The youngest crop of competitors in Alberta Golf Championship play are returning to a familiar course in 2026, as Alberta Springs Golf Resort is the host of the 2026 U15 & U13 Championship come August 17-18. 

The U15 & U13 Championship is entering its second season as a separate event, following the impressive success it saw in 2025. The change saw over 80 players competing in the two-day event last year at Lakeside Golf Club. The change came with the separation of the U17 division into its own championship providing those older players another WAGR ranked event for college recruitment, while letting the younger players have their own event without the pressures of the older generation. The change increased total junior participation numbers by 40 players if compared to the 2024 championship. 

Alberta Springs has been a tremendous supporter of Alberta Golf having hosted a junior championship since 2020. The courses’ central location makes it an ideal location for players from across the province to attend the event. The course sets up beautifully for players of all skill levels offering four different options for players to use to tee off. The course offers plenty of variety for players including some holes where precision is required on your tee shot like Holes #2, #4, #10, and #16. There are also places where the juniors can let it fly including #1, #3, #9, #14, and #15. 

Alberta Springs GR Website

This championship is special, as it has four different divisions all competing at the same time. There’s a Boys’ and Girls’ divisions for both U15 and U13. Players must be under 15, as of August 1 in order to be eligible to compete. For more information about eligibility for this championship click the link below. 

As for the field this year, new champions will likely be crowned in all the divisions. Last season saw Bennett Love and Oscar Gosgnach both repeat as champions in the U15 and U13 categories, while new champions were crowned in both Girls’ divisions with Olivia Van Kesteren and Danika Horcica claiming their maiden victories with Alberta Golf.

The U15 & U13 Championship is the perfect place for players to begin exploring championship golf, but it’s recommended that new players try out our McLennan Ross Alberta Junior Tour before registering. The MRAJT is the #1 competitive onboarding junior tour in the province, where education and fun in golf go hand in hand. The goal of the tour is to educate new juniors on the ins and outs of championship golf like scoring procedures, swapping scorecards, and the Rules of Golf, while keeping a fun and stress-free atmosphere. 

Championship Calendar

MRAJT Schedule

ElleGolf, a pioneering women’s golf program in Alberta, was founded in 1997 by Lori McDonald with a vision to create a welcoming, supportive, and enjoyable environment for women to learn and play the game. Recognizing that golf can often feel intimidating for newcomers, McDonald established ElleGolf to remove barriers to entry—drawing from her own early experiences in the sport.

Since its inception, ElleGolf has introduced more than 5,000 women across the province, primarily in Calgary and Edmonton, to the game of golf, fostering a strong sense of community while promoting confidence, skill development, and fun.

Elle Golf Website

“ElleGolf has truly been one of the great honours of my life,” said McDonald. “What started in 1997 as a five-year plan grew into a 30-year journey filled with laughter, learning, connections, and so many wonderful relationships.”

As ElleGolf approaches its 30th anniversary, McDonald is embarking on the next chapter of its evolution. Alberta Golf has officially acquired the program, marking a significant step in its continued growth and long-term sustainability. As part of the transition, Alberta Golf will work with McDonald throughout the 2026 season to gain insight into ElleGolf’s programming and its impact within the Calgary golf community. Full operational responsibility will transfer to Alberta Golf in 2027, with a strong commitment to preserving the program’s legacy and core values. Phil Berube, Alberta Golf’s Chief Executive Officer recognized Lori’s hard work and passion over the last 30 years saying “Getting started in golf requires patience and someone to lend a hand and lead the way. Lori’s ability to connect with people and her passion for developing the women’s game over the past 30 years has resulted in so many new players taking up the sport in our province”.

The acquisition underscores Alberta Golf’s ongoing commitment to advancing women’s participation in the sport. Current ElleGolf members can expect continuity in programming and community experience, while plans for the future include expanding the program into new regions across the province. Alberta Golf also intends to leverage ElleGolf’s success to further support and strengthen other women’s golf initiatives throughout Alberta.

McDonald expressed confidence in the transition, emphasizing that this marks an evolution rather than a departure.

“I feel confident that Alberta Golf will honour what we’ve created while expanding these opportunities to other regions of the province,” she says before adding “it’s not goodbye. I’m looking forward to spending time with the women of ElleGolf out on the course”. 

She also extended her gratitude to the many partners and supporters who contributed to ElleGolf’s success over the years, including the late Al Ewen, whose early support and involvement were instrumental in the program’s development.

