2020 Summer Swing Newsletter
Golf season is finally in full swing ! Early spring saw the arrival of Covid-19 in Alberta, and while everyone stayed home and social distanced they wondered if any golf shots would be hit in the province in 2020. The NAGA-AB Coalition worked with government to get courses open in early May and in early June Alberta Golf announced Championships would indeed be played this summer. Golf has been part of the solution in Alberta for mental health, physical activity and helping the economy. Please enjoy the material below recapping what’s happened at Alberta Golf the past 3 months as the game of golf helps people return a level or normalcy to their lives.
NAGA-AB Coalition
The second season for Youth on Course in Alberta is in full swing. Alberta is the only province in Canada offering this U.S. based program to provide youth aged 6-18 affordable life-changing opportunities through golf. Youth in Alberta can golf for $5 or less at 22 courses.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT YOUTH ON COURSE HERE
Alberta Golf Radio commercial and TV video PSA
2020 Alberta Mens Amateur and Alberta Open Dual Qualifier results
Alberta Golf (Calgary) – The first Alberta Golf Championship event of 2020 was held this week at Serenity Golf Club east of Calgary with the playing of a Dual Qualifier for the Alberta Mens Amateur and Alberta Open. Players were excited to compete in Alberta for the first time this season under thoughtful new Covid-19 protocols.
James Varnam from Edmonton took low medalist honours in the Alberta Mens Amateur Qualifier with an even par round of 70 that included 2 birdies and 2 bogeys while Sang Lee of Calgary shot 2 under 68 with 5 birdies to earn low medalist honours for the Alberta Open Qualifier.
Players who finished T13 or better, 17 players in total, qualified for the Alberta Mens Amateur Championship July 21-23 at the Medicine Hat Golf and Country Club.
Alberta Mens Amateur Qualifying Results
There will be 18 more spots available for the Alberta Mens Amateur Championship at the second Regional Qualifier, June 30th at Coloniale Golf Club in Beaumont, Alberta.
The Alberta Open Championship presented by SVR Lawyers will be held at Wolf Creek Golf Resort July 28-30. The number of qualifiers for that event will be announced next week.
Alberta Open Qualifying Leaderboard
For all the players it was they’re first chance to compete under the new Covid-19 rules. Matt Bean of Canmore, a recent graduate of Minot State University in North Dakota, said it felt great to shake off the rust and compete again.
WATCH MATT BEAN IN HIS OWN WORDS:
Championship season for Alberta Golf starts next week June 23-25 at Coyote Creek Golf and RV Resort with the playing of the Alberta Mens Mid Amateur Championship.
2020 McLennan Ross Alberta Junior Tour set to play this summer
Alberta Golf (Calgary) – The McLennan Ross Alberta Junior Tour presented by Crowe MacKay is celebrating it’s 25th anniversary this summer. This grassroots youth tour for kids aged 10 to 18 gives young Albertans the opportunity to develop their golf game in a series of coordinated tournaments throughout Alberta in a fun, but competitive environment. The tournaments are challenging for the elite level junior golfer, but also provide young players just starting out their first exposure to well organized tournament competition.
“McLennan Ross is proud to be entering it’s 25th year of supporting junior golf throughout the Province of Alberta,” said McLennan Ross Partner Peter Major. “Despite this year’s challenges with the pandemic, we hope that junior golfers will take full advantage of the opportunities to enjoy the game, experience some travel to different parts of the Province, participate in healthy competition and renew or establish new friendships. Golf is a lifetime pursuit and McLennan Ross takes great pride in providing junior golfers with an early exposure to the game, its rewards and its wonderful traditions. Best wishes to all for a healthy and safe golf season.”
2019 Tour Champions Cole Bergheim & Jayla Kucy
Golf Canada’s 2020 National Amateur Championships cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
OAKVILLE, ONT. (Golf Canada) – Due to continued health concerns as well as government restrictions on travel and group gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic, Golf Canada has cancelled all of its amateur golf competitions for the duration of the 2020 season.
The National Sport Federation had previously announced the cancellation or postponement of a number of its junior and amateur competitions scheduled through mid-June.
