Sarah Armstrong and Ryan Gillis win 2024 Alberta U19 Championship
Alberta Golf (Olds) – Hot and windy day at Olds Golf Club for the final round of the Alberta U19 Championship. High drama in the girls division with Sydney Bisgrove, Aastha Savadatti, Sarah Armstrong and Tessa Ion all having the lead or share of the lead at some point during the day. Armstrong, playing one group ahead of the leaders, poured in 4 birdies on the back nine and came to the 18th hole at 2-over par for the Championship and the lead. After putting her tee shot out of bounds, the Desert Blume golfer from Medicine Hat made par on her provisional ball and posted 4-over par for the championship and watched the final group come in not knowing how things stood. Savadatti & Bisgrove were tied with Armstrong a 4-over par with Ion one shot back. on the 18th hole Bisgrove made a double bogey, Savadatti made a bogey but Ion poured in a birdie putt to join Sarah Armstrong in a playoff. On the first playoff hole Armstrong knocked a wedge to 9 feet, made a stress free par and took the title.
Sarah Armstrong: 2024 U19 Girls’ Champion
In the boys division Ryan Gillis from Pinebrook Golf and Country Club made 10 birdies en route to an 8 under par 64, one shot off the course record, and a 5 shot win over Tate Bruggeman who had a bogey free 68 including 32 on the back nine.
Ryan Gillis: 2024 U19 Boys’ Champion
WATCH INTERVIEWS WITH SARAH ARMSTRONG AND RYAN GILLIS
Jeevin Dhaliwal used a 5-wood from 260 yards on the par 5 14th hole to knock it in for an albatross !!!!
Jeevin Dhaliwal records an albatross on the 14th hole with a 5-wood from 260 yards
Tessa Ion, Sarah Armstrong and Aastha Savadatti make up the Alberta Girls’ Interprovincial Team.
Tessa Ion, Sarah Armstrong and Aastha Savadatti
Jonathan Vinge, Brett Jones and Ryan Gillis make up the Alberta Boys’ Interprovincial Team.
Ryan Gillis and Brett Jones (Not pictured Jonathan Vinge)
Thanks to Mat MacDonald and his staff for a great week at Olds Golf Club.
Olds Golf Club GM/Head Professional Mat MacDonald
2024 NEWSLETTER: THE SUMMER SWING
2024 Newsletter: The Summer Swing
THE 2024 GOLF SEASON IS WELL UNDERWAY
Alberta Golf qualifiers have all wrapped up and competitions are set to begin. Our youth initiatives and recreational events are well underway across Alberta. From our Championships, High Performance program, Youth on Course, UpSwing brand, all ages and levels of ability are golfing more than ever. Please enjoy the following content on all that Alberta Golf has been working on leading up to a full summer of events across the province in 2024.
ALBERTA GOLF 2024 OPERATING COUNCIL MEETING
Alberta Golf held it’s Spring Operating Council Meeting at Earl Grey Golf Club which is hosting this year’s CPKC Canadian Women’s Open on the LPGA Tour. The meeting brought together leaders from all segments of the golf industry as well as sharp minds from other industries to talk about the state of the game. The GEO Foundation for sustainable golf also joined in via video call from Scotland.
ALBERTA GOLF 2024 CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE
Alberta Golf started the season with our Best Ball Championship at Sundre Golf Club with Carter and Logan Graf taking the title. Please take a look at the 2024 Alberta Golf Championship Schedule.
Alberta Golf 2024 Championship Schedule
ALBERTA GOLF 2024 MCLENNAN ROSS ALBERTA JUNIOR TOUR SCHEDULE
The McLennan Ross Alberta Junior Tour has 26 events this season including 2 new events in Fort McMurray and Grande Prairie.
Find out more about the 26 events on this learn to compete junior tour below.
2024 McLennan Ross Alberta Junior Tour Schedule
THIRD ANNUAL TOM BYERS JUNIOR GOLF DAY
On Sunday May 17, Inglewood Golf & Curling Club hosted the third annual Tom Byers Junior Golf Day. 80 kids aged 6-15 discovered the game of golf, got 90 minutes of instruction from PGA of Alberta professionals and then a fun BBQ. Alberta Golf & UpSwing partnered with Kids Up Front and The Calgary Flames Alumni Association to support junior golf all in the name of Lanny McDonald’s brother-in-law who passed away in 2020. Nothing made Tom Byers happier than seeing junior golfers enjoy the game and the event was a great tribute to the former Inglewood member. Calgary Flames Alumni Lanny McDonald, Colin Patterson, Perry Berezan and Tim Hunter were on hand to support the amazing day.
UPSWING BY ALBERTA GOLF
UpSwing by Alberta Golf had a great start to the season with initial events in Banff, Stewart Creek, and Crowsnest Pass.
