The province’s top amateur golfers are at Elmhurst Golf & Country Club this weekend competing in the Elmhurst Invitational Amateur Championship.

The 36 hole event teed off yesterday and will conclude tonight with the crowning of a junior girls, junior boys and men’s division champion.

Entering today’s final round:

Junior Girls: Addison Kartusch +2, 75 (Team Manitoba / St. Charles Country Club) has a five stroke lead on Crystal Zamzow +7, 80 (Team Manitoba / Swan River Golf & Country Club).

Junior Boys: Grady Chuback -2, 69 (Team Manitoba / St. Charles) has a five stroke lead on Terence Rafferty +3, 74 (Team Manitoba / Southwood Golf & Country Club)

Men’s: Ryan McMillan -5, 66 (Elmhurst) has a three stroke lead on Jack Werhun (Elmhurst), Marco Trstenjak (Elmhurst), Neel Soni (St. Charles) and Grady Chuback (Team Manitoba / St. Charles) -2, 69.

SUNDAY’S TEE TIMES

LIVE LEADERBOARD

Congratulations to Taylormade Canada’s Eric Johnson (Breezy Bend Country Club) on a hole in one during his opening round acing the 11th hole.

As previously announced in February, 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 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 Golf Manitoba Executive Director Jared 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 Elmhurst Golf & Country Club Director of Golf Operations Dave 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.

Killarney’s Cala Korman, a member of Team Manitoba, shot a one under par 71 in her final round at the Evergreen Golf Club in Nipawin, Saskatchewan to win the NextGen Prairie Junior Girls Championship.

Korman’s 226 tournament total was three strokes better than Regina’s Hallie Crozier.

Addison Kartusch of Team Manitoba / St. Charles Country Club carded a final round 79 to finish in third place at 232.

Terence Rafferty of Team Manitoba / Southwood Golf & Country Club finished as the top Manitoban in the Junior Boys Championship in a three way tie for sixth place at 222 following a 73 today.

For the complete leaderboard featuring all Manitoba born competitors, click here.

Addison Kartusch (Team Manitoba / St. Charles Country Club) has a one stroke lead over Regina’s Hallie Crozier entering Sunday’s final round of the NextGen Prairie Championship at the Evergreen Golf Club in Nipawin, Saskatchewan.

Kartusch shot a 79 Saturday for a two round total 153.

Cala Korman (Team Manitoba / Killarney) is only two strokes off the lead in third place following a 78 today.

Team Manitoba / Dauphin Lake Golf Club’s Jackson Delaurier is four strokes off the lead in the junior boys championship following a 74. His 36 hole total is 147.

For the complete junior boys and girls leaderboards, click here.

The top six players in the Junior Boys division will earn exemptions into the 2023 Canadian Junior Boys Championship, August 14-17, at North Bay Golf and Country Club Ltd. in North Bay, Ont. The top six players (including ties) in the Junior Girls division will earn exemptions into the 2023 Canadian Junior Girls Championship, July 24-27, at Hampton Golf Course in Hampton, N.B.

encourage more visitors to our golf course.”

About the NextGen Championships, fueled by JOURNIE Rewards

The NextGen Championships, fueled by JOURNIE Rewards is a high-performance junior golf series which totals eight competitions. From May to July, six championships will take place across Canada where the region’s best junior golfers will compete to earn exemptions into their respective 2023 national championships. Two additional Fall Series events will be hosted to close the season. NextGen Championships provide junior players an opportunity to develop and showcase their skills at the highest level of tournament golf. For more information on the NextGen Prairie Championship, click here.

Addison Kartusch of Team Manitoba / St. Charles Country Club shot a two over par 74 Friday to open the NextGen Prairie Championship at the Evergreen Golf Club in Nipawin, Saskatchewan.

Kartusch birdied the fourth, seventh, 14th and 16th holes on her way to a three stroke advantage over Team Manitoba / Killarney’s Cala Korman in the junior girls championship.

Team Manitoba / Dauphin Lake Golf Club’s Jackson Delaurier had five birdies on his scorecard enroute to a one over par 73, good for a tie for third place on the junior boys leaderboard.

