2025 Alberta U17 Championship Preview
The U17 Championship is next up in the Alberta Golf Championship Schedule and will be played at a familiar host club to many of the competitors, Alberta Springs Golf Resort.
The U17 Championship has long been a staple in the Alberta Golf championship calendar, but has undergone changes throughout its history including a name changes and even format changes to include the U15 and U13 categories. In 2025, it again underwent a change and this year it will just be the U17 competitors taking on the ‘Springs’ in Red Deer. This change was made to help the young players get another WAGR ranking event in the provincial championship schedule. The change allows for a better test for the players with a more appropriate yardage and separates the U15 and U13’s into their own space.
The event’s 106 golfers have plenty of potential winners on both the Boys’ and Girls’ side of things. The Girls’ side sees the defending U17 and U19 Champion, Saylar May, return for one final time to defend her title. Sela Ogada, the defending U15 champion will look to take another step and win the U17 this year. The field also has the defending U13 champion, Camilla Ruesga-Rojas, and a few Alberta-Montana Ryder Cup Team Members who successfully defended their title two weeks ago. On the Boys’ side, Bennett Love who won the U15 in 2024 will look to win at the next level after a successful showing at the Alberta Open. Benson White will also look to build off his Low Amateur victory at the Open last week and add the U17 to his resume.
Alberta Springs has been a terrific host in the last few years and this marks the 6th year hosting the U17 Championship. With plenty of twists and turns and tree lined holes, the course will demand the best from all of these players.
For the full preview and to hear from the 2024 U17 Champions, click the button below to read the 2025 Alberta Golf Yearbook!
2025 Alberta Golf Yearbook Article
Click the button below to find out when your favourite players are teeing off for Rounds 1 & 2!
2025 Scholarship Recipients Announced
The Alberta Golf Foundation is pleased to announce the distribution of $76,000 in scholarships to the following 44 students.
| Recipient | Post Secondary School | Recipient | Post Secondary School |
| Alya Amusat | University of Alberta | Jeronimo Uribe | University of Toronto |
| Ameer Jomha | University of Alberta | Jonathan Vinge | Indiana University of Pennsylvania |
| Aneesh Kaura | University of British Columbia | Kevin O’Connor | UBC Okanagan |
| Beckham Chiew | Binghamton University | Kohen Yeske | Rhodes College |
| Cailynne Smith | University of Lethbridge | Korbin Allan | University of Houston |
| Cameron Pazarka | University of Western Ontario | Kye Fisher | Wright State University |
| Cole Bergheim | Appalachian State University | Madison Schultz | University of Alberta |
| Colin Pasitney | Park University | Mark-Anthony Sharphead | NAIT |
| Daniel Boyle | Maryville University | Nathan Piers | Rocky Mountain College |
| Danielle Walker | Mercyhurst University | Olalekan Ajibulu | University of Alberta |
| Devyn Mumert | University Of Alberta | Paige Laser | University of Calgary |
| Ehlam Iftikhar | University of Alberta | Rakesh Consul | University of Calgary |
| Elias Bolitho | Toronto Metropolitan University | River Rommens | University of Alberta |
| Ethan Wilson | University of Illinois | Ronin Smith | University of Victoria |
| Ethan Zhou | Western University | Ryan Badger | Montana State University |
| Evidence Awodire | York University | Ryan Garbutt | University of Louisiana Monroe |
| Eyas Kadri | University of Alberta | Saimaa Rawlyk | The King’s University |
| Florence Kalia | University of British Columbia | Sarah Nagel | University of Alberta |
| Haley Martens | U of A – Augustana | Skye Baxter | University of Calgary |
| Hemil Shah | SAIT | Taylor Ritchie | University of Alberta |
| Jacob Dorton | University of Calgary | Tobias Buffam | Lee University |
| Jane Porter | Queens University | Val von Muehldorfer | St. Francis Xavier University |
Scholarships are made possible through contributions from AGLC as well as from the following funds:
- Vic Baer Memorial Golf Fund at Calgary Foundation
- Mike Bower Memorial Fund
- Marg Condon Memorial Fund
- R.E. & Betty Courage Memorial Fund
- Festival Family Scholarship Fund
- Frank Lindsay Memorial Fund
- Jeff Llewellyn Memorial Fund
- Charles C. Reid Memorial Scholarships Fund at Calgary Fdn.
- Bob Rintoul Memorial Fund
- Lola Rozsa Memorial Fund
- Christa Spahmann Memorial Fund
For more information about the Alberta Golf Foundation visit www.albertagolffoundation.org
4 Champions Crowned at the 2025 Alberta Open Championship
Alberta Golf (Calgary) – A mix of sun and cloud, calm and wind during the final round of the Alberta Open Championship at River Spirit Golf Club just west of Calgary. This year was the introduction of a brand new Women’s Amateur and Women’s Professional divisions to go with the historical Men’s Amateur and Professional Divisions.
In the Women’s Amateur Championship Sydney Bisgrove defeated Ellie Johnson by making a 20-foot birdie putt on the first playoff hole to not only win the Amateur division but also claim the inaugural Alberta Open Women’s Championship with the lowest score of any amateur or professional.



