Saunders posts lowest round after Senior Men’s day one
LETHBRIDGE, Alta. (Alberta Golf) – Day one of the 2017 Guardian Capital Alberta Senior Men’s Championship at the Henderson Lake Golf & Country Club proved to be a difficult challenge. With blue skies and not a breath of wind, the small greens and narrow fairways on this old traditional parkland course saw no players post subpar rounds for the day.
Jim Saunders posted the low round of the day shooting an even par (70). When asked about the conditions, Saunders said, “the conditions are perfect. The greens are all the same and very challenging. If you are not hitting it in the right position on the green, you are really having to work hard to get off with two putts.” Additionally, Saunders relied on his short game to keep his round in check. “I made a couple of putts for birdie and I chipped in once for birdie, which made up for the mistakes I made on the par three’s.”
Meanwhile, Kevin Campbell sits alone in second place, posting a 1 over par (71). The key to Campbell’s success was solid ball striking, starting from the tee. “I was hitting a lot of fairways. I left myself in good spots, staying below the hole, which took the pressure off the short game and made for an easy round today.”
With sunny, hot temperatures projected for the rest of the week and the players becoming more familiar with the course, the next closest behind competitors are sure to challenge the lead. With the current leaderboard littered with ties, the field will be cut to the top 60 and ties at the conclusion of tomorrow’s round. Players will be fighting for an opportunity to play the final round on Thursday.
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At Guardian, we prize the stability of our clients, our employees and our financial resources. Placing the needs of our clients first has led to long-lasting relationships. A growing client base has allowed us to consistently hire the best and brightest. And this combination of satisfied clients and exceptional team members is what will allow us to maintain our significant financial strength in the decades to come.
Legend Jack Nicklaus to kick-off opening ceremony for the 2017 RBC Canadian Open
On Tuesday, July 25 at 10 a.m. ET at Glen Abbey Golf Club, golf icon Jack Nicklaus will be on hand to officially open the 2017 RBC Canadian Open during a public outdoor ceremony at Glen Abbey Golf Club.
The Opening Ceremony for the 2017 RBC Canadian Open will be immediately followed by the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, where amateur champion Judy Darling Evans and legendary golf club maker Bob Vokey will be officially inducted as the 78th and 79th honoured members. Nicklaus, who was inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame in 1995, will join 16 other legends of Canadian golf as part of the celebration.
Spectators are invited to join the celebration (FREE for all attendees) that will officially kick off the 2017 RBC Canadian Open. Both the induction and ceremony will take place on stage in the Coors Light 19th Hole Beer Garden.
Click here for more information on what’s happening at the 2017 RBC Canadian Open.
Final field set for 2017 RBC Canadian Open
OAKVILLE, Ont. (Golf Canada) – Golf Canada and RBC are pleased to announce the final field of competitors vying for the US$6.0 million purse at the 2017 RBC Canadian Open, July 24-30 at Glen Abbey Golf Club.
World no. 1 Dustin Johnson will be challenged by a stellar field of PGA TOUR stars including world No. 18 Matt Kuchar, two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson, two-time RBC Canadian Open champion Jim Furyk, world No. 33 and 2013 RBC Canadian Open champion Brandt Snedeker, three-time PGA TOUR winners Ryan Palmer and Graeme McDowell, as well as World Golf Hall of Fame member Ernie Els.
Other notable additions to the field for the 108th playing of Canada’s National Open Championship include defending champion Jhonattan Vegas, Ian Poulter, 34-time PGA TOUR winner Vijay Singh, eight-time winner K.J. Choi, six-time winner Hunter Mahan, world No. 28 Kevin Chappell, world No. 39 Charley Hoffman, world no. 48 Gary Woodland and rising-star Tony Finau, who sits 27th on the FedEx Cup Point Standings.
“The field is nearly set and we’re ready to tee-up the 108th playing of Canada’s National Open Championship starting next week at Glen Abbey Golf Club,” said Tournament Director Brent McLaughlin. “It’s a big year for Canada celebrating 150 years and with a tremendous mix of international stars and the deepest field of Canadian talent ever, we couldn’t be more thrilled to treat fans to a world-class showcase of golf steeped in Canadiana.”
