Golf

Golf

MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Manitoba men’s amateur champion Rory Neill teed off at Elmhurst Golf and Country club last Thursday for the Manitoba Open. General Manager of the Glendale Golf and Country Club, James Chapman, said Monday he was thrilled to see the links represented by Neill last week.

Preparations have already begun for next year’s Manitoba Open

Ken Wiebe 4 minute read Monday, Aug. 24, 2026

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.

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Golf

Swede leads Manitoba Open, Winnipegger sits 33rd

Swede leads Manitoba Open, Winnipegger sits 33rd

Mike McIntyre 7 minute read Preview

Swede leads Manitoba Open, Winnipegger sits 33rd

Mike McIntyre 7 minute read Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026

From Lars-Erik Sjoberg to Thomas Steen to Viggo Bjorck, there’s no shortage of Swedish athletes who have quickly become fan favourites here in Winnipeg.

Daniel Svard is hoping to add his name to the growing list.

Although he wields a golf club and not a hockey stick, the 23-year-old from Stockholm is opening plenty of eyes this week at Elmhurst. He carries a two-shot lead into Sunday’s final round of the Manitoba Open, looking to close out his first professional victory in his just his fourth career tournament.

Svard fired a six-under 66 on Saturday to move to 14-under through 54 holes of the PGA Tour Americas event.

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Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026

Golf

MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Despite falling from just one shot back of the lead to being tied for 40th after Friday, Winnipegger Braxton Kuntz has made the cut for the first time at the Manitoba Open. He previously played three times on sponsor’s exemptions.

Five-way tie for first means Manitoba Open is still up for grabs

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Preview

Five-way tie for first means Manitoba Open is still up for grabs

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Friday, Aug. 21, 2026

Garrison Smith isn’t sure why he’s playing the best golf of his life up in Canada this summer.

But the 26-year-old Texan has a very tasty theory.

“You know, I did have poutine here (Thursday) night. And I had some in New Brunswick, too,” Smith said Friday as he grabbed a share of the lead at the midway point of the Manitoba Open at Elmhurst.

He may be on to something.

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Friday, Aug. 21, 2026

Amateur

Before finishing second, Evan Nachtigall was aiming to become the first Manitoban to win the national title since Todd Fanning in 2017.

Brandon’s Nachtigall comes up short of Canadian Mid-Am title

Mike McIntyre 5 minute read Preview

Brandon’s Nachtigall comes up short of Canadian Mid-Am title

Mike McIntyre 5 minute read Friday, Aug. 21, 2026

Evan Nachtigall was about 12-feet away from making history.

But a slippery downhill birdie putt for the win on Friday afternoon in Ontario proved to be a bit too aggressive, leaving the 25-year-old Brandon golfer with a nervy comeback attempt that ultimately fell painfully short.

The resulting bogey, on the 72nd and final hole of play at the Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship, left him one shot behind playing partner Garrett Rank, who tapped in his par to claim victory.

“It kind of stings,” Nachtigall told the Free Press shortly after finishing up at the Brantford Golf & Country Club. “At the end of the day, second place in my first time playing this event and losing to a guy who’s now won it four times, I guess I’ll have to take it.”

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Friday, Aug. 21, 2026

Golf

MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Winnipegger Braxton Kuntz shot a stellar five-under 67 to finish just one shot shy of the lead after the first round of the Manitoba Open Thursday.

Winnipegger just one shot off the lead after opening round at Manitoba Open

Mike McIntyre 7 minute read Preview

Winnipegger just one shot off the lead after opening round at Manitoba Open

Mike McIntyre 7 minute read Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026

Braxton Kuntz began the week not knowing if he’d even be able to play in the Manitoba Open.

The 22-year-old Winnipegger will head to Elmhurst early Friday morning just one shot off the lead — hanging tough with the heavyweights from PGA Tour Americas — after firing a fantastic five-under 67 Thursday afternoon.

“Playing in front of friends, family, a nice gallery watching out there…to start out like that, I’m putting myself in contention,” said Kuntz.