ElleGolf’s 2026 season is already underway, having officially launched with its Spring Orientation on April 20 at Sirocco Golf Club. The first classes are scheduled for April 28 at D’Arcy Ranch Golf Club, with league play beginning April 30 at Crystal Ridge and Valley Ridge Golf Clubs. The season runs through September.

While registration opened in March, new participants are still welcome to join and experience the program.

Elle Golf Program Registration

Golf across Canada—and right here in Alberta—is experiencing remarkable growth. More people are discovering the game, joining clubs, and getting involved at both recreational and competitive levels. Junior golf, in particular, has seen a significant surge in participation in recent years.

With that growth, however, often comes a common question from families and young players: where do we begin? Fortunately, Alberta offers outstanding entry points for juniors looking to learn, develop, and fall in love with the game.

First Tee – Alberta

First Tee was established in 1997 through a partnership between the LPGA, PGA TOUR, PGA of America, USGA, and The Masters, with a mission that extends far beyond golf. In 2020, Golf Canada joined the movement, and by 2023, the Alberta chapter was proudly launched.
First Tee – Alberta is designed to introduce youth ages 7 to 18 to the game in an inclusive, welcoming environment—no prior experience required. The program uses golf as a vehicle to teach essential life skills such as confidence, resilience, and perseverance, helping participants succeed both on and off the course.

Programming is widely accessible, with sessions offered in elementary schools, community organizations like the YMCA and Boys & Girls Clubs, and—most importantly—at public golf courses across the province. This ensures that any junior with an interest in golf has a clear and supported pathway to get started.

Helpful Links

First Tee FAQ

First Tee Programs Page

Youth on Course

Once juniors are introduced to the game, Youth on Course provides the perfect next step to keep them playing and progressing.

The program’s mission is simple yet impactful: to provide young people with access to life-changing opportunities through golf. Members can play rounds for $5 or less at more than 2,000 courses across Canada, the United States, and Australia.

Alberta has been a leader in the program’s growth, becoming the first province in Canada to pilot Youth on Course in 2019. Since then, participation has expanded rapidly—from just over 1,000 rounds in its first season to more than 27,000 rounds played in 2025, with nearly 5,700 active members across the province. This momentum highlights both the demand for accessible junior golf and the program’s meaningful impact.

Getting Started with YOC in Three Steps

2026 Participating Courses

Below is a list of courses who are part of the Youth On Course Program for 2026 in Alberta. Each course has their own restrictions for members, so be sure to review their restrictions, course rules, and tee time availability.

Helpful Links

Youth On Course Page

Whether your child is picking up a club for the first time or ready to take the next step, these programs provide a clear, accessible, and exciting pathway into the game. Alberta’s junior golf landscape has never been stronger—and there’s never been a better time to get involved.

The golf season is just around the corner — at least we hope! Driving ranges are starting to open across the province, and courses are beginning to announce opening dates.

For many golfers, those first few rounds can feel a little rusty. And if you’re new to the game, jumping straight into a full round while keeping score can feel a bit overwhelming. The good news? There are plenty of fun, low-pressure ways to play that let you enjoy the game without worrying too much about your score.

Team Formats

Individual Format – Stableford

No matter your skill level, these formats are all about making golf more enjoyable, social, and stress-free — especially at the start of the season.

For other fun formats, click the link below!

Golf Canada Game Formats

If you’re going to golf in Alberta in March & early April, chances are you’re teeing it up inside on a SIM, unless you live in the south where you get an occasional recess from snow and cold thanks to a chinook.

I am lucky in that I live on a golf course, but when I looked out my front window last month, there was nothing but a snow-covered tee box and fairway, with more of the white stuff coming down. So, to put a smile on my face, I booked a flight to Canada’s year-round golf destination, Vancouver Island, and in particular the northern end of the island’s famed golf trail.

A flight to Comox set in motion a Spring Break getaway, starting with the wonderful Crown Isle Golf Resort and a landscape that is great for the entire family.

Crown Isle Golf & Resort Website

Crown Isle Golf Resort

The scenic track at Crown Isle is something special, sitting as it does under the Beaufort Mountain range. As a resort course it offers wide landing areas off the tee and large greens making eye-pleasing sights for swing-starved Albertans. Those factors though don’t make this layout a walk in the park. In fact, it’s so good the Q-School for the PGA TOUR Canada has been held here.

