Alberta Golfer Magazine: Hosting Alberta Golf Tournaments
Hosting Alberta Golf Tournaments
What’s in it for the clubs?
Since it opened for play in 2003 RedTail Landing Golf Club has been the host site for Alberta Golf events seven times, including the return of the Alberta Open in the same year it opened for play. The most recent turn at welcoming the golf community in the province was in 2018 when the very exciting Sun Life Financial Alberta Amateur Championship was in town.
Head professional Joshua Davison says RedTail Landing steps up so often to host because they feel they offer a solid test for the best players in the province. However, lending support to Alberta Golf is something the membership takes pride in.
“I love hosting tournaments. My team loves hosting events,” said Davison. “I love having big events on the calendar as focal points and things to rally around and get excited about for our team here at the club.”
He says it would be hard to weigh one aspect of hosting against another to determine which may be a favourite benefit. “It would be a collection of all of that because all of those things put together makes it easy for me to say yes, I want to partner with Alberta Golf. Yes, I want you guys to succeed.”
Just down the QE II and a bit west along Highway 27 is Sundre Golf Club which has been the site of the Alberta Junior, the Alberta Open and the Sun Life Financial Alberta Amateur over the years. Head professional Scott Shouldice says the course is situated in a great spot as players come from Edmonton, Calgary and all points in between so the geography works.
Sundre Golf Club
Having a course which can be set up to bring a challenge to all level of player makes accepting a hosting request easier. There is a revenue stream for the golf course, but it extends beyond the property. Shouldice says the town benefits from any hosting of big tournaments as well.
“It’s great for the whole town having a couple of hundred people come into town, staying at the hotel, eating at the restaurants, shopping at our stores,” he said.
Not surprisingly, there is also a pride factor at Sundre which plays into the decision to take on the task of hosting. “We love showing off our golf course and our members are actually really good about us hosting these tournaments,” Shouldice boasts.
Of course, volunteers are a huge aspect of hosting any type of event and both Sundre and RedTail Landing have been fortunate to get that commitment. Bill Gyte is a member at RedTail Landing who has worked several of the Alberta Golf tournaments over the years, from carrying scoring signs to spotting on holes.
He’s signed up several times and says it’s very rewarding being an ambassador for the host course and dealing with both spectators and players alike during the tournament . “It gives me an opportunity to interact with some of the players and it’s good that the golf course can do that (host) to showcase the course,” he said.
In addition, Gyte says it’s great how spectators get to see the course and at the same time can be up close with some very talented young golfers in our province. Those players provide another reward for Gyte. “I can honestly tell you they are extremely polite young men on the course,” he said. “They treat all the volunteers on the course with just nothing but respect.”
Gyte says he did experience one incident while volunteering which was a bit awkward, but it worked out in the end. “I was spotting and found one of the player’s balls as he was heading back to the tee to reload. I found his ball and he actually was a little bit unhappy that I found it because he didn’t have a very good lie,” he said. “He probably would have preferred I didn’t find the ball.”
The golf operation side involving staff is another piece of the team work required to host so many events. Davison says it acts as a huge team building exercise for his very talented course maintenance crew. “They work tons and tons of hours to prepare the golf course, not only leading up to the event but also during the event,” said Davison. “We’ve had times when our maintenance staff camped out, they stayed on site. They’ve done double cuts late at night after day one of the event.”
He says crews will have a bonfire and barbecue, then get up early the next day to get the course ready for play.
Shouldice says it is a huge request for maintenance crews to get the course in shape and to keep it there given all the wear and tear during a tournament but it’s worth it. The exposure courses get when hosting is quite valuable when it comes to marketing their product, he said. “People come here, and they love our golf course, they tell all the other members and their friends about what great time they had here at Sundre.”
Davison says golf needs some help in growing the game and hosting events which promote amateur golf is something he feels is extremely important to foster that growth. “You’re giving amateur golfers and junior golfers an avenue and an opportunity, events they can get into, participate in and help feed that excitement and those competitive juices and that passion and love for golf,” he said.
