Carrington’s blistering front 9 has defending champ in the lead at Senior Ladies Championship
Alberta Open (Edmonton) – A much calmer day in Edmonton saw much better scoring during the second round of the Alberta Senior Ladies Championship. Defending champion Kim Carrington of Calgary whipped around the front 9 in 32 strokes with 4 birdies. Despite giving 4 shots back coming home the 3-time champion shot even par 72, 8 strokes better than Tuesday and has a 3-stroke lead on 1st round leader Lynn Kuehn with one round to go at the Glendale Golf and Country Club.
Kim Carrington’s front 9 32 !!
The golden moment of the day was from Irene Bateman of Gilwood who had a thrilling ace on the 145 yard 13th hole.
(L) Grant Cammidge (Alberta Golf) with Irene Bateman & (R) Jeff MacGregor (Glendale Golf and CC)
Joanne Ladner of Strathmore has the lead in the Stableford division for the Marg Ward trophy with the final round in all categories going Thursday.
Kuehn leads Carrington by 1 after round one of Alberta Senior Ladies Championship
Alberta Golf (Edmonton) – 2016 Alberta Senior Ladies Champion Lynn Kuehn of Lacombe has a one shot lead on 3-time and defending champion Kim Carrington of Calgary after round one of the Alberta Senior Ladies Championship from The Glendale Golf and CC in Edmonton.
Keuhn had 2 birdies offset by a double bogey on the challenging Edmonton layout on an extremely tough windy day.
Lynn Kuehn 1st round 79
Defending champion Kim Carrington from the Cottonwood Golf and CC also has 2 birdies offset by a double bogey.
Kim Carrington 1st round 80
Heather Lee of Edmonton had the low 9 of the day with a 36 and 3 birdies before the wind made the back 9 much more of a challenge but her 82 still has her in the running.
Round 2 of the 54-hole Championships goes Wednesday morning.
Garbutt and Wingnean win Jordan Brand Memorial Lacombe Junior Open
Ryan Garbutt (C) , boys’ champion of the Jordan Brand Memorial Junior Open today in Lacombe. Head Professional Weston Gillett (L) present the trophy along with Bruce Brand (R) of Sherwood Park. The tournament is named in the memory of Bruce’s late son Jordan, a former junior member of the Lacombe GCC.
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At the first McLennan Ross Alberta Junior Tour event of the season two weeks ago in Innisfail, 13-year-oid Ryan Garbutt of Windermere GCC fired the day’s low gross score of 78, but it was achieved from a shorter set of tee markers for his age group than what was used by the two older age groups of boys. Sebastian Berube of Priddis Greens came in with a 79 that afternoon from the whites, so it was somewhat unsettled as to who really ‘won’ the Innisfail event.
Today, that matter was crystal clear as all the junior boys on hand in a sold-out field of 50 players competed from the same set of tees, set at slightly over 6,000 yards over the hilly fairways and small, slick greens at the Lacombe GCC. Very windy conditions made low scoring extremely difficult and Garbutt’s 79 was the only score of the day under 80. Spencer Florchuk of Ft. Saskatchewan was a single shot back at 80, with three players T3 on 81, including Danny Humbke and Seth Marriott of the host club, and Tyler Michaels of Broadmoor. Micheals was paired with Garbutt in the flight for boys born in 2006 and later. Garbutt becomes only one of a handful of players aged 13 and under who have won a McLennan Ross Alberta Junior Tour event outright in the Tour’s 25-year history.
Ryan Garbutt, Boys Champion of the Jordan Brand Memorial Lacombe Junior Open
Some of the other players who have achieved such early success include Andrew Harrison of Camrose, who won both the Alberta Amateur AND the Alberta Open Championship last year, and Wil Bateman of Blackhawk, who won a professional event this winter in Arizona and is one of the leading contenders for the 2020 Alberta Open Championship coming up later this month on The Links Course at Wolf Creek Golf Resort. Bateman remains the youngest winner in McLennan Ross Tour history after he won the Goose Hummock event, shooting a smooth 73 as an 11-year-old!
An added sideline is that young Tyler Michaels is the son of Oilers play-by-play broadcaster Jack Michaels, who can now freely chirp his colour man Bob Stauffer that “My 14-year-old can kick your butt” on the golf course.
