Newsletter: The Summer Review
Alberta Golf Summer Review: The summer is winding down and a full schedule of Alberta Golf tournaments, events and programs has come to an end across the province. Please enjoy the material below recapping what we’ve been up to the past 3 months, from running elite competitions to our recreational, family and youth initiatives.
Harrison Domination:
Andrew Harrison of Camrose won the weather-shortened Sun Life Financial Alberta Mens Amateur Championship at the Wolf Creek Golf Resort. Earlier in the spring the talented amateur also dominated a field of professionals to win the Alberta Open.
Becky Martin Victorious:
25-year-old Becky Martin fired a 4 under 67 during the final round of the Sun Life Financial Alberta Ladies Amateur Championship at The Ranch Golf & CC. The Medicine Hat golfer won her first provincial title by 7 shots
Ken Griffith Wins Thriller:
In July Red Deer’s Ken Griffith withstood a furious finish by Edmonton’s Brian Laubman to win the Alberta Senior Mens Championship at the Derrick Golf & Winter Club.
Senior Men Win Nationals:
At the 2019 Canadian Senior Mens Championship at Cedar Brae Golf Club, Team Alberta emerged as provincial senior team champions.
The Alberta trio, consisting of Ken Griffith (Red Deer), Brian Laubman (Edmonton) and Frank Van Dornick (Camrose) combined for a second-round score of 4-under to capture the Phil Farley Memorial Trophy.
Carrington Tops Alberta:
Kim Carrington won this year’s Alberta Senior Ladies Championship at Pine Hills Golf Club in Rocky Mountain House. The 2015 and 2017 champion added the 2019 title to her already amazing resume after shooting a 1 over 74 for an emotional 6 stroke victory over Jackie Little and Lynn Kuehn. The Cottonwood Golf & CC member also won the BC Senior Women’s championship in June.
Alberta Sweeps WCSG:
The 2019 Western Canada Summer Games were held in Swift Current. Team Alberta swept all 4 golf categories with Albertans Cole Bergheim and Jenna Bruggeman winning the male and female divisions while Team Alberta won both the male and female team competition.
Graf & Ackroyd Winners:
Defending junior girls champion Annabelle Ackroyd of the Glencoe Golf & CC shot a 3 over round of 73 at Highwood Golf to defend her Alberta Junior Championship title while Carter Graf of the Red Deer Golf & CC outlasted UBC golfer Ethan de Graaf to take the boy’s title.
Frerichs & Brar Victorious:
12-year-old Jayden Brar of Calgary was eligible to compete in this year’s Alberta Novice Boys championship but instead decided to test his skills one age level up in the Bantam category and won the title at River Bend Golf Course in Red Deer.
Brooke Frerichs from the Glencoe Golf & CC took down the Bantam Girls title by 4 strokes.
Kucy & Bergheim win at AJT Tour Championship:
The McLennan Ross Alberta Junior Tour came to a breezy, but very successful conclusion in August at Wolf Creek Golf Resort. Jayla Kucy captured her second consecutive Tour Championship at the age of 13 while Cole Bergheim of the Red Deer GCC won the boys title.
Alberta Golf Takes Over McLennan Ross Alberta Junior Tour:
The 24th season for the McLennan Ross Alberta Junior Tour saw Alberta Golf take ownership of this successful grassroots competitive tour for juniors. Tour organizer Dunc Mills talks about what this tour can offer young golfers across the province.
Alberta Golf launches junior website:
Alberta Golf has launched albertagolfjuniors.org as a one stop shop for all of our youth initiatives including the home base for the new McLennan Ross Junior Tour.
McKinlay & Graf 2nd and 3rd at Nationals:
Christopher Vandette of Beaconsfield, Que., withstood a strong push from Albertans Brady McKinlay and Carter Graf to defend his title and win the 81st Canadian Junior Boys Championship held at Covered Bridge Golf & Country Club in Hartland, N.B. Brady McKinlay of Lacombe, Alta., was the runner up by a single stroke and even held the lead on the back nine in the final round before Vandette sealed victory.
Jesse Galvon claims Alberta Mid Amateur Title:
In late June Jesse Galvon of the Glencoe Golf and CC withstood a late charge by Bearpaw’s Emmett Oh to win the Alberta Mid Amateur title at Earl Grey Golf Club in Calgary.
