This is the 25th year for The Glencoe Digital Commerce Bank Invitational and by the time June rolls around it will have been almost 25 months since a stroke was made at one of the premier amateur golf events in the country. Last April during the first COVID-19 lockdown, tournament organizers made the tough decision to postpone the 2020 event.

“We decided we couldn’t really run the event; there were too many unknowns,”said Tournament Chair Dale Goehring. “We were going to be one of the first tournaments anywhere and the risk of COVID-19 spread during the event would have been a huge downside. We really wanted to run the best event possible and in retrospect the decision to postpone to 2021 was the right one.”

That decision was made even tougher considering the event had a brand new sponsor in Digital Commerce Bank and an exciting new women’s amateur and professional component to the tournament.

For the first 24 years, The Glencoe Invitational was a competition for top male amateurs in Canada, the United States and countries as far away as New Zealand. PGA Tour winners Mackenzie Hughes, Nick Taylor, and Adam Hadwin, along with the likes of former Presidents Cup member Graham DeLaet, have all graced the fairways of The Glencoe Forest course during the Invitational.

2019 Glencoe Invitational

Hughes and DeLaet are former champions along with homegrown Alberta standout Wes Heffernan and The Glencoe’s own Jared du Toit. The 2021 event which runs June 17-19 will finally see women compete in the event for the very first time.

“As an event and as a club we’ve been thinking about this for a number of years and how to do it,” said Goehring. “We think especially the women’s professional competition helps bring to market an event that fills a gap in our country. Hopefully we can be part of something that leads to more events for women who are elite amateurs and young professionals. That’s the goal. ”

This year’s tournament will see a field of 54 players comprised of 33 male amateurs, 15 female amateurs and 7 female professionals. Tee times will alternate between male and female groupings and compete on course at the same time during this three-round event that has no cut.

Event organizers are excited to see the calibre of professional women who will come to play in the event. The 7 players will battle for a purse of $25,000 that will see the winner receive $15,000 while the runner-up earns $7,000 and third place $3,000.

Dale Goehring says current COVID restrictions will limit the women’s professional event to only Canadian competitors this year but hopes to attract women from across North America in years to come.

“Maybe it will attract some players who think playing in a field of 14 for a first-place prize of $15,000 is a pretty good opportunity compared to a full-field event. We feel in the future the purse will attract female pros from both Canada and the United States.”

Alberta Golf (Calgary) – For over a hundred years Alberta Golf has been the governing body of the sport in Alberta and mostly known for key offerings such as handicap rating, course rating, running high performance championships and grassroots “grow the game” initiatives. This summer golfers across the province will get a sneak peek at a new brand offering called UpSwing by Alberta Golf, this new line of business will be launched in the spring of 2022.

The goal of UpSwing will be to grow the game for all players, not just the 44,000 members of Alberta Golf , but to engage the larger golf community which consists of a half million recreational players in the province. Sarah Urbanowski has joined Alberta Golf as the Director of Business Transformation and is responsible for the UpSwing platform.

“This will be a platform to make golf simpler to get involved in, it will facilitate everything from research to booking to playing the game. We want to solve the problem of what we’re seeing as a fragmented market,” Urbanowski said. “There are a ton of options out there for golfers from golf courses to lessons to events but it’s hard for some people to navigate, you kind of have to be in the know to find the experiences that are right for you. We really want to solve that problem.”

“From a brand perspective we want to create something that seems accessible, breaks down the barriers of the perception that golf is stuffy and exclusive,” Urbanowski admitted. “We felt we needed to create a new brand to do that to tap into the social aspect of golf which is the key reason recreational players love the game so much.”

Alberta Golf hired a research firm to perform market research and put 2 surveys into the market this winter, an audience perception and engagement survey and a longer form survey that helped define our customer personas. We found 2 key elements that Alberta Golf members and non members wanted. The first was more distinct products and services and the second was to be more forward thinking and innovative. The recreational group really enjoys the social aspect of the game more than the game itself, they play 30 to 40 rounds a year but aren’t as interested in the traditions of the game and find it hard to break in as a new golfer especially if they are an adult.

“Access and value for experience are hard for golfers to navigate and that’s where UpSwing comes in to facilitate making it easier to golf,” Urbanowski admitted. “We want to create a space where golfers can learn, find experiences that are fun and social, and be rewarded for playing more. Every time they’re active on the platform they’ll be rewarded for their experience, earn points, be able to redeem them for rewards, so that’s the goal for March of 2022 but we’ll be testing this with golfers throughout the summer.”

