Veronica Vetesnik & Allan McDonald Take First Provincial Titles of 2020
It was another perfect day at Bel Acres Golf & Country Club for the third and final rounds of the 2020 Diamond Athletic Women’s Amateur & Men’s Mid-Amateur Championships.
In the Women’s Amateur Championship, Veronica Vetesnik of the Kingswood Golf & Country Club protected her second round lead to hold off Bobbi Uhl of Shilo Country Club to win the event by a single shot. Uhl managed to pull even with Vetesnik after the first nine holes, but Vetesnik held her ground with a steady back nine carding a final round of 77. Uhl finished alone in second and also posting a 77. Marisa Naylor, who started the round tied for second, finished with a final round of 7-over par 80 to finish alone in third. Defending champion Greer Valaquenta finished in fourth after a final round score of 85.
Allan McDonald, 2020 Diamond Athletic Men’s Mid-Amateur Champion
On the men’s side, Allan McDonald of the Breezy Bend Country Club is your 2020 Men’s Mid-Amateur Champion. Allan McDonald, who started the day 2 shots back of second round leader and clubmate Justin McDonald, fired a final round of 1-over par 73 to finish at 219 for the 54-hole event. Justin McDonald and Eric Johnson, the 2019 defending champion and also of Breezy Bend, both tied for second at 224.
Mike Tibbs of Breezy Bend won the Mid-Masters (40+) division shooting 225 for the event assisted by a final round of 73.
Golf Manitoba would like to thank our event title sponsor, Gerald Diamond and Diamond Athletic Medical Supplies for their incredible support of these two events! Thank you!
Golf Manitoba also wishes to extend a sincere thank you to membership, management and staff of the Bel Acres Golf & Country Club including PGA of Canada Head Professional, Robin Henderson and Head Superintendent, David Linstead. A special thank you also to all the competitors who helped make this another great event!
Veronica Vetesnik and Justin McDonald Take Second Round Lead
It was near perfect conditions for round two of the Diamond Athletic Women’s Amateur & Men’s Mid-Amateur Championships at the Bel Acres Golf & Country Club.
Veronica Vetesnik of the Kingswood Golf & Country Club will take a one shot lead into the final round of Women’s Amateur. Vetesnik shot a 4-over par round of 77 to sit at 152 for the event. First round leader Bobbi Uhl of Shilo Country Club is tied with Marissa Naylor of Pine Ridge for second place at 153. Defending champion Greer Valaquenta made the move of the day moving up into fourth place after shooting a 2-over par 75.
On the men’s side, Justin McDonald of Breezy Bend holds the 36-hole lead after shooting a 2-over par 74 in the Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship. McDonald sits two clear of clubmate Jesse Skelton who posted an even-par round of 72. Moving into a tie for third place at 146 is Curtis Markusson of St. Charles Country Club and Allan McDonald of Breezy Bend.
Bobbi Uhl and Justin McDonald Take First Round Lead
The first round of the 2020 Diamond Athletic Women’s Amateur & Men’s Mid-Amateur Championships is complete with the 54-hole events being contested at the Bel Acres Golf & Country Club. Bobbi Uhl, the 2020 Women’s Match Play Champion, is the first round leader in the women’s event fashioning a 1-over par round of 74. Uhl, who plays out of the Shilo Country Club, sits one clear of Veronica Vetesnik of the Kingswood Golf & Country Club who opened with a 75. 2017 champion Marissa Naylor of the Pine Ridge Golf Club is two back after an opening round 76. Defending champion Greer Valaquenta of Southwood Golf & Country Club is just 5 shots back after an opening round 79.
In the opening round of the Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship, it was Justin McDonald of the Breezy Bend Country Club who set the early pace posting a tidy 3-under par 69 to sit two clear of clubmate Allan McDonald who opened at 71. Sitting in a tie for third, and all from Breezy Bend, is 2019 defending champion Eric Johnson, Mike Tibbs and Jesse Skelton.
Golf Manitoba (Winnipeg) – The 2020 Diamond Athletic Women’s Amateur & Men’s Mid-Amateur Championships are set to go July 6-8 at the Bel Acres Golf & Country Club. These are the first two provincial championships of the 2020 Golf Manitoba event season.