The Lacombe event this morning was the fourth in a row this spring that sold out their available spots, as junior golf interest in Alberta is going through the roof. Adding to the excitement is that both the Olds event this Wednesday and next Monday’s tournament at RedTail Landing in Nisku have both already hung out the “Sold Out” sign. We also learned today that the tournament on July 28th at Collicutt Siding GC in Crossfield is also full! Check the Tour schedule on the Alberta Golf website at www.albertagolfjuniors.org for the events coming up the rest of the summer leading up to the 25th annual Tour Championship at Wolf Creek Golf Resort.
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OVERALL TOP TEN:
1. Ryan GARBUTT Windermere 79
2. Spencer FLORCHUK Ft. Saskatchewan 80
T3. Danny HUMBKE Lacombe 81
T3. Seth MARRIOTT Lacombe 81
T3. Tyler MICHAELS Broadmoor 81
6. Mason KUCY Camrose 82
T7. Branden LAILEY The Winston 84
T7. Brady BRUNS Lacombe 84
T9. Nathan PIERS Edmonton CC 86
T9. Carson DEVLIN Windermere 86
T9. Saahir SHARMA Edmonton CC 86
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THESE ARE THE TOP 6 AND TIES IN EACH AGE GROUP, EARNING TITLEIST ORDER OF MERIT RANKING POINTS.
BOYS BORN IN 2001 – 2003
1. Spencer FLORCHUK Ft. Saskatchewan 80 Q
T2. Danny HUMBKE Lacombe 81 WC
T2. Seth MARRIOTT Lacombe 81 WC
4. Mason KUCY Camrose 82
4. Blake HAMMEL Ft. Saskatchewan 90
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BOYS BORN IN 2004-2005
T1. Branden LAILEY The Winston 84 PQ
T1. Brady BRUNS Lacombe 84 Q
3. Nathan PIERS Edmonton CC 86
3. Reid WILLIAMSON Olds 88
3. Josiah TONG Heritage Pointe 89
3. Colby SIMS Lacombe 90
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BOYS BORN IN 2006 & LATER
1. Ryan GARBUTT Windermere 79 PQ
1. Tyler MICHAELS Broadmoor 81 Q
T3. Carson DEVLIN Windermere 86
T3. Saahir SHARMA Edmonton CC 86
T5. Rylan Ramsey Lacombe 92
T5. Cole PHILLIPS Willow Park 92
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JUNIOR GIRLS
1. Alexa WINGNEAN The Derrick 81 Q
2. Kristine DIXON Lynx Ridge 88
3. Alyssa KANNGIESSER Lacombe 94
4. Brooklyn CAMPBELL Didsbury 95
5. Olivia LEUNG The Winston 101
6. Serin GIRARD River Bend 103
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UP NEXT ON TOUR:
Wednesday, July 15 Olds SOLD OUT!
Monday, July 20 RedTail Landing SOLD OUT!
Tuesday, July 21 Whitetail Crossing spots still available
Wednesday, July 22 Camrose spots still available
Tuesday, July 27 Collicutt Siding SOLD OUT!
Wednesday, July 28 Montgomery Glen spots still available
Thursday and Friday, July 29/30 Goose Hummock spots still available
Preview: 2020 Alberta Senior Ladies Championship
Alberta Golf (Edmonton) – 
The 2020 Alberta Senior Ladies Championship is set to begin Tuesday July 14th at The Glendale Golf and Country Club in Edmonton with 54 players competing for the provincial senior crown. The 54-hole stroke play tournament field is made up of competitors who are over the age of 50.
KEY INFO
Dates: July 14-16
Course: The Glendale Golf and Country Club
Yards/Par: 5,474 yards/72
Field: 54 players
2019 Champion: Kim Carrington
2019 Super Senior Champion: Alison Murdoch
Format: 54 holes of stroke play
Social: #absrladies
LOOKING BACK
Kim Carrington must like odd numbered years, but it’s anything but odd that she won the 2019 Alberta Senior Ladies champion, it’s actually become quite common. Last summer at Pine Hills Golf Club in Rocky Mountain House the 2015 and 2017 champion added the 2019 title to her already amazing resume after shooting the low round of the tournament, a 1 over 74 for a 6 stroke victory over Jackie Little and Lynn Kuehn to take the title. The Cottonwood Golf & CC member also won the BC Senior Women’s championship last June and was emotional after her victory especially after letting the Calgary Senior Ladies Championship slip through her fingers the week before after a mental lapse in the final round.
Kim Carrington, 2019 Alberta Senior Ladies Champion
PAST WINNERS
The Alberta Senior Ladies Championship was first contested in 1964.