What is here for the golf course — and has been for years — is a truly good play. Measuring out at just over 7,000 yards from the tips and winding down to 5,200 yards, there’s a spot to start for everyone. And with those big fairways and huge greens beckoning, low scores can seem oh-so-close. But when you take in the massive bunkering complexes around the layout, several water hazards, and greens that are truly fast, one must take care from start to finish.

“With all the little subtleties, that makes it a great course for every level of player,” Jason Andrew, the Director pf Resort Operations at Crown Isle stated. “With no forced carries if you’re just getting started, don’t hit the ball very far, it’s not like you’ve got to hit it over water hazards or 100 yards of rough to get to the fairway. The other interesting thing, and what Graham Cooke did a phenomenal job at, is if you go back on tee boxes the golf course completely changes. When you get to the back gold tee, all the bunkering comes into play,”

Sleeping Over

Since the Crown Isle Golf Resort is only 15 minutes from the Comox airport, what better place is there to set up shop for a few days? The accommodations here are good to the extreme with the choice of either one of their wonderful villas located at the back of the No. 1 tee box or in one of the newly renovated cabins that line the first fairway. And the lodge, which is a remarkable piece of architecture on its own, has great places to enjoy either a large meal or a light lunch.

“We have the largest hotel in the Comox Valley,” Andrew pointed out. “We’ve now added another amenity, called The Cottages. We’ve added 26 cottages bringing us up to 112 rooms on site, It simplifies things here. You can go play golf, have a nap, go play golf again!”

The resort sits close to area restaurants and shopping, including Costco which sits on the Crown Isle property. In addition, the Thrifty Shopping Centre is nearby, so if you do want to get off property, although one wonders why that is necessary, there are great eating and shopping venues close at hand,

Moving North

North of Crown Isle are a pair of tracks you’ll want to set foot on. Storey Creek is a quiet play to the extreme, while Campbell River’s update has brought it up to par with all the courses on the Vancouver Island Golf Trail.

There are all types of adverbs to describe a round of golf at Storey Creek GC but perhaps this is the best way to sum things up – I’d go back tomorrow if I could. No, let me rephrase that – I’d go back this afternoon if I could.

Storey Creek is like a golf course from a story book – scenery right out of a writer’s imagination; wildlife visible at almost every turn; holes that are separated from each other making you feel like you’re on your own private track, and variety to test every club in your bag.

This beauty was carved out of the bush back in 1989 and every hole you’re on is your own hole out there. You’ll see more deer than you do golfers. The No. 1 priority here is position golf. If you play to the right spots on fairways and then hit the ball to the right spots on the greens, you’ll score well. But even if you don’t, this tour is well worth your time.

“Hidden gem” is probably an overused term in the golf world these days. While the Campbell River Golf & Country Club certainly isn’t hidden it is a gem. Redesigned about five years ago it also tests every club in your bag, yet it is a joy to play and behold.

At “only” 6,141 yards from the back deck, dropping down to 4,400, this isn’t a course where you need the big stick working. Yet, at sea level, shots don’t go as far as you think (or hope) so you need to keep your wits about you, along with a strong putting stroke to score well.

Proof of that plays out over all 18 holes, which includes seven shorties, measuring anywhere from 135 yards up to 170 off the blue tees. To bring the overall par up to 70, the front nine hosts two par-5 tests while there is a trio of those on the back.

Overall, Vancouver Island, and in particular the northern end is the perfect spot for a break from winter weather in Alberta and a great way to get your golf swing in shape of the upcoming season when the snow finally leaves for good.

The U17 Championship enters its second year as a standalone event following a successful debut in 2025, which featured a field of 100 players. When combined with the 80 participants from the U15 and U13 Championships in 2025, the previously unified event experienced growth of more than 40 players. In 2026, the U17 Championship will head south to Connaught Golf Club from August 24–26, where players will look to contend with the region’s challenging winds.

About The Course

Connaught Golf Club is a storied venue within the province and has been one of Medicine Hat’s premier golf courses since its inception in 1922. The club was named after the Duke and Duchess of Connaught, who founded the school located just north of the course.

History of Connaught Golf Club

The layout presents a strong test for Alberta’s young players, featuring tree-lined fairways and subtly contoured greens that place a premium on short game and putting. With five different tee sets and combination options, the course accommodates a wide range of skill levels, while stretching to 6,900 yards from the back tees, ensuring no shortage of demanding driving holes.