The initial release of the platform this summer will be tested in BETA format will the ability to match with courses and events, along with attending Recreational events and fun family festivals.

“We want to match players to the course they want to play, events that best suit their needs, review their experiences and the loyalty program to reward them for the more they play,” Urbanowski said. “Every time they’re active on the platform they’ll be rewarded for their experience, earn points, be able to redeem them for rewards, so that’s the goal for March of 2022 but we’ll be testing this with golfers throughout the summer.”

The goal of UpSwing is to co-create something that best facilitates the needs of both the golfer and the golf course.

For golfers who want to engage now, a great way to get involved is to join one of our Rec Series events, which are fun, casual, social golf tournament with prizes and contests.

2021 REC SERIES SCHEDULE HERE

Another way for golfers to engage this summer is to sign up early as an UpSwing Insider and come along for the entire journey as the platform is tested, get a first look at the offerings and be in the know about all of the progress along the way.

Follow UpSwing on:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

INSTAGRAM

Alberta Golf (Calgary) – Alberta’s Open for Summer Plan will allow the McLennan Ross Alberta Junior Tour presented by Crowe MacKay to run it’s full 25 event schedule across the province this summer. 2020 saw decade-high participation in the Alberta Golf owned and operated development tour and 2021 will be no different.

In year’s past junior tour registration has been controlled by each individual club, but in 2021 there was a new centralized registration through the Alberta Golf Juniors website using our new Golf Genius Software.

Alberta Golf’s Manager of Competitions John Deneer says the new registration process made it easier and more efficient for everyone involved and is excited to work with the host clubs again in July and August.

“We are very excited to partner with golf clubs throughout the province and continue to offer junior golfers in Alberta the opportunity to experience tournament golf, build their comfort and confidence in the competitive environment and gain a better understanding of the Rules of Golf,” said Deneer. “The tour is a great starting point for many of these young, talented and competitive junior golfers!”

McLennan Ross LLP returns as title sponsor of the tour, Partner Tom Ross is proud his Alberta based law firm can support what this tour provides.

“McLennan Ross is proud to sponsor the McLennan Ross Alberta Junior Tour, which is in its 26th year,” said Ross. “Golf is a great source of fun, fellowship, and outdoor exercise (which we especially need right now), and it is also a game that helps build character.  The tour provides junior golfers a tremendous opportunity to learn, compete and develop as individuals through the game of golf, and we look forward to another great season in 2021.”

As always there will be proper age divisions and yardages that fit the appropriate age categories and the tour has a fantastic schedule with over 20 events all across the province with all clubs returning for the 2021 season.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW 2021 MCLENNAN ROSS ALBERTA JUNIOR TOUR SCHEDULE 

Dunc Mills has been the tournament director for all 25-years the tour has been operating and is excited to be back for his 26th season to create a fun, learning and competitive atmosphere for the junior competitors.

“I’m really looking forward to the 2021 McLennan Ross Alberta Junior Tour season,” said Mills. “With the huge jump in interest in junior golf last year, the Tour should be even bigger and better than ever this summer.  The tournaments are a great way for younger juniors to get their first taste of tournament experience, but also provide great competition on outstanding golf courses for older players as well.”

All events will be run under well thought out COVID-19 Protocols following AHS guidelines once Stage 3 of the Open for Summer Plan is announced. For more information on the McLennan Ross Alberta Junior Tour please visit our website Alberta Golf Juniors 

2020 Girls Alberta Junior Tour Champion: Jayla Kucy

2020 Boys Alberta Junior Tour Champion: Zach Haydamack

Please watch these past videos to find out more on the McLennan Ross Alberta Junior Tour.

WATCH 2019 FEATURE ON THE TOUR:

WATCH 2020 1 ON 1 INTERVIEW WITH TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR DUNC MILLS:

Alberta Golf (Calgary) – In 2020 Alberta Golf ran it’s Championship Schedule across the province using Covid-19 protocols. The province’s Open for Summer Plan will allow all of Alberta Golf’s Championships to be conducted this summer.

The season will start in the Edmonton area as the 2021 Alberta Mens Mid Amateur Championship will be held June 28-30 at The Ranch Golf & Country Club and the The Edmonton Country Club.

Alex Large, 2020 Alberta Mens Mid Amateur Champion

The scene then shifts to Central Alberta, as the top U19 boys and girls in the province hit The Carstairs Community Golf Club July 6-8 to compete in the Alberta U19 Championship.

