The 2023 Manitoba Open was held this past weekend in Winnipeg, MB. This season marked the second straight year under the new format that features 3 different qualifying rounds. The new format allows for re-entries and, with pandemic related restrictions ending, the tournament saw a welcome boost to entries as a result.
Entries + re-entries topped out at 86 which meant 24 bowlers would advance to match play and the winner would receive $2000. The third and final qualifying round wrapped up on Saturday evening with the last two Open Champions leading the way. Michael Makela and Mitch Hupe both posted 6 game totals of 1366. Hupe won the qualifying bonus of $150 following tiebreaking procedures. The cut to the top 24 was Murdoch Lyttle with a score of 1212.
Qualifying Scores Page 1
Qualifying Scores Page 2
On Sunday, the top 24 qualifiers returned to bowl 8 games of Match Play. Running out to an early lead was Austyn Ducharme. Ducharme posted games of 223-238-300-238 the first 4 to build a comfortable lead and never looked back. Ducharme would go on to claim the top spot in the stepladder finals where he would be joined by Daniel Skitt, defending champion Mitch Hupe, Michael Makela, and Marissa Naylor. 
Stepladder results:
Makela def Naylor, 201-192
Makela def Hupe, 212-204
Makela def Skitt, 235-217
Ducharme def Makela, 223-179
You can watch the finals HERE
The win gives Ducharme his first Manitoba Open title and first NDBowling.com Major victory. Ducharmes’ Open win comes just one week after earning a spot on the Canadian National Team following his performance at Team Trials in Montreal. Great bowling, Austyn!
Special thanks to Melody Savage and the entire Manitoba Open team for their hard work in making the Open one of the best tournaments around featuring a talented field with an exceptional prize fund. After weathering the storm the past few years due to the pandemic, the tournament now seems poised to return to the level it once was.