The interviews and writing of this article took place in the weeks leading up to the CPKC Women’s Open and is being published after the conclusion of the event. The 2026 CPKC Women’s Open was heralded as a ‘Royal Success at Royal Mayfair’ with seven Canadians making the cut including three amateurs and $4.4 Million raised for the Edmonton Stollery Children Hospital.

There’s a saying in Alberta that if you don’t like the weather wait 15 minutes and it’ll change. Well, in Edmonton this summer it didn’t change much at all. In the months of June and July the city received over 500mm of rain and as a result, golf courses were flooded, including the Royal Mayfair Golf & Country Club which is to play host to the CPKC Women’s Open in August.

Surprisingly, this weather pattern is somewhat similar to what the course faced the last time they hosted this prestigious tournament in 2013, said superintendent Wade Peckham. As it did back then, this year’s problem became an all-hands-on-deck scenario. That however was easier said than done.

“First of all, we didn’t have up to two feet of rain like this year, in 2013. I remember it was wet. We had a few bunker washouts and the odd wet spot but it was, I’d say we were in a much better position in 2013,” Peckham recalled.

As for the staff spirit in facing the same-old, same-old as rain continued to fall in sheets, Peckham said, “I have certain people that are good at doing it but it gets to point, where the water table kept rising up, and we didn’t have the real hot, dry weather where it could evaporate from the top down. These people were struggling. It’s hard work. But I think what was even worse was we had seven complete bunker washouts.”

To top that off, many of Peckham’s staff are young and inexperienced for the most part in ground maintenance.

“My staff is composed of a lot of kids like university students. And maybe for some of them it’s their first job and they learn how to work. It was their introduction to some extremely hard work.”

A big part of keeping spirts up lay on the superintendent’s  shoulders and he stepped above and beyond in that role.

“Feeding them. Telling them jokes. The main thing maybe was me keeping a very positive attitude. In front of staff we (management) put on a brave face. Like, ‘It’s not the end of the world here.’ All we want to do is get this place fixed for the membership and whatever comes after that is money.”

Speaking to the work Peckham and his crew put in to have this riverside layout primed for the best women golfers in the world, the Mayfair’s GM, Matt Johnson, noted that first and foremost, they had to look after the club’s members.

“To be honest, we’ve been bringing the course back for our members more than anything, so we haven’t brought in any extra resources. Our team worked probably a little harder and probably spent a little more energy than typical. They’re probably a little worn out from putting Humpty Dumpty back together. What’s really happened is their energy is focused on clean-up and restoration rather than preparing for the tournament right now,” the GM said in a phone interview during the first week of August. “What I mean by that is we had multiple trees come down like a lot of courses in the city and we’ve been focused on our members safety.

“The course shows well considering. The greens are in great shape and that’s the number one thing. A tree fell on one of the greens but the crew did an amazing job packing it up so it will be at least puttable. The LPGA has been amazing to work with. It’s not like hosting a U.S. Open where they bring in their own team. Where they have an agronomist on site the whole time. The greens are in great shape. The bunkers are the bunkers and anything that happens on the fairways, the rules officials will deal with that.”

Johnson went on to note that representatives from the LPGA had looked over the course in late July saying, “They found nothing to worry about.”

Peckham explained that a big motivator for seeing his staff upbeat as they battled with Mother Nature’s wrath was what was taking place alongside them.

“What really helped was the set-up for the CPKC that’s been going for a month. It’s huge. I tell them ‘Wait ’til they get here. Wait ’til you see what’s being set up. It’s pretty spectacular.’ They’re getting excited now. My staff has done great work.”

As to why these issues happened, the superintendent noted that an old design has everything to do with the flooded fairways issues.

“They put high bunkers on the right, mounding on the left, or vice versa, so water that falls collects. There’s no way around it.”

In his interview the GM was quick to point out that the Royal Mayfair wasn’t the only golf course to be hammered by the unusual weather in Edmonton this summer.