In total, 156 players will compete for the US$6.0 million purse next week in Oakville when Canada’s National Open Championship returns to Glen Abbey for a record 29th time.
Past Champions….
Defending champion Jhonattan Vegas will be joined by seven other former champions including Team RBC members Brandt Snedeker – who won in 2013 at Glen Abbey Golf Club – and Jim Furyk who claimed back-to-back championships in 2006 and 2007. Other confirmed past champions include Scott Piercy (2012), Sean O’Hair (2011), Carl Pettersson (2010), Chez Reavie (2008) and Vijay Singh (2004).
PGA Tour In-Year Winners….
A total of nine in-year PGA Tour winners will compete at Glen Abbey including Cody Gribble, Mackenzie Hughes, Harris English, Matt Kuchar, Hudson Swafford, Dustin Johnson, Adam Hadwin, D.A. Points and Kevin Chappell.
13 Canadians to compete for National Men’s Open Title….
World no. 54 Adam Hadwin of Abbotsford, B.C., will lead a 13-member Canadian contingent into Canada’s national Open championship. The 29-year old is in the midst of his finest season with a win at the Valpsar Championship and a 59 at the CareerBuilder Challenge. Hadwin will be joined by fellow recent PGA TOUR winners Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont. and Nick Taylor of Abbotsford, B.C. as well fellow Canadian fan favourites Graham DeLaet of Weyburn, Sask., David Hearn of Brantford, Ont., Brad Fritsch of Manotick, Ont. and Canadian Golf Hall of Fame member Mike Weir of Bright’s Grove, Ont.
Other Canadians confirmed include Jared du Toit, the 22-year old Team Canada member played in the final pairing at the 2016 RBC Canadian Open. The Calgary native returns to Glen Abbey as a professional hoping to recapture the magic that made him the story of last year’s championship. Team Canada National Amateur Squad members Hugo Bernard of Mont St-Hilaire, Que., the reigning Canadian Men’s Amateur champion along with Austin James of Bath, Ont., will also compete.
Former Team Canada member Garrett Rank of Elmira, Ont., has earned his third consecutive RBC Canadian Open exemption by winning his third straight Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship. PGA of Canada professional Bryn Parry of Vancouver earned his way into the 2017 RBC Canadian Open by claiming the No. 1 position on the PGA of Canada Player Rankings presented by RBC, while former Team Canada member Matt Hill of Brights Grove, Ont., won the 144-player Ontario Regional Qualifier to earn an exemption.
The Canadians in the field have their sights set on becoming the first Canadian to capture the national title since Pat Fletcher claimed victory in 1954.
Final Tournament Exemptions to be Named…
The top three players on the Mackenzie Tour-PGA Tour Canada Order of Merit following this weekend’s Mackenzie Investments Open in Mirabel, Que. will earn exemptions into the field for the 2017 RBC Canadian Open.
The final four exemptions into the field for the 2017 RBC Canadian Open will be handed out at the Monday Final Qualifier on July 24 to be played at Heron Point Golf Links near Ancaster, Ont.
Click here for the full list of competitors competing in the 2017 RBC Canadian Open at Glen Abbey Golf Club from July 24-30.
TICKETS:
Grounds tickets for all days of the 2017 RBC Canadian Open, as well as, a limited number of premium ticket packages are still available. A full list of ticket packages and pricing is available online at www.rbccanadianopen.com/tickets.
Golf Canada and RBC are also pleased to offer FREE admission to juniors 17 and younger—Click here to download a FREE Junior Pass.
Full field of Senior Men heading to Henderson Lake
LETHBRIDGE, Alta. (Alberta Golf) – The best will return for the 2017 Guardian Capital Alberta Senior Men’s Championship hosted by the Henderson Lake Golf Club from July 25th to 27th. With a maxed out field of 120 competitors, defending Senior Champion David Schultz knows that it’s anyone’s game.
“I feel my odds of winning again this year are as good as anyone else. There is always a group of guys that will be tough to beat, including Floyd Kilgore and Frank Van Dornick. And every year, there are a few senior “rookies” to watch for, like Brian Laubman this year. Alberta is such a competitive province with many good players, it’s never easy to come out on top. But, I feel I’m rounding into form, and am looking forward to trying for the repeat.”
