WATCH | Sean Murray wins PGA of Canada National Award
Brian Munz
Golf Manitoba would like to congratulate Team Manitoba Boys Head Coach Sean Murray (St. Charles Country Club) on being named the PGA of Canada Tex Noble Professional Development Award winner for 2024.
Along with his Head Coaching duties with Golf Manitoba, Murray is the Director of Instruction and Junior Co-Ordinator at St. Charles. He also served as the Technical Advisor for the sport of golf at the 2024 Manitoba Summer Games.
“Sean continues to show outstanding effort in his pursuit to become the best possible teacher and coach he can be” said St. Charles Country Club Director of Golf & COO Cory Kartusch. “The members and staff of St. Charles are proud of Sean’s work and congratulate him on his recognition as the winner of the PGA of Canada Tex Noble Award”.
The Tex Noble Professional Development Award recognizes the PGA of Canada professional who is the model of life-long learning and continuing professional development. This award is designed to give special recognition to an individual PGA professional for outstanding and continuing contributions to professional development and continuing education.
In the late 1970s Tex Noble became the Education Director for the PGA of Canada, creating and managing an education system that was used for more than 20 years and became the envy of PGA’s around the world. In 1983 he was hired as the PGA of Canada’s General Manager and proved invaluable in helping to resolve various internal issues.
For the past 40 years (to the day), Clayton Dreger has been the voice of sports in Southern Manitoba.
Today, we join the golf community in wishing Clayton a Happy Retirement from Golden West Radio.
Thank you Clayton for joining us over the past four decades travelling across the province to our provincial championships sharing the stories of our competitors and host courses.
Golf Manitoba would also like to welcome Dave Anthony as Golden West Radio’s new sports voice and look forward to his coverage in 2025 and beyond.
Golf Manitoba is pleased to announce its 2025 Winter Rules Education Series which includes virtual, in-person and self-guided learning opportunities. Sessions include both beginner and intermediate sessions on the Rules of Golf Level 1 Rules of Golf Certification, Provincial and National Certifications.
Winter Rules of Golf Education
Our winter education series is for those interested in learning more about the Rules of Golf.
Rules of Golf
The first of our winter education series will be a virtual Rules of Golf for the beginner session on January 20, 2025, from 7-8:30pm. Our second virtual session is February 18, 2025, from 7-8pm and is for those with Rules experience and for those who want to expand their knowledge of the Rules of Golf.
Both virtual sessions are available at no charge for all Golf Manitoba/Canada members.
Level 1
Level 1 Rules education focuses on easy ways to learn the basics of the Rules of Golf with its main interest on Etiquette, the principle definitions and commonly encountered situations on the course.
Level 1 is available online and students will be able to test their knowledge by taking the review questions at the end of each section before attempting the online Level 1 Exam.
Earn your stripes!
Do you have interest in becoming a certified referee? If so, Golf Manitoba is hosting a Level 2 Provincial Certification Seminar April 4-6, 2025.
This provincial education and certification series is designed for those who are new to rules and wanting to advance their rules education, active Level 2 tournament referees and PGA of Canada members. Level 2 referees who pass the exam become eligible to referee in all Golf Manitoba provincial championships.
Attend and achieve a minimum of 80% on the Provincial exam, administered by Golf Manitoba.
Complete 50 hours of on-course experience as a Referee.
Complete an additional 10 hours accompanying a Nationally certified Referee at a championship.
Level 2 certified referees are volunteers however Golf Manitoba covers all eligible expenses including mileage, accommodations (when necessary), meals and also provides a uniform package.
To learn more about volunteering with Golf Manitoba, please click here.
Learn More & Register
To learn more about the Rules of Golf and for more information and to register for one of our Rules of Golf education opportunities, please visit golfmb.ca/rules.
Golf Manitoba / Canada members can look back and celebrate their 2024 golf season with the return of #MyGolfYear presented by BDO.
Members get access to a snapshot of their season highlights and their personal #MyGolfYear can be proudly shared with friends and fellow golfers across their social media channels.