2010–Alison Murdoch
2011–Diane Williams
2012–Alison Murdoch
2013–Jackie Little
2014–Jackie Little
2015–Kim Carrington
2016–Lynn Kuehn
2017–Kim Carrington
2018- Barbara Flaman
2019- Kim Carrington
NOTABLES
- Kim Carrington – 3-time Senior Ladies Champion (2015, 2017, 2019)
- Barbara Flaman – Senior Ladies Champion (2018). Alberta Mid Master Champion (2018, 2019)
- Alison Murdoch – Two-time Senior Ladies Champion (2010, 2012)
- Lynn Kuehn – Senior Ladies Champion (2016).
FAST FACTS
- There are three contests up for grabs this week. The Senior Championship for those aged 50 & over, the Super Senior for those aged 65 & over, and a net Stableford contest for the “Marg Ward” trophy.
- The competition will be held under these Covid-19 protocols.
ABOUT THE COURSE
The Glendale Golf and Country Club
MEDIA
Volunteer Referee Gary Selman passes away at 75
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One of Alberta Golf’s long standing Level 3 Referees, Gary Selman passed away peacefully at home on Friday, July 3, 2020, at the age of 75 years. A member of the Pinebrook G&CC in Calgary and a long standing referee at many city and provincial men’s, women’s and junior events, Gary will be dearly missed by everyone at Alberta Golf. |
Glencoe Golfers Ackroyd and Thomson dominate Alberta U19 Championships
Alberta Golf (Spruce Grove) – The rain cleared and competitors played the final day of the Alberta U19 Championship under sunshine at The Links at Spruce Grove.
Annabelle Ackroyd capped off her amazing Alberta Junior career with the threepeat, winning by 6 strokes for her third straight Alberta Junior Girls Championship.
Fellow Glencoe Golf and CC member Hunter Thomson joined Ackroyd with an equally impressive 8 shot wire to wire victory over runner-up Ben MacLean from St. Catharines Ontario. The 16-year-old who will attend The University of Michigan the fall of 2021 said this was the biggest win of his young career.
WATCH: FULL VIDEO RECAP OF ACKROYD AND THOMSON WINNING ALBERTA U19 TITLES
The Alberta Girls Interprovincial Team consists of Annabelle Ackroyd along with fellow Glencoe golfer Grace Bell and Kaitlyn Wingnean of the Derrick Golf and Winter Club in Edmonton.
The Alberta Boys Interprovincial Team consists of Hunter Thomson along with Ethan Choi of Pincher Creek and Logan Graf of The Red Deer Golf and CC.
Alberta Golfer Magazine Article: Alberta Golf’s Sport Development Program
The mantra in the world of small business has been “shop local”.
It came about in part to battle the perception if you wanted something good you had to head to the big city to get what you were looking for.
In the world of golf in Alberta, it could be argued there was a similar pattern; if you wanted to be an elite player you needed instruction from the big city in your region, either Calgary or Edmonton.
So, Alberta Golf made some directional changes in order to reach more players in those outlying communities. The Sport Development Program arrived on the scene. The golf version of shopping locally.
“The Sport Development Program has been around for many years and the key drivers are that it’s provincial and sustainable,” explained Jennifer Davison, Director of Sport Development for Alberta Golf. “It was the Team Alberta program(previously) which was too centralized with the bigger cities. Three years ago, we made some changes which seem to be working and reaching more players in the outlying communities.”
The reach certainly branched out and Max Sekulic is a prime example of just how this program is working.
The 20-year-old was born in Rycroft, Alberta, about 45 minutes north of Grande Prairie on Highway 2. His early golf experience was teeing it up at Chinook Valley Golf Course in Woking, south of Rycroft.
The interest in the game was there for Max. He readily admits he’s always had the “all in” attitude-putting in the hard work in order to squeeze the most out of your best effort. But, like most young players he needed help to get to where he needed to be in order to compete on a much larger stage.
Once Max got onto the radar of Alberta Golf, he was already an accomplished golfer, said Davison. He got there by using his local resources like local PGA professionals Rhona Law and Bobby Martens at the Dunes Golf and Winter Club in Grande Prairie and the Grande Prairie Country Club.
“We’re trying to support those athletes on those pathways they’re already on no matter where in Alberta they honed their skills,” she said. “They didn’t need to travel to a big centre to continue to be successful. There are talented golf professionals, coaches and teachers all over the province and we want to encourage and support those professionals in those communities to help build these players,” she said.
Sekulic has made the most of the opportunity presented to him through the program, playing on the junior development team in 2015, on Team Alberta in 2016 and the 2017 Canadian National Junior development team. He has entered the college ranks on his road to success at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix and is transferring to Washington State for the next semester for his last two years of eligibility. He started 2020 off right with a sparkling 66 in the final round of the Saguaro Open at Ak Chin Southern Dunes in January to tie for the lead and then won a one-hole playoff to claim the title.
