Alberta Golf and the Alberta Golf Hall of Fame are pleased to announce the induction of Ernie Afaganis and John Down as the newest members of the Alberta Golf Hall of Fame.
Afaganis and Down will be formally honoured on October 27 at the Calgary Golf & Country Club, where both will receive the Distinguished Service Award in recognition of their outstanding contributions to golf in Alberta through their distinguished careers in sports media.
Both men bring extensive and accomplished résumés to the Hall of Fame and share a lifelong passion for amateur sport, particularly the game of golf. Throughout their careers, Afaganis and Down provided comprehensive coverage of the sport across Alberta, helping to elevate the profile of both amateur and professional golf while shining a spotlight on countless athletes, events, and achievements. Their commitment to storytelling and promotion of the game has left a lasting impact on Alberta’s golf community.
Already members of the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame, Afaganis and Down are fitting inaugural inductees into the newly established Media category of the Distinguished Service Award.
2026 Inductee Bios
Born in Lethbridge in 1933, Ernie Afaganis became one of Alberta’s most recognizable voices in sport through a distinguished media career that spanned decades. After completing university, he moved to Edmonton in 1953 and spent nine years working in private radio and freelancing before joining CBC in 1961.
Afaganis quickly became a champion of amateur sport, dedicating much of his career to increasing its visibility and helping athletes and organizations gain greater recognition. His impact on golf was particularly significant. From 1961 to 1986, he served as the voice of the Canadian Open, bringing the country’s premier golf championship into homes across Canada.
In Alberta, Afaganis became closely associated with the game through his long-running television program Par 27. The popular Alberta-based series, which featured golf-themed content and contests, aired for 26 years and played an important role in promoting and growing the sport throughout the province.
Beyond his media contributions, Afaganis was an original member of The Glendale Golf & Country Club and served on the club’s board of directors, further demonstrating his commitment to the game.
His outstanding contributions to sport and broadcasting have been recognized through numerous honours, including induction into the Canadian Football League Hall of Fame, the Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame, and the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame. He has also received a Lifetime Media Award and has been recognized in the CBC Hall of Fame.
Born in 1944, John Down began his journalism career in Saskatchewan’s newspaper industry before moving to Alberta in 1972 to take on the role of sports editor with the Journal. Over the course of a distinguished career, he became one of the province’s most respected sports journalists, earning particular recognition for his coverage of golf and chuckwagon racing.
Down was a passionate supporter of amateur golf and dedicated significant attention to the sport at the regional, provincial, and national levels. In addition to covering professional tournaments, he helped shine a spotlight on amateur competitors and events, providing valuable exposure to players and organizations across the country.
During golf’s peak popularity in the 1980s and 1990s, Down played a leading role in expanding golf coverage in Alberta’s newspapers. He produced numerous golf-specific sections for both the Sun and the Herald, including the popular BackSwing series that appeared in the Calgary Sun. Through his writing, he informed, entertained, and connected Alberta’s golfing community while helping to grow interest in the game.
A strong advocate for amateur sport throughout his career, Down’s contributions to sports journalism were recognized in 2006 when he was inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame.
Future Nominations
The Alberta Golf Hall of Fame is now accepting nominations for the 2027 induction class and future consideration. Nominations will remain open until November 30, and completed nomination forms can be submitted via email to taylor@albertagolf.org.
About the Alberta Golf Hall of Fame
The Alberta Golf Hall of Fame honours the men and women who have made a significant impact on the game of golf in Alberta. The Hall is dedicated to preserving, protecting, and promoting the rich history of golf in the province while celebrating the players, builders, and contributors whose efforts helped shape the game into what it is today.
In addition to recognizing Hall of Fame inductees, the Alberta Golf Hall of Fame maintains a collection of more than 2,000 identified artifacts, including scorecards, photographs, newspaper articles, bag tags, trophies, and historic golf clubs. These items are featured in Hall of Fame displays and support the organization’s ongoing mission to preserve Alberta’s golfing heritage. The Hall’s website is also regularly updated with new historical stories and content that continue to bring Alberta golf’s history to life.
About the Distinguished Service Award
Hall of Fame members are recognized in one of two categories: the Player Award and the Distinguished Service Award. The Distinguished Service Award honours individuals whose dedication and contributions have had a lasting impact on the game of golf in Alberta.
Eligible recipients include golf course architects, association builders, industry supporters, volunteers, and, beginning with the 2026 induction class, members of the media whose work has significantly advanced and promoted the game throughout the province.