Doug Zywina
Pine Creek hosts golf tournament at DLGC
Thirty-eight teams hit the links at the Dauphin Lake Golf Club, Saturday, for the Pine Creek four-person best ball golf tournament.
The team of Darryl Lacquette, Tyler Lacquette, Jose Lacquette and Evan won the tournament, finishing with a 56.
Winning the first flight was the foursome comprising of Chief Barry McKay, Chad Facey, Derek and Shawn McQuarrie, shooting a 57.
Larry Nepinak Jr., Earl Thompson, Taylor Fletcher and Al Cote were awarded second place on a countback over Dion Anderson, Adam Anderson, Kyle Sinclair and Lou Shorting. Both teams shot a 58.
Keith Pangman, Shawn Pangman, Tyson Pangman and Brad Belhumeur combined to shoot a 60, good enough for first place in the second flight on a countback.
In second place were Dustin Mousseau, Aaron Lavasseur, Rodger Roulette and Rodger Roulette Jr., while in third place was Chris Stranger, Dwayne McCorrister, Pat McKay and Cooters, with a 61.
Rey Cook, Nelson Leaske, Able Gott and Dennis Chartrand teamed up to shoot a 63 to win the third flight.
Greg Starr, Waylon Eastman, Drake Starr and Wade Aitkens took second place on a countback with a 64. In third place was the team of Russell Beaulieu, Albert B., Rob Mousseau and Mike Prince.
Closest-to-the-hole winners were Darcy Pelletier on no. 2, Farron Genaille on no. 6, Gott on no. 9, Jose Lacquette on no. 11 and Belhumeur on no. 14.
Genaille also had the men’s longest drive, while Mya Kubrakovich had the women’s longest drive. Jose Lacquette won the putting contest and McQuarrie won the chip-off.
Decision on future of GPCC to come this week, fund-raising continues
The future of the Gilbert Plains Country Club could be decided this week at a board meeting, slated for today.
The local golf course was devastated by flooding in late June and early July. And while staff have been working on repairing the course, the board has also begun fund-raising to cover the $100,000 insurance deductible.
GPCC general manager Scott McCallum said they reached out to Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries to get a license to hold a 50-50 draw.
“The turn around time on that was four to six weeks and that was time we felt we didn’t have,” he said.
So GPCC reached out to the Dauphin Kings to use their 50-50 system and the draw began last month.
“We’re very thankful for that. And it’s going pretty well. It’s over $13,000 now and, l;ike anything, the bigger the pot, the more people will buy. So it’s going well,” McCallum said.
The draw will be made, Aug. 30, at noon. At this time, tickets can only be purchased online at DauphinKings5050.ca.
To assist with the fund-raising efforts, Park View Private Wealth Management Ltd. launched the Parkland Business Challenge with a $500 donation toward the deductible and is inviting other Parkland businesses to support the cause.
“It’s been very successful and people are being extremely generous. We’re just so thankful for everybody that’s thinking of us and helping out in whatever way they can. There’s certainly no donation too small,” McCallum said.
Seeing that support from businesses throughout the Parkland and beyond is incredible, McCallum said.
Golf courses throughout the province have also stepped up to support GPCC, with Dauphin, Neepawa, Minnedosa and Swan River offering discounts to GPCC members.
“There’s several golf courses that have reached out to us and they have some things planned for how they can help us,” McCallum said.
“And not only help us, but help our members, because, at the end of the day, our members are the ones that we’re most concerned about and they’re the ones that are losing their golf course. It’s sad, but it’s also something to celebrate to see how much people come together and support each other through times like this.”
Some courses, McCallum added, were able to take on some of the tournaments scheduled for GPCC this year.
“As sad as it is, it’s heartwarming in other areas at times,” he said.
McCallum thanks everyone in helping to publicize the fund-raising efforts.
“We’re a small non-for-profit golf course, but we know that we’re loved, obviously, by a lot of people. So it’s going to make things a little easier down the road,” he said.
