Written by Gord Montgomery

Golf Fore the Cure

This article was originally published in the 2016 edition of The Alberta Golfer Magazine. To view the full magazine, click here.

Golf in the truest sense is an individualistic sport. But when it comes to raising money on the golf course for worthwhile causes, teamwork comes into play in a very big way.

Golf Fore The Cure is an annual event that sees thousands of participants team up for a day on golf courses all across the country in order to raise funds for much needed research into helping to cure breast cancer. Alberta is annually one of the top fund raising provinces in the Canada in support of this program.

Golf Fore The Cure’s national coordinator, Whitney Gorges of Golf Canada, explains the rationale for creating the platform. “The purpose initially was to get more women involved in golf, both as participants and by adding a fund raising component in support of breast cancer research,” said Gorges.

“Over the course of 13 years we’ve had well over 100,000 women participate in the program,” Gorges continued, describing the largest grassroots program of its kind in the nation. “I get calls all the time from women who aren’t necessarily golfers, but who are really invested in the cause and who want to participate.”

As for the growth in the game this particular day has helped generate, Gorges said, “I don’t have a specific number but I do know that a large number of women who participate are new to golf. That’s how they got introduced to the sport and now many of them have stayed involved in golf.”

In Alberta, as many as 24 clubs have held this event in a single year with RedTail Landing GC in Edmonton showing great returns on its time and energy. In 2014, RedTail Landing led the nation in Golf Fore The Cure fundraising with over $22,000, and then followed that up by being fourth overall in 2015, despite the downturn in the Alberta economy.

Joshua Davison, the head professional at RedTail said his course has seen the event grow substantially over the past seven years to the point where there is now always a field of 120 players of more in attendance.

“The women do all kinds of amazing things,” Davison continued, ranging from decorating the power carts to dressing up in costume. “This began out of our ladies’ league and it’s hosted every year on the last Tuesday in July.”

Nationally, Golf Fore The Cure takes place at anywhere from 150 to 200 golf courses across the country. Gorges proudly boasted, “We usually get between 10,000 – 15,000 women involved in the program.”

The research dollars raised by the ladies come through a variety of means, including not only full 18-hole events, but nine-hole competitions, mini-putt tournaments, and driving range swing clinics. “It can be anything involved with golf as long as it involves swinging a club.” Gorges claimed.

The Golf Fore The Cure event is a very special day at RedTail Landing. Davison pointed out that the course does as much as possible to aid in the fund raising activities.

“The entry fee here for this event is the least expensive we offer all year for a tournament,” claimed Davison, “We want to make it affordable for the ladies, but also so we can raise the most money possible for the charity. It’s really not about making money for the club that day. We are really committed to making this an important event for a great charity.”

One big part of the day’s activities at RedTail Landing is the involvement of the tournament organizer, PGA Class A Professional, Matt Truong. He noted that while the event started simply, it has grown immensely in popularity.

“This event is something that allows us to give back to the community,” said Truong. “The first few years were a learning process for us, trying to come up with new ideas, but once we got things going, we have raised much more money than we ever have.”

One of those money making ideas, explained Truong, is to “Pink The Day,” including having pink flags on the greens and Truong going “all-in” for the cause by dressing up in a bright pink unitard for what’s called the “Pink Man Fund.”

“I’m in a pink body suit and nothing else,” Truong explained, not having to add that his attire is greeted with great enthusiasm by the ladies. “It’s just having fun and helps make the day more successful at the same time. The ladies appreciate it, even though it’s not the most flattering thing to see!”

“I think the event itself does help grow the game, too,” said Truong. “We offer it to our ladies club members first and they can invite friends. It is such a good cause.”

Their efforts have not gone unnoticed. In 2015, the Golf Fore The Cure website recognized both RedTail Landing GC and Alberta Springs GC in Red Deer for their fundraising by naming national breast cancer impact funds in the courses’ honour.

Golf Canada partners with both the Canadian Cancer Society and the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation to ensure that all the money raised stays within the country. A total of more than $5.4 million has been raised since the program’s inception thirteen years ago.

The women who participate all share a common goal of defeating breast cancer. Their hard work and dedication has had a tremendous impact on the scientific world and on the lives of thousands of Canadian women, their families, friends and caregivers in communities across the country. The five-year survival rate for breast cancer patients now stands at 88 per cent, a significant improvement over the 70 per cent survival rate from the 1980s.

