Nestled in central Alberta just outside of Red Deer is one of the top public golf courses in Alberta, Alberta Springs Golf Resort. Alberta Springs is a course that requires no introduction to the junior golfers in the province, as it has played host to the Alberta U17, U15, & U13 Championship for many years, but in 2025 the course will host the first ever Alberta U17 Championship.
The Alberta U17 Championship is the stand-alone championship for the best juvenile golfers in the province under the age of 17 as of August 1. The event will be open to both male and female golfers, like years previous. It was decided to separate the event after a plethora of feedback was received from players and parents supporting the change to help with competitive development. This new change will include a lengthened yardage to better reflect the ability of Alberta’s top U17 players and serve as a more appropriate step toward the U19 Championship. An additional day will be added allowing the event to become WAGR ranked which helps with college recruiting. The U17 Championship has several well-known winners including Dustin Risdon and Heather Lee in the 90’s, and more recently Katy Rutherford and Ryan Hodgins winning their respective U17 Championships before turning pro. In 2024, it was Patrick McLarty that won the boys division with an impressive 68-66, while Saylar May continued her dominant play on the junior golf scene edging her competition by one stroke.
Alberta Springs has received numerous awards since opening in 1996. With plenty of tee boxes to choose from, superb amenities, and a stunning aquatic driving range, this course offers golfers of every level an enjoyable experience. The membership has proven to be an avid supporter of Alberta Golf with the same host club volunteers consistently offering their support in previous years, with no reason to expect different for 2025.
While the young juniors get ready for a new chance to compete for provincial golfing glory, the course will be anxiously waiting for its chance to show its teeth to the new crop of golfers, and the membership will be ready for the players with a smile and words of encouragement.