Latest news with #ManitobaOpen
Global News
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Global News
Winnipeg Jets goalie Eric Comrie to tee it up at Manitoba Open later this month
See more sharing options Send this page to someone via email Share this item on Twitter Share this item via WhatsApp Share this item on Facebook Winnipeg Jets goaltender Eric Comrie will trade his pads for golf clubs later this month after receiving a sponsor's exemption to play in the Manitoba Open. The 28-year-old is entering his sixth season with the Jets and 10th in the NHL. He'll compete as an amateur in the PGA Tour Americas event from Aug. 21-24 at Breezy Bend Country Club. Inviting an active Jets player has become a Manitoba Open tradition, with Mark Scheifele, Kyle Connor, Morgan Barron and Dylan Samberg among recent participants. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The tournament, which dates back to 1919, has crowned champions including Moe Norman, George Knudson and current PGA Tour player C.T. Pan. PGA Tour Americas serves as a developmental circuit, with its top players moving on to the Korn Ferry Tour and potentially the PGA Tour.
Winnipeg Free Press
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Winnipeg Jets goalie Eric Comrie to tee it up at Manitoba Open later this month
WINNIPEG – Winnipeg Jets goaltender Eric Comrie will trade his pads for golf clubs later this month after receiving a sponsor's exemption to play in the Manitoba Open. The 28-year-old is entering his sixth season with the Jets and 10th in the NHL. He'll compete as an amateur in the PGA Tour Americas event from Aug. 21-24 at Breezy Bend Country Club. Inviting an active Jets player has become a Manitoba Open tradition, with Mark Scheifele, Kyle Connor, Morgan Barron and Dylan Samberg among recent participants. The tournament, which dates back to 1919, has crowned champions including Moe Norman, George Knudson and current PGA Tour player C.T. Pan. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. PGA Tour Americas serves as a developmental circuit, with its top players moving on to the Korn Ferry Tour and potentially the PGA Tour. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 13, 2025.
Winnipeg Free Press
2 days ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
New twists at Breezy Bend for Manitoba Open
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. 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. '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.' This is the first year of a five-course rotation for the Manitoba event, which is scheduled to move to Elmhurst Golf and Country Club in 2026, Glendale Golf and Country Club in 2027, Pine Ridge Golf Club in 2028 and Southwood Golf and Country Club in 2028. Johnson recognizes that the course record of 62 — shared by three players, including Garth Collings, Stuart Hendley and Kelly Gibson — could be in jeopardy next week with the track stretched to nearly 6,800 yards and playing as a par-71. 'People love to see birdies,' said Johnson. 'We'd love to keep (the winning score) under a certain number if we can. That would be best. But these guys are so good and hit it so far, so they're going to shoot between 20 and 30 under-par for a winning score to beat.' On Tuesday, tournament director Brendan Baldwin revealed that Winnipeg Jets goalie Eric Comrie has received a sponsor exemption to play in the tournament. Comrie, whose index is just above three right now, joins a list of Jets players that have participated in the event that includes Mark Scheifele, Kyle Connor, Morgan Barron and Dylan Samberg. Last August, Samberg established the best two-round total for a Jets player, finishing 74-80-154 (10-over par). Known for his affable personality, Comrie is also competitive by nature — though he's planning to soak in the entire experience. 'It's a little nerve-racking. I'm not a pro golfer, so I'm just going to go out there and try to enjoy it and have as much fun as I can,' Comrie said in a telephone interview. 'I love the game of golf and it's one of my favourite things to do in the world. I'm excited to watch these guys play, to see how they prepare, see how they work and just be around that atmosphere. I'm looking forward to it.' Comrie only started playing golf around the age of 20, but he's been a quick study, noting that his driving accuracy is one of his greatest strengths. With the rough expected to grow between four and five inches by next Thursday, keeping the ball in the fairway will be integral for all players. 'The golf course is fantastic,' said Comrie. 'I'm excited to interact with the fans and to play with a little bit of pressure. I love club championships and all of that stuff.' Comrie is expected to draw a crowd and the same can be said for Breezy Bend member Braxton Kuntz, a four-time Manitoba men's amateur champion who is set to make his professional debut at his home course next week. The last time a Manitoban won this event was in 1994, when Rob McMillan of Pine Ridge ended up in the winner's circle at his home course when he was still an amateur. After narrowly missing out on making the cut in each of his two previous times playing in the Manitoba Open, Kuntz is hoping to make it to the weekend. 'We want him to have the ability to feel comfortable out here. He's going to be able to map out his whole round and be a little more relaxed as he plays his first professional event,' said Baldwin. 