Kings add assistant to their coaching staff
The Dauphin Kings have a new face behind the bench in recently hired assistant coach Kirkland Lycar.
Lycar is no stranger to the organization, having played for the club from 2014 to 2016 putting up 46 goals and 39 assists for 85 points in 116 regular season games.
The Elma, Man., product spent last season as an assistant coach with the Manitoba AAA U18 Hockey League’s Eastman Selects, the team he played with earlier in his hockey career.
And now, the 29 year old is excited to rejoin the Kings for the upcoming season.
“Dauphin is an organization with a long history of success and respect not only in Manitoba, but across the country,” Lycar said.
“Having played for the team myself, I know how special it is to wear the Kings crest. I’m looking forward to helping build on that culture and doing everything I can to contribute to the continued success of the Dauphin Kings.”
The former forward is much aligned with the philosophy of the Kings new head coach and general manager Bryan Kromm. Lycar wants players to come to Dauphin not only to play for the Kings, but to become better people in the process.
“I want players to leave here, first and foremost, as their best versions of themselves,” he said.
“Obviously helping them reach their hockey goals and move on to higher levels, but it’s as important they leave here better teammates, better leaders, better people.”
Lycar and Kromm also look for the same qualities when it comes to the on ice product.
“A team that plays fast, competes, and is known as a hard group to play against. Overall a team that represents Dauphin and takes pride in wearing the Kings crest night in and night out is what we want to see,” Lycar said.
Lycar believes his addition to the coaching staff is a bit different than any other assistant coach, as he spent time with the Kings as a player.
“Yeah, it’s definitely a full circle moment for me. Since my playing days have ended, I’ve dedicated myself to coaching,” he said.
“I started my junior career as a player in Dauphin and now getting this opportunity as a coach is something I’m really proud of and don’t take lightly. I know what this organization meant to me as a player and now having the opportunity to help create those same experiences, again, is something I don’t take lightly. Overall just very excited to get to work.”
The Kings are looking forward to seeing Lycar in action when the season gets rolling in September.
Pirates finish strong in Manitoba Cup series
The U19 Parkland Pirates rugby team wrapped up the Manitoba Cup series the same way they started, completely dominating their competition.
The Pirates defeated Westman 38-0 Saturday morning before dumping Winnipeg 40-0 later in the day.
And they got to do it on home ground during a day-long celebration of rugby, which featured U16 boys and girls matches, as well as a Parkland Mavericks men’s game versus the Brandon Barbarians.
For head coach Aaron Miner, it was the perfect end to a long stretch of rugby success.
“I liked how we just kept continuing from where we left off from our tour to London and Wales and then into the high school season and then into this regional tournament,” Miner said.
“The team just kept building on all those experiences and you could tell we were playing a team (in Westman) today that didn’t have the experience that we have.”
The success of the team has opened opportnities for players to advance on to bigger and better things through rugby, Miner added.
“We do have a lot of Canadian hopefuls on this team. We have three guys going to Toronto next week to try out for team Canada,” Miner said, referring to Julien Lopez, Morgan Fleck and Alex Boshoff.
“So, they’re in the top 40 already in the eyes of the Canadian scouts.”
However, players moving up the rugby ranks means Miner and his coaching staff will have some rebuilding to do next season.
“Next year we do lose quite a few of these guys. Probably half our team will move on to senior men’s or college or university ball,” Miner said, adding he will be looking to U16 coach Henk Du Plessis to send up some players to fill some of the holes.
“Not only fill some shoes, but make us bigger, stronger, and more experienced.”
Procyshyn taking his game to Japan with provincial program
A Dauphin baseball player is one of five from Manitoba selected to take part in the 2026 World Children’s Baseball Fair in Narita, Japan, July 30 to Aug. 7.
Anders Procyshyn, 10, was chosen after his mom received an email from Baseball Manitoba about an exciting baseball travel experience to Japan.
“And my mom asked me if I wanted to do it and I said, ‘yes’. So I wrote an essay and submitted it and they picked me,” he said.
Procyshyn said it was pretty loud when he learned he was selected.