Other Manitobans taking part –

Junior Boys:

– Carson Chapman (Glendale Golf & Country Club) 101
– Zostrianos Gross (Shilo Country Club) 77
– Carson Inman (Team Manitoba / Portage Golf Club) 80
– Kaleb Lambert (Team Manitoba / Elmhurst Golf & Country Club) 79
– Hunter McLean (Carman Golf & Country Club) 100
– Spence Mott (Team Manitoba / Shilo Country Club) 80
– Ethan Portey (Golf Manitoba Public Players Club) 80
– Terence Rafferty (Team Manitoba / Southwood Golf & Country Club) 77
– Jacob Taweel (Team Manitoba / Elmhurst Golf & Country Club) 83
– Ryan Tuck (St. Boniface Golf Club) 85
– Payne Wood (Team Manitoba / St. Boniface Golf Club) 80
– Finn Wylder Kydd (St. Charles Country Club) 94

Junior Girls:

– Jeri Lafleche (Clear Lake Golf Club) 87
– Jewel Lafleche (Clear Lake Golf Club) 94
– India Young (Team Manitoba / Carman Golf & Curling Club) 88
– Crystal Zamzow (Team Manitoba / Golf Manitoba Public Players Club) 88

To follow the live leaderboard of the NextGen Prairie Championship, fueled by JOURNIE Rewards, click here.

The top six players in the Junior Boys division will earn exemptions into the 2023 Canadian Junior Boys Championship, August 14-17, at North Bay Golf and Country Club Ltd. in North Bay, Ont. The top six players (including ties) in the Junior Girls division will earn exemptions into the 2023 Canadian Junior Girls Championship, July 24-27, at Hampton Golf Course in Hampton, N.B.

Evergreen Golf Course is located in the heart of Nipawin, known as Saskatchewan’s vacation capital. Surrounded by two spectacular lakes where the prairies meet the boreal forest, Nipawin is renowned for its exceptional outdoor recreation offering world class golf, superb fishing, camping and boating opportunities.

“Having the opportunity to host a Golf Canada event is an honour that not many facilities get. It is a chance for us to showcase the high-quality golf course we have. Our course management team, staff and members put a lot of effort into providing a first-class golf experience and this is a way to share with guests from across Canada,” said Derrick Tallon, Head Pro at Evergreen Golf Course. “It is our goal to have the golfers and visitors to the Evergreen Golf Course share a positive story with their friends and encourage more visitors to our golf course.”

About the NextGen Championships, fueled by JOURNIE Rewards

The NextGen Championships, fueled by JOURNIE Rewards is a high-performance junior golf series which totals eight competitions. From May to July, six championships will take place across Canada where the region’s best junior golfers will compete to earn exemptions into their respective 2023 national championships. Two additional Fall Series events will be hosted to close the season. NextGen Championships provide junior players an opportunity to develop and showcase their skills at the highest level of tournament golf. For more information on the NextGen Prairie Championship, click here.

Golf Canada’s 2023 championship season continues at the Evergreen Golf Club in Nipawin, Saskatchewan with the NextGen Prairie Championship, fueled by JOURNIE Rewards.

The 36-hole stroke play competition runs today (Friday) and tomorrow (Saturday).

The starting field will feature 67 male and female competitors – 52 Junior Boys and 15 Junior Girls – vying for spots into their respective Canadian Junior Championship later this summer.

Our province is represented by 20 competitors, including 12 members of Team Manitoba.

Junior Boys:

– Adam Blair (Team Manitoba / Golf Manitoba Public Players Club)
– Carson Chapman (Glendale Golf & Country Club)
– Jackson Delaurier (Team Manitoba / Dauphin Lake Golf Club)
– Zostrianos Gross (Shilo Country Club)
– Carson Inman (Team Manitoba / Portage Golf Club)
– Kaleb Lambert (Team Manitoba / Elmhurst Golf & Country Club)
– Hunter McLean (Carman Golf & Country Club)
– Spence Mott (Team Manitoba / Shilo Country Club)
– Ethan Portey (Golf Manitoba Public Players Club)
– Terence Rafferty (Team Manitoba / Southwood Golf & Country Club)
– Jacob Taweel (Team Manitoba / Elmhurst Golf & Country Club)
– Ryan Tuck (St. Boniface Golf Club)
– Payne Wood (Team Manitoba / St. Boniface Golf Club)
– Finn Wylder Kidd (St. Charles Country Club)