The UpSwing platform is growing as we welcome new players and events each week.
Check out the UpSwing website and find your fun!
24 COURSES INVOLVED IN 2024 YOUTH ON COURSE PROGRAM. ALBERTA GOLF / YOUTH ON COURSE NAMED CHARITY PARTNER OF ATB CLASSIC
Youth on Course is breaking down barriers and getting kids on golf courses across the province for $5 or less. We had 8,500 rounds last season in the province with 1,400 unique participants and Alberta Golf / Youth on Course has once again been named the beneficiary of the ATB Classic on PGA Tour Americas June 27-30 at Northern Bear Golf Club in Sherwood Park. Find out more about Youth on Course below.
2024 Alberta Golf Youth on Course program
COURSE RATING IN ALBERTA
Alberta Golf has a team of course raters busy rating courses across the province each season. Your golf course can be re-rated once a decade.
Learn more about course rating here
2024 ALBERTA GOLF BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTED.
2023 ANNUAL REPORT RELEASED
The 2024 Annual General Meeting of the Voting Members of the Alberta Golf Association was held virtually on Wednesday March 27. Subsequent to the AGM, the Board of Directors met and the officers were named.
READ HERE: 2024 ALBERTA GOLF BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTED
ALBERTA GOLF SUPPORTS 103 ATHLETES IN THE 2024 HIGH PERFORMANCE PROGRAM
The Athlete Development Program is designed to support athletes across the province by providing programs and services that ultimately help them reach their competitive goals in the sport. Support is provided to athletes, coaches, and facilities who are committed to developing the game of golf in the province of Alberta. Alberta Golf has 2 athletes in the Tier 4 program, 28 in Tier 3 and 73 in the Tier 2 program.
2024 Athlete Development Bios. Meet the Athletes here.
ALBERTA GOLF’S NEW FOCUS ON PACE OF PLAY
With pace of play being a common issue in golf, read about Alberta Golf’s focus and plans to tackle it in 2024.
About Alberta Golf’s Pace of Play Initiative
ALBERTA GOLF HAS A NEW HERITAGE AND HALL OF FAME WEBSITE
Alberta Golf has a new Heritage and Hall of Fame website to celebrate our past which dates back to 1912. Please check out the new website and it’s content below.
2024 CHRISTA SPAHMANN MEMORIAL GOLF SCRAMBLE AND GAL PALS GIRL’S GOLF CLINIC
If you’re in the Lethbridge area make sure to check out the 2024 Gal Pals Girl’s Golf Clinic at the Lethbridge Country Club and the Christa Spahmann Memorial Golf Tournament at Henderson Lake Golf Club, both to honour the late Christa Spahmann and her Memorial Scholarship Fund.
2024 ALBERTA GOLF SAFE
SPORT POLICY
Alberta Golf is aligned with Golf Canada and Respect Group and is fully committed to fostering a Safe Sport environment for golf.
2024 Alberta Golf Safe Sport Policy
ALBERTA GOLF FOUNDATION
The Alberta Golf Association Foundation was established in 1994 and is focused on supporting students on their path to pursue a post-secondary education. In 2022 the foundation awarded $70,500 to deserving scholarship applicants. The 2024 scholarship application is open now.
FOLLOW ALBERTA GOLF ON SOCIAL MEDIA
You can follow us as always on Instagram and X/Twitter but we also have a brand new Facebook page you can check out as well.
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/people/Alberta-Golf/61556008408332/
INSTAGRAM: @Alberta_Golf https://www.instagram.com/alberta_golf/
X/TWITTER: @Alberta_Golf https://twitter.com/Alberta_Golf
2024 Newsletter: The Spring Swing
THE 2024 GOLF SEASON IS ALMOST HERE !
Alberta Golf tournament registration is a few days away and golf courses across our province are getting ready to open soon. Alberta Golf has an expanded schedule of championships this season including a new format for the Alberta Women’s Amateur Championship as well as 26 stops on the McLennan Ross Alberta Junior Tour. Our UpSwing offerings continue to expand for recreational golfers, we offer $5 golf for juniors in our popular Youth on Course program and we have a new heritage website as well to keep in touch with our past. Please enjoy the following look at what Alberta Golf has been up to the past few months as we prepare for the upcoming season.
2024 CHAMPIONSHIP AND JUNIOR TOUR REGISTRATION
Our Alberta Golf Championship registration opens at 9am on April 1 with The McLennan Ross Alberta Junior Tour registration opening 3 hours later at noon. Golf Genius centralized registration for all events will be used again in 2024. Please ensure your Golf Canada Score Centre profile is updated in order to register for championships and qualifiers.
The McLennan Ross Alberta Junior Tour has 26 events across Alberta this season.