Kilgore is a two time winner and Van Dornick is a three time decorated champion. Howard Broun, 2016 Super Senior Champion, will also look to re-create tournament history in the now lowered 65 and over division (which complies with Golf Canada’s Senior Championship updated guidelines.)
Not overly familiar with the course, Schultz is curious to see how it will play in Lethbridge, Alta. He says he will be focusing on his green game, expecting the majority of players to be on the same learning curve.
“Hopefully getting a hot putter for a while will be key. Being at Henderson Lake this year will be interesting. I don’t think many of the players have played much here in the last number of years, so we will have to gain some familiarity as the week goes on.”
Tournament players will also swing for a spot on the 2017 Alberta Senior Men’s Interprovincial Team. The top three finalists will travel to Kahnawake (Montréal), Que. to compete in the 2017 Canadian Senior Men’s Championship from September 11th to 14th.
NOTABLES
- David Schultz – Defending Alberta Senior Men’s Champion
- Howard Broun – Defending Alberta Super Senior Men’s Champion
- Floyd Kilgore – 2 time Alberta Senior Men’s Champion
- Frank Van Dornick – 3 time Alberta Senior Men’s Champion
- Brian Brown – 2016 Alberta Senior Men’s Interprovincial Team
FAST FACTS
- First contested in 1946
- Format – 54 holes of stroke play competition
- Senior contest – for those aged 55 & over
- Super Senior contest – lowered to those aged 65 & over
- Championship tees – 6,527 yards, par 70
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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 commited 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.
Alberta Golf hosts 13 annual provincial championships in order to identify the best golfers in various age and gender catergories. A mix of nearly 1,500 pro and amateur golfers compete on high quality member facility courses across the province. Championships are hosted by a core team of staff and over 100 volunteers. The tournaments promote competition, build pride in the community, support charitable giving and inspire future generations of golfers. They also serve as an opportunity for golfers to qualify for national amateur championships.
ABOUT GUARDIAN CAPITAL
At Guardian, we prize the stability of our clients, our employees and our financial resources. Placing the needs of our clients first has led to long-lasting relationships. A growing client base has allowed us to consistently hire the best and brightest. And this combination of satisfied clients and exceptional team members is what will allow us to maintain our significant financial strength in the decades to come.
CONTACT
Anthony Stirling
Tournament Director
Alberta Golf
(p) 403-999-2615
Kids jump into golf at Jumpstart Games
On July 20, Alberta Golf participated in the Jumpstart Games at the Calgary Soccer Centre. This community event is part of the PGA on Wheels program, which is focused on teaching and welcoming new golfers to the game.
PGA on Wheels has been to various community events this year including: All Sport One Day and the Spruce Grove Canada Day Parade. PGA on Wheels goes into community events across Alberta with the goal of growing the game of golf.
More than 700 kids from ages 4-18 representing various Jumpstart community partners like the YMCA, Boys and Girls Clubs Of Calgary, Big Brothers Big Sisters Calgary and Hull Child and Family Services were at the Calgary Soccer Centre on Thursday.
In the Calgary Soccer Centre there was one field dedicated to each sport. The sports ranged from: dodgeball, soccer, kickball and KIN-Ball.
The PGA of Alberta Golf professionals volunteered their time to teach kids how to swing. Each station provided a new opportunity for kids to fall in love with the game. From a putting course, target practice, chipping, full shots and golfzilla. The kids had so much fun during the 35 minute sessions.
Many of the children participating had never picked up a golf club before but once they did they didn’t want to stop. Once kids see how fun golf is, the game continues to grow from there.
The kids were able try sports that they may not have had the opportunity to try without programs like Jumpstart and the PGA on Wheels. No matter what, all kids should be able to be active and have the chance to play sports.
Some kids and their families need financial help to play sports and that is where Jumpstart comes in. Jumpstart is a National Canadian Tire charity that provides funding to those families that need it most. By supporting programs like the PGA on Wheels and Jumpstart, by volunteering or donating you could be helping your neighbor or a friend.
Alberta Golf was able to help the PGA of Alberta give back at this great event.
Learn more about how the PGA of Alberta program PGA on Wheels is helping grow the game through community events across Alberta this summer.
Learn how Jumpstart is helping kids try new sports without financial barriers.
