Bruce North of Carman, Manitoba has excelled at golf over many decades. Always known for his prodigious length off the tee, his skill at the subtler aspects of the game earned him the nickname of “Birdie Man” and the respect of his competitors. North’s ability to generate a powerful swing while typically wearing smooth-soled shoes or moccasins speaks to his technique.
North’s impressive record includes 8 Manitoba Rural Amateur Championships (1977, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1993, 1998, 2001 and 2003), 8 Tamarack Golf Tournament Championships (7 in the men’s category and 1 as a junior), 3 International Golf Tournament Championships (1979, 1980 and 1982) and 1 Grey Owl Golf Tournament Championships (1982).
In 2018, North won the Manitoba Senior Men’s Championship which was all the more special because it was won at his home course of Carman Golf and Curling Club.
A consummate team player, North has represented Manitoba in two Willingdon Cups (1986 when Manitoba was runner up and 1992), six Mid-Amateur Teams (1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001 and 2005) and two Senior teams (2011 and 2019) and several North American Cup Teams (i.e. competition between top Amateurs from Manitoba and North Dakota). In 2005, his Manitoba Mid-Amateur Team won the Canadian Mid-Amateur Team Competition. At the 2001 Canadian Mid-Amateur, North was runner up to Graham Cooke.
North has been the runner up three times for Manitoba Amateur Golfer of the Year Award (1982, 1998 and 2001).
Bruce North is an inductee into the Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame and Museum Inc., September 30, 2019.