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Golf

Amateur

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS St. Charles Country Club’s Camryn Thomas took the lead after Round 2 of the Junior Championships at Pine Ridge on Wednesday.

‘Taking everything one shot at a time’

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Wednesday, Jul. 8, 2026

This week has been both a marathon and a sprint for Camryn Thomas and Jewel Lafleche.

Eighteen holes in the rain-delayed and re-scheduled Manitoba Women’s Amateur on Sunday. A gruelling 38 more on Monday — two rounds plus a pair of playoff holes to decide the third and final spot on the provincial team, which was ultimately claimed by Lafleche.

Then another 18 to open the Manitoba Junior on Tuesday, followed by 18 more in Wednesday’s daytime heat.

Now, 92 competitive holes over a 72-hour span later, the finish line is finally in sight. And the race is on to see who crosses it first and captures a championship.

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Amateur

Thomas Friesen / Brandon Sun files Brandon’s Hunter Oakden is just two shots behind current leader Adam Blair after the first round at the Manitoba Junior Championship.

Race to crown new champs tees off at Pine Ridge

Mike McIntyre 5 minute read Preview

Race to crown new champs tees off at Pine Ridge

Mike McIntyre 5 minute read Tuesday, Jul. 7, 2026

Adam Blair hopes he’s saved his best for last.

The Elmhurst golfer is teeing it up this week in the Manitoba Junior Championship for the sixth and final time. His top finish came in 2024, when he placed eighth, and the 18-year-old is on the cusp of aging out of the event after graduating from Vincent Massey Collegiate last month. He’s headed to Kentucky State University on a golf scholarship this fall.

A provincial title would be quite the parting gift, don’t you think?

“It would be pretty awesome,” Blair told the Free Press with a big smile.

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Tuesday, Jul. 7, 2026

Amateur

Golf Manitoba Photo St. Charles Country Club’s Camryn Thomas finished fifth this past weekend in the Junior Girls category at the NextGen Prairie Championship.

Manitobans crushing the links: Bevy of Top-10 finishes for local golfers this past weekend

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Preview

Manitobans crushing the links: Bevy of Top-10 finishes for local golfers this past weekend

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Monday, Jun. 22, 2026

When it comes to the future of Manitoba golf, it would appear the kids are alright.

A trio of young provincial players earned Top 10 honours this past weekend at the NextGen Prairie Championship which was held at the Neepawa Golf & Country Club.

Leading the way was 16-year-old Camryn Thomas, who finished fifth in the Junior Girls category after rounds of 79, 76 and 81. That left her 10 shots back of B.C.’s Serin Girard, who edged out Saskatchewan’s Grace Odnokon in a playoff.

Alberta’s Raylee Denton finished third, while Ontario’s Vivian Liu was fourth.

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Monday, Jun. 22, 2026

Golf

Ruth Bonneville / FREE PRESS FILES Breezy Bend’s Braxton Kuntz is proud of his efforts despite narrowly missing the U.S. Open cut off early this week at the tournament qualifier.

Breezy Bend’s own misses U.S. Open berth by one shot

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Preview

Breezy Bend’s own misses U.S. Open berth by one shot

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Tuesday, Jun. 9, 2026

It’s been said “close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.” With respect to the classic idiom, you might want to add golf to the list.

Just ask Braxton Kuntz, one of the most decorated amateur players in Manitoba history, who narrowly missed a major accomplishment early in his professional career on Monday.

The 22-year-old Winnipegger came one shot short of qualifying for next week’s U.S. Open, finishing the 36-hole event at eight-under par, but still found plenty to celebrate.

“As painful as it was, I’m still pretty proud of myself,” Kuntz said on Tuesday.

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Tuesday, Jun. 9, 2026

Amateur

THOMAS FRIESEN / BRANDON SUN FILES St. Charles Country Club’s Addison Kartusch recently completed her sophomore season at Bowling Green State University by winning the National Golf Invitational on Sunday.

