By Kevin Smith

Two very deserving Distinguished Service Inductees Dunc Mills and Bill Newis will be entering the Alberta Golf Hall of Fame next Spring, Mills for his quarter century dedication to The McLennan Ross Alberta Junior Tour and The Alberta Golfer Magazine and Newis for his near half century work in Golf Course Design.

Dunc Mills started volunteering at Alberta Golf events in 1991 and left a banking career to become the Executive Director of The McLennan Ross Alberta Junior Tour in 1996, he’ll be starting his 28^th year as the Tour Director in 2023.

“It was a very pleasant surprise, when I joined Alberta Golf in 1991 the concept of me ever becoming someone worthy of being in the Alberta Golf Hall of Fame was the farthest thing from my mind,” Mills admitted. “To me Hall of Fame people were primarily the players who I looked up to and admired like Keith Alexander, Bob Wylie and Betty Cole, people of that calibre, I didn’t even really realize there was a part of the Alberta Golf Hall of Fame that recognized volunteers so to gain that recognition is very rewarding and a big surprise.”

Over the years Mills has spent time on the Alberta Golf Executive Committee, volunteered at many Alberta Golf events and on other professional tours when they visited Alberta and for over 25 years helped create the yearly Alberta Golfer Magazine but it’s his presence on the McLennan Ross Alberta Junior Tour that Mills is synonymous for.

“As the face and driving force behind the McLennan Ross Alberta Junior Tour, virtually every player who ever played a tour event knows Duncan Mills,” Said Alberta Golf Hall of Famer Les Swelin. “With over 600 events in the tour’s history, many kids played for 3 or 4 years and became a much more well-rounded person because of Duncan’s guidance and consistent leadership on the tour.”

And Mills is proud of the life skills these kids have taken into adulthood.

“The poster child for the McLennan Ross Alberta Junior Tour right now would be Wil Bateman, he’s going to be out on the Korn Ferry Tour next year as a fully exempt player, he’s the Player of the Year on PGA Tour Canada so he had a fabulous year,” Mills beamed. “I’ve known the kid since he was 10 years old, and Wil is still the youngest to win a McLennan Ross event when he was 11-years-old but to be honest I’m just as rewarded when I run into former players who are successful in business, using life skills they used as junior golfers to be successful in business and raise families.”

WATCH VIDEO: DUNC MILLS in 2020 on McLennan Ross Alberta Junior Tour

Bill Newis was born in Regina but has lived in Priddis, Alberta the past 34 years. During a 45-year-career he’s designed and renovated over 60 golf courses, most of which are located in Alberta.

“I was certainly pleased to hear it, I’m already in the Saskatchewan Golf Hall of Fame, but most of my work has actually occurred in Alberta,” Newis said. “ When I talk to people they tell me my golf courses don’t have any tricks and what you see is what you get and they’re suitable to all level of golfers which was good to hear.”

Many of Newis’s course designs are part of residential developments or resorts including Cottonwood Golf & CC, Bearspaw Golf Club, Redwood Meadows Golf & CC and Priddis Greens in the Calgary area. Newis is proud of all of his courses across Alberta but has a fondness for one hole in particular.

“I’ve lived in Priddis for 34 years and being involved with their 36 holes from the outset, the 4^th hole on the south course (Now the 13^th hole on Raven) is a hole I cherish and always enjoyed,” Newis admitted. “It’s a long dogleg to a green and there’s water on the corner of the dogleg and there’s water guarding the left side of the green. The hole is a good challenge and a pretty but fair hole with elevation off of the tee, it’s a hole I’m proud of and always enjoyed.”

13th hole, Priddis Greens (Raven Course)

While looking over the list of current Alberta Golf Hall of Fame members, Newis says he’s proud to join that group and leave a legacy for his three sons and seven grandchildren.

“It’s really nice to achieve this,” Newis said. “When other generations come along in my family they can appreciate that one of their own is in the Hall of Fame.”

Bill Newis and Dunc Mills will be formally inducted into the Alberta Golf Hall of Fame at a ceremony in April.

“We are really looking forward to bringing people together for our Hall of Fame ceremony this spring,” Said Alberta Golf CEO Phil Berube, “We have two outstanding inductees to recognize and to be conducting this special event at The Winston GC as part of their 100^th anniversary should serve as a great start to the golf season. In addition to the celebration itself, Alberta Golf will be showcasing some of the heritage services work we have been doing over the past few off-seasons in an effort to connect our future to our past.”

