Senior Ladies’ set to create a legacy of their own in Edmonton
Defending champions look to reclaim 2017 Guardian Capital Alberta Senior Ladies’ Amateur Championship titles
2017 roster will compete in Edmonton amongst the shadow of Canadian female legacies
EDMONTON, Alta. (Alberta Golf) – The 2017 Guardian Capital Alberta Senior Ladies’ Championship will take place at the Edmonton Petroleum Golf & Country Club. From August 1st to 3rd, 71 competitors, aged 50 and over, will attempt to add their name next to a legendary list of Canadian amateur female golfers.
Mike Frisby, sr. vice president & portfolio manager at Guardian Capital Advisors LP, says there is true sense of pride that can be felt leading up to the event.
“For three years, Guardian has been proud of our sponsorship and we are excited to be a part of the event at the senior level. We can’t wait to continue to celebrate the players of the Senior Ladies Championship, and we hope each and every competitor has a great game over the coming days.”
Finishing strong in last year’s competition, defending Senior champion Lynn Kuehn will return. Notables, like 2015 champion, Kim Carrington, and three-time champion, Jackie Little, will have to be at their best to take the 2017 Senior title. Alison Murdoch, defending Super Senior champion, within the age 65 and over division, is also back to try and repeat history.
The top three finalists will represent the province in the 2017 Canadian Women’s Senior Championship, as part of the 2017 Alberta Senior Ladies’ Interprovincial Team. The event runs from August 22nd to 24th at the Humber Valley Resort, in Little Rapids, Nfld.
The Senior Ladies’ legacy is highlighted by provincial Hall of Fame members, like 2011 Alberta Golf Hall of Fame inductee Diane Williams. She will be going for her ninth victory this year.
NOTABLES
- Lynn Kuehn – Defending Alberta Senior Ladies’ Champion
- Alison Murdoch – Defending Alberta Super Senior Ladies’ Champion
- Diane Williams – 8 time Alberta Senior Ladies’ Champion
- Jackie Little – 3 time Alberta Senior Ladies’ Champion
- Kim Carrington – 2015 Alberta Senior Ladies’ Champion
- Cheryl Van Dornick – 2007 Alberta Senior Ladies’ Champion
- Joan Wilson – 2016 Alberta Senior Ladies’ Interprovincial Team
FAST FACTS
- First contested in 1964
- Format – 54 holes of stroke play competition
- Senior contest – for those aged 55 & over
- Super Senior contest – for those aged 65 & over
- Championship tees – 5,654 yards, par 72
MEDIA
-30-
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.
Alberta Golf hosts 13 annual provincial championships in order to identify the best golfers in various age and gender categories. A mix of nearly 1,500 pro and amateur golfers compete on high quality member facility courses across the province. Championships are hosted by a core team of staff and over 100 volunteers. The tournaments promote competition, build pride in the community, support charitable giving and inspire future generations of golfers. They also serve as an opportunity for golfers to qualify for national amateur championships.
ABOUT GUARDIAN CAPITAL
At Guardian, we prize the stability of our clients, our employees and our financial resources. Placing the needs of our clients first has led to long-lasting relationships. A growing client base has allowed us to consistently hire the best and brightest. And this combination of satisfied clients and exceptional team members is what will allow us to maintain our significant financial strength in the decades to come.
CONTACT
Stephen Wigington
Tournament Director
Alberta Golf
(p) 403-860-7425
Van Dornick captures fourth Alberta senior title in a playoff
Laubman and Griffith join Van Dornick on Team Alberta for the Canadian Senior Championship
LETHBRIDGE, Alta. (Alberta Golf) – With a heat warning in effect and temperatures hovering in the mid-30 degrees at the Henderson Lake GC, the final round of the 2017 Guardian Capital Alberta Senior Men’s Championship needed two extra holes to name a champion. Frank Van Dornick of the Camrose GC outlasted Brian Laubman and Ken Griffith over the course of two playoff holes to capture his fourth Alberta senior crown.
