Harvey & Marion Goehring honoured as 2024 Distinguished Service Award winners
Brian Munz
(courtesy Michelle Lee)
As stewards of the sport of golf in Manitoba and Northwest Ontario, Harvey and his late wife, Marion Goehring have a combined for over six decades of volunteer dedication to the golfing community and association.
As a mother, Marion started her volunteer journey and overseeing a program that included over 100 Juniors at the John Blumberg Golf Course. She organized and ran the Junior championships. Throughout her life Marion was a potent advocate for, and to, the youth of Manitoba golfers; she held an unwavering commitment to their development and she derived great joy from watching their growth both on and off the golf course.
She became President of the Breezy Bend Country Club Ladies League and volunteered her time as a Golf Manitoba championship starter, scorer, fundraiser, and representative. In an unofficial role, Marion also maintained all historical archives.
As a role model for others, Marion would always offer support and encouragement to all players of all levels, took on her volunteer responsibilities with absolute dedication, enthusiasm and positivity. The quiet support she offered may have initially gone unnoticed but the longstanding positive impact is undeniable. Indeed, many golfers today speak so kindly and respectfully of Marion. Without question, one of her contributions was to work together with her husband while advocating for the enhancement of the philosophy, spirit and goals of Golf Manitoba.
Harvey has held numerous roles and positions with both the Manitoba Golf Association and Golf Manitoba proudly provided over 30 years of volunteerism. His portfolio ranges from the club level through to the National level. As with his wife, Harvey always saw great benefit in giving his efforts to player development – especially at the ground level. He, too, ran the junior program at his home club.
Harvey spent several years serving on the Board of Directors of both the MGA & Golf Manitoba. He was a member of every committee of Golf Manitoba with the exception of one. He believed it was important to fully understand the functioning and purpose of each and every facet of our association. Truly dedicated to the mission, philosophy and spirit of our association, Harvey fulfilled several terms on the Board of Directors and became President of Golf Manitoba in 2009-2011.
A brief synopsis of his busy Golf volunteer life includes:
Non-playing captain at the National level 3 times.
Manitoba representative on the RCGA Provincial Council at the inception of this committee and continued on for several years.(governance, strategic & policy issues affecting all provincial associations).
Golf Canada Governance Committee (Regulatory and structural aspects of the Board of Golf Canada)
Board member of Golf Manitoba with contributions &/or chair of all but 1 committee
President 2009 – 2011
Past President 2012 – 2014
Active volunteer throughout his 30 years with refereeing, starting, scoring, fund raising, player development and advocate.
For 20 years, and to this day, sits on the Board of Directors for the Golf Manitoba Hall of Fame Committee.
Harvey believes that golf is a ‘sport for a lifetime’ and his volunteering has been a ‘lifetime experience’. Having devoted well over 1/3 of his almost 90 years of life, he continues to be a staunch advocate for the sport of Golf in Manitoba & Northwest Ontario.
Without question, Marion & Harvey embrace the ideals of Golf Manitoba’s Mission statement. Their longstanding and dedicated volunteerism attest to those principles. Their goal of introducing more people to our sport, their encouraging and positive attitudes, their humble but enthusiastic participation, leadership, dedication, team work, and lifetime contributions have made the Goehrings the most deserving recipients of the 2024 Distinguished Service Award.
Honoring a Community of Volunteers
In addition to the Goehrings, this year’s awards ceremony celebrated the dedication of twelve outstanding volunteers who have reached significant milestones in their service to Golf Manitoba. These individuals have been recognized for their continuous contributions of 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25+ years of service.
5 YEARS Brad Beghetto Wally Jackson Bo Kampmann Scott Kaler Wayne McLeod Lloyd Pluschow Steve Wallace
20 YEARS Susan Wright-Cassan
25 YEARS Roy Smith 35 YEARS Irv Benne Barbara Hamill Lou Spado
All volunteers were honoured during the 2024 Golf Manitoba Awards presented by AVID GOLF Tuesday, October 29 at St. Charles Country Club.
