Angela Martens was once a rising star on the Manitoba golf scene, with the 1999 provincial amateur title serving as Exhibit A.
But life eventually took precedence over sport as she faded from the competitive spotlight, with a runner-up finish at the Amateur in 2010 marking her most recent appearance near the top of the leaderboard.
Now, all these years later, Martens is back — and on the cusp of another championship.
THOMAS FRIESEN / BRANDON SUN FILES
Defending champ Todd Fanning is tied for first heading into the final round of the men’s senior’s championship on Wednesday.
The Elmhurst member takes a one-shot lead into Wednesday’s final round of the 2026 Hodson Financial Women’s Senior Championship at Breezy Bend after posting rounds of 80 and 79.
“Obviously you’re dealing with a little bit of nerves and confidence, because I haven’t been in these situations much in the last 16 years,” Martens told Golf Manitoba on Tuesday.
“But it feels good. Once you get a few holes under your belt you kind of settle in and it feels like it used to feel.”
Stacey Borowski has the benefit of home-course advantage and is in hot pursuit after rounds of 81 and 79 through the first 36 holes. Angela Ause will round out the final group and sits just two shots back after rounds of 80 and 81.
“I think it gives you a focus,” Martens said of being able to draw from past experience.
“I’m still competitive in nature. You always want to push yourself to improve and I think that’s the beauty of the game. If you can stay physically healthy it’s a game you can continue to play at a certain level, or even improve upon. I think that’s what’s really appealing about golf and makes it unique to other sports.”
Others still in the hunt include Niakwa’s Tammy Gibson, five shots behind Martens, and Southwood’s Fran Povoledo, seven back. First-round leader Cathy Derewianchuk of Glendale followed up her opening 78 with a 92 on Tuesday and now trails by 11 shots.
There is guaranteed to be a new champion crowned Wednesday, as Rhonda Orr — winner of the last 10 senior titles — was unable to compete this year after undergoing a recent medical procedure to treat heart arrhythmia.
That leaves Gibson as the only other former champion in the 19-player field, having won the title in 2009, 2011, 2012 and 2015.
“I think just try to make some putts. Don’t get in your own way. Stay calm and don’t worry about the outcome,” Martens said of her mindset.
“Just enjoy the experience. I think that’s going to be my mental strategy going into the last round (Wednesday).”
The final trio of Martens, Borowski and Ause is set to tee off at 11:57 a.m.
OVER ON THE MEN’S SIDE…
It’s turning into a two-horse race between a pair of former winners who also happen to be good friends and clubmates.
Defending champion Todd Fanning is at five-under par after rounds of 71-68, giving him a one shot lead over fellow Niakwa member Jay Doyle (68-72), who claimed the title in 2023.
Fanning, one of the most decorated golfers in Manitoba history, carded four birdies and an eagle during Tuesday’s second round at Breezy Bend.
“The best game of golf I’ve played all year,” said Fanning. “I’ve really played quite poorly most of the year, including the tournament rounds I’ve played. There were signs of it being pretty good (Monday), just didn’t score all that well.”
THOMAS FRIESEN / BRANDON SUN FILES
Niakwa golfer Jay Doyle is tied at five-under with his clubmate Todd Fanning at the men’s senior’s championship.
Cornell Ruddock (74-73) and Dale Coulter (75-72) are tied for third at three-over par, while Mike Walker (71-78), David Kuik (72-77) and Dan Scanlon (75-74) sit at five over. Walker is also no stranger to victory in the event, having won in 2016, 2017 and 2019.
Another three-time winner, Garth Collings (2013, 2015, 2021), is currently tied for eighth with John MacKinnon at six-over.
The top six finishers this week will earn spots on Team Manitoba for the Canadian Senior Men’s Championship, which, fittingly, will be held in Fanning and Doyle’s backyard at Niakwa from Sept. 8-11.
The final trio of Fanning, Doyle and Ruddock will tee off Wednesday at 10:51 a.m.
“I still don’t have a ton of confidence, but it’s building,” said Fanning, who has made no secret of his desire to add a national senior championship to his impressive resumé.
MEANWHILE, IN CALGARY….
The second round of the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship is complete, with seven Manitobans among the 263-player field.
Brandon’s Evan Nachtigall continues to lead the provincial contingent at four-under par after rounds of 68 and 72. The 2025 Manitoba Amateur champion is inside the Top 25 at the halfway point of the 72-hole championship, which is being co-hosted by Mickelson National Golf Club and Heritage Pointe Golf Club.
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Nachtigall was the lone Manitoban to survive the cut, which fell at even par for the top 70 players and ties.
Winnipeg’s Rory Neill, fresh off capturing the 2026 Manitoba Amateur title earlier this month, missed advancing after rounds of 73-75. The remaining Manitobans were Lorette’s Kaleb Lambert (74-77), Brandon’s Drew Jones (76-75) and Winnipeg trio Ryan Blair (79-72), Tyler Polanski (78-75) and Lyle MacKenzie (78-82).
In the Willingdon Cup inter-provincial team competition, Team Manitoba — comprised of qualifiers Neill, Lambert and Jones, with the top two scores counting each round — finished sixth.
Three golfers from the Thunder Bay area are also competing under the Golf Manitoba banner. Jack Moro made the cut on the number at even par after rounds of 74 and 70, while Jeff Hunter (72-76) and Jordan Walford (78-87) failed to advance.
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Mike McIntyre is a sports reporter whose primary role is covering the Winnipeg Jets. After graduating from the Creative Communications program at Red River College in 1995, he spent two years gaining experience at the Winnipeg Sun before joining the Free Press in 1997, where he served on the crime and justice beat until 2016. Read more about Mike.
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