Van Dornick had the best round of the day, firing an even par round of 70 that was two shots better than anyone else in the final round. He said “today was probably my best outing. The whole round, the whole week has been a struggle with putts and reading the greens and getting the weight right. Today I guessed right a couple of times. It added up to an even-par round. That’s about as good as I could have done today.” Van Dornick got off to a nice start by birdieing his first hole of the day and making an eagle on the par five third hole. He went on to say that “I was just going to try and go out and play as good of a round as I could today. I had no thoughts about winning. No thoughts about a playoff. Nothing. I just wanted to play a decent round of golf.” That mindset paid off for the now four-time Alberta senior champion. He got himself into a playoff and never looked back.
“To get into a playoff and to be successful you are very lucky. The fellow I ended up beating, Brian Laubman, is a very good friend of mine. We had a lot of fun.” It was Laubman’s first Alberta senior championship. The 55-year-old former Alberta amateur and mid-amateur champion was looking to add the senior title and lay claim to the elusive Alberta triple-crown. Of the playoff, Van Dornick added that “we both just said, lets try and make birdie and end it as fast as we could. Unfortunately for Brian, he blocked his shot a little on the second playoff hole and made bogey. It is what it is, we enjoyed it, we are good friends and we would have been happy if either one of us won.”
Van Dornick’s previous three senior titles came in 2009, 2012 and 2014. This year he not only claimed the senior championship but also the super senior division for those aged 65 and over. “The super senior is my inaugural on that. I was hoping at some point in my competitive days I could win it once. So to win my first time out, that is one less thing I have to worry about in the future. Winning today was very, very special for me. To win the senior event and then to top it off with the super senior title. I am extremely happy about that.”
Van Dornick, Laubman and Griffith form the Alberta Interprovincial Senior Men’s Team. The team will compete at the Canadian Men’s Senior Championship, September 11-14th at the Kanawaki Golf Club in Montreal, Quebec.
TOP 10 LEADERBOARD
MEDIA
-30-
ABOUT ALBERTA GOLF
The Alberta Golf Association was incorporated as a society in 1912 and continues today as a not for profit Provincial Sport Organization (PSO) operating as Alberta Golf. As the PSO, we are commited to realizing the positive impacts of golf on individuals and communities across Alberta. Our vision is that through golf, Albertans will enjoy a high quality of life, improved health and wellness, a strong sense of community, economic benefits and personal fulfillment.
Alberta Golf hosts 13 annual provincial championships in order to identify the best golfers in various age and gender catergories. A mix of nearly 1,500 pro and amateur golfers compete on high quality member facility courses across the province. Championships are hosted by a core team of staff and over 100 volunteers. The tournaments promote competition, build pride in the community, support charitable giving and inspire future generations of golfers. They also serve as an opportunity for golfers to qualify for national amateur championships.
ABOUT GUARDIAN CAPITAL
At Guardian, we prize the stability of our clients, our employees and our financial resources. Placing the needs of our clients first has led to long-lasting relationships. A growing client base has allowed us to consistently hire the best and brightest. And this combination of satisfied clients and exceptional team members is what will allow us to maintain our significant financial strength in the decades to come.
CONTACT
Anthony Stirling
Tournament Director
Alberta Golf
(p) 403-999-2615
Top 60 advance to Alberta Senior Men’s finals with Tomita in the lead
Tomita moves to the top with Russell leading the super senior division
The top 60 and ties advance into tomorrow’s final round
LETHBRIDGE, Alta. (Alberta Golf) – Scorching temperatures highlighted another difficult day as the top 60 and ties advanced to the final round of the 2017 Guardian Capital Alberta Senior Men’s Championship. Rod Tomita sits alone atop the leaderboard at three over par, with a (70) in round two at the Henderson Lake Golf and Country Club.
Tomita is no stranger to the Lethbridge community. Growing up, he spent his junior years as a member at Henderson Lake and is thrilled to be back on familiar ground. When asked what a win would mean to him, he replied, “Winning anytime is kind of cool. We will have to see what tomorrow brings, but obviously, it’s special coming back home.”
