Earning your level 1 Rules of Golf certification can be completed in less than 2 hours!

Level 1 is a free and easy way to learn the basics of golf and is a great resource for the club level player along with provincial competitors.
This level focuses on the game’s etiquette, key definitions, and the most common situations in the field. As part of the Level 1 program, students can put their knowledge to the test by answering summary questions at the end of each section, before tackling the Level 1 online certification exam.

Eligibility: 

Any individual who is interested in learning more about the Rules of Golf.

Opportunities:

Level 1 rules education is great for those playing the game, those interested in Rules Chair positions at their home club and junior coordinators.

Alberta Golf coordinates one (1) Level 2 Certification Seminar each year and the curriculum will begin to look at the more important playing rules in detail. Some of the complexities that are found in the Rules of Golf booklet, or the Official Guide of the Rules of Golf are introduced along with on-course demonstrations.

Level 2 Certification Seminars are set for those interested in becoming more involved with rules officiating at the club level or becoming a certified Golf Canada Referee.

Eligibility:

Any individual who is Level 1 certified.

Opportunities:

Level 2 certified individuals can Referee provincial championships, Golf Canada NextGen events along with provincial and national junior tour events

• • Complete an additional 10 hours accompanying a Nationally certified Referee at a championship.

• • Attend and achieve a minimum of 80% on the Provincial exam, facilitated by Alberta Golf.

• • Complete 50 hours of on-course experience as a Referee.

To become Level 3 certified, individuals must partake in the National level  education program which consists of an eight-week online seminar run by Golf Canada. It serves to give guidance and advice on refereeing at the highest level. This program is intended for experienced Referees who wish to improve both their technical and practical knowledge as a Referee.

Eligibility:

Any individual who is Level 2 certified

Opportunities:

Level 3 certified individuals can Referee at provincial, national and international events and in many cases in the Tournament Rules Chair (TRC) role.

• Attend and achieve a minimum of 80% on the National level exam, administered by Golf Canada.
• Complete 100 hours of on-course experience as a Referee
• Complete an additional 10 hours accompanying a Nationally certified Referee at a championship.

• • Attend and achieve a minimum of 80% on the National level exam, administered by Golf Canada.
  • Complete 100 hours of on-course experience as a Referee
  • Complete an additional 10 hours accompanying a Nationally certified Referee at a championship.

Golf Canada Course Rating

The evaluation of the playing difficulty of a course for scratch golfers under normal course and weather conditions expressed as number of strokes (e.g. 72.5).

Golf Canada Slope Rating

The evaluation of the relative difficulty of a course for players who are not scratch golfers compared to the difficulty of the course for scratch golfers. The lowest Slope Rating is 55 and the highest 155. A course of standard playing difficulty will have a Slope Rating of 113.

What year did you start with Alberta Golf?

2011

What is your home club?

Lethbridge Country Club

What is your career away from Alberta Golf?

I retired in 2008 after a 35-year career with RBC as a financial planner.

How did you get into volunteering your time with Alberta Golf?

I was asked by a dear friend and career volunteer with PGA, Thelma Coutts, to take on the challenge of course rating.

What are your interests away from the golf course?

Aside from golf my other passion is curling.  The highlight of my curling career was being able to represent Canada at the 2008 World Senior Ladies championship in Finland. Our team defeated Scotland in the final game and went on to win gold. A proud moment that I will never forget.

 What is your favourite thing or memory about volunteering with Alberta Golf?

I enjoy the challenge and opportunities that come with being a course rater. My favorite memory happened in 2024 when we went north to rate Yellowknife, Hay River, Fort Smith and Gameti. It was during this time that we had the challenge of rating courses with artificial turf greens, sand/rock fairways and unusual conditions.

 What is your favourite golf course that you’ve played?

Crowsnest Pass

What year did you start with Alberta Golf?

2017

What is your home club?

Public Player

What is your career away from Alberta Golf?

I work in IT Sales or Cyber Security to be more specific.

How did you get into volunteering your time with Alberta Golf?