“Certainly we’re not playing ‘Oh, poor me!’ We understand all golf courses are affected. We understand the whole city is in the same place and just because we have a big tournament we don’t want any pity on us, that’s for sure. We’re doing all we can to show the city to the world,” which it will do given all the time and effort put in by the maintenance staff at the only Canadian stop on the LPGA Tour this season.

About his tenuous situation, Peckham said tournament agronomists have seen what had/was taking place saying, “They are well aware of what’s happening here. They have ways to deal with it. I’ve said this a hundred times: ‘It’s why God invented white paint! There’s the golden rule:  Lift, Clean, and Place.’ There’s not a pro on the planet who doesn’t want to hear that!”

“I don’t know what the LPGA is going to do but they’re well aware … I mean they’re very happy. You know, aside from damaged fairway areas everything else is fine. It’s great actually, I think it’s actually better than 2013.”

And with that Peckham and his dedicated staff continued their ongoing work to harness what’s falling from the sky not only for the LPGA tournament but for their membership as well.

Golfers love new stuff.

New clubs. New balls. New places to play, or new additions at the course you call home.

So what’s new this season on Alberta’s golf scene? We’re glad you asked! 

New nine: Lac La Biche Golf Club

In early August, Lac La Biche Golf Club will debut a completely overhauled front nine, and regulars can hardly wait to test out the new tee-boxes and see flags in the new greens. The Alberta-based design duo of Bryan Ohnysty and Paul Crough put an emphasis on playability with their renovation work, adding width and introducing new angles. At the same time, they also enhanced the sightlines to really show off the natural setting. The new eye candy is especially noticeable as you size up your approach shot on the Par-4 fourth hole. Remember that old advice about keeping your head down when you swing? With the lake providing a beautiful backdrop, we wish you luck!

New 12: Sandy Point Resort Golf Club

If you love to check out new courses, you should be planning a road-trip this summer to Sandy Point Resort Golf Club, which is located on the west side of Gull Lake just outside Bentley. This new-kid-on-the block opened in June for its inaugural season. What sets Sandy Point apart? For starters, it is a 12-hole layout, only the second of its kind in Alberta, and plays to a par of 47. Six-hole rounds are also an option. You will enjoy the views of the lake, but try to keep your ball from going for a swim of its own in one of several on-course water hazards. Hole 12 is a 175-yard knee-knocker across a pond, an opportunity for a walk-off birdie.  

New clubhouse: The Winston Golf Club

It should be a challenge to steer a great round across the finish line, and a dynamite closing stretch is part of what makes The Winston Golf Club one of Calgary’s best tests. It shouldn’t, however, be tricky to navigate around the clubhouse, which is why a replacement was long overdue at this semi-private facility. The soon-to-be-opened new clubhouse at The Winston is a 21,000-square-foot stunner. The first floor of this two-storey walkout is all about golf, including a spacious pro shop, bright locker-rooms and year-round simulator bays. The upper level features dining, lounge and hospitality space. The view from the patio will be awesome, a perfect perch for recapping the stellar shots that sealed a low round. 

There is also a new clubhouse sprouting at Speargrass Golf Course in Carseland. It’s now fully framed and likely to be finished in the fall.

New name: The Coyote Golf Club

If you were tracking the leaderboards during the 2026 Alberta U19 Championships, you might have found yourself thinking, ‘Is this a new course? I don’t recognize the name.’ The Coyote is actually a familiar venue, just with fresh branding. This 18-hole setup in Sundre was formerly known as Coyote Creek Golf & RV Resort. The logo is awesome, so you might be tempted to buy a hat, shirt or ball marker. Outside the pro shop, you will discover why this is such a popular stop for both tournament competitors and green-fee guests — a peaceful setting in the pines, delicate approach shots that will get your pulse racing, and an expansive practice facility.    