Katy Rutherford won the Women’s Professional Division and collected the $3,250 first place cheque.


in the Men’s Professional Division Andrew Harrison said he played the best round of his life tee to green, and despite some putts burning the edge, his 7-under 65 was good enough for a 1-stroke victory over 7-time champion Wes Heffernan to collect the first place cheque for $8,250.



15-year-old Benson White shot a final round 3-under 69 with 4 birdies and a lone bogey on the 10th hole to win the Men’s Amateur Division with a 1-stroke victory over Jordan Gustman.



WATCH VIDEO INTERVIEWS WITH THE 4 CHAMPIONS
Thank you to Molly Bygrove and her entire family for being great hosts this week and to Superintendent Justin Eastcott for getting the course in fantastic shape.

Molly Bygrove – River Spirit Golf Operations Manager
The 2026 Alberta Open will be held at Priddis Greens Golf and Country Club.
89th Alberta Open Championship Preview
The 89th playing of the Alberta Open gets underway on Monday and it promises to be a special one, as the event boasts a new look in 2025.
The Alberta Open has always brought together the best male amateurs and professionals in the province as they competed for the title. In 2025, the Open will now have a Women’s Division, providing the top female amateurs and professionals in the province a chance to compete against one another. The professionals will be competing for a $5,000 total purse. Katy Rutherford is one of the favourites in the female division and after an impressive amateur career the Silver Springs teaching professional won the 2023 PGA of Canada female Professional of the Year award and looks to continue her success. On the other side of things, there are plenty of amateurs who look like they’re primed to win the inaugural event. Sydney Bisgrove, who most recently battled Carys Code in the final group at the Alberta Women’s Amateur will likely be in the mix come the final day. The amateur division will be competing for the Low Amateur title which includes an exemption into the 2026 PNGA Women’s Amateur, which is part of the Elite Amateur Series.
On the Men’s side, the professional division is full of top level talent from teaching professionals to touring professionals. Wes Heffernan continues his chase of history as he is only two Alberta Open wins back from tying Stan Leonard’s record setting nine Open titles. Max Sekulic is back for the week after spending a year playing in PGA Americas events and looks to claim the title again after winning in 2023. The professional division is competing for a $35,000 total purse, while the amateurs will be competing for a spot on the 2026 Morse Cup Team, which is a chance to play in the Pacific Coast Amateur. The amateur division is full of past champions in the event like Brandon Markiw and Jesse Galvon, as well as the red hot Lucas Ortega who won the Calgary City Amateur this past Sunday.
The host club for the new look Alberta Open is River Spirit Golf Club outside Calgary. After hosting a successful Women’s Amateur in 2024, the ‘Spirit’ is primed to host again. Click the button below to hear from defending champion, Wes Heffernan, and the 89th Alberta Open Championship, straight from the Alberta Golf Yearbook.
89th Alberta Open Yearbook Article
Click the button below to find view the pairings for Rounds 1 & 2 and star them on the leaderboard to keep track of them throughout the week!
Alberta-Montana Ryder Cup Championship Preview
It’s that time of year again, as the Alberta-Montana Ryder Cup is slated to start August 4th at the Magrath Golf Club! Team Alberta looks to defend it’s two titles from last season, as 2024 saw both the Boys’ Championship and the Girls’ Championship come back across the border, after only winning the Girls’ Championship in 2023.
Event History & Objective
The Alberta vs Montana Junior Ryder Cup was established in 1992 as an annual event between top male and female juniors representing Alberta and Montana respectively. The cross-border battle has a rich history of talented players who step into the Ryder Cup format and thrive, leading to successful collegiate and amateur golf careers.
The objective of the Ryder Cup is to provide a high-level competition to top junior players through a unique competitive experience while also providing game development opportunities to all competitors.
Eligibility & Divisions
Players in the U19 category (18 years and younger) are eligible to compete.
Teams will consist of 6 junior boys and 6 junior girls in the following age divisions; U15, U17, U19
Format
Teams compete within their age divisions to ensure fairness and enjoyment amongst players. The event takes place across three days, Day 1 consists of practice rounds and a player banquet. Day 2 consists of 36-holes, with a Four-Ball session in the morning and an Alternate Shot session in the afternoon. The final day is the Singles Matches and the crowning of our champions.
Scoring
Each 18-hole match will be broken down into two (2) separate 9-hole matches with the first match beginning on hole 1 and the second match beginning on hole 10. The first match will be completed after 9-holes, or less, and when it is completed, it will be deemed finished and the points will be awarded. The second 9-hole match will begin on the 10th hole and again, when completed will be deemed finished and points awarded.
Each match will also reward a point for the overall 18-hole match where the front 9 match score continues onto the back 9, regardless of who ‘wins’ or ‘loses’ either of the 9-hole matches.
During the competition there are 27 total points available for each the juniors’ boys and junior girls’ matches. The first team to 14 points is deemed champion of the event! If teams tie with 13.5 points, the current champions retain the trophy.
Follow along the action with links to the matches below!
Kevin Temple wins 2025 Alberta Men’s Senior Championship
Alberta Golf (Ponoka) – On a sunny and breezy day at the famed Old Course at Wolf Creek Golf Resort, Kevin Temple from Country Hills Golf Club shot a final round even par 70 to claim the championship by 3 strokes over defending champion David Schultz. A chip in birdie on the first hole by Temple and a clutch par on the 18th hole bookended a solid round with 2 birdies and 2 bogeys to claim the title.