My kids used to swim competitively, and I was involved in their swim club until they stopped. I was looking for something to volunteer some time and had been volunteering as a marshal at the Shaw Charity Classic since day 1, so looking for something in golf seemed about right.  My dad always handed me a copy of the new rule book every 4 years, and I always wondered how anyone could find time to understand all those rules.  I saw an article somewhere about a lady who had got involved with the rules and ended up on the LPGA so I thought that maybe that was something I could set my mind to.  Took the level 1 & 2 in those days (now just level 1), someone reached out from Golf Canada and put me in touch with Alberta Golf and the rest is history.

 What are your interests away from the golf course?

My other great passion these days is playing Darts.  Always had a dartboard in my room as a kid and then didn’t play again until a few years ago when we were invited to join a friendly pub league for beginners.  Now it has become all-consuming next to golf!!

What is your favourite thing or memory about volunteering with Alberta Golf?

I can’t say I have any bad memories – even the mistakes become learning opportunities.  Positive interactions with players are always memorable and anytime a player says they learned something is a good day. And of course, as referees we constantly learn by sharing our experiences, rulings, questions and the occasional beer!

What is your favourite golf course that you’ve played?

I still want to go back and play Girvan again after all these years!

What year did you start with Alberta Golf?

2016

What is your home club?

Edmonton Petroleum Club

What is your career away from Alberta Golf?

I am retired now.  I used to work as an Interior Designer/Decorator for TwoDifor Interiors

How did you get into volunteering your time with Alberta Golf?

I was asked by another course rater.

What are your interests away from the golf course?

My hobbies include travel, aerobic dance, Oilers, and gardening.

What is your favourite thing or memory about volunteering with Alberta Golf?

I really enjoy the comradery with the other raters. The expertise of fellow raters is also a wonderful learning curve.

What is your favourite golf course that you’ve played?

Real Club Valderrama-Sotogrande Spain and Diamante Cabo San Lucas

What year did you start with Alberta Golf?

2015.

What is your home club?

Public Player.

What is your career away from Alberta Golf?

I’m retired now but I was a Corporate Insurance Specialist.

How did you get into volunteering your time with Alberta Golf?

I had really good mentors and a general love of golf made volunteering for Alberta Golf attractive.

What are your interests away from the golf course?

I enjoy travelling now when I’m not on the golf course.

What is your favourite thing or memory about volunteering with Alberta Golf?

I enjoy helping others play the game that I love.

What is your favourite golf course that you’ve played?

Whistling Straights in Wisconsin, USA

What year did you start with Alberta Golf?

2021.

What is your home club?

Sunrise Country Club, Rancho Mirage, California.

What is your career away from Alberta Golf?

Retired, previously worked for CIBC for 35 years including postings throughout Alberta/NWT and then outside Alberta in Hong Kong, Singapore, Head Office, Toronto and Barbados.

How did you get into volunteering your time with Alberta Golf?

Transferred in from BC where I started refereeing in Zone 6 (Central Vancouver Island).

What are your interests away from the golf course?

Swimming, travel and investing.

What is your favourite thing or memory about volunteering with Alberta Golf?

All the prep work required before the event starts. For example, site visits, marking the course, selecting hole locations, documentation, meeting with the host club superintendent/staff. Getting this right goes a long way to having a successful event.

What is your favourite golf course that you’ve played?

Pebble Beach

What year did you start with Alberta Golf?

2024

What is your home club?

I was a member at the Devon Golf and Conference Centre for about 20 years. Now I travel around and play courses wherever we are.

What is your career away from Alberta Golf?

I have been in the Oil Industry for 45 years and are planning on retirement after this year.

How did you get into volunteering your time with Alberta Golf?

My wife started volunteering 4 years ago and I thought it would be something good to do to stay active.

What are your interests away from the golf course?

I coached hockey and soccer, volunteered at the Special Olympics and Junior golf tournaments held at Devon Golf Club, organized men’s league from 2014 to 2020 at Devon, board member for 6 years at Devon as the Treasurer, Vice President and President, and board member with the Devon Oilmen’s Golf Tournament from 2005 to 2015. Hockey was my first sport, now that I am aging it was too demanding on the body, so golf has become my sport now, and walking the dog.

