Brady McKinlay leads Alberta Mens Amateur Championship after first round
Alberta Golf (Acheson) – Last Thursday Brady McKinlay started the final round of the Alberta Open in Sundre 4 shots off the lead and was looking forward to the final round battle, that battle never came as rain washed the final round out. Tuesday at the first round of the The Alberta Amateur Championship at The Ranch Golf and Country Club, McKinlay picked up right where he left off shooting a front nine 30 and went even par on the back nine to post 5-under 66 for the first round lead. The Lacombe product who attends Utah Valley University stood on the 17th tee 7-Under for his round but had a bogey-bogey finish on the tricky finishing stretch but said he was still very pleased with his round.
“The finishing holes were tough, I didn’t finish great” McKinlay admitted. “Either way, 66 is a great start and I would have taken it if that’s what you would have told me I’d shoot on the first tee.”
McKinlay plays for Utah Valley University, his girlfriend Caylyn Ponich plays on the women’s team, she made the trip up from Utah this week and for the very first time is caddying for Brady.
WATCH: Brady McKinlay and Caylyn Ponich interview
Murray McCourt is the General Manager at The Ranch and breaks down how pivotal the final 4 holes will be each round especially coming down the stretch on Thursday.
WATCH: 1 on 1 with Murray McCourt
Alberta Golfer Magazine Article: The Ranch hosts the Alberta Mens Amateur
By Curtis Stock:
The Ranch, a delectable golf course just west of Edmonton, is a mirage.
The scorecard shows The Ranch is only 6,500 yards from the tips. But, as Yogi Berra might have said, it’s a long 6,500 yards. “There’s some very tough holes,” said Murray McCourt, general manager and co-owner of The Ranch.
“We’ve hosted a ton of competitive tournaments – PGA of Alberta and Alberta Golf Association events – and nobody comes out here and posts crazy low numbers,” said McCourt, named the 2016 PGA of Alberta Club Pro of the Year and 2019 PGA of Alberta Executive Professional of the Year. “It’s not a long course but it’s a very challenging 6,500 yards.”
From June 28-30 The Ranch will be tested again – this time by the Alberta Golf Mens Amateur Championship. “The toughest are the final five holes – those are the ones that will determine the Men’s Amateur champion,” said McCourt. “The winner will have to play those holes very well and avoid the big number.”
Ray Freeman, who won the 1985 Klondike Klassic when it was then part of what was the Canadian Tour, offered a hole-by-hole analysis of the closing five-hole stretch to the Edmonton Journal.
Start with No. 14, a 177-yard Par-3. “That’s a beauty of a hole,” Freeman said of the downhill test which plays over a creek to a well-guarded green. ”Sitting up there on top of that hill, you have to pick the right club for sure. If you’re short it’ll roll back towards you. If you miss it right you’re in the trees.”
“If you haven’t played here a lot you will be surprised how much it breaks on that green,” added McCourt, who is also the host of the VIP Golf radio show on TSN1260, voted the best talk radio program in Edmonton.
On to No. 15, a Par-4 which will play from about 394 yards, which starts with an elevated tee shot through a chute and then doglegs hard right. “ Normally I try and play it back in my stance a bit and try and beat a low cut out there, get it running out somewhere short of that bunker.”
“The tee shot is not as intimidating as it was when Ray Freeman played it; we’ve cleared out a lot of trees,” said McCourt, 51, who started at The Ranch in 2005 after being the head pro and general manager at Nanton for a dozen years.
“The second shot is to a narrow, two- tiered green. There’s trouble right with trees and fescue. There’s more trouble left with a couple of bunkers and a water penalty area. A two-putt par is good.”
Next up is No. 16 – a 413-yard Par-4 from an elevated tee box and through another chute of trees. With water guarding the left side of the fairway and an extremely narrow sliver of fairway right of the water, this is easily one of The Ranch’s toughest holes.
”Anything to get your tee shot in play,” said Freeman, who won the 1985 Klassic with a 15-under 265 that included two course-record rounds of 63.
No. 17, which plays at 177 yards over water, is another gorgeous Par-3. “Anywhere from a 4-iron to an 8-iron depending on the wind,” said Freeman.
Then No. 18. “An absolute beast,” said McCourt, of the 439-yard Par 4. “When the Canadian Tour was here, No. 18
had the highest scoring average on the entire Tour. It’s a very, very, very tough tee shot. Trees left and water right and a narrow landing strip. Hit whatever club you need to keep the ball in play.”
The second shot is no bargain either. “The players will probably have about a 200-yard approach
to an extremely difficult green with some severe breaks.” So how did Freeman tame The Ranch back in 1985? Easy. He played the ‘shortish’ two Par 5s – Nos. 2 and 7 – 12-under par for the four days – eagling both of them twice.
