Sekulic shines on day one with an opening 68
Reigning junior champion has his eye on Alberta’s top prize
Max Sekulic of the Grande Prairie G&CC came to the Ponoka Golf Club this week with a goal in mind – to make the 2017 Willingdon Cup team. The recently minted Alberta Junior champion might be setting his sights even higher after getting off to a fast start at the 2017 edition of the Sun Life Financial Alberta Men’s Amateur Championship. The Team Canada Development Squad member played solid golf in his first lap around the parkland style community course in Ponoka.
When asked about his first-round highlights, Sekulic said, “I started off good by making a nice long putt on one for birdie to get it going. Then made an eagle on eight to get to three under and I hit a great second shot on ten that set up a birdie. I hit a few loose ones coming in but almost made another birdie on eighteen. Overall, I can’t complain, it was a good round.”
Capturing the Alberta Junior two weeks ago gave Sekulic that added bit of self-assurance that comes from a victory. “Coming down the stretch that day and making a few birdies gave me enough confidence to believe I can win. It just gives you a bit of comfort knowing you can do it.”
Sekulic knows that there is a lot of golf yet to be played this week but has a strategy to stay focused. He said he will “stay positive, stay collected and try and take it hole-by-hole. It sounds pretty cliché but it is what you have to do to get it done.”
Jordan Gustman of The Bridges at Claresholm, finds himself in unfamiliar territory sitting tied for the tournament lead after day one. He started on the tenth hole and set a blistering pace by going out in 32 strokes, including four birdies in a five hole stretch. The only blemish on his card was a bogey that came on his closing hole.
Logan Carver from the Calgary G&CC sits two shots back in a tie for third place with 2015 champion and Glencoe G&CC member Brett Hogan. Carver comes to Ponoka after claiming the Future Links, driven by Acura Western Championship last week at the Fernie G&CC. Andrew Harrison of the Edmonton Petroleum G&CC, rounds out the trio tied for third.
Competitors will look to make their way up the leaderboard on day two. The low 60 and ties after tomorrow’s round will make the 36-hole cut.
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.
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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