What is your favourite thing or memory about volunteering with Alberta Golf?

 I have enjoyed my time volunteering for Alberta Golf, it’s all about the people that you are working with or for and sharing the knowledge that each person brings, always learning something new every day. It’s great way to enjoy golf and do some camping and be outdoors.

What is your favourite golf course that you’ve played?

I don’t really have a favourite golf course, I believe there are many great golf courses though out Alberta.

What year did you start with Alberta Golf?

2022

What is your home club?

Windermere Golf & Country Club

What is your career away from Alberta Golf?

I’m retired now after a career as a manager with the Federal Public Service.

How did you get into volunteering your time with Alberta Golf?

I started volunteering after deciding to take the level 2 rules clinic and finding out how few women referees there were.

What are your interests away from the golf course?

When not on a golf course, I spend time with family or painting, playing piano, curling and traveling.

What is your favourite thing or memory about volunteering with Alberta Golf?

My favourite thing is refereeing the junior tournaments and helping younger golfers with the rules.

What is your favourite golf course that you’ve played?

My home course, Windermere Golf and Country Club

What year did you start with Alberta Golf?

2011

What is your home club?

Lethbridge Country Club

What is your career away from Alberta Golf?

A friend of ours who was volunteering for Alberta Golf recommended that I join.

How did you get into volunteering your time with Alberta Golf?

I started volunteering after deciding to take the level 2 rules clinic and finding out how few women referees there were.

What are your interests away from the golf course?

Avid sports fan. I also love doing stained glass art.

What is your favourite thing or memory about volunteering with Alberta Golf?

My favorite thing was the trip in 2024 to Yellowknife, Fort Smith, Hay River and Gameti to rate four different and challenging courses.

What is your favourite golf course that you’ve played?

Crowsnest Pass

What year did you start with Alberta Golf?

2025

What is your home club?

Lethbridge Country Club

What is your career away from Alberta Golf?

I am currently in my last year as a Chiropractor and will retire in 2026 after 45 years.

How did you get into volunteering your time with Alberta Golf?

I was asked if I wanted to volunteer by some fellow members of my golf club. I thought it would be an amazing thing to do as I move into retirement, as I love the game, and being a course rater helps me appreciate how golf courses are built.

What are your interests away from the golf course?

I am very active year-round. I love to run and bike in the summer and ski and curl in the winter. I travel quite a bit throughout the year, sometimes for golf and sometimes for races that I have entered.

What is your favourite thing or memory about volunteering with Alberta Golf?

I am still quite new at being a course rater, but I really appreciate the fellowship of my fellow raters and the cooperation and acceptance of the courses we are rating.

What is your favourite golf course that you’ve played?

Thracian Cliffs in Bulgaria

What year did you start with Alberta Golf?

2024

What is your home club?

Sirocco Golf Club

What is your career away from Alberta Golf?

Director/Country Manager Agricultural Crop Inputs but I’m semi-retired.

How did you get into volunteering your time with Alberta Golf?

I was involved with a course rating in Mexico through SCGA. The lead rater said I should contact Alberta Golf to volunteer as a course rater.

What are your interests away from the golf course?

I enjoy golf course architecture, soil sustainability, paddle boarding.

What is your favourite thing or memory about volunteering with Alberta Golf?

Learning about what is involved with golf course rating, the parameters and the process.

What is your favourite golf course that you’ve played?

St. Andrew’s Old Course

What year did you start with Alberta Golf?

Officially a Level 2 Referee in 2016.

What is your home club?

Wintergreen Golf and Country Club

What is your career away from Alberta Golf?

My previous career was spent in the IT industry, representing hardware and software products along with IT-related services in the Province of Alberta.  Most of my working life was spent at IBM Canada Ltd. (30 years), followed by several other mainstream hardware, software and services companies for 10 more years before announcing my retirement.

How did you get into volunteering your time with Alberta Golf?

My good buddy Chris Thompson (another current referee) got me into the rules education side of golf in 2010.  The more I got into the education side of golf rules, the more I took to the interest I had for the academic side of learning the rules behind the game of golf.

What are your interests away from the golf course?