Ken Griffith and Keith Newton sit one shot back after each posting matching 72 scores on both days. “The course was much harder today,” commented Newton. “The greens are starting to bake out, and it was getting really hard to get the ball close to the hole. You had to play a half club short and bounce it up because you couldn’t make it stick from the fairway anymore.”
Jim Russell, holds a two shot lead in the Super Senior 65+ Championship. Russell has the unique opportunity to potentially take home both championship titles, sitting only two strokes back from Tomita. Yesterday’s leader, Jim Saunders slips to T7, and Brian Laubman, from the Redtail Landing Golf Club, is tied for fourth after shooting the low (69) round of the day.
Tomorrow’s finals will prove to be both a mental and physical battle. With a heat warning in effect for Lethbridge, the players will be in for quite the endurance test. Tee times start at 7:30 AM with the leaders teeing off at 10:40 AM.
The top three finishers in the Championship will form the Alberta Interprovincial Senior Men’s Team. The team will compete at the Canadian Men’s Senior Championship in September at the Kanawaki Golf Club in Quebec. Presentations and awards are tentatively set after the matches for 3:30PM.
TOP 10 LEADERBOARD
MEDIA
-30-
ABOUT ALBERTA GOLF
The Alberta Golf Association was incorporated as a society in 1912 and continues today as a not for profit Provincial Sport Organization (PSO) operating as Alberta Golf. As the PSO, we are commited to realizing the positive impacts of golf on individuals and communities across Alberta. Our vision is that through golf, Albertans will enjoy a high quality of life, improved health and wellness, a strong sense of community, economic benefits and personal fulfillment.
Alberta Golf hosts 13 annual provincial championships in order to identify the best golfers in various age and gender catergories. A mix of nearly 1,500 pro and amateur golfers compete on high quality member facility courses across the province. Championships are hosted by a core team of staff and over 100 volunteers. The tournaments promote competition, build pride in the community, support charitable giving and inspire future generations of golfers. They also serve as an opportunity for golfers to qualify for national amateur championships.
ABOUT GUARDIAN CAPITAL
At Guardian, we prize the stability of our clients, our employees and our financial resources. Placing the needs of our clients first has led to long-lasting relationships. A growing client base has allowed us to consistently hire the best and brightest. And this combination of satisfied clients and exceptional team members is what will allow us to maintain our significant financial strength in the decades to come.
CONTACT
Anthony Stirling
Tournament Director
Alberta Golf
(p) 403-999-2615
Topgolf and Cineplex announce partnership to bring sports venues to Canada
Global sports entertainment leader Topgolf® and Cineplex (TSX: CGX), a leading entertainment and media company, today announced an exclusive partnership that will bring Topgolf’s sports entertainment experience to Canada. The joint venture will see the opening of multiple Topgolf venues in markets across the country during the next several years.
“Throughout the years, Canada has been the top-requested country among our fans asking us to expand outside the United States,” said Topgolf Entertainment Group Co-Chairman and CEO Erik Anderson. “We’re thrilled to continue our growth in North America and introduce Topgolf as a destination for entertainment and socializing where Canadians can play golf even when there’s snow on the ground.”
We continue to identify new opportunities to grow and diversify our business and are very pleased to introduce this incredible entertainment and sports concept to Canadians,” said Cineplex President and CEO Ellis Jacob. “As one of the country’s leading entertainment companies, this relationship with Topgolf is a natural extension of our business and leverages our existing expertise, experience and infrastructure in the Canadian market.”
Through the premium experience of play, food and music, Topgolf inspires people of all ages and skill levels – even non-golfers – to come together for playful competition. Guests can enjoy point-scoring golf games using microchipped balls that instantly score themselves, showing players the accuracy and distance of their shots on a TV screen in their hitting bay. Topgolf locations are typically three-level, 65,000-square-foot venues that feature a chef-driven menu, top-shelf drinks, big screen TVs and music in climate-controlled hitting bays for all-seasons comfort. Year-round programming includes events for kids and families, social leagues, groups, golf tournaments and instruction.
