Sarah Armstrong and Ryan Gillis win 2024 Alberta U19 Championship
Alberta Golf (Olds) – Hot and windy day at Olds Golf Club for the final round of the Alberta U19 Championship. High drama in the girls division with Sydney Bisgrove, Aastha Savadatti, Sarah Armstrong and Tessa Ion all having the lead or share of the lead at some point during the day. Armstrong, playing one group ahead of the leaders, poured in 4 birdies on the back nine and came to the 18th hole at 2-over par for the Championship and the lead. After putting her tee shot out of bounds, the Desert Blume golfer from Medicine Hat made par on her provisional ball and posted 4-over par for the championship and watched the final group come in not knowing how things stood. Savadatti & Bisgrove were tied with Armstrong a 4-over par with Ion one shot back. on the 18th hole Bisgrove made a double bogey, Savadatti made a bogey but Ion poured in a birdie putt to join Sarah Armstrong in a playoff. On the first playoff hole Armstrong knocked a wedge to 9 feet, made a stress free par and took the title.
Sarah Armstrong: 2024 U19 Girls’ Champion
In the boys division Ryan Gillis from Pinebrook Golf and Country Club made 10 birdies en route to an 8 under par 64, one shot off the course record, and a 5 shot win over Tate Bruggeman who had a bogey free 68 including 32 on the back nine.
Ryan Gillis: 2024 U19 Boys’ Champion
WATCH INTERVIEWS WITH SARAH ARMSTRONG AND RYAN GILLIS
Jeevin Dhaliwal used a 5-wood from 260 yards on the par 5 14th hole to knock it in for an albatross !!!!
Jeevin Dhaliwal records an albatross on the 14th hole with a 5-wood from 260 yards
Tessa Ion, Sarah Armstrong and Aastha Savadatti make up the Alberta Girls’ Interprovincial Team.
Tessa Ion, Sarah Armstrong and Aastha Savadatti
Jonathan Vinge, Brett Jones and Ryan Gillis make up the Alberta Boys’ Interprovincial Team.
Ryan Gillis and Brett Jones (Not pictured Jonathan Vinge)
Thanks to Mat MacDonald and his staff for a great week at Olds Golf Club.
Olds Golf Club GM/Head Professional Mat MacDonald
Innisfail Golf Club Celebrates A Century
Innisfail (AB) – “Few institutions show more progress or enthusiasm than the Innisfail Golf Club.” That was the 1922 declaration of the local newspaper, which has proven to be prophetic for a central Alberta gem that is marking its centennial in 2024. The historic article went on to predict ‘Innisfail will have one of the best courses in the province’ and many would agree that’s certainly come true as well.
While the 100th Anniversary for the Innisfail Golf Club is being marked throughout the year, members and the Innisfail community will gather July 13th at the Innisfail Golf Club for a special celebration, and to unveil a centennial commemorative piece.
Innisfail becomes one of just 24 active clubs in the province to have a century legacy. The 27-hole track is known for its scenic parkland beauty and challenging track on three scenic nines: Hazelwood, Spruce and Aspen.
For the special year, IGC has put together a book, showcasing the history, photos and stories of the club, from it’s humble nine-hole beginnings in a sandy pasture just west of the town, surrounding a lake that served as a recreational area for neighbors. The golf club was officially incorporated July 11, 1924 under the original name of Me-too-seke, a Cree term meaning ‘Meeting Place in the Woods’. In 1925, the name was changed to Innisfail Golf Club, with the bylaws registered and a maximum of 800 shares allocated.
A constant desire to progress and improve, as well as invaluable volunteer hours and contributions have been the ‘secret sauce’ to the club’s success, along with the friendly small-town atmosphere accompanying the world class course, which bears the stamp of golf course designer, the late Bill Robinson. The growth from sand greens, to the 18-hole expansion, and then adding the extra nine holes which opened in 2006, required vision and commitment from the board, staff and volunteers.
“We definitely recognize what an incredible asset the golf course is,” acknowledged Innisfail Mayor Jean Barclay, who was the first female golf professional in the province and a three-time Alberta Women’s PGA Champion. “We know it’s importance to the community. Lots of people have moved to Innisfail because of the Innisfail Golf Course. You think of the economic impact it has when you have tournaments coming in. People come and stay overnight for weekends and play golf. It’s a huge attraction for this area.”
For this Centennial year, IGC was selected by Golf Canada to hold the Junior Boys Canadian Championship August 13-16 – the first ever national championship at Innisfail. IGC has also hosted the Alberta Golf’s Men’s Amateur tournament three times – in 2002, 2016 and 2023, along with the 2009 Alberta Senior Ladies Championship.
