2023 Newsletter: The Summer Review
THE 2023 ALBERTA GOLF SEASON REVIEW
Alberta Golf qualifiers and competitions, youth initiatives and recreational events went well across Alberta this summer. From our Championships, High Performance program, Youth on Course, UpSwing brand, all ages and levels of ability were able to enjoy golfing in Alberta. Please enjoy the following content on all that Alberta Golf has accomplished in the 2023 golf season.
JAMIE WELDER WINS ALBERTA MID MASTER CHAMPIONSHIP
The Alberta Men’s Mid Master Championship at Olds Golf Club was won by Jamie Welder after firing a final round 5-under 67.
JIEMING YANG WINS ALBERTA WOMEN’S AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
The Alberta Women’s Amateur Championship at Water Valley Golf Club was won by Jieming Yang after shooting a final round 75 for a 4 stroke victory over Eileen Park.
ETHAN WILSON WINS ALBERTA MEN’S AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
The Alberta Men’s Amateur Championship at Innisfail Golf Club was won by Ethan Wilson by 8 strokes after an impressive final round bogey free 67.
PARK AND KOONAR WIN ALBERTA U19 CHAMPIONSHIP
Eileen Park and Jaiden Koonar win the Alberta U19 Championship at Turner Valley Golf Club.
BARRETT JAROSCH WINS ALBERTA MEN’S MID AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
The Alberta Men’s Mid Amateur Championship at Windermere Golf and Country Club was won by Barrett Jarosch in a playoff over Ryan Werre.
CELINA LAM WINS ALBERTA WOMEN’S SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP
The Alberta Women’s Senior Championship at Coyote Creek Golf and RV Resort was won by Celina Lam after a back nine battle with Lynn Kuehn and Jackie Little.
JAMES VARNAM WINS ALBERTA MEN’S SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP
The Alberta Men’s Senior Championship at Glendale Golf and Country Club was won by James Varnam after a final round even par 72 for a 3 stroke victory.
VIDEO: ALBERTA GOLF ALL ABILITIES CHAMPIONSHIP
Alberta Golf partnered with The City of Calgary for the 2023 Alberta Golf All Abilities Championship at McCall Lake Golf Course for 24 competitors with a variety of disabilities.
KIEFER JONES WINS ALBERTA GOLF ALL ABILITIES CHAMPIONSHIP
The Alberta Golf All Abilities Championship at McCall Lake Golf Course was won by Kiefer Jones after shooting 2-under 69 for a 7 stroke victory.
MAX SEKULIC WINS ALBERTA OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP
The Alberta Open Championship at Coal Creek Golf Course was won by Max Sekulic with a final round 65 and a 4 stroke victory over Andrew Harrison.
6 CHAMPIONS CROWNED AT U17, U15, U13 CHAMPIONSHIP
The Alberta U17, U15, U13 Championship was held at Alberta Springs Golf Resort with 6 champions being crowned.
DAVID SCHULTZ WINS ALBERTA MEN’S SUPER SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP
The Alberta Men’s Super Senior Championship at The Canal at Delacour was won by David Schultz in a playoff over Norman Bradley.
GREAVES AND OGADA WIN MCLENNAN ROSS ALBERTA JUNIOR TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP
Charles Greaves and Sela Ogada were the winners of the McLennan Ross Alberta Junior Tour Championship from River Bend Golf and Recreation Area.
WILLOW PARK G&CC SWEEPS INTERCLUB CHAMPIONSHIP
Willow Park Golf and Country Club won both the men’s and women’s divisions at the Alberta Interclub Championship at Kananaskis Country Golf Course.
ALBERTANS PLACED WELL ON THE NATIONAL STAGE IN 2023
Top National Results for Alberta Players, top 10 finishes
Canadian Junior Girls Eileen Park, 1st
NextGen Western Championship – Jaiden Koonar, 1st
Canadian Men’s Amateur – Brady McKinlay, T5
Canadian Junior Boys – Tyler Kidd, T10
Canadian Juvenile Boys – Tyler Kidd, 7th
Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur – Ryan Werre, 8th
Canadian Men’s Mid-Master – Barrett Jarosch, 7th
Canadian Men’s Senior – Ken Griffith, T3
Canadian Men’s Senior Inter-Provincial Championship, Alberta, 1st
Team was, Ken Griffith, Brian Laubman & James Varnam.