New for 2024 is the addition of health statistics. As part of Golf Canada’s Golf and Health campaign, members are now able to review elevation gained, distance walked, and number of steps taken during the season. For more information on Golf and Health and all the benefits the game provides, click here.
Members can share their #MyGolfYear stats, highlighting total rounds, best round, total holes played, total distance played, health statistics along with personalized achievements from the 2024 golf season.
The #MyGolfYear campaign wraps up another successful year in Canadian golf including back-to-back years of 10 million scores posted by Golf Canada members. Last year marked the first time that the 10M milestone had been reached and Golf Canada members surpassed that number in 2024!
“Golf Canada members enjoy looking back on their seasons and having the opportunity to share their accomplishments and milestones with their networks through their #MyGolfYear stats, following another record number of rounds played in 2024,” said Tim McLaughlin, Chief Marketing Officer, Golf Canada. “We are proud to be able to include health data through the advancement of our app so members can track their progress and highlight the many health benefits that the game of golf can provide. We encourage all members to take advantage of this fun initiative to share their stats from the past season.”
The full list of #MyGolfYear achievements for 2024 include:
Top Golfer: Your handicap ranks you in the top 15 per cent of golfers in Canada.
Every Day I’m Golfing: You played golf every day of the week this year, joining 127,450 other Canadians who accomplished the same feat in 2024.
Golfer For All Seasons: You played at least one round in each of April, May, June, July, August, September and October.
Have Clubs, Will Travel: You and 39,908 Canadians played a round in three different cities within Canada in 2024.
You and another 933 Canadians played a round in 15 different cities in Canada this year.
#MyGolfDay: You play golf on Saturday. That’s your day and you’re sticking to it!
Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop: You managed to play at least one round, five weeks in a row this year.
Peak Summer: Canada’s warmest day in 2024 was July 22. On that day, you and 56,842 other Canadians played a round of golf.
From Sea to Sea: You and just two others played golf in 10 different provinces this year.
I am Canadian: You and 120,028 others celebrated Canada Day weekend with a round of golf.
Golf Supporter: You have been a supporter of Golf Canada and golf in Canada for more than five years – Thank You!
Golf Protector: You have supported Golf Canada for over 10 years and helped us grow the game – Thank You!
Breaking Not Bad: You broke 100/90/80/70 this year – Congrats! A round under 70 puts you amongst the top 5 per cent of golfers in Canada. A round under 80 puts you amongst the top 38 per cent of golfers in Canada.
New to the Club: You joined the Golf Canada community in 2024 – Welcome!
After the successful launch of #MyGolfYear following the 2021 golf season, the 2022 campaign saw the addition of new achievements and golfing milestones available for every member who logged their scores into the Golf Canada Score Centre over the course of the season.
To learn more about Golf Canada and the benefits of membership, please visit golfcanada.ca/join/.
To view your #MyGolfYear graphic, check your e-mail associated with your Golf Canada account or log into the Golf Canada Mobile App.
Thank you for being a Golf Canada member and enjoy sharing #MyGolfYear across your social networks!
Donald Craig, James Scollan and Danny Stack along with the 1995 Willingdon Cup Team of Garth Collings, Dale Goehring, Derron Magda and Rob McMillan will be inducted as honoured members in the spring of 2025.
DONALD CRAIG – Builder
Born: March 11, 1938
From 1959 to 1989 was employed at Kildonan Park Golf Course, Windsor Park Golf Course, Crescent Drive Golf Course, John Blumberg Golf Course, Harbourview Golf Course, Tuxedo Golf Course
In 1989 was named the Non-Playing Captain for Team Canada at the Simon Bolivar Cup in Venezuela
From 1991 to 1996 was the Executive Director of the Manitoba Golf Association
From 1997 to 2003 was the Tournament Director for Manitoba Golf Association
Involved with various committees within the Manitoba Golf Association Scholarship Fund, Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame and Museum, Manitoba Open, Canadian Turfgrass Research Foundation and Royal Canadian Golf Association
Recipient of the Manitoba Sportswriters Association Dallas Beck Memorial “Good Guy” Award
Recipient of the Royal Canadian Golf Association Honourary Award
Honourary Director, Canadian Professional Golfers Association
JAMES SCOLLAN – Athlete & Builder
Born: May 12, 1942
1985 Club Champion: Elmhurst Golf & Country Club
From 1989 to 1994 served on the Golf Manitoba Board of Directors, serving as President from 1991 to 1992.