Cineplex will manage the venues’ day to day operations, working closely with Topgolf to ensure the best guest experience in Canada. Predominately known as Canada’s largest and most innovative film exhibitor, Cineplex operates in the film entertainment and content, amusement and leisure, and media sectors. In addition to welcoming more than 75 million guests annually through its circuit of 164 theatres across Canada, it also owns and operates The Rec Room, Canada’s social destination for eats and entertainment, and an online eSports platform. Cineplex is also one of America’s largest providers of amusement games and arcade solutions.
“Cineplex has decades of experience running high-volume entertainment businesses, which makes them the perfect partner for Topgolf,” said Topgolf International COO Zach Shor. “Their company culture and expertise with real estate, location based entertainment and multi-unit operations will be major assets as we work together to introduce Topgolf in Canada.”
With 33 successful venues already operating in the United States and United Kingdom, Topgolf and Cineplex are planning potential locations in large urban centres across Canada. Financial terms of the partnership were not disclosed.
Saunders posts lowest round after Senior Men’s day one
LETHBRIDGE, Alta. (Alberta Golf) – Day one of the 2017 Guardian Capital Alberta Senior Men’s Championship at the Henderson Lake Golf & Country Club proved to be a difficult challenge. With blue skies and not a breath of wind, the small greens and narrow fairways on this old traditional parkland course saw no players post subpar rounds for the day.
Jim Saunders posted the low round of the day shooting an even par (70). When asked about the conditions, Saunders said, “the conditions are perfect. The greens are all the same and very challenging. If you are not hitting it in the right position on the green, you are really having to work hard to get off with two putts.” Additionally, Saunders relied on his short game to keep his round in check. “I made a couple of putts for birdie and I chipped in once for birdie, which made up for the mistakes I made on the par three’s.”
Meanwhile, Kevin Campbell sits alone in second place, posting a 1 over par (71). The key to Campbell’s success was solid ball striking, starting from the tee. “I was hitting a lot of fairways. I left myself in good spots, staying below the hole, which took the pressure off the short game and made for an easy round today.”
With sunny, hot temperatures projected for the rest of the week and the players becoming more familiar with the course, the next closest behind competitors are sure to challenge the lead. With the current leaderboard littered with ties, the field will be cut to the top 60 and ties at the conclusion of tomorrow’s round. Players will be fighting for an opportunity to play the final round on Thursday.
TOP 10 LEADERBOARD
At Guardian, we prize the stability of our clients, our employees and our financial resources. Placing the needs of our clients first has led to long-lasting relationships. A growing client base has allowed us to consistently hire the best and brightest. And this combination of satisfied clients and exceptional team members is what will allow us to maintain our significant financial strength in the decades to come.
Legend Jack Nicklaus to kick-off opening ceremony for the 2017 RBC Canadian Open
On Tuesday, July 25 at 10 a.m. ET at Glen Abbey Golf Club, golf icon Jack Nicklaus will be on hand to officially open the 2017 RBC Canadian Open during a public outdoor ceremony at Glen Abbey Golf Club.
The Opening Ceremony for the 2017 RBC Canadian Open will be immediately followed by the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, where amateur champion Judy Darling Evans and legendary golf club maker Bob Vokey will be officially inducted as the 78th and 79th honoured members. Nicklaus, who was inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame in 1995, will join 16 other legends of Canadian golf as part of the celebration.
Spectators are invited to join the celebration (FREE for all attendees) that will officially kick off the 2017 RBC Canadian Open. Both the induction and ceremony will take place on stage in the Coors Light 19th Hole Beer Garden.
Click here for more information on what’s happening at the 2017 RBC Canadian Open.
Final field set for 2017 RBC Canadian Open
OAKVILLE, Ont. (Golf Canada) – Golf Canada and RBC are pleased to announce the final field of competitors vying for the US$6.0 million purse at the 2017 RBC Canadian Open, July 24-30 at Glen Abbey Golf Club.
