Crozier shoots collegiate low; fall seasons continue to conclude for Sask. student-athletes

Photo courtesy Duane Pochylko.

Regina’s Hallie Crozier posted her best collegiate round to date for the Ferris State Bulldogs in Dade City, Flo. at the Saint Leo Invitational on Oct. 21 and 22. The Royal Regina Golf Club member tied for 29th overall with scores of 75, 72 (career best), and 78 in round three. Overall, the Bulldogs were 10th as a team.

Their fall season is now over.

North of the border Saskatoon’s Symone Ripley and the University of British Columbia Okanagan (UBCO) Heat took on the University of the Fraser Valley Cascade in a two-day match-play event in Kelowna. On Monday Ripley teamed up with Andrew Rouble and won their 4-Ball match 1 up. On Tuesday in singles matches Ripley downed Lucy Park 7 and 5.

The Heat won the event 12 to 9. UNCO will travel to Buckeye, Ari. for the Firestorm Fall Invite are Verrado Golf Club starting Nov. 4.

Myles Johnson and the University of Victoria Vikes have a third place team finish in the books as their fall season ends. Competing at Gold Mountain Golf Club on Oct. 21 and 22 at the UBC Men’s Fall Invitational in Bremerton, Wash. the Legends Golf Club member fired rounds of 74, 73, and 73 to tie for 12th place.

Saskatoon’s Chase Pochylko led Nicholls University at their home event on Oct. 21 and 22 with a 14th place finish. In Mathews La. at LaTour Golf Club the Riverside Country Club player went 73, 74, and 68 to lead the Colonels to a seventh place finish. This is Pochylko’s second straight top 20 showing.

Nicholls fall season is also complete.

Will Danielson’s fall season at Milsaps College has come to an end with another top 20 performance for the Saskatoon product. Competing in Rome, Ga. at the Chick-fil-A Invitational hosted at Stonebridge Golf Club, the Riverside Country Club member shot 71 and 78 on Oct. 21 and 22.

He was tied for 19th, the Majors as a team were 12th out of 24 schools competing.

A handful of players still have events this year, a few will begin on Oct. 28, a couple more are scheduled to play beginning Nov. 5.

2024 Order of Merit winners crowned; receive exemption into 2025 provincial championship

The great seasons for eight Saskatchewan golfers is culminating with Order of Merit (OMT) championships and exemptions into a provincial event of their choosing in 2025.

The under-15 women’s champion for this year is Regina’s Yuna Lee. The 14-year-old won two events this past season, the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT) Season Opener in Estevan and the MJT Saskatchewan Classic in Warman. The Royal Regina Golf Club (RRGC) member had a second place finish and two fourth place spots as well this year. Lee compiled 1,340 points, beating Grace Odnokon by just 20 points.

In the under-19 women’s category Chloe Wills from Kyle is the champion. The now 17-year-old who celebrated her birthday on Tuesday dominated this season winning four of the five events she played in. The Saskatchewan Landing Golf Resort player won four MJT championships this season and placed third in the Saskatchewan Junior Women’s Championships in Yorkton. Wills picked up 2,950 points this year, Regina’s Tayla Perry was second at 2,300 points.

On the under-13 men’s OMT June Lee of Regina is the winner.

The RRGC junior also commanded the tour with four victories including the under-13 Saskatchewan championship in Yorkton at Deer Park Municipal Golf Course. Lee earned 1,440 points, 90 more than Kellen Hunter of Casa Rio.

The under-15 men’s OMT was also dominated by one player. Saskatoon’s Lucas Sturgeon was five for five in events including the under-15 Saskatchewan championship. Sturgeon picked up the maximum 1,700 points over a handful of events. Pilot Butte shooter Austin Nesbitt was second having a banner season as well collecting 1,535 points.

Ethan Hunter of Casa Rio won two events this year giving him just enough points to hold off Saskatchewan junior champion Ryan Mosher in the under-19 OMT race. Hunter won the MJT event at Deer Valley and also took the Notah Begay III Saskatchewan Open at Dakota Dunes Golf Links in July. Hunter had a pair of second place showings as well. He beat Mosher by 69 points.

The women’s OMT championship was a tie, Carla Odnokon and Sue Skinner are co-winners and will both receive entry into an event in 2025.

Odnokon played two events including the Saskatchewan Mid-Amateur Women’s Championship that the Saskatoon resident won, she was also fourth in the Amateur Women’s Championship.

Skinner also earned 1,600 points playing in five events.

The Senior Men’s OMT features the only back-to-back champion. Rick Hallberg of Weyburn has won again after earning 3,050 points in five events and two victories. The Golf Kenosee player won the Auto Clearing Senior Men’s Championship and the Senior Men’s Frametech Classic this summer.

