‘It’s time to showcase Glendale’

The baton has been passed and Glendale Golf and Country Club is ready for the next leg of the Manitoba Open.

As the folks at Elmhurst Golf and Country Club take time to exhale and celebrate a successful 2026 edition that wrapped up with an exciting playoff hole to crown a champion on Sunday afternoon, James Chapman is looking forward to welcoming players and patrons alike to Glendale in 2027.

“We’ve already started preparations, with sponsorships, logistics and just getting the course ready,” Chapman, the general manager of Glendale, said in a telephone interview on Monday afternoon. “We’ve built four new tee boxes, which will all be ready for the tournament. We’re doing a bunch of different things to make sure that we’ll treat everyone to a good experience.”

Those new tee boxes will give the course some additional length for the 72-hole tournament, including the finishing hole, which added roughly 90 yards to the par-4 that features a slight dogleg from right to left and a green that is protected by bunkers.

Glendale has also upgraded its practice facilities, including the driving range and putting green.

Although there still could be some tweaks with the yardage, the expectation is that Glendale will play as a par-71 for the event, with the 17th hole potentially playing as a longer par-4 instead of a par-5.

The stop at Glendale for the PGA Tour Americas event is part of a five-course rotation that began with Breezy Bend Country Club last year, moves to Pine Ridge Golf Club in 2028 and is scheduled to return to Southwood Golf and Country Club in 2029.

Chapman tipped his cap to the staff and volunteers at Elmhurst, noting that he was on site for several meetings with PGA Tour Americas staff and also was able to participate in the Pro-Am.

Glendale, which was originally designed by renowned Canadian golf architect Stanley Thompson, has made a number of improvements to the course over the past few years and several of those were on display during the Monday qualifier last week.

“We’ve put in a ton of work and it’s time to showcase Glendale in another format,” said Chapman, who is in his eighth season as GM at Glendale. “The golf course is going to play great for the players and it’s going to be great for spectators and sponsors. It’s a great location. We’re ready for it and we’re really looking forward to it.

“I saw a lot of great things from Southwood, Breezy Bend and Elmhurst. We’re definitely going to put our spin on it. It’s still early on for exact details but there are going to be a lot of fun things happening throughout the week.”

Chapman was excited to see three Manitobans in the field last week — including Braxton Kuntz (who made the cut after earning his spot through the Monday qualifier), Elmhurst assistant pro Ryan McMillan and Glendale member Rory Neill, who earned his exemption after winning the Manitoba Men’s Amateur Championship at St. Boniface Golf Club last month.

“Rory is just getting better and better every year and that was great for our membership to stay tuned and watch him as he played the first two days,” said Chapman. “Braxton was here in the Monday qualifier and he shot 67 here, which was an exceptional round. Everyone was cheering these guys on.

“For me personally, I think the Manitoba Open is so important for Winnipeg and Manitoba. It’s needed and I want to continue to contribute to that. Glendale membership is fully supportive in wanting to host a great event.”

winnipegfreepress.com/kenwiebe