Junior Girls:

– Addison Kartusch (Team Manitoba / St. Charles Country Club)
– Cala Korman (Team Manitoba / Golf Manitoba Public Players Club)
– Jeri Lafleche (Clear Lake Golf Club)
– Jewel Lafleche (Clear Lake Golf Club)
– India Young (Team Manitoba / Carman Golf & Curling Club)
– Crystal Zamzow (Team Manitoba / Golf Manitoba Public Players Club)

To follow the live leaderboard of the NextGen Prairie Championship, fueled by JOURNIE Rewards, click here.

The top six players in the Junior Boys division will earn exemptions into the 2023 Canadian Junior Boys Championship, August 14-17, at North Bay Golf and Country Club Ltd. in North Bay, Ont. The top six players (including ties) in the Junior Girls division will earn exemptions into the 2023 Canadian Junior Girls Championship, July 24-27, at Hampton Golf Course in Hampton, N.B.

Evergreen Golf Course is located in the heart of Nipawin, known as Saskatchewan’s vacation capital. Surrounded by two spectacular lakes where the prairies meet the boreal forest, Nipawin is renowned for its exceptional outdoor recreation offering world class golf, superb fishing, camping and boating opportunities.

“Having the opportunity to host a Golf Canada event is an honour that not many facilities get. It is a chance for us to showcase the high-quality golf course we have. Our course management team, staff and members put a lot of effort into providing a first-class golf experience and this is a way to share with guests from across Canada,” said Derrick Tallon, Head Pro at Evergreen Golf Course. “It is our goal to have the golfers and visitors to the Evergreen Golf Course share a positive story with their friends and encourage more visitors to our golf course.”

About the NextGen Championships, fueled by JOURNIE Rewards

The NextGen Championships, fueled by JOURNIE Rewards is a high-performance junior golf series which totals eight competitions. From May to July, six championships will take place across Canada where the region’s best junior golfers will compete to earn exemptions into their respective 2023 national championships. Two additional Fall Series events will be hosted to close the season. NextGen Championships provide junior players an opportunity to develop and showcase their skills at the highest level of tournament golf. For more information on the NextGen Prairie Championship, click here.

The opening event of the 2023 Golf Manitoba Championship season is in the books with Addison Kartusch of St. Charles Country Club, Breezy Bend Country Club’s Braxton Kuntz and Blair Neal of Rossmere Country Club winning their respective divisions of the Match Play Championship presented by St. Vital Dental Centre at Glendale Golf & Country Club.

Kartusch, a Team Manitoba member, claimed the Women’s division trophy with a 2&1 victory over Golf Manitoba Public Players Club member Clara Peake. Kartusch erased a one hole deficit through seven going on to win the 11th, 12th and 15th holes to secure the match.

For the complete Women’s division bracket, click here.

Neal won the Senior Men’s division on the 18th hole against Dwayne Heinrichs of Bel Acres Golf & Country Club. The lead was never greater than one hole between these players, with Neal taking his first lead of the day on 17.

For the complete Senior Men’s division bracket, click here.

Kuntz also went the distance versus Marco Trstenjak of Elmhurst Golf & Country Club prevailing on the final hole. Kuntz had a strong run winning holes 9, 10 and 12 to go three up against the defending champion and was able to hold on for victory.

For the complete Men’s division bracket, click here.

Golf Manitoba would like to thank our Official Performance Partners:

adidas Golf Canada – Paige Lawrence, Territory Manager

Manitoba Blue Cross

Taylormade Canada – Eric Johnson, Sales & Marketing Territory Manager

We appreciate the time and effort of the host club, Glendale Golf & Country Club led by General Manager James Chapman, Head Professional Derrik Goodwin, Superintendent Reid McLeod, their staff, club members and volunteers for their warm welcome.

