Golf Canada is pleased to announce the six individuals selected to represent Canada at the 2018 World Amateur Team Championship, conducted by the International Golf Federation.

The World Amateur Team Championship—featuring both a women’s (Aug. 29 – Sept. 1) and men’s (Sept. 5-8) competition— will be contested at Carton House (Montgomerie and O’Meara Courses) in Maynooth, Ireland, located 30 minutes west of Dublin.

Representing Canada on the women’s side will be Maddie Szeryk, 22, of London, Ont., Jaclyn Lee, 21, of Calgary, Alta., and Naomi Ko, 20, of Victoria, B.C. The trio will compete for the Espirito Santo Trophy at the Montgomerie and O’Meara courses at Carton House.

The men’s team selected to represent Canada consists of Hugo Bernard, 23, of Mont-St-Hilaire, Que., Joey Savoie, 24, of La Prairie, Que., and Garrett Rank, 30, of Elmira, Ont. Also contested on both at the Montgomerie and O’Meara courses at Carton House, the men will compete for the Eisenhower Trophy.

“The World Amateur Team Championships are an excellent benchmark to monitor our players’ performance and development globally,” said Jeff Thompson, Golf Canada’s chief sport officer. “Our participation in this premier golf competition is a reflection of our commitment to supporting and developing world-class talent in Canada, and we hope to demonstrate that again this year with the remarkable group of athletes chosen to represent our country.”

Team Canada Men’s and Women’s National Team coaches Derek Ingram (Winnipeg, Man.) and Tristan Mullally (Ireland native) will accompany their respect squads.

WOMEN’S TEAM BIOS

Maddie Szeryk

A member of Team Canada’s National Squad for the past four years, Szeryk will lead the women’s squad into competition as the top-ranked Canadian at No. 16 on the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR). Szeryk will make her second World Amateur appearance after being selected in 2016. She finished a strong 2018 collegiate campaign at Texas A&M with two NCAA wins en route to earning All-SEC First Team honours for the fourth consecutive season. Szeryk’s senior year featured 11 top-ten finishes in fourteen events including four runner-up finishes. She would add another runner-up finish at the prestigious Women’s Porter Cup in June and finished T22 at the Canadian Women’s Amateur. Currently the No. 1 ranked golfer on the National Women’s Order of Merit, the 22-year-old has prior experience representing Canada on the global stage, finishing tied for 15th at the 2014 Youth Olympics and helping Canada to win the team competition at the 2017 Mexican Amateur. She has also competed in three CP Women’s Opens as an amateur.

Jaclyn Lee

Jaclyn Lee is in her fifth year as a member of Canada’s National Team and is currently ranked No. 21 on the WAGR. The Ohio State Buckeye enters her final collegiate season with three NCAA wins including the 2018 Big Ten Championship as well as a pair of runner-up finishes. Lee made a splash on the international amateur scene in 2018, making it to the semi-finals at the Ladies’ British Open Amateur Championship and quarterfinals of the US Women’s Amateur. The former Alberta Ladies Amateur champion also boasts LPGA experience, making the cut at the 2016 CP Women’s Open and competing in the 2018 Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give, where she finished tied for 35^th.

Naomi Ko

Naomi Ko is in her sixth year with the Team Canada program and will make her second World Amateur appearance. The 20-year-old spent three years with the Development Squad before graduating to the Amateur Squad in 2016. Ko, a three-time CP Women’s Open competitor who will be heading to her final year at N.C. State, won her first NCAA championship in 2017 at the Lady Puerto Rico Classic. Her 2017 season also included third-place finishes at the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, the B.C. Women’s Amateur Championship and Women’s Porter Cup.