“I was in a hotel in Winnipeg. I was with my grandma and my dad called my grandma and he told me and I was jumping around and everything. I was pretty excited,” he said.
While he plays shortstop, catcher is Procyshyn’s favourite position.
“Because I like throwing the ball to second and third on a steal and to encourage the team,” he said.
Procyshyn recently won a silver medal in Portage with the Dauphin Fusion Credit Union team. He was sorry he couldn’t play close to home for provincials, but the flooding caused the tournament to be moved from Grandview to Portage.
Joining Procyshyn are Edrick Emilson of Lundar, Luwen Zhang of Winnipeg South, Brianne Kaemingh of Kenora, Cole Williams of West Winnipeg and chaperone Riley Hruska of West Winnipeg.
The World Children’s Baseball Fair was initiated by world home run kings Sadaharu Oh and Hank Aaron to introduce and promote baseball throughout the world.
Participants will have the opportunity to learn the correct basic skills of baseball instructed by the coaches who are selected by the World Baseball Softball Confederation.
Participants will partake in cultural and recreational activities with local children, such as learning Japanese dancing and martial arts.
It won’t be Procyshyn’s first time traveling in a plane, but it will be the first time he’s traveled to Asia.
Procyshyn hopes to use the camp to get better at all aspects of the game.
“Learn new things like meet new kids. Get better at everything. I want to learn how they make sushi. I’m going to try it,” he said, adding they will go on some tours, as well.
“So I’m excited about that,” he added.
The group will also take in a professional baseball game.
Procyshyn lists the Toronto Blue Jays as his favourite team and Kazumo Okamoto as his favourite player, although he also likes Ernie Clement, who he mentioned in his essay.
Procyshyn and his family had the chance to watch the Blue Jays when they were in Detroit, May long weekend.
“I met those guys in Detroit. And I met Trey Yesavage, because he was in my essay, as well. He was impressed. And then Ernie Clement told me he didn’t know much French,” he said, adding Andres Giménez gave him his bat, although he didn’t autograph it because he didn’t have time.
Procyshyn’s brother got Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to sign his baseball and they met several of the other players.
“We just had some seats beside the dugout and they gave us special access to the dugout,” said Procyshyn’s father Barret.
“They were good seats. We had no idea, but the way the dugout was, they had to walk right by us and they were just so thrilled. They were stopping and talking to us.”
Barret added they were wearing Blue Jays gear and had some balls and cards, just in case.
Anders is looking forward to the flying over the Pacific Ocean.
“I think that’s going to be cool. I’m excited to meet new kids there. And I’m excited for the professional baseball match,” he said.
“I want to thank my mom for asking if I want I do this. I want to thank my dad for helping me learn and teaching me how to play baseball. And I want to thank Baseball Manitoba for organizing this.”
The hits just keep on coming for Pirates
The Parkland Pirates seem virtually invincible.
In Manitoba Cup action this past weekend in Winnipeg, the local U19 men’s rugby team ran over an unsuspecting Winnipeg/Eastman squad 85-5.
“We just have this team right now that just won’t stop. They just want more. They just can’t get enough rugby,” Pirates head coach Aaron Miner said, adding the group is a tight unit, on and off the field.
“The whole team stayed after their game and watched Team Canada’s Zimbabwe game, as a team. The bonding is so tight with this group. We just can’t ask for more.”
Manitoba Cup action moves to Dauphin this coming weekend for the last tournament in the series and Miner expects the Pirates will face stiffer competition on their home field.
“Westman has really bolstered their lineup. They have one guy coming back from (the University of Victoria) and one guy coming back from his club team’s tour in New Zealand. So we expect to see a little more out of them,” he said.
“We also have a few guys coming back off of injury for next weekend. So, we’re hoping for the same result, but if it’s a tighter game against Westman, that’s to be expected.
“It will be a big day of rugby at Kinfield here in Dauphin. We’re going to be using both fields. There will be rugby all day long for anybody wanting to come out and watch.”
