Brandon's Paige Crossley was selected to the 2024 Female U18 Program of Excellence (POE) which will compete at the 2024 National Women’s U18 Championship scheduled to take place from Nov. 3 – 9 in Quispamsis, NB. This past season she amassed 41 points in 60 games for the Westman Wildcats of the Manitoba Female Hockey League U18 AAA league. The process of making the squad involved Crossley participating  in the top 68 and top 40 camps held in June and July followed by an email from Hockey Manitoba congratulating her on being selected to be on the team Manitoba roster. "Initially when I first read the email I was shocked and surprised, knowing it would be a hard decision for the coaches seeing all the skill out there. Now that it’s had a chance to sink I’m excited to be a part of team toba!" For Crossley, it will be her first time representing her province and the teenager is looking forward to the whole experience. "I’m most looking forward to represent my province and to play at an elite level of hockey with great talent. Also looking forward to taking direction and learning from head coach, Christine Bumstead, and, Karissa Kirkup. I have never been to New Brunswick either, I’m looking forward to experiencing the east cost." In preparation for the tournament, and her upcoming season with the U18AAA Female Brandon Wheat Kings, she will continue to skate on ice with Jess Stott at the at WCHA as well as off ice training with Tash Falk at the track and at Fit Performance Center here in Brandon. Crossley lists her favorite NHL player as Kirill Kaprizov and considers herself to be a coachable player who is both a great teammate and hardworking. " I have good hockey IQ and I can read the ice well with and without carrying the puck. I will bring intensity and determination to continue Improving my game." Longer term plans Crossley include playing competitive hockey in post secondary, and one day becoming a coach/mentor to young female athletes.

Brandon's Hunter Oakden will be playing in the FCG Callaway World Championships held in Palm Springs this week.  Players from over 50 countries from around the World will be participating.  In his 14 U age class there will be 104 players from around the world (4 from Canada).  This year's PGA Championship winner Xander Schauffele is a past participant along with a number of other touring pros. https://youtu.be/1e9ZqJ_9auc Last years promo with Jon Ramm. Hunter qualified for the event shooting scores of 72/74 at a MJT event this past May.  Many of the top MB and SK players participated.

The seventh edition of the IG Wealth Management Bobcat BIRT Cup was a spectacle and established a jaw dropping fundraising total in the process. A record $100,000 was collected for local causes on Friday, July 5 at Wheat City Golf Course with a whopping 288 players taking part in a double shotgun start. The tournament was also blessed to have the assistance of nearly 200 sponsors. This summer's event supported: Bobcat student-athletes Ashley Neufeld Softball Complex Habitat for Humanity Westman Speed Skating Club Deloraine baseball field Forrest community park The $100K mark more than tripled the Bobcat BIRT Cup's initial tally of $29,000 from the inaugural tournament in 2018. Since BU Athletics started running the event, over $440,000 has been raised for the community. The foursome of Tyler Agius, Mitch Conway, Vasillios Giannopoulos and Dan McMillan won the tournament on a thrilling count-back after finishing 17-under par with two other teams. The 2024 champions eagled the par-5 16th to earn the title. Below is a complete rundown on prize winners. Mulligans with McMunn and Yates matching sales dollar for dollar: McMunn & Yates $300 gift card – WINNER: Rocky Hunter Big screen TV from Extreme Electronics – WINNER: Derek McGregor Raffle Ticket Prizes with Meighen Haddad matching the first $2,000 in tickets sold. The Stowaway Inn 1-night stay + Sporty's $50 gift card + Tabletop wood pellet grill, courtesy Boundary Co-op – WINNER: Lee Pearson NHL Foundation Montreal Canadiens' team signed jersey + T-Birds pizza, pop and bowling package – WINNER: Nancy Sorenson Toronto Maple Leafs Alumni Assoc. signed jersey + Maple Leaf Foods 1-year supply of bacon – WINNER: Tammy Hodgson Philadelphia Flyers Travis Sanheim signed jersey + Glen Lea Golf Course 4 rounds with cart – WINNER: Jeff Adamson Traditional Silent Auction with Scotiabank matching sales up to $3,000: One (1) roundtrip flight for two (2) guests to any regularly scheduled WestJet destination – WINNER: Doug Morningstar Klay Thompson Golden State Warriors jersey + Winnipeg Sea Bears 4 game tickets + Mar-Dee Enterprises 2 x $25 gas gift cards + Radisson Winnipeg 1-night stay + Assiniboia Downs 2 x $50 gift cards – WINNER: Jayden Lamb Toronto Blue Jays' Alek Manoah autographed baseball + Winnipeg Goldeyes Sky Suite with 21 tickets + Mar-Dee Enterprises 2 x $25 gas gift cards + Victoria Inn 3 hotel vouchers for 1-night stay + Assiniboia Downs 2 x $50 gift cards – WINNER: Dave Morningstar Dayton Black autographed Hamilton Tiger-Cats jersey + Brady Oliveira Winnipeg Blue Bombers' jersey + Winnipeg Blue Bombers Game Tickets + Mar-Dee Enterprises 2 x $25 gas gift cards + Best Western Pembina 1-night stay - WINNER: Dave Morningstar Westman Lumber smoker + Heritage Co-op 2 x $25 gift cards + M&M Meat Shops 2 x $25 gift cards – WINNER: Mac Troughton Westman Lumber BBQ + Heritage Co-op 2 x $25 gift cards + M&M Meat Shops 2 x $25 gift cards – WINNER: Keith Braaksma St. Louis Blues signed Brayden Schenn jersey + Pizza Express 4 small two-topping pizzas + 4 rounds plus cart at Oak Island Golf Resort - WINNER: Keith Braaksma Chicago Blackhawks signed Connor Bedard jersey + Pizza Hut 4 x $25 gift cards – WINNER: Matt Calvert Boston Bruins signed Morgan Geekie jersey + T-Birds pizza, pop and bowling package – WINNER: Lee Pearson LA Kings signed Drew Doughty jersey + Melita Golf Course 4 rounds w/ cart + burger, fries and drink – WINNER: Dakota Scheirlinck Winnipeg Jets signed Connor Hellebuyck jersey + Canadian Tire $250 gift card - WINNER: Lee Pearson Minnesota Twins 2 game tickets + McPhail Travel $250 travel voucher – WINNER: Blair Wooley Dallas Stars Jamie Benn and Joe Pavelski autographed hockey sticks + Minnedosa Golf & Country Club 4 rounds + Dari Isle Drive-In 4 x $25 gift cards – WINNER: Carberry Sandhills Electric Toronto Raptors signed RJ Barrett jersey + Browns Socialhouse $25 gift card + Santa Lucia Pizza $25 gift card – WINNER: Derian Penziwol Toronto Maple Leafs signed Joel Edmundson jersey + Browns Socialhouse $25 gift card + Santa Lucia Pizza $25 gift card + Inflatable Paddle Board, courtesy Action Power – WINNER: Jordan Campbell Toronto Maple Leafs signed Auston Matthews jersey + Browns Socialhouse $25 gift card + Santa Lucia Pizza $25 gift card – WINNER: Warren Watt Vegas Golden Knights signed Mark Stone jersey + Browns Socialhouse $25 gift card + Santa Lucia Pizza $25 gift card + 94.7 STAR FM/Q-Country 91/.5 FM 3-month advertising package – WINNER: Bryan Freiheit Nashville Predators signed Roman Josi jersey + The Dock $25 gift card + Pizza Express small 2-topping pizza voucher + 4 18-hole rounds plus cart at Gladstone Golf & Country Club - WINNER: Dakota Scheirlinck Online 5050, presented by Sunrise Credit Union – WINNER: Jeff Williams with Ticket # C-1416 Guardian Fencing Putting Green Contest (Free for Golfers) Chance to win #1: Mar-Dee Enterprises $25 gas gift card + 4 nine-hole rounds at Pilot Mound Golf Course - WINNER: Tyler Waterhouse Chance to win #2: Wheat City Golf Course golf bag + Shanks Driving Range & Grill $80 gift card – WINNER: Keith Gessner Chance to win #3: Pizza Hut $25 gift card + Kim's Asian Restaurant $25 gift card – WINNER: Justin Rabe FREE contests on the course: Sutton-Harrison Realty Door Prize Draw -- Next to Riverside Lifestyle Estates - Hy-Wire Zipline Adventures package, courtesy Bounce FM / Pure Country + A&L Cycle prize package + The Dock $25 gift card + Pizza Express small 2-topping pizza voucher – WINNER: Ron Harper Hole 1 Longest Putt - $25 gift cards to Sobey's West; McDonald's; Pizza Hut and Kim's Asian Restaurant – WINNER: Dwayne Gylywoychuk Axe Throwing Contest Hole 2 - 8 rounds at