WOMEN’S AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP INFORMATION
Greer Valaquenta
Dates: July 6-8
Course: Bel Acres Golf & Country Club
Yards/Par: 5,865 yards/73
Field: 21
2019 Champion: Greer Valaquenta, Southwood Golf & Country Club
2019 Runner-up: Hannah Diamond, St. Charles Country Club
Format: 54 holes of stroke play
Awards/Placing: Prizes will be awarded to the 1st, 2nd & 3rd lowest competitors.
MEN’S MID-AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP INFORMATION
Eric Johnson
Dates: July 6-8
Course: Bel Acres Golf & Country Club
Yards/Par: 6.975 yards/72
Field: 60
2019 Champion: Eric Johnson, Breezy Bend Country Club
2019 Runner-up: Todd Fanning, Niakwa Country Club
Format: 54 holes of stroke play
Awards/Placing: Prizes will be awarded to the 1st, 2nd & 3rd lowest competitors. First place also to Mid-Masters Champion (age 40+)
LOOKING BACK
Greer Valaquenta of Southwood Golf & Country Club won the 2019 Diamond Athletic Women’s Amateur Championship. Valaquenta played steady golf over three days on rounds of 73-78-75 for a 3 shot victory over Hannah Diamond of St. Charles Country Club. Finishing in third place and just four shots back was Marissa Naylor of Pine Ridge Golf Club.
It took extra holes for Eric Johnson to win the 2019 Diamond Athletic Men’s Mid-Amateur Champion. Johnson, who plays out of Breezy Bend County Club, made a par on the first hole of a sudden death playoff to beat Todd Fanning of the Niawka Country Club. Johnson fired a final round 69 for a three day total of 208. Fanning shot a final round of 68 to also finish at 208 to earn a spot in the playoff against Johnson. Mike Tibbs of Breezy Bend finished alone in third place shooting a final day round of 72 to finish two shots back at 210.
The top three players will place in the Women’s Amateur Championship. The top three players will place in the Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship in addition to the winner in the Mid-Masters (40+) division.
Korman and Sanderson top junior bantams, Valaquenta captures City & District title
Cala Korman, 2020 Junior Women's Bantam Champion
Portage la Prairie – The 2020 Junior Bantam Championship presented by the Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation and the City & District Championship, both concluded on Sunday, June 28th at the Portage Golf Club in Portage la Prairie.
In the junior women’s bantam event, Cala Korman of the Killarney Lakeside Golf Club took the top spot overall with a 36-hole score of 161 on rounds of 79-82. Finishing in solo second, was Cyrstal Zamzow of Swan River Golf & Country Club who shot a two-day score of 172. Jeri Lafleche of Clear Lake Golf Club rounded out the top three with a two-day score of 188.
In the 12 & under junior women’s division, Jewel Lafleche of the Clear Lake Golf Course finished in first while her older sister Jeri Lafleche, took top honours in the 13 & 14 year division.
Mack Sanderson, 2020 Junior Men’s Bantam Champion
In the junior boys overall championship, it took extra holes for Mack Sanderson of the Pheasant Glen Golf Resort to earn the victory. Sanderson made a two-putt par on the second hole of a sudden death playoff to beat Jackson Delaurier of the Dauphin Lake Golf Club. Both Sanderson and Delaurier shot a two-day score of 156. Finishing in third place and just two shots shy of the playoff was Austin Boge of the Pine Ridge Golf Club.
In the 12 & under boys division, Brayden Boge of Pine Ridge Golf Club shot a score of 163 and taking first place. In the 13 & 14 division, a three-way tie for first at 158 was broken by a countback giving Austin Boge the win.
For complete junior bantam results, click here >>.
Greer Valaquenta, 2020 City & District Champion
In the women’s City & District Championship, Greer Valquenta of the Southwood Golf & Country Club was the lone player to finish the two day event below par thereby helping her to her first City & District Championship title. Valquenta shot rounds of 71 & 76 for a 1-under par finish. The 2019 and 2018 Defending champion Charmain Mackid of the Breezy Bend Country Club and Marissa Naylor of the Pine Ridge Golf Club finished in a two-way tie for second at 162.
A new forward tee division was added to this event for 2020. Taking the inaugural top spot in that division was Kathy Adams who plays out of the Carman Golf & Curling Club.
For complete City & District results, click here >>.
Golf Manitoba would like to thank the membership and staff of the Portage Golf Club and general manager and PGA of Canada head professional Deb Pritchard, and superintendent Farrol Asham, for hosting this year’s championship. And a very special thanks to our presenting sponsor, the
Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation for their tremendous support of our junior bantam championship! Last but not least, thank you to all the players who participated and helped to make these two events a success!