Connaught is no stranger to hosting major events, having most recently welcomed the 2022 PGA of Canada Senior Championship. For Alberta Golf, this marks a return to the venue for the first time since the 1982 Men’s Amateur, won by Ken Wasslen.

About The Event

The U17 Championship is open to juniors aged 16 and under as of August 1, 2026. Now contested over three days, the event provides another valuable WAGR-ranked opportunity for players pursuing post-secondary recruitment. The championship is open to both male and female competitors, who will compete within their respective divisions. With no national event linked to this provincial championship, participants will be competing solely for provincial honours. Yardages will be comparable to those of the U19 Championship, offering another significant test for Alberta’s next generation of talent.

U19 Eligibility Chart

In The Field

A look at the field reveals no shortage of contenders. On the girls’ side, a new champion will be crowned, as two-time defending champion Saylar May has aged out of the U17 category. Alessandra Sundquist is expected to be among the favourites following an impressive performance at the 2025 U19 Championship. Danika Horcica, the 2025 U15 Girls’ Champion, will also be a strong contender, along with Camilla Ruesega-Rojas, winner of the 2024 U13 Girls’ Championship. Additional notable players include Lexi Blair, Shylee Kostiuk, Elle Bannister, and others.

On the boys’ side, Chase Strang enters as the favourite as he looks to defend his 2025 title. He will face strong competition from two-time U15 Boys’ Champion Bennett Love, as well as Jayden Arnold, who finished third at the Canadian U15 Championship last year. Benson White, the 2025 Alberta Open Low Amateur and the youngest member of the Alberta Morse Cup Team, is also in the field. Other players expected to make an impact include Jack Hargreaves, Jeevin Dhaliwal, and Jayden Popik.

With several months remaining until the championship and registration newly opened, additional contenders are expected to emerge. For now, players will continue preparing with the goal of claiming the U17 Boys’ or U17 Girls’ Championship titles in August.

Several of Alberta’s former high-performance athletes are beginning to make their mark on the professional stage, with at least three players set to compete on the PGA Tour Americas this season.

Calgary native Hunter Thomson, who turned professional in May 2025, enjoyed an impressive debut campaign on tour. Competing in 10 events, Thomson made five cuts, recorded three top-25 finishes, and added a top-10 result. His consistent play secured a position inside the top 80 on the season standings, earning him full membership on the PGA Tour Americas for the upcoming year. Thomson’s transition to the professional ranks followed a standout collegiate career at the University of Michigan, highlighted by a victory at the 2024 Canadian Collegiate Invitational and a top-25 finish in the PGA Tour University rankings. That performance granted him access to PGA Tour Americas events late last season, ultimately leading to his full status for 2026.

Hunter Thomson wins Canadian Collegiate Invitational

Joining Thomson with full membership is Brady McKinlay of Lacombe. McKinlay closed out his amateur and collegiate career in strong fashion, highlighted by a breakthrough 2022 season in which he captured the Alberta Men’s Amateur title and followed it with three consecutive collegiate victories. After turning professional, he was named to the 2024–2025 Team Canada professional squad. McKinlay secured his PGA Tour Americas membership through Q-School, finishing in a tie for second at the California qualifying event.

Carter Graf of Sylvan Lake has also earned status through Q-School, finishing in a tie for 14th at the Alabama event. His result provides conditional membership, granting him limited starts throughout the season as he looks to improve his position and build momentum toward full status in the future. Will Holan from Edmonton also has conditional membership this year after his top 25 finish at the Alabama Q School Event.

Alberta’s presence on the PGA Tour Americas grew even further over the weekend with Rycroft’s own, Max Sekulic, finishing in the top 25 at the final qualifying site. This earns Seklulic a conditional membership for the year giving him limited starts to help bolster his status for the year. Sekulic won the 2023 Alberta Open in his first year as a pro, and won the Canadian Men’s Amateur in 2021.

PGA Tour Americas qualifying Leaderboards

With championship registration opening tomorrow for all Alberta Golf events, players—both new and returning—may have questions ahead of the big day. Common inquiries include what is required to register, which events are available to enter, and for younger competitors, which championships are most appropriate for their development. This guide is designed to provide clarity on each of these points.

What Do I Need For Registration

All Alberta Golf championships and qualifiers require participants to hold an active Golf Canada membership. It is important to ensure that your membership is current and not expired; if it is, please contact your home facility to have it renewed prior to registration.

Most events also require a valid Handicap Index. To establish a Handicap Index, players must have a minimum of 54 holes of submitted scores, which can be a combination of 9- and 18-hole rounds.