This year has been the first for the Manitoba Cup series and Miner thinks it has been a success. The games provide a good opportunity for provincial coaches to identify players for Team Manitoba and other upper levels of the game.
“I actually had breakfast with Team Canada coaches in Winnipeg and there’s a lot of our players on their radar right now,” Miner said, adding there are more and more opportunities for young players to advance in rugby, including to university programs and even professional teams.
“It’s inspirational as a coach to hear that and it’s great news for our players - and up and coming players - that Parkland is now on the map. We need to continue with this intensity of promoting the program here.”
Kromm hired as Kings head coach, GM
After weeks of searching, the Dauphin Kings finally found their man.
Bryan Kromm was hired as the Kings new head coach and general manager, last week, after spending the last two seasons as the assistant general manager, associate coach and director of player and skill development with the British Columbia Hockey League’s Trail Smoke Eaters.
Prior to his time in Trail, Kromm spent three seasons as an assistant coach with the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point.
Kromm, 31, admits he did not actually apply for the job.
“It was actually a friend of mine who put my name in the ring. And then I got a call out of the blue from Scott (McCallum, director of hockey operations) and we had a discussion,” he explained, adding he got a text from Kings vice-president Bryan Romanow within a couple of weeks.
“Had another meeting with him and Andy Kubas and then I turn around and all of a sudden I have a contract offer in front of me.
“So I didn’t go out searching for it. It just kind of fell in my lap, but I’m definitely excited about the opportunity to get my foot in the door and be a head coach and GM. That is something I was striving toward in my coaching career. I’m super excited to be part of the Dauphin organization.”
All Kromm knew of the Kings was it was one of the premier teams in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League and has a track record of winning and a winning culture.
“As I did a little bit more diving it, I realized it’s one of those true hockey towns where you’re one of the biggest shows in town and people are excited about the organization and the franchise,” he said.
“That was something that was super exciting to me, just being that small town culture and having a community that really supports the team.”
Kromm said fans can expect a competitive team that plays a high-paced game.
“Relentless. Very exciting to watch. But also pretty strong defensively, too, in not giving up too much risk, as well. I do expect our players to put their best foot forward every night and compete to the best of their abilities,” he said.
“Hopefully, there’s a team-first atmosphere when the fans watch and, hopefully, it’s exciting to come watch a game on a Friday or Saturday night.”
Kromm’s first priority will be finding a place to live. But he plans to come to Dauphin in mid-August after completing some prior obligations.
“And then show up a week before the boys show up and get ready to hit the ground running,” he said.
The first thing Kromm did when he was hired was call to all of the returning players.
“So I know who is coming back and I’ve set my expectations for them and for what they should expect from me. I’ve already had those conversations, so I feel I’m in a better spot than I did on Wednesday when I first accepted the position,” he said.
Kromm will also be in search of an assistant coach, with assistance from the board of directors.
The Kings are now taking registrations for its Par 3 Extravaganza, taking place, Sept. 12, at the Dauphin Lake Golf Club, with sign up sheets at the pro shop, as well as the Kings website at dauphinkings.com..
Training camp takes place, Aug. 28 to 30, at Credit Union Place.
Pirates make history in Alberta, now chasing the Manitoba Cup
The Parkland Pirates U19 men’s team made history recently, winning the Stampede 7s Rugby tournament, July 3 and 4, in Calgary, Alta.
The Pirates opened round-robin play with a convincing 38-0 win, followed by a 17-15 victory over Saltwater Cowboys Yellow.
A default win over Nor’Westers HSB 2 put Parkland in the high school boys elite playoff bracket, where they defeated Team Chud, 21-14, in the semifinals.
Parkland then claimed the tournament championship with a 26-19 win over LA Crude.
Coach Aaron Miner said the team was hoping to win a game or two going into the tournament.
“We’ve had very little success in Alberta. The teams there are normally Alberta, B.C., Washington state-based teams that go there. To win a game there is a success. But to go undefeated and win it all is huge,” he said.
This group, Miner said, has bonded well and has come together as a team.
