Over the past several years, the USGA and The R&A have been working with golf’s handicapping authorities to develop a single World Handicap System (WHS) for the sport.

More than 15 million golfers in over 80 countries presently have a handicap, a numerical index long used as a reference to gauge a golfer’s potential skill level. Handicaps are currently delivered through six different systems around the world. The aim of the proposed handicap system is to adopt a universal set of principles and procedures that will apply all over the world.

As an important step towards the development of a World Handicap System, The R&A and USGA have created a survey to gather insights from golfers, club managers, course owners, PGA of Canada professionals and various other handicap administrators at the club, provincial and national level.

The purpose of this survey (which is open until the end of July) is to learn more about what golfers and those individuals involved in golf administration think about the potential World Handicap System and its core principles.

Golf’s governing bodies will use the feedback from this international study towards the formation a globally aligned system for handicapping.

Click here to participate in the study.

FERNIE, B.C. – Logan Carver shot a 5-under-par 65 and Angela Zhang shot a 1-over-par 73 to lead their respective divisions at the Future Links, driven by Acura Western Championship on Tuesday at Fernie Golf and Country Club.

Carver propelled himself to the top of the leaderboard after an incredible back nine where he carded five of his seven birdies, including the final three holes.

“It was just the last three holes when it all came together,” he said, after his opening round. “Standing on the 16th tee I was only 2 under and was coming off a hole where I three-putted from seven feet so I didn’t know how I was going to finish.

“But I hit some good iron shots those last three holes and they managed to go in, so it all worked out.”

The 18-year-old from Calgary, Alta., birdied four of his last five holes and carded just two bogeys during his impressive start to the tournament.

Sitting in solo-second behind Carver is Bradley McKeating, also from Calgary, Alta. He made the turn at even par after registering two birdies and two bogeys on the front nine before he managed to play bogey-free on the back and finish three strokes off the leader.

Jammed up in a four-way tie for third place at 1 under par are Jace Ouellette (Red Deer, Alta.), Dylan Henderson (Waterloo, Ont.), Hunter Thompson (Calgary, Alta.) and Brodie Shields-Tyler (Calgary, Alta.).

In the girls division, Zhang holds onto her spot at the top of the leaderboard by just one stroke. The 15-year-old from Vancouver, B.C., headed into the final eight holes at 3 under par but stumbled down the stretch with two bogeys and a double-bogey.

“The course was in really good condition today,” she said. “The chances were definitely there so if you could just hit it solid and be patient and you could get a really low score.”

Sydney Scraba, from Calgary, Alta., sits one stroke back of Zhang after she managed to card four birdies in her opening round, but four bogeys and a double-bogey found her settling into solo-second with a 2-over-par 74.

Taylor Stone (Calgary, Alta.), Claire Lovan (Surrey, B.C.) and Jennifer Gu (West Vancouver, B.C.) all shot 3 over par and sit in a three-way tie, two strokes behind Zhang after round one.

The top six finishers in the Boys Division will earn exemptions into the 2017 Canadian Junior Boys Championship on July 31-Aug. 3 at Cataraqui Golf and Country Club in Kingston, Ont. The top six in the Girls Division will earn exemptions into the 2017 Canadian Junior Girls Championship on Aug. 1-4 at Camelot Golf & Country Club in Cumberland, Ont.

Full results can be found here.

To some, golf can mean so much more than a game. To Celine Copeland it means family, humbleness and, as of two years ago, golf also represents perseverance.

Before the 2015 Alberta Junior & Juvenile Championship, Copeland suffered a heart-breaking injury. She says she is still recovering from a torn ligament in her wrist, after making the decision to withdraw from the competition and to retire for the season.

“In September of 2015, I had wrist surgery and now a year later my wrist is starting to feel better, and I am trying to slowly get back into golf. It has been extremely hard for me not to be able to play, since golf has been such a big part of my life for the last couple of years.”

To many, the set back may seem unsurmountable, but for Copeland it meant moving forward. While healing on the sidelines, she channeled her competitive spirit and love for the game to give back and achieve her goals.

In 2016, she was selected as her class’ Valedictorian. Volunteering at her church, at the library and lending 120 hours of time with Youth Central, Copeland was awarded Citizen of the Year and Premier’s Citizenship Awards in her final year of high school. Now at Mount Royal University, she continues to help-out and maintain honours.

Having made the Team Alberta Development Squad in 2015, Copeland helps to encourage others to play golf within Willow Park Golf Club’s Junior Girls Interclub program. She also volunteers for Golf Canada Girls Club programs and Alberta Golf community events. Her next step is to start a Best Buddies Club at MRU. As the current VP, she says the group will attempt to “encourage friendships and the acceptance of those with special needs.”