New and improved: River Bend Golf & Recreation Area

There is nothing better than carding a birdie on one of the toughest holes on a golf course. And since you always pay a little extra attention when lining up those putts, you may find yourself admiring one of the new greens at River Bend Golf & Recreation Area in Red Deer, where they replaced four of the dance-floors while installing a new irrigation system. It’s now back to business as usual at one of Central Alberta’s most popular tracks after they operated as a modified nine-holer in 2025. One of the rebuilt putting surfaces is a beauty at No. 2, rated on the scorecard as the hardest assignment at River Bend. Can you be among the first to sink a birdie putt on this new green? 

New, but inspired by old: Edmonton Country Club

The members at Edmonton Country Club are still learning the nuances of what sometimes feels like a totally new course. After gradual reopenings in 2024 and 2025, this marks the first full season since a major renovation project that included all 18 greens and 63 bunkers. Those sand-traps are a bit of a throwback, because consulting architect Ian Andrew set out to mirror the style of the legendary Stanley Thompson, who left his mark at Edmonton Country Club in the 1940s. Thompson, we’re sure, would appreciate the flash facing and intricate shaping of these remodelled bunkers. Unless he was too busy admiring the enhanced views of the downtown skyline and river valley.  

New century: Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge

Last summer had double significance for Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge — this historic course celebrated its 100th birthday while also marking its grand reopening after a devastating wildfire in 2024. If you have a tee-time at this mountain masterpiece during Year 101, you will see how busy they’ve been. Recovery efforts since the fire have included the removal of more than 10,000 burned and damaged trees, the planting of hundreds of mature trees, the restoration of several green-sites to Thompson’s original design, the installation of a new irrigation system, the replacement of wildlife fencing and on-course furnishings, and the reintroduction of the short-game practice area. And that’s not even the full list. 

While we’re talking triple digits, congratulations are also in order to Canmore Golf & Curling Club. Staff and members at this popular mountain hangout celebrated their centennial in the spring.

This is a small sample of new features in Alberta, so get out there and check out everything courses have to offer.

The Alberta Open is drawing closer each day, and the 90th edition is shaping up to be one of the most memorable in the championship’s history. Over nine decades, the Alberta Open has experienced an eventful evolution—from serving as one of the province’s flagship championships in its early years, to periods of cancellation, to a stop on the Canadian Tour, and now to its current role as a true provincial open welcoming professionals, amateurs, men, and women alike. There is no more fitting venue to celebrate this milestone than Priddis Greens Golf & Country Club, which will host the championship August 11–13.

Designed by Alberta Golf Hall of Fame member Bill Newis, Priddis Greens is a modern facility with a distinguished history of championship golf. The club has hosted the Canadian Women’s Open—now the CPKC Women’s Open—on three occasions, first in 1999 and most recently in 2016 when fan favourite Brooke Henderson claimed the title. Hosting events of this calibre has become second nature at Priddis Greens, with many tournament traditions now part of its daily operations, from starters on the first tee and daily pin sheets to painted cups and other championship details. While competitors will only face the Raven Course, its challenging 18-hole layout will provide a fitting test for every player in the field.

Priddis Greens G&CC Website

The Alberta Open has become a true provincial championship with the addition of a Women’s Division in 2025, and the field continues to grow. This year’s championship has expanded from 20 competitors in its inaugural year to a full field of 40 players. The amateur contingent features many of Alberta’s brightest stars, including Saylar May (2025 U17 and U19 Champion), Tessa Ion (113th Alberta Women’s Amateur Champion), and Sydney Bisgrove, the inaugural Alberta Open Women’s Champion. Alexis Skyesong also returns to Alberta Golf championship competition for the first time since representing the province on the Women’s Interprovincial Team in 2018. On the professional side, Nicola Greaves, Jennifer Ha, Dorothy Schultz, and Sarah Armstrong headline a talented field competing for the title.