New and exclusive Golf Manitoba coverage, presented by Manitoba Blue Cross, is available by following us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and online at www.golfmb.ca.

The Men’s, Senior Men’s and Women’s Match Play Champions will be crowned Sunday at Glendale Golf & Country Club.

All three divisions, presented by St. Vital Dental Centre, will see the semi finals played in the morning starting at 7:24. The winners advance to their respective Championship Final teeing off at 1:00.

In the Men’s division, #1 seed Braxton Kuntz (Breezy Bend Country Club) advanced Saturday with a 3&1 victory over Neel Soni (St. Charles Country Club). Kuntz will face #5 seed Jordy Lutz (Elmhurst Golf & Country Club) who prevailed 2&1 over Allan McDonald (Breezy Bend).

#2 seed, and defending champion Marco Trstenjak (Elmhurst) will play #3 seed Evan Nachtigall (Wheat City Golf Course) in the other semi final. Trstenjak beat Lyle MacKenzie (Niakwa Country Club) 6&4 while Nachtigall eliminated Golf Manitoba Public Players Club member Eric Prokopowich 3&2.

For the complete Men’s Division bracket, click here.

In the Women’s division, #1 seed Addison Kartusch (Team Manitoba / St. Charles) will take on #4 seed Charmaine Hayden (Breezy Bend) in one semi final while #2 seed Jeri Lafleche (Clear Lake Golf Course) plays #3 seed Clara Peake, a Golf Manitoba Public Players Club member.

Kartusch advanced with a 5&3 victory over Shannon Wales (Glendale) while Hayden was a 4&3 victor over India Young (Team Manitoba / Carman Golf & Curling Club). Lafleche knocked off Cala Korman (Team Manitoba / Golf Manitoba Public Player) 1up while Peake beat Kate Gregoire (Quarry Oaks Golf Course) 6&5.

For the complete Women’s division bracket, click here.

The Senior Men’s division will have some interesting matchups with only defending champion, #2 seed Rob Oliphant (Rossmere Country Club) as the lowest seed heading into Sunday’s semis. Oliphant faces #14 seed Dwayne Heinrichs (Bel Acres Golf & Country Club) while #12 seed Kevin Nicholson (Southwood Golf & Country Club) takes on #17 seed Blair Neal (Rossmere).

In Quarter Final play, Oliphant edged Carl Lechman (Elmhurst) 2&1, Heinrichs was a 3&2 winner over Garth Collings (Breezy Bend), Nicholson beat Dan Scanlon (Golf Manitoba Public Players Club) 3up and Neal got past Brad Moore (Pine Ridge Golf Club) 2&1.

For the complete Senior Men’s division bracket, click here.

The top five seeds remain alive in the Men’s Division heading into Saturday’s Quarter Finals at the Match Play Championship presented by St. Vital Dental Centre.

During Friday’s Round of 16 at Glendale Golf & Country Club:

#1 seed Braxton Kuntz (Breezy Bend Country Club) beat Terence Rafferty (Southwood Golf & Country Club) 1up.
#2 seed, and defending champion Marco Trstenjak (Elmhurst Golf & Country Club) beat Kaleb Lambert (Elmhurst) 7&5.
#3 seed Evan Nachtigall (Wheat City Golf Course) beat Adam Guenther (Elmhurst) 5&4.
#4 seed Allan McDonald (Breezy Bend) beat Travis Bobychuk (Niakwa Country Club) 2&1.
#5 seed Jordy Lutz (Elmhurst) beat Justin Price (Elmhurst) 5&4.

For the complete Men’s Division bracket, click here.

It is a different story in the Senior Men’s division as three of the top five have been eliminated, including #1 seed Jay Doyle of Niakwa.

17th seed Blair Neal (Rossmere Country Club) upset Doyle 1up.
#2 seed, and defending champion Rob Oliphant (Rossmere) beat Ken Warwick (Niakwa) 4&3.
#4 seed Dan Scanlon (Golf Manitoba Public Players Club) beat Karl Schroeder (Rossmere) 5&3.
#5 seed Gerald Diamond (St. Charles) lost on the 20th hole to #12 Kevin Nicholson (Southwood).

