Competition can’t catch Kartusch

Addison Kartusch has spent countless time on the driving range and the golf course preparing for moments like this one, which meant she was not about to take anything for granted.

Kartusch didn’t let her foot off the gas and did everything in her power to lap the field to claim her third consecutive Manitoba Women’s Amateur Championship on Monday at St. Charles Country Club.

“It’s pretty cool to be able to say that I won it again,” said Kartusch, who finished the 54-hole event at 1-under 215 after rounds of 70, 73 and 72 to earn a whopping 20-stroke victory. “I’m just proud of how hard I’ve worked and the hours I’ve put in.”

Since inclement weather postponed the original event at Gilbert Plains Golf and Country Club, the 54-hole event was compressed into two days — which meant 18 holes were played on Sunday before a 36-hole marathon capped the tournament, complete with a weather delay of just under one hour for the second round of the event and gusting winds that made calculating distances a bit more challenging.

The St. Charles Country Club member felt a sense of calm as she made her way around her home course, maintaining her focus as she accomplished another one of her goals for the summer.

“I love playing here. It was pretty damp out there, so I could be a little bit more aggressive to the pins. I got into some places I had never been before either, but that’s what happens in golf,” said Kartusch, who recently completed her sophomore season at Bowling Green University. “The conditions were tough but we do it (play 36 holes a day) in college, pretty much every tournament, so I knew what was going on. I was most proud of my back nine. I was a bit more process-focused, where I was a bit more outcome-focused for the first 27 holes (on Monday).

“My driver was pretty good. I didn’t make as many putts as I wanted to, that’s for sure. But, I did what I wanted to do this week.”

Jeri Lafleche of Niakwa finished second, while there was a three-way tie for third place, which included Lafleche’s sister Jewel, Clara Peake of Minnedosa and Camryn Thomas of St. Charles.

A three-way playoff was required to determine the final spot for Team Manitoba, which was claimed by Jewel Lafleche on the second hole.

Kartusch is set to tee it up in the Ohio Women’s Amateur later this month before heading to the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, which will be held at the historic Toronto Golf Club from July 21 to 24.

“It’s one of the best golf courses in Canada,” said Kartusch. “Anyone would be excited to play in a tournament there. I’m just stoked to play at another top tournament.”

In the Manitoba Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship (for golfers aged 25 and older), Hannah Diamond earned the provincial crown by shooting 84-83-83 for a 54-hole total of 250.

Diamond earned a 13-shot victory over Georgia Dalke of Niakwa, while Mindy Lichtman of St. Boniface took third place at 264.

“It’s pretty surreal,” said Diamond, who captured the Manitoba women’s match play championship in 2018 and 2019. “It’s my first stroke play major. It’s bizarre, but it’s so fun. I feel like this year is the first year I can get back into competitive golf, so this is a nice start.”

Diamond felt she got into a groove on the back nine (of her second 18-hole stretch) on Monday, draining multiple comebackers and par saves to keep her momentum flowing.

“It was nice to get back into that competitive mindset, because I feel like I’m not used to competing anymore,” said Diamond, whose father Gerald was her caddie for the event. “My putting has gotten better. I still need to work on it, but I figured it out a little bit more.”

Diamond is excited for the Canadian women’s mid-amateur championship at Burlington Golf and Country Club in Ontario next month.

There’s a certain symmetry with Kartusch and Diamond both coming away victorious at St. Charles.

Not only does the pair play in the Ladies Nassau League (which St. Charles recently won the 2026 title), but Diamond was a highly-ranked amateur player when Kartusch was falling in love with the sport of golf.

“When I first started golf, Hannah would help out with the junior lessons and she was always someone that I looked up to. I wanted to be like her,” said Kartusch. “I think it’s so cool to have it come full circle. I’ve met her kids and it’s great for her to play some good golf and enjoy it out there. It’s been awesome to be able to play with her.”

Diamond continues to be impressed with how far Kartusch has come since those early days.

“It’s amazing. It’s incredible seeing her growth the last couple of years,” said Diamond. “With how calm and collected she is when she’s playing, she’s solid. Her routine is so dialed in. She won’t budge on it. It’s working for her and she’s just so consistent with everything she does.”

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