Shouldice agrees and says Sundre has eyes on hosting other events in the coming years, including putting in a bid to host a future Canadian Amateur championship if possible.
“We’re thinking big and we love hosting these big events,” he said. “It’s been very rewarding and a positive experience for us.”
Hosting Alberta Golf Tournaments
This article was originally published in the 2019 edition of The Alberta Golfer Magazine. To view the full magazine, click here.
The Alberta Golfer Magazine: Course Rating Explained
Course Rating Explained
How do the golf courses you play get rated?
Whether you’re new to golf or have played the game for years there are probably still items on a scorecard that you’re not quite sure of. The course rating and slope numbers probably fall under that category.
As a refresher, the purpose of the Golf Canada Course Rating System is to measure and rate the relative difficulty of golf courses in Alberta so that a player’s Handicap Factor is accurate and transportable from golf course to golf course.
The Course Rating System considers factors that affect the playing difficulty of a golf course including yardage, effective playing length and the number of obstacles that factor into play including topography, elevation, doglegs, prevailing wind, bunkers and more.
You’ll note two ratings, course and slope when looking at your scorecard. Course rating is the playing difficulty of a course for scratch golfers under normal course and weather conditions, while the slope rating is the relative playing difficulty of a course for players who are mid-handicap golfers compared to the difficulty of the course for scratch golfers. Every golf course in Alberta has to be re-rated at least once every 10 years by a team that spends the day walking and measuring the course in addition to any recent changes.
“Any time a hole is changed, redeveloped or otherwise altered, it’s important to include an updated rating as part of that process”, comments John Burns, Field Manager of Competitions at Alberta Golf.
Landing zones, fairway width, proximity to out of bounds, trees, bunkers and water all factor into the equation the USGA provides to maintain consistent ratings internationally.
Greens are measured for size, number of bunkers in play, undulation and speed.
Alberta Golf has just over a dozen course raters in the province, all certified by the USGA.
“Course rating is a fun and challenging feature of Alberta Golf. We’re always looking for new recruits to help, with the level of commitment entirely up to each person,” Burns said. “Alberta Golf in association with the USGA offers training. There are online courses you can take to get up to speed. If you want to join us for a day and see what it’s like, we can place you on a team. You can be as involved as you want or sit back and take it all in. It’s a great day; you’re on a golf course !”
Alberta Golf continues to work in conjunction with its member golf courses to maintain the consistent ratings, both course and slope that its players have come to appreciate. The next time you look at your score card, don’t be surprised…either by the score or the course and slope numbers you see.
Course Rating Explained
This article was originally published in the 2019 edition of The Alberta Golfer Magazine. To view the full magazine, click here.
Wes Heffernan wins PGA Assistants’ Championship of Canada
Wes Heffernan elevated his game to the next level Thursday at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley, capturing the PGA Assistants’ Championship of Canada presented by Callaway Golf in impressive fashion.
The 42-year-old from the Dynamic Motion Golf Performance Centre in Calgary capped off his first PGA of Canada national championship with a final-round 8-under-par 64, bringing his three-day total to -19.
Heffernan’s championship run featured 19 birdies and more incredibly, not a single bogey for the week.
“Today I played pretty much like I had all week,” Heffernan said. “I drove the ball really well, but hit my irons great—especially on the back nine when I needed it most.”
Heffernan’s five birdies on the final nine saw him put some space between himself his two playing competitors, Yohann Benson of Quebec and B.C.’s Oliver Tubb. All three were jostling for the lead throughout the front nine of the North Course at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley, but the back is when Heffernan took his play up a couple of notches.
“I made a great birdie on No. 13 and that was big because both Oliver and Yohann made par and that opened up a little gap between us,” Heffernan admitted after the round. “But I think the biggest birdie of the day for me was at No. 15 when they both it in there really tight and I was forced to make a good putt to keep my momentum going.”
In addition to birdies on Nos. 13 and 15, Heffernan birdied the 12th, 16th and 17th en route to his three-shot victory over Benson. Tubb finished alone in third at -15, while Bryn Parry wound up at -14 in solo fourth. Pierre-Alexandre Bedard rounded out the top-five at -11.