From 1995 to 2004 served on the Royal Canadian Golf Association’s Board of Directors
1997 Champion of the 55 to 59 age group in the Manitoba Senior Championship
1998 Champion of the Manitoba Senior Championship and represented Manitoba at the Canadian Championship
In 1998 received the Province of Manitoba Sporting Excellence Recognition Award
DANNY STACK – Athlete / Builder
Born: October 11, 1908
From 1929 to 1974 competed in numerous provincial amateur and national championships.
Won the 1929, 1930, 1931, 1932 Kildonan Municipal Tournament. During that final championship he set a new course record of 63.
Two time Willingdon Cup team member.
Won the 1935 Nelson, British Columbia Club Championship, 1936 Labour Day Open, 1937 City Mixed Four-Some at Niakwa Country Club, 1937 Inter City Team Match Play Championship, 1943 Merchant Navy Trophy, 1945 Quebec Medal, 1945 Manitoba Open and four time recipient of the Seagram’s Trophy.
Also set a course record of 63 in 1951 at Windsor Park Golf Course and 62 at Birtle Riverside Golf Club.
Recorded 13 Holes in One
Contributed / volunteered countless hours of teaching, coaching and mentoring beginner and junior golfers.
Two time President of the MPGA Board of Directors, served on the CPGA Board of Directors
1995 WILLINGDON CUP TEAM
Garth Collings, Breezy Bend Country Club
Dale Goehring, Breezy Bend Country Club
Derron Magda, Rossmere Country Club
Rob McMillan, Pine Ridge Golf Club
On Wednesday, August 16, 1995, the team captured the National Team Championship played at the Canadian Men’s Amateur at the Toronto Golf Club in Mississauga, Ontario.
Manitoba edged the host province by two strokes with a score of 2-over par 422.
This was the second time that a Manitoba team won the Willingdon Cup.
INDUCTION CEREMONY
The Induction Ceremony will be held on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 at Glendale Golf & Country Club.
Tickets for the event will be available early in 2025.
Individual members and member clubs wishing to nominate an individual (amateur or professional golfers, superintendents, builders, media, etc.) for the Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame may obtain nomination forms through any of the three member organizations or at manitobagolfhalloffame.com.
WATCH | Inside the Ropes with Cody Brownlee at AVID GOLF
Brian Munz
AVID GOLF General Manager Cody Brownlee gives us a tour of their indoor golf facility, located at 1580 Taylor Avenue in Winnipeg.
AVID GOLF Simulators & Lounge is the presenting partner of the Golf Manitoba Awards, held annually to celebrate the Female and Male Amateur Golfer of the Year as well as our volunteers and the Volunteer Distinguished Service Award winner.
For more information on AVID GOLF Simulators & Lounge, click here.
PGA TOUR Americas and the Manitoba Open announced today a dynamic five-course host rotation for the Manitoba Open starting in 2025.
In addition to the rotation, James Richardson & Sons, Johnston Group and Princess Auto have all committed to becoming Proud Partners of the Tournament.
Breezy Bend Country Club will be the first facility to host the event in 2025 (August 19-24), with four other clubs hosting in the ensuing years.
“We are thrilled and deeply honored to have been selected as the host course for the PGA TOUR Americas 2025 Manitoba Open,” said Cory Johnson, General Manager and Chief Operating Officer of Breezy Bend Country Club. “This is an exciting opportunity to welcome some of the world’s best golfers to our club and to showcase our course, and the many improvements that have been made in recent years, on an international stage.
Breezy Bend Country Club has a proud and storied history with the Manitoba Open, having hosted the championship in 1969, 1975, 1981, and from 1991 to 1993. Our members, volunteers and staff are committed to making the 2025 Manitoba Open an unforgettable experience for players, fans and sponsors alike. We look forward to a memorable event.”