MEN’S TEAM BIOS

Hugo Bernard

A four-year member of Team Canada, Hugo Bernard is the top-ranked Canadian on the WAGR at No. 78 and will compete in his second World Amateur. The 2016 Canadian Men’s Amateur champion recorded three top-10 finishes this season, including a runner-up at the Azalea Invitational and a ninth place finish at the Australian Men’s Amateur. In 2018 he also finished T41 at the Canadian Men’s Amateur and played in his third RBC Canadian Open. His 2017 season was highlighted by earning medalist honours at the U.S. Amateur Qualifying in Maine alongside top-five finishes at the 2017 Canadian Men’s Amateur and the French Open – Coupe Murat. In 2016, Bernard posted six top-5 finishes in eight events with the Division II Saint-Leo Lions, including medalist honours at the NCAA Division II Championship to earn him a Freshman of the Year title to go with being named as a first-team all-American.

Joey Savoie

Team Canada Amateur Squad rookie Joey Savoie is ranked No. 84 on the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR) and currently leads the National Men’s Order of Merit thanks to seven top-five finishes this season. Internationally, Savoie has a win at the Grant Clements Memorial Tournament in New Zealand, co-medalist honours at a U.S. Amateur Qualifier and a fifth-place finish at the prestigious St. Andrews Links Trophy in Scotland. The Middle Tennessee State graduate also led Team Canada to victory at the 2017 Tailhade Cup in Argentina with his first-place finish and competed in his first RBC Canadian Open.

Garrett Rank

Team Canada graduate Garrett Rank made the most of his amateur season to secure a spot on his second career World Amateur team. Rank, a three-time RBC Canadian Open competitor, has been balancing a professional career as an NHL referee with a busy summer competing at high-level amateur golf events. The 30-year-old made headlines when he earned co-medalist honours to qualify for the U.S. Open. His 2018 season has been highlighted by a win at the Ontario Men’s Amateur Championship and a third place finish at the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship where he earned low-Canadian honours. The three-time Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur champion also boasts international experience from representing Canada in the 2015 Pan-American games, where he finished 15^th, as well as the 2016 World Amateur Team Championship, where he finished tied for 36th.

About the World Amateur Team Championships

A biennial competition, the Men’s World Amateur Team Championship has been played since 1958, with the winner taking home the Eisenhower Trophy while the winner of the Women’s World Amateur Team Championship, conducted since 1964, earns the Espirito Santo Trophy.

In 2016, the Canadian men’s trio of Hugo Bernard, Garrett Rank and Jared du Toit (Kimberley, B.C.) finished tied for 9^th in Riviera Maya, Mexico, while the women’s trio of Maddie Szeryk, Naomi Ko, and Josée Doyon (St-Georges-de-Beauce, Que.) finished in 9^th place.

In 2014, The United States won the 2014 title in Karuizawa, Japan, by two strokes over the Canadian contingent of Corey Conners (Listowel, Ont.), Taylor Pendrith (Richmond Hill, Ont.) and Adam Svensson (Surrey, B.C.). In the women’s division, Australia claimed the title by two strokes over the Canadian team of Brooke Henderson (Smiths Falls, Ont.), Augusta James (Bath, Ont.), and Brittany Marchand (Orangeville, Ont.).

In 29 appearances at the World Amateur Team Championship, Canada has captured the Eisenhower Trophy on one occasion (1986) and earned runner-up honours five times. In 25 appearances at the Women’s World Amateur Team Championship, Canada has earned runner-up honours four times.

The World Amateur Team titles are contested over four days of stroke play. A country may field a team of two or three players. In each round, the total of the two lowest scores constitutes the team score for the round. The four-day total is the team’s score for the championship.

The World Amateur Team Championships are conducted by the International Golf Federation, which was founded in 1958 to encourage the international development of the game and to employ golf as a vehicle to foster friendship and sportsmanship. The IGF is comprised of 146 National Federation Members in 141 countries and 22 Professional Members. The IGF serves as the International Olympic Committee’s recognized International Federation for golf.

Brar and Wingnean take home the Novice Championships

GIBBONS, Alta (Alberta Golf) – The 2018 Alberta Bantam & Novice concluded today at the Goose Hummock Golf Resort. Logan Graf of the Red Deer G&CC took home the boys title and Jayla Kucy of Camrose won the girls title.

