Golf Manitoba Executive Director Jared Ladobruk and Elmhurst Golf & Country Club Director of Golf Operations Dave McMillan are pleased to announce a joint venture in the expansion of the 2023 Elmhurst Invitational Amateur Championship.

This year’s championship will see the addition of Golf Manitoba’s top junior boys and girls players to the field. Thanks to the generous contributions of the Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation and in partnership with the Elmhurst Golf & Country and Golf Manitoba, the winners of each division in the 2023 event will receive a spot in the respective Golf Canada Canadian Junior Championship along with financial travel support.

“I am thrilled to see this opportunity presented to our junior players” said Ladobruk. “The Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation has been such a tremendous partner in helping us to grow our junior programming and this is another example of their dedication to junior golf in Manitoba. I also want to thank the membership of the Elmhurst Golf & Country Club for their support of player development in our province in adding a junior division to this great event.”

“We are delighted as a club to be able to carry on the Colonello name and its legacy of supporting junior golf,” added McMillan. “Alex and Peggy were both honorary life members of Elmhurst and did so much for the club and continue to give back to Manitoba Golf through their foundation. We are happy to be able to affiliate The Elmhurst Invitational with Alex and Peggy’s vision of providing opportunities for junior golfers at their long-time golf home. I want to thank Golf Manitoba’s Jared Ladobruk for their partnership, supporting the event through the years, and moving ahead with this new initiative. Special thanks to the members of Elmhurst, long-time member and former champion John Multan and Head Professional Matt Lorenz for keeping the event alive and well. We look forward to celebrating the event’s rich tradition and adding the Colonello foundation’s support will only enhance the event for years to come.”

Once again this year, an exemption will be available to either the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship or the Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Champion for the winner in this year’s men’s field. Invitation criteria will be adjusted and subject to the approval of the tournament committee as well as Golf Manitoba being able to accommodate the junior players on the field.

Founded in 2003 by long-time Elmhurst member John Multan, the Elmhurst Invitational Amateur Championship has become one of the highest regarded amateur events held in the province outside of the Golf Manitoba championship calendar. The field is continually one of the strongest of the year with most of the province’s top players taking part.

Past champions include the likes of the DP World Tour’s Aaron Cockerill, along with past Manitoba Men’s Amateur Champions Garth Collings, Derek East, Todd Fanning, Matt Johnston, Brad Kirton, Justin McDonald, Peter More and Marco Trstenjak.

The 2023 Elmhurst Invitational will be contested June 24 & 25.

Golf Manitoba Executive Director Jared Ladobruk is pleased to announce Sean Murray has been named the new Head Coach of the Team Manitoba Junior Boy’s Program.

Murray, who is a PGA of Canada class A professional, assumes the role from Derrik Goodwin, who resigned due to personal and professional time constraints.

“First of all, I would like to thank Derrik for everything he has done for our program. He spent countless hours with our young athletes continuing the tradition and work ethic of his predecessor Garth Goodbrandson. I, and our staff, are grateful to know Derrik will be a valued resource moving forward as he focuses on his family and current position at Glendale Golf & Country Club” said Ladobruk. “As we move forward into 2023, we welcome Sean to our Golf Manitoba family. Sean is highly regarded by his mentors in the golf community and I know our Team Manitoba athletes will learn a great deal from him both on and off the course”. 

Murray is a graduate of Sisler High School and continued his studies into Red River College’s Business Administration program where he majored in marketing.

His golf and coaching resume includes working locally at The Players Course and Breezy Bend Country Club prior to moving to Calgary to join the staff at the Bearspaw Golf Club. During his time in Alberta, Murray was an Assistant Coach with the University of Calgary Dinos and Alberta Provincial team. He then went East and was named High Performance Coach and Junior Coordinator at Royal Montreal Golf Club.  In 2022, Murray was named an Assistant Coach for the Team Manitoba Junior Boys’ Program.

Last year, Murray returned home to join the staff at St. Charles Country Club as an Associate Professional. He will continue with his current role as Director of Instruction and Junior Golf Coordinator.

About Team Manitoba: The Team Manitoba program provides enhanced training, development, and competitive opportunities for both aspiring and accomplished junior female and male athletes from the Golf Manitoba region.

The program encompasses fitness, sports psychology, nutrition, technique, equipment management and regional, multi-sport, and national level competition. For more, please visit golfmb.ca/team-manitoba.

WINNIPEG, MB – The Selection Committee for the Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame and Museum is pleased to announce the class of 2021. Donna Brownridge, Derrick Chlopecki, Gerald Morrissey, and the 1991 Manitoba Junior Girls Interprovincial Team Champions will be inducted as honoured members in the spring of 2023.

DONNA BROWNRIDGE (Athlete)

• Finished 3^rd in the Manitoba Amateur in 2001 and qualified for the interprovincial Women’s Amateur Team in 2001 (alternate), 2002 and 2003.
• Qualified for the Western Amateur Team in 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002.
• Qualified for the Manitoba Women’s Senior Team in 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2012. In 2003, Team Manitoba finished in 3^rd place.
• Member of the winning Nassau League team representing Elmhurst G & CC in 1986, 1987, 1999, 2006, 2007, 2014 and 2014.
• Member of the winning team in the Manitoba Ladies Interclub Championship representing Elmhurst G & CC in 1976, 1979, 1986, 1987, 1989, and 1990.
• Two-time winner of the Tamarack women’s match play.
• Two-time winner of the Elmhurst Club Championship and won the Elmhurst Ladies’ Open.