FULL STORY ON EILEEN PARK’S WIN HERE
FULL STORY ON ALBERTA’S INTER-PROVINCIAL WIN HERE
UPSWING BY ALBERTA GOLF
UpSwing by Alberta Golf is our recreational brand and it had a great second season at courses all across Alberta for all ages and levels.
ATB CLASSIC PARTNERS WITH ALBERTA GOLF TO RAISE MONEY FOR YOUTH ON COURSE
Alberta Golf was the charity partner for the ATB Classic on PGA Tour Canada held at Northern Bear Golf Course. An amazing $55,000 was raised to boost this subsidy program that gets thousands of boys and girls onto courses across Alberta for $5 per round.
READ MORE ABOUT YOUTH ON COURSE ALBERTA HERE
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
Alberta Golf named Ray Provencher Volunteer of the Year. Provencher is a Referee and Course Rater who plays out of The Broadmoor Golf Course in Sherwood Park.
WATCH VIDEO:RAY PROVENCHER ACCEPTS VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD
ALBERTA GOLF 2023 SPRING LAUNCH AND HALL OF FAME INDUCTIONS
Alberta Golf held it’s Spring Launch at The Winston Golf Club which is celebrating their 100 year centennial. Leaders in the golf industry held round table discussions on a variety of topics. Later that evening Dunc Mills and Bill Newis were inducted into the Alberta Golf Hall of Fame in the distinguished service category.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT DUNC MILLS AND BILL NEWIS HERE
WATCH VIDEO: DUNC MILLS AND BILL NEWIS INDUCTED INTO THE ALBERTA GOLF HALL OF FAME
ALBERTA GOLF SUPPORTS 30 ATHLETES IN THE 2023 ATHLETE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
The Athlete Development Program is designed to support athletes across the province by providing programs and services that ultimately help them reach their competitive goals in the sport. Support is provided to athletes, coaches, and facilities who are committed to developing the game of golf in the province of Alberta.
2023 ATHLETE DEVELOPMENT BIOS. MEET THE 30 ATHLETES HERE
2023 ATHLETE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
ALBERTA GOLF FOUNDATION
The Alberta Golf Association Foundation distributed scholarships to 39 deserving recipients in 2023 for a total amount of $69,000.
2023 ALBERTA GOLFER MAGAZINE
Please enjoy the digital version of our 2023 Alberta Golfer Magazine.
READ 2023 ALBERTA GOLFER DIGITAL MAGAZINE HERE
SECOND ANNUAL TOM BYERS JUNIOR GOLF DAY
On Saturday May 27, Inglewood Golf & Curling Club hosted the second annual Tom Byers Junior Golf Day. 80 kids aged 6-15 discovered the game of golf, got 90 minutes of instruction from PGA of Alberta professionals and then a fun BBQ. Alberta Golf & UpSwing partnered with Kids Up Front, Kidsport and The Calgary Flames Alumni Association to support junior golf all in the name of Lanny McDonald’s brother-in-law who passed away in 2020. Nothing made Tom Byers happier than seeing junior golfers enjoy the game and the event was a great tribute to the former Inglewood member. Calgary Flames Alumni Lanny McDonald, Colin Patterson, Perry Berezan and Tim Hunter were on hand to support the amazing day.
WATCH VIDEO: 2023 TOM BYERS JUNIOR GOLF DAY
2023 ALBERTA GOLF SAFE SPORT POLICY
Alberta Golf is aligned with Golf Canada and Respect Group and is fully committed to fostering a Safe Sport environment for golf.
2023 ALBERTA GOLF SAFE SPORT POLICY AND INFLUENCER VIDEO
ALBERTA GOLF IDENTITY VIDEO AND UPSWING COMMERCIAL
Please enjoy our Alberta Golf “For Everyone” identity video and 2023 UpSwing radio commercial.