Kevin Temple – 2025 Alberta Men’s Senior Champion

WATCH VIDEO INTERVIEW WITH CHAMPION KEVIN TEMPLE
The Alberta Interprovincial Team that will represent the province at nationals in September in Nova Scotia are Kevin Temple, David Schultz and Brian Laubman.


Brian Laubman, Kevin Temple and David Schultz
The Old Course at Wolf Creek Golf Resort is a renowned course in Alberta and thank you to General Manager Jim Boomer, Food and Beverage Manager Matt Burton and Superintendent Mike Stewart for being amazing hosts along with and all the volunteers who helped make this event possible.

Matt Burton, Jim Boomer and Assistant Pro Connor Ackroyd
We look forward to the 2026 Alberta Men’s Senior Championship at Trestle Creek Golf Resort and 2027 at Paradise Canyon Golf Resort.
2025 Men’s Senior Championship Preview
Players at the 2025 Alberta Men’s Senior Championship are excited to be taking on a familiar foe, the Old Course at Wolf Creek. The championship will run from July 29-31 at ‘The Wolf’.
The Men’s Senior Championship is one of Alberta Golf’s most competitive events with three regional qualifiers taking place in the spring every year. With over 200 players trying to qualify each year, a position in the field is coveted amongst men that are aged 55 years or older as of the first day of the Canadian Men’s Senior Championship.
Up For Grabs
As always there’s a lot at stake this week, with top place being crowned as the Alberta Men’s Senior Champion and a number of quota spots for the Canadian Men’s Senior Championship. Additionally, what most players likely have their sights set on is one of the three Interprovincial Team spots. The Men’s Senior Interprovincial Team has historically been one of the best performing teams in the last twenty years with nine championship wins including six of the last seven and four additional podium finishes.
Click the link below to hear from members of past Interprovincial Teams and what the team aspect means to them and the culture of golf in our province.
Friends Before Foes: THe Culture of the Men’s Senior Championship
In The Field
Looking at the list of potential winners for this year’s event, it’s tough to ignore the long list of past champions; Frank Kilgore, Senan Foley, James Varnam, Howard Broun, Grant Oh, Kelly Risling, and many more. At the top of this list would be David Schultz, who is the defending champion this year. Schultz had impressive finishes at the Men’s Amateur and Mid-Amateur this spring. Brian Laubman is another name that has been at the top of a lot of leaderboards this season and plenty of others in the past, he will certainly be a player to watch this week. Host club exemption Leon Sulzle will also be looking for a way to navigate his home course towards a victory.
The long-time past home of the Alberta Open, Wolf Creek promises to crown a great champion and another formidable Interprovincial Team. Click the link below to learn more about ‘The Wolf’ and hear from the defending champion in the 2025 Alberta Golf Yearbook.
2025 Men’s Senior Yearbook Article
Click below to find your favourite player’s tee time and make sure to star them on the Golf Genius leaderboard!
Daniela Pacheco wins 2025 Alberta Women’s Senior Championship
Alberta Golf (High River) – After the 2nd round of the 2025 Alberta Women’s Senior Championship was rained out on Tuesday, sunny skies for the final round in the rain shortened event at Highwood Golf. Daniela Pacheco from Mickelson National Golf Club fired a final round 1-under 71 for a 5 stroke victory over Jackie Little. Pacheco, playing in only her 2nd ever Alberta Golf event had 2 bogeys in her first 5 holes but had 3 birdies the rest of the way including an impressive birdie on 18 to cap off the win.