Hogan defeats Sekulic in a thriller playoff finish for his second Men’s Am title
Sekulic and Graf round out the 2017 Alberta Willingdon Cup Team
It was a dramatic finish to the 2017 edition of the Sun Life Financial Alberta Men’s Amateur Championship. Wind and rain made for tough conditions at the Ponoka Golf Club as sixty of the province’s best amateur golfers vied for their spot into the national championship. 2015 champion Brett Hogan defeated Max Sekulic on the second playoff hole in a thriller finish.
Hogan got off to a hot start again as he started the day two shots off of Sekulic’s lead. “I got off to a great start. I knew Max was going come out and play well today. My goal was to play my own game and get some chances for birdie. On the front, I did a good job of keeping the ball below the hole”, said Hogan. He went out bogey-free in 32 strokes and after birdieing the tenth hole he had it to 16-under-par for the championship before conditions deteriorated. “On the back, I played decently solid but got a little shaky with the putter and the conditions got worse and a little tougher out there.”
Sekulic fought back hard and made an incredible 20-foot bomb for birdie on the final hole in front of the crowd. Hogan said, “I had a feeling he (Sekulic) was going to make it. He’s a great putter. I knew I was going to have to make mine and unfortunately, I lipped out my par putt. You’ve got to move on.” After 72 holes the pair were tied at 12-under-par and were headed to a sudden death playoff starting on the tenth hole.
Both players scrambled for par on the par 5 tenth and they headed back to the 18th where it would all be settled. Hogan tugged his drive just left and had two trees blocking his second shot. “I had 95 yards and had to keep it pretty low. I’ve practiced shots like that before. Hitting different clubs from about a hundred yards and I actually had that shot earlier this week in the second round so I knew what to do. I just hit an eight iron from back in my stance and just hoped it would work out as well as it did.” His ball rolled to four feet and when Sekulic missed his birdie attempt, Hogan stepped up and made his second chance count.
Hogan becomes the 19th person in the championship’s history to win the Alberta Amateur multiple times. He said after the round that “it means a lot… it meant a lot to get the first one and this probably means just as much or maybe even more. It’s not easy to win these things and this is definitely one of my favourite tournaments all year.”
Hogan, Sekulic and Graf form the Alberta Willingdon Cup team that will represent the province at the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship to be conducted at The Toronto Golf Club & Islington Golf Club in Mississauga, ON, August 7-10th. Hogan earns the final spot on the 2018 Pacific Coast Amateur Championship Alberta Morse Cup Team.
TOP 10 LEADERBOARD
MEDIA
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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 commited 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.
Alberta Golf hosts 13 annual provincial championships in order to identify the best golfers in various age and gender catergories. A mix of nearly 1,500 pro and amateur golfers compete on high quality member facility courses across the province. Championships are hosted by a core team of staff and over 100 volunteers. The tournaments promote competition, build pride in the community, support charitable giving and inspire future generations of golfers. They also serve as an opportunity for golfers to qualify for national amateur championships.
ABOUT SUN LIFE FINANCIAL
Sun Life Financial has served Canadians for 150 years. With an array of products and services, Sun Life is able to offer trusted solutions for customer’s needs. Beyond business, Sun Life is committed to operating in a socially responsible way and acting as a good corporate citizen. Sun Life Financial has been a dedicated sponsor of the Sun Life Financial Alberta Men’s Amateur Championship for 27 years.
MORE INFORMATION
Anthony Stirling
Tournament Director
Alberta Golf
(p) 403-999-2615
Hogan heats up on moving day as Sekulic looks to go wire-to-wire at the Men’s Am
Sekulic, Hogan and Graf have distanced themselves from the rest of the Men’s Am field
Moving day lived up to its name as several top contenders made their way up the leaderboard at the 2017 Sun Life Financial Alberta Men’s Amateur Championship. Clearer skies and a gentle breeze offered nearly ideal scoring conditions for the remaining 61 hopefuls. Notably, three players have separated themselves from the rest of the field heading into tomorrow’s final round.