“The rugby culture here is very strong. But this group, they just want more. They don’t even listen to Gerald (co-coach Lopez) and I anymore. They want more. They want to take things into their own hands,” he said.
“We go to practice and then they want to stay late after practice. On their days off, they want to go to the field and practice their kicks, practice the fine-tuning of their game. And they’ve been doing that for months now. It’s just been amazing to watch this group take the game that they love and expand on it.”
As the Pirates kept winning, Miner said the team kept expecting the “bubble to burst.” And with each win, they knew the opponents would get tougher and tougher.
“They always had that doubt in the back of their mind, but come game time, they just turned it on and took it to the next level, each and every game,” he said.
“They didn’t want to get overconfident. They reality checked after every win and realized it was going to be a tough game every time.”
The tournament featured 124 teams from across North America in all of the different divisions and age groups, with 15 in Parkland’s division.
Most of the Pirates played with the Dauphin Clippers high school team, which won the high school league title, and also toured England and Wales earlier this year.
This past weekend, the Pirates were in Brandon for the first of three Manitoba Cup tournaments, where they defeated Winnipeg, 35-0, and Westman, 61-0.
Miner was surprised the Pirates shutout their opponents.
“I knew we had a good team going in, but I didn’t think we’d shut them out. Winnipeg showed up with some players that I recognized from coaching Team Manitoba over the last few years and they really surprised me with what they had, actually,” he said.
“So good to see that rugby in Winnipeg is starting to make a come back. They had some players there that showed some skill and some knowledge of the game.”
Those players who were in Calgary were keen on keeping their momentum going, Miner said.
“Definitely, seeing the skill over the last two months just increase with these guys and their level of knowledge and knowing where each other are going to be, they look like a finely-oiled machine out there,” he added.
“Just knowing where each other is going to be on the field without even having to look just because everybody is playing their position so well.”
The second tournament will be in Winnipeg, July 18, and the team is excited to play in front of a large crowd at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg.
“Everybody is super excited. Everybody is ready for practice this week,” Miner said, adding several players stayed to play for the Parkland Mavericks senior men’s team in their game against the Winnipeg Wasps.
The third tournament will take place in Dauphin, July 25.
CNUF board cancels 2026 festival
The lack of a medical facility has led to the cancellation of this year’s Canada’s National Ukrainian Festival, just three weeks before it was set to take place.
The CNUF board made the announcement in a press release, Thursday evening, noting the festival site itself was not affected by the flooding
The decision was made after the board consulted with the City of Dauphin, Rural Municipality of Dauphin, MLA Ron Kostyshyn, MP Dan Mazier and its insurance provider.
Third vice-president Cory Lafontaine said they began discussing the prospects of cancelling the festival when Prairie Mountain Health announced it would be closing the Dauphin Regional Health Centre.
“We came to the realization that we’re not so sure we can have a festival without a hospital,” he said, adding that was when they consulted the various government entities, as well as the insurance provider.
“We wanted some direction and what their thoughts were in continuing with the festival. And after that meeting, we came to realize that we weren’t so sure that we can have a festival if we don’t have a hospital,” Lafontaine said.
The biggest concern, Lafontaine added, was the number of festival patrons who are elderly, as well as families.
“And you just want to make sure if anybody gets hurt on the festival site, that they’re covered. We’re not confident that putting them in an ambulance and sending them 30 kilometres away is the best choice,” he said.
Lafontaine said they wanted to make sure they had proper insurance for the festival and weren’t sure they would if they continued with the festival, which is why they had the insurance provider in the discussion.
“We would be bringing in another 3,000 to 4,000 people to our community, already strained with limited urgent and emergency care. That’s putting a tremendous amount of pressure on the those two temporary rural emergency healthcare centers 30 plus minutes away,” he said.
“Of course, it makes sense to cancel or postpone our festival, until we are confident we have the appropriate care and services to accommodate our patrons, as well as our local residents. It’s very unfortunate we have to cancel, but our festival needs to be safe, for everyone who attends.”