Please read the following Championship registration reminders.
2024 CHAMPIONSHIP REGISTRATION REMINDERS
2024 MCLENNAN ROSS ALBERTA JUNIOR TOUR SCHEDULE
RED DEER GOLF & CC TO HOST 2024 ALBERTA WOMEN’S AMATEUR WITH NEW FORMAT
The Red Deer Golf and Country Club will host the 2024 Alberta Women’s Amateur Championship July 2-4. In an effort to strengthen the field, the maximum field size for the Women’s Amateur will be 30 players. Players will either be exempt or qualify for a spot in the championship. There is also a new stand-alone event at River Spirit Golf Club in August for the Alberta Women’s Mid-Amateur and Women’s Mid-Master Championship.
READ MORE HERE ON THE ALBERTA WOMEN’S AMATEUR CHANGES
ALBERTA GOLF HIGH-PERFORMANCE PROGRAM
The Alberta Golf Athlete Development Program is designed to support golfers throughout the province reach their competitive goals in the sport and earn a post secondary scholarship.
SEE THE 2024 HIGH-PERFORMANCE ATHLETES HERE
READ MORE ABOUT THE HIGH-PERFORMANCE PROGRAM HERE
ALBERTANS SEKULIC AND MACDOUGALL MAKE TEAM CANADA
Golf Canada recently named 18 professionals to their 2024 men’s and women’s Team Canada squads that include Alberta’s Max Sekulic and Bendan MacDougall.
READ MORE ABOUT TEAM CANADA HERE
GOLF CANADA TO RECOGNIZE ALBERTANS DUNC MILLS AND TIFFANY GORDON WITH ITS 2024 DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD
Long time Alberta Golf volunteer Dunc Mills of Edmonton along with industry leader Tiffany Gordon of Calgary are among the four people being recognized later this year for a Golf Canada Distinguished Service Award.
READ MORE ABOUT THE AWARD WINNERS HERE
ALBERTA GOLF AGM UPDATE AND ANNUAL REPORT
The 2024 Annual General Meeting of the Voting Members of the Alberta Golf Association was held virtually on Wednesday March 27. Subsequent to the AGM, the Board of Directors met and the officers were named.
READ HERE: 2024 ALBERTA GOLF BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTED
2023 ALBERTA GOLF ANNUAL REPORT RELEASED
WORLD NO.1 CALGARIAN EXCITED TO HAVE ADAPTIVE GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP IN ALBERTA
Alberta Golf will be hosting it’s second All Abilities Championship this summer at the Broadmoor Golf Club August 6-8 after a successful debut of the event in 2023 at McCall Lake Golf Course in Calgary where Kiefer Jones was the champion.
READ MORE ABOUT THE ALL ABILITIES CHAMPIONSHIP HERE
ALBERTA GOLF’S RECREATIONAL BRAND UPSWING: FIND.. BOOK.. PLAY
UpSwing continues to build momentum in 2024!! As the recreational brand of Alberta Golf, anchored with a digital platform that supports the golf industry, we are again accommodating recreational players looking to diversify their playing opportunities. Besides our 6 mainstay UpSwing events at Banff Springs, Stewart Creek, Crowsnest Pass, Canmore, Sundre and Silvertip, you will discover us throughout the province doing on-course activations, as a way to interact with players while providing a skills challenge!
New for 2024 is our UpSwing Grant program. Event organizers, course operators or tournament committees can request up to $1000 in pro shop grants for events that align with our diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives (DEI).
For more information, or to request support for your DEI focussed event:
Contact john@upswinggolf.ca or visit UpSwing at www.upswinggolf.ca
ALBERTA GOLF HAS A NEW HERITAGE AND HALL OF FAME WEBSITE
Alberta Golf has a new Heritage and Hall of Fame website to celebrate our past which dates back to 1912. Please check out the new website and it’s content below.
ALBERTA GOLF SURVEY
Alberta Golf wants your feedback! Please take 10 minutes to fill out this third-party anonymous survey so we can better understand how to serve all golfers needs across the province. For your time and responses, you will have the opportunity to enter a draw for one of ten prize packs (valued at $100) at the end of the survey.
TAKE PART IN THE ALBERTA GOLF SURVEY HERE
ALBERTA GOLF ANNOUNCES THE COURSES INVOLVED IN THE 2024 YOUTH ON COURSE PROGRAM
Youth on Course is a popular program in the province run by Alberta Golf that gets kids 18 and under on to 23 courses across in Alberta for $5 or less. Please check out the courses available for 2024 and how the program works.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH: SELA OGADA & JALEN APEDOE DISCUSS DIVERSITY IN GOLF & ACCESSIBILITY FOR EVERYONE
February was Black History Month and Alberta Golf juniors Sela Ogada and Jalen Apedoe spent some time with us to discuss growing up in Alberta playing golf and diversity in the game. Please read the story below.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH: SELA OGADA & JALEN APEDOE
SAFE SPORT: PLAY TO YOUR POTENTIAL
Alberta Golf is once again aligned with Golf Canada and Respect Group to create a Safe Sport environment where our competitors can reach their full potential free of Bullying, Abuse, Harassment and Discrimination.