Saskatchewan Senior Men’s champion Colin Coben was second, 643 points back of Hallberg.

Lastly in the men’s OMT division, Saskatchewan Mid-Amateur champion Danny Klughart is the winner.

Klughart played three OMT events winning a pair of the them including the Lobstick in Waskesiu to go along with his fourth mid-amateur championship.

The Cooke Municipal Golf Course shooter was just 162 points ahead of Carlisle’s Dallas Lequyer. Lequyer had a great season as well with two wins.

To see the complete results of the 2024 OMT standings click here.

The 2025 OMT schedule is being worked on now and will be released as soon as possible.

The 2025 Golf Saskatchewan schedule will be released in November.

Perry proud of high school gold; eyes nationals and college career

Tayla Perry of Regina is basking in the glow of a gold medal at the 2024 Saskatchewan High School Athletic Association Golf Championships.

Perry, who plays at Wascana Country Club and attends Campbell Collegiate shot 76 in round one and 78 in round two to win the event by two shots over Chloe Wills of Kyle.

Perry sat down with Golf Saskatchewan to chat about her start in golf, competing, the SHSAA win, and her goals going forward.

McIntyre collects first collegiate top-10; Swinnerton cracks top 100 Div. 2 ranked players

Alex Swinnerton concluded his fall season at IUP ranked as the 100th Div. 2 men's golfer in the U.S.

The Minot State University (MSU) Beavers fall season concluded with a third place finish at the USF Invitational at Grand Falls Casino and Golf Resort in Larchwood, IA. on Oct. 14 and 15.

Estevan’s Jace Carlisle led the team with fourth place tie thanks to a solid 68 in the second round. He jumped 24 spots up the leaderboard after an opening round 76. Fellow Estevanian Chase Gedak tied for 17th at 150 (72-78), Darien Herlick of Weyburn concluded his first fall season tying for 20th at 151 (74-77), and Winston Grayson of Kipling also wrapped his first semester at MSU with a 39th place showing with rounds of 80 and 78.

“We have been really impressed with our freshman Darien and Winston. They have provided us with a consistency and depth that we have not had in a long time here at Minot State,” said MSU Head Coach Eli Mihalick on the Beavers website.

In the women’s event also at Grand Falls Holly Knudsen of Chaplin tied for 27th with a 165 (80-85). The MSU women’s team was seventh.

“Holly Knudsen has had some really good finishes for us this year, topped off by her tie for first place at the U-Mary Fall Invite, which she lost on the second playoff hole,” Mihalick added.

Ella Kozak’s first fall season at Western Carolina University has included a pair of hurricanes along the Atlantic Ocean coast. The Catamounts and Kozak were on the course in Chapel Hill, N.C. on Oct. 11 to 13. Kozak had travelled back to Yorkton while Hurricane Helene amd Milton ravaged the east coast of the United States. She did return to compete in the Ruth’s Chris Tar Heel Invitational. The Deer Park Municipal Golf Course member shot 77, 81, and 80 to finish tied for 81st. The Catamounts were 19th, their next event is The Robbie hosted in Huntsville, Ala. beginning Oct. 25.

In Lebanon, PA. Alex Swinnerton and Guillermo Salazar concluded their seasons with Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) over the weekend of Oct. 18 to 20. The Waskesiu junior graduates helped the Crimson Hawks to a fourth place team finish overall. Guillermo who hails from Calgary was tied for 13th after rounds of 80, 76, and 72 at Iron Valley Golf Club. Swinnerton also got better each day opening with an 82, then going 77, 73 to tie for 21st.

Swinnerton will finish the fall season ranked 100th among NCAA Div. 2 golfers.

Cole Taylor of Nipawin and the Park University Buccaneers were in Buckeye, Ariz. for the ERAU Fall Invitational at Verrado Golf Club on Oct. 14 and 15. Taylor placed 27th with back-to-back rounds of 78 and an 83 in round three. The Bucs were fourth of five teams.

Park has one more event this season, that is the ACU Fall Invitational on Nov. 4 and 5.

Makstyr McIntyre has his first collegiate top 10 finish with the Rocky Mountain College Bears program. On Oct. 14 and 15 in Billings, Mont. at Lake Hills Golf Course, the Swift Current product posted scores of 74, 71, and 74 for a 54-hole total of 219. He was competing as an individual.

McIntyre and the Battlin Bears are scheduled to join Taylor and the Bucs in Buckeye on Nov. 4 and 5.

The Carter’s from Saskatoon were in action on Oct. 14 and 15 in Seaside, Cal. at Bayonet Golf Course at the Otter Invitational. Carter Degelman was competing as an individual in the event, the Dominican University of California freshman tied for 76th at 234 (78, 76, 80). Carter Bell opened with an 82, the Riverside Country Club member shot 84 in round two, then fired a 77 in round three, he was tied for 97th in the Penguins last fall event. The team struggled to a 19th place finish.