In addition to her playing record, Donna had a long history of club volunteerism acting as captain of the Elmhurst Ladies Nassau Team from 2003-2006 and 2011-2013. She was also the Nassau League President in 2014-15. Brownridge also served for 12 years on the Elmhurst Board of Governors and become the first (and only) female president in the club’s 114-year history (as of April 2020).  Brownridge was also the researcher and author of the golf history book “Elmhurst – The Home of Champions” that was completed in 2014.

Donna Brownridge passed away on December 18, 2020.

DERRICK CHLOPECKI (Builder)

Derrick started his career in the golf industry in 1987 as the Equipment Technician at the Rossmere Country Club. In 1991 he assumed the role of Superintendent.  Derrick was hired in 1993 as Superintendent at the Pine Ridge Golf Club, a position that he still holds to this day.  During his 29 years at Pine Ridge, Derrick has consistently delivered exceptional course conditions for its membership and has hosted numerous club, provincial, national and professional events including an impressive 22 years as the host Superintendent of the Manitoba Open.  Derrick has been the host Superintendent 23% of all Manitoba Opens hosted in the events 100+ year history.

Chlopecki, a long-time member of the Manitoba Golf Superintendents’ Association, was named Superintendent of the Year by his peers in 2017.

GERALD MORRISSEY (Athlete)

Gerald Morrissey was the head golf professional at the Rossmere Country Club from 1958 to 1991.  “Moose” as his peers would call him, lived his 34-year golf career by playing and promoting the sport to which he devoted so much to.  During his tenure, he amassed an impressive playing record including two-time PGA of Manitoba Zone Senior Champion, 4-time Kenora Open champion, 3-time Falcon Beach Open champion, 2-time Pine Falls Open champion, 2 Brandon Western Open Championships, won the PGA of Canada Team Pro-am at Disney World in Florida, 3 top-ten finishes in the Manitoba Open in addition to numerous PGA of Manitoba Zone events and pro-am victories.  In 1991, he was awarded the PGA of Manitoba Zone Club Professional Award.

Morrisey was also an avid promoter of the sport where he taught golf lessons at the Y.M.C.A, and local schools.  He also organized indoor golf lessons and numerous golf tours and trips for his members and students to within Canada, the South Pacific, Europe and Australia and New Zealand.

A 62-year member of the PGA of Canada, Morrissey served as the president of the PGA of Manitoba Zone in 1967-68, was a member of the Board of Directors for the PGA of Canada from 1966-68 and was vice-captain of the PGA of Canada in 1968.  In 1997 and at the PGA of Canada Annual Meeting, he was awarded Life Membership status.

1991 MANITOBA JUNIOR GIRLS INTERPROVINCIAL TEAM NATIONAL CHAMPIONS (Team)

• Raina Best
• Brionie Brown
• Angela Daykin
• Christine Power

The 1991 Manitoba Junior Girls’ Interprovincial Team finished in 1st place and on home soil by shooting a 36-hole team score of 500 and six shots clear of second place Team Alberta (506).  The team championship was conducted during the first two days of 1991 Canadian Junior Girls Championship that was held August 21-24 at the Pine Ridge Golf Club in Sunnyside, Manitoba.

The induction ceremony for the Class of 2021 was postponed in that same year due to the pandemic and will be held on May 17, 2023, at the Niakwa Country Club. 

About the Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame & Museum Inc. – The Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame & Museum Inc. was formed to acknowledge the contributions and accomplishments made by Manitobans as competitors, both amateur and professional, builders and course superintendents to the game of golf.  It is a tripartite organization, the partners being Golf Manitoba, Manitoba Golf Superintendents’ Association and the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) of Manitoba. The annual induction ceremony is sponsored by the Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation.

Individual members and member clubs wishing to nominate an individual (amateur or professional golfers, superintendents, builders, media, etc.) for the Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame may obtain nomination forms through any of the three member organizations or at manitobagolfhalloffame.com.

For more information:

Jared Ladobruk
Executive Director
Golf Manitoba
204.925.5729
jared@golfmb.ca

11 Manitobans wrapped up play Sunday in Orlando, Florida at Orange County National competing in the 2022 Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour National Championship.

Ryan Tuck of St. Boniface Golf Club finished as the best scoring Manitoban with a 36 hole total 153 (73-80) in the Bantam Boys division.

Also representing our province:

Bantam Boys:
Adam Blair, Golf Manitoba Public Players Club 84-75-159
Brayden Boge, Pine Ridge Golf Club 81-84-165

Juvenile Boys:
Carson Inman, Portage Golf Club 80-82-162
Payne Wood, St. Boniface Golf Club 79-84-163
Jackson Delaurier, Golf Manitoba Public Players Club 83-81-164
Jacob Taweel, Elmhurst Golf & Country Club 87-81-168
Kaleb Lambert, Elmhurst Golf & Country Club 84-86-170

Junior Boys:
Jack Rudick, St. Charles Country Club 82-78-160

Peewee Boys:
Hunter Oakden, Golf Manitoba Public Players Club 84-79-163

15-19 Girls:
India Young, Carman Golf & Curling Club 88-88-176

For the complete leaderboard, click here.