The 2020 Match Play Championship concluded on Sunday, June 21 at the historic St. Charles Country Club. After a cool and cloudy day, the skies opened up just enough for the trophy presentation for the first official event on the Golf Manitoba championship schedule.
In the amateur women’s division final, it was a rematch from the 2019 final with Bobbi Uhl of Shilo Country Club taking on Hannah Diamond of St. Charles Country Club. It was Uhl’s turn to hoist the trophy with a 5 & 4 win preventing Diamond from taking her third straight match play championship. It was the first match play victory for Uhl who plays collegiate golf for Longwood University in Farmville, Virginia.
In the senior men’s division, Southwood Golf & Country Club’s Gordon Hudson squared off against Carl Lechman of Elmhurst in the 18-hole final. Lechman had his irons dialed in all day defeating Hudson on the 13th hole for a 6 & 5 victory. It was the first senior match play title for Lechman who also won the amateur men’s division back in 1990.
On the amateur men’s side, Austin Dobrescu, the number 2 seed heading into the championship matches, faced off against number 17 seed Jack Werhun of the Elmhurst Golf & Country Club. After a back-and-forth match, Dobrescu closed out the day on the 34th hole with a 4 & 2 victory good for his second straight match play title.
Golf Manitoba would like to express our sincere thanks to our 2020 Match Play Championship hosts for providing exceptional venues for this year competition. Special thanks to the membership and staff of Winkler Centennial Golf Club and Greg Hesom, PGA of Canada Head Professional and General Manager. Thank you also to the membership and staff of St. Charles Country Club and PGA of Canada Head Professional, Cory Kartusch, General Manager, Cameron Gray and Head Superintendent, Braydon Gilbert.
The semi-final matches are now set for the 2020 Match Play Championships. After quarter final action on Sunday, June 14, Austin Dobrescu of the Shilo Country Club in the men’s division, Hannah Diamond of St. Charles Country Club in the women’s division and Garth Collings of Breezy Bend Country Club in the senior men’s division will all move on to defend their 2019 titles in the next round that will take place on Saturday, June 20.
Presenting Sponsor Announced for Manitoba Junior Championships
WINNIPEG – Golf Manitoba is excited to announce a new presenting sponsor for the July 12-14, 2020 Manitoba junior women’s and junior men’s provincial golf championships to be contested at Selkirk Golf & Country Club. Starting this year, this annual event will be known as the Manitoba Junior Women’s & Men’s Championships presented by the Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation.
In addition to recognizing the incredible support for Manitoba junior golf provided by the Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation through the re-naming of these events, we are very pleased to announce that there will be funding from the Foundation towards subsidizing event entry fees in 2020 for all competitors. For ages 12 & under athletes, entry fees will be reduced from $140 to $90 and for 13 & older athletes entry fees will be reduced from $185 to $120.
“We wanted to acknowledge and honour Mr. and Mrs. Colonello in the naming of these championships and we cannot think of a better way to recognize the contributions that they both had on our sport and also what the Foundation will mean for the future of junior golf in Manitoba,” said Jared Ladobruk, Executive Director of Golf Manitoba. “The naming of these championships are just one of many ways that their legacy will continue on in our golf community and will be a perpetual reminder of the commitment of the Colonellos to junior golf in Manitoba. Reducing the entry fee for this season is consistent with the spirit of why Mrs. Colonello established the Foundation and that is to increase accessibility and to promote junior golf participation at all levels. We are encouraged that this will help to achieve that outcome.”
Additionally, the Golf Manitoba junior women’s and junior men’s bantam championships will also be re-named the Junior Women’s and Men’s Bantam Championships presented by the Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation. The 2020 championships will be contested June 27 and 28 at the Portage Golf Club. Entry fees will also be subsidized by the Foundation and reduced by $50 per player.
Under the government of Manitoba Restoring Services pandemic and economic recovery strategy, golf has been permitted to operate under enhanced health and safety guidelines. In recognition of these guidelines, all championships, including our junior women’s and men’s events, will operate under strict protocols and conditions of competition to ensure the health and safety of all competitors.