Up to 10 more Saskatchewan student-athletes are scheduled to play events starting Monday.

Golf Saskatchewan will provide a recap later this week as more seasons conclude in both Canada and the United States.

Milestone year full of highlights for Royal Regina

As the season closed on Oct. 13 for the Royal Regina Golf Club, General Manager Ryan Pollock is looking back on the 125th anniversary at the club fondly.

Planning started for the milestone a coupe years ago and the festivities have been in the works essentially since Pollock was hired in May of 2021.

He sat down with Golf Saskatchewan to recap the year, and talk about what’s happening now and into the future at the course.

No shortage of goals for Odnokon; looks back on dual national summer

Grace Odnokon of Saskatoon is crushing goals on the golf course, but has many more achieve.

The Saskatoon Golf and Country Club junior took part in two nationals this summer including the inaugural Golf Canada Bantam (U15) championships in Elmira, Ont.

Moving forward the 14-year-old has her eyes set on an appearance at the Canadian Amateur Women’s Championship, another crack at juniors and what could be a Saskatchewan first, joining her mother Carla on the provincial amateur championship trophy.

Canada West Championships highlight university golf schedule

Myles Johnson (second, right) and the University of Victoria Vikes earned the bronze medal at this week's USports Canada West Championships.

The USports Canada West Golf Championships took place Oct. 7 and 8 with several Saskatchewan student-athletes in the field.

Symone Ripley of Saskatoon competed for the University of British Columbia Okanagan (UBCO) hosted by the Okanagan Golf Club in Kelowna, B.C. Ripley shot 74 in round one and 82 in round two, she was 14th overall in a field of 36 players.

Ripley and the UBCO team were second in the team competition, the University of British Columbia won the team portion. The Coquihalla Cup is next for the Heat, also taking place at the Okanagan Golf Club on Oct. 21 and 22.

In the men’s field, Martensville product Myles Johnson and the University of Victoria Vikes were taking part. The Legends Golf Club member opened with a 71, then shot 75 on day too, he tied for 16th overall in a field of 48 players.

The University of Regina golf squad was also taking part, Jackson Wingert of Saskatoon was the top Cougar placing 25th after rounds of 77 and 75. Carter Bell shot 80 and 74, the Regina product tied for 32nd, Reece Kuski finished at 13-over par (79, 78), Micah Tangjerd fired a 77 on day one and 83 in the second round, he was tied for 41st.

UBCO won the men’s championship, Johnson and the Vikes picked up the bronze medal, the Cougars finished eighth in their first Canada West championship since the club’s inception a couple seasons ago.

South of the border, Regina’s Hallie Crozier and the Ferris State Bulldogs were home in Big Rapids, Mich. Hosting the Bulldog Fall Invite at Katke Golf Course. The team was edged by seven shots for the overall title by Grand Valley State. As for the Royal Regina Golf Club member, Crozier posted rounds of 79 and 76 for a great showing placing seventh.

The St. Leo Invitational in Dade City, Flo. Will wrap up the Bulldogs fall season.

Milsaps College senior Will Danielson was competing in Douglasville, GA. at the West Pines Golf Club on Oct. 7 and 8. The Riverside Country Club member shot 78, 80, and a tidy 72 over 54 holes, his 230 was good enough for 57th place. Danielson vaulted 23 spots up the leaderboard on the final day.

The Majors were 15th in the team competition that featured 20 schools. Danielson will be in Rome, GA. for the Chick-fil-A Invitational beginning Oct. 21 at the Stonebridge Golf Club.

In Onalaska, Wis. on Oct. 7 and 8, Caden Loeppky of Saskatoon was on the course competing as an individual at the V-Hawk Invitational hosted by La Crosse Country Club. He shot 81 and 95 to tie for 42nd.

The Warriors were third as a team. That concludes Waldorf’s fall season.

Regina duo Will Blake and Luke Cote alongside the Southern Arkansas University (SAU) Muleriders were in St. Joseph, Mis. for the Holiday Inn Express MWSU Central Region Preview at St. Joseph Country Club. Cote tied for 33rd at 220, Blake was tied for 58th at 12-over par, 225.

The Muleriders were second in the team championship. SAU will be in Tulsa, Okla. for the Tulsa Cup at Indian Springs Country Club on Oct. 28 and 29.

Waskesiu junior graduates Alex Swinnerton and Guillermo Salazar were in Fairview, Pa. for the Howard “Bud” Elwell Invitational on Oct. 7 and 8 competing with the Indianna University of Pennsylvania (IUP) Crimson Hawks at Whispering Woods Golf Club. Salazar came second in the event with rounds of 71 and 72, the winner was nine strokes lower than the field.