WATCH OUR SAFE SPORT VIDEO HERE
2024 CHRISTA SPAHMANN MEMORIAL GOLF SCRAMBLE AND GAL PALS GIRL’S GOLF CLINIC
If you’re in the Lethbridge area make sure to check out the 2024 Gal Pals Girl’s Golf Clinic at the Lethbridge Country Club and the Christa Spahmann Memorial Golf Tournament at Henderson Lake Golf Club, both to honour the late Christa Spahmann and her Memorial Scholarship Fund.
CLGA UPDATE
The Calgary Ladies Golf Association kicks off the 2024 season with the 40th Anniversary of the Rileys Best Ball Ladies Classic with a reception, May 6, at The Calgary Golf and Country Club. Other featured Championships on the 2024 CLGA schedule include:
Calgary Ladies Amateur, June 24-26, Priddis Greens Golf &CC.
Calgary Ladies Senior Amateur, August 13-14, The Glencoe Golf &CC.
Calgary Junior Girls’ Championship, August 1-2, Turner Valley Golf Club.
For more info go to the CLGA website calgaryladiesgolf.ca
EGA UPDATE
The Edmonton Golf Association has announced their 2024 event calendar. The main events include:
BMW Men’s Open Championship, June 3-5, Coal Creek Golf Resort
Arctic Spas Senior Open, June 4-5, Coal Creek Golf Resort
Senior and Super Senior Amateur, June 22-23, Trestle Creek Golf Resort
Provincial Electrical Services Ladies Tournament, July 21-22, Broadmoor Golf Course
103rd Edmonton Amateur presented by IG Wealth Management, July 26-28, Cardiff Golf and Country Club
Jiffy Lube Edmonton Junior Championship, July 31-August 1, Sturgeon Valley Golf and Country Club
For more info please go to egagolf.ca
CGA UPDATE
2024 is the 50th playing of the Rileys Best Ball!
Draw night will be May 16 at The Calgary Golf and Country Club.
The CGA Junior will be the first event on the 2024 McLennan Ross Alberta Junior Tour, July 2-3, at Maple Ridge Golf Club.
Entries and more information for all events can be found at: calgarygolfassociation.org
MJT UPDATE
The Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour is launching a new Ready2Play (#R2P) initiative which aims to make players aware of Pace of Play and areas relating to Respect for the Game. The MJT R2P program will focus on Pace of Play, Responsibilities of the Scorer and Fellow-Competitor, Respect for the Golf Course, and Etiquette.Watch out for educational videos relating to R2P on our social media platforms, such as Instagram and TikTok (new this April!).
To see the 2024 MJT Junior Tour and Mini Tour schedules click HERE
To register for events click HERE
For more info go to maplejt.com
FOLLOW ALBERTA GOLF ON SOCIAL MEDIA
You can follow us as always on Instagram and X/Twitter but we also have a brand new Facebook page you can check out as well.
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/people/Alberta-Golf/61556008408332/
INSTAGRAM: @Alberta_Golf https://www.instagram.com/alberta_golf/
X/TWITTER: @Alberta_Golf https://twitter.com/Alberta_Golf
2023 NEWSLETTER: THE WINTER WRAP
WRAPPING UP THE 2023 GOLF SEASON
Alberta Golf has wrapped up a very diverse season that saw membership grow to 56,000 golfers, the addition of 3 new elite competitions including the Alberta All Abilities Championship, a busy and fun schedule for recreational players through Upswing by Alberta Golf and another busy season of $5 golf for juniors using our Youth on Course program.
In 2023 Alberta Golf spent time reconnecting with our past through our Heritage Services and our Hall of Fame, supported the golf industry and its diverse organizations and ran events for all ages and levels of players from those discovering the game to the elite performers in our province.
In 2024 Alberta Golf will focus on our strengths as a not-for-profit organization, gain a deeper understanding of who our members are and connect with them in segmented digital and print communications to better serve their needs.
Please enjoy the following content outlining what Alberta Golf has been up to the past few months as the golf season ended and planning for 2024 went into full swing.
Happy holidays!
ALBERTA GOLF’S 2024 PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE TAKING SHAPE
We are pleased to announce selected venues for our Alberta Golf 2024 Provincial Championship Schedule. There will be 13 championship events across the province next summer with 8 of the venues already selected. Here’s a look at where our championships will be held in 2024
View 2024 Championship Schedule here
UPSWING BY ALBERTA GOLF TO EXPAND 2024 OFFERINGS
UpSwing members made 2023 a tremendous success at all of our events across the province.
