Tamarack

Thorpe wins first Tamarack title

By Thomas Friesen 6 minute read Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026

WASAGAMING — Jason Thorpe got his money’s worth out of the Tamarack and a Titleist this week.

The Brandonite played 74 holes of match play with the same Titleist ProV1 ball at the Tamarack golf tournament. He thought about swapping it out as the “Thorpe Construction” stamp on the side was wearing out and scuffs grew increasingly noticeable, but he simply couldn’t change anything when everything was working.

Thorpe ended up beating three past champions, including Kody Fawcett 4 and 2 in the final, to claim the men’s title at Clear Lake Golf Course on Saturday.

“I can’t believe it. When Kody told me to pick that up I was like, ‘Did that just happen?’” Thorpe said. “It’s been 26 years I’ve been trying for this and when I saw the lineup I had to go through, Grady (Chuback), Dustin (Dyck), Kody, I’m like, ‘There’s no way.’ And Bryce (Evason), he played a great (round of 16) match, went down to the wire.

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Tamarack

Oakden dominant in Tamarack junior title defence

By Thomas Friesen 3 minute read Preview

Oakden dominant in Tamarack junior title defence

By Thomas Friesen 3 minute read Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026

WASAGAMING — There was simply nothing anyone could do to stop Hunter Oakden from defending the Tamarack golf tournament junior title this year.

The Brandonite celebrated his 16th birthday with a 4-and-2 victory over Jaxon Jacobson at Clear Lake Golf Course on Saturday, beating the Brandon Wheat King for the second straight year.

While Oakden ended his fourth round with a cumulative score of 18-under par, he tipped his cap to Jacobson for making him earn it.

“It feels great. We battled for almost all the front nine,” Oakden said. “I had to make putts all day and he answered on the back nine.”

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Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026

Tamarack

Murray captures Tamarack master’s men’s crown

By Thomas Friesen 3 minute read Preview

Murray captures Tamarack master’s men’s crown

By Thomas Friesen 3 minute read Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026

WASAGAMING — Dale Murray debated skipping this year’s Tamarack golf tournament due to lack of reps.

It turns out he doesn’t need that many to compete.

The Gilbert Plains Country Club member, who has been without a home course since it flooded in early July, defeated Murray Lindenberg 3 and 2 for his second master’s men’s championship in three years.

“It was very tough; I probably played more in the last two weeks than I have in the last two months. It was nice to see some others from Gilbert Plains do well, too,” Murray said of Riese Gaber and Scott McCallum, who also won the men’s scramble event for the second time in three years.

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Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026

Tamarack

Fulton, Matthews finish atop ladies scramble

By Thomas Friesen 3 minute read Preview

Fulton, Matthews finish atop ladies scramble

By Thomas Friesen 3 minute read Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026

WASAGAMING — Dorelle Fulton got all the help she needed from Kandis Matthews to end the week with a bang.

She saw her sister-in-law’s putt slow down and tail to the right, so she aimed a little left and hit it a little harder, enough to watch a 35-foot breaker find the dead centre of the cup to win the Tamarack golf tournament ladies scramble division on Saturday.

Fulton and Matthews avenged their second straight semifinal loss from a year ago, defeating Jody Bieber and Jayne Troop 4 and 2 at Clear Lake Golf Course.

“Third time’s the charm,” Fulton said. “These ladies took us out last year in the semis, so we knew we were in for a tough match. Those girls are amazing, steady players, so it feels good to come out on top.”

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Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026

Tamarack

Gaber, McCallum reclaim men’s scramble title

By Thomas Friesen 3 minute read Preview

Gaber, McCallum reclaim men’s scramble title

By Thomas Friesen 3 minute read Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026

WASAGAMING — The only thing holding Riese Gaber and Scott McCallum back from their goal of shooting 59 was their opponents.

That is, their opponents not keeping up.

The Gilbert Plains Country Club duo lit up the Tamarack golf tournament men’s scramble final, defeating P.J. and Jarod Crane 6 and 4 at Clear Lake Golf Course on Saturday.

They raced ahead to a 5-up lead after eight holes without a bogey, then gave one back on the ninth but got back to their ways, pouring in a few more birdies on the back nine to reclaim the trophy they won in 2024.

