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.
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.