Credit to Postmedia

PGA golfer Phil Mickelson at Harmony Discovery Centre west of Calgary giving the media an update on Mickelson National Golf Club, which is scheduled to open in 2019

Decked out in black slacks, a purple golf shirt — complete with two sponsor logos — and his oh-so-familiar KPMG hat, Phil Mickelson looked like he was ready for the first tee.

Except, of course, for his footwear.

The PGA Tour superstar was in Calgary over the weekend to check on the progress of his design project at Mickelson National Golf Club, arriving for a meet-and-greet with media and members in a pair of grey work boots that were caked in mud from a tour of several soon-to-be-grassed holes.

“He can’t wait to get back out there,” smiled Rick Smith, Lefty’s longtime coach and now his design associate. “We’d stay up all night out there if we could.”

After all, Mickelson doesn’t just want his name on the entrance sign, the scorecard and the paycheque.

He’s passionate about leaving his fingerprints — and boot treads — all over the 18-hole private setup, the showpiece of the Harmony community near Springbank Airport.

“This is a lot of pressure, to have my name on it,” Mickelson acknowledged. “And that’s why I want it to be done right.”

That’s why he was here Saturday and Sunday.

Mickelson’s day job keeps him pretty busy, with the 47-year-old still questing to add to an eye-popping playing resume that includes five major titles and 42 total triumphs on the PGA Tour.

But the World Golf Hall-of-Fame inductee has also been keeping close tabs on the construction at Mickelson National, constantly swapping sketches with Smith as his design is carved into the dirt.

With his approval on the shapes, contours, hazards and every other detail, the hope is that about half of the assignments can be seeded this summer.

The course is slated to open in 2019.

“I have a member in San Diego that joined, bought a place and is moving up here. So the word is starting to get around,” Mickelson said. “It’s a special place. Although word is starting to come out, it’s even more so as you start to be able to visually see it. It’s hard to get that picture of dirt when it’s not graded properly. Now, you can see some of the dramatics of the holes. Some of the trees are planted. You can see some of the bunkering. You can get a better visual of how it’s going to look and feel and play when it’s grassed.”

It’s no secret the folks behind Mickelson National are hoping to eventually play host to the RBC Canadian Open but during a chat with reporters on Canada Day, the three-time Masters champion stressed that his focus is not just on providing a worthy challenge for his pals on the PGA Tour.

He repeatedly mentioned “the average guy.” He revealed that Mickelson National will have separate tee-decks at 50, 100 and 150 yards from each green for junior golfers — “Nothing melts me more than seeing kids carry their bag down the fairway” — and that he considers how his father would navigate the layout.

“What I can’t stand is for the average player to hit a ball in a bunker and not be able to get out, to take three or four or five swings at it and then pick up,” Mickelson said. “I want them to be able to finish every hole here. That makes it playable for the average guy. But once we get to the green and once we’ve helped the average guy run the ball up onto the green and given him chipping areas where he can get it onto the green, there are pins that are very difficult to get to, and that’s how we make it difficult.

“The No. 1 thing is that the average player, the high-handicapper, says ‘I really enjoyed the day. I was able to finish every hole. I was able to play and have a variety of shots and get around the golf course.’ I want him to be able to get away with some of his misses, advance the ball up by the green, putt it or bump-and-run it onto the green and make his bogey and move on. And then I want the good player to say ‘I had to play really well to shoot a few under.’”

The average guy can always take a mulligan.

The course-designer doesn’t have that luxury.

That’s why Mickelson wants to ensure everything is just right before the grass goes down.

“The great thing is that a lot of what he was visualizing, it’s coming to reality,” said Barry Ehlert, the managing partner for Windmill Golf Group and the man who hired Mickelson for this much-anticipated project. “Now, we get down to the details and the nuances of what can make the difference between great golf and spectacular golf. That’s what we are working on now.”

Winning last year’s Alberta Bantam & Novice Championship with a 59, Ethan Choi, has a goal of winning the Alberta Junior & Juvenile Championship. Below are reflections from the now Team Alberta High Performance Squad member’s memorable day last year…

Ethan Choi wasn’t thinking about his score. Honest.

As any golfer can attest, that’s no small feat when you’re possibly on pace for a career-best round. Few folks can relate, but it must be darn-near impossible when you’re on the verge of firing a 59, the most magical number in golf.