Hunter Thomson, 2020 Alberta U19 Boys Champion

Annabelle Ackroyd, 2020 Alberta U19 Girls Champion

The Alberta Open presented by SVR Lawyers will return to Wolf Creek Golf Resort in Ponoka July 13-15.

AJ Armstrong, 2020 Alberta Open Champion

That same week The Alberta Ladies Amateur Championship will be contested at The Broadmoor Public Golf Course in Sherwood Park just outside of Edmonton July 13-15.

Yeji Kwon, 2020 Alberta Ladies Amateur Champion

Championship season will then shift to Southern Alberta for the Alberta Senior Ladies Championship being held July 20-22 at The Lethbridge Country Club.

Kim Carrington, 2020 Alberta Senior Ladies Champion

The Calgary Golf and Country Club will play host to the Alberta Mens Amateur Championship July 27-29.

Michael Valk, 2020 Alberta Mens Amateur Champion

In Early August The Sturgeon Valley Golf and Country Club north of Edmonton will host the Alberta Senior Mens Championship August 3-5.

Grant Oh, 2020 Alberta Senior Mens Champion

The Alberta Match Play Championship will be held August 11-13 at River Bend Golf & Recreation Area.

Max Sekulic, 2020 Match Play Champion

August 23-24 The Alberta Springs Golf Resort in Red Deer will once again host The Alberta U17, U15, U13 Championship.

Cole Bergheim, 2020 U17 Boys Champion

Georgia Barr, 2020 Alberta U17 Girls Champion

Jon Vinge, 2020 Alberta U15 Boys Champion

Jayla Kucy, 2020 Alberta U15 Girls Champion

Peter Hlushak, 2020 Alberta U13 Boys Champion

Eileen Park, 2020 Alberta U13 Girls Champion

The 2021 Alberta Interclub Championship with return to Kananaskis Country Golf Course on September 7th.

A brand new event, The Alberta Mid-Master Championship, for men 40 years of age and older was supposed to kick off the season June 7-8 at The Inglewood Golf & Curling Club in Calgary. That event will now cap off our schedule September 21-22.

Once Stage 3 of the Open for Summer Plan is announced this year’s protocol’s at out our championships will be outlined.

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL 2021 ALBERTA GOLF PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE

Alberta Golf (Calgary) – Alberta Golf is looking for an Event and Digital Communications Intern for this summer as well as a Field Support Intern for Competitions and Junior Golf.

Please read these job postings to see if one of the paid internship positions is a fit for you!

EVENT AND DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS INTERNSHIP

FIELD SUPPORT INTERNSHIP, COMPETITIONS AND JUNIOR GOLF

NAGA-AB: The Government of Alberta has announced their three-stage plan to open the province up for summer. Stage 1 of the plan starts June 1 and includes AHS easing current restrictions on golf. Please read the following NAGA-AB MAY 26 UPDATE

Alberta Golf (Calgary) – The National Allied Golf Associations of Alberta (NAGA-AB) has informed industry stakeholders of new AHS rules for outdoor recreation in the province that go into effect Sunday, May 9th at 11:59 pm.

To be part of the solution and battle the third wave of COVID-19, golfing in the province will be limited to members of your household or if living alone, to two close contacts.

Please review the full MAY 6TH NAGA-AB STATEMENT HERE

MAY 9TH NAGA-AB STATEMENT REGARDING HIGH CASE AND LOW CASE REGIONS

MAY 13th NAGA-AB STATEMENT

GUIDELINES FOR OPERATORS ON WHO CAN GOLF UNDER AHS RESTRICTIONS

Alberta Golf (Calgary) – The 2021 edition of the The Alberta Golfer Magazine is in pro shops across the province and you can also read it here: 2021 Alberta Golfer Magazine online version.

Jack Brooks (Nov 11, 1932 – Apr 7, 2021) At the age of 88 years, Jack Brooks a former President of Alberta Golf and long-standing volunteer passed away on April 7, 2021. Jack’s volunteer commitment to the provincial game grew out of his involvement at the Lacombe G&CC in the late 1980s where he would go on to become President of the club. At Alberta Golf Jack served in almost every capacity: President, Board Member, Course Rater, Tournament Chair and Tournament Rules Chair.

He played a significant role in the amalgamation of the Alberta Golf Association and the Alberta Ladies’ Golf Association in 1999 and was inducted into the Alberta Golf Hall of Fame in 2009.

Alberta Golf expresses its deepest sympathies to all of Jack’s friends and family.

Link to Obituary