The 14-year-old Graf was tied for the lead heading into today’s final round. He finished with birdies on 15 and the closing 18th to solidify the victory over club-mate Cole Bergheim (Red Deer G&CC) and Mitchell Shaigec (Edmonton CC) who tied for second, two shots back.

Bergheim had the low round of the championship today shooting a one under par score of 70 to launch up the leaderboard.

Red Deer G&CC had three boys finish in the top four of the championship.

12-year-old Jayla Kucy continues her impressive play this season. Coming off a low net award earlier this summer at the 2018 Sun Life Financial Alberta Ladies Amateur Championship, she came to the Goose with a victory in mind.

Kucy shot rounds of 84 and 83 to win by a fourteen shot margin.

Jayden Brar (Shaganappi GC) and Delainey Wingnean (Derrick G&WC) took home the boys and girls novice championships for those under of the age of 13. The Novice competitors played a modified stableford format.

A special thanks to the staff, volunteers and members of the Goose Hummock Golf Resort for hosting the 2018 edition of the Alberta Bantam & Novice Championships.

Bantam Boys Leaderboard

Bantam Girls Leaderboard

Gibbons, Alberta – Tomorrow the future of golf in Alberta will be on full display at Goose Hummock for the 2018 Alberta Bantam & Novice Championship.

Forty youngsters will be competing in what for many will be their first provincial championship.

“The focus this week is on a fun and friendly introduction to competition”, said Stephen Wigington, Alberta Golf’s Manager of Competitions.

“Our goal is to provide a positive competitive experience for the kids. We want the sport have a strong impact on each of these golfers lives going forward. There’s no better place to ignite this passion then the Alberta Bantam”, adds Wigington.

KEY INFO

Dates: August 21-22

Course: Goose Hummock Golf Resort

Yards/Par:

Boys:

Bantam: 5,699/71

Novice: 5,342 /71

Girls: 

Bantam & Novice: 5,342/71

Field: 40

2017 champions:

Bantam:

Girls: Kaitlyn Wingnean

Boys: Hunter Thomson

Novice:

Girls: Belle Brezovski

Boys: Jace Shannon

Format:

Bantam (14 and under): 36 holes of stroke play competition.
Novice (12 and under):  36 holes of stableford competition

Leaderboard

Social: #ABBantam

LOOKING BACK:

Thomson and Wingnean victorious at the #ABBantam & Novice Championships @GolfClaresholm ??: https://t.co/97X4orZkCA pic.twitter.com/gmvh06KQa6

— Alberta Golf (@Alberta_Golf) August 26, 2017

HISTORY:

• The Alberta Bantam and Novice Championship was first contested in 1996.

NOTABLES:

• Belle Brezovski the 2016 & 2017 Novice Girls Champion will be competing in the Bantam division this year.

• Jace Shannon the 2017 Novice Boys Champion will also be playing in the Bantam division this year.

FAST FACTS:

• The scoring in Stableford competitions is made by points awarded in relation to a modified fixed score.

ABOUT THE COURSE:

A short drive from Edmonton’s core, Goose Hummock invites you to experience its beauty! As a full-service facility, we look forward to demonstrating Goose Hummock hospitality.

This first-class golfing experience is just minutes north of Edmonton near Gibbons, AB. “The Goose” was designed by Bill Robinson from Oregon and is an 18-hole public championship course. It is a combination of Scottish and everglades architecture that twists and turns for 6700 yards through interlocking ponds. Challenge the Goose!

More information about the Goose Hummock Golf Resort can be found here.

MEDIA:

• Leaderboard
• Flickr Albums

Team Alberta faced off against team Montana this week for the 27^th annual Alberta-Montana Junior Ryder Cup. The two-day match play tournament took place in Montana this year at the Whitefish Lake Golf Club. Teams featured six male and six female junior golfers per team who were selected by the Alberta Golf and Montana State Golf Association.

Team Alberta headed to Montana early Monday morning with Junior Golf coaches, Tiffany Gordon and John Deneer. Upon their arrival in Montana, the coaches started preparing the players for the event with a practice round.