See all of Alberta Golf’s Hall of Fame members here: 

If you want to nominate anyone for future Hall of Fame consideration as a player or distinguished service builder please fill out this form and return to Taylor Tracey: Coordinator, Digital Communications and Heritage Services at Alberta Golf  Taylor@albertagolf.org

By Kevin Smith: 

Jennifer Ha grew up in Calgary and starting playing competitive Alberta Golf events at the age of 13.

“I remember never feeling unwelcome at a tournament and the way the rules were explained were great,” Ha said. “The girls that I grew up playing with were fantastic too and I still keep in touch with a lot of them.”

For Ha’s group of friends back then, they didn’t think much about College or Professional golf at the age of 13.

“For me it was a little more gradual, I didn’t even know you could play college golf until I was 16 years old and that it was a really good opportunity to get a great education and balance school, golf and life,” Ha admitted. ”I talk to kids now who are 11, 12 and 13 and they already want to go to university and play golf so things are more streamlined and fast now.”

Ha talks to a lot of kids now as an Assistant Coach with Golf Canada in the NextGen program, conducting this interview from a Golf Canada Centralization Camp in Phoenix where she’s working with Canada’s top U21 boys and girls. From competing in National Junior events to a scholarship at Kent State University to playing on the LPGA Tour, even at the young age of 28 there’s so much she can teach Canada’s next wave of talent.

“Looking back I loved my professional career but I love coaching so much more,” Ha admitted. “I want to help these athletes get to where they want to go and having my experience to guide them is invaluable.”

Ha is working in Phoenix with Albertans Ethan Wilson and Hunter Thompson and has her eye on all the prospects from Alberta including Charlie Gillespie, Tyler Kidd, Josiah Tong and 13-year-old Eileen Park from Red Deer who is already Alberta’s U19 Champion.

“I spent a little bit of time with Eileen at The Canadian Junior this year when I captained the Alberta Junior Girls Team,” Ha said. “She’s feisty, she’s got amazing talent, she has one of the best putting and short game skills that I’ve ever seen. She just needs to get a little taller and stronger and hopefully that comes with age and she becomes unstoppable.”

2022 U19 Champion: Eileen Park

Ha sees a lot of herself in Park at that age and is looking forward to giving her as much advice as she can. Ha played College Golf at Kent State University along with other Canadians on the girls team and of course current PGA Tour standouts Mackenzie Hughes, Corey Conners and Taylor Pendrith on the men’s team. Canadian Herb Page was the Head Coach at Kent State from 1978 to 2019 and has passed the torch to another Canadian Jon Mills who is now the head coach with Calgary’s Ryan Yip as an assistant coach. Being surrounded by Canadian talent and being a part of Team Canada for 8 years prepared her for professional life on The Symetra Tour and the LPGA Tour.

“Going to school with Corey, Taylor and MacKenzie I probably saw them 300 days a year between Team Canada training camps and Kent State,” Ha said. “Now one of the kids I coach, Ben MacLean, goes to Kent State and I speak quite often with current coaches Jon Mills and Ryan Yip who are both Canadians so it’s been nice.”

Ha will spend time coaching with Team Canada in Phoenix in the winter and travel in the summer to coach her players at events, when there is down time she’ll be back in Calgary spending her time at Priddis Greens. Not too long ago Ron Laugher and John Wilson from Priddis Greens asked her where she sees herself in the golf industry in the next 5 to 10 years and she said coaching on the national team, and it’s happened a little sooner than she thought it would and she’s loving her new role.

“A lot of these kids are already really good so I try and add a few things here and there,” Ha said. “I focus my energy on their course management schedule, pick the right events, making sure they don’t get too tired. I make sure they’re doing well mentally and physically.”

While were still waiting for an Albertan to join the likes of Conners, Hughes and Pendrith on the PGA Tour, there’s no doubt it has been inspiring for juniors to watch fellow Albertans Jaclyn Lee and Jennifer Ha reach the highest level on the LPGA Tour and will no doubt learn a lot from Jennifer Ha as a Golf Canada NextGen coach.

Chris McNicol started in the Back Shop at Woodside Golf Course in 1996, worked his way up to General Manager by 2007 and this fall bought the golf course with three other investors. Watch this video to see what plans McNicol has for the club and what Woodside Golf Course means to the Airdrie community and beyond.

