Oakden seeks chance to face Manitoba’s best

It may be Hunter Oakden’s first provincial men’s golf event, but he’s one of the more experienced players in the field.

The Vincent Massey freshman is set to play the Golf Manitoba match play qualifier at Winkler Centennial Golf Club today with confidence from years of junior tournaments to build on.

“I’m excited to see how I stack up against those guys, see how my skill set and age group transforms into their world,” Oakden said.

“I feel like I have a lot of experience in a tournament setting, and the tournaments down in the States helped a lot because they’re really good fields. Starting those ones at a young age and travelling, playing with a whole bunch of different kids, different countries, provinces, helps a lot.”

Oakden has gone as far as Palm Springs, Calif., for the FCG Callaway World Championship a couple of times, most recently finishing 25th out of 92 in his age group last year.

Oakden started playing Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour mini events before he turned 10 and has been a regular on the MJT circuit ever since. The 14-year-old picked up a handful of victories over the years, most recently claiming the juvenile boys’ title at Kildonan Park earlier this month with rounds of 69 and 72 to win by four shots.

Last weekend, he endured frigid conditions for a three-day MJT event at Elmwood Golf Club in Swift Current, Sask. Oakden finished ninth in the division with rounds of 78, 79 and 79.

He can already see the growth in his game this year.

“Distance off the tee has helped a lot. Last year, I was probably one of the longest hitters in my age group, which helped a lot,” Oakden said.

“My discipline on the golf course is really good and my mental game, I’m pretty good without blowing up and have the ability to bounce back pretty easily.”

Today, he faces a unique test. While it doesn’t matter who wins the medal (low qualifying score), it’ll be tough to make the top 32 out of 60 amateur men.

On paper, it’s one of the toughest qualifying fields in the event’s history, especially since those who make it to the match play portion play Elmhurst Golf and Country Club, regarded as one of the best courses in the province.

The qualifier was also in Winkler in 2024 when 7-over 78 earned a spot in a six-for-five playoff.

Depending on the weather, it’s likely a stroke lower this time based on the strength of the field.

Since Oakden is part of the Team Manitoba junior squad, he played a practice round with the guys and coach Sean Murray last weekend, carding a 74 and gaining confidence. Murray told the players they can make six bogeys and get in but can’t afford to let double bogeys pile up.

Oakden’s comfortable with a conservative approach if he needs it.

“There’s a lot of holes I can go for but depending on how I’m playing, placing it in the middle of the fairway won’t be hard to score out there,” he said.

“My iron play has gotten a lot better since last year. I feel a lot more confident off the tee and coming into greens. If I see some of those putts dropping I can for sure get up leaderboards.”

The field has a heavy dose of Westman talent, starting with Brandon’s Evan Nachtigall, who just won the first Prairie Scratch Tour event of the season at the Whispering Winds of Warren on Sunday.

Brandon’s Drew Jones, Dustin Dyck, Zostrianos Giordani-Gross, Spence Mott and Keaton Jameson are playing, along with Dauphin’s Eric Prokopowich, Jackson Delaurier, Glenboro’s Glen Ford, Pilot Mound’s Will Hudson and Oak Island member Cameron Duncan.

On the women’s side, Binscarth’s Clara Peake and Killarney’s Cala Korman are back north of the border from their college seasons and playing for seeding, since fewer than 16 players are signed up.

In the senior men’s event, Clear Lake member Ron Cornell and Delahunt Golf and Country Club’s Mike Berney are vying for spots in the 16-player bracket.