Souris-Glenwood Golf Course + Pizza Express small 2-topping pizza voucher – WINNER: Eleanor Hyndman Hole 6 Closest to the Pin - Maple Leaf Foods 1-year supply of bacon + Winnipeg Blue Bomber Aug. 23 game tickets, courtesy Pure Country/Bounce FM Radio – WINNER: Craig Anderson Scotiabank Shootout at Hole 8 - (1) The Dock 4 x $25 gift cards + Dairy Queen prize package + Pizza Express small 2-topping pizza voucher – WINNER: Dan Ashfield (2) Brandon Wheat Kings' merch + game tickets – WINNER: Steve Thompson Hole 8 - Men's Longest Drive - 4 rounds at Boissevain Golf Club + Mar-Dee Enterprises $25 gas gift card + McDonald's $25 gift card + TSN Men's Golf Apparel – WINNER: Scott Hlady Hole 10 Closest to the vintage Bobcat jersey - Swiss Chalet 1/4 Chicken Dinner for a Year + 4 x $25 gift cards to Harvey's - WINNER: Dwayne Gylywoychuk Hole 11 Senior Men's 55+ Closest to the Pin - Stainless Steel Microwave Oven from Leon's + T-Birds pizza, pop and bowling package – WINNER: Paul Friesen Hole 13 Ladies Closest to the Pin - $25 gift card to Kim's Asian Restaurant + 4 bottles of wine, courtesy Century 21- WINNER: Mary Thomson Hole 14 Bucket Golf Chipping Game Pick your target for a chance to win 1 of 3 prize packages. (1) Winnipeg Blue Bomber Sept. 27 game tickets, courtesy Pepsi – WINNER: Dave Burman (2) movie passes with medium popcorn to Landmark Cinemas – WINNER: Berkley Barnard (3) $25 gift cards to Sobey's West End, McDonald's, Pizza Hut and Kim's – WINNER: Rick Stallard Hole 14 Closest to the Pin - Case of 6oz sirloin steaks, compliments of Pratts – WINNER: Jim Millan Hole 15 Longest Putt - T-Birds pizza, pop and bowling package + $25 gift card to Sobey's West + The Dock $25 gift card – WINNER: Glenn Steele Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries Baseball Throw Between Hole 15 & 16 - Crane Steel golf bag + complementary green fees at Clear Lake Golf Course + TSN his and hers golf clothing + The Dock $25 gift card – WINNER: Geoff Kroeker Hole 16 Ladies Longest Drive - 4 complimentary green fees at Killarney Lakeside Golf Club + $25 gift cards to Sobey's West, McDonalds and Pizza Hut + TSN Ladies Golf Apparel – WINNER: Cejay Hilhorst Hole 18 Closest to the vintage Bobcat jersey - Extreme Electronics portable bluetooth speaker – WINNER: Terry English

Deer Ridge Golf Course in Brandon recently introduced Foot Golf, a hybrid sport that combines the precision of golf with the accessibility and fun of soccer. This new addition is expected to appeal to a wide range of players, from avid golfers and soccer enthusiasts to families and casual participants. The sport is gaining popularity due to its accessibility and fun nature, suitable for all ages and skill levels. The game is played with a standard size 5 soccer ball and you can bring your own, or rent one from the clubhouse. The holes, typically 21 inches in diameter, are located to the side of the fairways and have larger cups. Scoring is the same as in golf, count your kicks until the soccer ball sinks into the cup. Owner Chris Kading told bdnmb.ca earlier today that the 9-hole foot golf course takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes to play, while a round of golf (9 holes) is about 2-hours. You can call the pro-shop for available tee times. In recent years, a number of golf courses have introduced FootGolf in Canada as a way to bring more people to their facilities. Whether you're a golf purist, a soccer fan, or just looking for a fun outdoor activity, Foot Golf at Deer Ridge Golf promises a unique and enjoyable experience for everyone.

The 2024 IG Wealth Management Bobcat BIRT Cup took place earlier today at Wheat City Golf Course. Last year the alumni/charity event raised a record $84,000 for local area charities. BIRT is short for basics, intensity, respect and team. Brandon University Sports Wall of Famer, the late Neil Andrews came up with the acronym when he was Scott Hlady’s baseball coach. Hlady is a former Bobcat hockey player and founded the BIRT Cup. He ran the tournament independently for a decade before handing it over to his alma mater. Photos by Scramble Studio.