World no. 1 Dustin Johnson will be challenged by a stellar field of PGA TOUR stars including world No. 18 Matt Kuchar, two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson, two-time RBC Canadian Open champion Jim Furyk, world No. 33 and 2013 RBC Canadian Open champion Brandt Snedeker, three-time PGA TOUR winners Ryan Palmer and Graeme McDowell, as well as World Golf Hall of Fame member Ernie Els.
Other notable additions to the field for the 108th playing of Canada’s National Open Championship include defending champion Jhonattan Vegas, Ian Poulter, 34-time PGA TOUR winner Vijay Singh, eight-time winner K.J. Choi, six-time winner Hunter Mahan, world No. 28 Kevin Chappell, world No. 39 Charley Hoffman, world no. 48 Gary Woodland and rising-star Tony Finau, who sits 27th on the FedEx Cup Point Standings.
“The field is nearly set and we’re ready to tee-up the 108th playing of Canada’s National Open Championship starting next week at Glen Abbey Golf Club,” said Tournament Director Brent McLaughlin. “It’s a big year for Canada celebrating 150 years and with a tremendous mix of international stars and the deepest field of Canadian talent ever, we couldn’t be more thrilled to treat fans to a world-class showcase of golf steeped in Canadiana.”
In total, 156 players will compete for the US$6.0 million purse next week in Oakville when Canada’s National Open Championship returns to Glen Abbey for a record 29th time.
Past Champions….
Defending champion Jhonattan Vegas will be joined by seven other former champions including Team RBC members Brandt Snedeker – who won in 2013 at Glen Abbey Golf Club – and Jim Furyk who claimed back-to-back championships in 2006 and 2007. Other confirmed past champions include Scott Piercy (2012), Sean O’Hair (2011), Carl Pettersson (2010), Chez Reavie (2008) and Vijay Singh (2004).
PGA Tour In-Year Winners….
A total of nine in-year PGA Tour winners will compete at Glen Abbey including Cody Gribble, Mackenzie Hughes, Harris English, Matt Kuchar, Hudson Swafford, Dustin Johnson, Adam Hadwin, D.A. Points and Kevin Chappell.
13 Canadians to compete for National Men’s Open Title….
World no. 54 Adam Hadwin of Abbotsford, B.C., will lead a 13-member Canadian contingent into Canada’s national Open championship. The 29-year old is in the midst of his finest season with a win at the Valpsar Championship and a 59 at the CareerBuilder Challenge. Hadwin will be joined by fellow recent PGA TOUR winners Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont. and Nick Taylor of Abbotsford, B.C. as well fellow Canadian fan favourites Graham DeLaet of Weyburn, Sask., David Hearn of Brantford, Ont., Brad Fritsch of Manotick, Ont. and Canadian Golf Hall of Fame member Mike Weir of Bright’s Grove, Ont.
Other Canadians confirmed include Jared du Toit, the 22-year old Team Canada member played in the final pairing at the 2016 RBC Canadian Open. The Calgary native returns to Glen Abbey as a professional hoping to recapture the magic that made him the story of last year’s championship. Team Canada National Amateur Squad members Hugo Bernard of Mont St-Hilaire, Que., the reigning Canadian Men’s Amateur champion along with Austin James of Bath, Ont., will also compete.
Former Team Canada member Garrett Rank of Elmira, Ont., has earned his third consecutive RBC Canadian Open exemption by winning his third straight Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship. PGA of Canada professional Bryn Parry of Vancouver earned his way into the 2017 RBC Canadian Open by claiming the No. 1 position on the PGA of Canada Player Rankings presented by RBC, while former Team Canada member Matt Hill of Brights Grove, Ont., won the 144-player Ontario Regional Qualifier to earn an exemption.
The Canadians in the field have their sights set on becoming the first Canadian to capture the national title since Pat Fletcher claimed victory in 1954.