About the Golf Manitoba Distinguished Service Award
The Golf Manitoba Distinguished Service Award (DSA) recognizes volunteers who have gone above an beyond in making a positive impact on the golf community locally, regionally and/or nationally. The ideal candidate will display qualities of a positive role model to fellow volunteers through leadership, creativity, mentorship, excellent communication skills and dedicated service to the sport of golf and to Golf Manitoba.
About Golf Manitoba – Golf Manitoba is the governing body for golf in the province of Manitoba and North West Ontario. Its mission is to develop, promote, govern and service the sport of golf in Manitoba and North West Ontario for the benefit of all participants.
WATCH | Kartusch & Kuntz named Female & Male Amateur Golfer of the Year
Brian Munz
On behalf of Selection Committee members Clayton Dreger, Jill Hardy, Rob McMillan, Adam Speirs and Ken Wiebe, Golf Manitoba is pleased to recognize the 2024 Amateur Golfer of the Year Award winners.
This year’s recipients were announced on October 29, 2024, at the annual Golf Manitoba Awards presented by AVID GOLF that was held at St. Charles Country Club.
Addison Kartusch of St. Charles Country Club is the 2024 Female Amateur Golfer of the Year.
Kartusch, 18, from Winnipeg, won the Match Play Championship presented by St. Vital Dental Centre, the Diamond Athletic Women’s Amateur Championship and the Junior Girls Championship presented by the Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation. The St. Charles Country Club member also finished T3 at the Canadian Junior Girls Championship and T48 at the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship.
According to available records, Kartusch is the first golfer in Manitoba history to win the Women’s Match Play Championship, Women’s Amateur Championship and Junior Girls Championship in the same season.
With the selection, it is the first time that Kartusch has been recognized as Female Amateur Golfer of the Year.
Braxton Kuntz of Breezy Bend Country Club is the 2024 Male Amateur Golfer of the Year. Kuntz, 20, from Winnipeg, won the Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur Championship and was T2 on the leaderboard at the Elmhurst Invitational. The Breezy Bend Country Club member finished T3 at the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, the NCAA Bryan National Collegiate Championship and at the NCAA Butler University Don Benbow Invitational. He also placed T12 at the NCAA Fighting Illini Spring Collegiate Championship.
Kuntz is the first player in Manitoba history to win the Men’s Amateur Championship in four consecutive years (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024) surpassing the previous record of three consecutive years held by Todd Fanning (1990, 1991, 1992) and R.J Reith (1935, 1936, 1937). He was also the first player to win both the Junior Boys Championship and Men’s Amateur Championship in back-to-back seasons (2021 and 2022).
With the selection, it is the fourth time in as many years that Kuntz has been named Male Amateur Golfer of the Year (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024).
About the Golf Manitoba Amateur Golfer of the Year Award – The Manitoba Amateur Golfer of the Year award recognizes outstanding performance by Manitoba golfers in all levels of competition with the first award presented in 1975. In 2015, the award was re-established to include both a female and male category.
For a complete list of all previous winners, click here.
About AVID GOLF – Located at 1580 Taylor Avenue in Winnipeg, Manitoba, AVID GOLF houses 6 indoor simulators using Foresight Sports technology, has an indoor putting green and a bar and lounge. AVID GOLF caters to both serious and recreational golfers in addition to providing a social venue for people looking for a fun and interactive experience. About Golf Manitoba – Golf Manitoba is the governing body for golf in the province of Manitoba and Northwest Ontario. Its mission is to develop, promote, govern and service the sport of golf for the benefit of all participants.
Gladstone Golf & Country Club makes impact with First Tee Prairies program
In August 2023, the small town of Gladstone, Manitoba joined forces with the newly launched First Tee – Prairies program to create more accessible pathways to junior golf and make a positive impact on youth in their community.
Ivan Milne, the president of Gladstone Golf and Country Club, recognized the potential of First Tee – Prairies programming and was a huge part of bringing this initiative to life.
“I’ve always loved golf, and when I saw First Tee was coming to Canada, I knew it was something our community needed and could benefit from,” Milne shared.
The Westlake – Gladstone area has a population of 3,100 and faces unique challenges such as limited access to organized sports, proper equipment, and certified coaches.
That is where First Tee – Prairies stepped in.