And that’s largely thanks to teamwork in what is normally viewed as an individualistic sport.

For Immediate Release

July 27, 2016

NEWS RELEASE

Frank Van Dornick goes 4 under in the second round to tie David Schultz at -1 overall

Schultz and Van Dornick are co-leaders for the Senior Men’s, Defoe leads the Super Seniors.

Pictured: David Schultz

Stony Plain, Alta. (Alberta Golf) – For the second day in a row, David Schultz shot low enough to stay on top. However, he is not alone heading into the final round. Frank Van Dornick carded a -4, 68, to tie Schultz at the top of the leaderboard. Alan Defoe shot a +2, 74, in round two, bringing him to 3 over for the tournament, and giving him sole possession of first in the Super Senior Championship.

A strong start was once again the key to Schultz’s success. A bogey free front 9 with two birdies kickstarted his second round. When asked to comment on another great game, Schultz replied, “I hit the ball pretty well, on the front 9 I think I hit every green.”

For Van Dornick, round two was an entirely different story. A steady, bogey free front 9 was followed by three straight birdies on holes 12, 13, and 14, and another on the final hole. “There was nothing going on on the front 9 for me,” Van Dornick explained. “When they started falling on the back, it definitely perked me up a little bit, then I stayed focused as well as I could to bring it in.” 

The final round begins Thursday, July 28 at Stony Plain Golf Course.

TOP 10 -LEADER BOARD

For the full leader board, click here.

Alberta Golf extends our appreciation to Stony Plain Golf Course for hosting the 2016 Guardian Capital Alberta Senior Men’s Championship. 

For photographs from the championship, click here.   

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For Immediate Release

July 26, 2016

NEWS RELEASE

David Schultz holds the lead at 1 under after the first round, Ron Kelly currently tops the Super Senior Championship

David Schultz leads the Senior Championship, while Floyd Kilgore isn’t far behind.

Pictured: David Schultz

Stony Plain, Alta. (Alberta Golf) – The group to watch on day one of the 2016 Guardian Capital Alberta Senior Men’s Championship included last years winner, Floyd Kilgore, and the current leader, David Schultz.

Schultz finished the first round at 1 under, 71. He credits his successful day to a great start, going 3 under thru 6, with birdies on holes 1, 4, and 6. Schultz still sees improvements to be made over the next two rounds, he commented, “I didn’t take advantage of the par 5’s, that was the biggest thing.” Schultz hopes he can get a handle on his driver heading into Wednesday, but he called Tuesday “a good, solid round.” 

The 2015 Senior Men’s Champion, Floyd Kilgore, had 5 birdies of his own on the first day of competition, he shot an even, 72. As well, Ron Kelly currently tops the Super Senior Leaderboard, and is T3 overall, after two birdies and an eagle en route to a 1 over, 73.

Round 2 begins Wednesday, July 27 at Stony Plain Golf Course.

TOP 10 LEADER BOARD

For the full leader board, click here.

For photographs from the championship, click here.   Alberta Golf extends our appreciation to Stony Plain Golf Course for hosting the 2016 Guardian Capital Alberta Senior Men’s Championship.  

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Written by Wes Gilbertson, The Calgary Sun

The Champions, Senior Men’s Champion

This article was originally published in the 2016 edition of The Alberta Golfer Magazine. To view the full magazine, click here.

FLOYD KILGORE

SENIOR MEN’S CHAMPION

Floyd Kilgore skipped dessert and headed to the driving range instead.

The result was a sweet victory at the 2015 Guardian Capital Alberta Senior Men’s Championship.

Kilgore struggled on the second day of the three-round shootout at Red Deer Golf & Country Club, but a late-night practice session paid off as he clawed back to claim his second provincial senior crown.

“I hit balls until they kicked me off because it was getting dark, so I was prepared for the third day.”

The next day, he played great, carding a 4-under 68 to surge to a three-shot victory. He finished with a 54-hole score of even- par 216.

“I worked on the driver a lot that night because at Red Deer, you have to hit your driver straight,” Kilgore said. “I hit it right down the middle and that made all the difference.”

The Champions, Senior Men’s Champion

This article was originally published in the 2016 edition of The Alberta Golfer Magazine. To view the full magazine, click here.

Mackenzie Tour Returns to Edmonton

This article was originally published in the 2016 edition of The Alberta Golfer Magazine. To view the full magazine, click here.