Make sure to check our UpSwing website upswinggolf.ca for added offerings, events, simulators, lessons, and virtual leagues being added each month and contact John Burns john.burns@albertagolf.org for any further inquiries.
ALBERTA GOLF SUPPORTS 101 PLAYERS IN THE 2024 ATHLETE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
The Athlete Development Program is designed to support athletes across the province by providing programs and services that ultimately help them reach their competitive goals in the sport.
101 players have qualified for player support in 2024, including an increase of 26 athletes who qualified for Tier 2 support in 2023. There are 35 female golfers in the 2024 Tier support program which is a 52% increase over last year.
14-year-old Eileen Park from Red Deer won the 2023 Canadian Junior Girls Championship and defended her title at the Alberta U19 Girls Championship and is the first athlete to qualify for Tier 4 since Jaclyn Lee in 2019.
See the 101 players here in the 2024 Athlete Development Program
4 ALBERTANS MAKE TEAM CANADA 2024 AMATEUR SQUADS
Golf Canada is pleased to announce the names of 39 amateur athletes and 10 coaches named to the men’s and women’s 2024 Team Canada – NextGen and Team Canada squads. Albertans Eileen Park, Brady McKinlay, Hunter Thomson and Ethan Wilson join the best in our country on Team Canada.
Read more about the Albertans on Team Canada Amateur Squads
2023 ALBERTA GOLF VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
Congratulations to our Volunteer of the Year Ray Provencher of Edmonton for his great service as a Referee and a Course Rater.
Watch video: Ray Provencher named 2023 Alberta Golf Volunteer of the Year
ALBERTA GOLF SUPPORTS PGA OF ALBERTA BUYING SHOW
Alberta Golf was proud to have a booth at the 2023 PGA of Alberta Buying Show this fall in Calgary. The 3 day event was a great chance to meet face to face with industry leaders and discuss all Alberta Golf offerings along with Golf Canada’s National Golf League and First Tee Alberta.
FIRST TEE – ALBERTA IS HERE!
With the launch of First Tee – Alberta, there are now six Canadian chapters providing accessible youth development programming coast to coast. First Tee delivers introductory golf lessons through a life-skills-focused curriculum at golf courses, community centres and schools.
First Tee – Alberta hired a Program Manager this fall to onboard locations and execute programming across the province. Programming is expected to be underway in the spring of 2024. Interested in getting involved? Reach out to Mike Steele (msteele@golfcanada.ca) or visit firstteealberta.ca to learn more.
YOUTH ON COURSE PROGRAM ENTERS 6TH SEASON IN ALBERTA
In 2023 Youth on Course provided $5 rounds of golf at 23 courses across the province for all Alberta Golf members 18 years of age or younger. 1,387 juniors logged 7,684 rounds of golf in Alberta. Alberta Golf partnered with the 2023 ATB Classic at Northern Bear Golf Course to fundraise $55,000 this summer to help subsidize Youth on Course and keep it viable in our province for years to come.
Watch video here: ATB Classic helps fundraise for Youth on Course Alberta
ALBERTA GOLF LAUNCHES HALL OF FAME AND HERITAGE WEBSITE
Alberta Golf is pleased to announce the launch of our official Hall of Fame and Heritage website. At albertagolfheritage.org you can learn more about the game of golf in Alberta including the pioneers who paved the way, the Hall of Fame members that helped shape the game, and the clubs that built Alberta Golf. Please contact taylor@albertagolf.org for any questions or inquiries.
Alberta Golf Hall of Fame and Heritage Website
’TIS THE SEASON TO BE JOLLY AND WIN BIG!
For all Alberta Golf members. Save on insurance & Win BIG in the @belairdirect Groups Contest! There are 3 x $1,000 cash prizes drawn every month. Enter now at belairdirect.com/winbig or call 1-833-294-2911 for a car, home, condo or tenant quote to double your chances. Be sure to mention Alberta Golf. Good Luck!
PARTNERSHIP WITH JOHNSON INSURANCE
We are delighted to partner with Johnson Insurance to provide you the travel insurance plan that’s packed and ready.
Alberta Golf members have access to great travel coverage with MEDOC® through Johnson Insurance.
For often less than the cost of purchasing insurance for multiple trips separately, you can enjoy an unlimited number of trips during the policy year. You’ll always be prepared.
- With MEDOC®, you’ll receive: Emergency medical coverage
- Trip cancellation, interruption, and delay coverage
- Baggage protection
- And much more!