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Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026

Tamarack

Panagiotou goes from wait list to winner’s circle

By Thomas Friesen 2 minute read Preview

Panagiotou goes from wait list to winner’s circle

By Thomas Friesen 2 minute read Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026

WASAGAMING — George Panagiotou sat at the first tee all day last Saturday, hoping someone would no-show for the Tamarack golf tournament master’s men’s division.

No one did, so he drove home thinking that was that.

But on Sunday evening, he got the call that a spot opened up in the senior men’s division — also 50-and-older but with one qualifying round instead of two.

So he came back to Clear Lake Golf Course and shot 9-over 81 to earn medallist honours on Monday. Five days later, he beat Larrie Kidd 2 and 1 to win the tournament.

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Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026

Tamarack

Thorpe, Fawcett through to men’s final

By Thomas Friesen 6 minute read Preview

Thorpe, Fawcett through to men’s final

By Thomas Friesen 6 minute read Friday, Aug. 21, 2026

WASAGAMING — When Kody Fawcett and Jason Thorpe shook hands on Friday after realizing they would meet in today’s Tamarack golf tournament final, Thorpe had a quick message for the three-time champ.

“We can’t go to a playoff; I can’t take any more,” Thorpe chuckled after surviving his second-straight extra-holes match at Clear Lake Golf Course.

Thorpe edged Dustin Dyck on the third playoff hole, about 45 minutes after Fawcett defeated Kurt Martin 1 up.

But if the championship match today at 1:09 p.m., is anything like Fawcett’s last two, it’ll be tight.

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Friday, Aug. 21, 2026

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Tamarack

Jacobson, Oakden earn junior final rematch

By Thomas Friesen 4 minute read Preview

Jacobson, Oakden earn junior final rematch

By Thomas Friesen 4 minute read Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026

WASAGAMING — Jaxon Jacobson has enjoyed his front-row seat to watch Manitoba’s top junior golfers compete at Clear Lake Golf Course all week.

While it’s more during the Brandon Wheat Kings off-season for the lefty, he’s right there with them.

Jacobson beat Soren Milne 4 and 3 in the Tamarack golf tournament junior semifinals on Thursday, setting up a rematch of the 2025 final with defending champion Hunter Oakden.

“It was fun. I enjoyed playing with Soren, Hunter and Brayden (Hamm),” Jacobson said. “It’s always fun to have a nice, friendly game; I wish we could have made a couple more birdies out there, but sometimes it happens.

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Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026

Tamarack

Thorpe ousts defending Tamarack champ in playoff

By Thomas Friesen 6 minute read Preview

Thorpe ousts defending Tamarack champ in playoff

By Thomas Friesen 6 minute read Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026

WASAGAMING — Jason Thorpe couldn’t help but laugh when he took his driver head cover off and looked over at Grady Chuback with an iron in hand.

Their difference in ball speeds is nearing their age difference. And while the defending Tamarack golf tournament champion overpowered the 55-year-old on a few holes, the steady lefty hung around long enough to force a playoff and beat the 20-year-old on the second extra hole in their quarterfinal on Thursday.

Thorpe isn’t sure how many more chances he’ll have to win the 93-year-old tournament at Clear Lake Golf Course, and he certainly didn’t expect to have three good chances to defeat Chuback, but he’s having a blast and he’s through to the final four.

“He’s a great player, he’s fun to watch and it just feels good,” Thorpe said, adding the key to success was sticking to his process.

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Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026

Tamarack

Martin upsets Knoop after 13 years away

By Thomas Friesen 7 minute read Preview

Martin upsets Knoop after 13 years away

By Thomas Friesen 7 minute read Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026

WASAGAMING — Kurt Martin’s first trip to Clear Lake Golf Course was a coincidence that became a tradition.

It nearly resulted in a Tamarack golf tournament title, but for 13 years, the left-handed Texan put that idea to bed.

However, Martin returned for the first time since 2013 and defeated the 2024 champion, Chris Knoop, on the first playoff hole on Tuesday. He’s three wins away from getting over the hump after reaching the final on multiple occasions, including 1997 when he lost to Ken Stadnek and 2005, when Brad Clement beat him.

“Chris was an incredible player and really nice guy too. It feels great to win,” Martin said. “It’s been a long time since I’ve been here and I spent most of the day in the moment.”

