Kartusch, Nachtigall named province’s Golfers of the Year

Take a bow, Addison Kartusch. You too, Evan Nachtigall.

Manitoba’s reigning women and men’s amateur golf champions capped off terrific seasons by being named the provincial Golfers of the Year during a year-end ceremony on Wednesday night.

It’s the second consecutive time the 19-year-old Kartusch has taken home the hardware, and the first such distinction for the 24-year-old Nachtigall.

Both are well-deserved.

Kartusch has been turning heads around here for years and has now taken her talent south as she plays her sophomore season at the University of Bowling Green.

She won the Manitoba Junior Girls Championship in July, then finished tied for 18th at the national competition held in Quebec in August. Kartusch then defended her 2024 Manitoba Amateur title by winning once again this past July at her home course of St. Charles. She also captured the provincial match play title.

“I am extremely grateful. It’s such a privilege to play this game competitively,” said Kartusch, who wasn’t able to attend the gala because she is away at school.

Her father, Cory — who Kartusch described as “Not only my biggest supporter but also my coach, believing in me even when I doubted myself” — accepted the award on her behalf.

The three other finalists were Rhonda Orr (2025 Manitoba Senior and Super Senior Champion), Charmaine Hayden (City and District title and Women’s Mid-Amateur champion) and Cala Korman (tied for second in the Manitoba Amateur).

Over on the men’s side, Nachtigall finished on top of a highly-competitive field to win his first Amateur. He appeared genuinely surprised to hear his name called.

“Wow,” said the Brandon resident, who plays out of Shilo. “This is awesome. What a feeling. What an honour.”

Nachtigall faced stiff competition in his category. The other finalists were Todd Fanning, who became the first to complete the “Manitoba grand slam” by adding a provincial seniors title to previous wins in the junior, amateur and mid-amateur; Spence Mott, who won the Manitoba Junior Men’s Championship, and Allan McDonald, who won the Mid-Amateur.

“Todd, what a year. Congrats to what you’ve done in this game,” said Nachtigall. “Spence, you’re becoming a hell of a player Keep doing what you’re doing. Al, what a guy. One of a kind, man. The back-to-back Mid-Am wins is incredible.”

Nachtigall only got serious about golf five years ago, making him a bit of a late-bloomer.

“When I started, I wasn’t that good,” he said with a laugh. “I’ve come a long way. I feel like I’ve stayed the course, continued to excel and push myself. I feel like that’s probably what I’m most proud of. Not giving up.”

Nachtigall got his first taste of pro golf in August when he competed in the PGA Tour Americas on a sponsor’s exemption — and now finds himself hungry for more.

“There’s so many lessons that I learned,” he said after rounds of 76-74. “It obviously wasn’t the week I wanted, but looking back the experience was outstanding.”

He will finish his studies at Brandon University this winter and plans to turn pro, providing he can secure enough sponsorship to help offset the costs. The next step would be trying to get a tour card through Q-school, likely starting on the Canadian circuit.

He knows it’s going to be a grind, but believes he’s up for the challenge.

“This game is hard,” he said. “Both mentally and physically. It’s incredible how one poor decision during a round, or one poor swing, can throw a golf tournament away. I’m not sure there’s any other sport like that.”

Wednesday’s ceremony, which was held at Niakwa Country Club, also saw volunteers honoured, scholarships handed out and various tournament winners celebrated. The 2026 tournament schedule is set to be released next month.

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca

X and Bluesky: @mikemcintyrewpg