Alberta’s best are ready to take on the Ponoka Golf Club
The Provinces top golfers will converge in central Alberta to compete for Alberta’s top prize over 72 holes
Over 250 players attempted to qualify for the 2017 edition of the Sun Life Financial Alberta Men’s Amateur Championship. Of those aspirants, 120 of them comprise the final field that will compete over the course of the next four days in hopes of adding their name to the history books. Defending champion, Evan Holmes, is representing Alberta at the Pacific Coast Amateur Championship at Chambers Bay this week, which leaves the door wide open for a strong field of hopefuls.
The championship is destined to be a shoot-out worth keeping a close eye on. Several players are in peak form as they head to Ponoka. They are led by past champion, Brett Hogan, who triumphed at the Edmonton Petroleum G&CC in 2015. 2017 SVR Alberta Match Play champion, Brendan MacDougall, and 2017 Alberta Mid-Amateur champion, Neil Thomas, will draw on their recent success in hopes of winning their first Alberta Amateur. Also in the field is Team Canada’s Max Sekulic of the Grande Prairie G&CC. Sekulic won the 2017 Alberta Junior two weeks ago at the Coal Creek GC. It shouldn’t come as a surprise should one of these men end up on top of the leaderboard come Friday afternoon.
Ponoka Golf Club Head Professional and Manager, Rob Macpherson, says “the membership couldn’t be more excited to host the 2017 Sun Life Financial Alberta Men’s Amateur. Our Superintendent, Randy Gallant, embraces the challenge of hosting high profile events and be assured our course will be in optimum condition for the event. We are happy to showcase our facility to the best players in Alberta and we are anxious to show Alberta Golf and the competitors some small-town hospitality.”
The top three finishers at the conclusion of the championship will form the Team Alberta Interprovincial Squad for the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship to be conducted at The Toronto Golf Club & Islington Golf Club in Mississauga, ON August 7-10th. 24 quota spots are available to the top finishers into the national championship. The champion will earn the final spot on the 2018 Pacific Coast Amateur Championship Alberta Morse Cup Team.
NOTABLES
- Brett Hogan – 2015 Alberta Amateur champion & 2016 Alberta Open champion
- Jordan Irwin – 2016 Alberta Mid-Amateur champion
- Jaxon Lynn – 2016 Alberta Junior champion
- Brendan MacDougall – 2017 Alberta Match Play champion
- Max Sekulic – 2017 Alberta Junior champion
- Neil Thomas – 2017 Alberta Mid-Amateur champion
FAST FACTS
- First contested in 1908
- Format – 72 holes of stroke play competition; cut to low 60 players and ties after 36 holes
- Championship tees – 6,639 yards, par 72
MEDIA
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ABOUT ALBERTA GOLF
The Alberta Golf Association was incorporated as a society in 1912 and continues today as a not for profit Provincial Sport Organization (PSO) operating as Alberta Golf. As the PSO, we are commited to realizing the positive impacts of golf on individuals and communities across Alberta. Our vision is that through golf, Albertans will enjoy a high quality of life, improved health and wellness, a strong sense of community, economic benefits and personal fulfillment.
Alberta Golf hosts 13 annual provincial championships in order to identify the best golfers in various age and gender catergories. A mix of nearly 1,500 pro and amateur golfers compete on high quality member facility courses across the province. Championships are hosted by a core team of staff and over 100 volunteers. The tournaments promote competition, build pride in the community, support charitable giving and inspire future generations of golfers. They also serve as an opportunity for golfers to qualify for national amateur championships.
ABOUT SUN LIFE FINANCIAL
Sun Life Financial has served Canadians for 150 years. With an array of products and services, Sun Life is able to offer trusted solutions for customer’s needs. Beyond business, Sun Life is committed to operating in a socially responsible way and acting as a good corporate citizen. Sun Life Financial has been a dedicated sponsor of the Sun Life Financial Alberta Men’s Amateur Championship for 27 years.
MORE INFORMATION
Anthony Stirling
Tournament Director
Alberta Golf
(p) 403-999-2615
