Manitoba Golf Guide

Tak a e ke k yo y u ou o r ur u ga g m am a e me m to t th t e he h ne n x ex e t xt x le l v ev e e ve v l el e ! Expires May 31/16 LAC DU BONNET, MB Tee times can be booked at 204-345-4653 or toll free at 855-593-3306 www.granitehills.ca Book your next tee time at the GRANITE HILLS GOLF CLUB 14 DAY ADVANCE BOOKINGS • GIFT CARDS Mark your calendars: LADIES' WELLNESS OPEN July 20/16 MEN'S SENIOR OPEN August 17/16 ANNUAL HIS & HERS August 21/16 SPRING SPECIAL Green Fee with power cart $ 45 $ 53 Mon.-Thurs. Fri., Sat., Sun. 03 GOLF GUIDE 2016 Manitoba Manitoba M I t's becoming an increasing part of what we do," says Dave Comaskey, Golf Manitoba's executive director. "In the last number of years, games competitions (Manitoba Games, Western Canada Games, Canada Summer Games) have revolutionized how we deliver our program. Everything goes back to 2007, when we started a training squad for the 2009 Canada Summer Games." Today, there are eight regions throughout the province that have training squads. In coming years, players from those squads will work on their skills and vie to become part of teams that will compete in the Manitoba Games, Western Canada Games and, ultimately, the Canada Summer Games. "What we've done is engage PGA of Manitoba golf professionals to train squads in their area," he explains. "Each area has qualifying tournaments, and regular practice sessions with the young players. The idea is to give those young players as much regular training as possible." At the same time, the coaches receive training that will help them offer their young charges the highest possible level of instruction in all phases of the game. "We bring in people like (sports psychologist) Dr. Adrienne Leslie-Toogood, Derek Ingram (Golf Canada's national men's team coach), and our own director of player development, Garth Goodbrandson, to give coaches guidance and a grounding in the latest coaching techniques," Comaskey says. "The whole process is becoming very sophisticated." The progress that's been made since 2002 has been phenomenal, he adds. "We've come a long way since Garth and Derek got the ball rolling on the player development side 14 or so years ago. The innovation and creativity they showed then has increased, and we're very excited about what's happening." Ingram says Golf Manitoba is doing a superb job of bringing young players along. "I think they're a leader in player development in Canada," he says. "In the past 10 to 12 years, Dave and Garth have taken the bull by the horns and done a fantastic job. They've developed fine players such as Charlie Boyechko, Josh Wytinck (both former U of M Bison players) and Aaron Cockerill, with more really good players in the pipeline. We're going to see more elite-level (golfers) come out of Manitoba, and they'll all be byproducts of the Golf Manitoba program." Regional coach Tom Kinsman (Southwood Golf & Country Club) says thanks to Golf Manitoba's commitment to player development, young players now have the opportunity to grow their games in an environment that will allow them develop the skills required to – possibly – reach the elite level of the sport. "It's a fabulous program," he says. "At a cost of $150 for 20 hours of coaching, it's affordable, and all the coaches do a great job. Kids under 15 can get involved with regional teams, and compete for a chance to play in the Manitoba Games, and possibly the Western Canada and Canada Games. The Canada Games are coming to Winnipeg (at Southwood) in 2017, so this is a big year for the kids." Comaskey says the program is a team effort from start to finish. "We get guidance from Sport Manitoba, and we also conduct the program in partnership with the PGA of Manitoba. One of the goals of the program is to develop more elite-level players, and we hope to see the fruits of our labours in the years ahead." The other goal? "To develop golfers for life," Comaskey says. "Most competitive golfers continue to play the game for the rest of their lives, so at the very least, those young players will go on to enjoy golf for years to come." Director of player development Garth Goodbrandson says there's no downside to kids getting involved in the player development program. "It's very competitive, which is great, but it also provides the kids with lifelong memories, and hopefully some lifelong friends," he says. "Even if they don't go on to compete at the highest level of the game, they'll become core golfers who have a life-long passion for it." " "What we've done is engage PGA of Manitoba golf professionals to train squads in their area," he explains. "Each area has qualifying tournaments, and regular practice sessions with the young players. The idea is to give those young players as much regular training as possible." - Dave Comaskey, Golf Manitoba

• Cover