Competitive golf is still in the picture, with Copeland determined to get back on the course. With the help of a 2016 Alberta Golf Foundation scholarship, she also looks to translate her passion into a communications career within the golf industry. Amongst all of her current, present and future achievements, Copeland stays humble. She says that giving back is easy when golf has given her so much.

“Golf has made me a better person and has instilled in me great values. I will treasure all the amazing experiences on the golf course as I continue to play golf for the rest of my life. Golf has provided me with so many wonderful opportunities.”

The deadline to apply for a 2017 Alberta Golf Foundation scholarship is July 16. For more information click here.

Calgary’s Jaclyn Lee carded a 1-over-par 72 in Wednesday’s second round of the Women’s North and South Championship to finish T2 in stroke play, advancing to the match play portion of the tournament.

The famed Pinehurst No. 2 lived up to its reputation as one of the stiffest tests in golf on Tuesday with every golfer in the field—except medallist Kristen Gillman (Austin, Tex.)—finishing over par for the day.

Lee, a Team Canada Amateur Squad member, recorded two birdies and three bogeys to finish tied for second at 4 over par with Norman, Okla., native Yujeong Son—two shots back of Gillman who was 2 over par for the championship (73-71).

At the Women’s Western Amateur Championship in June, Lee was the No. 3 seed after 36 holes of stroke play but lost in the first round of match play to Maddie Rayner (Southlake, Tex.) in 23 holes.

For the full leaderboard click here.

On July 6, Alberta Golf participated in a community event hosted by the City of Calgary. Being in the centre of Eau Claire Market during lunch hour made it the perfect time to introduce a new sport, or a familiar one. Those walking through could stop by and learn more about ways they could get active this summer. The City of Calgary has a wide range of affordable golf options available. The Play City app can help you find people with the same skill level to play golf with.

The movement of #GetMovingYYC is focused on helping calgarians become active more often. You can even find a summer bucket list with 50 ways to get moving this summer.

This event raised awareness for local golf programs and showcased how accessible the game of golf is to everyone. There were hitting and chipping nets set up and a variety of golf clubs to choose from. The participants could polish up their swings and learn a new thing or two from the National Golf Academy professionals who provided great instruction and helpful tips. Some, who have never tried golf before, were able to learn the fundamentals of the game.

This summer there are so many ways to get active on and off the golf course. Through the Play City app, you can meet new people and be active at the same time. To some, golf can be intimidating at first but the Play City app is focused on matching people who have the same skill level and ability. The app is centered around multiple sports including: badminton, tennis and basketball.

City of Calgary Recreation also plays a role in providing many budget friendly options throughout the summer including Family Games and Sports Nights, Take a Kid to The Course Week and the annual EJ Justice Junior Golf Tournament.

Alberta Golf was able to provide information on volunteer and membership opportunities, as well as competitive and recreational golf programs across the province. Also, the importance of teaching golf at an early age by bringing golf into schools with the Future Links driven by Acura Golf In Schools program.

Through community events like this, Alberta Golf can introduce the sport to so many. Jennifer Davison, Alberta Golf’s Coordinator of Golf Course Services & Community Events, says that “we (Alberta Golf) are actively introducing more participants to the game. Golf has so much to offer for individuals and families. Events like this and initiatives like #GetMovingYYC are perfect for raising awareness about the game, the opportunities that exist in the market and the health benefits of playing golf and being active.”

Learn more about how the City of Calgary, the Play City app, the National Golf Academy and Alberta Golf make it easy, affordable and fun to play golf this summer.

For photographs of the community event, click here

Strong contingent of talent to converge at the Ladies Amateur

The 2017 Sun Life Financial Alberta Ladies Amateur Championship features 43 of the provinces top female amateur players. They will compete over the course of the next three days in hopes of adding their name to the illustrious list of past champions. Two-time and defending champion, Jaclyn Lee, is not in the field, marking an opportunity for a newcomer to challenge for the title.

Team Alberta’s U19 Squad is well represented with four out of the six members competing at the Red Deer G&CC. 2016’s runner-up, Kat Kennedy, is in the field and will be one of the favourites. Kennedy, a University of British Columbia Thunderbird, captured the 2017 Canadian University/College Championship by an impressive 15 shot margin earlier this spring. Also in the field is Kehler Koss, who comes to Red Deer as the recently crowned Alberta Junior Girls champion. Koss won the provincial championship last week at the Coal Creek Golf Resort.