Final Tournament Exemptions to be Named…
The top three players on the Mackenzie Tour-PGA Tour Canada Order of Merit following this weekend’s Mackenzie Investments Open in Mirabel, Que. will earn exemptions into the field for the 2017 RBC Canadian Open.
The final four exemptions into the field for the 2017 RBC Canadian Open will be handed out at the Monday Final Qualifier on July 24 to be played at Heron Point Golf Links near Ancaster, Ont.
Click here for the full list of competitors competing in the 2017 RBC Canadian Open at Glen Abbey Golf Club from July 24-30.
TICKETS:
Grounds tickets for all days of the 2017 RBC Canadian Open, as well as, a limited number of premium ticket packages are still available. A full list of ticket packages and pricing is available online at www.rbccanadianopen.com/tickets.
Golf Canada and RBC are also pleased to offer FREE admission to juniors 17 and younger—Click here to download a FREE Junior Pass.
Full field of Senior Men heading to Henderson Lake
LETHBRIDGE, Alta. (Alberta Golf) – The best will return for the 2017 Guardian Capital Alberta Senior Men’s Championship hosted by the Henderson Lake Golf Club from July 25th to 27th. With a maxed out field of 120 competitors, defending Senior Champion David Schultz knows that it’s anyone’s game.
“I feel my odds of winning again this year are as good as anyone else. There is always a group of guys that will be tough to beat, including Floyd Kilgore and Frank Van Dornick. And every year, there are a few senior “rookies” to watch for, like Brian Laubman this year. Alberta is such a competitive province with many good players, it’s never easy to come out on top. But, I feel I’m rounding into form, and am looking forward to trying for the repeat.”
Kilgore is a two time winner and Van Dornick is a three time decorated champion. Howard Broun, 2016 Super Senior Champion, will also look to re-create tournament history in the now lowered 65 and over division (which complies with Golf Canada’s Senior Championship updated guidelines.)
Not overly familiar with the course, Schultz is curious to see how it will play in Lethbridge, Alta. He says he will be focusing on his green game, expecting the majority of players to be on the same learning curve.
“Hopefully getting a hot putter for a while will be key. Being at Henderson Lake this year will be interesting. I don’t think many of the players have played much here in the last number of years, so we will have to gain some familiarity as the week goes on.”
Tournament players will also swing for a spot on the 2017 Alberta Senior Men’s Interprovincial Team. The top three finalists will travel to Kahnawake (Montréal), Que. to compete in the 2017 Canadian Senior Men’s Championship from September 11th to 14th.
NOTABLES
- David Schultz – Defending Alberta Senior Men’s Champion
- Howard Broun – Defending Alberta Super Senior Men’s Champion
- Floyd Kilgore – 2 time Alberta Senior Men’s Champion
- Frank Van Dornick – 3 time Alberta Senior Men’s Champion
- Brian Brown – 2016 Alberta Senior Men’s Interprovincial Team
FAST FACTS
- First contested in 1946
- Format – 54 holes of stroke play competition
- Senior contest – for those aged 55 & over
- Super Senior contest – lowered to those aged 65 & over
- Championship tees – 6,527 yards, par 70
MEDIA
-30-
ABOUT ALBERTA GOLF
The Alberta Golf Association was incorporated as a society in 1912 and continues today as a not for profit Provincial Sport Organization (PSO) operating as Alberta Golf. As the PSO, we are commited to realizing the positive impacts of golf on individuals and communities across Alberta. Our vision is that through golf, Albertans will enjoy a high quality of life, improved health and wellness, a strong sense of community, economic benefits and personal fulfillment.
Alberta Golf hosts 13 annual provincial championships in order to identify the best golfers in various age and gender catergories. A mix of nearly 1,500 pro and amateur golfers compete on high quality member facility courses across the province. Championships are hosted by a core team of staff and over 100 volunteers. The tournaments promote competition, build pride in the community, support charitable giving and inspire future generations of golfers. They also serve as an opportunity for golfers to qualify for national amateur championships.
