The Interprovincial Challenge Cup, more commonly known as the Willingdon Cup, had been contested for by provincial teams at 40 Canadian Men’s Amateur Golf Championships before the 1974 Manitoba Men’s Amateur Team was able to win the Cup.
The team consisted of Steve Bannatyne, Ted Homenuik and Barry McKenzie, all from Rossmere Golf and Country Club, and Gavin Speirs from Southwood Golf and Country Club. The non-playing captain, W.J. (Bill) Doyle, was from Southwood and with respect to his role, Bannatyne said “It was definitely a five-man team.” Doyle was prophetic at the opening ceremonies when he stated: “It’s too bad we’ll be keeping the Willingdon Cup here when it’s all over.”
However, he knew the golfing talent on the team was exceptional. Homenuik and Bannatyne are both Honoured Members of the Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame having been inducted in 2004 and 2012 respectively. McKenzie, who had won the 1965 Manitoba Men’s Amateur Championship, was playing in his 11th Willingdon Cup and Speirs (who would later win 3 Manitoba Senior Men’s Championships) was playing in his first.
The Championship was contested on August 19 and 20, 1974 at Niakwa Country Club in Winnipeg. Bannatyne, the Manitoba Men’s Amateur Champion, led the team on the first day to a 4 shot lead over defending champion British Columbia with an opening round of 70. Homenuik added a 73 and McKenzie shot 75 (only the top 3 team scores counted). The second day was played in a steady downpour with McKenzie leading the way with a 72 followed by Speirs at 73 and Bannatyne with a 75.
This was good for a 4 shot victory over British Columbia (which included future PGA Tour player Jim Nelford) and 6 shots better than Ontario. The Winnipeg Free Press summed up the achievement with the headline reading: “Victory Drought Over! Steady Manitobans Claim Willingdon Cup.”
The 1974 Manitoba Men’s Amateur Team is an inductee into the Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame and Museum Inc., September 24, 2018.