Give Johnson Insurance a call at 1-866-606-3362 or visit Johnson.ca/MEDOC to get a quote and finalize your coverage. Remember to mention Alberta Golf as your group to get the discounted group rates!
ALBERTA GOLF SAFE SPORT AND IDENTITY VIDEOS
Alberta Golf was proud to provide a safe environment for all levels of golfers this season and help them reach their full potential. Please watch our Safe Sport and Identity videos.
Watch the Alberta Golf Identity Video “For Everyone”
THE R&A AND USGA ANNOUNCE DECISION TO REVISE GOLF BALL TESTING CONDITIONS BEGINNING IN 2028
The R&A and USGA will update the testing conditions used for golf ball conformance under the Overall Distance Standard (ODS), which will take effect in January 2028. The decision aims to reduce the impact increased hitting distances have on golf’s long-term sustainability while minimizing the impact on the recreational game.
NGCOA CANADA AND CGSA LAUNCH SUSTAINABLE GOLF PROGRAM
The National Golf Course Owners Association Canada (NGCOA Canada) and the Canadian Golf Superintendents Association (CGSA) have announced an important new program which will extend further support and recognition to facilities for sustainability and climate action.
2023 ALBERTA GOLFER MAGAZINE
Please read the content here in our 2023 Alberta Golfer magazine
2022 Newsletter: The Winter Wrap
WRAPPING UP THE 2022 GOLF SEASON
Alberta Golf has wrapped up another successful season supporting the golf industry and running events for all ages and level of players from those discovering the game to the elite performers in our province. Please enjoy the following content outlining what Alberta Golf has been up to the past few months as the golf season ended and planning for 2023 commenced. Happy holidays!
Dunc Mills and Bill Newis to be inducted into Alberta Golf Hall of Fame
By Kevin Smith
Two very deserving Distinguished Service Inductees Dunc Mills and Bill Newis will be entering the Alberta Golf Hall of Fame next Spring, Mills for his quarter century dedication to The McLennan Ross Alberta Junior Tour and The Alberta Golfer Magazine and Newis for his near half century work in Golf Course Design.
Dunc Mills started volunteering at Alberta Golf events in 1991 and left a banking career to become the Executive Director of The McLennan Ross Alberta Junior Tour in 1996, he’ll be starting his 28th year as the Tour Director in 2023.
“It was a very pleasant surprise, when I joined Alberta Golf in 1991 the concept of me ever becoming someone worthy of being in the Alberta Golf Hall of Fame was the farthest thing from my mind,” Mills admitted. “To me Hall of Fame people were primarily the players who I looked up to and admired like Keith Alexander, Bob Wylie and Betty Cole, people of that calibre, I didn’t even really realize there was a part of the Alberta Golf Hall of Fame that recognized volunteers so to gain that recognition is very rewarding and a big surprise.”
Over the years Mills has spent time on the Alberta Golf Executive Committee, volunteered at many Alberta Golf events and on other professional tours when they visited Alberta and for over 25 years helped create the yearly Alberta Golfer Magazine but it’s his presence on the McLennan Ross Alberta Junior Tour that Mills is synonymous for.
“As the face and driving force behind the McLennan Ross Alberta Junior Tour, virtually every player who ever played a tour event knows Duncan Mills,” Said Alberta Golf Hall of Famer Les Swelin. “With over 600 events in the tour’s history, many kids played for 3 or 4 years and became a much more well-rounded person because of Duncan’s guidance and consistent leadership on the tour.”
And Mills is proud of the life skills these kids have taken into adulthood.
“The poster child for the McLennan Ross Alberta Junior Tour right now would be Wil Bateman, he’s going to be out on the Korn Ferry Tour next year as a fully exempt player, he’s the Player of the Year on PGA Tour Canada so he had a fabulous year,” Mills beamed. “I’ve known the kid since he was 10 years old, and Wil is still the youngest to win a McLennan Ross event when he was 11-years-old but to be honest I’m just as rewarded when I run into former players who are successful in business, using life skills they used as junior golfers to be successful in business and raise families.”
WATCH VIDEO: DUNC MILLS in 2020 on McLennan Ross Alberta Junior Tour
Bill Newis was born in Regina but has lived in Priddis, Alberta the past 34 years. During a 45-year-career he’s designed and renovated over 60 golf courses, most of which are located in Alberta.
“I was certainly pleased to hear it, I’m already in the Saskatchewan Golf Hall of Fame, but most of my work has actually occurred in Alberta,” Newis said. “ When I talk to people they tell me my golf courses don’t have any tricks and what you see is what you get and they’re suitable to all level of golfers which was good to hear.”
Many of Newis’s course designs are part of residential developments or resorts including Cottonwood Golf & CC, Bearspaw Golf Club, Redwood Meadows Golf & CC and Priddis Greens in the Calgary area. Newis is proud of all of his courses across Alberta but has a fondness for one hole in particular.
