Calgary Golfer Qualifies For U.S. Senior Open
Calgary’s Steve Blake shot a two-under 70 with just one bogey at a U.S. Senior Open qualifier at Fairbanks Ranch Country Club in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., on Monday.
Blake finished second with the top three positions qualifying for the U.S. Senior Open, June 28-July 1 at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Blake joins Vancouver’s Phil Jonas, Ian Doig of Barrie, Ont., and Toronto’s Rick Todd as Canadians in the field.
Mike Woodcock of Chatham, Ont., is second alternate after a 71 at the Battle Creek Country Club in Michigan.
Heritage Pointe joins with the Golf Channel Academy
GOLF CHANNEL ACADEMY EXPANDS INTERNATIONAL FOOTPRINT WITH ADDITION OF CALGARY LOCATION
ORLANDO, Fla. (June 8, 2018) – Acclaimed Canadian teaching professional Paul Horton, the PGA of Canada’s 2017 National Coach of the Year, is teaming with one of Western Canada’s top public golf facilities to launch a new Golf Channel Academy location just outside of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
The Golf Academy at Heritage Pointe recently joined the Golf Channel Academy (GCA) network of teaching facilities, becoming GCA’s first location in Canada and second internationally, along with the Golf Channel Academy at Golf Resort Black Bridge in Prague, Czech Republic. With 89 locations canvassing 33 states and two continents, Golf Channel Academy is among the most expansive golf instruction networks in the world today.
“It’s a great honor to be included amongst these elite Golf Channel Academy teaching facilities and coaches,” said Horton, who has taught thousands of players—from beginners to top amateurs and collegiate players to touring professionals—for nearly 40 years. “We feel like we have one of the best public practice facilities and coaching staffs in the country, and we look forward to providing everyone with an exceptional learning experience.”
Located just outside of Calgary at the Heritage Pointe Golf Club in Heritage Point, Alberta, the academy boasts one of the finest practice facilities in all of Canada. It features a full-length driving range, a 13,000-square-foot practice green surrounded by sand traps, and chipping and pitching areas. The jewel in the crown is Heritage Pointe’s unique 3-hole course, “The Loop,” which circles the academy with full-length par 3, 4 and 5 holes so that students can hone in on their overall course-management and playing skills.
Students also have access to some of the most decorated and well-known instructors in the business, including Horton, a 14-time PGA of Alberta Teacher of the Year finalist (he won it twice, in 2003 and 2011) and the highest-ranking AimPoint Certified Instructor in all of Canada. Current and former students who’ve worked with Horton include former PGA Tour winners Stephen Ames and Steven Bowditch, eight-time Canadian Long Drive champion Lisa “Longball” Vlooswyk and 6-time World Long Drive champion Jason Zuback.
Joining Horton on the coaching staff are long-time PGA of Canada teaching professional and 1999 National Teacher of the Year Bob McArthur and former Cottonwood Golf & CC (DeWinton, Alberta) Head Professional, Director of Operations and General Manager Tiffany Gordon, the 2005 PGA of Canada Club Professional of the Year. Bob McArthur has been the Head Teaching Professional at Heritage Pointe for the last 21 years, a 12 time PGA of Alberta Teacher of the Year finalist. McArthur has also worked with numerous elite players and professionals over the years and specializes in offering custom corporate programs to any group size. This elite team of coaches have 4 National awards to their credit in three different categories.
The Golf Academy at Heritage Pointe offers a variety of instruction programming options for adults and juniors, from Private, Group and On-Course Lessons to an Elite Junior Invitational Camp to a Ladies Only School with the long-hitting Vlooswyk. Other services include Club Fitting, College Recruiting and Scholarship Advice, a Mental Golf Workshop and Winter Coaching. The academy also features the latest state-of-the-art technology, including video swing analysis, an ES14 launch monitor, Blast Motion Swing/Stroke Analyzer and brain training headset from FocusBand.
For more information about The Golf Academy at Heritage Pointe, please contact:
Paul Horton at paul@paulhortongolf.com 403-585-0166
Bob McArthur at bobbymacgolf@shaw.ca 403-870-6967
Tiffany Gordon at tiffanygordonprofessionalgolf@shaw.ca 403-703-7577
For more about Golf Channel Academy, including a full listing of all its current locations and coaches, go to www.golfchannelacademy.com.