ABOUT GUARDIAN CAPITAL
At Guardian, we prize the stability of our clients, our employees and our financial resources. Placing the needs of our clients first has led to long-lasting relationships. A growing client base has allowed us to consistently hire the best and brightest. And this combination of satisfied clients and exceptional team members is what will allow us to maintain our significant financial strength in the decades to come.
CONTACT
Anthony Stirling
Tournament Director
Alberta Golf
(p) 403-999-2615
Hogan defeats Sekulic in a thriller playoff finish for his second Men’s Am title
Sekulic and Graf round out the 2017 Alberta Willingdon Cup Team
It was a dramatic finish to the 2017 edition of the Sun Life Financial Alberta Men’s Amateur Championship. Wind and rain made for tough conditions at the Ponoka Golf Club as sixty of the province’s best amateur golfers vied for their spot into the national championship. 2015 champion Brett Hogan defeated Max Sekulic on the second playoff hole in a thriller finish.
Hogan got off to a hot start again as he started the day two shots off of Sekulic’s lead. “I got off to a great start. I knew Max was going come out and play well today. My goal was to play my own game and get some chances for birdie. On the front, I did a good job of keeping the ball below the hole”, said Hogan. He went out bogey-free in 32 strokes and after birdieing the tenth hole he had it to 16-under-par for the championship before conditions deteriorated. “On the back, I played decently solid but got a little shaky with the putter and the conditions got worse and a little tougher out there.”
Sekulic fought back hard and made an incredible 20-foot bomb for birdie on the final hole in front of the crowd. Hogan said, “I had a feeling he (Sekulic) was going to make it. He’s a great putter. I knew I was going to have to make mine and unfortunately, I lipped out my par putt. You’ve got to move on.” After 72 holes the pair were tied at 12-under-par and were headed to a sudden death playoff starting on the tenth hole.
Both players scrambled for par on the par 5 tenth and they headed back to the 18th where it would all be settled. Hogan tugged his drive just left and had two trees blocking his second shot. “I had 95 yards and had to keep it pretty low. I’ve practiced shots like that before. Hitting different clubs from about a hundred yards and I actually had that shot earlier this week in the second round so I knew what to do. I just hit an eight iron from back in my stance and just hoped it would work out as well as it did.” His ball rolled to four feet and when Sekulic missed his birdie attempt, Hogan stepped up and made his second chance count.
Hogan becomes the 19th person in the championship’s history to win the Alberta Amateur multiple times. He said after the round that “it means a lot… it meant a lot to get the first one and this probably means just as much or maybe even more. It’s not easy to win these things and this is definitely one of my favourite tournaments all year.”
Hogan, Sekulic and Graf form the Alberta Willingdon Cup team that will represent the province at the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship to be conducted at The Toronto Golf Club & Islington Golf Club in Mississauga, ON, August 7-10th. Hogan earns the final spot on the 2018 Pacific Coast Amateur Championship Alberta Morse Cup Team.
TOP 10 LEADERBOARD
MEDIA
-30-
ABOUT ALBERTA GOLF
The Alberta Golf Association was incorporated as a society in 1912 and continues today as a not for profit Provincial Sport Organization (PSO) operating as Alberta Golf. As the PSO, we are commited to realizing the positive impacts of golf on individuals and communities across Alberta. Our vision is that through golf, Albertans will enjoy a high quality of life, improved health and wellness, a strong sense of community, economic benefits and personal fulfillment.
Alberta Golf hosts 13 annual provincial championships in order to identify the best golfers in various age and gender catergories. A mix of nearly 1,500 pro and amateur golfers compete on high quality member facility courses across the province. Championships are hosted by a core team of staff and over 100 volunteers. The tournaments promote competition, build pride in the community, support charitable giving and inspire future generations of golfers. They also serve as an opportunity for golfers to qualify for national amateur championships.
ABOUT SUN LIFE FINANCIAL
Sun Life Financial has served Canadians for 150 years. With an array of products and services, Sun Life is able to offer trusted solutions for customer’s needs. Beyond business, Sun Life is committed to operating in a socially responsible way and acting as a good corporate citizen. Sun Life Financial has been a dedicated sponsor of the Sun Life Financial Alberta Men’s Amateur Championship for 27 years.
MORE INFORMATION
Anthony Stirling
Tournament Director
Alberta Golf
(p) 403-999-2615
Hogan heats up on moving day as Sekulic looks to go wire-to-wire at the Men’s Am
Sekulic, Hogan and Graf have distanced themselves from the rest of the Men’s Am field
Moving day lived up to its name as several top contenders made their way up the leaderboard at the 2017 Sun Life Financial Alberta Men’s Amateur Championship. Clearer skies and a gentle breeze offered nearly ideal scoring conditions for the remaining 61 hopefuls. Notably, three players have separated themselves from the rest of the field heading into tomorrow’s final round.
Team Canada Development Squad member Max Sekulic held his own on day three. The 18-year-old shot a solid 68, that featured five birdies and a lone bogey. His lead was narrowed to two strokes after an extremely hot back-nine score of 29 from past champion Brett Hogan of the Glencoe G&CC. Sekulic will look to go wire-to-wire in tomorrow’s final round, just as Hogan did in his 2015 Alberta Amateur victory at the Edmonton Petroleum Club.
Hogan, the 2016 SVR Alberta Open champion, got off to a slow start today, going out in 37 strokes with no birdies. As he made the turn he knew he had to sharpen his focus. After the round, he said “I saw the boys behind me were doing pretty well and I knew I had to get something going. I started off well with an eagle on ten there where I made my putt from about twelve feet. I made some really good par saves on holes 11 and 12, and finally got it rolling. Number 14, made birdie. Eagled 16, then birdied 17 and 18.” Hogan’s third round score of 66 is the best of the championship and it was the kind of finish he needed to get into tomorrow’s last group and put some pressure on the leader.
Hogan knows the pressure of coming down the stretch trying to win a provincial championship and will draw on his experience in the final round. He said “I’m trying to play my own game. I can only control what I can do out there. If he (Sekulic) goes out there and has a great round, then good for him. But I’m going to give it all I have and see how it ends up.”
Sekulic and Hogan will be joined by Team Alberta U19 member Carter Graf in the final group. The youngster from the Red Deer G&CC impressed on day three by firing another five-under-par 67 to get to double digits at ten-under-par overall.
The top three finishers at the conclusion of the championship will form the Team Alberta Interprovincial Squad for the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship to be conducted at The Toronto Golf Club & Islington Golf Club in Mississauga, ON August 7-10th. The champion will earn the final spot on the 2018 Pacific Coast Amateur Championship Alberta Morse Cup Team.
TOP 10 LEADERBOARD
MEDIA
-30-
ABOUT ALBERTA GOLF
The Alberta Golf Association was incorporated as a society in 1912 and continues today as a not for profit Provincial Sport Organization (PSO) operating as Alberta Golf. As the PSO, we are commited to realizing the positive impacts of golf on individuals and communities across Alberta. Our vision is that through golf, Albertans will enjoy a high quality of life, improved health and wellness, a strong sense of community, economic benefits and personal fulfillment.
Alberta Golf hosts 13 annual provincial championships in order to identify the best golfers in various age and gender catergories. A mix of nearly 1,500 pro and amateur golfers compete on high quality member facility courses across the province. Championships are hosted by a core team of staff and over 100 volunteers. The tournaments promote competition, build pride in the community, support charitable giving and inspire future generations of golfers. They also serve as an opportunity for golfers to qualify for national amateur championships.
ABOUT SUN LIFE FINANCIAL
Sun Life Financial has served Canadians for 150 years. With an array of products and services, Sun Life is able to offer trusted solutions for customer’s needs. Beyond business, Sun Life is committed to operating in a socially responsible way and acting as a good corporate citizen. Sun Life Financial has been a dedicated sponsor of the Sun Life Financial Alberta Men’s Amateur Championship for 27 years.
MORE INFORMATION
Anthony Stirling
Tournament Director
Alberta Golf
(p) 403-999-2615