The strategy worked wonders for a 14-year-old Choi, who made history and headlines with his record-setting spin at the Alberta Bantam Championship last August, running away with the provincial crown thanks to a 12-under 59 at River’s Edge Golf Club in Okotoks.

That’s right, 59.

At 14.

“I didn’t think about my score, actually, throughout the round,” said Choi, a resident of Pincher Creek. “I just stayed in the zone, and that’s pretty hard to do. That’s probably the only round I’ve felt that way.

“I don’t know how I did it. I guess when you’re playing well, you don’t really think about your score. It just happens.”

Fifty-nine doesn’t happen very often.

The bantam boys teed it up from the white tees at River’s Edge, with the Par-71 layout spanning 5,879 yards for the 14-and-under showdown.

Choi was rolling right away, dropping a 30-footer on the opening hole for his first of four consecutive birdies.

He notched another bird on the sixth, eagled the eighth and apparently wasn’t intimidated by the island green on No. 9, finishing that test with two tidy strokes and making the turn at 8-under 28. Wow.

Choi scratched another circle on his scorecard on No. 10, then settled for four straight pars before cranking off three more birdies. It was until he drained his putt for a deuce on No. 17 that he started to crunch the numbers.

“The first time I really thought about my score was on the 18^th tee-box. That’s when I realized I just needed a par to shoot that number,” Choi said. “But I just went through my normal routine, took a few deep breaths and… ”

He chuckles, perhaps realizing that he’s making this sound way too simple.

“Just made my par,” he continued. “And it was done.”

The finishing assignment at River’s Edge doglegs to the right, and Choi pulled his drive a wee bit but still found the short stuff. The adrenaline must have been pumping on his approach, because he walloped a wedge-shot about 25 feet past the flag. Needing a two-putt for 59, he barely missed a long bomb before tapping in for a personal-best that many pros can’t even claim.

Twitter was abuzz. Instagram, too.

The youngster received all sorts of congratulatory notes, including a message from Jared du Toit, who made headlines of his own by contending for the title at the PGA Tour’s RBC Canadian Open just a few weeks earlier.

“At first, I thought it was a joke or something,” du Toit said of his reaction to Choi’s remarkable round. “When I found out it wasn’t, I was just amazed. I thought about the scores I was shooting at that age — anywhere between 75 and 85 — and how much better he is at 14 than I was.”

Choi’s mother, Rachel, was at River’s Edge that day. His father, Sheldon, was trying to follow the action online from his job at a pharmacy in Pincher Creek.

“I checked Twitter and it says, ’59.’ I was like, ‘Whoa, what?!’ ” Sheldon said. “It’s a lifetime achievement, I think, for any golfer.”

Indeed, it is.

A golf ball that’s only been struck 59 times isn’t typically ready for retirement, but that Titleist Pro V1 is now stashed among Choi’s keepsakes. Alberta Golf provided the official scorecard, now displayed in the living room of the family home.

Thing is, the talented up-and-comer — a regular at both Pincher Creek Golf Club and Lethbridge Country Club and a member of Team Alberta — won’t waste too much time gazing in his rearview mirror.

“I just want to leave that achievement in the past and move on,” he said. “I don’t want to dwell on that and be satisfied, because that was in the past. I just want to keep grinding away.”

Already better than a scratch handicap, Choi hopes another superb summer would land him a spot on Golf Canada’s national development squad. His list of more long-term goals includes a university golf scholarship and a career on the PGA Tour.

His course record at River’s Edge should be safe. And, who knows, maybe he’ll eventually enjoy another one of those days.

“Since I’ve done it before, I know it’s possible to do it again,” Choi said. “But you don’t go out there thinking, ‘Oh, I’m going to shoot 59.’ It just happens as the day goes on.”

59!

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

Coal Creek Golf Resort to host its first Alberta Junior & Juvenile Championship

The Web.com Tour and Ellie Mae announced today that 2017 National Basketball Association (NBA) Champion and Golden State Warriors All-Star Guard Stephen Curry will play in the Tour’s Ellie Mae Classic at TPC Stonebrae, to be contested the week of July 31-August 6, 2017.

Curry will maintain his amateur status in the event and will compete on an unrestricted sponsor exemption.

“We are elated to have Stephen Curry compete in this year’s Ellie Mae Classic at TPC Stonebrae,” said Ellie Mae Classic at TPC Stonebrae Tournament Director Trish Gregovich.

“Our longstanding goal has been to create a meaningful community impact through this event, and allowing a true pillar of the Bay Area community and a genuine sports superstar inside the ropes to compete alongside future PGA TOUR stars helps to elevate that effort.”