There are currently six schools, Austin Elementary, Langruth Elementary, Plumas Elementary, Isaac Beaulieu Memorial School, Gladstone Elementary, and William Morton Collegiate, delivering First Tee – Prairies programming to students through their physical education curriculum.
First Tee – Prairies provides online training for teachers, necessary equipment and turnkey lesson plans to deliver programming, all at no cost to the schools or participants.
Additionally, in Sandy Bay Ojibway First Nation, Recreational Director and First Tee – Prairies coach, Jesse Spence, has witnessed firsthand the positive impact First Tee has made on the community.
“Being a part of this program is so rewarding,” said Spence. “Without First Tee, many kids would not be exposed to golf or think of golf as a sport for them. My goal is to introduce them to golf here at school and make it fun and inviting so that they want to try it again.”
Sandy Bay’s Councillor, Jason Starr, and Educational Director, Rene Roulette have also helped grow the program within Sandy Bay.
In addition to Spence, four other dedicated coaches from the Westlake – Gladstone area including Darcy Zairwney, Mirv Spence, Morris Pelletier and Jason Lucas attended First Tee coach training administered by the PGA of Canada this spring.
“This is different than your regular junior golf program, it’s bigger than golf,” said coach Zairwney. “Each lesson plan integrates valuable life lessons learned through golf. We discuss the value of honesty when teaching them about scoring, perseverance after you hit a bad shot, self-confidence to believe you can sink that putt, the importance of respect and etiquette on the course, and more.”
Gladstone Golf and Country Club offers registered on-course programming and field trips for local schools and community organizations.
“We hope that many children can call First Tee – Prairies and Gladstone Golf Club home,” said Milne. “We want to ensure that kids from all backgrounds feel welcome here and find a sense of comfort on the course.”
First Tee came to Canada in 2021 and is Golf Canada’s youth development program that provides life-enhancing experiences through golf to children from all backgrounds. First Tee – Prairies is one of six chapters operating programming in its respective regions across the country.
Although newer to the Prairies, First Tee has engaged over 30,000 youth with free golf programming since last summer, across nearly 40 program locations in Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
This is only the beginning of a lasting impact First Tee – Prairies aims to have on this community.
“Who knows, the next Brooke Henderson or Corey Conners may come out of Gladstone,” said Milne. “If not, hopefully we created a golfer for life, or at the very least provided a positive impact on a child’s development through the sport we love.”
The growth of First Tee across the Prairies is made possible by a network of generous individuals and corporations who champion youth. If you are interested in donating to help First Tee – Prairies’ mission, please click here.
Braxton Kuntz of Winnipeg has been selected to the 2025 Team Canada – NextGen program. The announcement was made earlier today when Golf Canada announced it’s 2025 Team Canada roster. The Breezy Bend Country Club member and four-time Manitoba Men’s Amateur Champion and Team Manitoba Alumni is one of only ten male athletes selected from across the country to join the program. Kuntz is currently in his senior year at Ball State University as member of the Cardinal Men’s Golf team.
Golf Canada’s National Team program supports a group of experienced amateurs on the path towards playing professional golf along with a group of young professional golfers building their careers as touring pros. The program provides individualized training and competition support with a goal to help advance 30 Canadian athletes to the LPGA and PGA TOUR by 2032.
For more information about the 2025 Team Canada announcement, please click here.
SCORING UPDATES | Manitobans at college / university
Brian Munz
Golf Manitoba is proud to keep you updated on amateur golfers from our region who are on the course while attending post secondary educational facilities.
Oct 17 – Noah Fiks (Bel Acres Golf & Country Club / Central Christian College of Kansas) carded rounds of 71, 76 and 75 at the Chicken Express Classic at Plainview Country Club in Plainview, Texas. Finished T24. Final leaderboard.
Oct 16 – Hayden Delaloye (Neepawa Golf & Country Club / Southeast Community College) carded rounds of 78 and 75 at the Eagle Fall Classic at Amana Colonies Golf Club in Amana, Iowa. Finished T9. Final leaderboard.
Oct 16 – Braxton Kuntz (Breezy Bend Country Club / Ball State University) carded rounds of 74, 74 and 68 at the Everett Buick GMC Classic at Chenal Country Club in Madison, Wisconsin. Finished T20. Final leaderboard.
