rest of April at the facility before returning to Weyburn. Before he heads home he will compete in two more HJGT events. He said the academy has been a wonderful experience and he hopes it builds towards a strong summer in Saskatchewan.

“I would like to keep my scores in the low 70’s area and place well. Not only in the MJT but the Men’s Amateur Championship I am thinking about playing in and junior provincials too. I feel like my game has gotten really good down here and I think I can compete back home with the kids older than me,” he added.

Saskatoon’s Tommy Danielson was in the 14-15 age group field, he placed in a tie for sixth at 4-over par. Chase Pochylko, also of Saskatoon competed in the 16-18 age group and placed in a tie for 17^th at 3-over, 75.

Symone Ripley, another Saskatoon golfer finished 30^th in the girls 14-18 age bracket with a score of 17-over 89.

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 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.