15 year old Ryan Tuck of St. Boniface Golf Club shot a one over par 73 and is only one stroke off the lead in the Bantam Boys division of play after the opening round at the 2022 Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour National Championship at Orange County National in Orlando, Florida.

Also representing Manitoba:

Bantam Boys:
Brayden Boge, Pine Ridge Golf Club 81
Adam Blair, Golf Manitoba Public Players Club 84

Juvenile Boys:
Payne Wood, St. Boniface Golf Club 79
Carson Inman, Portage Golf Club 80
Jackson Delaurier, Golf Manitoba Public Players Club 83
Kaleb Lambert, Elmhurst Golf & Country Club 84
Jacob Taweel, Elmhurst Golf & Country Club 87

Junior Boys:
Jack Rudick, St. Charles Country Club 82

Peewee Boys:
Hunter Oakden, Golf Manitoba Public Players Club 84

15-19 Girls:
India Young, Carman Golf & Curling Club 88

The final round tees off tomorrow (Sunday) morning.

For the complete leaderboard, click here.

11 Manitobans will tee off starting tomorrow morning in the 2022 Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour National Championship at Orange County National in Orlando, Florida.

The 36 hole championship will be played tomorrow (Saturday) and Sunday.

Representing our province are:

Adam Blair – Golf Manitoba Public Players Club (Winnipeg) – Bantam Boys
Brayden Boge – Pine Ridge Golf Club (Winnipeg) – Bantam Boys
Jackson Delaurier – Golf Manitoba Public Players Club (Dauphin) – Juvenile Boys
Carson Inman – Portage Golf Club (Portage la Prairie) – Juvenile Boys
Kaleb Lambert – Elmhurst Golf & Country Club (Lorette West) – Juvenile Boys
Jacob Taweel – Elmhurst Golf & Country Club (Winnipeg) – Juvenile Boys
Payne Wood – St. Boniface Golf Club (Winnipeg) – Juvenile Boys
Hunter Oakden – Golf Manitoba Public Players Club (Brandon) – Peewee Boys
Jack Rudick – St. Charles Country Club (Winnipeg) – Junior Boys
Ryan Tuck – St. Boniface Golf Club (Winnipeg) – Bantam Boys

India Young – Carman Golf & Curling Club (Carman) – 15-19 Girls

For the opening round tee times, click here.

On behalf of selection committee members Clayton Dreger, Jill Hardy, Adam Speirs and Ken Wiebe, Golf Manitoba is pleased to recognize the 2022 Female and Male Amateur Golfer of the Year Award winners. 

This year’s recipients were announced at the annual Golf Manitoba Awards reception that was held at the Breezy Bend Country Club.

Rhonda Orr of Southwood Golf & Country Club is the Female Amateur Golfer of the Year. 

Orr, 61, from Winnipeg, won the Mid-Amateur Flight and finished second overall at the Diamond Athletic Women’s Amateur Championship. She represented Team Manitoba at the Canadian Women’s Amateur. The Southwood Golf and Country Club member won the Hodson Financial Women’s Senior Championship, her seventh senior provincial championship in a row and ninth in the last ten years. Orr went on to finish 10th on the leaderboard playing for Team Manitoba at the Canadian Women’s Senior Championship. Orr also tied for eighth place at the AGA Women’s Senior Amateur Championship in the United States.

With the selection, it is the fourth time that Orr has been recognized as Female Amateur Golfer of the Year (2016, 2018, 2019).

Braxton Kuntz of Breezy Bend Country Club is the Male Amateur Golfer of the Year.

Kuntz, 18, from Winnipeg, won the Manitoba Junior Championship presented by the Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation and represented Team Manitoba finishing in a tie for fifth place at the Canadian Junior Boys Championship. The Breezy Bend Country Club member also won the Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur Championship. Kuntz is the first player in Manitoba to win both the Manitoba Junior and Amateur Championship in back to back seasons (2021 and 2022). He also finished tied for third place at the Elmhurst Invitational.

With the selection, it is the second time in as many years that Kuntz has been named Male Amateur Golfer of the Year (2021).

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 North West Ontario. Its mission is to develop, promote, govern and service the sport of golf for the benefit of all participants. 

Winnipeg’s Kristian Hammerback, a Golf Manitoba Public Players Club member, finished 8th on the leaderboard at the Canadian All Abilities Championship this week in Essex, Ontario.

Over 36 holes at the Essex Golf & Country Club, Hammerback shot 80 and 81 to finished at +19, 161.

Kurtis Barkley of Ontario won the Men’s Gross Stroke Play Championship at 4 under par 138.

In the Net Stableford division, Hammerback tied for fifth place with 70 points, only five back of Ontario’s Kevin Delaney.

For the complete leaderboard, click here.