“I’ve lived in Priddis for 34 years and being involved with their 36 holes from the outset, the 4th hole on the south course (Now the 13th hole on Raven) is a hole I cherish and always enjoyed,” Newis admitted. “It’s a long dogleg to a green and there’s water on the corner of the dogleg and there’s water guarding the left side of the green. The hole is a good challenge and a pretty but fair hole with elevation off of the tee, it’s a hole I’m proud of and always enjoyed.”
13th hole, Priddis Greens (Raven Course)
While looking over the list of current Alberta Golf Hall of Fame members, Newis says he’s proud to join that group and leave a legacy for his three sons and seven grandchildren.
“It’s really nice to achieve this,” Newis said. “When other generations come along in my family they can appreciate that one of their own is in the Hall of Fame.”
Bill Newis and Dunc Mills will be formally inducted into the Alberta Golf Hall of Fame at a ceremony in April.
“We are really looking forward to bringing people together for our Hall of Fame ceremony this spring,” Said Alberta Golf CEO Phil Berube, “We have two outstanding inductees to recognize and to be conducting this special event at The Winston GC as part of their 100th anniversary should serve as a great start to the golf season. In addition to the celebration itself, Alberta Golf will be showcasing some of the heritage services work we have been doing over the past few off-seasons in an effort to connect our future to our past.”
See all of Alberta Golf’s Hall of Fame members here:
If you want to nominate anyone for future Hall of Fame consideration as a player or distinguished service builder please fill out this form and return to Taylor Tracey: Coordinator, Digital Communications and Heritage Services at Alberta Golf Taylor@albertagolf.org
Graf, Fisher and Park lead after first round of Alberta U19 Championship
Alberta Golf (Carvel) – Hot gorgeous day just west of Edmonton at Cougar Creek Golf Resort for the first round of the 2022 Alberta U19 Championship. The first round on the boys side saw a tightly packed leaderboard with 20 players within 3 shots of the lead held by Logan Graf and Kye Fisher at 2-Under par 70.
In the girls division, 13-Year-Old Eileen Park from Red Deer shot a 4-Under round of 68 to lead Brynne Davies from Earl Grey Golf Club by 2 strokes.
WATCH 1 ON 1 WITH COUGAR CREEK GM/HEAD PROFESSIONAL JAKE BEHIELS
Alberta Golf to run full 2021 Championship Schedule
Alberta Golf (Calgary) – In 2020 Alberta Golf ran it’s Championship Schedule across the province using Covid-19 protocols. The province’s Open for Summer Plan will allow all of Alberta Golf’s Championships to be conducted this summer.
The season will start in the Edmonton area as the 2021 Alberta Mens Mid Amateur Championship will be held June 28-30 at The Ranch Golf & Country Club and the The Edmonton Country Club.
Alex Large, 2020 Alberta Mens Mid Amateur Champion
The scene then shifts to Central Alberta, as the top U19 boys and girls in the province hit The Carstairs Community Golf Club July 6-8 to compete in the Alberta U19 Championship.
Hunter Thomson, 2020 Alberta U19 Boys Champion
Annabelle Ackroyd, 2020 Alberta U19 Girls Champion
The Alberta Open presented by SVR Lawyers will return to Wolf Creek Golf Resort in Ponoka July 13-15.
AJ Armstrong, 2020 Alberta Open Champion
That same week The Alberta Ladies Amateur Championship will be contested at The Broadmoor Public Golf Course in Sherwood Park just outside of Edmonton July 13-15.
Yeji Kwon, 2020 Alberta Ladies Amateur Champion
Championship season will then shift to Southern Alberta for the Alberta Senior Ladies Championship being held July 20-22 at The Lethbridge Country Club.
Kim Carrington, 2020 Alberta Senior Ladies Champion
The Calgary Golf and Country Club will play host to the Alberta Mens Amateur Championship July 27-29.
Michael Valk, 2020 Alberta Mens Amateur Champion
In Early August The Sturgeon Valley Golf and Country Club north of Edmonton will host the Alberta Senior Mens Championship August 3-5.
Grant Oh, 2020 Alberta Senior Mens Champion
The Alberta Match Play Championship will be held August 11-13 at River Bend Golf & Recreation Area.
Max Sekulic, 2020 Match Play Champion
August 23-24 The Alberta Springs Golf Resort in Red Deer will once again host The Alberta U17, U15, U13 Championship.
Cole Bergheim, 2020 U17 Boys Champion
Georgia Barr, 2020 Alberta U17 Girls Champion
Jon Vinge, 2020 Alberta U15 Boys Champion
Jayla Kucy, 2020 Alberta U15 Girls Champion
Peter Hlushak, 2020 Alberta U13 Boys Champion
Eileen Park, 2020 Alberta U13 Girls Champion
The 2021 Alberta Interclub Championship with return to Kananaskis Country Golf Course on September 7th.