ABOUT GOLF CHANNEL
Golf Channel is a multimedia, golf entertainment and services company based in Orlando, Fla. Serving the most-affluent audience in all of television, Golf Channel – co-founded by Arnold Palmer in 1995 and now part of NBC Sports Group – is available to nearly 500 million viewers in 78 countries and nine languages around the world. Golf Channel features more live golf coverage than all other networks combined, including tournament action from the PGA TOUR, LPGA Tour, The Open, Olympics, and Ryder Cup, as well as high-quality news, instruction and original programming. Delivering unmatched coverage of the world of golf, fans are able to enjoy 24/7 live streaming of Golf Channel content through Golf Channel Digital and the NBC Sports App, powered by Playmaker Media. In addition, Golf Channel connects the world to golf through a wide array of digital and lifestyle services including Golf Channel Mobile, a comprehensive app covering golf’s latest headlines, scores and analysis; GolfNow, the world’s largest online tee time booking platform and golf course technology partner, which includes theGolfNow Mobile App, featuring on-course GPS tracking, in-round scoring and game tracking;Revolution Golf, the largest direct-to-consumer digital platform in golf ; GolfAdvisor.com, the world’s largest golf course ratings and review resource for golfers, by golfers; a North American network of Golf Channel Academy instructional facilities; and Golf Channel Am Tour, the world’s largest amateur golf tour; and as the Official Media Partner of St. Andrews Links, the Home of Golf.
The Year in Pictures
Members of the Alberta Golf board of directors and staff at the 2017 spring launch event in Sundre.
Team Alberta Head Coach Randy Robb keeping a close eye on the action at the Alberta Junior at Coal Creek Golf Resort.
The Power of Pink! Participants pose for a shot on the range at Stewart Creek G&CC prior to teeing off in the Alberta Ladies Team Classic.
The Alberta contingent at the Alberta / Montana Ryder Cup at Desert Blume GC cheering on the final matches on the eighteenth hole.
To the victor go the spoils… Sabrine Garrison receiving the Ladies Amateur trophy from Sun Life Financial sponsor Carl Taylor.
Brett Hogan teeing off in the rain soaked playoff at the Ponoka Community GC. The conditions couldn’t keep the spectators away from witnessing a thrilling finish.
What we love about the game… even in the heat of the moment Brian Laubman congratulates his fellow competitor Frank Van Dornick on his playoff victory at the Alberta Senior at Henderson Lake GC.
Volunteers don’t just do the work. They make it work.
A place in history. The Alberta Boys get a close up look at the previous teams after capturing the Alberta/ Montana Ryder Cup.
The unsung heroes. Superintendents and turf care employees are instrumental in conducting a quality tournament. Thanks to these two from the Edmonton Petroleum G&CC at the Alberta Senior Ladies.
The summer of 2017 brought smoke from wildfires into the province but it didn’t hinder the golfers spirit. Here a team at the Alberta Interclub plays a par 3 at the Canmore G&CC. Unfortunately, the usual breathtaking mountain views were obstructed by the smoke.
Community events like the Calgary Food Fest are an opportunity to introduce newcomers to the game. Just watch out for Golfzilla!
Marilyn Palmer O’Connor (center) was inducted as a golf athlete into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame as part of the 2017 class. Congratulations Marilyn!
The Canada Summer Games is the pinnacle of sport for many junior aged athletes. Taylor Stone and Ethan Choi took full advantage of the opportunity, even rubbing shoulders with Canadian icon Ron MacLean.
All hands on deck. The venue, sponsor, staff, committees and host club volunteers are a few of the essential ingredients to a successful championship. Thanks to this crew at the Alberta Ladies Amateur at the Red Deer G&CC for all of their hard work.
The Alberta Interprovincial Boys Team (left to right: Max Sekulic, Chandler McDowell, Matt Bean) captured first place at the Canadian Junior Boys Championship.
The Year in Pictures
This article was originally published in the 2018 edition of The Alberta Golfer Magazine. To view the full magazine, click here.
Wes Heffernan finished T6 and claimed the Freedom 55 Financial Canadian Player of the Week Award
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada—Wes Heffernan claimed the Freedom 55 Financial Canadian Player of the Week Award after a sixth-place finish in Victoria. The Calgary, Alberta, native did so in dramatic fashion, jarring his shot from the fairway on the 15th for eagle and chipping in for birdie on the 18th to shoot 68.