Another milestone for the Club this year has been the rebuilding of the number nine hole on the Aspen course. It officially reopened to play June 29th. The Centennial provides an ideal opportunity for golfers to play the unique course, which prides itself on delivering a memorable experience.
For more story ideas, you can find the IGC Centennial stories at https://www.innisfailgolf.ca/latest-news/
The Centennial book is available through the Pro Shop.
Tessa Ion leads while Gillis and Vinge share the lead heading to final round of the U19 Championship
Alberta Golf (Olds) – A very hot and calm day at Olds Golf Club on a course with fantastic slick greens saw a big shift in the girls’ competition but not much movement on the boys’ side. Tessa Ion from Pinebrook Golf & Country Club shot a course record 6-under 66 in round one and had a 6-over round of 78 today, hey that’s golf and Ion still has the lead heading to the final round. Ion has a one shot lead on Aastha Savadatti from Canyon Meadows Golf & Country Club who shot a 1-under round of 71. Sydney Bisgrove also from Canyon Meadows shot the round of the day with a 3-under 69 to sit 2 shots back.
Tessa Ion’s course record and Carla van Remmen’s hole-in-one today on the 4th hole have both been celebrated by the course for the great achievements.
Tessa Ion course record 66
Carla van Remmen Hole-in-one on the 4th hole
WATCH INTERVIEWS WITH CARLA AND TESSA
The Boys’ competition has 7 golfers within 4 shots of the lead. Ryan Gillis & Jonathan Vinge, both from Pinebrook Golf & Country Club both shot even par 72 and have a one shot lead on Tate Bruggeman from the Derrick Golf & Winter Club. Brett Jones from the Glencoe Golf & Country Club, who just won the Alberta Men’s Amateur Championship at the age of 17 sits 4 shots off pace.
Tessa Ion goes low to lead by 8 strokes at the Alberta U19 Championship
Alberta Golf (Olds) – First round of the Alberta U19 Championship on a hot and windy day at Olds Golf Club. In the U19 Girls’ Championship Tessa Ion had a blistering front 9 of 30 with 4 birdies and an eagle. A steady back nine 36 gave the Pinebrook Golf & Country Club golfer a 6-under 66 and an 8 shot lead after round one.
In the U19 Boys’ Championship, Pinebrook golfers also had great performances as Jonathan Vinge and Ryan Gillis both shot rounds of 2-under 70 to share the lead, one shot over Brett Jones who won the Alberta Men’s Amateur Championship 2 weeks ago at the Derrick Golf and Winter Club in Edmonton in a playoff over Barrett Jarosch.
WATCH INTERVIEW WITH OLDS HEAD PROFESSIONAL MAT MACDONALD ABOUT COMING HOME TO OLDS
15-Year-Old Eileen Park wins Alberta Women’s Amateur Championship
Alberta Golf (Calgary) – A sparkling sunny day at River Spirit Golf Club just west of Calgary for the final round of the 2024 Alberta Women’s Amateur Championship. Jenna Bruggeman from the Derrick Golf and Winter Club started the day with a 2 shot lead, played solid shooting 1 over par 73 to earn runner-up honours. 15-year-old Eileen Park from Red Deer hit all 18 greens, had 3 birdies and no bogeys to shoot 3-under par 69 and win the title by 2 strokes.
WATCH INTERVIEW WITH EILEEN PARK
Eileen Park
Meaghan LeBlanc won the Women’s Mid-Amateur title while Andrea Kosa is the Alberta Women’s Mid-Master Champion.
Kosa, Morgan Bell and Jenn Orcheski make up the Alberta Women’s Mid-Amateur Interprovincial Team while Eileen Park, Jenna Bruggeman and Grace Bell are the Alberta Women’s Interprovincial Team.
Meaghan LeBlanc: Alberta Women’s Mid-Amateur Champion
Andrea Kosa: Alberta Women’s Mid-Master Champion
Team Alberta: Grace Bell, Eileen Park and Jenna Bruggeman
Alberta Women’s Mid-Amateur Team: Jenn Orcheski, Andrea Kosa and Morgan Bell (Not pictured)
Jenna Bruggeman leads heading to final round of Alberta Women’s Amateur Championship
Alberta Golf (Calgary) – Jenna Bruggeman from the Derrick Golf and Winter Club had the low round of the day firing a 2nd round of even par 72 to lead the 2024 Alberta Women’s Amateur Championship by 2 strokes over Eileen Park and Grace Bell. Bruggeman had 5 birdies and 5 bogeys on a cloudy day at River Spirit Golf Club just west of Calgary.
