Preview: 2019 Alberta Match Play Championship
CALGARY – The 2019 Alberta Match Play Championship is set to begin on Tuesday at River Spirit Golf Club just west of Calgary. A field of 50 competitors will battle it out over an 18-hole stroke-play round on Tuesday morning for a lucrative spot in the 16 player match play bracket Wednesday morning.
2019 sees defending champion Brendan MacDougall look for his third straight title after back to back wins in 2017 at the Sundre Golf Club and 2018 at Silver Springs Golf and Country Club.
KEY INFO
Dates: June 4-6th
Course: River Spirit Golf Club (Millburn/Cattails)
Yards/Par: Up to 7,200 / 72
Field: 50
2018 champion: Brendan MacDougall (@thedooogs), 1up over Brady McKinlay
Format: 18 hole stroke play qualifying round for 16-player match play bracket
Tuesday Tee Times: Stroke play pairings
Social: #abmatchplay
LOOKING BACK
The 2018 Alberta Match Play Championship saw Brendan MacDougall of the Glencoe Golf & Country Club successfully defend his title after defeating Brady McKinlay of Lacombe Golf & Country Club 1 UP in the final match. McKinlay brought the match back to all square heading to the eighteenth tee. But after an errant fairway bunker shot left him in a tough green side position MacDougall was able to close out the match with a solid bunker shot and a conceded putt for victory.
MacDougall beat opponents Andrew Harvie, Matt Bean, Tyler Saunders and the young gun Brady McKinlay en route to the title. He was down early in three of the four matches but clawed his way back with consistently strong play throughout the closing holes.
https://twitter.com/HPUmensgolf/status/1005255668457263105
HISTORY
First contested in 2004, the Alberta Match Play Championship took a six year hiatus beginning in 2009. It was re-launched in 2015 and has a history of crowning worthy champions:
2004 – Ryan Swelin
2005 – Barrett Jarosch
2006 – Kris Wasylowich
2007 – Michael Knight
2008 – Darren Hupfer
2015 – Patrick Murphy
2016 – Jack Wood
2017/2018 – Brendan MacDougall
NOTABLES
- Brendan MacDougall – 2017 and 2018 Alberta Match Play champion
- Max Sekulic – 2017 Alberta Junior champion
- Carter Graf – 2017 Alberta Willingdon Cup team member, 2018 MJT national champion
- Kai Iguchi – 2018 Future Links Western champion
- Chandler McDowell – 2018 Alberta Junior & Juvenile Boys champion
- Brandon Markiw – 2018 Alberta Mid Amateur champion
- Tyler Saunders – 2014 Alberta Amateur champion, 2018 Edmonton Amateur champion
ABOUT THE COURSE
Located 15 minutes west of Calgary, the layout at River Spirit Golf Club is a true gem. The Elbow River and Millburn Creek provide a breathtaking backdrop to many of River Spirit’s signature holes. River Spirit Golf Club boasts three different 9-hole layouts for a total of 27 holes that can be combined into many interesting outings. All courses at River Spirit feature four different sets of tees to ensure an enjoyable round for every caliber of golfer. No matter how you choose to play River Spirit, you will find yourself among some of the most picturesque scenery in all of golf. River Spirit website here.
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