The Men’s Division is equally deep, featuring past champions and some of the province’s top talent. Wes Heffernan returns as a perennial favourite as he continues his pursuit of Stan Leonard’s record of nine Alberta Open victories. Defending champion Benson White, who also holds the distinction of being the youngest Low Amateur in Alberta Open history, will look to retain his title. Leading the amateur field is Tobias Buffam, fresh off his victory at the 114th Alberta Men’s Amateur Championship. The professional field also welcomes several Alberta players back home following their time on PGA TOUR Americas, including Hunter Thomson, Brendan MacDougall, and Max Sekulic. Another notable addition is Kiefer Jones, the world’s No. 1 blind golfer, who is set to make his Alberta Open debut.

With a championship-calibre venue and one of the strongest fields in recent memory, the stage is set for a memorable 90th Alberta Open. Players and spectators can also look forward to several new additions around the championship that will further enhance the event experience. One final qualifier remains, currently scheduled for July 20. Once that concludes, the field will be finalized, and anticipation will continue building toward the opening round on August 11.

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.

Host Club Website

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.

The Alberta Women’s Amateur Championship has a rich history spanning more than a century, with the province’s premier female golfers competing at some of Alberta’s finest venues. In 2026, the championship will visit a new host site, as The Hamptons Golf Club welcomes the province’s top female amateurs from July 7–9. While it will be the first time the championship has been contested at The Hamptons, the club is no stranger to elite competition and will look to add another chapter to its distinguished history.

The Course

Since opening in 1993, The Hamptons Golf Club has established itself as one of Calgary’s premier golf facilities. Winding through the community that shares its name, the course offers immaculate playing conditions, highlighted by meticulously maintained fairways and greens. Mature trees frame many of the holes, creating a sense of seclusion and enhancing the overall playing experience.

Signature water features on holes 7 and 18 provide both visual appeal and strategic challenges that competitors will need to navigate throughout the championship. Despite its relatively young history, The Hamptons has welcomed players and events of the highest calibre, with legends such as Lee Trevino, Pat McGann, Annika Sörenstam, and many others having competed on its grounds.

The Hamptons Golf Club Website

The Event

The 2026 championship marks the first time The Hamptons Golf Club has hosted the Alberta Women’s Amateur Championship, adding an extra layer of excitement for competitors and spectators alike.

The championship is open to female golfers with a Handicap Index of 20.0 or lower. In addition to the Women’s Amateur Championship, the event will also crown champions in the Women’s Mid-Amateur and Women’s Mid-Master divisions. The Mid-Amateur Championship is open to players aged 25 and older, while the Mid-Master Championship is open to players aged 40 and older as of the first day of the Canadian Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship.

There is even more at stake than provincial titles. Interprovincial Team positions will be awarded in both the Amateur and Mid-Amateur divisions, with the top three eligible finishers in each division earning the opportunity to represent Alberta on the national stage. With three championship titles and six coveted interprovincial team spots available, competitors will have plenty to play for over what promises to be an exciting three days of competition.

Adding to the championship atmosphere, the popular content creators Club Twirls With The Girls will be onsite throughout the event, providing enhanced coverage, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive player interviews.

Women’s Amateur Registration Page

Inside the Field

In 2025, Carys Code captured the Women’s Amateur Championship title, while Kassie Bourassa swept both the Women’s Mid-Amateur and Mid-Master championships. While Code is not currently entered to defend her title, Bourassa returns with the opportunity to defend her impressive double crown.

Among the leading contenders in the Mid-Amateur and Mid-Master divisions is Heather Lee, who has returned to competitive golf and comes from one of Alberta’s most accomplished golfing families at Edmonton Country Club. Jenn Orcheski will also be a player to watch after earning consecutive selections to Alberta’s Mid-Amateur Interprovincial Team. With national team opportunities once again on the line, she will undoubtedly be motivated to contend for the championship.

Several newcomers will also look to make their mark at The Hamptons, including Charmaine Hayden, Danielle Sundquist, and Cynthia Adamek.

