Kunz Focuses on Manitoba Golf History – Winnipeg Free Press

Braxton Koontz, the three-time Manitoba men's amateur champion, stepped up to the first tee at Rossmere on Tuesday morning with a powerful drive down a perfectly groomed fairway.

It was a fitting way to officially kick off the 2024 provincial golf season as Koontz looks to become the first four-time winner when the event takes place at the East Kildonan Course July 22-24.

“I'm hoping to play well in the amateur,” said the 20-year-old Winnipegger. Free press his high hopes. “I just want to go out there and play freely and have fun out there. I expect to do well, but I don't want to put too much pressure on myself.”

Kunz, who just finished his third year of college (two at Nicholls State University, most recently at Ball State University in Indiana), put on a great show Tuesday as Manitoba Golf kicked off the new campaign with a media day. It can be said that he left all secretaries in his dust.

“Had a good season in college, played a lot of golf all spring. I have no excuses to rust this year,” Kunz joked.

His quest for provincial golf history will be one of the highlights of a packed month of events on the local golf calendar.

“We kick off our competitive season this weekend with the Match Play Championship (at Breezy Bend) and we have an amazing list of golf courses that are generous enough to give up tees this year,” Golf said. Manitoba Executive Director Jared Ladobrook.

“We're looking forward to it and being in Rossmere, there's just a ton of history here. We saw today, there will be a test in July.”

Indeed, the province has a rich history of connections, something Ladobruck and company hope to continue building from the ground up through the type of events they host each year. The hope, of course, is that at least a few players rise to the occasion.

“This high level is important. It inspires the next generation. It shows them the talent level we have from this climate,” Ladobrook said. “We want to help young people who want to take their game to the next level and give them every opportunity to be right there.”

A prime example is Stony Mountain's Aaron, who cut his teeth locally and is now finding great success on the DP World Tour, 19th overall on the 2024 money list (with over CAD 700,000 this season). Cockerill would.

“It's important to see him play there and be involved with Manitoba,” Ladobrook said.

Players like Kunz and Marko Trsteniak (2020 Amateur winner) represent the next wave of players looking to make a big breakthrough. Both are expected to turn pro next year after graduating.

“I've definitely seen my game progress over the last few months. Just with the courses I played in college and how difficult they were. “It shows me what kind of game I need to take to the professional level,” said Kuntz, who will enter his senior year in the fall.

“I think the next 12 months will prove that I can be a professional. I will do my best to work hard and try to get good results and build on that.”

He is eyeing a big opportunity in two weeks in the form of the final qualifier for the 2024 US Open, where about 100 golfers will compete for about 10 spots in Toronto. Fellow Manitobans Eric Haverchuk (son of Jets legend Dale) and Austin Dobrescu will also be on the field.

“I'm hopeful, but I'm just going to go out there and try to have fun. It's one day, anything can happen,” Kunz said. “If I heat up, the next few weeks could be very interesting.”

Canadian golf has never been better, with superstar Brooke Henderson leading the way for the women and Nick Taylor (28th), Corey Conners (50th), Adam Hadwin (55th), Taylor Pendrith (61st), Mackenzie Hughes kind of. (68th) and Adam Svensson (86th) are all PGA Tour regulars.

The trickle-down effect is being felt in Manitoba.

“This is a reason to be optimistic. It shows me that if I keep working hard, I can get to where they are,” said Kuntz, who hopes to make his third appearance at the PGA Tour Manitoba Open of Canada later this summer at Southwood. (August 22-25).

During the pandemic, there was a huge increase in golf participation, which continues to this day. Quantity never hurts in the pursuit of quality.

“Last year we had a record number of handicap index players, which would be a good indication that participation is still strong,” Ladobrook said.

“We are hearing from our member clubs that they are full, there are still waiting lists, at the end of the day the first jersey is evaporating. This is a good thing. We'll keep doing what we're doing and hopefully our participation in the championships will increase, which would be a good by-product.”

So there will be great golfing weather to make up for the all-too-short season.

“Golf has a lot of additional benefits, and we're trying to highlight some of the health benefits that come with golf,” Ladobrook said. “Social, mental health, physical health. Stress relief for some, stress for others.”

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Mike McIntyre
Sports reporter

Mike McIntyre grew up wanting to be a professional wrestler. But when this dream failed, he tried his best to become a professional writer.

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