A brand new event, The Alberta Mid-Master Championship, for men 40 years of age and older was supposed to kick off the season June 7-8 at The Inglewood Golf & Curling Club in Calgary. That event will now cap off our schedule September 21-22.
Once Stage 3 of the Open for Summer Plan is announced this year’s protocol’s at out our championships will be outlined.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL 2021 ALBERTA GOLF PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE
2020 Newsletter: The Winter Wrap
WRAPPING UP A 2020 GOLF SEASON LIKE NO OTHER
2020 started like any other golf season, with Alberta Golf busy planning our Spring Launch, Family Golf Festivals, Recreational Series, Junior Golf initiatives, Championship Tournaments and much more. By the middle of March, with the arrival of COVID-19, we wondered if a single tee shot would happen on a golf course anywhere in the province this season. With the tireless efforts of the NAGA-AB Coalition in the spring, working with the provincial government, golf courses were allowed to open in early May under strict and well thought out COVID-19 protocols. While some planned activities had to wait until 2021, golf courses across the province were packed this summer. The McLennan Ross Alberta Junior Tour saw decade high registration, the Youth on Course program grew by 800% and we were able to run our Championship Schedule across the province all summer. Golfers were simply happy to get outside, see their friends, connect, enjoy, compete and experience the new normal for a few hours. Please enjoy the following content outlining what Alberta Golf has been up to the past few months as the golf season ended and planning for 2021 commenced. Happy holidays!
ALBERTA GOLF ANNOUNCES 2021 CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE
2021 will see top golfers in the province compete at courses from Lethbridge to Calgary, Red Deer to Edmonton and great locations in between. Look for more information on our 2021 Championship schedule in the new year.
View 2021 Championship Schedule here
THE RECREATIONAL SERIES EXPANDS
thorough review and provide recommendations for implementation in the spring of 2021.
Alberta Golf announces 2021 Championship Schedule
Alberta Golf (Calgary) – After a successful 2020 Championship season across the province which saw competitors adapt to Covid-19 protocols and showcase their skills at the highest level, Alberta Golf has been hard at work securing the dates and great venues for the 2021 season. Registration opens at 9am on April 1st.
A brand new event, The Alberta Mid-Master Championship, for men 40 years of age and older will kick off the season June 7-8 at The Inglewood Golf & Curling Club in Calgary.
In late June The Alberta Ladies Amateur Championship will be contested at The Broadmoor Public Golf Course in Sherwood Park just outside of Edmonton June 22-24.
Yeji Kwon, 2020 Alberta Ladies Amateur Champion
It will be back to back weeks in the Edmonton area as the 2021 Alberta Mens Mid Amateur Championship will be held June 28-30 at The Edmonton Country Club.
Alex Large, 2020 Alberta Mens Mid Amateur Champion
The summer will be in full swing by the time the top U19 boys and girls in the province hit The Carstairs Community Golf Club July 6-8 to compete in the Alberta U19 Championship.
Hunter Thomson, 2020 Alberta U19 Boys Champion
Annabelle Ackroyd, 2020 Alberta U19 Girls Champion
The Alberta Open presented by SVR Lawyers will return to Wolf Creek Golf Resort in Ponoka July 13-15.
AJ Armstrong, 2020 Alberta Open Champion
Championship season now shifts to Southern Alberta for the Alberta Senior Ladies Championship being held July 20-22 at The Lethbridge Country Club.
Kim Carrington, 2020 Alberta Senior Ladies Champion
The Calgary Golf and Country Club will play host to the Alberta Mens Amateur Championship July 27-29.
Michael Valk, 2020 Alberta Mens Amateur Champion
In Early August The Sturgeon Valley Golf and Country Club north of Edmonton will host the Alberta Senior Mens Championship August 3-5.
Grant Oh, 2020 Alberta Senior Mens Champion
The Alberta Match Play Championship will be held August 11-13 at River Bend Golf & Recreation Area.
Max Sekulic, 2020 Match Play Champion
And August 23-24 The Alberta Springs Golf Resort in Red Deer will once again host The Alberta U17, U15, U13 Championship.
Cole Bergheim, 2020 U17 Boys Champion
Georgia Barr, 2020 Alberta U17 Girls Champion
Jon Vinge, 2020 Alberta U15 Boys Champion
Jayla Kucy, 2020 Alberta U15 Girls Champion
Peter Hlushak, 2020 Alberta U13 Boys Champion
Eileen Park, 2020 Alberta U13 Girls Champion
The 2021 Alberta Interclub Championship with return to Kananaskis Country Golf Course on September 8th.