For the complete Senior Men’s division bracket, click here.

Saturday’s draw will also feature the Women’s Division Quarter Finals. Eight competitors are set to tee off at 1:36 led by #1 seed Addison Kartusch (Team Manitoba / St. Charles).

For the complete Women’s division bracket, click here.

Team Manitoba gathered at Southwood Golf & Country Club this past weekend gearing up for the 2023 season. It was the first time both the boys and girls teams had a chance to work together outdoors after a long winter indoors.

Golf Manitoba Executive Director Jared Ladobruk is pleased to announce 12 Junior Boys and 13 Junior Girls have been named to the 2023 Team Manitoba roster.

These junior golfers will train and compete in various tournaments throughout the season representing our province under the guidance of Junior Boys Head Coach Sean Murray and Junior Girls Head Coach Bri-Ann Tokariwski.

The Junior Boys Gold Team roster features Jackson Delaurier of Dauphin Lake Golf Club, Kaleb Lambert and Jacob Taweel of Elmhurst Golf & Country Club, Brayden Boge of Pine Ridge Golf Club, Portage Golf Club’s Carson Inman, Payne Wood of St. Boniface Golf Club, St. Charles Country Club members Grady Chuback and Jack Taylor, Spence Mott of Shilo Golf & Country Club, Southwood Golf & Country Club’s Terence Rafferty and Golf Manitoba Public Players Club members Adam Blair and Hudson Hunnie.

“The team is filled with talent from top to bottom” said Junior Boys Head Coach Sean Murray. “This roster with Grady Chubak who finished second at the 2022 Junior Championship shooting under par for the tournament, Jack Taylor who may hit further than anyone else in the province, Carson Inman who really had a break out year and may of had the most consistent season in 2022 and then to round it out with 3 Juniors under 15 who have loads of potential being, Brayden Boge, Hudson Hunnie and Adam Blair. With the resources provided to these Juniors from Golf Manitoba, I am very excited to see how much they can grow through the upcoming season.”

The Junior Girls will be divided into two teams.

The Gold Team roster features India Young of the Carman Golf & Country Club, Glendale Golf & Country Club member Payton Oakden, Elmhurst’s Armaan Dhillon, Addison Kartusch of St. Charles, Swan River Golf & Country Club’s Crystal Zamzow and Golf Manitoba Public Players Club members Jenna King and Cala Korman.

The Black Team roster includes Kiera Krahn of Carman, Niakwa’s Annika Russell and Gracie McMillian of Pine Ridge along with Erin Nowicki and Maisy Shewchuk.

“The team is filled great depth this upcoming season aged 10 to 18 from across the province” said Junior Girls Head Coach Bri-Ann Tokariwski. “The majority of our teams feature returning players however we are excited about some new hungry additions. The team consists of provincial championships, MJT winners and some who have competed across the country. The girls are hungry to work on their game while getting stronger.”

Looking into the future, eight Junior Boys and five Junior Girls have been recognized for their potential and named to Team Manitoba’s Blue practice squad rosters.

The Junior Boys roster includes Aris Mercury, Owen Conrad, Hunter Oakden, Xavier Delaquis, Brayden Gregg, Chance Gregg, Austin Tutkaluk and Forest Wiebe.

Honing their skills for the future are Junior Girls Angelina Sitarz, Sadie Blazeiko, Bree Farmer, Annika Gording and Lily MacGregor.

“As an association, we are excited to see the future of golf continuing to grow” said Golf Manitoba Executive Director Jared Ladobruk. “Looking back to players like Aaron Cockerill, Bobbi Uhl and Braxton Kuntz, just to name a few, this year’s 2023 Team Manitoba roster can learn anything is possible when you create the right routine and work habits”. 

Team Manitoba will once again benefit greatly from the generosity of the Alex and Peggy Colonello Foundation while also receiving support from the Integrated Support Team at Sport Manitoba Performance that will help enhance the athletes’ skills through fitness, nutrition, and development of the mental side of the game.

Stay up to date with Team Manitoba online at www.golfmb.ca.

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.