Brad Birnie, Blaine Fagnou, Bruce Klaassen among 2021 Sask. Golf Hall of Fame inductees
Because the 2020 banquet was cancelled due to COVID-19, the 2020 induction class will also be honoured in September.
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The Saskatchewan Golf Hall of Fame has introduced its 2021 induction class.
Brad Birnie, Blaine Fagnou and Bruce Klaassen will be honoured during an induction ceremony scheduled for Sept. 18 at Riverside Country Club in Saskatoon.
Birnie, a Saskatoon native, played his early years of golf at Wildwood Golf Course, Holiday Park Golf Course, and Saskatoon Golf and Country Club. He won two straight Saskatchewan Amateur championships and turned pro in 1986. He also has six Lobstick wins and three professional titles. Birnie went on to become a highly respected coach — named the PGA of Saskatchewan coach of the year twice — with his students winning 26 provincial championships.
Fagnou, also a native of Saskatoon, has spent 26 years as the superintendent of Elk Ridge Resort. During his time, the golf course has hosted 11 provincial events and the 2007 Royale senior women’s national championship, the only time the event has been held in Saskatchewan. Fagnou oversaw construction of Elk Ridge’s Tamarack and Birch nines while designing the construction of Aspen nine.
A long-time superintendent from Regina, Klaassen has left his mark on two legendary Saskatchewan courses — Waskesiu and Royal Regina — after starting his career in Toronto at St. George’s Golf Club. Klaassen returned to the province to take over as turf specialist for the City of Regina. In 1985, he became the head superintendent at Waskesiu Golf Course before returning to the Queen City and the Royal Regina Golf Club where he transformed the course during his 19 years as superintendent there.
The 2020 induction class — whose 2020 banquet was cancelled due to COVID-19 — will also be honoured in September.
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