Unforgettable. Amazing. These are the two words that Brian and Jim Russell came up with when they were asked how they felt about playing in the 2025 Alberta Men’s Senior Championship together. Brian and Jim are one of, if not the first, father-son duo to play in the Men’s Senior Championship at the same time. “It’s amazing that we’re both healthy and able to compete in events such as the Alberta Men’s Senior Championship” remarked Jim Russell, the father figure in the Russell family.
“This meant so much to me. I haven’t played a ton of competitive golf since my college days, while Dad has obviously been out there a bit more. I found it fantastic to be able to step out from behind him and go from cheering him on to competing right alongside him (and of course still cheering him on.) It’s a great feeling of accomplishment for sure.”
Brian Russell
Brian Russell is the new guy on the Alberta Senior circuit, only turning 55 as of last November, but he is no stranger to this colorful group of characters as Jim, his father, is an accomplished amateur golfer in the Alberta Golf landscape. When asked about how players reacted at finding out their relation, he mentions getting a kick out of the puzzled looks on their faces as they did the math, and the continued looks when they find out how many years Jim has been playing.
“I had previously met some of the guys, but this was a whole different animal. It was great hearing the stories of events past and learning about some of the Alberta Golf legends and what they are like off the course. I felt very welcomed.” – Brian
Brian got into golf because of his dad and started by hitting around fields with a cut down 3 iron, putter, and a 7 iron that had blue electrical tape for grips. The course came when he was about 10 years old. In junior high, his family moved to the states and he was fortunate to play on the Junior High School team for Grades 7,8, and 9. Since the early start, Brian has become an accomplished golfer playing in a variety of provincial and regional tournaments before making the jump to the Senior event this past July.
The elder Russell had a similar start in the game, as he was playing with his friend a few houses down when the friend’s dad suggested they play golf. There he was given a 6 iron, a beat-up ball, and spent his time bashing the ball around Connaught Golf Club in Medicine Hat. Since that start, Jim has gone on to win the 2019 Men’s Mid-Master, make two Alberta Men’s Senior Interprovincial Teams, and won the 2011 Alberta Men’s Senior Championship. Jim has become a household name in Alberta amateur golf. He recently returned to the scene after some health troubles and in his first appearance back, he made the cut!
The Russell’s share more than just blood, but a playing style. “We have a similar game. Nothing spectacular and the kind of rounds playing partners just shake their heads and say “that didn’t look like a 72” remarks Brian before adding “We both have very self-taught, natural swings which tends to get us into trouble at times”.
When we’re playing together, nothing really changes. I’m a bit quieter both on and off the course. I enjoy hearing the stories he always has at the ready, and not a round goes by without learning something from him, either about the game or outside the game. – Brian
When it comes to competition, we are always hoping the other does well. Our mutual love and respect for the game of golf does tend to strengthen the bond between us. – Jim
How did the idea to both play in the Men’s Senior come together? It has been a plan for a few years the two Russell’s explain. “We first started talking about it loosely a couple of years ago and really planning it about a year ago” explains the younger Russell. Jim mentions that this has been a dream of his for a few years now and how grateful he is that his own game was fit for the challenge of the provincial championship. After the two men cleared their own hurdles, the stage was set for 2025 to be the year.
The experience? Nothing short of a dream. The two men got to cheer for one another in their free time, as their tee times were separated by just a few groups. Jim talks about the privilege of having his son watch him tee off first and then getting his own chance to watch his son compete at the same event after he finished.
“Meeting the players I’d heard about through Dad with him standing beside me will be memories I’ll carry forever.”
Brian Russell
Now that the goal of playing a provincial championship together has been met, what’s next? The father-son duo has their attention on the Canadian Men’s Senior Championship in Nova Scotia from September 9-12. As of writing this, both players are on the pending list and already have their flights booked. If they don’t get in, the golf trip of a lifetime awaits them as they’ll journey to the East Coast to play some unforgettable courses like Cabot Cape Breton, Cabot Cliffs, and maybe even Le Portage Golf Club.
Either away, another unforgettable and amazing journey awaits this duo come the fall golf season.