Kartusch set to make pro debut on the links

Ken Wiebe 8 minute read Preview

Kartusch set to make pro debut on the links

Ken Wiebe 8 minute read Thursday, May. 21, 2026

Addison Kartusch is still in the early stages of her golf career, though she’s been around long enough to know that another trip to the winner’s circle can provide a meaningful springboard for what figures to be an enlightening summer ahead.

Kartusch, who plays out of St. Charles Country Club and recently completed her sophomore season at Bowling Green State University, captured top spot at the National Golf Invitational at Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club in Maricopa, Ariz., over the weekend.

Her three-round total of seven-under 209 (71-68-70) gave her a four-stroke cushion over Kiley Reisner of Wyoming and Kartusch said her putting was a critical element during the 54-hole event.

“I definitely improved a bit over the last couple of weeks, especially with my lag putting,” Kartusch said in a telephone interview. “But I also saw some more putts drop, including some longer putts from outside of 20 feet and (made) more putts from the scoring zone, from 15 feet and in, which was nice. My ball striking was solid, but I was happy with my short game.”

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Thursday, May. 21, 2026

Amateur

Binscarth’s Peake rises to the occasion

Binscarth’s Peake claims NCAA golf title for Northwest Missouri State

Joshua Frey-Sam 4 minute read Preview

Binscarth’s Peake claims NCAA golf title for Northwest Missouri State

Joshua Frey-Sam 4 minute read Wednesday, Apr. 8, 2026

Clara Peake picked a great time to have the best round of her life.

The Binscarth golfer added to her college trophy case on Tuesday after rallying from three shots down to capture the Spring Region Preview (NCAA Division II) at Shangri-La Country Club in Monkey Island, Okla.

Peake, who attends Northwest Missouri State, found her A-game and produced a three-under 69 in the final round.

“Honestly, that was the best tournament I’ve ever played, score-wise,” said Peake, who won the 2021 Manitoba junior women’s championship. “I’ve never shot in the 60s in a tournament before. I think I’ve been under par once in another tournament. But it was kind of crazy, honestly.”

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Wednesday, Apr. 8, 2026

Golf

Nasa Hataoka and Shin Ji-yai atop the leaderboard after the second round of the Toto Japan Classic

The Associated Press 2 minute read Friday, Nov. 7, 2025

OTSU, Japan (AP) — Japanese golfer Nasa Hataoka and Shin Ji-yai of South Korea sat atop the leaderboard Friday after the second round of the LPGA's Toto Japan Classic.

Hataoka shot a 4-under 68 and Shin was in with a 67 for two-round totals of 11-under 133. Miyu Yamashita of Japan, who shared the lead with Hataoka after the first round, was a stroke back of the leaders after a 69 at the Seta Golf Club in western Japan.

Three more Japanese golfers were only two strokes off the lead: Sayaka Takahashi (67), Ai Suzuki (67) and Shuri Sakuma (66).

Defending champion Rio Takeda of Japan was nine shots behind after a second-round 69.

Golf

BROOK JONES / FREE PRESS files Evan Nachtigall: I’ve come a long way.

Kartusch, Nachtigall named province’s Golfers of the Year

Mike McIntyre 5 minute read Preview

Kartusch, Nachtigall named province’s Golfers of the Year

Mike McIntyre 5 minute read Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025

Take a bow, Addison Kartusch. You too, Evan Nachtigall.

Manitoba’s reigning women and men’s amateur golf champions capped off terrific seasons by being named the provincial Golfers of the Year during a year-end ceremony on Wednesday night.

It’s the second consecutive time the 19-year-old Kartusch has taken home the hardware, and the first such distinction for the 24-year-old Nachtigall.

Both are well-deserved.

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Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025

Golf

BROOK JONES / FREE PRESS An estimated 2.6 inches of rain pounded Breezy Bend Country Club during an intense, slow-moving thunderstorm Wednesday night that led to the course being waterlogged, postponing the Manitoba Open to a Saturday start.

‘We are at the mercy of what Mother Nature wants to do’

Mike McIntyre 7 minute read Preview

‘We are at the mercy of what Mother Nature wants to do’

Mike McIntyre 7 minute read Friday, Aug. 22, 2025

The Manitoba Open has gone from a marathon to a sprint.