Team Canada Development Squad member Max Sekulic held his own on day three. The 18-year-old shot a solid 68, that featured five birdies and a lone bogey. His lead was narrowed to two strokes after an extremely hot back-nine score of 29 from past champion Brett Hogan of the Glencoe G&CC. Sekulic will look to go wire-to-wire in tomorrow’s final round, just as Hogan did in his 2015 Alberta Amateur victory at the Edmonton Petroleum Club.
Hogan, the 2016 SVR Alberta Open champion, got off to a slow start today, going out in 37 strokes with no birdies. As he made the turn he knew he had to sharpen his focus. After the round, he said “I saw the boys behind me were doing pretty well and I knew I had to get something going. I started off well with an eagle on ten there where I made my putt from about twelve feet. I made some really good par saves on holes 11 and 12, and finally got it rolling. Number 14, made birdie. Eagled 16, then birdied 17 and 18.” Hogan’s third round score of 66 is the best of the championship and it was the kind of finish he needed to get into tomorrow’s last group and put some pressure on the leader.
Hogan knows the pressure of coming down the stretch trying to win a provincial championship and will draw on his experience in the final round. He said “I’m trying to play my own game. I can only control what I can do out there. If he (Sekulic) goes out there and has a great round, then good for him. But I’m going to give it all I have and see how it ends up.”
Sekulic and Hogan will be joined by Team Alberta U19 member Carter Graf in the final group. The youngster from the Red Deer G&CC impressed on day three by firing another five-under-par 67 to get to double digits at ten-under-par overall.
The top three finishers at the conclusion of the championship will form the Team Alberta Interprovincial Squad for the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship to be conducted at The Toronto Golf Club & Islington Golf Club in Mississauga, ON August 7-10th. The champion will earn the final spot on the 2018 Pacific Coast Amateur Championship Alberta Morse Cup Team.
TOP 10 LEADERBOARD
MEDIA
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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 commited 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.
Alberta Golf hosts 13 annual provincial championships in order to identify the best golfers in various age and gender catergories. A mix of nearly 1,500 pro and amateur golfers compete on high quality member facility courses across the province. Championships are hosted by a core team of staff and over 100 volunteers. The tournaments promote competition, build pride in the community, support charitable giving and inspire future generations of golfers. They also serve as an opportunity for golfers to qualify for national amateur championships.
ABOUT SUN LIFE FINANCIAL
Sun Life Financial has served Canadians for 150 years. With an array of products and services, Sun Life is able to offer trusted solutions for customer’s needs. Beyond business, Sun Life is committed to operating in a socially responsible way and acting as a good corporate citizen. Sun Life Financial has been a dedicated sponsor of the Sun Life Financial Alberta Men’s Amateur Championship for 27 years.
MORE INFORMATION
Anthony Stirling
Tournament Director
Alberta Golf
(p) 403-999-2615
Sekulic keeps it rolling on day two of the Men’s Am
Team Canada Development Squad member opens up a four shot lead
Through the haze emerged first round leader Max Sekulic striding up the fairway on the last hole in his recognizable red Team Canada shirt. The 18-year-old lefty is demonstrating poise beyond his years after backing up an opening 68 with an impressive five-under-par 67 in the second round. He has opened a four-shot lead over a trio tied at five-under-par on cut day at the 2017 Sun Life Financial Alberta Men’s Amateur Championship.
Sekulic got off to another hot start by birdieing his first hole of the day and never looked back. Notably, he made two eagles on the round – holing out in two strokes on the par four 14th hole (his fifth of the day after starting on #10), and getting down in three strokes on the par five 1st hole. Sekulic had an impressive day with the wedges, saying that “on #14 I hit my drive to about 55 or 60 yards out and my shot into the green landed just short and one-hopped in. On #1 I hit my second shot up by the green and pitched it in from about 25 yards.”
Sekulic knows he has to keep playing well with a talented and proven group only four shots off of his lead after 36 holes. He said “I’m going to focus on executing. I can’t control what they do. I can only control how well I play.” Andrew Harrison (2015 Alberta Junior champion) and Brett Hogan (2015 Alberta Amateur champion and 2016 Alberta Open champion) have shot matching 70’s and 69’s to sit at five-under-par for the championship. They are joined by Carter Graf who matched Sekulic’s 67 on day two. The Team Alberta U19 member from the Red Deer G&CC is having an impressive showing through two rounds.
