Neil Thomas wins 2024 Alberta Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship
Alberta Golf (Barrhead) – Final round of the Alberta Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship from Barrhead Golf Club on a hot summer day northwest of Edmonton. Neil Thomas from the Edmonton Country Club started the day with a 5-shot lead in a final group with defending champion Barrett Jarosch from Windermere Golf & Country Club and Ryan DenBraber from Glendale Golf & Country Club.
Thomas shot 3-under 69 with 4 birdies and a lone bogey on the 8th hole. Barrett Jarosch had 8 birdies on the day and closed the gap to 1 stroke with 3 holes to go but an amazing approach shot by Thomas on the par-4 17th hole to 3 feet secured a birdie and eventually a 3 stroke victory for his second Alberta Mid-Amateur title.
Neil Thomas, 2024 Alberta Men’s Mid-Amateur Champion
WATCH INTERVIEW WITH CHAMPION NEIL THOMAS
Defending champion Barrett Jarosch put on a great show today shooting 67 with 8 birdies to finish runner-up.
Ryan Werre from Desert Blume Golf Club in Medicine Hat shot back to back rounds of 4-under 68 after an opening round of 71 to finish solo 3rd place.
The Alberta Interprovincial Team consists of Neil Thomas, Barrett Jarosch and Ryan Werre.
Ryan Werre, Neil Thomas and Barrett Jarosch
A big thank you to Kevin Lynes and all of his staff at Barrhead Golf Club for a great week.
Barrhead Head professional Kevin Lynes
Neil Thomas shoots 66 to lead Alberta Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship by 5 strokes
Alberta Golf (Barrhead) – Hot conditions at the scenic Barrhead Golf Club Wednesday for the 2nd round of the Alberta Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship. 2023 Alberta Men’s Amateur Championship runner-up Neil Thomas from Edmonton Country Club started on the back nine and had a blistering 5-under 31 and posted one more birdie in his round for a bogey free 66 and a 5 shot lead heading to the final round.
Barrett Jarosch from Windermere Golf & Country Club, runner-up in the recent Alberta Men’s Amateur Championship at the Derrick Golf & Winter Club and Defending Alberta Mid-Amateur Champion, had 35 on each nine for a 2-under 70 and gets in the final group with Ryan DenBraber from Glendale Golf & Country Club who shot a bogey free 5-under 67.
Last year’s runner-up Ryan Werre from Desert Blume Golf Club in Medicine Hat who started on the back nine had the nine of the week, turning in 6-under 30 and after making a 30 footer on his 14th hole was 7-under for the day. 3 bogeys coming in cooled off the round but still a 4-under 68 and he’s only 6 shots off the lead.
2020 Alberta Men’s Amateur Champion Michael Valk started on the first hole, the tougher nine, and had a 3-over 39. After hearing what Werre and Thomas did playing the back nine first, Valk knew he had to go low to keep in touch and he played the back nine in 34 to stay in contention.
Jesse Galvon from Mickelson National Golf Club, the 2019 & 2022 champion, turned in 36 playing the back nine first but got hot on his second nine carding 3 birdies and an eagle against a lone bogey for a 32 and 4-under 68 on the day.
Neil Thomas and Michael Valk share lead after round one at the Alberta Mid-Amateur Championship
Alberta Golf (Barrhead) – A hot and calm day at the scenic Barrhead Golf Club an hour northwest of Edmonton for the first round of the Alberta Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship. 2020 Alberta Men’s Amateur Champion Mike Valk from Desert Blume Golf Club in Medicine Hat posted 7 birdies and only 2 bogeys for a 5-under round of 67 to share the lead with Neil Thomas, last year’s runner up at the Alberta Men’s Amateur Championship. Thomas, from the Edmonton Country Club, had 5 birdies and an eagle countered by 2 bogeys for 5-under 67 as well.
Defending champion Barrett Jarosch from Windermere Golf & Country Club continued his great play this season. Jarosch recently lost in a playoff at the Men’s Amateur Championship at The Derrick Golf & Winter Club 3 weeks ago and had 5 birdies and an eagle today countered by a bogey and a double bogey to sit one stroke back at 4-under par 68.
WATCH AERIAL FOOTAGE OF BARRHEAD GOLF CLUB
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
