Golf Manitoba announces 2024/25 Board of Directors
Golf Manitoba
The 2024/25 Golf Manitoba Board of Directors was announced at the Golf Manitoba Awards presented by AVID GOLF at St. Charles Country Club. The twelve-member board was elected during the associations 22nd Annual General Meeting that was held on October 29, 2024.
The Board of Directors is comprised of dedicated volunteers from across the Golf Manitoba jurisdiction of Manitoba and Northwest Ontario.
The Board’s duties are to direct the business affairs of the association.
The members of the 2024/25 Golf Manitoba Board of Directors are:
OFFICERS
President: Susan Wright-Cassan, Emerald Greens Golf Course President Elect: Bob Peters, St. Charles Country Club Vice-President:Matthew Simmons, Whitewater Golf Club Past-President:Wayne McWhirter, Southwood Golf & Country Club Treasurer:Janice Rees, Windsor Park Ladies
DIRECTORS
Rob Bell, Breezy Bend Country Club Michael Berney, Delahunt Golf & Country Club John Braun, Pine Ridge Golf Club D’Arcy Lachance, Elmhurst Golf & Country Club Craig Martin, Minnewasta Golf & Country Club Justin Price, Glendale Golf & Country Club Blake Russell, Niakwa Country Club
In addition to the election, Golf Manitoba also released its 2024 Annual Report, which includes a recap of the past season, as well as the Association’s 2023/24 Financial Statements.
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 game of golf for the benefit of all participants.
For more information:
Brian Munz Director of Communications & Development Golf Manitoba brian@golfmb.ca
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.
Harvey and Marion Goehring announced as 2024 Golf Manitoba Distinguished Service Award Recipients
Golf Manitoba
Golf Manitoba is proud to announce Harvey Goehring and the late Marion Goehring as co-recipients of the 2024 Golf Manitoba Distinguished Service Award.
This special recognition will be presented on Tuesday, October 29, during the Golf Manitoba Awards, presented by AVID GOLF, at the St. Charles Country Club in Winnipeg.
Marion & Harvey Goehring
“Harvey and Marion’s contributions are nothing short of extraordinary,” said Susan Wright-Cassan, President of Golf Manitoba. “They not only demonstrated exceptional leadership but also brought a personal commitment that has had a lasting impact on golfers across the province. It’s an honour to celebrate their legacy.”
Honoring a Community of Volunteers
In addition to the Goehrings, this year’s awards ceremony will also celebrate 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
For more information about the 2024 Golf Manitoba Awards presented by AVID GOLF and to join the celebration, please click here.
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.
For more information:
Brian Munz Director of Communications & Development Golf Manitoba (204) 223-1119 brian@golfmb.ca
The annual event recognizes and celebrates all that’s great about the sport of golf in Manitoba and Northwest Ontario – from volunteers to elite performers, teams and milestone achievements including the annual volunteer Distinguished Service Award and the Female and Male Amateur Golfer of the Year awards.
The Golf Manitoba Annual General Meeting will also be held on October 29 and just prior to the start of the Awards banquet. Under Golf Manitoba by-laws, notice of the annual meeting has been sent to all member clubs and leagues via email and to the attention of the Club President & Member Club Representative. All member clubs are invited to RSVP one voting delegate to attend the meeting and to vote on behalf of the club/league.
General admission tickets are now available and can be purchased HERE.
For more information about the Golf Manitoba Awards event presented by AVID GOLF, please contact Golf Manitoba Director of Communications & Development Brian Munz at brian@golfmb.ca.
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.
For more about AVID GOLF including winter league and membership information, visit avidgolf.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 the Golf Manitoba Amateur Golfer of the Year Award – The Golf 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.
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.
Finalists announced for 2024 Female & Male Amateur Golfer of the Year
Brian Munz
Golf Manitoba is pleased to announce the finalists for the 2024 Female and Male Amateur Golfer of the Year Awards.
This year’s female and male award finalists were chosen by the selection committee of former Golf Manitoba Champions Jill Hardy, Rob McMillan and Adam Speirs along with Clayton Dreger of Golden West Radio and Ken Wiebe of the Winnipeg Free Press.
The winners will be announced at the Golf Manitoba Awards presented by AVID GOLF on Tuesday, October 29, 2024 at St. Charles Country Club.
During the awards ceremony, we will also honour the Golf Manitoba Volunteer Distinguished Service Award winner.
The 2024 Female Amateur Golf of the Year Finalists are Charmaine Hayden,Addison Kartusch, Jeri Lafleche and Rhonda Orr.
Charmaine Hayden
Hayden, 47, from Winnipeg, won the Women’s City & District Championship. She finished second in the Diamond Athletic Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship and lost in the semi final of the Match Play Championship presented by St. Vital Dental Centre. The Breezy Bend Country Club member also placed T4 at the Canadian Women’s Mid-Masters Championship, seventh in the Diamond Athletic Women’s Amateur Championship and T11 at the Canadian Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship.
Addison Kartusch
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.
Jeri Lafleche
Lafleche, 17, from Winnipeg, won the NextGen Prairie Championship and Manitoba Summer Games. She finished second in the Match Play Championship presented by St. Vital Dental Centre, the Diamond Athletic Women’s Amateur Championship and Junior Girls Championship presented by the Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation. The Niakwa Country Club member also placed T58 on the leaderboard at the Canadian Junior Girls Championship.
Rhonda Orr
Orr, 63, from Winnipeg, won the Diamond Athletic Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship, Hodson Financial Women’s Senior Championship and Super Senior Championship. She finished sixth in the Diamond Athletic Women’s Amateur Championship and ninth a the the Canadian Women’s Mid-Masters Championship. The Southwood Golf & Country Club member also finished T17 at the Canadian Women’s Super Senior Championship, 22nd at the Canadian Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship and T24 at the Canadian Women’s Senior Championship.
The 2024 Male Amateur Golfer of the Year finalists are Zostrianos Giordani-Gross, Braxton Kuntz, Allan McDonald and Marco Trstenjak.
Zostrianos Giordani-Gross
Giordani-Gross, 18, from Brandon, won the Junior Boys Championship presented by the Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation. The Shilo Country Club member also finished T13 on the leaderboard at the Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur Championship and T56 at the Canadian Junior Boys Championship.
Braxton Kuntz
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.
Allan McDonald
McDonald, 32, from Winnipeg, won the Diamond Athletic Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship. His opening round 10-under par 62 set a new course record at Minnedosa Golf & Country Club. The Breezy Bend Country Club member also finished T6 at the Elmhurst Invitational and T7 in the Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur Championship.
Marco Trstenjak
Trstenjak, 24, from Winnipeg, won the Match Play Championship presented by St. Vital Dental Centre and the Elmhurst Invitational. He finished T7 at the Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur Championship. The Elmhurst Golf & Country Club member also placed T74 on the leaderboard at the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship.
A limited number of general admission tickets are available for purchase until 10am on Monday, October 21st.
Tickets are $25 per person, appetizers and food stations included. To purchase tickets, click here.
About the Golf Manitoba Amateur Golfer of the Year Award – The Golf 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.
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.
For more information:
Brian Munz Director of Communications & Development Golf Manitoba (204) 223-1119 brian@golfmb.ca
Golf Manitoba announces 2023/24 Board of Directors
Brian Munz
The 2023/24 Golf Manitoba Board of Directors was announced at the Golf Manitoba Awards presented by AVID GOLF at the Glendale Golf & Country Club. The twelve-member board was elected during the associations 21st Annual General Meeting.
The Board of Directors is comprised of dedicated volunteers from across the golf community in the Golf Manitoba jurisdiction of Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario.
The Board’s duties are to direct the business affairs of the association.
The members of the 2023/24 Golf Manitoba Board of Directors are:
OFFICERS
President: Susan Wright-Cassan, Emerald Greens Golf Course President Elect: Bob Peters, St. Charles Country Club Vice-President: Matthew Simmons, Whitewater Golf Club Past-President: Wayne McWhirter, Southwood Golf & Country Club Treasurer: Kathy Turner, Breezy Bend Country Club
DIRECTORS
Michael Berney, Delahunt Golf & Country Club John Braun, Pine Ridge Golf Club D’Arcy Lachance, Elmhurst Golf & Country Club Craig Martin, Minnewasta Golf & Country Club Justin Price, Glendale Golf & Country Club Janice Rees, Windsor Park Ladies Fred Smith, Wildewood Golf Club
In addition to the election, Golf Manitoba also released its 2023 Annual Report, which includes a recap of the past season, as well as the association’s 2022/23 Financial Statements.
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 game of golf for the benefit of all participants.
For more information:
Brian Munz Director of Communications Golf Manitoba 204.899.1092 brian@golfmb.ca
Don fell in love with the sport of golf over 40 years when he joined St. Charles Country Club, where he is still an active member today.
Since 2001, Hargot has dedicated over 2000 hours in his primary volunteer role as a member of the course rating team. He has rated 90 courses across Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario.
Don has also volunteered as a pace of play official, tournament starter, and scorer.
He has also volunteered many hours at his home course serving as Club Captain and on the handicap committee.
Through Don’s decades of volunteering he has become a true Golf Manitoba advocate. He is always a friendly face and a positive influence within the volunteer family.
It is with great pleasure that we welcome & congratulate Mr. Don Hargot as our 2023 Distinguished Service Award recipient.
Also recognized were six individuals who reached milestone volunteer anniversaries with Golf Manitoba.
5 YEARS Marissa Naylor
10 YEARS Rick Kaye Wayne McWhirter
15 YEARS Jim Gosman 20 YEARS Bill Barbaza
30 YEARS Harvey Goehring
For more information about volunteering with Golf Manitoba, please visit golfmb.ca/volunteering.