“This unique partnership couldn’t have happened without the commitment of our Proud Partners have shown to this event in addition to many other local partners,” said Scott Pritchard, Vice President of PGA TOUR Americas. “We are very excited about the future of the Manitoba Open and feel fortunate to have the support of these five preeminent clubs and their members.”
Helping to usher in the new era of the Manitoba Open, Brendan Baldwin will transition into a full-time role as Tournament Director. Baldwin previously served in the same role for the 2024 Manitoba Open.
Baldwin, who played collegiate golf at Chicago State University, has been recognized as one of the top golf professionals in Manitoba. Baldwin will lead a tournament committee made up of representatives from each club and will provide strategic leadership to execute the needs and visions of the tournament and host organizations.
The three proud partners of the Manitoba Open – James Richardson & Sons, Johnston Group and Princess Auto – and all three are eager to see the continued support for the True North Youth Foundation who will continue as the charitable partner for tournament.
Established in 1857, Richardson & Sons is a private, family-owned and operated Canadian corporation involved primarily in the international grain trade and has been a partner of Manitoba Open for over 10 years. Johnston Group provides employee benefits solutions to over 30,000 Canadian businesses and has been a partner dating back many years. Princess Auto is a private, Canadian-owned company that employs over 3,400 team members. Founded in 1933 in Winnipeg, Princess Auto has been a proud partner of the Manitoba Open for over 10 years.
Past participants of the Manitoba Open include PGA TOUR members Taylor Pendrith, Mackenzie Hughes, Jake Knapp, and Hayden Springer.
Since the tournament became a PGA TOUR-sanctioned event in 2013, over $910,000 has been raised for local charities and has brought nearly $16 million in economic activity to the province of Manitoba. The True North Youth Foundation will remain the primary charitable partner of the event.
The Manitoba Open is a 72-hole event where 156 PGA TOUR Americas members compete for a $225,000 purse and to earn points toward the season-long Fortinet Cup points list. At the conclusion of the 16-event season, the top-10 players in the Fortinet Cup points list will earn Korn Ferry Tour cards for the 2025 season.
About PGA TOUR Americas
PGA TOUR Americas is an international tour that provides professional golfers with competitive opportunities and prepares them to advance their careers on the Korn Ferry Tour and PGA TOUR. The 2024 schedule consisted of 16 events – six in Latin America and 10 in North America – and the inaugural season culminated in September with the Fortinet Cup Championship, where the top-10 players on the season-long points list earned Korn Ferry Tour membership for the 2025 season.
Canada’s Conners & Henderson team up for Grant Thornton Invitational
Old friends Corey Conners and Brooke Henderson usually have to keep tabs on each other from afar, but this week they’ll get to see one another up close.
Conners and Henderson will team up once again at the Grant Thornton Invitational, a unique event where some of the best golfers from the PGA and LPGA Tours compete as pairs. The tournament is quickly becoming an annual reunion for the two graduates of Golf Canada’s junior program.
“Since turning professional, our careers have gone separate ways, and we haven’t been able to cross paths too much,” said Conners, who finished the men’s season 39th on the FedEx Cup standings. “I’m always cheering her on from afar, and always have my eye on the LPGA Tour leaderboard when she’s playing.”
Henderson, likewise, has been keeping tabs on Conners’s exploits.
“It’s just been really fun to watch his career and cheer him on,” said Henderson, who finished 13th in the women’s tour’s rankings. “I think this event has reconnected us, in a way, and it’s been really special and great to be able to know his family and just to watch this game and be his partner here is really cool.”
Both were on Team Canada back in 2013 when they won the Copa de las Americas along with Albin Choi and Augusta James.
Conners and Henderson also represented Canada at the last two Olympics but due to COVID-19 restrictions they didn’t get to interact at the Tokyo Games in 2021. The men’s and women’s tournaments were on different weeks at the Paris Games this past summer.
The two Canadians finished second at the inaugural Grant Thornton Invitational last year with a combined score of 25 under, a shot behind New Zealand’s Lydia Ko and Australia’s Jason Day.