“National amateur competitions have been a proud focus throughout our 125-year history and while we share in the disappointment of competitors, our host clubs and event volunteers, the most important consideration is the health and safety of the people who come together at our championships,” said Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum. “Ongoing travel restrictions—both international and across some provincial borders—in addition to continued restrictions on larger group gatherings and limitations on player training were significant contributors to this decision. We are also sensitive to the needs of our host clubs to ensure a safe and healthy environment for their staff and members.”
The 107th Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, one of the top-ranked women’s amateur events in the world that attracts many international athletes, was scheduled to begin in five weeks at The Royal Montreal Golf Club from July 21-24. In addition, the 116th Canadian Men’s Amateur which features a 264-player field was scheduled to take place at The Glencoe Golf & Country Club in Calgary, Alta. from August 3-6 – marking the 125th anniversary of this storied championship. The cancellations will mark the first time since the second World War where these two national championships will not be conducted.
Golf Canada has also announced that the National Orders of Merit will not be awarded in 2020. The purpose of the points-based rankings is to identify and give recognition top-performing male and female amateur and junior golfers across Canada who have achieved success in the golf season. The decision to not award the Orders of Merit was made recognizing the varying access Canadian golfers will have to domestic and international competitions, and the resulting difficulty in running an equitable ranking system. Golf Canada will look to resume the Orders of Merit on September 1st, 2020 for the 2021 rankings. For more information, please visit the National Orders of Merit page by clicking here.
Golf Canada and Golf Ontario previously announced the cancellation of the 7th annual World Junior Girls Championship, scheduled for September 30 – October 3, 2020 at Angus Glen Golf Club in Markham, Ont.
Golf Canada annually conducts more than 20 championships nation-wide which play host to more than 3,000 domestic and international athletes from all corners of the world. In partnership with our host clubs, thousands of volunteers, provincial golf associations and our proud sponsors, Golf Canada is dedicated to supporting player development through world-class competition since our inception in 1895. Officiated by certified Canadian Rules of Golf referees, Golf Canada’s amateur competitions are fully compliant with golf’s international governing bodies and include marquee events such as the Canadian Men’s and Women’s Amateur Championships as well as the Canadian Junior Girls and Junior Boys Championships. Golf Canada’s amateur championships are proudly supported by RBC, Canadian Pacific, Sport Canada, Levelwear, Titleist and FootJoy. For more information and scheduling visit www.golfcanada.ca/competitions.
2020 Scholarship Application period now open !
Alberta Golf (Calgary) – The Alberta Golf Foundation is focused on supporting students on their path to pursue a post-secondary education. Since the foundation was established is has supported over 500 individuals with Scholarship funds. In 2019, $55,000 was awarded to 58 deserving applicants. These scholarships are awarded due to the donations of competitors, endowments from loyal patrons and supporters of the game.
WATCH VIDEO: Alberta Golf – For Everyone (PSA)
Golf is great for Physical Activity, Mental Health & a boost to our Economy.
Golf is for the Hackers, High Performers, Young & Young at Heart.
Golf is safe & Golf is for EVERYONE !!
Alberta Golf to run 2020 Championships with new safety protocols
24 courses across Alberta make up 2020 Youth on Course program
Alberta Golf (Calgary) – The second season for Youth on Course in Alberta is in full swing. Alberta is the only province in Canada offering this U.S. based program to provide youth aged 6-18 affordable life-changing opportunities through golf. Youth in Alberta can golf for $5 or less at 24 courses.
Alberta is the first province in Canada to pilot the program. In 2019 over 1,000 youth accessed Youth on Course across the province. 15 courses are returning in 2020 in the Edmonton & Calgary area along with Medicine Hat, Banff and Central Alberta. Youth can access the program in Lethbridge this season at Henderson Lake Golf Club, they are one of the 7 new clubs to join the program across Alberta.
Youth on Course is a two-year pilot program in the province of Alberta and is recognized under the umbrella of Canada’s National Junior Golf Program – Future Links.