He didn’t realize just how close he was until the Free Press informed him that only Kentucky’s Drew Doyle, who has already won on tour earlier this season, had posted a better score among the 156-player field. Doyle shot a six-under 66.

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Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026

Amateur

Thomas Friesen / BRANDON SUN FILES Evan Nachtigall sits alone on top of the Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur championship at 17-under through 54 holes Thursday. The Brandon product would be the first Manitoban to win the national title since Todd Fanning in 2017.

Nachtigall top of the pack heading into Canadian Mid-Am final

Mike McIntyre 4 minute read Preview

Nachtigall top of the pack heading into Canadian Mid-Am final

Mike McIntyre 4 minute read Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026

Evan Nachtigall is trying not to get ahead of himself. But you’ll forgive the young Manitoba golfer for pondering the “what if” as he stands on the cusp of a career milestone.

Nachtigall, 25, sits alone on top of the Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur championship through 54 holes. He is 17-under par and carries a two-shot lead into Friday’s final round at the Brantford Golf & Country Club in Ontario.

“It would be incredible, but there is a lot of golf left to go so I won’t be thinking too much about that until hopefully the final putt drops,” Nachtigall told reporters on scene Thursday.

The Brandon product is aiming to become the first Manitoban to win the national title since Todd Fanning did so in 2017, winning a playoff over Ontario’s Garrett Rank.

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Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026

Golf

Vera Nieuwenhuis / The Associated Press Alabama’s Thomas Ponder tees off during an NCAA golf tournament in 2023.

Dream season for Ponder who has yet to miss a cut on PGA Tour Americas

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Preview

Dream season for Ponder who has yet to miss a cut on PGA Tour Americas

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026

He may not be a household name to average golf fans just yet, but that’s likely about to change rather quickly.

And local lovers of the sport might want to hurry down to Elmhurst this week to catch a glimpse of Thomas Ponder before he’s off to play where the grass is even greener. Or, at the very least, where the paycheques are much bigger.

Ponder enters this year’s Manitoba Open atop the PGA Tour Americas points list and is a virtual lock to, at the very least, earn promotion to the Korn Ferry Tour for 2027, which is awarded to the top 10 finishers.

A jump directly to the PGA Tour — the way recent Manitoba Open winners such as Hayden Springer and Johnny Keefer, and other competitors such as Neal Shipley and Michael Brennan, have made — wouldn’t be a huge surprise, either.

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Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026

Golf

NIC ADAM / FREE PRESS FILES Braxton Kuntz watches a shot in the Manitoba Open in 2024. Kuntz qualified for this week’s tournament on Monday and is playing in the event for the fourth time.

Kuntz qualifies to join two other Winnipeggers at the Manitoba Open

Mike McIntyre 5 minute read Preview

Kuntz qualifies to join two other Winnipeggers at the Manitoba Open

Mike McIntyre 5 minute read Monday, Aug. 17, 2026

The Manitoba Open will have plenty of local flavour when it tees off this week at Elmhurst.

Three Winnipeggers are in the field of 156, which primarily features PGA Tour Americas members from around the world competing in one of North America’s oldest golf tournaments, starting Thursday and running through Sunday.

Rory Neill punched his ticket earlier this summer by winning the Manitoba Amateur, which comes with an automatic berth. It’s a huge step for the 22-year-old, who is a member at Glendale.

A second sponsor’s exemption went to Ryan McMillan, who gets to play his home course. McMillan, 27, works as an assistant pro at Elmhurst in addition to being the University of Manitoba’s golf coach. He’s also a decorated amateur player, having won back-to-back provincial junior titles in 2017 and 2018. His uncle, Rob, won the Open in 1996.

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Monday, Aug. 17, 2026

Golf

PGA Tour Americas Photos Étienne Papineau (above) sits fifth on the points list for the Korn Ferry Tour going into the Manitoba Open. The Quebecer is fresh off a dramatic playoff victory at the Osprey Valley Open in late July. Joey Savoie (below) is seventh thanks to capturing the KIA Open de Ecuador in May.