It’s just more proof about how the Sport Development Program can be a valuable tool in a player’s progression.
“It gets you around players that are as good if not better than you and I think that’s important for anything,” Sekulic said about the program. “I got to be around better players, it gives you the right mind set to be better and you see what better players do. It gives you a good idea of what the next level looks like.”
He said there is more than putting the ball in the hole to be competitive at the next level, including the physical, mental and training which goes into those high-level players who succeed.
The program allowed him to do all that plus be able to bounce questions and ideas off other players and coaches. Accessible funding through the program eased the financial hit to be able to do what was needed to move up the ladder.
“It’s the opportunity for you to be around people who are going through the same thing. It makes the journey feel less lonely because you can ask questions. There are people you can talk to about it.”
The Hub system is something Alberta Golf is putting in place for 2020 which will extend its reach to all corners of the province and be an extension of what happens with Alberta Golf in Edmonton or Calgary. Davison says this includes being a point of contact for a player who may be just getting into the competitive side of golf or just starting the game fresh.
“We want to have the local pros, local key people to be the main contact for Alberta Golf. They’re representing our brand, our message, our concepts but they’re a local person for these players and families to go to and have these conversations one on one.”
Sekulic appears to be reaping all the benefits of the program which essentially changed his path when it came to golf. He says he likely would have tried competitive golf outside of the Sport Development program, but he admits there’s a good chance he wouldn’t be where he is today without it.
“I would probably just be hitting golf balls and hanging out with my buddies. Just being more like a recreational golfer,” he said. “It’s almost easier to take it seriously when you’re in that environment and someone is telling you that you can do this,” he said. “I probably would have been just a regular student going to university and then playing golf for fun if it wasn’t for the player support program.”
It knits together all the skills young men and women need in order to raise their game and their profile in the sport.
“It removes the uncertainties; you know what to expect and it’s always easier to have an eased mind when you’re going to the next level when you know what’s next, “said Sekulic.
Shopping at home just got a whole lot better for golfers looking to raise their game.
2nd round of Alberta U19 Championship played on adjusted course
Alberta Golf (Spruce Grove) – Due to overnight rain the 2nd hole at The Links of Spruce Grove was deemed unplayable for the second round of the Alberta U19 Championship, and the 17th hole was reduced from a par 5 to a par 3. As a result competitors in both the Girls and Boys competition played the course today as a par 65.
2-time defending Junior Girls Champion Annabelle Ackroyd of The Glencoe Golf and CC in Calgary shot 1 over par to increase her leads to 5 strokes heading into Thursday’s final round as she looks for 3 straight Alberta Junior Girls Titles to cap off her amazing junior career.
WATCH: Annabelle Ackroyd talks about her junior career, Covid and what’s next.
On the boys side, Hunter Thomson also of the Glencoe Golf and CC shot 1 over par to extend his lead to 2 strokes over Nolan Burzminski of the Medicine Hat Golf and CC. Ben MacLean of the St. Catharines Golf and CC in Ontario shot 2-under-par for the low round of the day to get within 6 shots of the lead with one round to go.
Thomson & Ackroyd lead Alberta U19 Championship after day 1
Alberta Golf (Spruce Grove) – 2-time defending Alberta Junior Girls Champion Annabelle Ackroyd from Calgary has her sights set on a threepeat. Despite going 3-over par her final 4 holes, 8 birdies on the day secured a first round 66 and a 2-shot lead on Raesa Sheikh after the first round of the Alberta U19 Girls Championship at The Links at Spruce Grove.
Annabelle Ackroyd’s Scorecard
If you thought Ackroyd’s 8 birdies were impressive, fellow Glencoe Golf and CC member Hunter Thomson fired 9 birdies for a 6-under 66 to lead the Boys Championship by one shot over Nolan Burzminski from The Medicine Hat Golf and CC.
Hunter Thomson’s scorecard
The second round of the 54 hole event goes Wednesday morning at The Links of Spruce Grove.
McLennan Ross Alberta Junior Tour hits McKenzie Meadows in Calgary
Alberta Golf (Calgary) – By Dunc Mills
What a glorious morning for Junior Golf! Not a breath of wind or a cloud in the sky greeted 50 juniors from as far north as Edmonton to as far south as Lethbridge at McKenzie Meadows GC in southeast Calgary. With many of the province’s top juniors in Spruce Grove this week for the Alberta Golf U-19 Championships, the McKenzie Meadows event on the McLennan Ross Alberta Junior Golf Tour gave this group of largely younger competitors a chance to gain valuable experience and some well-deserved publicity.