'You're also going to have kids that are 15 or 16 years old that play in the Manitoba amateur, knowing that he's won that tournament and then seeing him here playing professionally. That can be a driving force for them in pursuing their golf career and have their dreams moulded off of Braxton.' Supplied Winnipeg Jets goaltender Eric Comrie hits a tee shot at the Royal County Down in Northern Ireland. Comrie will make his Manitoba Open debut next Thursday. Kuntz, whose lowest score at Breezy Bend is 8-under 64 (when it's played as a Par 72), wrapped up the amateur portion of his career on Tuesday at the U.S. men's amateur championship at The Olympic Club in San Francisco. Evan Nachtigall of Brandon will also be in the field after capturing the men's amateur title last month. One of the new twists for the tournament is the creation of a rink hole — a set up that has gained notoriety during the RBC Canadian Open — on the 132-yard, par-3 seventh at Breezy Bend, complete with rink boards and an enthusiastic atmosphere that will accompany it. 'We'll do a Prairie version of it,' said Baldwin. 'We wanted to do something that was unique, since it's a new host facility.' The Monday qualifier will be held at Elmhurst next week, with eight additional spots available to round out the field of 154 players. The Manitoba Open starts next Thursday, Aug. 21, with the 72-hole event wrapping up on Sunday, Aug. 24, in the afternoon. The field in Winnipeg has been historically strong and will be bolstered since there is no Korn Ferry Tour event. With just four events remaining in the 2025 PGA Tour Americas season, there will be plenty on the line. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. 'You're getting to a point where the top-10 becomes a little more solidified,' said Baldwin, noting there hasn't been a repeat winner on the tour yet this season. Folks under the age of 18 receive free admission, while parking is available at the RBM Gardens lot — where patrons will be given a 90-second ride on a golf cart to gain access to the property. CHIP SHOTS: Rhonda Orr of Southwood carries a nine-stroke cushion going into the final round of the Golf Manitoba Hodgson Financial women's senior championship at Glendale Golf and Country Club. Orr followed up an opening round of 79 with an 80 to hold a decisive edge over Cathy Derewianchuk of Glendale Golf & Country Club. Shannon Taweel of Elmhurst sits third, 12 strokes off the pace. In the men's senior championship, Todd Fanning of Niakwa holds a three-stroke lead over Dan Scanlon. Fanning carded a 2-under 70 on Tuesday, finishing his round by going 4-under during the final five holes, including an eagle on the par-5 14th. X and Bluesky: @WiebesWorld Ken WiebeReporter Ken Wiebe is a sports reporter for the Free Press, with an emphasis on the Winnipeg Jets. He has covered hockey and provided analysis in this market since 2000 for the Winnipeg Sun, The Athletic, and TSN. Ken was a summer intern at the Free Press in 1999 and returned to the Free Press in a full-time capacity in September of 2023. Read more about Ken. Every piece of reporting Ken produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Winnipeg Free Press
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
‘Can't really think of a better way to start off my professional golfing career'
Braxton Kuntz is hoping to make this a summer for the ages. The 22-year-old Winnipegger — already one of the most decorated amateur golfers in Manitoba history — is on the cusp of turning professional after graduating from Ball State University in Indiana this past May. Kuntz won't have to travel far for his first 'play-for-pay' event. He's secured a sponsor's exemption into the Manitoba Open, which takes place next month at his home course of Breezy Bend, featuring top talent from the PGA Tour Americas. 'I can't really think of a better way to start off my professional golfing career,' Kuntz told the Free Press on Tuesday. NIC ADAM / FREE PRESS FILES Braxton Kuntz will play his first pro tournament at his home course of Breezy Bend in August at the Manitoba Open. NIC ADAM / FREE PRESS FILES Braxton Kuntz will play his first pro tournament at his home course of Breezy Bend in August at the Manitoba Open. 'That's the place that has supported me since I was really young, and now to be able to turn pro and compete in front of the people that have been a part of it for years is really special. I'm really looking forward to it.' However, Kuntz isn't getting ahead of himself. He has two big tournaments left on his personal calendar between now and then which will require his undivided attention. First up is the Canadian Men's Amateur Championship next week at Royal Ottawa Golf Club. Kuntz earned his spot by winning a record-setting four straight Manitoba Amateur titles (2021-24) and finishing tied for third at last year's national event in Saskatoon. The Canadian Amateur boasts an impressive list of past champions, including current PGA Tour players Mackenzie Hughes and Nick Taylor, as well as legends like Richard Zokol, Jim Nelford and Moe Norman. The last Manitoban to win it was Rob McMillan back in 1996. After that, Kuntz will tee it up at the prestigious U.S. Amateur Championship from Aug. 14-17 at The Olympic Club in San Francisco. He punched his ticket through a two-stage qualifying process — tying for third on July 2 in Minnesota to advance, then grabbing one of seven final spots after finishing third this past Monday in Kansas City. 'That's going to be a fun way to finish the amateur career,' said Kuntz, who will be one of just a handful of Canadians in the field. Former U.S. Amateur champions include some of the biggest names in golf history: Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Bob Jones and Phil Mickelson. 