Attention will also be focused on the race for the title of 113th Alberta Women’s Amateur Champion. Many of the players competing in the age-group divisions will also be in contention for the overall championship, creating the possibility of multiple trophy-winning performances.

Among the favourites is Saylar May, who enters the championship following back-to-back U17 Girls’ Championship victories and a 2026 U19 Girls’ Championship title. A victory at The Hamptons would add another significant achievement to her growing résumé.

Sydney Bisgrove will also be a strong contender after returning to the winner’s circle last season with a victory in the Women’s Division of the inaugural Alberta Open. Other notable competitors include Tessa Ion, Sophie Dhaliwal, Alessandra Sundquist, Eva Hogue, Asstha Savadatti, Emily Cornwall, Justine Leon, Aliyah Hull, Raylee Denton, Sela Ogada, and many others who bring championship experience and Team Alberta credentials to an exceptionally strong field.

Looking Ahead

With so much talent assembled, predicting a champion will be no easy task. The Hamptons Golf Club presents a stern test, particularly on its undulating and fast greens, where precision and patience will be critical.

When the championship arrives in early July, the player who best manages the challenges of the course and rises to the occasion over three days of competition will earn the opportunity to lift one—or perhaps several—of Alberta’s most prestigious women’s golf trophies.

Water Valley has established itself as a preferred host venue for Alberta’s प्रमुख golf organizations over the past five years, including the PGA of Alberta, the CGA, and Alberta Golf. During that time, the club has welcomed a range of championships, such as the Match Play in 2022 and the U19 Championship in 2025. In 2026, a new demographic will arrive at “Alberta’s Jewel of the West,” as the Men’s Mid-Master Championship takes centre stage from June 23–25.

The Course

Located just one hour outside of Calgary, the course offers striking mountain views, undulating fairways, and towering evergreens that create a sense of seclusion on every hole. While accuracy off the tee is essential, the true challenge lies on the greens. At first glance, many players may underestimate their complexity, but the exceptional work of the turf care team ensures pristine conditions that demand precise reads and a confident touch. Although the yardage may suggest scoring opportunities, the tree-lined corridors quickly dispel any notion of a “bomb and gouge” approach. Off-season renovations have further enhanced the course, adding length and reinforcing its reputation as a premier championship venue.

Water Valley GOlf Club Website

The Event

The course is not alone in undergoing change this winter. Alberta Golf’s Men’s Mid-Master Championship—one of the organization’s most popular events—has also evolved. The introduction of North and South qualifiers adds a new layer of competitiveness, while the three-day championship format, implemented in 2022, remains in place. Open to male competitors aged 40 and older as of the first day of the Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur, the event offers more than just a title; the champion will earn a coveted berth into the national championship. Beyond the competition, the event is widely regarded for its camaraderie. As one of the first events on the championship calendar, it provides a long-awaited opportunity for players—both seasoned seniors and newly eligible competitors—to reconnect after the winter months.

The Field

With a deep and talented field expected, identifying a clear favourite is no simple task. In 2025, Tom McKinlay Jr. captured victory at his home course, Lacombe Golf & Country Club, during its centennial year. Given his pedigree, a repeat performance is certainly within reach, though the path to defending his title will be formidable.

A strong contingent of past champions returns, including Senan Foley, Shiro Mani, Grant Oh, and Kevin Temple—each well-versed in what it takes to win. The championship has also begun to attract international attention, with competitors from the United States making their presence felt. Among them is 2024 champion Chris Thayer, who finished runner-up in 2025 and will undoubtedly be a contender once again.

The Men’s Senior division will also present a significant challenge, with experienced competitors such as Brian Laubman, Floyd Kilgore, David Schultz, and Ken Griffith all capable of contending. Finally, the addition of qualifying events ensures an influx of emerging talent, guaranteeing that the eventual champion will need to overcome both familiar rivals and new challengers alike.

Championship Calendar