Following the Golf Manitoba Awards presented by AVID GOLF at Glendale Golf & Country Club, AVID GOLF Founder & CEO Luc Bohunicky spoke about last night’s event and their connection in the golf community.
For more information about AVID GOLF, click here.
Braxton Kuntz of Breezy Bend Country Club talks with Golf Manitoba Director of Communications Brian Munz about being named the 2023 Male Amateur Golfer of the Year.
Kuntz was unable to attend in person as he continues his studies at Ball State University in Indiana.
Following Wednesday night’s Golf Manitoba Awards presented by AVID GOLF at Glendale Golf & Country Club, Rhonda Orr of Southwood Golf & Country Club met with the media to talk about this year’s honour.
On behalf of Selection Committee members Clayton Dreger, Jill Hardy, Adam Speirs and Ken Wiebe, Golf Manitoba is pleased to recognize the 2023 Amateur Golfer of the Year Award winners.
This year’s recipients were announced on October 25, 2023, at the annual Golf Manitoba Awards presented by AVID GOLF that was held at the Glendale Golf & Country Club.
Rhonda Orr of Southwood Golf & Country Club is the 2023 Female Amateur Golfer of the Year.
Orr, 62, from Winnipeg, won the Hodson Financial Women’s Senior Championship and Super Senior Championship. She finished third in the Diamond Athletic Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship, fourth at the British Columbia Women’s Senior Championship, T7 at the Canadian Women’s Senior Championship and ninth at the Diamond Athletic Women’s Amateur Championship. The Southwood Golf & Country Club member also qualified for the U.S. Senior Women’s Open.
Orr has won the last eight consecutive and 10 of the last 11 Hodson Financial Women’s Senior Championships. With the selection, it is the fifth time that Orr has been recognized as Female Amateur Golfer of the Year (2016, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023).
Braxton Kuntz of Breezy Bend Country Club is the 2023 Male Amateur Golfer of the Year.
Kuntz, 19, from Winnipeg, won the Manitoba Match Play Championship presented by St. Vital Dental Centre and the Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur Championship. Representing Nicholls State University (NCAA) south of the border he placed fourth in the Gulf Coast Collegiate Championship, T6 at the Colin Montgomerie Invitational and T7 at the Tunica National Intercollegiate Championship. The Breezy Bend Country Club member was also T8 at the Elmhurst Invitational and T9 at the Glencoe Invitational.
Kuntz was the first player in Manitoba to win both the Manitoba Junior and Men’s Amateur Championship in back-to-back seasons (2021 and 2022). He is also just the third player to have won the Men’s Amateur Championship in three consecutive years (Todd Fanning 1990, 91, 92 and R.J Reith 1935, 36, 37).
With the selection, it is the third time in as many years that Kuntz has been named Male Amateur Golfer of the Year (2021, 2022, 2023).
Kuntz was unavailable to attend the awards banquet in person as he is currently in his junior year at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana.
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.
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.
Golf Manitoba is pleased to announce the finalists for the 2023 Female and Male Amateur Golfer of the Year Awards.
This year’s female and male award finalists were chosen by the selection committee of Clayton Dreger of Golden West Radio, Ken Wiebe of the Winnipeg Free Press as well as former Golf Manitoba Junior and Amateur Champions Jill Hardy and Adam Speirs.
The winners will be announced at the Golf Manitoba Awards presented by AVID GOLF on Wednesday, October 25, 2023 at the Glendale Golf & Country Country Club.
The 2023 Female Amateur Golf of the Year Finalists are Addison Kartusch, Cala Korman, Jeri Lafleche and Rhonda Orr.
Kartusch, 17, from Winnipeg, won the Manitoba Match Play Championship presented by St. Vital Dental Centre and the Women’s City & District Championship. She finished second in the Junior Division of the Elmhurst Invitational, third at the Golf Canada NextGen Prairie Championship and fourth in the Junior Girls Championship presented by the Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation. The St. Charles Country Club member also placed seventh in the Diamond Athletic Women’s Amateur Championship, 31st in the Juvenile Division of the Canadian Junior Girls Championship and T42 in the Canadian Junior Girls Championship.
Korman, 18, from Killarney, won the Golf Canada NextGen Prairie Championship at the Evergreen Golf Course in Nipawin, Saskatchewan. She finished second in the Diamond Athletic Women’s Amateur Championship and third in the Junior Girls Championship presented by the Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation. The Golf Manitoba Public Player member also placed T35 on the leaderboard at the Canadian Junior Girls Championship and 78th at the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship.