Heffernan’s win this week at the PGA Assistants’ Championship of Canada presented by Callaway Golf caps off an impressive playing season for the association’s fourth-ranked player. He finished fourth in June at the PGA Championship of Canada, second at the PGA of Alberta Assistants’ Championship and won the PGA of Alberta Zone Championship. He also finished T14 at this year’s ATB Financial Classic on the Mackenzie Tour, where he’s a past four-time winner.
“It’s pretty cool to finally have won this championship,” Heffernan said. “The last couple years I’ve maybe tried too hard and as a result have spun my tires a little bit, but this week I just came in with the mindset to have some fun,” he said, adding, “and it feels really awesome.”
With the win at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley, Heffernan is expected to move into the top three of the PGA of Canada Player Rankings presented by RBC when they’re released next week.
Originally launched in 2011, the PGA of Canada Player Rankings presented by RBC has received much praise over the past eight years. Players ranked inside the top 64 earn invites to the PGA Championship of Canada. The Mike Weir Player of the Year Award is also based on points earned throughout the calendar year. Players gain these points based on performance at national and zone tournaments.
The PGA Assistants’ Championship of Canada presented by Callaway Golf host venue TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley is the first TPC property in Canada featuring three golf courses all ranked in SCOREGolf’s Top 100 Golf Courses in Canada list.
Designed by famed Canadian golf course architect Doug Carrick, the venue features a parkland-style layout that welcomes players with generous landing areas and naturally rolling fairways. While its width off the tee may be benevolent, deep greenside bunkers and undulating putting surfaces put a premium on approaching pins from the right angles, providing a challenge that rewards good shots but tests those who get out of position.
The next PGA of Canada national championship takes place Oct. 6-9 at Cabot Links for the RBC PGA Scramble of Canada presented by The Lincoln Motor Company.
Click here for full scores.
Newsletter: The Summer Review
Alberta Golf Summer Review: The summer is winding down and a full schedule of Alberta Golf tournaments, events and programs has come to an end across the province. Please enjoy the material below recapping what we’ve been up to the past 3 months, from running elite competitions to our recreational, family and youth initiatives.
28 teams paired up in August at the Canmore Golf & CC for a fun and competitive Rec Series event. Kelly Smith
Team Canada’s Pendrith wins Mackenzie Tour Player of the Year
LONDON, Ont. – For the second time in four years, Taylor Pendrith earned Canada Life Canadian Player of the Year honours on the Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada.
The native of Richmond Hill, Ont., came into Sunday at the Canada Life Championship with a chance to top the Order of the Merit, but after 1-under-par 69 Pendrith ended second, just $2,700 behind Paul Barjon
Pendrith won twice in 2019 – at the 1932byBateman Open and the Mackenzie Investments Open – and had seven top-10 finishes, including a tie for 10th at the Canada Life Championship en route to winning his second Dan Halldorson Trophy (he won the award in 2015, as well).
“Obviously I’ve had a great year with two wins, and I’ve been playing some really good golf,” said Pendrith. “I started off great and didn’t have the weekend I was hoping for but I was there until the end. I was grinding. The putts didn’t go in today, but overall, great year. I’m super excited to be finishing in the top five and hopefully have a great year next year.”
The 28-year-old, who was a longtime part of Golf Canada’s National Team and a graduate of Kent State University – alongside Mackenzie Tour alums and PGA TOUR winners Corey Conners and Mackenzie Hughes – will head in 2020 to the Korn Ferry Tour for the second time.
He said he now knows what to expect on the Korn Ferry Tour having played some of the courses earlier.
“I’ve learned so much about myself and my game in the past few years on the Mackenzie Tour,” said Pendrith. “It really prepares you for the next level. I’ll go in there with a different mindset and hopefully get off to a good start and continue to play well.”
The week in London was marred by a freak injury for Pendrith who woke up Tuesday morning not able to move his left shoulder. He received a few injections early in the week and played through the pain – considering how important the week was.
