In 2026, the Alberta Men’s Amateur Championship will make its return to northern Alberta, hosted by a venue with a proven history of championship golf. The beautiful Fort McMurray Golf Club, which most recently hosted the 2021 Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship and previously the 2007 Alberta Men’s Amateur Championship, will welcome the province’s top amateur golfers from July 7–9 for the 114th playing of Alberta’s premier amateur championship.
The Course
Fort McMurray Golf Club features an impressive 27-hole facility that provides both members and public golfers with a unique playing experience. Situated within the boreal forest and the Athabasca River Valley, the course offers a setting unlike any other on the provincial championship schedule.
For many competitors, this will be their first opportunity to compete in such surroundings, creating a true test of concentration and adaptability. While the scenery is spectacular, the tree-lined corridors of the boreal forest demand precision and strategic decision-making. Accuracy, particularly off the tee, will be at a premium as players carefully balance distance with dispersion when selecting clubs throughout the championship.
The Event
The Alberta Men’s Amateur Championship is the province’s oldest amateur golf tournament and one of the longest-running championships in Canada. Its origins date back to 1907, predating the formation of the Alberta Golf Association itself.
Players earn their place in the championship field through one of three regional qualifying events unless exempt through previous achievements. This process ensures that the field represents the strongest amateur golfers from across Alberta.
The champion will also earn the distinction of becoming the first member of the 2027 Alberta Morse Cup Team, securing a place in the prestigious Pacific Coast Amateur Championship. In addition, several quota positions into the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship will be awarded to top finishers. This year’s national championship will be contested in Alberta at Mickelson National Golf Club and Heritage Pointe Golf Club.
Inside the Field
With qualifying now complete, the championship field has begun to take shape. With the two-time defending champion absent, a new Alberta Men’s Amateur Champion will be crowned in Fort McMurray.
Identifying a favourite, however, is no easy task. The field includes an impressive collection of past champions, provincial team members, and rising stars, including:
- Neil Thomas — Back-to-Back Alberta Men’s Mid-Amateur Champion
- David Schultz — Alberta Golf Hall of Fame Member
- Braden O’Grady — 2022 Alberta Men’s Amateur Champion
- Chase Strang — Defending U17 Boys Champion
- Shiro Mani — 2022 and 2023 Alberta Men’s Mid-Master Champion
- Russell Quinn and Jalen Apedoe — 2025 Alberta U19 Boys Team Members
- Ryan Gillis — 2026 Alberta Morse Cup Team Member
Beyond those names, the championship field features a deep roster of accomplished competitors, including Paxton Maxwell, Chase Lassman, Brae Rogalczyk, Kye Fisher, and Josiah Tong.
With so much talent making the journey to “The Fort,” the 114th Alberta Men’s Amateur Championship promises to deliver exciting competition, momentum swings, and memorable moments. Over three days, players will be challenged not only by one of Alberta’s most distinctive championship venues but also by the strength of the field around them. The competitor who can remain focused and execute under pressure will earn the title of Alberta Men’s Amateur Champion.