ALBERTA GOLF “FOR EVERYONE” IDENTITY VIDEO
Team Alberta wins Senior Inter-Provincial Team title at the 2023 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship
By Mike Masaro:
Alberta Golf (Pemberton, B.C.) –
Team Alberta shot a combined score of 2-under to win their third consecutive Senior Inter-Provincial Team Championship at the 2023 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship, presented by BDO at Big Sky Golf Club in Pemberton, B.C. on Wednesday.
Team Alberta finished seven shots clear of Team New Brunswick, who finished in second at 5-over, with Team Manitoba in third place at 10-over. Alberta opened the day with a four shot lead and were led by Ken Griffith of Red Deer, Alta. who shot an even par 72 on Wednesday. Teammate Brian Laubman of Edmonton shot a 2-over 74, with his score also counting, while 2023 Alberta Men’s Senior Champion James Varnam, also of Edmonton shot a 4-over 76.
“Being on the team is a great honour in our province. Alberta takes the team event very seriously and we have a lot of very competitive golfers. It means a lot; we’re representing all of the Alberta golfers and we really enjoy that and it’s a great honour to be able to play at national level and represent your province,” said Ken Griffith, who has won back-to-back inter-provincial team titles with Alberta.
Ken Griffith, James Varnam & Brian Laubman
“Feels wonderful. It’s the third senior win for myself. I’ve made a total of 11 provincial teams, but the senior teams, I think are the best. Playing with guys that really good friends and we have a lot of fun off the course, but we try to beat each other’s brains out on the course which makes it all that much better. To share this with these guys is an honour,” added Brian Laubman.
James Varnam was playing for the Alberta Senior Men’s team for the first time and was very proud to play for his province, “even at the events before we got here, we met and we talked and it has tremendous meaning to everybody in Alberta, especially the seniors to be on this team. I’m delighted, I just feel grateful to be a part of this.”
Big Sky played to tougher conditions on Wednesday, with Dave Bunker and Stephen Jensen both finishing with rounds of 2-over 74 to remain tied for the lead in the Senior Championship division at 5-under.
Bunker of Ridgeway, Ont. put in a solid round, recording 16 pars and only two bogeys on Wednesday. Jensen of England had a tough finish to the front nine with a triple bogey on nine but played the back nine at 1-under with one birdie and eight pars for his round.
The duo increased their lead to three shots over a trio of golfers at 2-under heading into Thursday’s third round. Rupert Kellock of England and Team Alberta’s Ken Griffith both posted rounds of 72 to remain at 2-under for the tournament. Doug Hanzel of Savannah, Ga. shot a 2-over 74 to drop two strokes and is at 2-under for the tournament. The 2017 runner-up maintains the lead in the Super Senior division by three shots over 2018 Canadian Men’s Senior Champion, Brady Exber of Las Vegas, who sits at 1-over.
Following today’s round, the cut has been set at 12-over with the top 74 players advancing to the final two rounds in the Senior division of the national championship. The tournament began with a field of 156 golfers competing for the John Rankin Memorial Trophy with the winner receiving an exemption into the 2024 U.S. Senior Amateur Championship. The Super Senior division will have 15 golfers making the cut and progressing to the final two rounds.
For the full leaderboard of the 2023 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship, please click here.
Willow Park Golf & Country Club sweep 2023 Interclub Championship
Alberta Golf (Kananaskis) – Alberta Golf wrapped up it’s Championship season Tuesday at Kananaskis Country Golf Course as 46 Men’s and Women’s teams represented their home club in the 2023 Alberta Interclub Championship. The morning was brisk but the sun came out and the scenery was a stunning backdrop to some great play across the 36 hole layout of Mount Lorette and Mount Kidd.
On the ladies side Willow Park Golf and Country Club took the championship. Samantha Copeland, Celine Copeland, Kari Schwab and Ashley Gross teamed up to post 8-0ver par and a 7 stroke victory over Silver Springs Golf and Country Club and Mickelson National Golf Club.