WATCH VIDEO HERE:  

By Kevin Smith:

The Utah Valley University Men’s Golf Team is now on their Fall break, they don’t compete again until February, and as the legendary voice of The Tragically Hip, Gord Downie once sang “It couldn’t come at a worse time.” It certainly couldn’t come at a worse time for Lacombe’s Brady McKinlay after winning three straight tournaments in U.S. College Golf this Fall.

“So many people have said it’s too bad we’re on this long break,” McKinlay said. “I agree, I wish I could keep going and going and going until it didn’t work anymore but at the same time I’m really looking forward for the break, take some time, do some school work and give my body a rest.”

The break allows McKinlay to soak in all that’s happened with his golf game going back to June when he made it to the last stage of qualifying for the RBC Canadian Open on the PGA Tour, then was only 4 strokes behind leader Ethan Choi when the final round of The Alberta Open at Sundre Golf Club was cancelled due to heavy rain.

“I love Sundre, I think it’s a great golf course,” McKinlay beamed. “I felt like that last day I could put together a really good round and maybe chase down Ethan Choi, so not being able to play that day did give me something to prove going into the Men’s Amateur.”

Brady McKinlay at Sundre Golf Club, June 2022

That’s exactly what the 21-year-old lefty did in late June at The Ranch Golf & Country Club west of Edmonton, winning the Alberta Mens Amateur Championship by 5 strokes.

“It felt like a long time since I’d won anything and the stuff I’d won before was in junior golf,” McKinlay admitted. “So getting that one was just huge for the confidence and just knowing I could win.”

Brady McKinlay wins The Alberta Mens Amateur Championship at The Ranch Golf & CC, June 2022

WATCH: VIDEO RECAP OF BRADY MCKINLAY WINNING 2022 ALBERTA MENS AM

In June McKinlay learned he could win, this Fall playing at Utah Valley University he learned he could win in bunches, earning three straight tournament wins in what his University Coach Chris Curran called a historic run. It started in September at Colorado State, a Country Club style course with small greens and firm and fast fairways. McKinlay birdied the first hole then had 5 bogeys in the next 8 holes, he told himself to get it back to even par by the end of the 36-hole day. He ended up even better than that, 3-under-par for the day and that eventually propelled him to the victory.

Brady McKinlay, wins at Colorado State, September 2022

In early October he earned a narrow victory at the Mark Simpson Colorado Invitational shooting a 7-under-par total for the event. McKinlay headed to Wichita State on a tough course with an easier field looking for three wins in a row.

“Everyone was talking about the three-peat,” McKinlay admitted. “I kind of had that over my head but at the same time it made me more calm, I already had it in my mind where I saw myself winning three in a row. “

Winning three tournaments in a row is exactly what happened, and McKinlay couldn’t believe the amount of people who reached out to him in the U.S. and back home in Alberta.

“My coach said people don’t really do this, winning three in a row,” McKinlay said. “One of the coolest parts was hearing from people back home, messages, hearing from people I didn’t even think would reach out, friends and family from Lacombe that I didn’t think kept track of my career, it was really cool.”

Brady McKinlay wins at Witchita State, October 2022

Brady McKinlay three-peat

Utah Valley's @BradyMckinlay has done what no golfer in UVU history has ever done, and what few collegiate golfers have ever accomplished. He's won back-to-back-to-back titles and is in the middle of a historical season.#UVUgolf #BacktoBacktoBack https://t.co/4ol5ApkzmB

— UVU Wolverines (@GoUVU) October 26, 2022

Now McKinlay has time to reflect as he waits for February and his last stretch of competitive golf with the Wolverines in Orem, Utah before graduating. The campus in Orem is situated just south of Salt Lake City and north of Provo, in fact Utah Valley University is a division one school only 10 minutes from BYU where another Canadian lefty, Masters Champion Mike Weir, played University golf in the late 80’s and early 90s. While McKinlay is focused on picking up where he left off in February, he’s also got his long term future on his mind. A tentative plan was to turn pro in the spring of 2024 but one of his recent wins gave him a spot in a 2023 Korn Ferry Tour event so it’s possible he defends his Alberta Mens Amateur Title next summer in Alberta and turns pro after that, these are all things he wants to discuss with friends and coaches.

“I’ve always wanted to turn pro and if I can I will, I’ve always wanted to give it a shot,” McKinlay expressed. “It’s something that’s foreign to me, so I really want to talk to some guys who have been through it before and get their advice.”

There are a lot of factors that go into the decision of when to turn pro and where to live, McKinlay’s girlfriend Caylyn Ponich is from Utah and competes on the Utah Valley Women’s Golf Team, she even caddied for Brady at The Ranch during his Alberta Mens Amateur win.

WATCH: BRADY MCKINLAY HAS CAYLYN PONICH CADDY FOR HIM AT THE RANCH

No doubt McKinlay will be leaning on the advice of Ponich, his family and friends, University coach Chris Curran, his teammates including fellow Albertan Kai Iguchi and his Alberta Coach Scott Stiles as well as he makes his future decisions. Stiles and McKinlay have been working together for 4 years and Brady says putting used to be the weakest part of his game but after working with Stiles, the 2022 PGA of Alberta Teacher of the Year, putting is now the best part of his game.

“Absolutely no surprise to me Scott won that award,” McKinlay said. “It is unbelievable what has changed in my game since I’ve been working with him, he’s obviously a putting guru and knows that part of the game better than anybody I think.”

Scott Stiles, 2022 PGA of Alberta “Teacher of the Year”. Photo: PGA of Alberta

McKinlay first got a glimpse of his coach when he was younger watching his uncle Tom McKinlay Jr. compete against Stiles in Alberta Golf events (If you think Brady’s three wins in a row are impressive, his uncle won the club championship at The Lacombe Golf & Country Club 18 times including 14 in a row). The Lacombe Junior Open on The McLennan Ross Alberta Junior Tour is where Brady McKinlay first tried competitive golf at the age of 13. Brady grew up with his father Perry heavily into hockey but his grandfather Tom McKinlay Sr and his son Tom McKinlay Jr. heavily into golf, so Brady played both growing up and only focused on golf full time at the age of 16.

“Everyone was getting bigger and faster and it’s so tough to make it in Hockey in Canada,” McKinlay admitted. “I got to a point where I thought I wasn’t big enough to make it in hockey but at the same time my golf game was getting better and I really enjoyed it so it became my ‘A’ sport.”

After McKinlay’s breakthrough 2022 season and thinking about his long term future he’s been asking himself why can’t someone from Alberta eventually make it on The PGA Tour?

“I know Ontario and BC are way more densely populated, at the same time Alberta has some great talent at the top end,” McKinlay said. “There’s some great talent in the class around me, from Max Sekulic, Carter Graf, Ethan Choi, Hunter Thomson and all these guys I’ve grown up playing against. They have skill and talent and I wouldn’t be surprised if somebody did make it but at the same time the PGA Tour is an extremely tough place to get to, but ya that would be the coolest thing to have someone from Alberta represented on Tour.”

But first things first, McKinlay patiently waits until February to see if he can produce a four-peat and keep the amazing streak going, the “Brady Bunch” from Lacombe will certainly be watching.

Alberta Golf (Kananaskis) – Alberta Golf’s Championship season came to a close today on a stunning day at Kananaskis Country Golf Course with 49 Men’s & Ladies teams from across the province representing their home club in the 2022 Alberta Interclub Championship. The annual host Kananaskis Country Golf Course put on another great event and the scenery was stunning as usual.

On the Ladies side Jillian Wyne, Joanna Hruska, Allison Warkentin and Angie Folk of The Glencoe Golf and Country Club took home low gross honours and the title with a score of 4-over par.  Willow Park Golf and Country Club were runner up while Turner Valley Golf Club finished 3rd.

Jillian Wyne, Joanna Hruska, Allison Warkentin and Angie Folk

In the Men’s low gross competition Sirocco Golf Club comprised of Dana Little, Chad Gaudry, Dylan Nowkowski and Jason Renneberg won a close competition after posting 10-under-par.  The Glendale Golf and Country Club were runner-up after posting 9-under-par while last year’s champion, Earl Grey Golf Club finished 3rd at 8-under-par.

Dana Little, Chad Gaudry, Dylan Nowkowski and Jason Renneberg

Mickelson National Golf Club comprised of Cara Smith, Mataya Hampson, Angela Maitland and Morgan Windle won the Ladies low net competition in a count back over Willow Park.

Mataya Hampson, Cara Smith, Morgan Windle and Angela Maitland

FULL SCORES HERE

PHOTO ALBUM HERE

Alberta Golf (Red Deer) – 6 champions were crowned at Alberta Springs Golf Resort in Red Deer at the 2022 Alberta U17, U15, U13 Championship.

In the Boys U17 division Connor Czirjak from Mickelson National Golf Club shot a 66 and ended up in a playoff with Graysen Collins who shot an incredible 29 on the back nine in the final round. Czirjak made par on the first playoff hole to secure the victory. 

Connor Czirjak, U17 Boys Champion

Another exciting moment from the U17 division was an ace on the 8th hole by Michael Song from River Bend Golf Club.

In the Girls U17 division, 11-year-old Clara Ding from British Columbia made a birdie on the first playoff hole to beat Aastha Savadatti from Canyon Meadows Golf Club.

Clara Ding, U17 Girls Champion

The Boys U15 division had an amazing 7-hole playoff between Peter Hlushak from Windermere and Brae Rogalczyk from Olds Golf Club. Both players made epic long putts and dramatic saves during the playoff when it seemed the other had the trophy in their grasp. In the end a clutch par save on the 7th playoff hole by Peter Hlushak earned him the U17 Boys title.

Peter Hlushak, U15 Boys Champion

In the Girls U15 division Eileen Park from the Red Deer Golf and Country Club cruised to a 12-stroke victory to add to the U19 Championship she won earlier this summer.

Eileen Park, U15 Girls Champion

In the U13 Boys division, Chase Strang from Woodside Golf Course shot 76 for a 1 stroke victory.

Chase Strang, U13 Boys Champion

In the u13 Girls Division 11-year-old Aleah Shields-Rodipe had a round of 75 to win the title.

Aleah Shields-Rodipe, U13 Girls Champion

WATCH INTERVIEWS WITH ALL 6 CHAMPIONS HERE

FULL SCORES IN ALL DIVISIONS HERE

Alberta Golf (Red Deer) – A gorgeous sunny day at Alberta Springs Golf Resort for the first round of the U17, U15, U13 Championship. 

In the U17 Boys division Jared Code from The Glencoe Golf and Country Club leads after shooting a first round 66 with a clean card of 4 birdies and an eagle.

In the U15 Boys division Chase Lassman from Stony Plain Golf Course had 6 birdies and 3 bogeys for a solid 69 and the lead heading to the final round.

In the U13 Boys division Chase Strang from Woodside Golf Course had 5 birdies and 2 bogeys for a 69 and the lead heading to Tuesday’s final round.

In the U17 Girls division Aastha Savadatti from Canyon Meadows Golf & Country Club had 5 birdies and 3 bogeys posting an opening round 70 for the first round lead.

In the U15 Girls division 2022 U19 Girls Champion Eileen Park from The Red Deer Golf & Country Club had an eye popping 5 birdies and 2 eagles along with 3 bogeys for an opening round 66.

In the U13 Girls division Aleah Shields-Rodipe had 3 birdies and 6 bogeys for the lead after an opening round 75.

FULL SCORES IN ALL DIVISIONS HERE

Alberta Golf (Calgary) – On a gorgeous day at Water Valley Golf Club, the semi-finals and finals of the Alberta Match Play Championship were held. In the morning session top seed Jakob Chicoyne defeated Charlie Gingras while 11th seed Kye Fisher upset 2nd seed Phelan Shaw to set up the finals match between Chicoyne and Fisher. In the afternoon finals Chicoyne defeated Fisher 5 & 4 to become the 2022 Alberta Match Play champion.

Jakob Chicoyne, 2022 Alberta Match Champion

WATCH JAKOB CHICOYNE DRAIN A 40 FOOT PUTT ON THE 5TH HOLE DURING THE FINALS

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FULL MATCH PLAY RESULTS HERE

Alberta Golf (Calgary) – Shiro Mani from the Canal at Delacour Golf Club hasn’t played much golf this summer. Due to a hip injury he had to withdraw from The Alberta Open, The Alberta Mens Amateur Championship and he missed the cut in the Alberta Mid Amateur Championship, so showing up at The Winston in Calgary and defending the title he won at Inglewood Golf and Curling Club last season seemed like a long shot. Mani was steady over the 2-day event especially in the final round where the defending Mid Master Champion had 5 birdies including a dramatic chip in on the 17th hole and only 1 bogey on 18 but still won by 2 strokes over 2021 Alberta Mens Senior Champion Senan Foley.

WATCH INTERVIEW WITH 2022 ALBERTA MID MASTER CHAMPION SHIRO MANI

The champion of the 40-49 age category is Ted Appelman, Senan Foley won the 50-59 age category and David Schultz was tops in the 60+ division.

(From left to right) David Schultz, Senan Foley, Shiro Mani and Ted Appelman