My interests in retirement are varied and still in development.  To date, I am an avid motorcycle rider, golfer, wine certification enthusiast and church volunteer.

What is your favourite thing or memory about volunteering with Alberta Golf?

My favourites are twofold.  Firstly, the personal self-fulfillment of giving back to the competitive golf community.  In other words, its my way of “giving back” to the game that has given me so much enjoyment over my life.  Secondly, the friendships that I’ve gained from the Alberta Golf staff, the Provincial refereeing fraternity, the various member-courses that host competitive events from year to year and finally to the many club volunteers – all of which who give of their time for the betterment of the game we all treasure.

What is your favourite golf course that you’ve played?

Hard to pick just one, but if I’m pressed to choose outside of my own home course, I would choose the Wilderness Club in Eureka.

What year did you start with Alberta Golf?

I joined as a Referee in Feb 2021.

What is your home club?

Belvedere Golf & Country Club

What is your career away from Alberta Golf?

In my past, I taught Financial Planning, Investments, and managed a great team of Financial Advisors.

How did you get into volunteering your time with Alberta Golf?

Sun Life used to be the sponsor of the Men’s Amateur. I was asked to be the Liaison for Northern Alberta. I always enjoyed being a volunteer. When I retired from Sun Life, I looked for ways to give back to the game.

What are your interests away from the golf course?

Currently, I help my son with his Electrical Business. During the Winter, I volunteer removing snow for low-income seniors. I also serve as the Director of Financial Planning and Advisory with a National Training Company. I enjoy traveling, golf and gardening. Plus, 3 great grandchildren. Life is good.

What is your favourite thing or memory about volunteering with Alberta Golf?

I think the strategy of setting up the golf course for a tournament. Tee boxes, hazard markings, pin Locations, distances, and communication to the Players. If done well, the tournament runs very smoothly.

What is your favourite golf course that you’ve played?

Eagle Ranch, Invermere, BC

What year did you start with Alberta Golf?

2019

What is your home club?

Priddis Golf & Country Club

What is your career away from Alberta Golf?

CEO of a cooperative of Independent Optometrists across Canada.  They all own and run their practices to ensure patients eye care needs are valued.

How did you get into volunteering your time with Alberta Golf?

I started as a course rater to get involved and then decided to pursue my interest in the rules.  I used to officiate hockey, basketball, volleyball, and thought golf would be another sport to see the other side of the game.

What are your interests away from the golf course?

I enjoy spending time with my two kids (aged 7 & 9), golfing, hiking, and travel when I can.

What is your favourite thing or memory about volunteering with Alberta Golf?

I enjoy being out on the course and watching competitors having fun and appreciating their abilities.  It is nice to watch all levels of golf and how they manage their way around a golf course differently.  All people have different mentalities in a competition. The best memories are those that a player needs a ruling due to unfortunate circumstances, and I can see them recover and even smile after the fact. Witnessing the resilience in people is excellent.

What is your favourite golf course that you’ve played?

Kingsbarn in Scotland

What year did you start with Alberta Golf?

2017

What is your home club?

Public Player

What is your career away from Alberta Golf?

I was a reporter, producer and executive with CTV News for more than 30 years, including 3 years in Washington as White House correspondent.

How did you get into volunteering your time with Alberta Golf?

I had been a referee with Ontario Golf and when I moved to Calgary, I decided to carry on with Alberta Golf.

What are your interests away from the golf course?

I play squash and enjoy writing short stories.

What is your favourite thing or memory about volunteering with Alberta Golf?

I enjoy watching good players compete and working with my Alberta Golf colleagues.

What is your favourite golf course that you’ve played?

Jasper Park Lodge

What year did you start with Alberta Golf?

2024

What is your home club?

Public Player

What is your career away from Alberta Golf?

Retired Real Estate Broker, Educator, Course Developer

How did you get into volunteering your time with Alberta Golf?

I was recruited through their website.

What are your interests away from the golf course?

Volunteerism. I volunteer with different organizations including FearIsNotLove – also known as Calgary Emergency Women’s Shelter, I’m a Board Director with FLC Seniors Club Calgary, and I help with PGA Golf Tournaments.

