The youngest crop of competitors in Alberta Golf Championship play are returning to a familiar course in 2026, as Alberta Springs Golf Resort is the host of the 2026 U15 & U13 Championship come August 17-18. 

The U15 & U13 Championship is entering its second season as a separate event, following the impressive success it saw in 2025. The change saw over 80 players competing in the two-day event last year at Lakeside Golf Club. The change came with the separation of the U17 division into its own championship providing those older players another WAGR ranked event for college recruitment, while letting the younger players have their own event without the pressures of the older generation. The change increased total junior participation numbers by 40 players if compared to the 2024 championship. 

Alberta Springs has been a tremendous supporter of Alberta Golf having hosted a junior championship since 2020. The courses’ central location makes it an ideal location for players from across the province to attend the event. The course sets up beautifully for players of all skill levels offering four different options for players to use to tee off. The course offers plenty of variety for players including some holes where precision is required on your tee shot like Holes #2, #4, #10, and #16. There are also places where the juniors can let it fly including #1, #3, #9, #14, and #15. 

Alberta Springs GR Website

This championship is special, as it has four different divisions all competing at the same time. There’s a Boys’ and Girls’ divisions for both U15 and U13. Players must be under 15, as of August 1 in order to be eligible to compete. For more information about eligibility for this championship click the link below. 

As for the field this year, new champions will likely be crowned in all the divisions. Last season saw Bennett Love and Oscar Gosgnach both repeat as champions in the U15 and U13 categories, while new champions were crowned in both Girls’ divisions with Olivia Van Kesteren and Danika Horcica claiming their maiden victories with Alberta Golf.

The U15 & U13 Championship is the perfect place for players to begin exploring championship golf, but it’s recommended that new players try out our McLennan Ross Alberta Junior Tour before registering. The MRAJT is the #1 competitive onboarding junior tour in the province, where education and fun in golf go hand in hand. The goal of the tour is to educate new juniors on the ins and outs of championship golf like scoring procedures, swapping scorecards, and the Rules of Golf, while keeping a fun and stress-free atmosphere. 

Championship Calendar

MRAJT Schedule

Golf across Canada—and right here in Alberta—is experiencing remarkable growth. More people are discovering the game, joining clubs, and getting involved at both recreational and competitive levels. Junior golf, in particular, has seen a significant surge in participation in recent years.

With that growth, however, often comes a common question from families and young players: where do we begin? Fortunately, Alberta offers outstanding entry points for juniors looking to learn, develop, and fall in love with the game.

First Tee – Alberta

First Tee was established in 1997 through a partnership between the LPGA, PGA TOUR, PGA of America, USGA, and The Masters, with a mission that extends far beyond golf. In 2020, Golf Canada joined the movement, and by 2023, the Alberta chapter was proudly launched.
First Tee – Alberta is designed to introduce youth ages 7 to 18 to the game in an inclusive, welcoming environment—no prior experience required. The program uses golf as a vehicle to teach essential life skills such as confidence, resilience, and perseverance, helping participants succeed both on and off the course.

Programming is widely accessible, with sessions offered in elementary schools, community organizations like the YMCA and Boys & Girls Clubs, and—most importantly—at public golf courses across the province. This ensures that any junior with an interest in golf has a clear and supported pathway to get started.

Helpful Links

First Tee FAQ

First Tee Programs Page

Youth on Course

Once juniors are introduced to the game, Youth on Course provides the perfect next step to keep them playing and progressing.

The program’s mission is simple yet impactful: to provide young people with access to life-changing opportunities through golf. Members can play rounds for $5 or less at more than 2,000 courses across Canada, the United States, and Australia.

Alberta has been a leader in the program’s growth, becoming the first province in Canada to pilot Youth on Course in 2019. Since then, participation has expanded rapidly—from just over 1,000 rounds in its first season to more than 27,000 rounds played in 2025, with nearly 5,700 active members across the province. This momentum highlights both the demand for accessible junior golf and the program’s meaningful impact.

Getting Started with YOC in Three Steps

2026 Participating Courses

Below is a list of courses who are part of the Youth On Course Program for 2026 in Alberta. Each course has their own restrictions for members, so be sure to review their restrictions, course rules, and tee time availability.

Helpful Links

Youth On Course Page

Whether your child is picking up a club for the first time or ready to take the next step, these programs provide a clear, accessible, and exciting pathway into the game. Alberta’s junior golf landscape has never been stronger—and there’s never been a better time to get involved.