“Obviously, I wanted to play, but ultimately I didn’t know if I could,” Pendrith admitted. “The first two days were a big grind since I had to adjust what clubs I was hitting and the balls weren’t going very far. I was in a lot of pain, but I’ll take care of it and I earned some time off now. I’ll come back stronger.”
Earlier this year Pendrith became the first Canadian to win on the Mackenzie Tour since Adam Cornelson in 2016. Pendrith said his big goal in 2019 was to finish in the top 10 on the Order of Merit.
Although he fell just short of the No. 1 spot, he said moving on to the next level and getting the opportunities he’s afforded by finishing second is a great boost to his career.
Somewhat inspired by his friends Hughes and Conners, Pendrith is one step closer to joining them on the PGA TOUR. He’s confident heading into 2020 about the prospects of joining them sooner rather than later.
“If I play like I did this year, I should be in contention out there in some events,” said Pendrith. “It should be exciting, and I can’t wait to get going.”
Pendrith was also the Canada Life Canadian Player of the Week a record six times (he received $2,500 for each award), and he will receive a $25,000 for finishing as top Canadian for the year.
“Canada Life has been a great supporter of the Tour for the last few years, and it’s an awesome little bonus for the Canadian players who compete out here,” said Pendrith. “They give a fantastic bonus. I won it in 2015 and (am) super honoured to win it again and be the top Canadian.”
Justin Berget & Kennedy Turcotte win ACAC North Regional
Alberta Golf (Edmonton)
By Jefferson Hagen
There were 36 male golfers in action in the final round of the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference North Regional on Sunday afternoon at Red Tail Landing, but the title race was essentially match play between 2 competitors.
First round leader Michael Harrison held a one-shot advantage over MacEwan’s Justin Berget for most of the round – even stretching it to two at one point. But when the two-time defending ACAC champion made bogey on 15, the duo walked up the 18th fairway all square.
That’s when Berget came up clutch.
“My ball was in the fescue on the right side of 18 and I had 135 (yards in),” he said. “It was sitting up nice, though, so I got a club on it and put it to about 12 feet. Michael got down in two from 25 feet and made par, and I rolled in the birdie on 18 for the win.”
The birdie gave Berget a round of 69 to go with the 70 he shot and Saturday and finish -5 to nip Harrison (69-71) by a shot. Nicolas Pittman of Concordia had the low round of the tournament on Sunday – a 3-under 68 – to finish third at 1-under.
Photo: Justin Berget (Spruce Grove, Alta.) watches his tee shot on No. 13 at Red Tail Landing Golf Club on Sunday (Jefferson Hagen / MacEwan Athletics)
While the win is only a regional event and not the coveted ACAC Championship gold medal, for Berget to pull it off still means a lot.
“It just proves that I can,” the Stony Plain GC product said. “I was always close, I felt my game was close, but I was never able to close. It felt good to get it done finally.”
The Women’s ACAC North Regional crown went to Kennedy Turcotte, who shot a four-over, 76 on Sunday to win gold for Concordia University of Edmonton by 13 strokes.
The ACAC South Regional will be held Sept. 21-22, hosted by SAIT at Valley Ridge Golf Course. The ACAC Championship is set for Sept. 27-29 at Coal Creek GC in Ryley, Alta.
- Golf: ACAC North Regional – Round 2, Red Tail Landing GC (Full results here)
Team Alberta wins provincial title at 2019 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship
TORONTO – Following a 30-minute early morning fog delay, the second round of the 2019 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship concluded Wednesday at Cedar Brae Golf Club, where Team Alberta emerged as provincial senior team champions.
The Alberta trio, consisting of Ken Griffith (Red Deer), Brian Laubman (Edmonton) and Frank Van Dornick (Camrose) combined for a second-round score of 4-under to capture the Phil Farley Memorial Trophy with a team total of 282 (-2).
“Each guy just wanted to try and play as well as he could, not only for himself but also for the team,” said Alberta’s Van Dornick. “We didn’t hear any numbers out there, but we knew it was close coming down the stretch.”
Team Alberta didn’t realize how close the competition was. With the sun nearly set, Alberta’s Griffith holed a 10-foot putt for birdie on his final hole to solidify the team title.
