Curtis Markusson of Gimli is heading to Vancouver next month after winning the Manitoba Mid-Master Championship earlier this week.
Markusson carded rounds of 72, 72 and 73 at St. Charles Country Club to finish at 217 and secure the provincial title.
With the win, Markusson earned a place on Team Manitoba and will compete at the Canadian Mid-Master Championship this August at Seymour Golf and Country Club in North Vancouver.
“It feels great to come out on top in a competitive field,” Markusson said. “I’ve been working hard on my game, and I’m proud to represent Manitoba at nationals.”
Markusson, who won the national Mid-Master title in 2022, says he’s not heading to Vancouver just to participate.
“My goals heading into nationals — no, I don’t just go there to compete. I play to win every day,” he said. “I’m going back to get that trophy back and try to beat my best finish in the mid category, which was 12th place in 2022.”
When asked about his mindset going into the final round of the provincial championship, knowing the title was within reach, Markusson said he stayed focused on consistency.
“My mindset was the same as every day I play — I just try to beat myself and get the job done.”
Over the course of the three-day tournament, he said staying steady and avoiding major mistakes helped him build momentum and stay in contention.
“There were lots of key moments over the three days — just basically trying to be steady and not make a big mistake, and just keep myself in the tournament.”
He credits his edge in the sport not necessarily to one part of his game, but rather to his discipline and work ethic.
“It’s more my dedication and discipline in regards to my game that may give me an advantage,” he said. “In this particular tournament, it was at my home course, so I had home-field advantage as they would say.”
Markusson also praised the quality of the field this year.
“The competition is quite something in the overall category — there’s a lot of great golfers, a lot of past champions, and a lot of guys that can go low any day,” he said. “I believe half the field for the Mid-Master was over 40, and there were a couple of over-40 guys competing to win it all.”
This is Markusson’s second time making Team Manitoba for the Willingdon Cup, a national team event.
“I practice to make that team, and I hope we can go back and bring back the Willingdon Cup for Manitoba,” he said. “Golf Manitoba, St. Charles , as well as sponsors, make it such a great event, and the competition make it such a tough challenge. It’s always an honour just to be part of it.”
Markusson said he appreciates being able to represent small-town Gimli on the national stage.
“That’s where I grew up, and that’s where my heart lies.”
