Golf Manitoba Director of Communications Brian Munz goes 1on1 with the new Head Professional at Glendale Golf & Country Club, Derrik Goodwin.

The PGA of Canada has announced the finalists for its 2021 National Awards.

“We are blessed to have a family of over 3,600 professionals who proudly share their passion and expertise with golfers from coast-to-coast,” said Teejay Alderdice, the association’s president. 

“On behalf of the PGA of Canada, I would like to congratulate all nominees and finalists for their outstanding accomplishments this year. I look forward to celebrating their collective achievements later this month during our virtual National Awards Ceremony.”

Golf Manitoba junior development team coaches Bri-ann Tokariwski and Derrik Goodwin have both been nominated for national awards. Tokariwski, who is an assistant professional out of the Elmhurst Golf & Country Club, has been nominated for the Moe Norman Apprentice of the Year award. Goodwin, the head professional at the Glendale Golf & Country Club, has been nominated for both the Jack McLaughlin Junior Leader of the Year and the George Knudson Teacher of the Year awards.

Five PGA of Canada Manitoba Zone members have also been nominated for awards and include the following:

• Murray Tucker Club Professional of the Year: James Chapman, Glendale Golf & Country Club
• Dick Munn Executive Professional of the Year: Al Scott, Falcon Lake Golf Course
• Ben Kern Coach of the Year: Derek Ingram, Golf Canada
• Pat Fletcher Retailer of the Year: Kris Ehnes, Breezy Bend Country Club
• Stan Leonard Class “A” Professional of the Year: Jeremy Gallant, St. Charles Country Club

Each year, a National Selection Committee evaluates nominations from professionals across Canada. Winners for each national award are traditionally recognized during PGA of Canada Night at the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, Fla., however, this year will see winners revealed live during the association’s virtual National Award Ceremony on January 27, 2022. 

Aaron Cockerill shot rounds of 69 and 70 to finish T12 at the 2021 DP World Tour Joburg Open being played at the Randpark Golf Club in Johannesburg, South Africa.  Due to increasingly inclement weather in the region, the third and fourth rounds of the event were cancelled.

With the finish, Cockrill earned $12,144 euros and 20.61 points toward the DP World Tour Rankings where he sits in 9th position.

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The DP World Tour Rankings is a season-long competition to crown the European Tour’s Number One player.

Celebrating the global connectivity of Dubai and the European Tour, the list of champions since 2009 reads like a who’s who of modern-era greats, including three-time winner Rory McIlroy and Henrik Stenson with two titles, as well as Tommy Fleetwood, Martin Kaymer, Luke Donald, Lee Westwood and most recently Collin Morikawa.

Michelle Lee is the sixteenth recipient of the volunteer Distinguished Service Award.

Michelle’s volunteerism with golf first began serving as a district representative with the Manitoba Ladies’ Golf Association. In this role, Michelle would visit and advocate for the MLGA with member clubs inside the district.  She also ran the district “Bronze Tournament” where she met numerous women golfers from around the city.  Michelle remained a volunteer of the MLGA until the amalgamation with the Manitoba Golf Association in 2003.

In 2004, Michelle joined the Board of Golf Manitoba where she completed a full 10-year term. During that time, Michelle was very active taking on numerous volunteer roles including the following:

• 2005 – Present: Starter/Scorer/Pace of Play Official
• 2006 – 2010: Marketing Committee
• 2007 – Chair of Membership Committee
• 2007 – 2008: Volunteer Committee
• 2009 – Chair of the Volunteer committee
• 2010 – Chair of Tournament Committee / Co-chair Medical at CN Canadian Women’s Open
• 2013 – Chair Volunteer Committee / Nominating Committee member
• 2013 – Present: Tournament Committee

Of special note in 2007/2008, Michelle assisted Volunteer Committee Chair Bonnie Stephenson in establishing the inaugural Golf Manitoba volunteer Distinguished Service Award.

In addition to her volunteerism with Golf Manitoba, Michelle also volunteered at St. Charles Country Club, her home course.   She joined the Board of St. Charles where she completed three full terms holding the following appointments:

• Chair of Play & Rules
• Honorary Secretary
• Communications Chair
• Membership Committee member
• LRP Committee
• Member of the Ladies Invitational committee (Rossbrook House)
• Member of the Ladies Mackenzie Gathering committee

Michelle continues to sit as a member of the St. Charles Ladies Executive serving as the Communications Chair.

“I feel that I have gained more than I have given as a volunteer to Golf Manitoba,” said Lee. “It is humbling and amazing to be part of a group of distinguished service recipients who have mentored me in the past and who have trained me, and they have inspired me to continue on as a Golf Manitoba volunteer.  My deepest gratitude for the nomination and I am humbled and honored to receive this award.”

“On behalf of the Board of Directors and our entire Golf Manitoba volunteer family, it is my great pleasure and honour to recognize Michelle Lee of the St. Charles Country Club as the 2021 Distinguished Service Award recipient,” said Wayne McWhirter, President of Golf Manitoba.  “Michelle’s leadership and contributions to the sport of amateur golf during her many years of service are admirable and very worthy of this award.  Thank you, Michelle, for all that you have given.”

Golf Manitoba is very pleased to honour Michelle Lee as the volunteer Distinguished Service Award recipient for 2021.

Manitoba’s Aaron Cockerill fired a final round of 3-over par 75 to finish in an 8-way tie for 26th place at the Mallorca Golf Open. Cockerill, who started the day alone in 10th position, put together a round that included 5 bogeys, 2 birdies and 11 pars. The finish is projected to move Cockerill up one spot to a 153rd place in the European Tour’s Race to Dubai standings.

Denmark’s Jeff Winther took top spot in the event posting a final round of even par 70 good enough for a one stroke victory over Pep Angles of Spain.

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Cockerill’s next event is the Portugal Masters November 4-7, being played at the Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course in Vilamoura, Portugal.

Manitoba’s Aaron Cockerill will start the final round of the European Tour’s Mallorca Golf Open in 10th place after posting a 2-under par round of 68.

Cockerill’s round included four birdies and two bogeys for his second straight 68 of the championship. Cockerill, the only Canadian with full time status on the European Tour, currently sits in 154th position for the Race to Dubai season ending championship. Cockerill’s best finish of the 2021 European Tour season is a T17 at the D + D Real Czech Masters in late August.

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Final round coverage will start at 6am CST and is available on the Golf Channel.