“Golf has allowed me to travel the world and play something I have a huge passion for.” Heffernan said. “When I mentioned I was struggling a bit, sometimes you forget how much it means to you and how much fun it can be if you just let it happen. The past few years I’ve tried to have as much fun as possible, and you see the scores when you do that. When you have fun, you play a lot better.”
After his third round, Sam Fidone mentioned he would likely be feeling some nerves on his stroll up to the first tee Sunday.
Fidone appeared to make that stroll with all the confidence in the world, striping his first tee shot down the Uplands Golf Club fairway to begin his march toward a bogey-free 65 and commanding five-stroke victory.
Going into the day, the Lufkin, Texas, native had built a two-stroke lead over Blake Sattler due to three consecutive scores in the mid-60s. As the afternoon moved on, the nail drew closer to the coffin as Fidone’s lead slowly increased.
On the 11th green, the 25-year-old fist-pumped the entire 10 yards from where he stroked his putt to the hole, and as he picked up his ball from the bottom of the cup he essentially put down any hopes other players had of winning the tournament.
“The putt on 11 was kind of my ‘let’s go get them, you have the control and the dominance over everyone right now’ moment,” said Fidone. “I just continued to game plan the rest of the day, but that putt was really the catalyst to bring me in and make me feel really solid.”
The moment came after a near flawless front-nine that included three birdies and no bogeys. The rest of the back nine was much of the same, consistent golf that allowed him an easy tap-in on the last hole to solidify himself as a Mackenzie Tour winner.
“I definitely feel like I’m on the right trajectory,” said Fidone. “I feel like my game is trending, and my attitude towards my game is trending, in the right direction. I’m making more mature decisions every time I step up to the tee, and I think that’s the biggest part about winning at every level.”
Fidone spent the spring tightening up his game on the Adams Tour, winning the Options for Independence Houma Classic in April, with rounds of 70-67-69-65. Fidone’s only other start this year on the Adams Tour resulted in a second-place finish after losing in a playoff at the Business First Bank Classic, firing scores of 69-63-66-69.
While Fidone cashed his check for $36,000, the Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island also won in a big way. With the help of volunteers, sponsors and donations made by the Victoria community, at the closing ceremony the tournament announced it had raised $180,000 for the foundation.
Next on tap for the Mackenzie Tour-PGA TOUR Canada is the third and final stop of the B.C. Golf Swing, a three-tournament stretch through Vancouver, Victoria and Kelowna. A field of 156 golfers will tee it up at Gallagher’s Canyon on June 14-17 to see who can join Fidone, and last week’s winner, Jordan Niebrugge, in the 2018 winner’s circle.
MacDougall goes back-to-back at Alberta Match Play
Brendan MacDougall of the Glencoe Golf & Country Club successfully defended the Alberta Match Play Championship title after defeating Brady McKinlay of Lacombe Golf & Country Club 1 UP in the final match. McKinlay brought the match back to all square heading to the eighteenth tee. But after an errant fairway bunker shot left him in a tough green side position MacDougall was able to close out the match with a solid bunker shot and a conceded putt for victory.
MacDougall beat opponents Andrew Harvie, Matt Bean, Tyler Saunders and the young gun Brady McKinlay en route to the title. He was down early in three of the four matches but clawed his way back with consistently strong play throughout the closing holes.
With the victory MacDougall secures a spot on the 2019 Morse Cup Team at the Pacific Coast Amateur Championship. He will also be competing on Team Alberta at the 2018 event this July at the Olympic Club in San Francisco.
Special thanks to tournament host Silver Springs Golf & Country Club and all of the staff and volunteers.
Pictures from the event can be viewed here.
Brendan MacDougall (@thedooogs) successfully defends his #abmatchplay title @SpringsGolfYYC ‼️
With the back-2-back victories he is exempt into the 2018 & 2019 @PacificCoastAm championships!
Congrats to #teamab member Brady McKinlay on the runner-up finish! Great playing ⛳️ pic.twitter.com/bMm8grUQlA
— Alberta Golf (@Alberta_Golf) June 9, 2018
Final four set at the Alberta Match Play
Number one seed and defending champion Brendan MacDougall is still in the mix as the final four head into the semi-finals Friday morning. See full details below:
The #abmatchplay is down to the final four @SpringsGolfYYC. See the match results from today's action here➡️ https://t.co/oVBKwDiFTm
Pictures from day two available here➡️ https://t.co/bKcdlS9XY3 pic.twitter.com/P6yue4Mqsf
— Alberta Golf (@Alberta_Golf) June 8, 2018
2018 Scholarship Application – Due June 30th
The Alberta Golf Association Foundation (AGAF) is focused on supporting students on their path to pursue a post-secondary education.