Touring professional golf returns to Edmonton this July for the first time since 2012 as the Mackenzie Tour – PGA Tour Canada will become part of the Edmonton golf landscape for at least the next five years. Glendale GCC will be the site of the inaugural Oil Country Championship, as the Oilers Entertainment Group (OEG) will be partnering with the Mackenzie Tour to host the tournament from July 25-31, 2016.

“We are delighted to partner with the PGA Tour on the new Oil Country Championship,” said OEG CEO Bob Nicholson. “Adding golf to OEG’s expanding roster of sports and entertainment assets makes a lot of sense, given Canadians’ passion for golf. Spectators will enjoy a hugely entertaining and fun atmosphere at the Glendale this July.”

Glendale last hosted a Mackenzie Tour event in 2009, when James Hahn won his second Mackenzie Tour event at the northwest Edmonton layout, which will play at 7,243 yards for the Oil Country Championship. Hahn, now a mainstay on the PGA Tour, captured his first win at the 2015 Northern Trust Open. The tournament’s rotation will include Glendale this year, Windermere GCC in 2017, the Edmonton Petroleum GCC in 2018, Edmonton CC in 2019 and an as yet to be named site for 2020.

Mackenzie Tour Returns to Edmonton

This article was originally published in the 2016 edition of The Alberta Golfer Magazine. To view the full magazine, click here.

For Immediate Release

July 22, 2016

NEWS RELEASE

Evan Holmes delivers clutch performance to claim victory at the Alberta Men’s Amateur Championship

Matt Williams and Scott Secord make Willingdon Cup Team

Pictured: Evan Holmes

INNISFAIL, Alta. (Alberta Golf) – It was a pressure-packed final round of the 2016 Sun Life Financial Alberta Men’s Amateur Championship. Third round leader, Evan Holmes, battled with Matt Williams all around the golf course on a sun-soaked day at Innisfail Golf Club. Williams, who lead after rounds one and two, put pressure on Holmes by making four birdies on the front nine, making the turn with a score of 32. Holmes finished strong, making birdies on four of the last six holes. That clutch performance on the back nine sealed the deal for Holmes as he eventually won by a margin of three strokes.

It was a popular victory for the Earl Grey Golf Club member, as evidenced by the cheers from fellow competitors and the gallery alike. Holmes commented that, “it’s a big monkey off my back. I’ve been so close for the last few years. I really felt like I was playing well coming into this one so I’m glad that I actually showed it and got it done. It feels really good.” When asked about the strong start from Williams, Holmes said, “I kind of had images of a few years ago. He (Williams) was going low and I had a bad double on ten. But then we both made a lot of birdies coming in. It was a really fun match all day long.”

TOP 10 – AMATEUR LEADER BOARD

For the full leader board, click here.

There was a playoff for the Team Alberta Interprovincial Squad at the 2016 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship on August 8-11 at the Royal Ottawa G&CC & Eagle Creek GC. Geoff Fry (Glencoe G&CC), Andrew Harrison (Edmonton Petroleum G&CC), and Scott Secord (Country Hills GC) finished in a tie for third at seven under par. The trio headed back to hole #18 to playoff for the last position. Scott Secord hit a beautiful second shot on the par five, nearly holing it for an albatross. He tapped in for eagle and claimed the last position on the team. Evan Holmes earned a spot on the 2017 Pacific Coast Amateur Team to be played at Chambers Bay in University Place, WA on July 25-28, 2017.

Pictured L to R: Scott Secord, Evan Holmes, Matt Williams

The 2016 Sun Life Financial Alberta Men’s Amateur Championship was played at the Innisfail Golf Club. The event was 72 holes of stroke play competition conducted on the 6,605 yard, par 72 Aspen & Spruce courses. The Men’s Amateur was last hosted at Innisfail in 2002. A special thank you to Darren Black (General Manager), Jim Boomer (Head Professional), Dwayne Simpson (Superintendent), Tim Pols (Food & Beverage Manager) and the entire staff for their efforts towards a successful championship. Thank you to the entire membership and over 70 volunteers who helped make this a memorable event. For more information on the Innisfail Golf Club, please visit their website here. 

For photographs from the championship, click here. Follow the action on Twitter using the official hashtag #ABMensAm.  

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For Immediate Release

July 21, 2016

NEWS RELEASE

Evan Holmes comes from two shots back to steal the lead after a five under par 67

Matt Williams and Scott Secord sit three shots back in a tie for second

Pictured: Evan Holmes