Curry, a member of the Warriors since 2009, is a two-time winner of the NBA’s Most Valuable Player Award for the 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 seasons, and has appeared in the last three NBA Finals with the Warriors, helping lead the team to Championships in 2015 and 2017.

The 29-year-old is also currently the Warriors’ all-time leader in three-pointers made, and four of the top five single-season three-point totals in NBA history, including a record 402 three-pointers in 2015-16.

Curry has been selected to three All-NBA Teams and has been a starter on the Western Conference All-Star team in each of the last four seasons.

“I’m honored to have the opportunity to play with the pros in the upcoming Ellie Mae Classic, not only to be able to compete against some of the best golfers in the world, but to also help bring light to the tournament’s charitable footprint of giving back to the Warriors Community Foundation,” said Curry.

“Golf has always been a passion of mine and it’s a dream come true to get the chance to play inside the ropes amongst the pros in a PGA TOUR-sanctioned tournament.”

Game! Blouses! @JordanSpieth with the hole-out from the bunker to win it! Congrats bro

— Stephen Curry (@StephenCurry30) June 25, 2017

Last year’s Ellie Mae Classic produced one of the most memorable weeks in the Web.com Tour’s 28-year history, with Germany’s Stephan Jaeger posting a PGA TOUR-record 58 in the opening round on his way to a record-setting 30-under-par 250 total and a seven-shot victory.

“We’re proud to welcome Stephen Curry to the Ellie Mae Classic at TPC Stonebrae. He’s a terrific player on the court and we expect him to dominate on the green as well,” said Jonathan Corr, president and CEO of Ellie Mae.

“We’re also thrilled to once again partner with our main charitable beneficiary, the Warriors Community Foundation. We love seeing the players, coaches and staff out on the course, supporting the tournament’s tradition of philanthropy, which aligns with our core value of giving back.”

“It’s a huge honor.” ⛳️ ?@Warriors guard @StephenCurry30 officially accepts an unrestricted sponsor invitation into @EllieMaeClassic. pic.twitter.com/fVO2rU8pr9

— Web.com Tour (@WebDotComTour) June 28, 2017

The Warriors Community Foundation serves as the event’s main charitable beneficiary, as charity continues to play a key role in every PGA TOUR-sanctioned event, with other Ellie Mae charities also benefiting.

The TOUR and its tournaments generated a record $166 million for charity in 2016, in turn elevating the all-time total donated to charity to $2.46 billion.

Since purchasing the Golden State Warriors in 2010, Joe Lacob and Peter Guber have continued the club’s longstanding tradition of community involvement. The Warriors Community Foundation, established in 2012 under the new ownership group, serves to expand the team’s impact locally.

Click here for more information on the Ellie Mae Classic.

The Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada goes across Canada with 12 events in 2017, with players competing to take the next step on to the path to the PGA TOUR. Check out tournament profiles, players to watch, feature stories and more in the 2017 Mackenzie Tour Digital Magazine.

Click here to read.

Thomas defeats veteran Mckinlay Jr. with a birdie on the fourth playoff hole

GRANDE PRAIRIE, Alta. – It took four holes of sudden death action to name the 2017 Alberta Mid Amateur Champion. When a 15-foot birdie putt by Neil Thomas of the Edmonton Country Club went down, it put the pressure squarely on Tom Mckinlay Jr. of Lacombe. When Mckinlay Jr.’s shorter birdie effort slid by the cup, it was all over. Both men started the day in a tie for seventh place, three shots off the lead.

“I made a couple of birdies on the back side. There was a point there on (hole) 14 where I made a nice birdie and I figured I had it going from there. After (hole) 14, I knew I was fighting for the lead, and if I could make another birdie coming in, or a few pars, then I thought I would have a good chance at the title,” said Thomas.

30-year-old Thomas is no stranger to high level amateur golf. He is a former Willingdon Cup and Pacific Coast Amateur team member. Thomas went to Clayton State University just outside of Atlanta, Georgia on a golf scholarship and now works full-time in the small business division at a branch of the Canadian Western Bank in Edmonton. Finishing the event at seven-over-par with a three day total of 223, this is his first provincial championship title.

It was heartbreak for past champion Brian Laubman. The 2005 winner was hoping to rekindle some of that magic, but a double-bogey on the par-5 sixteenth hole and a disappointing bogey on the last left him one shot shy of joining the playoff.