Smith & Kamenka win Rec Series Ladies Team Classic:
28 teams paired up in August at the Canmore Golf & CC for a fun and competitive Rec Series event. Kelly Smith
and Mary-Anne Kamenka took the title with back to back net rounds of 66.
Spalding, McNicoll & Brooks win final Rec Series event:
This summer’s 5 event Recreational Series saw competitors have fun at Stewart Creek, Banff Springs, Jasper Park Lodge, Canmore Golf & Curling Club and a wrap up Net-Am event at the Wintergreen Golf & Country Club. The Net-Am champions were Ena Spalding, Brian McNicoll and Alicia Brooks.
Drive, Chip & Putt champions get thrilling day at Shaw Charity Classic:
In August at Golf Canada Calgary Centre, Jade Carter, Easton Hopkins, Justine Leon and Jalen Apedoe won their age categories at the Shaw Charity Classic Drive, Chip & Putt contest presented by West Island College. The four champions had the experience of a lifetime during the final round of the Shaw Charity Classic at Canyon Meadows getting inside the ropes access with the leaders and a trophy presentation from champion Wes Short Jr.
Silver Springs & Turner Valley shine at Interclub:
The final event on Alberta Golf’s championship summer schedule was held on a gorgeous day at Kananaskis Country Golf Course for the Alberta Interclub Championship. In the women’s competition Turner Valley Golf Club won the low gross division while the men from Silver Springs Golf & CC won their low gross competition.
True sportsmanship on display at 2019 Alberta vs Montana Ryder Cup:
Picture Butte Golf Club was the location for the 2019 Alberta vs Montana Ryder Cup. The players from both Alberta and Montana displayed true sportsmanship and played very well.
Families enjoy Calgary Golf Festival presented by Shaw Charity Classic:
Cottonwood Golf & CC held the Alberta Golf Calgary Golf Festival presented by Shaw. Groups of golfers and families across the city got to spend the day on a private golf course, discover the game of golf and even own a hole for 90 minutes.
Alberta Golf partners with Junior Achievement for golf business camp:
Alberta Golf partnered with Junior Achievement Canada for a week long camp at Silver Springs Golf & Country Club. The camp breaks down barriers and gets youth on a private golf course for an entire week to learn golf and business skills as well as learn the value of teamwork and working together with new found friends.
Alberta Golf Foundation distributed Scholarships to 58 recipients in 2019:
The Alberta Golf Association Foundation is focused on supporting students on their path to pursue a post-secondary education. Each year the Foundation awards over 50 scholarships and $50,000 to deserving applicants. Here are this year’s recipients:
Future Links Youth on Course pilot program a success in first year:
In 2019 Alberta became the first province to pilot the already successful United States program Youth on Course that gets kids aged 6-18 playing golf at courses across the province for $5 or less. Almost one thousand rounds were played by Future Links Youth on Course members at 17 courses in Alberta this summer. Alberta Golf saw an increase in Junior Members especially Junior Public Player Members which saw more than a %500 increase.
Juniors in Vulcan thrilled with brand new kid’s course loop:
With a huge community fundraising effort at the Vulcan Golf & CC, Gordon Brayton has opened up a free 3-hole loop for kids to discover the game of golf.
Celebration of life held for Alberta Golf volunteer Lyle Cuthbert:
Lyle Cuthbert (1943 – 2019)
Lyle was an avid golfer and member at the Elbow Springs GC in Calgary. He started volunteering with Alberta Golf in 2007 and among the many roles he served, Lyle was a course rater with the Association and Treasurer with the Foundation, helping to support students by administering $50,000 annually in post-secondary scholarships.
Volunteer appreciation day held at Alberta Springs Golf Resort:
Alberta Golf’s season officially came to an end September 11th at Alberta Springs Golf Resort. More than 2 dozen volunteers were recognized for their support of Alberta Golf initiatives this season.
Alberta Golfer Magazine digital version:
The 2019 Alberta Golfer Magazine is now in digital form.
“One of the most fascinating things about golf is how it reflects the cycle of life. No matter what you shoot – the next day you have to go back to the first tee and begin all over again and make yourself into something.” – Peter Jacobsen