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Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026

Tamarack

Matthews leans on family at Tamarack

By Thomas Friesen 4 minute read Preview

Matthews leans on family at Tamarack

By Thomas Friesen 4 minute read Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026

WASAGAMING — Joel Matthews spent the past few Tamaracks watching his family compete.

This year, he wanted in, got in, and he’s making the most of it.

Matthews qualified for the men’s championship flight as the No. 11 seed and out-duelled Brad Pardy in the round of 16 on Tuesday, hanging on for a 1-up victory at Clear Lake Golf Course.

It was a team effort, as his dad, John, the man who got him into the game as a junior, drove his cart, while son Kolton caddied.

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Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026

Tamarack

Patrick takes top seed in master’s

By Thomas Friesen 4 minute read Preview

Patrick takes top seed in master’s

By Thomas Friesen 4 minute read Monday, Aug. 17, 2026

WASAGAMING — Chris Patrick has more Tamarack success to look up to than anyone around Clear Lake Golf Course this week.

His family includes a seven-time ladies champion and four-time men’s winner in his mother, Marg, and uncle, Jack.

While Chris has yet to have his name etched on a trophy at the 93-year-old tournament, he just put himself in a great position.

“I get chills even thinking about it. I’m stoked. I really want to win this,” Patrick said after securing master’s men’s medallist honours at 6-over 150 in qualifying.

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Monday, Aug. 17, 2026

Tamarack

Oakden runs away with Tamarack junior medal

By Thomas Friesen 3 minute read Preview

Oakden runs away with Tamarack junior medal

By Thomas Friesen 3 minute read Monday, Aug. 17, 2026

WASAGAMING — Hunter Oakden’s stellar season keeps getting better.

The Brandonite posted the only bogey-free round of all Tamarack golf tournament solo-event qualifying on Monday, a 4-under 68 to claim junior medallist honours.

While he’s seven strokes clear of second place, it truly seemed like he had a much lower number in him if he wanted it.

“Just get into the matches,” Oakden said of his mindset.

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Monday, Aug. 17, 2026

Tamarack

Friess shoots 69 to win Tamarack medal

By Thomas Friesen 6 minute read Preview

Friess shoots 69 to win Tamarack medal

By Thomas Friesen 6 minute read Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026

WASAGAMING — The first Tamarack memory for Marcus Friess was how the tournament prevented him from playing Clear Lake Golf Course on family trips.

His favourite Tamarack memory? He may have just made it on Sunday.

Friess carded a 3-under 69 to finish qualifying at 4 under, claiming medallist honours by three strokes.

“Coming here at four, five, six years old and knowing we couldn’t golf at Clear Lake because the Tamarack was happening, all I ever wanted to do was play in this tournament,” Friess said.

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Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026

Tamarack

Chuback to take shot at fourth Tamarack crown

By Thomas Friesen 6 minute read Preview

Chuback to take shot at fourth Tamarack crown

By Thomas Friesen 6 minute read Friday, Aug. 14, 2026

Grady Chuback is the most relaxed defending champion you’ll find.

After winning the Tamarack golf tournament men’s title in his first attempt last year, he’s approaching the 93rd annual event beginning today with no expectations.

After all, he will more than double the number of holes he’s played in 2026 at Clear Lake Golf Course this week.

“I always look forward to this tournament, so it’s more of a fun thing for me,” Chuback said. “Yeah, there is some pressure because I did win it last year but I honestly go in thinking it’s a fun thing and whatever happens, happens.

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Friday, Aug. 14, 2026

Tamarack

Sports Looking Back: Aug. 28, 2025

2 minute read Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025

IN LOCAL HISTORY

• 60 YEARS AGO — Brandon ANAF Vets captured the provincial Bantam A baseball crown with a 4-2 victory over Kenton. Pitching his third game in six days, Gerry Holmstrom sent a dozen batters down swinging to earn the pitching victory.

• 50 YEARS AGO — Nineteen-year-old Bruce North of Carman is this year’s Tamarack winner, beating Jimmy King in the men’s final.

• 40 YEARS AGO — Hamiota Red Sox sent 13 men to the plate in the sixth inning, scored seven runs and went on to defeat Souris Cardinals 12-7 in Manitoba Senior Baseball League playoff action. Ryan Scott, Randy Robertson and Mike Labossiere all doubled and singled for the Red Sox, while Ellis Woods rapped three singles.

September 17, 2026

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