Oct 7 – The Canada West Golf Championship took place on the Bear Course at Okanagan Golf Club in Kelowna, B.C. The University of Manitoba Bisons finished 7th. Click on the final leaderboard for the individual scores of Rory Neill, Tyler Polanski, Eric Prokopowich, Trent Robertson and Jack Rudick.
Oct 4 – Hayden Delaloye (Neepawa Golf & Country Club / Southeast Community College) carded rounds of 79 and 77 in the Nebraska Intercollegiate Championship at Lochland Country Club in Hastings, Nebraska. Finished T31. Final leaderboard.
Oct 1 – Crystal Zamzow (Swan River Golf & Country Club / Cumberland University) carded rounds of 86, 79, 76 in the Carey Collegiate Championship at the Canebrake Country Club in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Finished T39. Final leaderboard.
Oct 1 – Cala Korman (Golf Manitoba Public Players Club / Weber State University) carded rounds of 71, 75, 74 in the SeattleU Pat Lesser Harbottle Invitational at the Tacoma Country & Golf Club in Tacoma, Washington. Finished T28. Final leaderboard.
Oct 1 – Braxton Kuntz (Breezy Bend Country Club / Ball State University) carded rounds of 77, 71, 78 in the Badger Invitational at University Ridge Golf Course in Madison, Wisconsin. Finished T53. Final leaderboard.
Sept 24 – Cala Korman (Golf Manitoba Public Players Club / Weber State University) carded a 2-over par 74 in second round of the Eagle Invitational at Circling Raven Golf Club in Worley, Idaho. Final leaderboard.
Sept 24 – Crystal Zamzow (Swan River Golf & Country Club / Cumberland University) carded a 12-over par 83 in the final round of The Invite at Innisbrook in Palm Harbour, Florida. Finished T11. Final leaderboard.
Sept 23 – Crystal Zamzow (Swan River Golf & Country Club / Cumberland University) carded a 3-under par 68 in the opening round and even par 71 in the second round of The Invite at Innisbrook in Palm Harbour, Florida. Live leaderboard.
Sept 23 – Cala Korman (Golf Manitoba Public Players Club / Weber State University) carded a 2-over par 74 in opening round of the Eagle Invitational at Circling Raven Golf Club in Worley, Idaho. Live leaderboard.
Sept 23 – Braxton Kuntz (Breezy Bend Country Club / Ball State University) carded a 1-over par 73 in the opening round and a 6-over par 78 in the second round of the Purdue Fall Invite at the Kampen Course in West Lafayette, Indiana. Live leaderboard.
Sept 17 – Cala Korman (Golf Manitoba Public Players Club / Weber State University) carded a 2-under par 70 in the second round of the Kelsey Chugg Invitational at Wolf Creek Golf Club in Eden, Utah. Finished T2. Final leaderboard.
Sept 17 – Jacob Taweel (Elmhurst Golf & Country Club / Morningside University) carded a 1-over par 72 in the opening round of the Northwest Iowa National Invitational at Willow Creek Golf Course in Le Mars, Iowa. Live leaderboard.
Sept 16 – Cala Korman (Golf Manitoba Public Players Club / Weber State University) carded a 3-over par 75 in the first round of the Kelsey Chugg Invitational at Wolf Creek Golf Club in Eden, Utah. Live leaderboard.
Sept 10 – Jacob Taweel (Elmhurst Golf & Country Club / Morningside University) carded rounds of 73, 74 and 76 at the Siouxland Invitational at Landsmeer Golf Club in Orange City, Iowa. Finished T22. Full leaderboard.
Sept 10 – Zostrianos Giordani-Gross (Shilo Country Club / Miles College) carded a 76 and 72 in the 36 hole Full Moon Invitational at Timberline Golf Club in Calera, Alabama. Finished T15.
