WINNIPEG – Each year, Sport Manitoba’s annual Night of Champions celebrates sports excellence in Manitoba. In recognition of their outstanding golf achievements in 2019, Southwood Golf & Country Club’s Rhonda Orr and Colwyn Abgrall were honored during this year’s event by being nominated in the Female and Male Open Athletes of the Year categories. This year’s event was cancelled to reduce the public health risks associated with COVID-19, however Sport Manitoba recognized all nominees and winners on its website and through social media.

Rhonda Orr – Golf

Golfer Rhonda Orr extended an impressive streak in 2019, winning the Manitoba Women’s Seniors Championshipfor a fourth straight year. She also finished 11^th out of 118 players at the Canadian Women’s Seniors Championship, and she also qualified for the United States Women’s Seniors Championship for the second straight year, playing in the round of 32 and winning her first match while competing against golfers from all over the world. From golf, Rhonda Orr.

Colwyn  Abgrall – Golf

Niverville’s own Colwyn Abgrall is putting the tiny Manitoba town on the map. The 23-year-old golfer had several highlights in 2019, none more noteworthy than winning the Nott Autocorp Manitoba Amateur Championship. He was also a member of the Manitoba Men’s Provincial Amateur Team, and his success even took him south of the border, where he qualified for and competed in the United States Amateur Championship in North Carolina. From golf, Colwyn Abgrall.

Manitoba is rich with countless remarkable sport people of all ages with amazing stories of success, service and dedication. The Night of Champions recognizes these accomplishments in sport across the spectrum including athletes and teams, coaches, officials and volunteers.

For more information on this year’s full list of nominees and award winners, please click HERE >>.

WINNIPEG – Garth Goodbrandson, Director of Player Development with Golf Manitoba, was honoured this past weekend where he was awarded both the Janet Arnott Memorial Award and the Male Coach of the Year award as presented by Sport Manitoba and Club Regent Casino & Event Centre. This year’s event was cancelled to reduce the public health risks associated with COVID-19, however Sport Manitoba recognized all nominees and winners on its website and through social media.

The Sport Manitoba Coaching Awards recognize and celebrate the outstanding achievements and significant contributions coaches have made to their athletes and sport over the past year. The selection of recipients is based on their unique contribution to sport through the continued development of their athletes.

For the past 23 years, Garth has been at the helm of Golf Manitoba’s player development program. A 37-year member of the PGA of Canada, Garth’s resume includes coaching at eight multi-sport games competitions including two Manitoba Summer Games, three Western Canada Summer Games and two Canada Summer Games. Additionally, Garth is the lead coach of the Golf Manitoba Junior Development Teams, has coached numerous athletes who have played on Golf Manitoba Provincial Junior Teams and is the co-founder and past Head Coach of the University of Manitoba Bison Men’s and Women’s Golf Teams.

About Sport Manitoba – Sport Manitoba is a  not-for-profit organization and the lead planning, programming and funding agency for the development of amateur sport in Manitoba. Sport Manitoba partners with over 100 organizations to deliver sport in the province and is responsible for programs including the Manitoba Games powered by Manitoba Hydro, Sport Manitoba Coaching, Team Manitoba, Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame, Fit Kids Healthy Kids and KidSport. Services provided include the Sport Manitoba Clinic, Sport Manitoba Performance, Sport Manitoba Fitness Centre, and the Paul Robson Resource Centre for Leadership and Coaching.