We’re a bit biased, of course, but we think this is the best time of year.
The fairways and greens are now open. The birdie putts are starting to fall. Competitive golfers are preparing and game-planning for their big events, daydreaming of winning a provincial or national title in 2026. Or, better yet, winning both.
If you’ve entered a big event, or at least signed up for a qualifier, you have a lot to look forward to.
We’ve scanned the schedule for what we’re calling our Trophy 18— a selection of signature, standout and make-or-break holes from the various venues for the provincial and national showdowns to be played in Alberta this summer.
From beauties to beasts, and some that fit both, here goes …
PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Hole 8 at Sundre Golf Club
Host of 2026 Alberta Best Ball Championship (May 18)
This might be the skinniest fairway in all of Alberta. Standing on the tee, it certainly feels that way. As long as you can find the short stuff, even with a hybrid or iron, this is a golden opportunity for birdie. If you’re in the trees, it’s added pressure on your best ball partner.
Hole 16 at Water Valley Golf & Country Club
Host of 2026 Alberta Men’s Mid-Master Championship (June 23-25)
This Par-3 is easy on the eyes but also capable of ruining a good round. Players will be tempted to club up to avoid dropping one into the drink, but too much oomph will leave a delicate chip — or sand shot — from deep of the green. You’ll need to trust your distance control.
Hole 8 on Big River Nine at Fort McMurray Golf Club
Host of Alberta Men’s Amateur Championship (July 7-9)
The resilient Fort McMurray Golf Club will be a treat for tournament competitors. This Par-5 is one of several beauties beside the Athabasca River, but don’t let the scenery distract you from the task at hand — weighing whether you can muscle your second shot over a creek or if you’d be wise to lay up.
Hole 15 at The Hamptons Golf Club
Host of Alberta Women’s Amateur Championship (July 7-9)
You typically expect the shortest Par-3 on the scorecard to provide a sigh of relief, but that’s not necessarily the case here. Although it’s barely over 100 yards, it’s all carry across the water to a shallow green that offers some devilish pin positions. The sigh of relief comes if you walk away with a two putt par.
Hole 10 at The Coyote Golf Club
Host of 2026 Alberta U19 Championship (July 14-16)
Distance can be both your best friend and biggest enemy on this picturesque Par-5. With a big bop off the tee, and these talented teens are certainly capable of going deep, there’s a good chance of getting home in two. Thing is, that means firing your second shot across a long pond. Better to play it safe?
THE Coyote Golf Club Hole 10 Flyover
Hole 4 on Old Course at Wolf Creek Golf Resort
Host of 2026 Alberta Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship (July 21-23)
A narrow chute that is nicknamed Hawk’s Alley, this is one of Alberta’s most intimidating tee-shots. For Wolf Creek’s tightest fairway, select the straightest and most trustworthy club in your bag — and don’t you dare think about driver! If you empty a sleeve of balls into the creek or shrubbery, you’ll spoil your trophy chances.
Hole 5 at The Ranch Golf & Country Club
Host of 2026 Alberta Women’s Senior Championship (July 29-31)
Regulars at The Ranch call it ‘The Pit’ or ‘Pit of Doom.’ Just short of the fifth green, there’s a deep grass gully that you’d really rather avoid. If your ball settles at the bottom, you’ll be about 75 feet below the dance-floor. Even if you’re a wizard with a wedge, it will be a difficult recovery.
The Ranch G&CC – Hole 5 Course Tour
Hole 16 at Trestle Creek Golf Resort
Host of 2026 Alberta Men’s Senior Championship (August 4-6)
This island-green assignment is one of those that you start to think about — and start to worry about — several holes in advance. Whether you’re sitting atop the leaderboard or trying to pull off an epic comeback, this signature shortie has turning-point potential. From an elevated launchpad, the wind always seems to be a factor.
Hole 10 on Raven Course at Priddis Greens
Host of the Alberta Open Championship (August 11-13)
Alberta Open competitors are pumped to play the Raven at Priddis Greens. Among the many highlight holes is No. 10, a fun Par-4 that tumbles downward into the valley and offers both a superb view and strong chance for birdie. Be sure to examine your putt from all angles because this green is sneaky subtle.
Hole 18 at Alberta Springs Golf Resort
Host of 2026 Alberta U15 & U13 Championship (August 17-18)
The youngsters always post some astonishing scores at the Alberta U15 & U13 Championship, and so often the trophy chase comes right down to the wire. This Par-5 is reachable in two, but the work isn’t done yet. On a multi-tiered green, and with spectators gathered around, can you close it out with the flat-stick?
Hole 7 at Broadmoor Public Golf Course
Host of 2026 Alberta All Abilities Championship (August 20-22)
This is a knee-knocker, especially if your misses tend to wander left. There’s a water hazard that runs all the way up the left of this fairway, then wraps around the back of the green. The good news is it’s relatively early in your round, allowing some time to recover from a big number.
Hole 1 at Connaught Golf Club
Host of 2026 Alberta U17 Championship (August 24-26)
At a tree-lined layout like Connaught, that first swing is arguably the most important of the day. With timber on either side of the fairway, this opening drive demands a high degree of accuracy. If you’re able to execute and find the short stuff, you’ll feel like you’ve set the tone for a stripe show.
Hole 17 at Coloniale Golf Club
2026 Alberta Men’s Super Senior Championship (September 3-4)
If you have been struggling out of the bunkers, and you’re bound to be in a few on this links-style course, you might be shaking in your soft spikes as you size up this approach. The putting surface at No. 17 is surrounded by sand, five traps in total. If you’d rather not rake, there’s really no good miss.
Holes 4/15 at Kananaskis Country Golf Course
Host of 2026 Alberta Interclub Championship (September 8)
The Alberta Interclub Championship utilizes both courses in K-Country, so how about a two-for-one? Whether you’re playing the signature fourth hole on the Mount Kidd layout or aiming across the river on No. 15 on Mount Lorette, you need to keep your tee-ball dry before you can think about draining the birdie putt.
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Hole 16 at Mickelson National Golf Club
Co-host of Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship (July 27-30)
We all know how Phil Mickelson feels about “hitting bombs,” and that is certainly the strategy on No. 16, where you blast away at the green and hope to be putting for eagle. Could we see an albatross during the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship? On this dandy of a drivable Par-4, it’s a definite possibility.
Hole 9 on Heritage Nine at Heritage Pointe Golf Club
Co-host of Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship (July 27-28)
There should be some drama on this hole during the second round of the Canadian Men’s Amateur, especially among players figuring they need a birdie or eagle to make the cut. It’s possible to shave a stroke or even two on this Par-5, but it will require a heroic second shot into an island green.
Heritage Pointe – About The Course
Hole 18 at Royal Mayfair Golf Club
Host of CPKC Women’s Open (August 19-23)
When Royal Mayfair last hosted the LPGA Tour stars in 2013, Lydia Ko capped a dominant performance with one more birdie on the closing hole. While Ko was cruising to victory, No. 18 has all the necessary ingredients for a dramatic finish — especially if the Sunday pin is tucked left, forcing a nervy approach across a pond.
Hole 14 at Pine Hills Golf Club
Host of 2026 Canadian Women’s Senior Championship (September 16-18)
Many Alberta-based golfers consider this course to be one of our hidden gems, a secret that will be shared as this national championship is contested in Rocky Mountain House. Hole 14 is Pine Hills at its finest — peaceful, framed by tall trees and with interesting angles that reward precise placement or crafty shot-shaping.