In 2018 at the age of 94, Peggy Colonello established the Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation with a mandate to support junior golf in Manitoba. To support that endeavor, Mrs. Colonello created an endowment of $3 million dollars that will aid in the development of junior golfers through grassroots golf initiatives and high-performance programming. Since 2019, the Foundation has committed $120,000 to junior golf programs including the Future Links Golf in Schools initiative, provincial junior women’s and junior men’s team development and the University of Manitoba Bisons women’s and men’s golf programs.
Registration for both the junior and bantam championships are now available at golfmb.ca.
For more information:
Jared Ladobruk
Executive Director
Golf Manitoba jared@golfmb.ca
204.291.8032
The bracket for the first round of the 2020 Golf Manitoba Match Play Championship has now been set. The top 32 amateur men, top 16 senior men and the top 8 amateur women from this past weekend’s qualifying event at the Winkler Centennial Golf Course will play their first round matches starting this Friday and Saturday at the St. Charles Country Club.
On the amateur women’s side, 2019 Match Play Champion Hannah Diamond will defend her title on home soil and as the number 7 seed taking on the number 2 seed, Charmaine Mackid of the Breezy Bend Country Club. Bobbi Uhl of Shilo Country Club will start the finals as the number 1 seed taking on Veronica Vetesnik who is playing out of the Kingswood Golf & County Club. The women’s first round opens on Saturday, June 13. View the women’s match play bracket here >>.
On the senior men’s side, 2019 Match Play Champion Garth Collings will open the championship matches as the number 1 seed where he will meet club mate and number 16 seed Brant Greer of Breezy Bend Country Club. View the senior match play bracket here >>. The senior men’s first round also opens on Saturday, June 13.
The amateur men will open the championship matches on Friday, June 12. Number 1 seed Marco Trstenjak of Elmhurst Golf & Country Club will meet number 32 seed Kolby Day of the Wheat City Golf Course. 2019 Match Play Champion Austin Dobrescu of the Shilo Country Club will defend his title as the number 2 seed taking on number 31 seed Jordon McDonald of Breezy Bend Country Club. For the first round match play bracket, click here >>.
The 2020 Golf Manitoba Championship Season will officially open on June 6 & 7 with the Match Play Championship qualifying event. The championship matches will then move to the St. Charles Country Club and will be contested June 12-14 & 20-21.
In addition to the Match Play Championship, most Golf Manitoba events for the month of June and July are currently scheduled to be held and include the following:
Women’s City & District Championship – June 27 & 28 at the Portage Golf Club
Junior Bantam Championship – June 27 & 28 at the Portage Golf Club
Diamond Athletic Men’s Mid-Amateur & Women’s Amateur Championship – July 6-8 at the Bel Acres Golf & Country Club
Junior Men’s & Women’s Championship – July 12-14 at the Selkirk Golf & Country Club
Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur Championship – July 16-19 at the Minnewasta Golf & Country Club and the Glendale Golf & Country Club
Senior Men’s & Women’s Championships – July 27-29 TBA
The Golf Canada NexGen Prairie Championship that was to scheduled for June 12-14 at the Quarry Oaks Golf Course and the Provincial Junior Skills Challenge that was to be held on July 5 at the St. Charles Country Club have both been cancelled. The remaining Golf Manitoba events in August are currently under review as are all 2020 Golf Canada competitions.
A few changes have been added to select Golf Manitoba events in 2020, some that were introduced in response to competitor feedback received in the fall of 2019. The event changes include the following:
The winner of the men’s amateur Match Play Championship will earn an automatic berth into the 2020 Golf Canada Men’s Amateur or Mid-Amateur Championship (should both events be held).
A new “forward tee” division has been added to the Women’s City & District Championship and the Men’s & Women’s Senior Championship.
The final two rounds of the Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur Championship will see a weekend finish concluding on Sunday, July 19 at the Glendale Golf & Country Club.
The Rural Provincial Championship has been suspended for the 2020 season.
All events will be played under new protocols and conditions of competitions developed in coordination with Golf Canada that take into consideration competition under the current state of public health. In addition to following golf protocols as mandated by the provincial government, modifications to the Rules have been made to allow for competition. Additionally, all participants will be required to read and agree to the Golf Manitoba event waiver during the registration process.
For more information and to register for 2020 Golf Manitoba championships, please click HERE.
Golf Manitoba would like to thank the membership and staff of the Portage Golf Club and general manager and PGA of Canada head professional Deb Pritchard, and superintendent Farrol Asham, for hosting this year’s championship. And a very special thanks to our presenting sponsor, the 