Mckinlay Jr. claimed the Alberta Mid Master Championship for competitors 40 years of age and older. Twenty players in total earned their spot in the Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship being held at Wascana Country Club in Regina, SK, August 22nd to 25th. With Thomas unable to attend nationals, Alberta’s Interprovincial Team will be made up of Mckinlay Jr., Macdonald and Laubman. The latter two competitors earned those spots in a five-way playoff of those tied for third place.

TOP 10 LEADERBOARD

MEDIA

• Final Results
• Course statistics
• #ABMidAm
• Flickr albums

2005 champion, Laubman, seeks second career Mid Amateur title

GRANDE PRAIRIE, Alta.  – Day two saw a drastic change in weather conditions. Rain set in midway through the day and continued until the last competitors were off the course. As a result, the course played over two shots harder than in round one and no players reached red figures in the second round. It was a long, cold day for those competitors trying to make the cut on moving day.

Kevin Campbell and Warren Holman tied for the low score of the day posting even-par (72) rounds, leaving them tied for the lead after 36 holes. When asked about playing in poor weather, Campbell replied, “I just took what the conditions gave me.” Campbell went on to say, “there wasn’t much of a difference between yesterday and today. The greenskeeper in Grande Prairie has done an excellent job with the course.” Meanwhile, Holman found success by embracing the conditions. “It was a scrambley day. You set your mind to the way the weather is. Par is a good number on every hole.”

Former champion, Brian Laubman, also finds himself atop the leaderboard at 2-over par for the championship. Laubman won the event in 2005 and is looking for his second Mid Amateur title. Laubman noted the difficulty of his last few holes, “I couldn’t keep it together coming in. It was just too awful out.”

The final group on Wednesday will be comprised of Holman, Campbell, and Laubman. All three players have the chance to take home not only the Mid Amateur trophy, but the Mid Master (40+) trophy as well. With 17 players within four shots of the lead, a low final round score could vault many contenders to the top of the leaderboard.

A total of 61 players made the 36-hole cut. They will compete in the final round tomorrow for a chance at one of 20 quota spots into the Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship being held at Wascana Country Club in Regina, Saskatchewan, August 22-25th.

MEDIA

• Final round pairings
• Full leaderboard
• Course statistics
• #ABMidAm
• Flickr albums

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ABOUT ALBERTA GOLF
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.

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.

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

Past Champion, Laubman, sits one shot back of the lead.

GRANDE PRAIRIE, Alta.  – There was plenty of sunshine and blue skies during the first day of competition for the 2017 Alberta Mens Mid Amateur Championship at the Grande Prairie Golf & Country Club. With just six players at even par or better, the small greens and tree-lined fairways have proven to be a demanding test for this year’s mid amateurs.

Graeme Bishop and Grant Oh posted the low rounds of day one with a 2-under (70). “I putted really well,” Bishop said. “You could make a lot of putts today if you were on the right side of the hole.” Meanwhile, Oh relied on getting up and down around the greens, saying, “this course is all about chipping. You have to leave yourself four or five-foot par putts.”

Ryan DenBraber and Brian Laubman were the only other two players under par, shoot 1-under (71). DenBraber put up four birdies, on route to going 2-under on the par 3’s today. Laubman finished red hot, going 5-under in his last six holes to sit one shot off the lead.

It was long drive north for some of the field, with some players only arriving late Sunday evening. If the weather cooperates, look for more players to shoot under par as they become more familiar with the course. Although, with ~25mm of rain expected over the next two days, players may be forced to grind through tough conditions to post low scores.

With the field being cut to top 60 and ties after tomorrow’s second round, the players will be fighting for an opportunity to play the final round on Wednesday.

MEDIA

• Tuesday’s pairings
• Full leaderboard
• Course Statistics
• #ABMidAm
• Flickr albums

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ABOUT ALBERTA GOLF
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.

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.

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

As part of Canada 150 celebrations, the nation’s capital is hosting the stars of the LPGA Tour, including a strong Canadian contingent led by last week’s LPGA Tour winner Brooke Henderson. Golf Canada, in partnership with Canadian Pacific (CP), has announced many of the world’s top players have committed to play in the 2017 CP Women’s Open from August 21-27 at the Ottawa Hunt & Golf Club.