The board, Lafontaine said, was overwhelmed with support from the dance groups and performers who were set to hit the stage at this year’s festival.
“They’re all reaching out to us and saying they support us and support our decision. And I think most of them are prepared to come back next year to put on a heck of a great show,” he said.
“They realize that the decision that we made is in the best interest of the community. It’s funny, we put the community first before we put the festival first this year, because it’s important to keep our community safe. We’re just not so sure that if we had a festival, not only under a state of emergency, but without a hospital is the best decision to make. We want to make sure our patrons are, first and foremost, safe in our environment.”
Those who purchased tickets or camping passes to this year’s event can ask for a refund or roll them over to next year’s festival.
“The nice thing about that is if they do roll over to next year, they’re going to get this year’s price. We understand that there will be some people wanting refunds and we’re going to make sure we accommodate them, as well,” Lafontaine said, adding they will have that information on their website at cnuf.ca and their Facebook page as soon as they can.
“We really wanted to have a festival this year, but without having a hospital in our own back yard to provide the service, it’s just not going to be feasible. We’re not so sure that having emergency services 30 minutes away is going to help us out,” he said.
“Our hearts remain with everyone that’s been affected.”
Local golf courses recovering from last week’s flooding
The Gilbert Plains Country Club was preparing for the biggest week of the season, but it turned into something a lot worse.
The Diamond Athletic Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship and Diamond Athletic Women’s Amateur Championship were postponed last week due to the flooding which occurred in the Parkland.
The two events were to be held at the GPCC, July 1 to 3, but were moved to other locations after the postponement.
GPCC general manager and head professional Scott McCallum called it the worst flooding the facility has ever seen.
“By a mile,” he added.
“I don’t think we’ve ever had our clubhouse compromised the way it was. It’s devastating, to be honest.”
McCallum went to the course Friday morning for the first time since the flooding started.
“We knew that golf carts were floating down the river, it’s obviously, quite a disaster to see,” he said.
The water has started to recede, but that is actually making matters worse.
“The problem is that the force of the water going back into the river is taking some things with it,” McCallum said, adding it is too early to tell if the facility will be able to open again this year.
“Until we can actually, physically get in there and assess the damage that we’re up against, it will be too early to tell. But, as you know, whether it’s a flood or not, the grass keeps growing. So we’re going to have to somehow maintain the beautiful golf course that we’ve got,” he said.
The grounds crew worked hard to prepare to showcase the course to the province during the two provincial tournaments, which is disheartening.
“But I know that we’ll get back on our feet. We’ve got a strong board that’s forward-minded thinking and we’ll definitely get back and be better for it in the future,” McCallum said.
McCallum is not worried about finding money to pay for the repairs that will be needed.
“The Province has been there from the start. They’ve made some good announcements that they’re going to be there for small businesses and not-for-profit businesses. I’m not really worried about that,” he said.
“We’ve got a great MLA in Dauphin. He’ll do everything in his power to make sure that his region is taken care of and I think Wab (Kinew, Manitoba Premier) feels the same way.”
At this point it’s just a matter of waiting for the water to recede.
McCallum appreciates the messages of support GPCC has received.
“All the messages of support, not only to our members, but how passionate people are about Gilbert Plains Country Club, that’s probably the motivation to keep you going,” he said.
The Dauphin Lake Golf Club was also hit with flooding, with most of the course being under water at one point, according to general manager and head professional Shawn Woods.
“Except for some areas. But it’s now subsided. But the lake is up, so who knows,” he said.
DLGC remains closed and conditions will be reassessed Wednesday morning after Sunday’s rainfall.
“It’s very wet. We’ve been pumping nonstop for four days and trying to clean things up. But the golf course and clubhouse has been closed, too. We had water in the clubhouse. So we’ve got lots to do,” Woods said.
Woods hopes to open Monday, but the clubhouse will likely remain closed indefinitely.
The driving range will also be closed and the tournaments scheduled for this weekend were cancelled, however, the pro shop will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday.