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Amateur Team Alberta

Amateur Jaclyn Lee comes out of first round of Meijer LPGA Classic T10

Jaclyn Lee
Victoria, BC – 04 June 2018 – Jaclyn Lee at Team Canada media day hosted by Golf Canada at Bear Mountain Golf Club, BC. (Photo: Chuck Russell/Golf Canada)

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Amateur, and Team Canada member, Jaclyn Lee, from Calgary Alta., is T10 after firing a 4-under 68 on Thursday in the Meijer LPGA Classic.

Maude-Aimée Leblanc from Sherbrooke (70) was one stroke less than Alena Sharp from Hamilton, Ont. Anne-Catherine Tanguay of Quebec City and Brittany Marchand of Orangeville, Ont.,  all recorded 73.

After the first round, defending champion Brooke Henderson is T25 at 3-under par.

Kelly Shon played her last six holes in 6 under for an 8-under 64 and a share of the lead with So Yeon Ryu.

Shon had a 7-under 29 on her final nine, the front nine at Blythefield Country Club. The former Princeton star played the five par-5 holes in 5 under with an eagle on No. 8.

“Honestly, going into the round, I was thinking maybe the front nine was kind of going to be the tougher nine,” Shon said. “So I just was pacing myself, trying to stay in the moment and hit every shot the best as I could. I don’t know, the back side, my putter started getting hot.”

Born in South Korea, the 26-year-old American is winless in four seasons on the LPGA Tour. She began the final-nine run with a birdie on the par-5 first, birdied the par-3 fourth, par-5 fifth and par-7 seventh, eagled No. 8 and closed with a birdie on the par-4 ninth.

“I haven’t liked this golf course, but to be honest, it’s playing a little bit different than it has in the past,” Shon said. “A couple of the tee boxes have changed and the course itself. The weather’s just perfect, which is also something we’re not used to all the time so far this year.”

The sixth-ranked Ryu birdied four of the par 5s in a bogey-free round.

“It’s more about the putting instead of score,” Ryu said. “Obviously, when you’re putting really well you have a chance for a really low round, but I just really wanted to have like confidence on the putting green. Like I don’t think I have enough confidence on the putting green, that’s why I always struggle. So from now on, hopefully, I can get fully confident when I’m putting.”

She winless this season after taking the major ANA Inspiration and Walmart NW Arkansas Championship last year. She also won the 2011 U.S. Women’s Open.

“Like to be honest, if I talk about this season, I’m not really fully satisfied with it,” Ryu said. “Hopefully, this week I’m going to start playing really well and hopefully I can win this tournament.”

Anna Nordqvist, Su Oh and Celine Herbin shot 66.

“I’ve had a really rough start to the year,” Nordqvist said. “Haven’t really felt like myself, but just trying to make a few changes the last couple weeks and get on a better bit of a roll. I know good golf is ahead of me, but it’s definitely been frustrating.”

Sophia Popov, Caroline Masson and Lee-Anne Pace shot 67, and Lexi Thompson, the 2015 winner, had a 68.

“The weather couldn’t have been any better for us out here,” Thompson said. “The course is in great shape. The last few days it’s actually been pretty windy out here, but today there was like nothing.”

Ariya Jutanugarn, making her first start since winning the U.S. Women’s Open, matched defending champion Brooke Henderson, Michelle Wie and Lydia Ko at 69. Annie Park, the ShopRite LPGA Classic winner last week in New Jersey, had a 76.

Amateur Inside Golf House

Harrison puts Augustana golf on national stage

Inside the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association, the name Michael Harrison is well known as a two time all-Canadian.

On Sunday the rest of the Canadian post-secondary scene found out who he is.

The University of Alberta-Augustana golfer finished in a tie for eleventh with Kyle Claggett and Zach Olson of the University of Fraser Valley at the Canadian University/College Championships in Chilliwack, B.C.

“I’m very happy to represent Augustana at that level, make the cut and finish that way,” he said. “There’s a lot of people who supported me so I could go and play that event, so to take advantage of the opportunity that was given, it’s probably not something that will happen again because I am running out of years of eligibility here. It was a great week, I’m very happy with it.”

At the very least his performance helps put the Augustana golf program on the national map. His Vikings golf bag was the talk of the tournament, garnering questions from Golf Canada officials and fellow competitors about the school.

“Just to get to tell everyone about the school and what I am taking there, it gives you a sense of pride that even though we come from a small town and a small program we are still able to put together a strong program,” said Harrison.

That program has a strong history of producing all-Canadians, including two this year in Harrison and Braeden Clarkson, and consistently is one of the better programs in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference.

The reigning ACAC men’s golfer of the year’s weekend did not get off to a good start. He opened with a one-over-73 and a three-over-75 in the first two rounds. His tournament turned on Saturday with the arrival of his coach Bill Penny and shooting a four-under-68 to tie for the single best round of the day. He closed the weekend with a one-under-75 to finish with a 1-under-287 for the championship.

“It seemed like when he was there I played a whole lot better,” said Harrison, 23, who just wrapped up his third year at Augustana. “He watched and he talked me through a couple of shots on the tee box here and there. He was just there for good support and cheered me on and helped me feel more comfortable out there.”

Whether it was pure coincidence or a calming effect that Penny brought from Alberta, Harrison’s game started coming together, on the green where he was making putts he was missing on the first two days.

The Chilliwack Golf Club is a course Harrison is familiar with, having finished 32nd there at the CCAA championships in 2015 as a freshman with a score of five-over four the tournament.

“I kind of like the golf course, so when I heard that the Canadian university championship was going to be there I was excited to go back because it was a course I had played well on and was familiar with,” said Harrison.

In the process, he edged out his younger brother Andrew Harrison, who plays for the University of British Columbia, by one stroke. It is a friendly rivalry for the Camrose brothers who play against each other during the summer on various tours and tournaments, but rarely at the collegiate level.

“Earlier in the week I was able to play a practice round with him and we were just joking around about who could beat who during the week,” he said. “That’s always fun, we run into that a lot of times during events during the summer, but this was the first time at a university event.”

Making his performance that much more remarkable is the fact he has only been able to get out on a golf course for the last three weeks due to the late thaw in Alberta. In the lead-up to the championship he played in two MJT tournaments, finishing second in Lethbridge, which was his first actual round of the year, and winning in Banff with a 73 and a 69 over two rounds.

This early season success could potentially set up a big summer for Harrison who will be playing the Alberta Open in Calgary.

View the full article from the Camrose Canadian here.

Amateur

MacDougall goes back-to-back at Alberta Match Play

Brendan MacDougall of the Glencoe Golf & Country Club successfully defended the Alberta Match Play Championship title after defeating Brady McKinlay of Lacombe Golf & Country Club 1 UP in the final match. McKinlay brought the match back to all square heading to the eighteenth tee. But after an errant fairway bunker shot left him in a tough green side position MacDougall was able to close out the match with a solid bunker shot and a conceded putt for victory.

MacDougall beat opponents Andrew Harvie, Matt Bean, Tyler Saunders and the young gun Brady McKinlay en route to the title. He was down early in three of the four matches but clawed his way back with consistently strong play throughout the closing holes.

With the victory MacDougall secures a spot on the 2019 Morse Cup Team at the Pacific Coast Amateur Championship. He will also be competing on Team Alberta at the 2018 event this July at the Olympic Club in San Francisco.

Special thanks to tournament host Silver Springs Golf & Country Club and all of the staff and volunteers.

Pictures from the event can be viewed here.

Amateur

Final four set at the Alberta Match Play

Number one seed and defending champion Brendan MacDougall is still in the mix as the final four head into the semi-finals Friday morning. See full details below:

Amateur

The bracket is set for the 2018 Alberta Match Play

The field is set for the first provincial championship of 2018 after today’s stroke play qualifying round at the beautiful Silver Springs Golf & Country Club. Sixteen of the province’s best amateur golfers will compete Thursday morning for a place in the quarter-finals. A 2019 Pacific Coast Amateur Championship team position awaits the eventual champion.

Amateur

Preview: 2018 Alberta Match Play Championship

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

CALGARY – The 2018 Alberta Match Play is set to begin on Wednesday at Silver Springs Golf & Country Club. A field of 40 competitors will battle it out over an 18-hole stroke-play round for a lucrative spot in the match play bracket on Thursday morning.

“We are excited to conduct our first championship of 2018 at Silver Springs,” said Stephen Wigington, this week’s Tournament Director and Alberta Golf’s Manager of Competitions. “This is the first year that the Match Play is a stand-alone championship and we are pleased with the strength of the field. We know that we are in store for an exciting few days of match play competition with a 2019 Pacific Coast Amateur team position up for grabs. It will be exciting to see who is the last man standing come Friday afternoon.”

Alberta Golf hopes to expand the event to include a female bracket in 2019.

KEY INFO

Dates: June 6-8th

Course: Silver Springs Golf & Country Club

Yards/Par: 6,824 / 72

Field: 40

2017 champion: Brendan MacDougall (@thedooogs), 2UP over Emmett Oh

Format: 18 hole stroke play qualifying round for 16-player match play bracket

Results: Qualifying round leaderboard

Social: #abmatchplay

LOOKING BACK

The 2017 Alberta Match Play Championship saw Brendan MacDougall, the top seed by way of his low amateur finish in the Alberta Open, defeat four opponents in convincing fashion on the way to his eventual victory at the Sundre Golf Club. The victory helped propel him to a successful freshman year at High Point University where he became the first player in school history to compete in the NCAA Division 1 Men’s Golf Regional Championship.

HISTORY

First contested in 2004, the Alberta Match Play Championship took a six year hiatus beginning in 2009. It was re-launched in 2015 and has a history of crowning worthy champions:

2004 – Ryan Swelin
2005 – Barrett Jarosch
2006 – Kris Wasylowich
2007 – Michael Knight
2008 – Darren Hupfer
2015 – Patrick Murphy
2016 – Jack Wood
2017 – Brendan MacDougall

NOTABLES

  • Brendan MacDougall – 2017 Alberta Match Play champion
  • Max Sekulic – 2017 Alberta Junior champion
  • Carter Graf – 2017 Alberta Willingdon Cup team member
  • Tom Mckinlay Jr – 2017 Alberta Mid Master (age 40+) champion

FAST FACTS

  • The champion will earn the first team position for the 2019 Pacific Coast Amateur Championship. They will be joined by the low amateur at the 2018 SVR Alberta Open and the champion of the 2018 Sun Life Financial Alberta Men’s Amateur Championship.
  • The 2017 Alberta Match Play and Alberta Junior champions (Brendan MacDougall and Max Sekulic) received exemptions into the 2018 Alberta Match Play. They will play in the stroke play qualifier for seeding within the eventual bracket.
  • The field features a wide range of ages including three 17-year olds (Carter Graf, Brady McKinlay and William Holan) and veteran competitor Howard Broun at age 70.
  • Four competitors from the host club will look to put their local knowledge to work as they vie for one of the fourteen available spots.

ABOUT THE COURSE

Silver Springs G&CC has a tradition of being a premier golf club only 15 minutes from the heart of downtown Calgary. With over 300 acres of rolling hills and valleys with dramatic elevation changes, Silver Springs offers a true test to golfers of all abilities. The stunning clubhouse offers a genuine refuge where you can enjoy sumptuous dinners and the bond of fellowship only a Country Club lifestyle can offer.

More information on Silver Springs G&CC can be found here

MEDIA

Amateur

Post scores and you could win the golf trip of a lifetime

Bear Mountain Golf Resort, Victoria BC
Bear Mountain Golf Resort, Victoria BC
Stephen Wigington

The Great Canadian East-West Contest is back for 2018, giving one lucky draw winner the golf trip of a lifetime to one of Canada’s most renowned golf courses. This year will include an all-expenses-paid trip for two to either Bear Mountain Golf & Country Club in B.C., or Kingswood Golf & Country Club in N.B.

The winner is drawn from all score entries posted by Golf Canada members from April 1 – Oct. 31, 2018. Each additional score posted counts for an additional entry. In addition to the golf, the winner will receive:

  • Four nights accommodation at hotel near chosen golf course
  • Round trip airfare (with either Delta or WestJet)
  • Five-day car rental (with National/Enterprise)
  • One hour lesson and one round of golf with the PGA of Canada professional
  • $500 spending money

In 2017, the Great Canadian East-West Contest came to an end Oct. 31, with North Vancouver’s Patrick Lloyd winning the draw amongst over 7 million scores posted by Golf Canada members.

As the winner, Lloyd was given the choice of a golf vacation for two in 2018 to the Fairmont Chateau Whistler Golf Club (also in B.C.) or The Links at Crowbush Cove in Morell, P.E.I.

Lloyd, a member of Seymour Golf & Country Club in North Vancouver, B.C., will head east to Crowbush Cove alongside wife Linda this summer.

Click here for contest details.

Amateur Inside Golf House

Junior golf takes major strides in Alberta indigenous community

Canadian culture extends its arms to welcome people of all race, ethnicity and background. A nation rooted in diversity, accessibility and inclusiveness has molded Canada into the one of the most accepting nations in the world. Now golf—with a new pilot program aligning junior golf life skills with student learning outcomes—is taking steps to make the sport more accessible in First Nations communities.

Golf Canada, working in conjunction with the PGA of Canada and The University of Ottawa, has partnered with Indigenous Northern Affairs of Canada (INAC) to pilot the Future Links Driven by Acura Golf in Schools program at Alexander First Nations, a community northwest of Edmonton, Alta.

A first of its kind pilot program integrating golf’s Life Skills with student learning outcomes, the Golf in Schools pilot ran from January through April at the Kipohtakaw Education Centre, supporting school curriculum and community engagement of students through golf.

For Golf Canada Chief Sport Officer Jeff Thompson, the Alexander First Nations pilot is an important step and learning opportunity in the continued growth of golf among underrepresented communities across Canada.

“First Nations engagement with golf represents an important growth opportunity for our sport in communities across Canada and we are extremely proud to be conducting this initiative in partnership with Indigenous Northern Affairs of Canada,” said Thompson. “Earlier this year Golf Canada proudly embraced a new policy around Inclusiveness, Accessibility and Diversity. This pilot program supported by INAC is a meaningful application of that policy which we believe has great potential to connect Golf Canada and our partners with more First Nations golfers and make the sport more inclusive.”

In February, the PGA of Canada partnered with Golf Canada to host a Community Golf Coach workshop with eight participants at the education centre in Alexander. Over two days, teachers and community members were trained in golf fundamentals and tactics to help establish a safe, welcoming environment for junior golfers.

“With many people in Alexander golfing regularly and loving the sport, it made sense to partner with the PGA of Canada and Golf Canada to allow for growth of the sport in the community,” said Jody Kootenay, Director of Education with Alexander First Nations. “We have some amazing youth who could very well take their love of golf and make it more competitive. We wanted to allow for the sport to have not only coaches available to the youth, but to start showcasing pathways for the golfer who is just starting out—we wanted to ensure our children had that chance.”

An important feature of the Golf in Schools program is the Life Skills component which focuses on transferrable lessons—both interpersonal and intrapersonal—that can be applied outside the golf space in peer groups, at home, and within the community.

The Intrapersonal Life Skills—perseverance, goal-setting and emotional regulation—are meant to instill focus while the Interpersonal Life Skills—honesty, teamwork and respect—embody a sense of sportspersonship.

Golf in Schools - Life Skills framework

The University of Ottawa led the introduction of Life Skills integration with Golf in Schools and have since identified areas where the transfer of Life Skills are made in everyday activity. A student survey was conducted prior to the Alexander First Nations pilot to further the understanding of Life Skills applications in Canadian communities.

“Working with the Alexander First Nations was a meaningful step forward as we look to further expand the reach of golf in Canada,” said Glenn Cundari, Technical Director with the PGA of Canada. “We both learned a lot from each other and had some good laughs along the way.”

More than 50 students at the Kipohtakaw Education Centre are participating in the daily Golf in Schools unit during their Physical Education classes. Golf Canada and the PGA of Canada are working to organize a teaching professional to deliver an in-school lesson as part of the Get Linked initiative, ultimately strengthening the golf community in Alexander.

The Golf in Schools program is equipped with a teacher-friendly learning resource to assist in the delivery of lesson plans for six components: Learning Outcomes, Equipment, Warm-Up, Task Development, Closure and Method of Assessment. The kit includes safe, age-appropriate golf equipment for all three tiers of the program: elementary, intermediate and high school.

Along with partners @pgaofcanada & @ottawa.university, we’re proud to launch the #FutureLinks First Nations pilot with Alexander First Nations ⛳️⛳️

A post shared by Golf Canada (@thegolfcanada) on

As the Alexander First Nations pilot nears completion, Golf Canada is investigating opportunities to partner with additional First Nations communities to help grow the game. Since the launch of the pilot, nearly a dozen First Nations communities have expressed interest in integrating golf into their community programming.

To learn more about the First Nations golf initiatives or submit an application for consideration, please contact Adam Hunter, Golf Canada’s Manager, Grow the Game at ahunter@golfcanada.ca

Amateur Inside Golf House

The R&A seeks feedback from Canadians

The R&A is currently doing some research to find out about use of the www.randa.org website and what could be done to improve its website in future.

They are asking golfers, from Canada and abroad, to take a few minutes of their time to share their thoughts. It doesn’t matter if you have visited The R&A website in the past or not.

Please bear in mind they are seeking feedback specifically on the www.randa.org website rather than The R&A app, other publications or The Open website.

Please click here to start the survey.

This survey is being administered by SPORTS MARKETING SURVEYS INC. on behalf of The R&A. Any responses you give will be anonymous and confidential and will only be used in aggregate form for research purposes. No personally identifiable information is collected as part of this survey.

Amateur Team Alberta

Team Canada’s Jaclyn Lee of Calgary ties scoring record and wins Big 10 Championship

Jaclyn Lee

MAINEVILLE, Ohio – Calgary’s Jaclyn Lee etched her name in the history on books on Sunday, tying a 54-hole scoring record at the Big 10 Championship en route to a four-stroke victory.

Lee, a three-time National Amateur Squad member, went wire-to-wire at TPC River’s Bend, kickstarted by an opening-round 66—the lowest score of the tournament. The Ohio State junior followed with a second-round 68 and battled through a tense final round which saw her lead shrink to as little as one.

“This means a lot to me,” Lee said, greenside at the 18th. “It was a goal that I set at the beginning of the year and I’m so happy to achieve it. After coming in to the final round with a five-stroke lead, things got a little nerve-wracking today but I’m glad to walk away with the title. To tie the record and have my name in the history books is pretty cool, too.”

The win marks the third NCAA title of the year for the 20-year-old—she collected victories at both the Westbrook Spring Invite and the East & West Match Play.

Collectively, the Buckeyes finished fourth at 1 over par. Lee will lead the Buckeyes into the NCAA Regionals, getting under way on May 7.

Click here for full scoring.