Jack Wesche of the Country Hills GC made a spectacular ace on the par three, fifth hole. He chose a four iron from 226 yards that landed ten feet in front of the hole, checked up and broke right into the hole. It’s not Wesche’s first ace but definitely a memorable one as he didn’t realize it had gone in until Head Professional Rob Macpherson and a gaggle of spectators waved him down.
A total of sixty-one players made the cut after today’s second round and will compete over the next two days for quota positions into the national championship. The top three finishers at the conclusion of the championship will form the Team Alberta Interprovincial Squad for the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship to be conducted at The Toronto Golf Club & Islington Golf Club in Mississauga, ON August 7-10th. The champion will earn the final spot on the 2018 Pacific Coast Amateur Championship Alberta Morse Cup Team.
TOP 10 LEADERBOARD
MEDIA
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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 commited 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.
Alberta Golf hosts 13 annual provincial championships in order to identify the best golfers in various age and gender catergories. A mix of nearly 1,500 pro and amateur golfers compete on high quality member facility courses across the province. Championships are hosted by a core team of staff and over 100 volunteers. The tournaments promote competition, build pride in the community, support charitable giving and inspire future generations of golfers. They also serve as an opportunity for golfers to qualify for national amateur championships.
ABOUT SUN LIFE FINANCIAL
Sun Life Financial has served Canadians for 150 years. With an array of products and services, Sun Life is able to offer trusted solutions for customer’s needs. Beyond business, Sun Life is committed to operating in a socially responsible way and acting as a good corporate citizen. Sun Life Financial has been a dedicated sponsor of the Sun Life Financial Alberta Men’s Amateur Championship for 27 years.
MORE INFORMATION
Anthony Stirling
Tournament Director
Alberta Golf
(p) 403-999-2615
104th Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship heads to Cutten Fields
Cutten Fields is prepared to host the world’s premier female amateur golfers from July 25-29 for the 104th playing of the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship.
Five of the top-15 players on the World Amateur Golf Rankings will be competing against each other as Cutten Fields hosts the Women’s Amateur Championship for the first time. World No. 4 Jennifer Kupcho headlines the group, along with Andrea Lee (No. 5), Lilia Kha-Tu Vu (No. 7), Mariel Galdiano (No. 9) and Hannah O’Sullivan (No. 12).
Established in 1931 by Arthur Cutten, Cutten Fields was designed by the famed Canadian architect Stanley Thompson with the vision that it would be accessible to all the residents of Guelph, Ont. Under the classic Thompson design, Cutten Fields features a rolling topography and beautiful layout to challenge even the most talented golfers.
“We are thrilled to be hosting the 104th Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship at Cutten Fields here in the city of Guelph,” said Steve Bryant, director of golf at Cutten Fields. “The event is deeply rooted in Canadian golf history, and we are excited to be welcoming the world’s next best players to Cutten Fields as we crown the next champion of this storied championship.”
Canadian LPGA stars Brooke Henderson and Augusta James are two Canadians who have won the championship in the last four years. Now, a new generation of Canadian and international amateurs will look to continue their legacies by pursuing the Duchess of Connaught Trophy—the prize awarded to the winner of the event.
“This tournament has proven to be a stepping stone for many amateurs working towards joining the professional ranks,” said Tournament Director, Mary Beth McKenna. “Eight of our past 10 winners, including 2013 champion Brooke Henderson, have gone on to find success as professionals. We are very excited to write the next chapter of the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship at Cutten Fields.”
All four members of Team Canada’s Amateur Squad will be in attendance: World No. 30 Maddie Szeryk (London, Ont.), No. 138 Naomi Ko (Victoria, B.C.), No. 129 Jaclyn Lee (Calgary), and No. 390 Grace St-Germain (Ottawa). Mary Parsons of Delta, B.C. will be joined by her fellow Team Canada Development Squad members Monet Chun (Richmond Hill, Ont.), Chloe Currie (Mississauga, Ont.) and Hannah Lee (Surrey, B.C.).
Returning from last year’s top-5 are Andrea Lee of Hermosa Beach, Calif. (T2), Allisen Corpuz of Honolulu, Hawaii (T2), and Maria Fassi of Pachuca, Mexico (5). Also included in the field is world No. 67 Yuko Saso, winner of the 2016 World Junior Girls Championship at Mississaugua Golf Club.