- Academic performance in the previous school year
- Financial need
- Participation in volunteer or community activities
- Relevant work experience
- Candidates must complete the scholarship application form
- Candidates must submit their most recent academic transcript
- Candidates must submit proof of enrolment for the current year
- Two third party letters of reference should be forwarded directly to the AGAF Scholarship Committee by email (info@albertagolf.org) or mail.
- Candidates must enclose a letter outlining their future objectives and reasons for being considered a scholarship award candidate
- Only completed applications disclosing full details as requested will be considered
- Charles C. Reid Foundation
- Frank Lindsay Memorial Foundation
- McLennan Ross Sun Junior Golf Tour
- R.E. Courage Memorial Fund
- Christa Spahmann Memorial
- Lola Rozsa
- Jeff Llewellyn Memorial Fund
- Sun Life Financial
- Bob Rintoul Memorial Fund
- Carol Stevens Memorial Fund
The bracket is set for the 2018 Alberta Match Play
The field is set for the first provincial championship of 2018 after today’s stroke play qualifying round at the beautiful Silver Springs Golf & Country Club. Sixteen of the province’s best amateur golfers will compete Thursday morning for a place in the quarter-finals. A 2019 Pacific Coast Amateur Championship team position awaits the eventual champion.
The #abmatchplay bracket is set @SpringsGolfYYC. See the qualifying results here➡️ https://t.co/1dRjGFinaw
Round of 16 matches start at 7:00 AM. View the bracket ➡️ https://t.co/oVBKwDiFTm
Pictures from today's action available here➡️ https://t.co/bKcdlS9XY3 pic.twitter.com/Ql1VbyjhHY
— Alberta Golf (@Alberta_Golf) June 6, 2018
Preview: 2018 Alberta Match Play Championship
CALGARY – The 2018 Alberta Match Play is set to begin on Wednesday at Silver Springs Golf & Country Club. A field of 40 competitors will battle it out over an 18-hole stroke-play round for a lucrative spot in the match play bracket on Thursday morning.
“We are excited to conduct our first championship of 2018 at Silver Springs,” said Stephen Wigington, this week’s Tournament Director and Alberta Golf’s Manager of Competitions. “This is the first year that the Match Play is a stand-alone championship and we are pleased with the strength of the field. We know that we are in store for an exciting few days of match play competition with a 2019 Pacific Coast Amateur team position up for grabs. It will be exciting to see who is the last man standing come Friday afternoon.”
Alberta Golf hopes to expand the event to include a female bracket in 2019.
KEY INFO
Dates: June 6-8th
Course: Silver Springs Golf & Country Club
Yards/Par: 6,824 / 72
Field: 40
2017 champion: Brendan MacDougall (@thedooogs), 2UP over Emmett Oh
Format: 18 hole stroke play qualifying round for 16-player match play bracket
Results: Qualifying round leaderboard
Social: #abmatchplay
LOOKING BACK
The 2017 Alberta Match Play Championship saw Brendan MacDougall, the top seed by way of his low amateur finish in the Alberta Open, defeat four opponents in convincing fashion on the way to his eventual victory at the Sundre Golf Club. The victory helped propel him to a successful freshman year at High Point University where he became the first player in school history to compete in the NCAA Division 1 Men’s Golf Regional Championship.
.@thedooogs wins 4-2. @Emmett_oh 3-2. @svrlawyers #ABMatchPlay finals start at 1:40PM @SundreGolfClub ??? pic.twitter.com/b0E3fRtgsg
— Alberta Golf (@Alberta_Golf) June 22, 2017
HISTORY
First contested in 2004, the Alberta Match Play Championship took a six year hiatus beginning in 2009. It was re-launched in 2015 and has a history of crowning worthy champions:
2004 – Ryan Swelin
2005 – Barrett Jarosch
2006 – Kris Wasylowich
2007 – Michael Knight
2008 – Darren Hupfer
2015 – Patrick Murphy
2016 – Jack Wood
2017 – Brendan MacDougall
NOTABLES
- Brendan MacDougall – 2017 Alberta Match Play champion
- Max Sekulic – 2017 Alberta Junior champion
- Carter Graf – 2017 Alberta Willingdon Cup team member
- Tom Mckinlay Jr – 2017 Alberta Mid Master (age 40+) champion
FAST FACTS
- The champion will earn the first team position for the 2019 Pacific Coast Amateur Championship. They will be joined by the low amateur at the 2018 SVR Alberta Open and the champion of the 2018 Sun Life Financial Alberta Men’s Amateur Championship.