By now, the field of 156 golfers should have been cut to the top 60 and ties for the final two rounds of the 72-hole event. Instead, Mother Nature intervened, forcing organizers to scramble. The result is a rare two-day tournament, set to tee off Saturday morning and conclude Sunday evening.

“There’s only so much you can do when the rain falls that fast,” a disappointed tournament director Brendan Baldwin told the Free Press on Friday as he surveyed the soggy scene around him.

An estimated 2.6 inches of rain pounded Breezy Bend Country Club during an intense, slow-moving thunderstorm Wednesday night, adding to more than three inches that had already fallen the previous week.

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Friday, Aug. 22, 2025

Golf

Rain puts Manitoba Open on hold until Friday

Mike McIntyre 2 minute read Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025

A massive late-summer thunderstorm has delayed the start of the Manitoba Open.

Play was scheduled to begin early Thursday morning at Breezy Bend Country Club, but heavy overnight rain left the course too saturated for the 156 competitors to tee off.

The opening round is now set to begin Friday at 7:30 a.m.

Officials still hope to complete all 72 holes of the PGA Tour Americas event by late Sunday afternoon — weather permitting. The field will be cut to the top 60 players and ties after two rounds.

Golf

Bruce Biglow Photo Golfer Brett White tees off in his third Manitoban Open on Thursday hoping to secure crucial points for a spot on the Korn Ferry Tour.

Honorary ‘third’ Manitoban White looking to secure Korn Ferry ticket at Open

Mike McIntyre 7 minute read Preview

Honorary ‘third’ Manitoban White looking to secure Korn Ferry ticket at Open

Mike McIntyre 7 minute read Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025

Brett White’s birth certificate may say Michigan, but the 32-year-old golfer considers himself an adopted Manitoban — one who is thrilled to be “home” this week for the province’s most prestigious golf tournament.

“I love coming up here,” he said with a big smile on Wednesday after a practice round at Breezy Bend.

White’s wife, Natalie, is from Winnipeg, as is her entire family, who will be at the course starting Thursday to cheer him on in the Manitoba Open. The two met at Eastern Michigan University, where he was on a golf scholarship and she competed in gymnastics.

“It was in 2015, my last semester of school. She had two years left on her program,” he said. “Since then, I’ve been up here like every other Christmas.”

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Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025

Golf

Thomas Friesen / The Brandon Sun Files Four-time men’s amateur champ Braxton Kuntz will start his pro career on his home golf course at the Manitoba Open. The tourney runs from Aug. 21-24.

New twists at Breezy Bend for Manitoba Open

Ken Wiebe 7 minute read Preview

New twists at Breezy Bend for Manitoba Open

Ken Wiebe 7 minute read Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025

Cory Johnson can’t wait to reveal Breezy Bend Country Club to the top players on PGA Tour Americas.

As Manitoba’s professional tour stop gets set to return to Winnipeg next week, it will do so at Breezy Bend for the first time since 1993 — when Frank Edmonds of Thunder Bay, Ont., captured the event with a score of 18-under par.

Much has changed since the last time Breezy Bend held the event. More than $9 million has been spent on improvements during the past 15 years, including eight new greens and six new tee boxes built on the course.

“We think the club has come so far and now we can really showcase that,” said Johnson, who remembers serving as a caddie the last time Breezy Bend held the tournament. “The course has never been in better condition. It’s just pristine.”

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Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025

Amateur

Golf Manitoba Drew Jones of Shilo Country Club enters the final round of the Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur Championship as the clubhouse leader, holding a one-stroke lead over Evan Nachtigall.

Jones takes one-stroke lead into final round at amateur

Ken Wiebe 7 minute read Preview

Jones takes one-stroke lead into final round at amateur

Ken Wiebe 7 minute read Tuesday, Jul. 15, 2025

To say that Drew Jones has been here before is a massive understatement.