In 2020 we have 24 courses offering junior golf rounds for $5 or less are:
- Banff Springs Golf Club (Tunnel 9)
- Barrhead Golf Club
- Bonnyville Golf and Country Club
- Camrose Golf Course
- Collicutt Siding Golf Club
- Cottonwood Coulee Golf Course
- Eagle Rock Golf Course
- Goose Hummock Golf Resort
- Heatherglen Golf Course
- Henderson Lake Golf Club
- Lakeside Golf Club
- McCall Lake Golf Course (18 & par 3)
- Mill Woods Golf Course
- Nanton Golf Club
- Northern Bear Golf Course
- Olds Golf Club
- River Spirit Golf Club
- RedTail Landing Golf Club
- Serenity Golf Club
- Shaganappi Golf Course (18 & 9)
- Westlock Golf Course
- Whitetail Crossing Golf Club
- Woodside Golf Course
Alberta Golf 2020 Competitions update
Alberta Golf 2020 Competitions update
Golf courses are opening across the province and it is great to see Albertans enjoy this safe social distance activity. As golfers get exercise and help the economy we are also assessing our 2020 Alberta Golf competition schedule.
All Provinces and Golf Canada are in continued discussions with respect to competitions.
First and foremost we are in talks about the potential challenges running competitions would impose on all host clubs, we want to make the best decision possible for the courses, golfers and the industry.
We are surveying players and volunteers with respect to their outlook on competitions.
Once capacity and demand have both been assessed, we will then determine what options we have while respecting all AHS guidelines that will be present at the time.
At this point we have decided to cancel all Alberta Mens Amateur Qualifiers, the Alberta Mens Mid Master Championship and the Stewart Creek Rec Series event.
The final comprehensive decision regarding the rest of the 2020 competition schedule will be made the week of May 31st and no later than June 5th.
We still encourage registration for all Alberta Golf Championships you intend to play this season as we are exploring the possibility of running these as safe social distance competitions. In the event Alberta Golf cancels the event or the competitor needs to withdraw, entry fees will be 100% refunded.
We please ask that all exempt players for the Alberta Mens Amateur Championship as well as the rest of our 2020 tournaments notify us by THURSDAY MAY 21ST if you plan to use your exemption.
We look forward to updating everyone on our competition schedule in the coming weeks.
Friends whose petition helped reopen Alberta golf courses reunite for a social distance game in Calgary
Alberta Golf (Calgary) – Mark Graham grew up in Calgary playing golf in the summer in Douglasdale, just a regular guy who thought golfing could certainly be a social distance activity during the Covid-19 pandemic. Graham along with his buddies in Calgary (Thomas Ferianec, Michael Ferianic and Mike Johnston) started a petition online in April asking the Alberta Government to consider giving golf an exemption from mandated business closures. The government allowed Golf Courses in Alberta to reopen on May 2nd under NAGA-AB Protocol guidelines, and the 53,000 signatures on Graham’s petition certainly played a big role in the decision.
READ: Mark Graham’s petition with over 53,000 signatures
Mark and his friends have been social distancing but reunited at Blue Devil Golf Club in Calgary on Wednesday May 6th for a social distance game of golf to celebrate courses being open.
Mark Graham with CTV Calgary sports reporter Glenn Campbell
“The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, things couldn’t be better right now,” Said Graham as he stepped onto the property of Blue Devil. ” I didn’t think the petition was going to be as popular as it was, obviously there were a lot more golfers out there who agreed with our group, and now we have opportunity to golf a lot sooner than most people anticipated so we’re very thankful.”
VIDEO: Mark Graham in his own words.
The opening of golf courses meant Graham and his friends could catch up over a 4-hour game of social distance golf, and they were impressed with the Covid-19 safety protocols put in place at Blue Devil as they are at all Alberta courses that are open.
Scott Atkinson is the CEO of Play Golf Calgary that runs Blue Devil Golf Club, he played a pivitol role in the NAGA-AB Golf coalition that worked with government to reopen courses. Atkinson says it was great when he finally found out who started the petition.
“When I got to meet Mark it was great because we didn’t know who this person was,” Atkinson admitted. “When you realize it was just a person with an idea, a fun thing, and it was very helpful because it really illustrated to the government that there really is a lot of support for golf.”
Atkinson has been pleased with the reopening of Blue Devil and other courses under the Play Golf Calgary umbrella and says golfers are respecting the new protocols.
VIDEO: Scott Atkinson outlines Blue Devil Golf Club Covid-19 protocols
Graham enjoyed his return to the golf course and seeing his friends again and is looking forward to seeing if Clubhouses and Pro Shops will reopen during the Stage 1 relaunch on May 14th.