“It’s been great to be able to share some experiences like the Olympics and this event last year and spending more time together has been awesome,” said Conners, who is from Listowel, Ont. “She’s this amazing person, amazing golfer, and a fun partner at this event.”
The stacked leaderboard will see 16 pairs tee off on Friday at Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, Fla. American Tony Finau withdrew from the event on Wednesday afternoon. He was replaced as top-ranked Nelly Korda’s partner by Daniel Berger.
“I feel like we make a great team, and I’m excited for Friday to tee it up and hopefully make some birdies and be inspired by (Conners’s) great shots,” said Henderson, who is from Smiths Falls, Ont.
PGA TOUR — Six Canadians are vying for a PGA Tour card at the PGA Tour Q-School this week. Roger Sloan of Merritt, B.C., Edmonton’s Wil Bateman, Myles Creighton of Digby, N.S., Toronto’s Sebastian Szirmak, as well as Matthew Anderson and Sudarshan Yellamaraju of Mississauga, Ont., will all be in the field at Dye’s Valley Course and Sawgrass Country Club in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., this week.
LPGA TOUR — Hamilton’s Alena Sharp and Maude-Aimee Leblanc of Sherbrooke, Que., both earned full status on the LPGA Tour for 2025 after solid showings at the final qualifying stage of the Q-Series on Monday. Sharp tied for 21st at 7 under and Leblanc tied for 24th at 6 under. The top 25 finishers in the tournament earned their status.
Canadians Sharp & Leblanc secure LPGA Tour Cards for 2025
Canadian golfers Alena Sharp and Maude-Aimée Leblanc will return to the LPGA Tour in 2025 after earning their cards through the LPGA Tour Qualifying Series. Sharp, from Hamilton, Ont., finished tied for 21st at seven-under, while Leblanc, of Sherbrooke, Que., tied for 24th at six-under.
Sharp continues storied career
Sharp, 43, has been a fixture on the LPGA Tour since 2005. Over her career, she has made 375 official starts, earning $3,086,599 in prize money and recording 16 top-10 finishes. Her best result on the tour came at the 2016 CPKC Women’s Open, where she placed fourth.
In 2024, Sharp made seven cuts in 13 starts, with her best finish a tie for 19th at the Dana Open. She ended the season ranked No. 123 on the Race to CME Globe Points List.
Sharp has also found success on the Epson Tour, where she has two career wins and 14 additional top-10 finishes. Her most recent victory came in 2023 at the Champions Fore Change Invitational.
A three-time Olympian, Sharp represented Canada in Rio in 2016, Tokyo in 2021 and Paris in 2024, with her best Olympic finish a tie for 30th in Rio.
A graduate of New Mexico State University, Sharp continues to be a role model for Canadian golfers.
Leblanc builds on strong form
Leblanc, 35, has competed on the LPGA Tour since 2012. In 2024, she made eight cuts in 19 starts, with her best result a tie for 19th at the CPKC Women’s Open.
Leblanc has four career top-10 finishes on the tour, the most recent at the 2022 ISPS HANDA Women’s Scottish Open, where she tied for eighth.
Leblanc has also had a standout career on the Epson Tour, with 26 top-10 finishes. In her last full season on the developmental circuit in 2021, she made 12 cuts in 17 starts and posted nine top-10 results.
A graduate of Purdue University, Leblanc was part of the Boilermakers’ NCAA championship-winning team in 2010. The former Team Canada alumna also had a decorated amateur career, winning the Canadian Junior Championship and the International Junior Orange Bowl in 2006.
Canadians ready for 2025
Both Sharp and Leblanc are set to bring experience and consistency to the LPGA Tour in 2025, highlighting the strength of Canadian golf on the global stage.
Their achievements reflect the dedication and determination that have made them role models for the next generation of players. With new opportunities ahead, they will look to build on their careers and inspire golf fans across Canada.
For more information on the 2025 CPKC Women’s Open, taking place August 20-24 at Mississauga Golf & Country Club, click here.