Daniela Pacheco – 2025 Alberta Women’s Senior Champion
WATCH VIDEO INTERVIEW WITH CHAMPION DANIELA PACHECO

Tournament runner up and 2025 Alberta Golf Hall of Fame inductee Jackie Little posted rounds of 75-77 to win the Super Senior Championship for competitors over 65 years of age.

Jackie Little – 2025 Alberta Super Senior Champion
Ena Spalding is the 2025 Alberta Diamond Division Champion for competitors over 70 years of age.

Ena Spalding – 2025 Alberta Diamond Division Champion
The Alberta Interprovincial Team that will represent the province at the 2025 Canadian Women Senior’s Championship consists of Daniela Pacheco, Gisselle Willimus and Lynn Kuehn.

Lynn Kuehn, Daniela Pacheco and Gisselle Willimus
At the prize presentation the entire field had high praise for Superintendent Troy Hurl and his staff for getting the course tournament ready for the final round after Tuesday’s heavy rain. Thanks to General Manager J.D. Scheller, Head Professional Dan Warwaruk, Food and Beverage Manager Crista Watt and all the Highwood Golf volunteers for all they did to create a great championship.

Highwood Golf Head Professional Dan Warwaruk
2025 Women’s Senior Championship Preview
As the summer continues to roll on, so does the Alberta Golf Championship schedule. Up next, the 2025 Alberta Women’s Senior Championship, July 21-23. The championship returns to a course that’s very familiar to competitive players in Alberta, as Highwood Golf will host the event in 2025.
Highwood is a familiar course to many players in Alberta, as it’s been a terrific host for a variety of championships. Last year, Highwood hosted the Men’s Senior Championship where we saw David Schultz win the championship. In previous years Highwood has hosted the U19 Championships and the Women’s Amateur making it no stranger to hosting a provincial championship.
For the Women’s Senior Championship there’s a lot up for grabs this week. Players will be competing for the Women’s Senior, Super Senior, and Diamond Division Championships. There are also national championship quota spots up for grabs and the coveted Women’s Senior Interprovincial Team has three spots up for grabs.
As for potential winners this week, there are a lot of players to watch. Celina Lam, the defending champion, is on the cusp of history with the chance to win three straight Women’s Senior Championships. The other two members from last year’s interprovincial team, Lisa Hall & Lynn Kuehn, are also in the field and will be on the hunt this week. The championship also marks the return of Kim Carrington, a long time competitor in Alberta who has been sidelined for injury in recent years. Jackie Little will defend her Super Senior title from last year and has the chance to claim the 2025 Women’s Senior title in the same year that will see her get inducted into the Alberta Golf Hall of Fame.
For the full event preview and hear from the defending champions, click the button below for the 2025 Women’s Senior Championship Yearbook Article written by Gord Montgomery.
2025 Women’s Senior Championship Preview
For Round 1 & Round 2 pairings, click the button below to find and star your favourites for the event this week!
Neil Thomas defends Alberta Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship
Alberta Golf (Sundre) – A day that started in driving rain ended in glorious sunshine at Sundre Golf Club as Neil Thomas defended his Alberta Men’s Mid-Amateur title. Thomas started the day with a 2-shot lead and by the 15th tee had built the lead to 4. A bad break on his 2nd shot into the par 5 15th hole landed him behind a tree and his punch out led to bogey. The cushion came in handy, despite a couple more bogeys coming in, Thomas’s even par round of 72 was good for a one stroke win over Alex Cartwright and Mike Valk and defended the title he won in Barrhead last season.


Neil Thomas – 2025 Alberta Men’s Mid-Amateur Champion
WATCH VIDEO INTERVIEW WITH CHAMPION NEIL THOMAS
The Alberta Interprovincial team that will represent Alberta at the Canadian Mid-Amateur Championship in mid-August in Vancouver are Neil Thomas, Mike Valk and Alex Cartwright.

Alex Cartwright, Neil Thomas and Mike Valk

Thank you to Head Professional Scott Shouldice, Associate Professional Leighton Bearchell, Food and Beverage Manager Mike Gallagher and Superintendent Chad Kossowan along with the all the volunteers who made this a memorable championship.