General Manager, Don McFarlane, is eagerly anticipating the event, saying that “the Red Deer Golf and Country Club looks forward to hosting the 2017 Sun Life Financial Alberta Ladies Amateur Championship. We are anxious to showcase our Club and community to the Province’s top female golfers. The course has never been in better shape and is perfectly suited to this competition. Our membership and staff will work hard to provide a memorable and enjoyable event for all participants.”

The top three finishers at the conclusion of the championship will form the Team Alberta Interprovincial Squad for the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship to be conducted at Cutten Field in Guelph, ON, July 25-28^th.

NOTABLES

• Kat Kennedy – 2^nd place, 2016 Alberta Ladies Amateur
• Kenna Hughes – 2016 Alberta Junior Girls Champion & Team Alberta High Performance Squad
• Devon Spriddle – 4^th place, 2016 Alberta Ladies Amateur
• Lauren Diederichs – 2016 Alberta Ladies Mid Amateur Champion
• Sabrine Garrison – Two-time Alberta Juvenile Girls Champion
• Kehler Koss – 2017 Alberta Junior Girls Champion & Team Alberta member

FAST FACTS

• First contested in 1929
• Format – 54 holes of stroke play competition
• Mid Amateur contest – for those aged 25 & over
• Mid Master contest – for those aged 40 & over
• Feef MacDonald trophy – awarded to the low gross round of the championship

ABOUT THE COURSE

• Championship tees – 5,902 yards, par 72

MEDIA

• Wednesday’s pairings
• Full event information
• #ABLadiesAm
• Flickr albums

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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 Ladies Amateur Championship for 15 years.

MORE INFORMATION
Stephen Wigington
Tournament Director
Alberta Golf
(p) 403-860-7425

Ryan Yip, a product of Calgary, Alta., was T5 after two rounds and carded a 2-under-par 70 in round three. He is looking for his second top-10 finish of the 2017 Web.com season.

A member of the inaugural Team Canada National Team in 2005, Yip came to Findley Lake ranked 100th on the Web.com Tour’s Order of Merit.

Team Canada Young Pro Squad’s Corey Conners carded a 5-under-par 67 in round three of at the Web.com Tour’s LECOM Health Challenge to sit T6 at 11 under par alongside fellow Canadian Ryan Yip at the Peek N’ Peak Resort Upper Course in Findley Lake, NY.

Conners, from Listowel, Ont., had six birdies and just one bogey to card his third consecutive round in the 60s and sit five shots back of Chesson Headley (Raleigh, N.C.) who’s bogey free 8-under-par 64 put him in solo first at 16 under par.

The six-year Team Canada veteran has two top-10s this season on the Web.com Tour. He made his U.S. Open debut at Erin Hills in June. He is currently ranked 43rd on the Web.com Tour’s Order of Merit.

Here’s the first “I made it” walk of the day. Birdie on 1. Good start for @coreconn. Photo credit to Jamie Stirling! pic.twitter.com/YgWXlKZbv6

— Listowel Golf Club (@lgc1920) July 8, 2017

Team Canada Young Pro Squad golfer Albin Choi (Toronto, Ont.) is T15 after a 4-under-par 68 in round three. His best finish this season was a T5 at the rain shortened BMW Charity Classic presented by Synnex Corporation.

Click here for the full leaderboard.

It’s not the geographical centre of the province but Red Deer will be the centre of attention for women’s golf in Alberta this July hosting the  2017 Sun Life Financial Alberta Ladies Amateur Championship.

Many of the best female amateur golfers in Alberta will gather to put on a show and decide who is the best.

The Red Deer Golf and Country Club has hosted amateur championships in the past with members and staff willing to do their part to help Alberta Golf.

“We just felt it that this was the right fit this year,” said Head Professional Ken Frame. “Don McFarlane (RDG&CC President) has been in discussions with them for I think a couple of years and we kind of keyed in on this coming year as the host year for the Red Deer Country Club and we’re excited about it.”

Last year, Jaclyn Lee, the young superstar from Calgary took home the title which she also won in 2014. Two years ago, the winner was Jennifer Ha who now is making her way along the LPGA path. Do you see where this is headed?

The event attracts some skilled college players according to Randy Robb, Alberta Golf’s Manager of High Performance Sport.

“We use that to determine the provincial team that will go to the Nationals,” he said. “So I think they’re always trying to gear up to finish in the top three.”

Alberta Junior team members also make room on their calendar for the amateur so you will see some up and coming players who could challenge for the crown.

Players like Sharmaine Rapisura, Kehler Koss, Annabelle Ackroyd and Lauren Koenig come to mind. All were Team Alberta Members.

The tournament also provides a great opportunity for younger girls to watch and get a good idea of what the game is like at a higher level, said Robb.