Countdown to tee off at the Manitoba Open begins

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Preview

Countdown to tee off at the Manitoba Open begins

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026

It’s not quite at Stanley Cup drought territory — that sits at 33 years and counting — but it’s been a long wait for a Canadian golfer to capture the prestigious Manitoba Open.

Seventeen years, to be exact, since Graham DeLaet accomplished the feat.

Could that be about to end? We’ll find out when one of North America’s longest-running golf tournaments tees off at Elmhurst Golf and Country Club from Aug. 20-23.

The odds may be better than they’ve been in ages. Two Canadians have won on the PGA Tour Americas this season, and both will arrive in Winnipeg looking to add another title while strengthening their bid for a career-changing advancement to the Korn Ferry Tour.

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Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026

Amateur

BOB POOLE / GOLF MANITOBA Manitoba senior men’s champion Todd Fanning will tee it up in the nationals at his home course in early September.

Winning never gets old

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Preview

Winning never gets old

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Wednesday, Jul. 29, 2026

Todd Fanning is among the most decorated golfers in Manitoba history.

But a second straight senior men’s championship — captured Wednesday at Breezy Bend — was especially sweet.

That’s because it opens the door for him to represent the province at the Canadian senior men’s championship, which just so happens to be set for his sporting backyard at Niakwa in early September.

“This tournament was really important for me. Not only defending, but to try and get on the team and try to represent our home course,” Fanning told the Free Press.

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Wednesday, Jul. 29, 2026

Amateur

Thomas Friesen / BRANDON SUN FILES Evan Nachtigall carded a four-under 68 in his opening round and then did one better later in the day to set himself up well for the final round.

Elmhurst golfer carries three stroke lead into final round of Mid-Am

Joshua Frey-Sam 6 minute read Preview

Elmhurst golfer carries three stroke lead into final round of Mid-Am

Joshua Frey-Sam 6 minute read Tuesday, Jul. 21, 2026

Evan Nachtigall wouldn’t call it a perfect day of golf, but it was pretty darn close for the Elmhurst member.

The 25-year-old holds the solo lead at 9-under par in the provincial Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship after a 36-hole opening day at Quarry Oaks in Steinbach on Tuesday.

Nachtigall, the reigning Men’s Golfer of the Year, carded a four-under 68 on his opening 18 on the strength of four birdies and an eagle, then did one better on his second time out, firing a bogey-free five-under 67 in gusty conditions.

“It’s been a good day,” said Nachtigall, who won the 2025 Men’s Amateur Championship. “I feel like I really stayed patient out there. Definitely frustrated on the greens, for sure. I felt like I probably had at least 20 good looks at birdie out there today, and I’m just burning edges. But at the end of the day, nine-under through two rounds, I’ll take it.”

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Tuesday, Jul. 21, 2026

Amateur

Thomas Friesen / Brandon Sun Rory Neill shot 73 on Tuesday to stay in the lead heading into the final round of the Golf Manitoba men’s amateur at St. Boniface Golf Club.

Bisons’ Neill carries lead into final round of men’s amateur

Joshua Frey-Sam 3 minute read Preview

Bisons’ Neill carries lead into final round of men’s amateur

Joshua Frey-Sam 3 minute read Tuesday, Jul. 14, 2026

RORY Neill woke up Tuesday with a share of the lead in the 115th edition of the Golf Manitoba men’s amateur championship.

He went to bed with the solo lead.

The Glendale member rests at 2-under for the 54-hole event and will take a one-stroke advantage into Wednesday’s final round at St. Boniface Golf Club after firing a one-over 73 on Tuesday.

The University of Manitoba Bisons’ golfer got out of the gates much slower than he did in Monday’s opening round, bogeying four of his first six holes, but stuck with it, finding birdies on four of the last 10 holes to salvage his round.

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Tuesday, Jul. 14, 2026

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 Preview

‘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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Wednesday, Jul. 8, 2026

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

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