The men’s division saw a 3-way playoff at 10-under par between Willow Park Golf and Country Club, Earl Grey Golf Club and Canmore Golf and Curling Club. The 3 teams were still tied after 3 playoff holes on the Mount Lorette course. On the 4th playoff hole Canmore Golf and Curling Club were eliminated in 3rd place with a bogey. The remaining 2 teams skipped the 5th hole to let a Black Bear eat quietly, yup lots of drama in this playoff to end our championship season !!! On the par 3 6th hole Braydon Wheeler drained a birdie putt to give Willow Park the title and the sweep of the Men’s and Women’s divisions. Braydon Wheeler, Kevin Davison, james Dyack and Greg Stephanson celebrated with Mount Lorette sparkling in the background.
Linda Flette, Angela Maitland, Cara Smith and Nanette Fouche from Mickelson National Golf Club won the Ladies Low Net Championship.
David Schultz wins Alberta Men’s Super Senior Championship in playoff over Norman Bradley
Alberta Golf (Delacour) – A hot and windy Tuesday at The Canal at Delacour for the final round of the Alberta Men’s Super Senior Championship. David Schultz from Country Hills Golf Club defeated Norman Bradley from Kelowna Golf and Country Club on the 3rd playoff hole with a par as Bradley’s par attempt just slipped by. Schultz shot 70-69 for a 5-under total matched by Bradley’s 68-71 5-under par. Former champion Frank Van Dornick finished 3rd, 2 shots out of the playoff.
FULL SCORING IN ALL CATEGORIES HERE
WATCH INTERVIEW WITH CHAMPION DAVID SCHULTZ
Howard Broun from Earl Grey Golf Club shot rounds of 71 and 75 to win the 75+ Diamond division by 19 strokes.
Thanks to Scott Fraser and his staff at The Canal at Delacour for hosting a great championship.
Bradley Norman leads Frank Van Dornick by 1 stroke heading to final round of Alberta Men’s Super Senior Championship
Alberta Golf (Calgary) – Hot and calm conditions for the first round of the Alberta Men’s Super Senior Championship from the Canal at Delacour just east of Calgary. Bradley Norman from the Kelowna Golf and Country Club shot a 4-under 68 with 5 birdies and only 1 bogey to take a 1 stroke lead on past champion Frank Van Dornick of Camrose who started with 2 bogeys in his first 4 holes but shot a back nine 32 with and eagle and 2 birdies for a 3-under 69, beating his age of 71.
WATCH INTERVIEW WITH FRANK VAN DORNICK WHO BEAT HIS AGE BY 2 STROKES
Howard Broun from Earl Grey Golf Club also beat his age to lead the 75+ Diamond Championship by 10 strokes.
6 Champions crowned at Alberta U17, U15, U13 Championship
Alberta Golf (Red Deer) – Cloudy but calm scoring conditions Tuesday at Alberta Springs Golf Resort for the final round of the U17, U15, U13 Boys and Girls Championship.
In the U17 Girls division Tessa Ion shot a final round 3-under 69 to win the title.
WATCH INTERVIEW WITH TESSA ION
In the U17 Boys division Charlie Gillespie shot a final round 5-under 67 to win the title.
WATCH INTERVIEW WITH CHARLIE GILLESPIE
In the U15 Girls division Saylar May shot a final round 4-over 76 to win the title.
WATCH INTERVIEW WITH SAYLAR MAY
In the U15 Boys division Harrison Kiziak shot a final round 4-under 68 to win the title.
WATCH INTERVIEW WITH HARRISON KIZIAK
In the U13 Girls division Hannah Thomas shot a final round 3-over 75 to win the title.
WATCH INTERVIEW WITH HANNAH THOMAS
In the U13 Boys division Jayden Arnold shot a final round 5-under 67 to win the title.
WATCH INTERVIEW WITH JAYDEN ARNOLD
Thanks to Al Norlin and his staff at Alberta Springs Golf Resort for a great couple days in Red Deer.
Leaders after day 1 at the U17, U15, U13 Championship at Alberta Springs in Red Deer
Alberta Golf (Red Deer) – Alberta Springs Golf Resort in Red Deer is hosting the 2023 U17, U15, U13 Boys & Girls Championship. The 2 day event is at the half way point. 6 champions will be crowned on Tuesday, please follow scoring below.