'That's the place that has supported me since I was really young, and now to be able to turn pro and compete in front of the people that have been a part of it for years is really special. I'm really looking forward to it.'–Braxton Kuntz Kuntz had never attempted to qualify for the event before but made it a priority this year. That meant making the tough call to skip a shot at a fifth straight Manitoba Amateur title, which was held last week at Southwood. 'They had split the U.S. Amateur qualifying into two stages. After I got through the first one, you had to pick from a few different sites (for the second) and rank them first to third choice. If I didn't get my first choice, which was Kansas City, I would have had to go to Iowa, which would have been in the middle of the Manitoba Amateur,' he said. Kuntz still had a front-row seat at Southwood, caddying for good friend and fellow Breezy Bend member Allan McDonald, who finished sixth. Evan Nachtigall of Shilo claimed the title by three shots. 'It was a little weird to walk around the golf course and not at least be reaching for a golf club,' Kuntz said, laughing. NIC ADAM / FREE PRESS Braxton Kuntz won a record-setting four straight Manitoba Amateur titles between from 2021 to 2024. NIC ADAM / FREE PRESS Braxton Kuntz won a record-setting four straight Manitoba Amateur titles between from 2021 to 2024. 'I would say I'm happy that I played well this week (at the U.S. Amateur qualifying) because I took the week off to work on my game and am glad that paid off. I feel a lot better about my decision. And I'm super happy for Evan. Such a great guy, such a good player, and I'm really happy for him.' Kuntz, Manitoba's male golfer of the year for four consecutive years, has continued pushing to improve his game. Last fall, he was named to the men's Team Canada NextGen squad, working under national coach and fellow Winnipegger Derek Ingram and utilizing a wealth of resources and training at his disposal, including amateur events around the world. In addition to sharpening his game, Kuntz has been working on the off-course challenge of raising funds. Cory Johnson, the general manager at Breezy, has been assisting in that department as well by trying to drum up local support. 'Pro golf is expensive, right?' said Kuntz. 'I've been trying to meet with a lot of business owners and build some relationships and hopefully secure some funding. So that, when I do turn pro, I can take the steps needed, compete in qualifying schools and make a good career out of it. Obviously some people have very wealthy parents and can fund it through that way, but for the majority of talented golfers, you need a whole host of people and business behind you.' That was certainly the case for Manitoba's top current professional, Aaron Cockerill, who worked his way up from the Canadian Tour with the help of sponsors before breaking through in 2019 on what is now the DP World Tour. The 33-year-old from Stony Mountain has earned more than $3.5 million overseas. 'Pro golf is expensive, right?'–Braxton Kuntz 'I've sent quite a few emails and not heard a whole lot back,' said Kuntz, who can be reached directly at braxtonkun25@ 'It's hard, but it's a slow process. It's not done overnight, but I'm putting the work into it.' A strong showing at the Manitoba Open (Aug. 21-24) could speed up that process. The past three winners — Johnny Keefer, Hayden Springer and Parker Coody — are already playing PGA Tour events. 'Obviously, I'm very familiar with the golf course, but it's shaping up to be a lot tougher than it usually is. They narrowed the fairways and are growing out the rough,' he said. 'It'll be fun to be able to play in front of all those people that I've gotten to know over the years.' Assuming he secures enough sponsorship support, Kuntz plans to enter at least two qualifying schools this fall, with the Korn Ferry Tour (PGA Tour feeder), DP World Tour and Asian Tour all in consideration. 'Doing all three would be chaotic and expensive,' he said. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. 'But if I could pick one or two and get hot at the right time — that's how Aaron Cockerill got on — then hopefully I can get my card. If not, there's a lot of mini-tours I can play on down in the southern U.S., and then hopefully I'll find a place in Phoenix or Florida where I can go and keep myself sharp.' Fortunately, Kuntz has a strong Plan B after an excellent collegiate career. He graduated with a 3.96 GPA in finance and received Ball State's medal of excellence. He also helped lead the Cardinals to a pair of second-place team finishes while being their top scorer. 'My parents always told me academics are just as important as athletics and you gotta have a backup plan. So I put a lot of effort into that as well,' said Kuntz. 'So I come out of school with a good-looking degree, a pretty decent resumé and, in the end, if golf doesn't work out, I can hopefully get an attractive job. But right now I'm fully in on golf. Pretty big next six weeks for me. Two national championships and then my first pro start-up. I'm pretty excited.' X and Bluesky: @mikemcintyrewpg Mike McIntyreReporter Mike McIntyre is a sports reporter whose primary role is covering the Winnipeg Jets. After graduating from the Creative Communications program at Red River College in 1995, he spent two years gaining experience at the Winnipeg Sun before joining the Free Press in 1997, where he served on the crime and justice beat until 2016. Read more about Mike. Every piece of reporting Mike produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