What was very exciting was a terrific field of 15 junior girls, far above the Tour average in recent seasons and a reflection of the surge in interest in Junior Golf this summer. Many of the youngsters seem poised to take their places in the upper echelon of Alberta Golf junior circles in the very near future. Kristine Dixon of Lynx Ridge GC led the parade with a solid 78, a single shot clear of Pinebrook’s Jade Carter, whose 79 would capture the title at many junior tournaments. Carla Van Remmen, Carter’s clubmate at Pinebrook got on the podium with an 84 as all three girls earned spots in the season-ending Tour Championship coming up on August 28th at Wolf Creek Golf Resort.
Junior Girls Runner-Up Jade Carter
In the Junior Boys’ division, Jeremy Hart of Sirocco GC used today’s McLennan Ross event at a tune-up for this week’s U-19 Championship starting tomorrow at The Links of Spruce Grove. Hart rode TWO eagles to a brilliant 3-under par 69 and it could have been even lower. Hart had it 5-under par after 13, slipped up with a couple of bogies coming in, but held on to post his career-low round. It was sweet redemption for Hart, who lost the 2019 McKenzie Meadows tournament in a playoff. Branden Lailey of The Winston GC, paired with Hart in the same tee time, cruised in with an even-par 72 to finish 2nd, as both players earned spots in the Tour Championship in the process.
Junior Boys Champion Jeremy Hart (R) & Runner-Up Braden Lailey (L)
They will be joined by Spencer Drummond of Canyon Meadows GCC, who shrugged off a quadruple-bogey 9 on the first hole to to finish on 79, his first sub-80 round in competition. Other Tour Championship qualifiers included Charlie Gillespie of Canyon Meadows and Brae Rogalczyk of Olds, whose 74s tied for low in the flight for boys born in 2006 & later. Wild Card qualifying spots went to Kylin Fraser of The Winston and Priddis Greens’ Sam Laquerre with matching 77s.
Next event on the Tour is in Carstairs Tuesday afternoon with another sold-out field of 70 players registered including 23 junior girls! This certainly bodes well for the future of junior golf in Alberta and validates the McLennan Ross Alberta Junior Tour as a tremendous opportunity for young players to get their feet wet in the world of competitive junior golf. Next week’s schedule features the Lacombe Junior Open on Monday, July 13th and the Olds Junior Open on Wednesday, July 15th. Spots are still open for both tournaments, but are going quickly. Phone those clubs today to enter.
WATCH: Dunc Mills on 25 years as Tournament Director of The Alberta Junior Tour
TOP SIX IN EACH AGE GROUP. THESE PLAYERS EARN TITLEIST ORDER OF MERIT RANKING POINTS.
BOYS BORN IN 2001 – 2003
1. Spencer DRUMMOND Canyon Meadows 79 Q
2. Nolan EDWARDS River’s Edge 82
3. Ty MERKEL Public Player Club 84
BOYS BORN IN 2004-05
1. Jeremy HART Sirocco 69 Q
2. Branden LAILEY The Winston 72 WC
T3. Kylin FRASER The Winston 77 WC
T3. Sam LAQUERRE Priddis Greens 77 WC
5. Carson CONGER Inglewood 89
5. Justin ZHANG Country Hills 100
BOYS BORN IN 2006 & LATER
T1Charlie GILLLESPIE Canyon Meadows 74 Q
T1. Brae ROGALCZYK Olds 74 Q
3. Payton BENNEWEIS Edmonton CC 78
4. Tobias BUFFAM Valley Ridge 82
5. Leyton ARTHUR Lynx Ridge 83
T6. Kerrick NORRIE – ASQUITH Lethbridge CC 86
T6. Nicholas MARRA Valley Ridge 86
JUNIOR GIRLS
1. Kristine DIXON Lynx Ridge 78 Q
2. Jade CARTER Pinebrook 79 WC
3. Carla Van REMMEN Pinebrook 84 WC
4. Gabrielle ROZNICKI Pinebrook 88
5. Clea BALIS Earl Grey 90
T6. Macy Noelle DELA ROSA The Winston 91
T6. Edie NICHOLSON Pinebrook 91
Q = Player qualified for Tour Championship at Wolf Creek Golf Resort on August 28th
WC = Wild Card qualifier for Tour Championship