Finishing runner-up, a single shot back of Alberta was Team Ontario. The team of David Greenaway from Barrie, Robert Gibson of Toronto and Ashley Chinner of Brooklin had a two-day tally of 283 (-1).
The Team from British Columbia, which included Doug Roxburgh (Vancouver), Jim Shaw (Sooke) and Sandy Harper (Nanaimo) rounded out the top three at 290 (+6).
Gene Elliott of West Des Moines, IA, carded the low round of the tournament, a 5-under par 66, to move into sole possession of the lead overall in the individual competition.
Elliott, who captured the 2017 Canadian Men’s Senior title, sits 5-under and has a three-shot lead over the field.
“I kept the ball in play, mostly below the hole and putted well,” said Elliott. “Yesterday was windier and I didn’t hit it a lot different today. But I made more putts today and that helps.”
Trailing Elliott is a pair of Canadians. Mark Brewer of Pickering, Ont., carded a 68 Wednesday, while Red Deer’s Ken Griffith shot 69. The pair sit T2 at 2-under.
A 65-and-over Super Senior Championship is running concurrently throughout the championship. After 36 holes of play, Lars Melander of Oakville, Ont., leads the pack at -1 (141). Van Dornick trails by three shots at +2 (144), while 2010 Senior Champion and 2017 Super Senior Champion Paul Simson of Raleigh, NC, sits third at +5 (147).
Following the opening two rounds, the field was reduced to the low 70 players and ties. A total of 70 players finished at +14 (156) or better to sit inside the 36-hole cutline. The third round will begin Thursday at 8:30 a.m. EDT.
The individual champion receives an exemption into the 2020 U.S. Senior Amateur championship to be contested at The Country Club of Detroit, in Grosse Pointe Farms, Mich.
2019 CANADIAN MEN’S SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 2 LEADERS
- Gene Elliott, West Des Moines, IA, *71-66-137 -5
2. Mark Brewer, Pickering, ON, *72-68-140 -2
2. Ken Griffith, Red Deer, AB, *71-69-140 -2
4. Sandy Harper, Nanaimo, BC, *72-69-141 -1
4. Lars Melander, Oakville, ON, *74-67-141 -1
2019 CANADIAN MEN’S SUPER-SENIOR DIVISION ROUND 2 LEADERS
- Lars Melander, Oakville, ON, *74-67-141 -1
2. Frank Van Dornick, Camrose, AB, *75-69-144 +2
3. Paul Simson, Raleigh, NC, *76-71-147 +5
4. Doug Roxburgh, Vancouver, BC, *74-75-149 +7
5. Lance Lundy, Pemberton, BC, *76-75-151 +9
5. Bruce McEwen, Scarborough, ON, *76-75-151 +9
5. Ken Warwick, Winnipeg, MB, *72-79-151 +9
INTER-PROVINCIAL COMPETITION FINAL RESULTS
- Team Alberta: Ken Griffith (Red Deer), Brian Laubman (Edmonton), Frank Van Dornick (Camrose) *144-138-282 -2
2. Team Ontario: David Greenaway (Barrie, ON), Robert Gibson (Toronto), Ashley Chinner (Brooklin) *144-139-283 -1
3. Team British Columbia: Doug Roxburgh (Vancouver), Jim Shaw (Sooke), Sandy Harper (Nanaimo) *146-144-290 +6
Additional information, including a full list of competitors and scores can be found here.
Pendrith earns second Mackenzie Tour victory at Mackenzie Investments Open
MONTRÉAL, Québec — Entering the final round of the Mackenzie Investments Open with a five-stroke cushion over Kyle Mueller, Taylor Pendrith made the turn on Sunday at Elm Ridge Country Club and the mood shifted from ‘will he do it?’ to ‘how many will he do it by?’
In the end, Pendrith tapped in for par on the final hole to shoot a bogey-free 67, giving him an eight-stroke victory and his second Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR title of the season and his career.
“It was definitely the best week of tournament golf I have ever played,” said Pendrith, who moved to second on the Order of Merit with the win. “I honestly don’t remember playing from the rough on the weekend, maybe once or twice, but my wedge game was dialled in, especially today.