A practice round will be conducted on July 24 prior to the championship’s opening round. Following the first two rounds of play, the field will be reduced to the low 70 players and ties. A tie for the championship will be decided by a hole-by-hole playoff immediately following the conclusion of play.
An inter-provincial team championship will take place in conjunction with the first two rounds of play. Quebec’s Josée Doyon, Valérie Tanguay and Katherine Gravel-Coursol claimed the team title in 2016.
In addition to the 2017 Canadian Women’s Amateur title, the individual champion and low Canadian will earn exemptions into the 2017 U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship and the CP Women’s Open at Ottawa Hunt & Golf Club in Ottawa from Aug. 21-27.
For more Information on the 2017 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship including the full field, starting times and live scoring, click here.
Sekulic shines on day one with an opening 68
Reigning junior champion has his eye on Alberta’s top prize
Max Sekulic of the Grande Prairie G&CC came to the Ponoka Golf Club this week with a goal in mind – to make the 2017 Willingdon Cup team. The recently minted Alberta Junior champion might be setting his sights even higher after getting off to a fast start at the 2017 edition of the Sun Life Financial Alberta Men’s Amateur Championship. The Team Canada Development Squad member played solid golf in his first lap around the parkland style community course in Ponoka.
When asked about his first-round highlights, Sekulic said, “I started off good by making a nice long putt on one for birdie to get it going. Then made an eagle on eight to get to three under and I hit a great second shot on ten that set up a birdie. I hit a few loose ones coming in but almost made another birdie on eighteen. Overall, I can’t complain, it was a good round.”
Capturing the Alberta Junior two weeks ago gave Sekulic that added bit of self-assurance that comes from a victory. “Coming down the stretch that day and making a few birdies gave me enough confidence to believe I can win. It just gives you a bit of comfort knowing you can do it.”
Sekulic knows that there is a lot of golf yet to be played this week but has a strategy to stay focused. He said he will “stay positive, stay collected and try and take it hole-by-hole. It sounds pretty cliché but it is what you have to do to get it done.”
Jordan Gustman of The Bridges at Claresholm, finds himself in unfamiliar territory sitting tied for the tournament lead after day one. He started on the tenth hole and set a blistering pace by going out in 32 strokes, including four birdies in a five hole stretch. The only blemish on his card was a bogey that came on his closing hole.
Logan Carver from the Calgary G&CC sits two shots back in a tie for third place with 2015 champion and Glencoe G&CC member Brett Hogan. Carver comes to Ponoka after claiming the Future Links, driven by Acura Western Championship last week at the Fernie G&CC. Andrew Harrison of the Edmonton Petroleum G&CC, rounds out the trio tied for third.
Competitors will look to make their way up the leaderboard on day two. The low 60 and ties after tomorrow’s round will make the 36-hole cut.
The top three finishers at the conclusion of the championship will form the Team Alberta Interprovincial Squad for the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship to be conducted at The Toronto Golf Club & Islington Golf Club in Mississauga, ON August 7-10th. 24 quota spots are available to the top finishers into the national championship. The champion will earn the final spot on the 2018 Pacific Coast Amateur Championship Alberta Morse Cup Team.
TOP 10 LEADERBOARD
MEDIA
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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 commited 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.
Alberta Golf hosts 13 annual provincial championships in order to identify the best golfers in various age and gender catergories. A mix of nearly 1,500 pro and amateur golfers compete on high quality member facility courses across the province. Championships are hosted by a core team of staff and over 100 volunteers. The tournaments promote competition, build pride in the community, support charitable giving and inspire future generations of golfers. They also serve as an opportunity for golfers to qualify for national amateur championships.
ABOUT SUN LIFE FINANCIAL
Sun Life Financial has served Canadians for 150 years. With an array of products and services, Sun Life is able to offer trusted solutions for customer’s needs. Beyond business, Sun Life is committed to operating in a socially responsible way and acting as a good corporate citizen. Sun Life Financial has been a dedicated sponsor of the Sun Life Financial Alberta Men’s Amateur Championship for 27 years.
MORE INFORMATION
Anthony Stirling
Tournament Director
Alberta Golf
(p) 403-999-2615