Max Sekulic shoots 65 to win Alberta Open by 4 strokes over Andrew Harrison
Alberta Golf (Ryley) – A very hot and windless day on the perfectly manicured Coal Creek Golf Course in Ryley, Alberta for the final round of the Alberta Open. The champion was bound to come from the final group of 2021 Canadian Amateur Champion Max Sekulic who held a 1 stroke lead over 2019 Alberta Open Champion Andrew Harrison and a 4 stroke lead over 6-time Alberta Open Champion Wes Heffernan. On the front nine Sekulic hit 2 perfect shots on the par 5 3rd hole and drained the eagle putt, while Harrison made birdies on the 7th and 9th holes and both Sekulic and Harrison turned in 3-under 33 and it was a 2 horse race. Max Sekulic pulled away on the back nine with 4 birdies, played air tight golf all day and tapped in for a 7-under 65 and a 4 stroke victory over Andrew Harrison who played a bogey free round of 68. Sekulic finished the tournament at 15-under par after rounds of 67-69-65. Wes Heffernan finished 3rd in the professional category with rounds of 69-71-71. Max Sekulic takes home $8,000 for the victory.
WATCH INTERVIEW WITH ALBERTA OPEN CHAMPION MAX SEKULIC
In the amateur division, Jesse Galvon shot a 7-under 65 and defeated Braden O’Grady in a playoff to make the Morse Cup team and collect a spot in the 2024 Pacific Coast Amateur Championship.
A big thank you to Jason Rasmuson, Brent Macduff, Michael Harrison, Dean Zilinski and the entire staff at Coal Creek Golf Resort for a memorable week.
Michael Harrison, Coal Creek Golf Resort Assistant Professional.
Max Sekulic leads Andrew Harrison at The Alberta Open. Wes Heffernan 4 shots back.
Alberta Golf (Ryley) – Windy to start and calm to finish but sunshine throughout the day at Coal Creek Golf Resort for the 2nd round of the Alberta Open.
The big mover today was Camrose’s Andrew Harrison who calls Coal Creek home and it showed today, after an opening bogey starting on the 10th hole, the 2019 Alberta Open Champion had 5 birdies and an eagle the rest of the way to post the low score of the championship, a 6-under 66.
Harrison sits one shot back of 2021 Canadian Amateur Champion Max Sekulic, who’s now a professional. Sekulic had 5 birdies and 2 bogeys for a 3-under 69 to go with his opening round of 67 and sits on top at 8-under par 1 shot better than Harrison.
6-time champion Wes Heffernan had 6 birdies and 3 bogeys but a lost ball on his tee shot on the 1st hole (his 10th hole of the day) led to a double bogey and a 1-under round of 71 which puts him 4 shots off the lead but does put him into the final group with Harrison and Sekulic which should lead to a dramatic final round.
A LOOK AT THE TOP TEN
Max Sekulic leads after round one of The Alberta Open at Coal Creek Golf Resort
Alberta Golf (Ryley) – Sunny but windy day at Coal Creek Golf Resort for round one of The Alberta Open Championship, the only event on the Alberta Golf Championship Schedule that sees professionals and amateurs compete together. The purse for the professionals is $30,000 while the amateurs will split $4,200. professional Max Sekulic from Rycroft, Alberta set the tone with 7 birdies and only 1 bogey for a 5-under 67 and a 2 shot lead.
Sekulic, the 2021 Canadian Men’s Amateur Champion has a 2 shot lead on 6-time champion Wes Heffernan who had 5 birdies but couldn’t find his tee shot on the 11th hole which lead to a double bogey, the lone blemish on a 3-under par round of 69. Also joining Heffernan at 3-under is Camrose product Devin Kucy who poured in 6 birdies along with a bogey and a double bogey on the par 3 17th hole. Kucy is the low amateur after round 1.
There’s a 3-way tie for 4th place between Dillon Batsel, Scott Stiles and Brandon Markiw.
WATCH GENERAL MANAGER JASON RASMUSON ON THE HISTORY OF COAL CREEK GOLF RESORT