Defending champion Ariya Jutanugarn leads a stellar list of early commitments set to challenge for the $2.25 million USD purse, one of the largest prizes on tour. A six-time winner on the LPGA Tour, the Thailand native recently climbed to No. 1 in the Rolex World Rankings following her victory at the 2017 Manulife LPGA Classic in Waterloo, Ont.

Three-time CP Women’s Open champion and world No. 2 Lydia Ko of New Zealand will be searching for a record fourth Canadian Women’s Open title. Ko’s three Canadian titles (2012, 2013 and 2015) ties the 20-year-old with Meg Mallon and Pat Bradley for most victories at Canada’s National Women’s Open. A 14-time winner on the LPGA Tour, Ko held the No. 1 world ranking for 85 weeks prior to Jutanugarn.

World No. 3 So Yeon Ryu, who won the inaugural CP Women’s Open in 2014, will also compete at Ottawa Hunt. Jutanugarn and Ryu are among nine of the top-10 players on the LPGA Tour Official Money List who have confirmed their intention to compete in the nation’s capital later this summer.

Other top-10 commitments include In Gee Chun, Christie Kerr, Canada’s Brooke Henderson, Inbee Park, Anna Nordqvist, Sei Young Kim and Sung Hyn Park.

No player will generate more excitement this August in Ottawa than Canadian sensation Brooke Henderson of nearby Smiths Falls, Ont., who will compete in her seventh career National Open, this time in front of hometown crowds at Ottawa Hunt & Golf Club.

Coming off her impressive come from behind win at last week’s Meijer LPGA Classic, the four-time winner and major champion has amassed 18 top-10s since joining the LPGA Tour in late 2015.

The graduate of Golf Canada’s National Team program is a former world No. 1 amateur and represented Canada at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil where she finished T7.

A proud ambassador for CP, Henderson will lead the Canadian contingent into Ottawa as part of the Canada 150 celebration events being hosted in the nation’s capital. World No. 71 and Canadian Olympian Alena Sharp of Hamilton will look to improve on her top-five finish at the 2016 CP Women’s Open as she competes in her national

Open for the 13^th time. Canadian Golf Hall of Fame honoured member and CP ambassador Lorie Kane, a four-time winner on the LPGA Tour will be competing in Canada’s National Open Championship for a record 27^th consecutive time.

The world’s best will be at Ottawa Hunt to compete for the CP Women’s Open trophy, with a strong Canadian contingent led by Smiths Falls Brooke Henderson.

LPGA Tour members Jennifer Ha of Calgary and Maude-Aimée LeBlanc of Sherbrooke, Que., are also set to compete and will be joined by several more Canadians to be announced in the coming weeks.

Jutanugarn, Ko and Ryu will be among 10 past champions competing this year along with Brittany Lincicome (2011), Michelle Wie (2010), Suzann Pettersen (2009), Cristie Kerr (2007) and Katherine Kirk who won the event in 2008 when Ottawa Hunt last hosted the stars of the LPGA Tour.

The field of 156 golfers teeing it up at Ottawa Hunt is expected to again represent arguably the strongest field on the LPGA Tour, carrying over from the 2016 event which welcomed 96 of the top 100 players on the LPGA Tour money list.

“We are thrilled to bring the stars of the LPGA Tour back to Ottawa Hunt as part of the special Canada 150 celebrations happening in the nation’s capital and across Canada in 2017,” said Tournament Director Brent McLaughlin.  “Ottawa is a tremendous golf market with passionate golf fans and no doubt the global stars of the LPGA Tour and Canadian talents led by hometown hero Brooke Henderson will make for a truly special event in 2017.”

Information regarding tickets, volunteer opportunities and corporate hospitality for the CP Women’s Open can be found at www.cpwomensopen.com.

CP Has Heart Charity Campaign to benefit the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario…

Now in its fourth year, CP’s community investment program, CP Has Heart is committed to raising funds in support of children’s heart health in the host community of the CP Women’s Open. The 2017 edition of Canada’s National Women’s Open is proud to have the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) as the beneficiary charity.

The CP Has Heart fundraising activities tied to the CP Women’s Open and CHEO are part of CP’s overarching “Beautiful Hearts” campaign across the Ottawa region which will also run during the CFL regular season, playoffs and Grey Cup

The “Beautiful Hearts” campaign will support the refurbishment of facilities that patients use every day at CHEO and the University of Ottawa Heart Institute and celebrate the resiliency and spirit of the human heart.