Swinnerton opened with a 79 in round one, bounced back nicely on day two jumping 13 spots on the leaderboard with a 73 in round two, the Saskatoon product was 12th.

The Crimson Hawks were fourth out of eight teams. Their next event is the PSAC Championships on Oct. 18 to 20 at Iron Valley Golf Club in Lebanon, Pa.

Carter Bell and Carter Degelman, both of Saskatoon were in Santa Barbera, Cal. on Oct. 7 and 8 for the Westmont Invitational with the Dominican University of California Penguins. Bell shot back-to-back rounds of 77, he tied for 24th, Degelman posted rounds of 82, he was 34th.

The Penguins were sixth as a team in the event. The Otter Invitational in Seaside, Cal. on Oct. 14 and 15 to close the season.

The Carroll Invite at the Bill Roberts Golf Course in Helena, Mont. was on Oct. 7 and 8 with Colby Friedrich of North Battleford and Adam Husli of Regina in the field competing for the University of Providence Argos. Friedrich shot 75, 71, and 82 to finish tied for 19th. Husli was three spots back in 22nd after rounds of 79, 78, and 75.

The team was fourth out of seven schools. The Conference Championships in Phoenix, Ari. is next for the Argos at Papago Golf Course on April 13 to 16.

PGA of Saskatchewan announces award nominees

The PGA of Saskatchewan has announced the nominees for their 2024 awards.

Graham Coulter Head Professional of the Year
Dean Brown (Royal Regina Golf Club)
Ryan Wells (Elk Ridge Golf Resort)

Executive Professional of the Year
Dana Johnson (North Battleford Golf & Country Club)
Allan Sauser (Deer Park Municipal Golf Course)
McLaren Taylor (Saskatoon Golf & Country Club)
Marty Wheaton (Lloydminster Golf & Country Club)

Class ‘A’ Assistant Professional of the Year
Brad Lovatt (Wascana Country Club)
Chad Lavallee (Riverside Country Club)

Apprentice Professional of the Year
Cody Callaway (The Willows Club)
Brandon Ho (The Willows Club)
Hannah MacNeil (The Willows Club)
Paul Mennie (Lloydminster Golf & Country Club)
Chloe Sies (Deer Park Municipal Golf Course)
Sam Wills (Deer Valley Golf & Estates)

John Gaudet Teacher of the Year
Patty Jonas (Saskatoon Golf & Country Club)
Tom Kinsmen (Lloydminster Golf & Country Club)
Jason Schneider (Wildwood Golf Course)
Garrett McMillan (Wascana Country Club)

Coach of the Year
Steve Ryde (The Willows Club)
Jason Schneider (Wildwood Golf Course)
Clinton Schmaltz (Moon Lake Golf & Country Club)
Jeff Chambers (Elmwood Golf Club)

Junior Leader of the Year
Cody Callaway (The Willows Club)
Jason Schneider (Wildwood Golf Course)
Dana Johnson (North Battleford Golf & Country Club)

Retailer of the Year
Dean Brown (Royal Regina Golf Club)
Allan Sauser (Deer Park Municipal Golf Club)
John Greenough (Deer Valley Golf & Estates)
Derrick Tallon (Evergreen Golf Course)
Marty Wheaton (Lloydminster Golf & Curling Centre)

The awards ceremony will be held on Oct. 28 at Dakota Dunes Resort as part of the 2024 PGA of Saskatchewan Buying Show.

Golf Saskatchewan will be on hand to provide coverage of the awards.

Regina golfer takes part in World Amateur Long Drive Competition

Zach Sharp (middle) was joined by a couple supporters in South Carolina at the World Amateur Long Drive Competition in late September.

Growing up in Carlyle playing several different sports, and excelling in baseball Zach Sharp has used “swinging fast and hard” to land him a spot on Team Canada for the recent World Amateur Long Drive Competition in South Carolina in late September.

Originally published in the Carlyle Observer, Sharp has returned from the trip and recounts the experience, his start in the sport, and where he hopes it can go in Saskatchewan and beyond.

Super summer for Sturgeon

Lucas Sturgeon didn’t miss this past season in Saskatchewan.

The 2024 under-15 Saskatchewan champion won the age group in Yorkton by 27 strokes, the 14-year-old also claimed every bantam Maple Leaf Junior Tour (MJT) event he entered this season.

The Saskatoon Golf and Country Club member just missed getting into the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, but he did participate and played well at the inaugural Golf Canada Under-15 Championship in Elmira, Ont. to launch what will likely be a long list of national appearances through Sturgeon’s development.

He spoke with Golf Saskatchewan about his start in golf and competition, determination to get better, and what his goals are in the sport.