The Manitoba Open will once again boast a sponsor's exemption from the Winnipeg Jets this summer.
Defenceman Dylan Samberg of the Winnipeg Jets will be teeing off alongside the pros at the 2024 CentrePort Canada Rail Park Manitoba Open.
“I look forward to playing in the CentrePort Canada Rail Park Manitoba Open this summer,” Samberg said. “I am an avid golfer and in awe of the skills and consistency of professional golfers. It will be challenging and exciting to tee up beside them and watch how they compete and manage an important tournament like the CentrePort Canada Rail Park Manitoba Open. I’d like to thank the Host Committee and Southwood for the invitation.”
Samberg - who will be 25 for the summer event - has been invited as the sponsor's exemption for this summer's running, following the path paved by teammates Mark Scheifele (2018), Kyle Connor (2019), Scheifele again in 2022 and Morgan Barron last year. The 2020 and 2021 runnings did not occur thanks to the COVID pandemic.
The Manitoba Open is a PGA Tour Americas Fortinent Cup event, and will be held at Southwood Golf and Country Club from August 22-25.
“Having an active member of an NHL roster play with our membership is a tradition special to the CentrePort Canada Rail Park Manitoba Open,” said Scott Pritchard, Vice President PGA TOUR Americas. “We are excited Dylan will be representing the Jets and we look forward to growing the game of golf in Manitoba and bringing awareness to the mission of the TNYF.”
The Jets' defenceman will compete as an amateur in a field of some of North America’s best golfers suiting up in the PGA Tour Americas event. Having hosted the Manitoba Open 16 times, it is nothing new for Southwood to host the event or to have Jets on the course, with many players - including Samberg - holding memberships at the club.
The Hermantown, MN. product has put up 11 assists in a full 42 games of action for the Jets this season. The team's 2017 second round pick (43rd overall) is in his third season of NHL play and has two goals, 24 points and 62 penalty minutes to his name in 120 total regular season appearances.
Proceeds from the Manitoba Open will again be sent to the True North Youth Foundation and its work through Project 11 in supporting the Mental Wellness Program at Camp Manitou – an initiative that helps teach children the game of golf.
Two years ago, $115K was donated to the True North Youth Foundation, while $62K was raised in the rain last year. Dating back to 2013, the Manitoba Open has raised three-quarters of $1 million for local charities within the province.