“At CP, we take great pride in our history of connecting Canada and are thrilled to be in Ottawa for this celebration connecting Canadians with the world’s best golfers – including our CP Ambassadors Brooke Henderson and Lorie Kane – and connecting CHEO with opportunities to further its important work,” said Keith Creel, CP President and CEO.

“Our family of 12,000 railroaders is excited about the tournament, but more than that, we are excited to leave a charitable legacy in the nation’s capital. CP Has Heart’s ‘Beautiful Hearts’ campaign will bring crucial support to both CHEO and the Ottawa Heart Institute this year.”

Each year, CHEO touches the lives of more than 500,000 infants, children and youth from Eastern and Northern Ontario, Western Quebec and Nunavut. To better care for these patients, CHEO will be embarking on a $1.8 million project to upgrade the hospital’s Catheterization Lab and Interventional Suite. A redesigned space, specialized equipment and pediatric specific training will be critically important elements in the health and wellness of CHEO’s patients.

Through August 27, 2017, CP will match all donations made towards pediatric cardiac care and research at cheoheart.com. CP will also donate $5,000 to CHEO for every birdie made by a player on the 15th hole at Ottawa Hunt during this year’s championship.

The 15^th hole will also feature the 15^th Green CP Fan Zone where golf fans can donate $20 to upgrade their grounds pass to access a covered greenside bleacher and viewing area with all proceeds to benefit CHEO.

Since 2014, the CP Has Heart charity campaign has raised more than $4.5 million in support of children’s heart health.

Kids 17-and-under Get in Free…
Golf Canada and CP are committed to offering a fan friendly, family event with the CP Women’s Open. To introduce more juniors to the sport, children aged 17-and-under get FREE admission to the CP Women’s Open for the entire week.

Tickets…
Juniors – 17 & Under Free
Early Week (Mon-Wed) $11.30
Anyday Grounds (Thurs-Sun) $39.55
Weekly (Mon-Sun) $90.40
Clubhouse Badge (Mon-Sun) $169.50.

Visit www.cpwomenspen.com for more information.

The Province’s top male Mid-Amateur competitors are set to compete in the Peace Country.

Over the span of three days, 107 players, aged 25 and over, will compete at the Grande Prairie Golf and Country Club in the 2017 Alberta Mens Mid-Amateur Championship.

The championship runs June 26-28th at the Peace Country’s premier golf facility. Players will compete in two contests. The Mid Amateur division is open to all competitors and the Mid Master is open to those aged 40 and over. Unable to attend this year’s championship, defending champion Jordan Irwin will pass along his trophy to a new champion. The championship serves as a qualifier for quota positions in to the 2017 Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship.

“We are excited to head up to Grande Prairie for the 2017 Alberta Mens Mid Amateur Championship”, said Stephen Wigington, the event’s tournament director. “The Grande Prairie G&CC is a tremendous facility and we know the competitors are going to enjoy themselves next week. The course presents a stern test and it will be interesting to see if some of the Mid Master competitors will challenge for the Mid Amateur trophy.”

Round one kicks off on Monday at 8:00 AM with a crossover draw.

NOTABLES

• Paul Briske 2017 Mid Master Champion
• Gerry Macdonald – 2016 Alberta Mid-Amateur second place
• Howard Broun – 2 time Alberta Mens Mid-Amateur Provincial Team member
• Brian Laubman – 2005 Alberta Mens Mid-Amateur Champion
• Brandon Markiw – 2015 Alberta Mens Mid-Amateur Provincial Team member
• Tom Mckinlay Jr. – 3 time Alberta Mens Mid-Amateur Provincial Team member
• Jeff Murdoch – 2015 Alberta Mens Mid-Amateur Provincial Team member
• Neil Thomas – 2012 Pacific Coast Amateur Alberta Morse Cup Team member

FAST FACTS

• First contested in 1986
• 107 players are set to compete
• 54 hole stroke play competition, top 60 and ties advance to a third and final round
• Mid Master contest for those aged 40 & over as of the first day of the Canadian Mid Amateur Championship
• The top two players, along with the top player aged 40 & over will form the Alberta Mens Mid-Amateur Interprovincial Team. They will compete in the 2017 Canadian Men’s Mid Amateur Championship at the Wascana Country Club in Regina, SK, August 22-25th

ABOUT THE COURSE

• Championship tees – 6,784 yards, par 72

MEDIA

• Monday’s pairings
• Full event information
• @Alberta_Golf
• #ABMidAm
• flickr albums

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ABOUT ALBERTA GOLF
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.

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.

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