Sept 10 – Crystal Zamzow (Swan River Golf & Country Club / Cumberland University) carded a 8-over par 80 in the final round of the Rohrman Invitational at the Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex in West Lafeyette, Indiana. Finished T15. Full leaderboard
Sept 10 – Braxton Kuntz (Breezy Bend Country Club / Ball State University) carded a 2-under par 70 in the final round of the NCAA Division 1 Bryan National Collegiate Championship at The Bryan Park and Golf Club in Browns Summit, North Carolina. Finished T3. Full leaderboard
Sept 9 – Crystal Zamzow (Swan River Golf & Country Club / Cumberland University) carded a 7-over par 79 in the opening round and a 12-over par 84 in the second round of the Rohrman Invitational at the Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex in West Lafeyette, Indiana. Full leaderboard
Sept 9 – Braxton Kuntz (Breezy Bend Country Club / Ball State University) carded a 3-under par 69 in the second round of the NCAA Division 1 Bryan National Collegiate Championship at The Bryan Park and Golf Club in Browns Summit, North Carolina. Full leaderboard
Sept 8 – Braxton Kuntz (Breezy Bend Country Club / Ball State University) carded a 1-under par 71 in the opening round of the NCAA Division 1 Bryan National Collegiate Championship at The Bryan Park and Golf Club in Browns Summit, North Carolina. Full leaderboard
* If you have information on players not listed, please email Golf Manitoba Director of Communications & Development Brian Munz at brian@golfmb.ca.
Golf Manitoba, in association with Golf Canada, is pleased to welcome Deer Ridge Golf Course as our newest member club.
Located just north of Brandon along Highway #1, this locally owned and operated 9 hole course can be played from two sets of tee boxes ranging from 2,563 to 2,766 yards.
Deer Ridge Golf Course features a driving range, chipping green and putting green. The fully licensed clubhouse is available to host fundraisers, weddings and corporate gatherings.
As an official Golf Manitoba / Canada member club, all rounds played at Deer Ridge Golf Course are acceptable for handicap purposes and may be recorded toward establishing or maintaining an official Golf Canada Handicap Index.
To reserve a tee time or for more information, call the proshop at (204) 726-1545 or click here for their website.
Golf Manitoba Director of Communications & Development Brian Munz in conversation with Kaleb Lambert (Elmhurst Golf & Country Club / Barton Community College) following his first victory this week. Lambert carded rounds of 68, 70 and 67 at the Barton Invitational at Rolling Meadows Golf Club in Milford, Kansas.
Larters at St. Andrews Golf & Country Club wins RBC PGA Scramble National Final at Cabot Cape Breton
(courtesy PGA of Canada)
The team comprised of PGA of Canada professional Devon Schade and amateurs Ethan Hunter, Kayle Tosh, William Middleton and Tanner Chamberlin, who originally qualified from Larters at St. Andrews Golf & Country Club were dominant the past three days at Cabot Cape Breton, firing net -64.1 (gross rounds of 58-55-56) to win by 4.1 strokes over the team from Niagara National Golf Club at the RBC PGA Scramble National Final.
With the win, the full team wins special Cabot Cape Breton RBC PGA Scramble headcovers produced by Dormie, as well as a trip to the 2025 RBC Canadian Open at TPC Toronto.
Bob Weeks introduced the champions at the trophy ceremony where PGA professional Schade – who was referred to by his team as “Shadow” throughout the week – got on the microphone.
“The staff here at Cabot, and the course, as well as the whole event were just top notch,” said Schade. “Huge thanks to RBC, adidas and Michelob for making everything happen this week.”
The runner-up was the team from Niagara National Golf & Country Club which included PGA of Canada professional Keaton Jones and amateurs Ryan Nagy, Mike Formica, Shane Belanger and Mike Maloney, while the team from Pinegrove Country Club featuring PGA of Canada professional Louis-Alexandre Pitre and amateurs Luc Guevremont, Laurence Guevremont, Amelia Guevremont and Charles Guevremont rounded out the top 3.
For the second-straight day, the roar of a team who made an ace could be heard across the property. Darcy Myers of Cooke Municipal Golf Course in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan made an ace on the 7th hole of the Links.
In total, the 2024 RBC PGA Scramble featured over 12,000 players from across the country looking to earn a spot at Cabot Cape Breton at over 180 local qualifiers hosted by PGA of Canada professionals. The tournament also set a record with over 1,200 women participants.
If you are an amateur player with a Golf Canada handicap, we hope to see you at a local qualifier in 2025.