The Ranch has been ranked in SCOREGolf magazine’s Top 100 courses in Canada, also receiving more SCOREGolf kudos last year when it placed first in Edmonton, second in Alberta and 30th in the nation for providing best value.
“That was validation that we are achieving what we are always looking to do,” said McCourt. “We have an outstanding golf course and we charge very fairly for the product and service we provide.
“We are a fun, laid-back and accommodating public golf course that offers tremendous value, top- notch service and – thanks to our superintendent Derek Senkow and his team – premier conditions.”
“I love to host high-end golf tournaments,” beamed McCourt. “The players have a fabulous time and they go back to their courses and say what an incredible experience they had at The Ranch.”
PREVIEW: 2022 Alberta Mens Amateur Championship
Alberta’s top male amateur golfers to compete for Alberta’s top prize at The Ranch Golf and Country Club
Alberta Golf (Calgary) – The 2022 edition of the Alberta Mens Amateur Championship tees off Tuesday at The Ranch Golf and Country Club just west of Edmonton.
The Ranch Golf and Country Club has recently co-hosted the 2021 Alberta Mens Mid Amateur Championship and was the host for the 2019 Alberta Ladies Amateur Championship.
KEY INFO
Dates: June 28-30
Course: The Ranch Golf and Country Club
Field: 120
2021 Champion: Braden O’Grady
Format: 54 holes of stroke play competition; cut to low 60 players and ties after 36 holes
Social: #abmensam
NOTABLES
- Braden O’Grady – 2021 Alberta Mens Amateur Champion
- Michael Valk – 2020 Alberta Mens Amateur Champion
- Ethan Choi – 2022 Alberta Open Champion
- Hunter Thomson – 2020 U19 Champion
- Cole Bergheim – 2020 U17 Champion
- Brandon Markiw – 2018, 2021 Alberta Mid Amateur Champion
- Jesse Galvon – 2019 Alberta Mid Amateur Champion
- Neil Thomas – 2021 Alberta Mid Amateur Runner-Up
- Brady McKinlay – Made last round of qualifying for the 2022 RBC Canadian Open
LOOKING BACK
Braden O’Grady won the 2021 Alberta Mens Amateur Championship at The Calgary Golf and Country Club by shooting a final round of 64 to claim the title.
HISTORY
The Alberta Mens Amateur Championship was first contested in 1908.
2010 – Steven Lecuyer
2011 – Scott Stiles
2012 – Riley Fleming
2013 – Riley Fleming
2014 – Tyler Saunders
2015 – Brett Hogan
2016 – Evan Holmes
2017 – Brett Hogan
2018 – AJ Armstrong
2019 – Andrew Harrison
2020 – Michael Valk
2021 – Braden O’Grady
ABOUT THE COURSE
More information on the The Ranch Golf and Country Club can be found here.
MEDIA
Ethan Choi wins rain shortened Alberta Open in Sundre
Alberta Golf (Sundre) – All the golfers who made the cut at this year’s Alberta Open presented by SVR Lawyers teed off today for the final round at Sundre Golf Club, but by noon heavy rain brought them off the course and solid rain all afternoon washed out the final round. Not everyone in the field got 9 holes in today so the champion was based on the leader after Wednesday’s 2nd round. Ethan Choi from Lethbridge shot rounds of 67 and 68 to win the Championship with a 9-under par total, one better than professional Stefan Cox who had back to back 68s for a runner up finish and the top spot in the professional division and a cheque for $8,000. Cox, from the UK, played university golf with the Arizona Wildcats and now lives in Calgary as the Director of Instruction at The Calgary Golf and Country Club.
Ethan Choi (-9) 2022 Alberta Open Champion
Stefan Cox (-8) Alberta Open Professional Division Winner
Ethan Choi, a standout amateur playing University golf for the North Carolina State wolfpack, said it was a strange week with all the weather delays and only 2 rounds but the win gives him a spot in the 2023 Pacific Coast Amateur and a lot of confidence going forward.
“It feels great to be able to hold the trophy at the end of the week,” Choi admitted. “To know that I can compete with the best players in this province means a lot, I’m excited.”
WATCH: 1 on 1 interviews with Ethan Choi and Stefan Cox
The $30,000 purse in the professional division paid out the top 20 pros. Mitchell Fox and Wes Martin tied for 2nd and take home $4,000 each.
Ethan Choi leads heading into final round at The Alberta Open in Sundre
Alberta Golf (Sundre) – The pot of gold at the end of the rainbow this week for the professionals competing in the Alberta Open presented by SVR Lawyers is a purse of $30,000 and a first place cheque of $8,000. But it’s amateur Ethan Choi from Lethbridge who leads everyone after rounds of 67-68 to take a one stroke lead heading into the final round with a stack of professionals right behind after a rain soaked 2nd round that saw 2 delays and 1 incredible rainbow.
