Ottawa Golfer Makes History at Indigenous-Owned Resort

Craig Stefureak's preparation for defending his national championship title included an unconventional training ground: a homemade driving range in a lake cove where he snorkels to retrieve golf balls.

The Ottawa golfer spent the week before the PGA Championship of Canada at his family's rustic cabin on Manitoulin Island, accessible only by boat and without electricity. For over 100 years, the island has been passed down through his family, part of the Wiikwemkoong band.

"Every time I go up there it brings you back and really grounds you," Stefureak said. "Going into the championship I couldn't have been more zenned out and ready to go."

His practice routine involved hitting wedge shots at markers 50 to 100 yards out in the water, then diving to collect the balls. The ultimate challenge? Hitting a Lysol jug tied to a pole 100 yards away to sink it.

When Stefureak arrived at St. Eugene Golf Resort in Cranbrook, British Columbia, he learned the venue held deeper meaning. The resort, now owned by the Ktunaxa band, sits on the former site of a residential school.

During a practice round with fellow Indigenous golfer Mitch Fox, the significance clicked. "We talked about how it would be a cool, full-circle moment if one of us would win the championship that week," he said.

Stefureak entered the final day one shot behind the leader. He fired off a blistering start of birdie-eagle-birdie and shot a course-record 61 to claim victory.

The win made him the first Indigenous winner of the championship and the first back-to-back champion since George Knudson nearly 50 years ago. It also earned him a spot in next year's RBC Canadian Open.

Why This Inspires

Stefureak's journey shows how connecting with your roots can fuel extraordinary achievement. His victory at a site that once represented pain for Indigenous communities now represents triumph and healing.

He hopes his success will inspire Indigenous youth through a "see it, be it" effect. His approach to setbacks reflects this optimism: he journals regularly and lives by the phrase "failure is not final."

"If you stop, it's final. If you quit, it's final," he tells young golfers he coaches. "But the next day you could wake up and it's that eureka moment."

Five days after his historic win, Stefureak claimed another championship at the PGA of Canada Ottawa Zone event. He's now competing on the European development tour and pursuing qualification for the PGA Tour.

A golfer nobody knew just two years ago is now writing history, one zenned-out swing at a time.