Georgia Barr leads the Alberta Women’s Amateur Championship after first round
Alberta Golf (Calgary) – The first round of the Alberta Women’s Amateur Championship saw 2 golfers under par at River Spirit Golf Club just west of Calgary. 2020 U-17 Girls champion Georgia Barr shot a round of 3-under 69 with 5 birdies and only 2 bogeys for a one shot lead on Jenn Orcheski who also had 5 birdies and one more bogey than Barr for a 2-under round of 70. 2021 U19 Champion Grace Bell and last year’s Women’s Amateur runner-up Eileen Park are within reach heading to the second round.
WATCH INTERVIEW WITH MOLLY BYGROVE FROM RIVER SPIRIT GOLF CLUB
17-year-old Brett Jones wins the Alberta Men’s Amateur Championship
Alberta Golf (Edmonton) – A memorable day at The Derrick Golf and Winter Club as 17-year-old Brett Jones had an epic battle with 2023 Alberta Men’s Mid-Amateur Champion Barrett Jarosch which saw Jones win the title on the 3rd playoff hole. Jones, from The Glencoe Golf and Country Club in Calgary, started the day with a 2 stroke lead. Both Jones and Jarosch matched each other the first 5 holes until Jones birdied 6 and they exchanged birdies on the 8th and 9th holes and they headed to the back nine with Jones up by 3 strokes on Jarosch and Jace Ouellette. Early in the back nine 2020 Men’s Amateur Champion Michael Valk made a move with 4 birdies in a 5 hole stretch and ended up finishing 3rd. Jarosch made his move with birdies on 10,11 and 15 to take a 2 stroke lead with 3 holes to go. Jones made a clutch up and down from right of the 16th hole, made a great birdie on 17 and came to the 18th hole only one shot back. Jarosch pulled his tee shot into the trees on 18 and had to punch out, then hit a fantastic 3rd shot which set up a 10 foot par putt for the victory which just lipped out and we were headed for a playoff. On the 3rd playoff hole Jarosch’s approach slid off the back of the green in a tough spot and he couldn’t get up and down. Brett Jones tapped in for par and the victory and a round of hugs with his dad Clint who was his caddy, his mom Erika, his grandfather and a dozen fellow players who stuck around to watch the playoff and congratulate him.
Brett Jones. 2024 Alberta Men’s Amateur Champion
WATCH INTERVIEW WITH BRETT JONES
The Alberta Interprovincial team will consist of Brett Jones, Barrett Jarosch and Jace Ouellette.
Barrett Jarosch, Brett Jones and Jace Ouellette
Brett Jones leads heading to final round of the Alberta Men’s Amateur Championship
Alberta Golf (Edmonton) – Brett Jones fired a second round 3-under 67 at The Derrick Golf and Winter Club to take the lead heading to Thursday’s final round. The Glencoe Golf and Country Club golfer had 5 birdies and only 2 bogeys to take a 2 shot lead.
2023 Alberta Men’s Mid-Amateur Champion Barrett Jarosch also posted 67 with 3 birdies and 2 bogeys but also had an eagle on the par 5 11th hole, one of two par 5’s at The Derrick to sit 2 shots back.
The low round of the day goes to 2021 U19 Boys Champion Paxton Maxwell who had an amazing 8 birdies including 5 in a row on the front 9 to post the low round of the championship, a 4-under 66 and is within 4 shots of the lead.
Final round action Thursday morning at 7:30 with the final group heading out at 10:50.
Four-Way tie atop the leaderboard after round one of the Alberta Men’s Amateur Championship
Alberta Golf (Edmonton) – After round one of the 2024 Alberta Men’s Amateur Championship it’s a tightly packed leaderboard with 8 players leading or within 1 shot of the lead on an overcast but mostly calm day at The Derrick Golf and Winter Club. Brett Jones, Graedon Woodward, Devin Kucy and Kieran Standen all shot 2-under 68 to share the lead while Cole Bergheim, Brandon Markiw, Guillermo Salazar Jr and Mike Mezei all shot rounds of 1-under 69 to sit one shot back.
This is the first Alberta Golf Provincial Championship held at The Derrick Golf and Winter Club since the 2019 Alberta Senior Men’s Championship won by Ken Griffith.
WATCH INTERVIEW WITH THE DERRICK HEAD PROFESSIONAL TREVOR GOPLIN
AERIAL VIEW OF THE DERRICK GOLF AND WINTER CLUB
Round 2 starts at 8am on Wednesday and the low 60 + ties will make the cut for Thursday’s final round.