In addition, a valid credit card is required to complete registration, as the Golf Genius platform does not accept debit cards for payment.

Registration FAQs & Need TO Knows

What Events Can I Play In

With 14 championships and 14 qualifiers, each with varying Handicap Index and age requirements, determining eligibility can be a complex process. To assist players, Alberta Golf has developed a series of eligibility charts tailored to male, female, and junior competitors. These resources are designed to simplify the process and help identify the events that best match your profile.

Men’s Eligibility Information

Women’s Eligibility Information

Junior Eligibility Information

What Should I Be Playing This Year

For junior golfers focused on development, those pursuing post-secondary opportunities, or players unsure where to begin, Alberta Golf has created additional resources aligned with Golf Canada’s Long-Term Player Development Guide. These documents are intended to help athletes assess their current skill level and identify the most appropriate competitive pathway for the season.

High-Performance Roadmap: What to play & When

Junior Golf Development Pathway

Alberta Golf hopes this information helps ensure a smooth registration experience on April 1, and looks forward to welcoming players to the course this season.

The Alberta All Abilities Championship will celebrate its fourth year in 2026, as the event returns north following its 2025 stop in Calgary. The championship will once again be hosted at the familiar Broadmoor Public Golf Course in Sherwood Park.

As one of Alberta Golf’s newest competitions, the All Abilities Championship has been met with strong support and steady growth. In 2025, the field expanded to 30 participants, complemented by a clinic delivered in partnership with adaptive golf organizations to further foster community engagement. The championship is open to participants of all genders, ages, and handicap indexes, and features both gross and net competitions. Reflecting the event’s continued growth, separate male and female divisions will be introduced in 2026. Players must be registered with, and hold a Players Pass from, the European Disabled Golfers Association (EDGA). The two-day championship is EDGA-ranked, offering competitors the opportunity to earn valuable points. Notably, Alberta remains one of only five provincial associations in Canada to offer an event of this kind.

EDGA Website

Broadmoor Golf Course, a mature 18-hole facility operated by Strathcona County in Sherwood Park, has become a strong supporter of adaptive golf in recent years. In addition to hosting the 2024 Alberta All Abilities Championship, the course welcomed the 2023 ASSRA AMP Open. Broadmoor has also developed a reputation for its junior programming, earning recognition as a 2026 finalist for First Tee Location of the Year.

Broadmoor Golf Course Website

Competitive storylines heading into 2026 are compelling. Bob MacDermott, winner of both adaptive events previously held at Broadmoor, returns as a leading contender. Kiefer Jones, a two-time Alberta All Abilities Champion, is also expected to be near the top of the leaderboard. On the women’s side, Emma Bittorf brings valuable championship experience, having captured the net title in both 2023 and 2025. Emerging players Rachel Adamis and Nha Truong, who competed in last year’s event, will look to build on their early involvement.

Bigger than The Game: The Adamis Family Story

Bob Macdermott Video

In 2026, Alberta Golf remains committed to expanding the adaptive golf community while continuing to enhance the championship experience. Building on the momentum of recent growth, the organization is focused on ongoing development through research and collaboration with leading events and associations in the adaptive sport landscape.

Registration opens on April 1 at 9am for the All Abilities and all of Alberta Golf’s championships.

As we get ready for the golf season, there’s lots of new golfers out there or people who are interested in the game but don’t know how to start learning. With snow still on the ground, there’s lots of indoor driving ranges, simulator facilities, and even mini putt courses you can check out to get your swing spring ready.

Find a Golf Course NEar You

Find an Off COurse Facility Near you

For now though, let’s do some classroom work and study on the basic golf terms you’ll come across this season!

Scoring Terminology

Scoring in golf is based on the par of a hole. On all scorecards there’s a listed par for each hole and a total par for the course. Players will either be on par at the end of the round, over par for the round which would be the number of total strokes over the listed number for the course, or under par which would be the number of total strokes under the listed number. 

Types of Equipment

Golfers all have a variety of equipment on their person and in their bags to ready them for a round of golf. Here are the basics, besides a golf ball, that you’ll need to play a round!

Areas of The Course

Every golf course has different areas of the course that players should know. Under the Rules of Golf, there are only five areas but this can be confusing, so we’ve laid it out a little simpler than that!

Other Important Terms

Finally, we have a list of some just generic terms that you might hear when on the golf course or even taking a lesson!