On August 7^th team Alberta and team Montana faced off with 36 holes of match play. Playing in the striking afternoon heat the Alberta girls led the matches after day one with a score of 5 to 4. The junior boys of team Montana took the lead on the first day scoring 6 to 3.

“The course was in great shape for the players today and the hospitality at the venue was amazing,” said Tiffany Gordon, the team Alberta coach. “There is no doubt about it they have great golf down south!”

August 8^th was composed of another match play round. The Montana junior girls took the lead in the last match to win the Junior Ryder Cup in the girl’s division. Our Alberta’s junior boys continued to play strong against their rivals throughout their round. However, Montana held onto their lead winning the boys Junior Ryder Cup as well.

“Juniors from both sides showed incredible sportsmanship, carried themselves with respect, gave everything they had when competing and simply enjoyed their time with teammates at and away from the course,” said the juniors coach, John Deneer. “It was truly an incredible experience for both the players and coaches. We are very grateful for the opportunity to represent Alberta!”

ABOUT THE 27TH ANNUAL ALBERTA-MONTANA JUNIOR RYDER CUP
In all events, there are three Nassau points; one point to the winner of the front nine, one point for the winner of the back nine, and one point to the winner of the eighteen-hole match.

THE 2018 ALBERTA JUNIOR RYDER CUP TEAM: 

*15- and-under category                                    Affiliate club

Boys:

Nick Rimmer                                                               Derrick Golf & Winter Club

Braden O’Grady                                                          Edmonton Petroleum Golf & Country Club

Girls:

Grace Bell                                                                    Glencoe Golf & Country Club

Brooke Brezovski                                                      Sturgeon Valley Golf & Country Club

*16-year-old category                                          Affiliate club

Boys:

Caden Park                                                                  Glencoe Golf & Country Club

Nolan Burzminski                                                      Medicine Hat Golf & Country Club

Girls:

Stephanie Chelack                                                     Inglewood Golf & Curling Club

Alanna Makarchuk                                                    Taber Golf Club

*17-year-old category                                           Affiliate club

Boys:  

Brodie Shields-Tyler                                                  Pinebrook Golf & Country Club

Andrew Makarchuk                                                   Taber Golf Club

Girls:

Brooke Cuming                                                           Bearspaw Country Club

Chelsea Joseph                                                           Lethbridge Country Club

* All age categories are based on a birthdate cut-off

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS 

Teeing off for the Junior Ryder Cup!

Learning from the coaches.

Supporting teammates.

Team Alberta and Team Montana.

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 committed 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.

The Alberta Ladies Team Classic took place this week in Canmore, AB where 96 ladies teed it up for the annual event. Two of Canmore’s finest courses hosted the fun-filled competition of team net best-ball.

The event took place August 7th and 8th starting at Stewart Creek Golf and Country Club for round one. Beginning the first round of the classic with an afternoon shotgun, female golfers of all ages took the field in teams ready for some light-hearted competition.

The second round of the classic was a morning shotgun, taking place at the Canmore Golf & Curling Club where teams were ready for another day full of excitement.

The team of Anita Arcand and Shelley Courterille from Morinville, Alberta had the best overall score of the event. Shooting 22 under par, for a total score of 121 earned them the Ladies Team Classic trophy.

The 2018 Ladies Team Classic Winners: Anita Arcand and Shelley Courterille

See the leaderboard here.

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

Linda Labbe with a hole in one at Stewart Creek G & CC on number 12.

Teeing off at the start of the event. 

Some great golf and even better company.

A special thanks to the staff at Stewart Creek Golf & Country Club and Canmore Golf & Curling Club for being fantastic hosts as another Ladies Team Classic is marked as one for the books!

ABOUT THE COURSES

STEWART CREEK GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

Wherever golf ranks on your list of passions, high mountain courses are among the most spectacular and rewarding golf experiences in the world. The pinnacle of Canada’s mountain golf is Stewart Creek Golf & Country Club.