“It’s ideal for that late high school player that’s trying to figure out what they need to do to be successful at college. They can see the girls that have played two or three years at university and see the level they need to be at.”

It’s not all about the young guns however. More experienced players like Sharon Peart who plays at the RDG&CC and Lynn Kuehn from Lacombe could be in the mix as they are skilled players but also might have an edge on knowing the course slightly more than other competitors.

“We’ve seen that on the men’s side for so many years, the Frank Van Dornicks and Brian Laubmans continue to contend like that, just being there and having the experience of playing the course the best possible way,” said Robb.

The tournament operates with no cut so everyone plays three rounds of golf. Anyone with a registered handicap under 25 can enter.

There are those who are vying for the title while others are there for the social aspect of golf according to Stephen Wigington, Coordinator of Sport Development and Competitions with Alberta Golf.

“We view it as a great opportunity to meet people in the province and share the passion of golf amongst the women.”

Any player has a shot at the overall title but there is also the mid-am category which is for ladies 25 and over and the mid-master competition which is for those 40 years and older, said Wigington.

“So we’ll have three champions for the tournament and if the winner is 40 and over they can win all three contests.”

Over the three days somebody could get hot and run away with it but Frame says the key just might be the unique stretch of seven par fours the players will need to navigate.

“If you can be around about even par or maybe a couple over through those par fours I think you’re going to set yourself apart from the field. That’s the meat and potatoes of the golf course.”

But there are other parts of the course which could deal a blow to somebody’s chances on any of the three days.

Depending on where Alberta Golf sets the tee boxes for the event players could face a tough test on hole #9, a dog leg right, par four. If the tees are back enough then players will have to hit an accurate tee shot to take advantage of the terrain which will funnel the ball down to a flat spot for their second shot over water.

The par five #4 will also bring out the best in the ladies as a long tee shot could see the ball tumble down a steep hill which may leave them about 150 yards for their second shot. That would be the reward portion of this equation.

“For the long hitters, they can bomb it over the end of the hill and roll down to the bottom but if they go a little bit left or a little bit right they are in big, big trouble,” said Frame. “I’m talking about only ten yards off line so they’ve got to be very straight.”

The course will play anywhere from 5,800 to 6,300 yards and Frame says essentially the rest of the track will be status quo.

“We don’t tuck the pins, we don’t grow the rough. We just let them play golf and the Red Deer Country Club is a good challenge for any player in the province and we believe that will be the case this coming July,” he said.

No matter how you slice it, the players and the fans should be in for a solid three days of golf in Red Deer.

Red Deer Hosts the Ladies Amateur

This article was originally published in the 2017 edition of The Alberta Golfer Magazine. To view the full magazine, click here.

In her last, year of competition, Kehler Koss becomes this year’s Alberta Junior Champion, with 15-year-old Annabelle Ackroyd winning the Juvenile title only one stroke behind of Koss’ three day +5 (221) finish at the Coal Creek Golf Resort in Ryley, AB.

Max Sekulic, from the Grand Prairie G&CC, wins the 2017 Alberta Junior Boys Championship at Coal Creek Golf Resort in Ryley, AB. with a 5-under-par finish.

Talk about the course and how it played over the past four days?

“It was good it was pretty windy the first day, and it firmed up especially today, so each day I think it played a little different, so we had to plan accordingly. It was a good and fair test of golf.”

When did you start to feel your momentum?

“When I birdied 15, I knew that I had a chance, I just needed to put together three more holes, and then I could have the W. It was good, it was definitely 15, when I made the birdie.”

What’s it like to be on Team Canada’s Development squad?

“It’s awesome we have great support staff, great coaching, great support from our sponsors like Titleist, RBC, CP and all. It’s great we’re given everything we basically need to do our best, and it’s awesome.”

What does the team do on a day to day?

“On a daily basis with the team, we do some work out stuff, some combine testing and play a bunch. We are always competing at something trying to simulate a tournament. I think that’s the best practice.”

What does this win mean to you?

“It’s huge, I remember when I was 11 and 12, I missed the cut both years. It made me really want it. I always thought winning it would be super cool. To be able to do it in my last year is awesome.”

Would you like to thank anybody?

“I would like to thank my mom Caroline and my dad, Nick for supporting the dream: Golf Canada’s Robert Ratcliffe, our coach; the coaches at GC who I will be working with next year, and my buddy Chandler and my brother Theo for being solid roomies. I would also like to thank my coach Kent Fukushima. I have been working with him since I was 13. It’s been awesome working with him, and I think he’s one of the best coaches around. The list goes on and on, but that’s what first come to mind.

What’s your next goal?  

“I’d like to make the Willingdon Cup Team for the Alberta Amateur”