What is your favourite thing or memory about volunteering with Alberta Golf?

Learning new areas of golf course development, ratings, and handicapping. I previously worked on doing a golf course strategic plan

What is your favourite golf course that you’ve played?

St. Andrews – mostly for the bragging rights… It didn’t lower my handicap

What year did you start with Alberta Golf?

2016

What is your home club?

The Broadmoor

What is your career away from Alberta Golf?

Now retired.  Finished my career as the Assistant Controller with Suncor Energy.  Spent most of my career in Fort McMurray and did the full range of accounting type activities, Project Management, Expenditure Control, Budgeting, Forecasting etc.

How did you get into volunteering your time with Alberta Golf?

In our senior’s league, I met Larry who was a level 3 referee and had been a level 4.  I did a couple ride alongs and quickly took my level 1 and 2.  While I was refereeing, I heard about course rating and attended a session in Calgary and started doing that as well.

What are your interests away from the golf course?

They used to range from skiing, snow boarding and curling in the winter to slow pitch, golf and camping in the summer.   Now that I’m retired it’s mostly golf (winter and summer), reading and gardening.

What is your favourite thing or memory about volunteering with Alberta Golf?

Helping junior golfers with the Rules.  Also watching good golfers manage or mismanage the course.

What is your favourite golf course that you’ve played?

The original 18 holes at the Fort McMurray Golf Course is still one of my favourite courses.

What year did you start with Alberta Golf?

2020

What is your home club?

Glencoe Golf & Country Club

What is your career away from Alberta Golf?

I am now semi-retired but still do a little bit of business process improvement consulting in addition to serving on two volunteer boards of directors.

How did you get into volunteering your time with Alberta Golf?

While volunteering at the Glencoe Invitational, I met the late Lyle Cuthbert, who encouraged me to get involved with Alberta Golf. Around the same time, my daughter was one of eight juniors selected to represent Alberta Golf at the Alberta–Japan Sport Exchange in Hokkaido, Japan—an unforgettable experience for her. Volunteering with Alberta Golf has been a meaningful way for me to give back and support the game that has given our family so much.

What are your interests away from the golf course?

Away from the golf course, I enjoy traveling, tackling home improvement projects, and staying involved in my community. I also really enjoy coaching and supporting others in their personal growth and continuous learning.

What is your favourite thing or memory about volunteering with Alberta Golf?

My favorite part of volunteering with Alberta Golf is helping grow the game and supporting players of all ages. It’s rewarding to give back to a community that’s given my family so many memorable experiences.

What is your favourite golf course that you’ve played?

Victoria Golf Club, Victoria, BC – Canada’s oldest golf course on its original site.

What year did you start with Alberta Golf?

2010

What is your home club?

Glencoe Golf & Country Club

What is your career away from Alberta Golf?

Retired. Formerly social work supervisor With Alberta government.

How did you get into volunteering your time with Alberta Golf?

Upon retirement in 2006, I was golfing too much, and I began sustaining golf related injuries (elbow and lower back). Course rating was a viable alternate activity.

What are your interests away from the golf course?

Away from golf, I enjoy baseball, music, and travel.

What is your favourite thing or memory about volunteering with Alberta Golf?

The feeling that I’m giving back to the game that has given me so much pleasure (and agony) over the years.

What is your favourite golf course that you’ve played?

There are many of them around the world but probably Casa de Campo (Teeth of the Dog)

What year did you start with Alberta Golf?

2006

What is your home club?

Dinosaur Trail Golf & Country Club

What is your career away from Alberta Golf?

I was a High School Principal and am currently a Town Councillor in Drumheller.

How did you get into volunteering your time with Alberta Golf?

I was interested in the Rules of Golf. I began my referee certification hosted by AG and have been doing it ever since.

What are your interests away from the golf course?

I enjoy Pickleball and serve on many boards and committees in Drumheller.

What is your favourite thing or memory about volunteering with Alberta Golf?

Meeting the many people who are as passionate about the game of golf as I am.

What is your favourite golf course that you’ve played?

Dinosaur Trail