- The 2017 Alberta Match Play and Alberta Junior champions (Brendan MacDougall and Max Sekulic) received exemptions into the 2018 Alberta Match Play. They will play in the stroke play qualifier for seeding within the eventual bracket.
- The field features a wide range of ages including three 17-year olds (Carter Graf, Brady McKinlay and William Holan) and veteran competitor Howard Broun at age 70.
- Four competitors from the host club will look to put their local knowledge to work as they vie for one of the fourteen available spots.
ABOUT THE COURSE
Silver Springs G&CC has a tradition of being a premier golf club only 15 minutes from the heart of downtown Calgary. With over 300 acres of rolling hills and valleys with dramatic elevation changes, Silver Springs offers a true test to golfers of all abilities. The stunning clubhouse offers a genuine refuge where you can enjoy sumptuous dinners and the bond of fellowship only a Country Club lifestyle can offer.
More information on Silver Springs G&CC can be found here
MEDIA
Iguchi goes wire-to-wire, Stone overtakes lead to earn medallist honours at Future Links, driven by Acura Western Championship
HIGH RIVER, Alta. – The sun was shining down on the 2018 Future Links, driven by Acura Western Championship as Kai Iguchi went wire-to-wire while Taylor Stone came from behind to win on Sunday at Highwood Golf.
Kai Iguchi continued his impressive tournament run after dominating the field during the final round. The Banff, Alta. product fired six birdies and an eagle to lock up the junior boys division with a convincing 10-stroke victory at 11-under-par 199.
“I made a lot more putts than I have during the past couple of days. I just limited the mistakes and kept it steady,” said the 18-year-old who tied Highwood Golf’s competitive course record. “This is my first big win. It’s still relatively early but this is really good for momentum and confidence for the season.”
Ethan Choi, of Pincher Creek, Alta., held on to his second-round position to end the tournament in second at 1-under-par 209. Brycen Ko and Ethan de Graaf finish with a third-place total 2-over-par 212.
The other top-six finishers earning exemptions into the 2018 Canadian Junior Boys Championship on July 30-Aug. 2 at Medicine Hat Golf & Country Club in Medicine Hat, Alta. are Benjamin Farrington of Fort McMurray, Alta., and Korbin Allan of Strathmore, Alta., who won a playoff for sixth spot with a par on the 2nd playoff hole.
In the junior girls division, Taylor Stone moved up the leaderboard to emerge victorious. The eighteen-year-old stayed within striking distance throughout the weekend, entering the final round two shots behind the lead.
Stone, currently a freshman on the University of Texas El Paso’s golf team, was the only player in the junior girls division to record a score in the red during round three. Her tournament-best 69(-1) helped earn her medallist honours with a 5-over-par total of 215.
“My game plan over the past few weeks was just to have fun and enjoy the whole experience because it’s my last junior year,” said the Calgary, Alta. talent, who will add this victory to her win at last weekend’s PGA of Alberta Junior Masters. “It means a lot. My goal was to win so I’m really happy that I’ve stuck with my plan.”
Fellow Calgarian Tillie Claggett, who started the tournament in seventh, carded a round of 3 over to climb up the leaderboard for the second consecutive day. The fourteen-year-old finished in solo-second at 12-over-par 222, while round one leader Emily Zhu ended up in third at 13-over-par 223.
Rounding out the top six earning exemptions into the 2018 Canadian Junior Girls Championship on July 31-Aug. 3 at Beach Grove Golf Club in Tsawwassen, B.C. are Annabelle Ackroyd (Calgary, Alta.), Jenna Bruggeman (Edmonton, Alta.), Camille Lapierre-Ouellet (Granby, Que.) and Stephanie Chelack (Calgary Alta.).
Full results can be found here.