Wherever golf ranks on your list of passions, high mountain courses are among the most spectacular and rewarding golf experiences in the world. The pinnacle of Canada’s mountain golf is Stewart Creek Golf & Country Club, consistently rated among the best golf experiences in the country. Few golf courses in North America enjoy the spectacular combination of setting, extraordinary vistas, and fantastic golf. Designed by Canadian Golf Architect Gary Browning in 2000, it continues to be a favourite among returning guests, and a discovered jewel for new visitors. With breathtaking views of the Three Sisters, Cascade, Pigeon and Ha Ling Mountains, Stewart Creek is a course that no one who has had the opportunity to experience will soon forget.

More information on Stewart Creek Golf & Country Club can be found here.

CANMORE GOLF AND CURLING CLUB

The Canmore Golf Club was established in 1926, constructed and funded by the residents of Canmore. The Curling Club joined the Golf Club in 1988 and since we have been known as the Canmore Golf & Curling Club.

Our mission is to provide and maintain the best quality golf and curling opportunities for all our members and visitors at a reasonable and affordable cost. We strive to provide services that will exceed the expectations of our customers. The beauty of the Canmore Golf & Curling Club and the surrounding mountains make for an ideal golf getaway, curling bonspiel, corporate function, and/or private booking. Regardless of the occasion, we have facilities that will contribute to a rich, enjoyable, and memorable experience for you and your group, including the best patio in town!

More information on the Canmore Golf & Curling Club can be found here.

After three days of intense competition at the Turner Valley Golf and Country Club John Festival has been crowned the 2018 Alberta Senior Mens Champion. With a challenging course setup and windy conditions, these seasoned veterans battled each round to fight for the top spot. Festival took the lead after gearing down on the back nine making three birdies throughout his round. Brian Coston finished a close second only one stroke behind Festival.

John Festival is the 2018 Alberta Senior Mens Champion! ??

Check out the final results➡️ ?️ https://t.co/mTFuPW35px pic.twitter.com/kPh8HBn8yi

— Alberta Golf (@Alberta_Golf) August 4, 2018

The 2018 Alberta Super Senior Champion is Jim Russell of Calgary. Russell had an impressive three days of play taking the top spot in this division.

Your Team Alberta members; John Festival, Brian Coston, and Ken Griffith will compete at the Canadian Men’s Senior Championship at Gowan Brae Golf & Country Club in Bathurst, New Brunswick, September 4-7th.

FINAL LEADERBOARD:

A thirty-minute weather delay due to early morning lightning pushed tee times back at the Senior Mens Championship today. Once the players got on course they had a singular focus as each had their eyes on making the thirty-six hole cut at days end.

John Festival of the Glencoe Golf & Country Club challenged Brian Laubman for the lead shooting a two under par score of 70 that featured two birdies. His bogey free round was impressive on day two as he was the only player to shoot under par.

Laubman shot 75 today leaving himself and Festival tied for the top spot going into the final round of the championship.

Only one stroke behind the leaders after the first two rounds, John Russell and Allan Ross will have their eyes on the prize gunning for the coveted top spot on championship Friday.

A total of 63 players made the cut for the final round at 19 over par or better.

With interprovincial team placement spots on the line tomorrow at Turner Valley Golf Club it will be an exciting final round of competition for all of the competitors.

John Russell of the Winston Golf Club shot a solid even par round to grab the Super Senior lead by a single stroke over first round leader Terry Filewich.

Final Round Draw

Leaderboard

Brian Laubman of Edmonton is leading after round one of the Alberta Senior Mens Championship at Turner Valley Golf & Country Club.

Laubman opened round one with a one-under par 71 that included four birdies. Close at his heels are Ken Griffith and Terry Filewich who both shot even par 72.

Filewich of the Glendale G&CC leads the Super Senior contest by one stroke over Earl Grey’s Howard Broun.

Those who took the first tee early this morning had cool and calm weather conditions which played favourably as the later day conditions saw gusting winds and temperatures reaching 28 degrees.

The top three competitors at weeks end will make up Alberta’s interprovincial team competing at the Canadian Men’s Senior Championship at Gowan Brae Golf & Country Club in Bathurst, New Brunswick, September 4-7th.

Round 2 Draw

Leaderboard