“I kept my head down all day,” added Pendrith. “I figured I was leading but never knew by how much. I was debating hitting iron on No. 17, it’s a tough tee ball, but I decided to hit driver because it was downwind and I hit 8-iron on the green and made a two-putt birdie. After that I knew I was going to win.”
Pendrith’s commanding performance broke the Mackenzie Tour’s relative-to-par scoring record, previously held by Corey Pereira, who shot 26-under at last year’s ATB Financial Classic in Calgary.
#TeamCanada’s @TaylorPendrith putts out to win at 28 under, the lowest score ever in @PGATOURCanada history ??? pic.twitter.com/eTwVUOfmGq
— Golf Canada (@GolfCanada) September 8, 2019
“That was definitely the most under par I’ve ever been over four days,” said the 28-year old. “It was a great field out here and there are so many players who could compete on the Korn Ferry Tour and the PGA TOUR, but to win by eight feels really good.”
With the eight-stroke victory, Pendrith matched the largest margin of victory in Mackenzie Tour history, a feat previously accomplished by Lee McCoy at the 2017 Canada Life Open and Hank Lebioda at the 2017 Mackenzie Investments Open.
“This just gives me tons of confidence,” said the Richmond Hill, Ontario native. “My game is really sharp right now, so If I can continue playing the way I have been then I have no doubt I will have a chance to win on the Korn Ferry Tour next year.”
The win adds an extra layer of excitement to an already compelling season-ending Canada Life Championship. While, historically, the Player of the Year Award and full Korn Ferry Tour exemption has been decided before the final event of the season, the top spot is still very much up for grabs.
“To be fully exempt on the Korn Ferry Tour next season would be a big relief,” said Pendrith, who sits just over $5,000 behind Order of Merit leader Paul Barjon “There’s still work to do next week in London, I know it’s super close, there’s three or four guys who could do it, so there’s a lot of pressure but it’s just golf and I’ll go make as many birdies as possible and see how it ends up.”
Pendrith, who has never shot a round higher than 68 in eight rounds at Highland Country Club, says it is his favourite course on the Mackenzie Tour.
“I love that place and I’ve played well there before,” said Pendrith. “My game is in a good spot right now, so hopefully I can keep the momentum going,” added Pendrith who’s best finish at the Canada Life Championship is a tie for 8th in 2015.
With the victory, Pendrith not only picked up his sixth Canada Life Canadian Player of Week award of the season, but also locked up the Canada Life Canadian Player of the Year award and will be recognized at the conclusion of the Canada Life Championship. This will be Pendrith’s second Canada Life Player of the year award after claiming the Dan Halldorson trophy in 2015 while finishing second on the Mackenzie Tour Order of Merit.
Celebration of life held for Alberta Golf volunteer Lyle Cuthbert
Lyle Cuthbert (1943 – 2019)
Lyle was an avid golfer and member at the Elbow Springs GC in Calgary. He started volunteering with Alberta Golf in 2007 and among the many roles he served, Lyle was a course rater with the Association and Treasurer with the Foundation, helping to support students by administering $50,000 annually in post-secondary scholarships.
Primarily, Lyle was regarded as one of the most prominent Rules Officials in the province. He went on to attain the highest level of certification with Golf Canada as a Level 4 Rules Official and was very active with Alberta Golf for the past twelve years, volunteering hundreds of hours of his time at Provincial and City Championships and the Glencoe Invitational.
Lyle was instrumental in passing on his knowledge to all up-and-coming officials at rules seminars he conducted every spring.
A celebration of life was held Tuesday, September 10th at the Eden Brook Funeral Home and Cemetery.
Kouples Golf event in Kananaskis on September 23rd !
Alberta Golf (Kananaskis)-
Kananaskis Country Golf Course is planning their first ever Kananaskis Style “golf event” for couples who want to escape the craziness of their lives and decompress in the beautiful Rocky Mountains. It’s called the Kananaskis Kouples Golf Classic on Monday, September 23, 2019!
Full info here:
