Preview: 2018 Alberta Bantam & Novice Championship
Gibbons, Alberta – Tomorrow the future of golf in Alberta will be on full display at Goose Hummock for the 2018 Alberta Bantam & Novice Championship.
Forty youngsters will be competing in what for many will be their first provincial championship.
“The focus this week is on a fun and friendly introduction to competition”, said Stephen Wigington, Alberta Golf’s Manager of Competitions.
“Our goal is to provide a positive competitive experience for the kids. We want the sport have a strong impact on each of these golfers lives going forward. There’s no better place to ignite this passion then the Alberta Bantam”, adds Wigington.
KEY INFO
Dates: August 21-22
Course: Goose Hummock Golf Resort
Yards/Par:
Boys:
Bantam: 5,699/71
Novice: 5,342 /71
Girls:
Bantam & Novice: 5,342/71
Field: 40
2017 champions:
Bantam:
Girls: Kaitlyn Wingnean
Boys: Hunter Thomson
Novice:
Girls: Belle Brezovski
Boys: Jace Shannon
Format:
Bantam (14 and under): 36 holes of stroke play competition.
Novice (12 and under): 36 holes of stableford competition
Social: #ABBantam
LOOKING BACK:
Thomson and Wingnean victorious at the #ABBantam & Novice Championships @GolfClaresholm ??: https://t.co/97X4orZkCA pic.twitter.com/gmvh06KQa6
— Alberta Golf (@Alberta_Golf) August 26, 2017
HISTORY:
- The Alberta Bantam and Novice Championship was first contested in 1996.
NOTABLES:
- Belle Brezovski the 2016 & 2017 Novice Girls Champion will be competing in the Bantam division this year.
- Jace Shannon the 2017 Novice Boys Champion will also be playing in the Bantam division this year.
FAST FACTS:
- The scoring in Stableford competitions is made by points awarded in relation to a modified fixed score.
ABOUT THE COURSE:
A short drive from Edmonton’s core, Goose Hummock invites you to experience its beauty! As a full-service facility, we look forward to demonstrating Goose Hummock hospitality.
This first-class golfing experience is just minutes north of Edmonton near Gibbons, AB. “The Goose” was designed by Bill Robinson from Oregon and is an 18-hole public championship course. It is a combination of Scottish and everglades architecture that twists and turns for 6700 yards through interlocking ponds. Challenge the Goose!
More information about the Goose Hummock Golf Resort can be found here.
MEDIA:
Alabama’s Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail a tribute to Stanley Thompson
Even though the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail is miles south of the 49th Parallel, there are hints of Canadiana spread out all over this world famous destination. And no, we don’t mean it’s littered with Maple Leaf flags and Tim Horton cups.
You see, the homage to Canada comes in the for of a tribute to the best known architect to ever come from the Great White North, Stanley Thompson.
Robert Trent Jones, Sr., the man responsible for the creation of this golf masterpiece was a disciple of Thompson’s. As such, it’s easy to see that the Canadian’s ideas, and philosophies on building outstanding golf courses with exceptional playability and sight lines, took root with the famed American designer.
As for the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail which celebrated its 25th Anniversary in 2017, it stretches through greater Alabama and boasts 26 different courses at 11 sites, running from Hampton Cove in the north down to Magnolia Grove in the southern part of the state. The Trail’s terrain varies widely ranging from the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in the north to the flatlands of the Gulf of Mexico in the south.
Following in his mentor’s footsteps, Jones was of the mind that a score of par should be a challenge to one’s game and skill, or as he put it, “not easy to come by.” At the same time, if that number escapes you, holes are set up so that a bogey isn’t all that hard to achieve.
Another key element of Jones’ teacher’s lessons are the visuals presented at the courses he built. Whether you’re looking from tee to green, or in the reverse direction, the lines are true and it’s easy to see the obstacles that lay in front of you, or those that you’ve managed to avoid on your way to the putting surface.
Interestingly enough, Jones wasn’t the first designer approached about constructing a golf trail through Alabama in hopes of encouraging tourism. Big names like Nicklaus and Palmer turned aside the chance to put their names on this iconic golfing paradise. Eventually Jones was lured out of retirement to create this ever-lasting legacy to his, and his mentor’s, name.
Since the inception of the Trail, tourism has boomed in Alabama, exactly what the visionaries hoped for when this idea was first teed up. It’s said that the state’s visitor numbers have risen sharply from 2 million a year to over 8 million now, thanks in large part to the Trail and its unique, fun, and gorgeous offerings. While the Trail wasn’t created to make money, the latest stats available suggest there are more than 500,000 rounds played on it each year, making for a huge economic spinoff not only for the courses but the area’s hotels, restaurants, craft breweries and businesses.
In constructing the Trail, Jones adhered to what Thompson preached: 1) unforgettable views; 2) natural features such as rivers, lakes, trees, good soil; and, 3) environment.
He also followed — at least for the most part — the best way to lay out a course as recommended by his Canadian mentor with an easy, aesthetic start with a long, strong finish.
While Thompson felt there shouldn’t be any par 3 holes before the 4th or 5th assignments of the day or after the 16th hole, Jones did step outside the parameters here, at on at least a couple of his designs. At The Shoals, The Schoolmaster has a beautiful little short hole up second on the scorecard while Fighting Joe wraps up its demands with par 3s on both nine and 18.
But when you look at what he created, not only for golfers but for the State of Alabama, Jones can certainly be forgiven for what his mentor may have considered small flaws!
Alabama’s Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail a tribute to Stanley Thompson
This article was originally published in the 2018 edition of The Alberta Golfer Magazine. To view the full magazine, click here.
Nine great reasons to PLAY9!
Alberta Golf Foundation Message
Scholarships alleviate the burden of school costs.
Which means students don’t have to hold down part-time jobs. Therefore, more hours can be devoted to studying and volunteering.
This is what happens in a perfect world.
This is what happens in Celine Copeland’s world.
Copeland – twice the recipient of a scholarship from the Alberta Golf Foundation – never fritters away the windfall.
The Calgarian funnels the money into her education – she’s completed two years of the public-relations program at Mount Royal University – and uses her spare time to help others.
For that freedom, for that financial boost, she thanks the AGF.
“It was really amazing to get that,” says Copeland. “It means a lot. It allowed me to focus more on school and maintain a 4.0 (grade-point average). It inspired me to give back to my community as well.
“Organizations like Alberta Golf, who are giving these scholarships, inspire me to one day do the same.”
In 2017 alone, the AGF doled out 36 scholarships – worth more than $55,000 – to Albertans pursuing post-secondary education.
“There’s no question that the primary role (of the foundation) is to raise funds for scholarships,” says Florin Bergh, a member of the AGF for more than 10 years. “The p.r. we get out of giving those kinds of funds to our youth … it’s a very good advertisement for Alberta Golf.”
For the bursaries, money is raised through individual and corporate donations, through endowments and casino nights in Edmonton.
Since being formed by the Alberta Golf Association in 1994, the AGF has awarded nearly 400 scholarships, totaling more than $600,000.
“That is something that we are extremely proud of,” says Jack Lane, Alberta Golf’s director of business development and communications. “Many of these students have gone on to have successful careers in various fields. If we were a small part of their journey and success, then the AGF has accomplished its goal.”
Deadline for applying for 2018 scholarships, which range from $500 to nearly $4,000, is July 31.
Recipients are announced a month later.
“I’ve only been in my role for two years, but the scholarship program is something I’ve known about for almost two decades – that’s how institutionalized it is,” says Phil Berube, Alberta Golf CEO and AGF executive director. “The golf community rallies around the foundation… it’s pretty well known and widespread. I’m super proud of what we’ve done.”
Feedback, no surprise, is positive and frequent, according to Bergh. “We get it by email, we get it by letter.”
Someone like Copeland also shows her gratitude by paying it forward.
At Mount Royal University, she helped establish Best Buddies. The 19-year-old is vice-president of the popular initiative.
“It’s about including people with disabilities,” explains Copeland. “We match up people with intellectual or mental disabilities with a university student within Mount Royal. Then they can build a friendship, they can meet weekly or monthly. It’s really a great program.”
This past summer she volunteered with Alberta Golf, which offered experience in her chosen field of public relations. She learned about social media and penned articles for the organization’s website.
Copeland also pitched in at She Swings, She Scores – a collaborative effort between Alberta Golf and Hockey Alberta to introduce girls to the game of golf – and at Jumpstart events.
On top of which, she lent time to the junior program at her home course, Willow Park Golf and Country Club.
“I’m really trying to encourage more girls to play,” says Copeland. “There’s not enough girls playing golf. That’s what I’m really passionate about.”
Since wrist surgery two years ago, Copeland herself has taken a break from tournament action. Soon, though, she hopes to return.
“Competitive golf is something I really miss,” she says. “I’m really looking forward to that. Golf is such a big part of my life.”
For the bursaries, however, there is no golf-playing criterion. Successful candidates are selected on the basis of financial need and academic standing, volunteer work and references.
Copeland intends to apply again.
“It’s been really nice to able to get these scholarships – I’m so happy,” she says. “The fact that the Alberta Golf Foundation is able to do that, to give back to so many students who are deserving… it’s really neat, for sure.”
She heard about the bursaries three years ago. Then she checked out the website – albertagolf.org – for more information.
“Just seeing the amount of people they’d given them to, then looking at the names and going, ‘Oh, I know them, I know them,'” says Copeland. “Everybody is so fortunate. Just being able to get a scholarship from Alberta Golf, everybody’s so thankful because it helps a lot.”
Alberta Golf Foundation Message
This article was originally published in the 2018 edition of The Alberta Golfer Magazine. To view the full magazine, click here.
Advancing the Game
USING INNOVATIVE NEW TECHNOLOGY, USGA RESOURCE MANAGEMENT HELPS FACILITIES HARNESS DATA TO SAVE MAINTENANCE COSTS AND PROVIDE A BETTER GOLFER EXPERIENCE
Ever since the first shepherds swatted at rocks with their crooks, golf has followed a trajectory of innovation. For much of the game’s history, most of the innovations have focused on the playing of the game itself: teaching the game to golfers, the equipment used by players and the grounds on which they play.
But in the early years of the 21st century, the industry requires new modes of thinking in order to approach the game as a business, impacting the way facilities – private clubs, daily fee courses, municipal facilities – make decisions and pursue increased productivity and efficiency in order to increase the financial viability of golf course and secure the future of the game.
The USGA’s strategic plan includes a commitment to advance the game, and we have set a goal of a 25 percent reduction of critical resources – such as water, fuel and labor – that are used in maintaining golf courses. The USGA introduced this challenge statement during the North American Golf Innovation Symposium, which took place in Vancouver, British Columbia in March 2017.
The Symposium covered many topics in the areas of research, science and technology related to golf facilities. One of the highlights was the introduction of Resource Management, a web-based tool that provides exact data about how maintenance budgets are spent on the course. The product will help facilities measure and allocate their finite resources more effectively and make smarter decisions without an adverse effect on golfers.
The engine of USGA Resource Management is a fully customizable map and dashboard, which users can populate with the inputs, boundaries and maintenance practices in place at their courses. The tool’s algorithm can calculate the cost of maintaining specific areas of the course – a single hole, the fourth fairway, all the greens, the fairway bunker on the 17th hole, etc.
By adding, editing or deleting features in the map, it is possible to calculate the financial implications of potential changes to the course design or maintenance levels. Whether you’re thinking about converting portions of your course to native areas, adding teeing grounds or removing bunkers, USGA Resource Management can calculate the potential return on investment.
All these options are being considered at golf facilities around the country, but these decisions are often made without fully considering how they will impact golfers. USGA Resource Management allows for the overlay of golfer heat maps on top of the course map so you can see the areas that most impact golfers and – more importantly – identify the areas that rarely come into play.
The USGA employs inexpensive GPS loggers to collect data about golfer tracks and behavior, an area that has the potential to yield benefits and innovations in numerous areas of facility management and golfer experience, from pace of play to course setup to course design. No doubt, the more data we can collect, the more insights we can glean.
When used within the Resource Management platform, the heat maps produced by the GPS loggers allow for the presentation of easy-to-visualize scenarios that expedite the process of making decisions that reduce or reallocate resources without negatively impacting golfer experience.
In addition, the USGA is looking to add potential features such as an advanced weather dashboard that provides guidance for maintenance tasks; the ability to track hole locations on the map and print hole-location sheets similar to those used at the U.S. Open; and a pace calculator to model the impact of changes such as tee-time interval, hole lengths and number of players to pace and playing times.
This is the kind of data and technology that is transforming other industries and helping managers to make smarter decisions, both on a daily basis and in strategic planning. These changes are slowly coming to golf, and the USGA is leading the efforts to put them in the hands of those who need them most: facility managers.
Advancing the Game
This article was originally published in the 2018 edition of The Alberta Golfer Magazine. To view the full magazine, click here.
The Rocky Mountain Trail
There’s something about heading west – to the mountains – that appeals to, well, just about everyone. Not that you can’t have fun on the flatlands. You certainly can. But add some elevation – some ice-scoured peaks, some pine-scented air, some scintillating views – and many outdoor games seem to get a tad more interesting. Sometimes a lot more interesting. The great mountain golf courses in Alberta would be a testament to that.
Whether it’s a quick day trip “outta dodge” or a week-long getaway to your favourite mountain courses, Alberta is home to an awesome collection of mountain layouts that are the envy of the country. The Stanley Thompson-designed masterpieces in Banff and Jasper immediately come to mind as courses that have been swooned over for decades.
However, Alberta’s claim to fame as a world-class mountain golf destination goes a lot deeper than that famous one-two punch. Throw in the outstanding courses in Canmore and Kananaskis – as well as foothills “gems” such as Redwood Meadows, Wintergreen, Water Valley, Pine Hills in Rocky Mountain House, and Sundre, to name a handful – and it’s easy to see why golf aficionados from around the world consider a trip down Alberta’s “Rocky Mountain Golf Trail” a bucket-list adventure.
While every mountain course in Alberta shares some similar traits (breathtaking scenery tops this list!), each one boasts its own character, its own unique flavour, that makes it a worthwhile stop on an Alberta mountain golf getaway.
Obviously, Banff and Jasper stand apart in terms of their “Golden Age” history and their inspired architecture. Envisioned by the master, Stanley Thompson, one of the greatest golf course architects of all time, Banff and Jasper have an air, an ambiance, about them that simply does not exist anywhere else in Canada. With their storied history, their location near iconic CPR hotels (built during the railroading glory days), and their glorious settings in National Parks, these are courses in rarefied air, indeed. And if your itinerary can only include two mountain golf courses, these “classics” should be on the top of your list.
Not surprisingly, while both courses were designed approximately 90 years ago by the man they called “The Toronto Terror,” (Thompson died penniless in 1953, his flamboyant style and love of whiskey was well-documented), both have an aura that is all their own.
A true resort course that is both playable and pristine, the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge Golf Course remains virtually unchanged from its original build in 1924. And, fingers crossed, it will always stay this way. Relatively “easy” by contemporary standards, Jasper’s quirky charms and gorgeous routing are second to none. The surrounding mountains – and the finish along Lac Beauvert – are sublime. Thompson’s eccentric flair for puzzling contours, perched greens, moats, mounds, and bold bunkering is evidenced throughout. With all the humps and hollows, nasty slopes, and artistic musings, Jasper is, at the end of the day, simply one of the greatest mountain golf experiences in the world. And, perhaps, the best part? It won’t beat you up!
The Fairmont Banff Springs, on the other hand, is a beauty anda beast. But, while the layout definitely favours powerful hitters, the many “wow” moments during the round can be equally enjoyed by all. For example, the jaw-dropping 4th(the legendary “Devil’s Cauldron,” which features a punchbowl green protected by an emerald lake and a clan of unruly bunkers) and the riveting riverside run on the back nine make this experience one that, rightfully, has been revered for decades.
But, when it comes to “famous” mountain golf courses, the two Robert Trent Jones Sr. Courses at Kananaskis – Mount Kidd and Mount Lorette – can certainly hold their own. Damaged – well, to be honest, basically destroyed – in the Flood of the Century in 2013, the comeback story here is one for the ages. During limited preview play in 2017 (after four excruciatingly long years of restoration and rebuilding), the consensus from the fortunate few who played Mount Lorette was overwhelmingly positive. While Canmore-based architect Gary Browning was hired to “modernize” both courses, the routing and hole configurations are virtually the same as they were before the flood. However, Browning’s subtle, “minimalist” stamp has given both courses a softer, smoother, and more player-friendly demeanor. Mount Lorette will open to the public this spring and Mount Kidd will open later in the summer in phases. Without a doubt, “the buzz” surrounding the re-opening of Kananaskis will continue to be a major story in 2018.
But exceptional mountain golf “stories” are also written every time golfers peg it up on the heralded mountain golf courses in Canmore. Both the Stewart Creek Golf & Country Club and the Silvertip Golf Course have a knack for “wowing” visiting golfers with dramatic, mountain-filled backdrops and stunning holes that plunge down the fall-lines and careen through rugged, pine-framed playing corridors.
Stewart Creek, also designed by Gary Browning, is a gorgeous, mountainside crusade that features challenging holes benched on the rugged slopes just minutes from downtown Canmore in the Three Sisters development. With impeccable turf conditions that will rival anything you’ve ever played, the clean, contemporary, and upscale mantra here is impossible not to appreciate. The 7009-yard course, which incorporates plenty of creek crossings, old mine ruins, natural rock outcroppings, and a number of towering solitary pines to indicate target lines, is spiced with natural, lay-of-the-land features as opposed to obvious machine-made shapes and contours.
Situated directly across the valley from Stewart Creek, Silvertip, a Les Furber design, has a much different feel. Large tees, perched greens, rock-lined ponds, three-tiered greens, blind shots, sharp doglegs, wild contours, and dramatically downhill and uphill shots are the norm at Silvertip. This is mountain golf on steroids. But what a thrilling, edge-of-your-seat ride! Every hole is completely different than the next and the visuals (especially the view of the Three Sisters from the 4thtee) are phenomenal.
Surrounded by mountains, the beautiful Bow River, and nestled in the historic Canmore townsite, the scenery at the beautiful Canmore Golf & Country Club is also awesome. A true community-oriented course that’s fun, walkable, and on par with some of the best private clubs in Canada (except it’s open to the public!) the Canmore Golf & Country Club is one of Alberta’s most underrated courses.
For obvious reasons, the snow-capped Rockies are an ideal setting for a game of golf. These are the mountains that define Alberta. And the many stunning courses that are routed near the glacier-fed rivers, the cliffs and crags, the soaring summits, of these amazing mountains are, rightfully, considered “the stars” of Alberta’s heralded golf scene. So whether it’s Banff, Kananaskis, Canmore, or Jasper – or perhaps some other locale that’s positioned near these pristine peaks! – rest assured, you’re in for an “elevated” golf experience.
The Rocky Mountain Trail
This article was originally published in the 2018 edition of The Alberta Golfer Magazine. To view the full magazine, click here.
The 27th Annual Alberta-Montana Junior Ryder Cup
Team Alberta faced off against team Montana this week for the 27th annual Alberta-Montana Junior Ryder Cup. The two-day match play tournament took place in Montana this year at the Whitefish Lake Golf Club. Teams featured six male and six female junior golfers per team who were selected by the Alberta Golf and Montana State Golf Association.
Team Alberta headed to Montana early Monday morning with Junior Golf coaches, Tiffany Gordon and John Deneer. Upon their arrival in Montana, the coaches started preparing the players for the event with a practice round.
On August 7th team Alberta and team Montana faced off with 36 holes of match play. Playing in the striking afternoon heat the Alberta girls led the matches after day one with a score of 5 to 4. The junior boys of team Montana took the lead on the first day scoring 6 to 3.
“The course was in great shape for the players today and the hospitality at the venue was amazing,” said Tiffany Gordon, the team Alberta coach. “There is no doubt about it they have great golf down south!”
August 8th was composed of another match play round. The Montana junior girls took the lead in the last match to win the Junior Ryder Cup in the girl’s division. Our Alberta’s junior boys continued to play strong against their rivals throughout their round. However, Montana held onto their lead winning the boys Junior Ryder Cup as well.
“Juniors from both sides showed incredible sportsmanship, carried themselves with respect, gave everything they had when competing and simply enjoyed their time with teammates at and away from the course,” said the juniors coach, John Deneer. “It was truly an incredible experience for both the players and coaches. We are very grateful for the opportunity to represent Alberta!”
ABOUT THE 27TH ANNUAL ALBERTA-MONTANA JUNIOR RYDER CUP
In all events, there are three Nassau points; one point to the winner of the front nine, one point for the winner of the back nine, and one point to the winner of the eighteen-hole match.
THE 2018 ALBERTA JUNIOR RYDER CUP TEAM:
*15- and-under category Affiliate club
Boys:
Nick Rimmer Derrick Golf & Winter Club
Braden O’Grady Edmonton Petroleum Golf & Country Club
Girls:
Grace Bell Glencoe Golf & Country Club
Brooke Brezovski Sturgeon Valley Golf & Country Club
*16-year-old category Affiliate club
Boys:
Caden Park Glencoe Golf & Country Club
Nolan Burzminski Medicine Hat Golf & Country Club
Girls:
Stephanie Chelack Inglewood Golf & Curling Club
Alanna Makarchuk Taber Golf Club
*17-year-old category Affiliate club
Boys:
Brodie Shields-Tyler Pinebrook Golf & Country Club
Andrew Makarchuk Taber Golf Club
Girls:
Brooke Cuming Bearspaw Country Club
Chelsea Joseph Lethbridge Country Club
* All age categories are based on a birthdate cut-off
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
Teeing off for the Junior Ryder Cup!
Learning from the coaches.
Supporting teammates.
Team Alberta and Team Montana.
ABOUT ALBERTA GOLF
The Alberta Golf Association was incorporated as a society in 1912 and continues today as a not for profit Provincial Sport Organization (PSO) operating as Alberta Golf. As the PSO, we are committed to realizing the positive impacts of golf on individuals and communities across Alberta. Our vision is that through golf, Albertans will enjoy a high quality of life, improved health and wellness, a strong sense of community, economic benefits and personal fulfillment.
The 2018 Alberta Ladies Team Classic
The Alberta Ladies Team Classic took place this week in Canmore, AB where 96 ladies teed it up for the annual event. Two of Canmore’s finest courses hosted the fun-filled competition of team net best-ball.
The event took place August 7th and 8th starting at Stewart Creek Golf and Country Club for round one. Beginning the first round of the classic with an afternoon shotgun, female golfers of all ages took the field in teams ready for some light-hearted competition.
The second round of the classic was a morning shotgun, taking place at the Canmore Golf & Curling Club where teams were ready for another day full of excitement.
The team of Anita Arcand and Shelley Courterille from Morinville, Alberta had the best overall score of the event. Shooting 22 under par, for a total score of 121 earned them the Ladies Team Classic trophy.
The 2018 Ladies Team Classic Winners: Anita Arcand and Shelley Courterille
See the leaderboard here.
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
Linda Labbe with a hole in one at Stewart Creek G & CC on number 12.
Teeing off at the start of the event.
Some great golf and even better company.
A special thanks to the staff at Stewart Creek Golf & Country Club and Canmore Golf & Curling Club for being fantastic hosts as another Ladies Team Classic is marked as one for the books!
ABOUT THE COURSES
STEWART CREEK GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB
Wherever golf ranks on your list of passions, high mountain courses are among the most spectacular and rewarding golf experiences in the world. The pinnacle of Canada’s mountain golf is Stewart Creek Golf & Country Club.
Wherever golf ranks on your list of passions, high mountain courses are among the most spectacular and rewarding golf experiences in the world. The pinnacle of Canada’s mountain golf is Stewart Creek Golf & Country Club, consistently rated among the best golf experiences in the country. Few golf courses in North America enjoy the spectacular combination of setting, extraordinary vistas, and fantastic golf. Designed by Canadian Golf Architect Gary Browning in 2000, it continues to be a favourite among returning guests, and a discovered jewel for new visitors. With breathtaking views of the Three Sisters, Cascade, Pigeon and Ha Ling Mountains, Stewart Creek is a course that no one who has had the opportunity to experience will soon forget.
More information on Stewart Creek Golf & Country Club can be found here.
CANMORE GOLF AND CURLING CLUB
The Canmore Golf Club was established in 1926, constructed and funded by the residents of Canmore. The Curling Club joined the Golf Club in 1988 and since we have been known as the Canmore Golf & Curling Club.
Our mission is to provide and maintain the best quality golf and curling opportunities for all our members and visitors at a reasonable and affordable cost. We strive to provide services that will exceed the expectations of our customers. The beauty of the Canmore Golf & Curling Club and the surrounding mountains make for an ideal golf getaway, curling bonspiel, corporate function, and/or private booking. Regardless of the occasion, we have facilities that will contribute to a rich, enjoyable, and memorable experience for you and your group, including the best patio in town!
More information on the Canmore Golf & Curling Club can be found here.
Festival crowned as the Senior Mens Champion
After three days of intense competition at the Turner Valley Golf and Country Club John Festival has been crowned the 2018 Alberta Senior Mens Champion. With a challenging course setup and windy conditions, these seasoned veterans battled each round to fight for the top spot. Festival took the lead after gearing down on the back nine making three birdies throughout his round. Brian Coston finished a close second only one stroke behind Festival.
John Festival is the 2018 Alberta Senior Mens Champion! ??
Check out the final results➡️ ?️ https://t.co/mTFuPW35px pic.twitter.com/kPh8HBn8yi
— Alberta Golf (@Alberta_Golf) August 4, 2018
The 2018 Alberta Super Senior Champion is Jim Russell of Calgary. Russell had an impressive three days of play taking the top spot in this division.
Your Team Alberta members; John Festival, Brian Coston, and Ken Griffith will compete at the Canadian Men’s Senior Championship at Gowan Brae Golf & Country Club in Bathurst, New Brunswick, September 4-7th.
Top Guns
These up-and-coming birdie-machines are easy to root for.
Not just because they can split fairways and sink putts and post the sort of scores that most of us can only dream of.
Because, as Alberta Golf’s coaches and support staff can attest, the provincial programs are stocked with top-notch characters, too.
“Anybody who knows the game and loves the game knows that there’s more to it than just hitting a ball,” said Jennifer Davison, Alberta Golf’s director of high performance and sport development.
“There’s etiquette, interactions with your competitors, interactions with rules officials… And I think Albertans can definitely be proud of the kids and young adults that are on this list and representing and wearing that Alberta Golf logo proudly.
“These are good, quality individuals.”
The best part is, there’s more of them than ever before.
In 2017, Alberta Golf introduced a high-performance squad, revealing a lineup of five of their best and brightest. (This, in addition to their usual Under-19 troupes.)
For 2018, they offered 20 spots on that roster, extending invites to a dozen males and eight females. If you’ve followed the leaderboards at the Alberta Junior or Alberta Amateur Championships, you will recognize all the names.
In the past, golfers graduated from the provincial program after aging out at 19. Thanks to the creation of the high-performance squad, support is now being offered a cast of talented 20-somethings, most with experience digging divots at the post-secondary level and many with hopes of one day earning their paycheques on the professional tours.
“We want to continue those relationships. We don’t want to lose them,” said Team Alberta head coach Randy Robb. “We’re trying to keep them involved. Hopefully they can help mentor some of the younger kids, playing with them a little bit. And hopefully we can support them at some of the bigger events — the Alberta Open, the Glencoe Invitational, the Canadian Amateurs.
“We’re trying to get creative with how can we help them, and how can they help us?”
It seems they’re keen to help.
Calgary’s Matt Williams figures he was 14 when he was first invited to tee off with Team Alberta. Not quite a decade later, he is a soon-to-be senior on the men’s golf squad at the University of Houston. The Cougars count some of the biggest names in the sport — Fred Couples, Steve Elkington, etc. — among their alumni.
Williams was one of the originals on Alberta Golf’s high-performance squad last year. He has more company this summer.
“I love being around the juniors and seeing them climb up the ranks, because I totally remember being there when I was their age,” said Williams, who finished in a tie for eighth — tops among Albertans and fourth among Canucks — at the 2017 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship.
“I definitely remember when guys would come back and help out, and I thought it was the coolest thing in the world. I was like, ‘This guy plays golf in college?!?’ I thought that was just the coolest thing. So to grow up in it and still be a part of the program and be able to give back, it’s pretty special.
“And the camaraderie with the guys that are also on the team… We all grew up in that Alberta Golf umbrella, and I think that’s been great for all of us just having that competition and feeding off each other.”
“So Alberta Golf has been a huge piece for me. I wouldn’t be where I am — playing college golf, which is what I always wanted to do — without the support that they’ve given me.”
In the Under-19 provincial programs, a bunch of boys and girls are trying to follow that same path.
That group will meet for training camps throughout the season. There are lots of swings and short-game work during those get-togethers, but it’s not all about beating balls on the range or practising your touch around the greens. They focus too on fitness, on nutrition, on goal-setting and pursuit of post-secondary opportunities.
“We had our first camp for the boys on Team Alberta in January, and there were seven guys coming and they’re from seven different cities and towns,” Robb proudly reported. “I’ve never seen it as distributed as this. Ben (Farrington) is from Fort McMurray. There is one from Banff, one from Canmore. There’s Edmonton, Red Deer… They’re from all over the place, from different backgrounds.”
More evidence of the widespread reach of Alberta Golf’s development programs? A tidy stack of pick-me-please applications on Davison’s desk.
In the past, Alberta Golf selected the provincial teams based primarily on the Order of Merit standings from the previous season. For the first time, there was an application process for Tier 2 and Tier 3 hopefuls this winter.
“We wanted to move it away from just a Top-5 finish or a certain ranking on the Order of Merit,” Davison explained. “That is definitely always going to play a part in it, but it’s not the only thing. There’s the coachability factor. One of the big parts of the application that we took into consideration is we asked everyone to let us know what their goals are for the next 1-3 years. Because that plays a factor, too — how much does the player want to put into their outcome?”
“It’s a little more along the lines of that university or college application so that we’re looking at the player as a whole rather than just a bunch of stats on a piece of paper.”
Ask any of the members of the high-performance squad, and you can immediately tell that they would recommend the experience to any smooth-swinging youngster.
“For me, as a girl, being a part of Team Alberta really helped bring me together with other juniors and expose me to different competition, more competition,” said Calgary’s Sabrine Garrison, who celebrated a one-stroke victory at the 2017 Sun Life Financial Alberta Ladies Amateur Championship at Red Deer Golf & Country Club.
“This is especially true, I think, from a female perspective, because as a girl growing up in competitive golf, you often feel a little bit alone and by yourself. There’s not a lot of young girls that play so unless you have guy friend or parent to take you out, you’re often by yourself and that can be tough to get girls to stick with it.”
“For me, being part of those teams was an opportunity to meet other girls, to compete, to be exposed to different experiences, travel experiences, and go to higher-level tournaments. I have a lot of good memories of Junior America’s Cup teams or the Alberta-Montana Ryder Cup. Those were all experiences that grew my game and allowed me to develop as a player and person.”
Garrison just completed her senior season with the women’s golf program at the University of Minnesota. At the same time, she was applying for medical school. Her dream is to be a family-practice doctor.
Many of her teammates on Alberta Golf’s high-performance squad, meanwhile, are dreaming of stardom on the PGA or LPGA Tours.
If you eventually spot them on the biggest stage, take it from us — these Alberta-bred birdie-machines are easy to root for.
“We understand that competition amongst each other at home is definitely going to set us up for success down the road, whether it’s at Q-School or wherever,” Williams said. “And I feel like if one of us succeeds, the rest of us are going to say, ‘If he can do it, why can’t I?’.”
“I love those guys to death, they are some of my best friends, but I can’t stand losing to them. So you know we’re going to be out there practising, out there grinding, trying to beat the next guy. Definitely, it’s pushing all of us in the right direction.”
Top Guns
This article was originally published in the 2018 edition of The Alberta Golfer Magazine. To view the full magazine, click here.