Lafleche, 16, from Winnipeg, won the Diamond Athletic Women’s Amateur Championship, finished second at the Junior Girls Championship presented by the Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation, third in the Junior Girls Division at the Elmhurst Invitational and was a semi finalist in the Championship Flight of the Manitoba Match Play Championship presented by St. Vital Dental Centre. The Clear Lake Golf Course member also completed the Canadian Junior Girls Championship T32 on the leaderboard in the Juvenile Division and T46 in the overall championship.
Orr, 62, from Winnipeg, won the Hodson Financial Women’s Senior Championship and Super Senior Championship. She finished third in the Mid-Amateur Championship of the Diamond Athletic Women’s Amateur Championship, 4th in the B.C. Women’s Senior Championship, T7 at the Canadian Women’s Senior Championship and ninth at the Diamond Athletic Women’s Amateur Championship. The Southwood Golf & Country Club member also qualified for the U.S. Senior Women’s Open.
The Golf Manitoba Awards selection committee would also like to recognize Charmaine Hayden (2nd place at the Mid-Amateur Championship of the Diamond Athletic Women’s Amateur Championship and 3rd place at the Women’s City & District) and Crystal Zamzow (Champion of the Junior Girls Championship presented by the Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation and Champion of the Junior Girls Division at the Elmhurst Invitational) on their accomplishments during the 2023 season.
The 2023 Male Amateur Golfer of the Year finalists are Jay Doyle, Todd Fanning, Braxton Kuntz and Marco Trstenjak.
Doyle, 56, from Winnipeg, won the Hodson Financial Senior Men’s Championship and finished sixth in the Mid-Masters Championship of the Diamond Athletic Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship. The Niakwa Country Club member also placed T20 on the leaderboard at the Diamond Athletic Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship and T48 at the Canadian Men’s Senior Championship.
Fanning, 55, from Winnipeg, finished second in both the Hodson Financial Senior Men’s Championship and the Diamond Athletic Men’s Mid-Masters Championship. The Niakwa Country Club member placed third at the Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur Championship, T8 at the Diamond Athletic Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship and T12 at the Canadian Men’s Senior Championship.
Kuntz, 19, from Winnipeg, won the Manitoba Match Play Championship presented by St. Vital Dental Centre and the Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur Championship. South of the border he placed fourth in the Gulf Coast Collegiate Championship, T6 at the Colin Montgomerie Invitational and T7 at the Tunica National Intercollegiate Championship. The Breezy Bend Country Club member was also T8 at the Elmhurst Invitational and T9 at the Glencoe Invitational.
Trstenjak, 23, from Winnipeg, won the Elmhurst Invitational. He finished 2nd in the Manitoba Match Play Championship presented by St. Vital Dental Centre and finished seventh at the Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur Championship. The Elmhurst Golf & Country Club member also place T45 on the leaderboard at the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship.
The Golf Manitoba Awards selection committee would also like to recognize Curtis Markusson (Mid-Masters Champion at the Diamond Athletic Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship) and Patrick Perrin (Diamond Athletic Men’s Mid-Amateur Champion) for their play during the 2023 season.
Tickets are available for purchase until 5pm on Friday, October 20th by contacting Golf Manitoba at (204) 925-5730 or by email at info@golfmb.ca.
Tickets are $25 per person, appetizers and food stations included.
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.
Past Amateur Golfer of the Year recipients >>
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
Golf Manitoba
(204) 899-1092
brian@golfmb.ca
The 2023 Golf Manitoba Awards presented by AVID GOLF, will be held on Wednesday, October 25, 2023, at the Glendale Golf & Country Club.
The annual event recognizes and celebrates all that’s great about the sport of golf in the province – from volunteers to elite performers, teams and milestone achievements including the annual Male and Female Amateur Golfer of the Year awards.
The Golf Manitoba Annual General Meeting will also be held on October 25 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.
Tickets are now available for $25 and can be purchased by emailing amy@golfmb.ca. Appetizers and food stations included with a cash bar available.
For more information about the Golf Manitoba Awards presented by AVID GOLF, please contact Golf Manitoba Director of Communications 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.
Golf Manitoba Executive Director Jared Ladobruk announced today a new multi-year partnership with AVID GOLF.
Under the agreement, AVID GOLF will become the presenting partner of the annual Golf Manitoba Awards event until 2025.
“We are looking forward to embarking on this new relationship with AVID GOLF” said Ladobruk. “In speaking with Luc and seeing their business in operation, we have a common goal of growing the sport of golf for all age levels and playing abilities.”
“It’s hard to love something for only six months of the year so we created AVID GOLF in an effort to grow and allow everyone to enjoy the sport of golf 12 months of the year” said AVID GOLF Founder & CEO Luc Bohunicky. “It’s important to us to not just be looked at as just a sim lounge, we want to be active in the community and allow people to have fun while also improving their skills at the same time.”
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 information, visit avidgolf.club.
About Golf Manitoba: Serving the Manitoba and Northwest Ontario golf communities since 1915, Golf Manitoba strives to provide quality, innovative and accessible golf programs and services. We strive to align with all golf stakeholders through a connected golf community while encouraging both youth and adults to play more golf, more often. Our Mission is to develop, promote, govern and service the game of golf in Manitoba and Northwest Ontario for the benefit of all participants.
About Golf Manitoba Awards: The annual Golf Manitoba Awards event recognizes and celebrates all that’s great about the sport of golf in the province – from volunteers to elite performers, teams and milestone achievements including the annual male and female Amateur Golfer of the Year awards.
Brenda Burch has been honored as the 17th recipient of the Golf Manitoba Volunteer Distinguished Service Award. The announcement was made during the 2022 Golf Manitoba Awards event that was held on November 2 at the Breezy Bend Country Club.
Brenda began her volunteerism in the early 1970s with the Manitoba Ladies’ Golf Association as the Assistant Tournament Director. After two decades of running championships, she joined the course rating team in 1997 and continued until her retirement in 2019.
During her time with the MLGA and Golf Manitoba, Brenda rated over 110 courses in Manitoba and Northwest Ontario. In addition to her field work, Brenda attended numerous provincial, national and USGA course rating seminars. Her expertise and dedication to course rating earned her the distinction of Level 4 Master Rater, which there are few of in Canada.
Dennis Langrell (1954-2021) was posthumously honored as the 18th recipient of the Golf Manitoba Distinguished Service Award.
Dennis volunteered with Golf Manitoba for over 28 years. He served in various compacities including player development, officiating and most recently as the president of the Golf Manitoba Scholarship Fund until his passing in April of 2021.
Dennis was an instrumental contributor to the junior golf development program with Golf Manitoba. He assisted in managing the association’s junior boy’s Mundie Putter team, assisted at numerous junior golf camps and acted as non-playing captain for Golf Manitoba at the Canadian Junior and Western Canadian Juvenile Championships.
Also recognized at the Awards event was eleven individuals who reached milestone volunteer anniversaries with Golf Manitoba.
5 YEARS
Gerald Diamond
Mary Lou Milhausen
Don Wilgosh
10 YEARS
Gerry Hawryluk
Ken Warwick
15 YEARS
Michael Culley
Mike Lagace
Peggy McLeod
30 YEARS
Don MacDonald
Clare Nesbitt
40 YEARS
George McLeod
For more information about volunteering with Golf Manitoba, please visit golfmb.ca/volunteering.
WINNIPEG, MB – The 2022/23 Golf Manitoba Board of Directors was announced at the Golf Manitoba Awards reception that was held on November 2, 2022 at the Breezy Bend Country Club. The twelve-member board was elected during the associations 20th Annual General Meeting.
Elected at the meeting were returning Board members Mike Berney (Delahunt Golf & Country Club), Susan Wright-Cassan (Emerald Greens Golf Club), Fred Smith (Wildewood Golf Club), and Kathy Turner (Breezy Bend Country Club). Janice Rees (Windsor Park Ladies Golf League) was also elected as the newest member of the Board.
The Board of Directors is comprised of dedicated volunteers from across the golf community in the Golf Manitoba jurisdiction. The Board’s duties are to direct the business affairs of the association.
The members of the 2022/23 Golf Manitoba Board of Directors are:
OFFICERS
President: Wayne McWhirter, Southwood Golf & Country Club
President Elect: Sue Wright-Cassan, Emerald Greens Golf Course
Vice-President: Bob Peters, St. Charles Country Club
Past-President: Ken Warwick, Niakwa Country Club
Treasurer: Kathy Turner, Breezy Bend Country Club
DIRECTORS
Michael Berney, Delahunt Golf & Country Club
D’Arcy Lachance, Elmhurst Golf & Country Club
James (Jim) Gosman, Golf Manitoba Public Player
Craig Martin, Assiniboine Golf Club
Janice Rees, Windsor Park Ladies
Matt Simmons, Whitewater Golf Club
Fred Smith, Wildewood Golf Club
In addition to the election, Golf Manitoba also released its 2022 Annual Report, which includes a recap of the past season, as well as the association’s 2021/22 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:
Jared Ladobruk
Executive Director
Golf Manitoba
204.925.5729
jared@golfmb.ca
