Alberta Golf is pleased to announce that Alberta will participate in the prestigious North Pacific Junior Girls Match Play in 2026. The tournament will take place May 21–23 at the North Course at Golden Eagle Golf Club in British Columbia.
“Providing high-level competitive opportunities for juniors is always a priority.
John Deneer, Director of Athlete Development & Provincial Coach
History
The event was established in 1987 by Joan ‘Jo-Anne’ Teats, founder of the Washington Junior Girls Golf Association, in collaboration with Joan Green, a member of the British Columbia branch of the Canadian Ladies Golf Association. The tournament was created with the goal of encouraging girls to play golf in a fun and competitive environment.
The event has been held annually since its inception, with the exception of two years during the COVID-19 pandemic. Alberta has previously participated in the competition and captured the team title in 2002, with players such as Meaghan Leblanc, Jennifer Ha, and Nicole Forshner representing the province.
While the exact year Alberta last sent a team is unclear, participation is believed to have paused in the late 2000s.
The Event
The North Pacific Junior Girls Match Play follows a format similar to the Alberta–Montana Ryder Cup. Participating provinces and states traditionally bring teams of six junior girls to compete in a points-based match play format over two days, featuring four-ball, foursomes, and singles matches.
In 2026, the event format will be adjusted, with teams of four competing. In addition to Alberta, the participating associations will include British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon. The event alternates annually between host locations in Canada and the United States.
“An international event like this provides a unique competitive experience for our players”
John Deneer, Director of Athlete Development & Provincial Coach
Team Alberta
Alberta will be represented by a strong lineup of junior golfers selected through the Alberta Golf High-Performance Program criteria. Eligible athletes who achieved the highest standing within the program’s selection process were chosen to represent the province.
Team Alberta for the 2026 North Pacific Junior Girls Match Play will include:
- Sela Ogada
- Alessandra Sundquist
- Olivia Johnson
- Raylee Denton