WATCH: 1 on 1 with leader Ethan Choi
The moment of the day was certainly professional Steve Blake who drained a 40-foot putt on 17 and then stepped on the tee at 18 to a jaw dropping rainbow to aim at.
Ethan Choi leads after first round of The Alberta Open in Sundre
Alberta Golf (Sundre): The first round of The Alberta Open presented by SVR Lawyers had gorgeous weather at Sundre Golf Club and Ethan Choi took advantage for the first round lead. The Lethbridge Golf and Country Club member shot a 5-under 67 including 7 birdies as the North Carolina State Wolfpack amateur standout leads all golfers in this amateur/pro competition.
Stefan Cox from the Calgary golf and Country Club sits one shot back and leads the professional division at 4-under par 68. The purse for the pro division is $30,000 with $8,000 going to the winner.
The overall leaderboard saw 15 golfers shoot under par with a mix of pros and amateurs.
It’s been 5 years since The Alberta Open was held at Sundre Golf Club, Director of Golf Scott Shouldice breaks down what the competitors can expect.
Shouldice played today and shot a very solid score of even par 72.
Alberta Golfer Magazine: Alberta Open returns to Sundre Golf Club
The Alberta Open Returns to Sundre GC
By: Kevin Smith
AJ Armstrong remembers vividly the first time he set foot on the grounds of the Sundre Golf Club.
“The first time I ever went out to Sundre was for a McLennan Ross Alberta Junior event when I was 13 or 14 and I had no expectations at all. You think ‘Central Alberta’ and you’re not really expecting too much in terms of a golf course,” admitted Armstrong. “I was shocked at how nice it was, how good a condition it was in, a hidden gem. I remember comparing it to Augusta because of the pine straw and the trees and how well manicured the course was. I remember it having some of the best greens and it’s been in great shape every time I’ve played it.”
Armstrong, raised in St. Albert, was an amateur when he played the Alberta Open at Sundre in 2017. A teenager at the time, he played well finishing in a tie for fifth, four strokes behind champion Dustin Risdon.
“In 2017, I remember driving the ball really well and I was able to play pretty aggressively. That course is fairly narrow and tree-lined and it’s not very long, so it gives you some options off the tee”, said Armstrong. “Some guys will lay back with irons off the tee but if you’re feeling good with your driver you definitely have an advantage by playing more aggressively.”
The Alberta Open returns to Sundre Golf Club in late June to kick off the 2022 Championship season at Alberta Golf. Scott Shouldice is the director of golf there and says the course doesn’t favour any specific style of play and could produce an unexpected leaderboard.
“It’s a tight tree-lined course; you have to be accurate off the tee. It’s not the longest course in the world but a lot of strategy comes into play with your club selection off the tee and the greens can be quite tricky as well. It’s an all-around good challenge,” Shouldice explained. “It’s not just bomb the ball off the tee and hit it wherever, you have to think your way around the course. There’s a lot of strategy. There’s a lot of different types of players that could compete well at the event.”
Armstrong, who won the Alberta Open in 2020 on The Links Course at Wolf Creek, agrees with Shouldice that Sundre could produce a much more varied leaderboard.
“The Links Course at Wolf Creek, looking at the field before the tournament even started, you kinda know who’s going to be up there near the end. You gotta hit the ball far and it really separates the guys who can hit their long irons well and have distance”, explained Armstrong. “At Sundre I think you could get a guy who comes out of nowhere if he’s hitting the ball straight enough and putting well.”
Armstrong’s win in 2020 was the biggest of his career and his first as a professional. The Alberta Open is the only event on the Alberta Golf schedule where amateurs compete with professionals, so the 25-year- old whose 2020 win earned him the $7,000 first place prize, is looking to return to Sundre this summer and compete for more than just pride.
“It’s a nice perk to be able to play for something, not just pride, but mentally not much changes. I’m still playing to win and beat the golf course and my game has come a long way since 2017,” admitted Armstrong. “I’m excited to see how the course is with my game now. I have two more years of college golf and two more years of professional golf so I know a little more what to expect and I certainly have higher expectations.”
Both Armstrong and Shouldice agree that the amateurs in the field love testing their game against professionals and it can lead to some great stories. In 2019, Andrew Harrison, then an amateur, beat everyone in the field to take the Alberta Open title at Trestle Creek Golf Resort.
“I think that’s the great thing about this event having a pro side and an amateur side,” said Shouldice. “A lot of younger kids are trying to go off to college and test their game against the best pros in the province.”
Armstrong offered advice for any amateur playing in the event this year.
“Just enjoy it, at the end of the day it really doesn’t matter who you’re playing with or against, you’re just trying to put the ball in the hole,” explained Armstrong. “Every big event you can play as a junior is a great experience and you can take a lot from it. Just soak it all in and give it your best shot. You never know, if you play well you can definitely contend.”
This year’s Alberta Open will shine a light on all of the talented players in our province and also give some exposure to how good a golf course Sundre Golf Club is, although that secret may already be out.
“People are now starting to find out about our golf course and how great it is,” Shouldice beamed. “Maybe it’s not a hidden gem anymore, because now that people are finding out about it, it’s been really busy the past couple of years.”
The 180 members at the semi- private club northwest of Calgary are also excited to welcome the best players in Alberta.
“Oh, the members love it,” Shouldice said. “Last time we hosted we had about 20 to 25 volunteers. Our members came out and helped with scoring and spotting on certain holes. They love being part of the event. They are proud to show off their course and watch the awesome golf as well.”
For AJ Armstrong winning this event again would be awesome.
PREVIEW: 2022 Alberta Open presented by SVR Lawyers
Alberta Golf (Sundre)- The 2022 Alberta Open Championship presented by SVR lawyers is set to begin on Tuesday at The Sundre Golf Club.
This year a field of 120 amateur, junior, PGA of Alberta professionals as well as veteran professionals on various developmental tours will compete for a purse of $30,000 with $8,000 going to the champion.
WATCH 1 ON 1 with Professional AJ Armstrong and Amateur Jesse Galvon
A last chance qualifier was held at Ponoka Golf Club on Monday July 27th with these 12 players qualify
KEY INFO
Dates: June 21-23, 2022
Course: Sundre Golf Club
Field: 120
2021 champion: Riley Fleming
Format: 54 holes of stroke play with a 36-hole cut to the low 60 and ties
Social: #abopen
HISTORY
The Alberta Open Championship began in 1935. There was a brief pause in the tournament from 2000–2002 which ended with the next Open champion being awarded in 2003. The distinguished Championship continues to bring together some of Alberta’s most outstanding touring professionals, club professionals, amateurs and juniors vying for the coveted “Alberta Open Champion” title.
2008 – Wes Heffernan
2009 – Ryan Yip
2010 – Jamie Kureluk
2011 – Wes Heffernan
2012 – Wes Heffernan
2013 – Riley Fleming
2014 – Riley Fleming
2015 – James Love
2016 – Brett Hogan
2017 – Dustin Risdon
2018 – Wes Heffernan
2019 – Andrew Harrison
2020 – AJ Armstrong
2021 – Riley Fleming
NOTABLES
- AJ Armstrong – 2018 Alberta Mens Amateur Champion
- Jesse Galvon – 2019 Alberta Mid Amateur Champion
- Alex Large – 2020 Alberta Mid Amateur Champion
- Brandon Markiw – 2021 Alberta Mid Amateur Champion
- Braden O’Grady – 2021 Alberta Mens Amateur Champion
- Michael Valk – 2020 Alberta Mens Amateur Champion
- Scott Stiles – 2011 Alberta Mens Amateur Champion
- Tyler Saunders – 2014 Alberta Mens Amateur Champion
ABOUT THE COURSE
More information on Sundre Golf Club can be found here here.
ABOUT THE SPONSOR
Scott Venturo Rudakoff LLP is a multi-service law firm based in Calgary, Alberta. Since its establishment in 1986, Scott Venturo Rudakoff LLP has become one of Calgary’s leading legal service providers, focusing on delivering high quality, efficient solutions for clients. The partners, associates and staff of Scott Venturo Rudakoff LLP come from a wide range of backgrounds, and this experience enables us to offer responsive, effective and creative legal solutions to our clients.
MEDIA
2022 NEWSLETTER: The Summer Swing
- Carnmoney G&CC starting July 4
- Riverbend GC starting August 2
- Four days of business and golf instruction (8:30am to 4:30pm)
- Lunch included each day
- Games, competitions and fun for the week!
19 COURSES INVOLVED IN 2022 YOUTH ON COURSE PROGRAM
- Vicky’s Homes Ladies Amateur – Aug 7-8 – Stony Plain Golf Course
- Edmonton BMW Open – July 7-8 – Northern Bear Golf Course
- Jiffy Lube Edmonton Junior Championship – July 17-18 – Glendale Golf and Country Club
- Crystal Glass Men’s Amateur – July 24-25 – The Ranch Golf Course
41 players qualify for The Alberta Open presented by SVR Lawyers in Edmonton region
Alberta Golf (Edmonton): The third qualifier of championship season was held at Westlock Golf Club on Wednesday, June 1 which saw 41 players punch their ticket to the Alberta Open presented by SVR Lawyers June 21-23 at Sundre Golf Club.
Matt Bean won low medalist honours shooting 2-under 70.
