6 days ago
‘Can't really think of a better way to start off my professional golfing career'
Braxton Kuntz is hoping to make this a summer for the ages.
The 22-year-old Winnipegger — already one of the most decorated amateur golfers in Manitoba history — is on the cusp of turning professional after graduating from Ball State University in Indiana this past May.
Kuntz won't have to travel far for his first 'play-for-pay' event. He's secured a sponsor's exemption into the Manitoba Open, which takes place next month at his home course of Breezy Bend, featuring top talent from the PGA Tour Americas.
'I can't really think of a better way to start off my professional golfing career,' Kuntz told the Free Press on Tuesday.
NIC ADAM / FREE PRESS FILES
Braxton Kuntz will play his first pro tournament at his home course of Breezy Bend in August at the Manitoba Open.
NIC ADAM / FREE PRESS FILES
Braxton Kuntz will play his first pro tournament at his home course of Breezy Bend in August at the Manitoba Open.
'That's the place that has supported me since I was really young, and now to be able to turn pro and compete in front of the people that have been a part of it for years is really special. I'm really looking forward to it.'
However, Kuntz isn't getting ahead of himself. He has two big tournaments left on his personal calendar between now and then which will require his undivided attention.
First up is the Canadian Men's Amateur Championship next week at Royal Ottawa Golf Club. Kuntz earned his spot by winning a record-setting four straight Manitoba Amateur titles (2021-24) and finishing tied for third at last year's national event in Saskatoon.
The Canadian Amateur boasts an impressive list of past champions, including current PGA Tour players Mackenzie Hughes and Nick Taylor, as well as legends like Richard Zokol, Jim Nelford and Moe Norman. The last Manitoban to win it was Rob McMillan back in 1996.
After that, Kuntz will tee it up at the prestigious U.S. Amateur Championship from Aug. 14-17 at The Olympic Club in San Francisco. He punched his ticket through a two-stage qualifying process — tying for third on July 2 in Minnesota to advance, then grabbing one of seven final spots after finishing third this past Monday in Kansas City.
'That's going to be a fun way to finish the amateur career,' said Kuntz, who will be one of just a handful of Canadians in the field.
Former U.S. Amateur champions include some of the biggest names in golf history: Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Bob Jones and Phil Mickelson.
'That's the place that has supported me since I was really young, and now to be able to turn pro and compete in front of the people that have been a part of it for years is really special. I'm really looking forward to it.'–Braxton Kuntz
Kuntz had never attempted to qualify for the event before but made it a priority this year. That meant making the tough call to skip a shot at a fifth straight Manitoba Amateur title, which was held last week at Southwood.
'They had split the U.S. Amateur qualifying into two stages. After I got through the first one, you had to pick from a few different sites (for the second) and rank them first to third choice. If I didn't get my first choice, which was Kansas City, I would have had to go to Iowa, which would have been in the middle of the Manitoba Amateur,' he said.
Kuntz still had a front-row seat at Southwood, caddying for good friend and fellow Breezy Bend member Allan McDonald, who finished sixth. Evan Nachtigall of Shilo claimed the title by three shots.
'It was a little weird to walk around the golf course and not at least be reaching for a golf club,' Kuntz said, laughing.
NIC ADAM / FREE PRESS
Braxton Kuntz won a record-setting four straight Manitoba Amateur titles between from 2021 to 2024.
NIC ADAM / FREE PRESS
Braxton Kuntz won a record-setting four straight Manitoba Amateur titles between from 2021 to 2024.
'I would say I'm happy that I played well this week (at the U.S. Amateur qualifying) because I took the week off to work on my game and am glad that paid off. I feel a lot better about my decision. And I'm super happy for Evan. Such a great guy, such a good player, and I'm really happy for him.'
Kuntz, Manitoba's male golfer of the year for four consecutive years, has continued pushing to improve his game. Last fall, he was named to the men's Team Canada NextGen squad, working under national coach and fellow Winnipegger Derek Ingram and utilizing a wealth of resources and training at his disposal, including amateur events around the world.
In addition to sharpening his game, Kuntz has been working on the off-course challenge of raising funds. Cory Johnson, the general manager at Breezy, has been assisting in that department as well by trying to drum up local support.
'Pro golf is expensive, right?' said Kuntz.
'I've been trying to meet with a lot of business owners and build some relationships and hopefully secure some funding. So that, when I do turn pro, I can take the steps needed, compete in qualifying schools and make a good career out of it. Obviously some people have very wealthy parents and can fund it through that way, but for the majority of talented golfers, you need a whole host of people and business behind you.'
That was certainly the case for Manitoba's top current professional, Aaron Cockerill, who worked his way up from the Canadian Tour with the help of sponsors before breaking through in 2019 on what is now the DP World Tour. The 33-year-old from Stony Mountain has earned more than $3.5 million overseas.
'Pro golf is expensive, right?'–Braxton Kuntz
'I've sent quite a few emails and not heard a whole lot back,' said Kuntz, who can be reached directly at braxtonkun25@ 'It's hard, but it's a slow process. It's not done overnight, but I'm putting the work into it.'
A strong showing at the Manitoba Open (Aug. 21-24) could speed up that process. The past three winners — Johnny Keefer, Hayden Springer and Parker Coody — are already playing PGA Tour events.
'Obviously, I'm very familiar with the golf course, but it's shaping up to be a lot tougher than it usually is. They narrowed the fairways and are growing out the rough,' he said.
'It'll be fun to be able to play in front of all those people that I've gotten to know over the years.'
Assuming he secures enough sponsorship support, Kuntz plans to enter at least two qualifying schools this fall, with the Korn Ferry Tour (PGA Tour feeder), DP World Tour and Asian Tour all in consideration.
'Doing all three would be chaotic and expensive,' he said.
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'But if I could pick one or two and get hot at the right time — that's how Aaron Cockerill got on — then hopefully I can get my card. If not, there's a lot of mini-tours I can play on down in the southern U.S., and then hopefully I'll find a place in Phoenix or Florida where I can go and keep myself sharp.'
Fortunately, Kuntz has a strong Plan B after an excellent collegiate career. He graduated with a 3.96 GPA in finance and received Ball State's medal of excellence. He also helped lead the Cardinals to a pair of second-place team finishes while being their top scorer.
'My parents always told me academics are just as important as athletics and you gotta have a backup plan. So I put a lot of effort into that as well,' said Kuntz.
'So I come out of school with a good-looking degree, a pretty decent resumé and, in the end, if golf doesn't work out, I can hopefully get an attractive job. But right now I'm fully in on golf. Pretty big next six weeks for me. Two national championships and then my first pro start-up. I'm pretty excited.'
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Mike McIntyreReporter
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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