The golfer from Shilo Country Club has knocked on the door plenty of times, and he’s got a full collection of runner-up finishes to show for it.

But as the Brandon product steps to the first tee on Wednesday at Southwood Golf and Country Club, Jones enters the final round of the Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur Championship as the clubhouse leader, holding a one-stroke lead over clubmate and friend Evan Nachtigall.

“It’s funny, I have all of my second-place medals and always look at them,” said Jones, who carded a second consecutive round of 3-under 69 to move to minus-six for the tournament. “I always try to think ‘what did I learn from this one, what did I learn from that one?’ Last year, it was just to slow down a little. There was some very easy and basic stuff that just went over top of my head, strategy-wise. All of those little things add up to strokes. So, hit the smart shot.”

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Tuesday, Jul. 15, 2025

Amateur

Golf Manitoba photos Spence Mott (left) had an up-and-down round Wednesday while Addison Kartusch repeated her women’s triple-crown triumph from last year.

Kartusch, Mott claim junior links glory

Joshua Frey-Sam 6 minute read Preview

Kartusch, Mott claim junior links glory

Joshua Frey-Sam 6 minute read Wednesday, Jul. 9, 2025

That Spence Mott was able to make a pressure-free swing from the 18th tee box might’ve even surprised him after the way his day unfolded.

The Shilo teen watched his one-shot lead turn into a three-stroke deficit by the third hole earlier in the day before he weathered a roller-coaster final round in the junior men’s provincial championship.

Yet, by the end of it, Mott had reclaimed the game that had him leading the tournament through 18 and 36 holes, respectively, and swung easy to a par on the last hole to cap a six-shot victory at Quarry Oaks on Wednesday.

“It feels nice to win again. It’s been a while,” the 18-year-old said.

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Wednesday, Jul. 9, 2025

Amateur

MIKE PETERS / GOLF MANITOBA Niakwa’s Jeri Lafleche shot 70 on Tuesday at Quarry Oaks, growing her lead to a seven-shot advantage in the Junior Girls Championship.

Lafleche takes seven-stroke lead into final round

Joshua Frey-Sam 6 minute read Preview

Lafleche takes seven-stroke lead into final round

Joshua Frey-Sam 6 minute read Tuesday, Jul. 8, 2025

Jeri Lafleche has played enough competitive golf to know her lead can disappear in a few swings.

With the way the Winnipeg teen is striking the ball, however, perhaps that’s all it’ll take for her to become unreachable on Wednesday.

Lafleche, who began the day with a two-shot advantage, ended Tuesday’s round at the junior women’s provincial championship with a seven-stroke lead after firing a rock-solid 2-under 70 at Quarry Oaks in Steinbach.

The Niakwa member is not afraid to recognize that she’s played outstandingly through two days, but she’s also not wiping away her game face with 18 holes remaining.

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Tuesday, Jul. 8, 2025

Golf

GOLF MANITOBA PHOTO Allan McDonald (left) and Addison Kartusch both repeated as champions in the provincial Men’s Mid-Amateur and Manitoba Women’s Amateur golf tournaments on Friday at St. Charles.

Double repeat as Kartusch and McDonald retain amateur golf titles

Mike McIntyre 4 minute read Preview

Double repeat as Kartusch and McDonald retain amateur golf titles

Mike McIntyre 4 minute read Friday, Jul. 4, 2025

It was an exciting case of deja vu for Addison Kartusch and Allan McDonald.

The reigning champions of the Diamond Athletic Manitoba Women’s Amateur and provincial Men’s Mid-Amateur held off some stiff competition to claim their second consecutive titles Friday afternoon at St. Charles Country Club.

Kartusch, 18, ended up pulling away for an eight-stroke victory following rounds of 73-70-74 which left her at one-over par for the 54-hole event. Minnedosa’s Clara Peake (76-70-79) and Killarney’s Cala Korman (76-72-77) finished tied for second.

“It was pretty special to play on my home course,” Kartusch said. “It was nice to play the way I wanted to and the way I know I could here.”

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Friday, Jul. 4, 2025

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