Team Canada Development Squad member opens up a four shot lead

Through the haze emerged first round leader Max Sekulic striding up the fairway on the last hole in his recognizable red Team Canada shirt. The 18-year-old lefty is demonstrating poise beyond his years after backing up an opening 68 with an impressive five-under-par 67 in the second round. He has opened a four-shot lead over a trio tied at five-under-par on cut day at the 2017 Sun Life Financial Alberta Men’s Amateur Championship.

Sekulic got off to another hot start by birdieing his first hole of the day and never looked back. Notably, he made two eagles on the round – holing out in two strokes on the par four 14^th hole (his fifth of the day after starting on #10), and getting down in three strokes on the par five 1^st hole. Sekulic had an impressive day with the wedges, saying that “on #14 I hit my drive to about 55 or 60 yards out and my shot into the green landed just short and one-hopped in. On #1 I hit my second shot up by the green and pitched it in from about 25 yards.”

Sekulic knows he has to keep playing well with a talented and proven group only four shots off of his lead after 36 holes. He said “I’m going to focus on executing. I can’t control what they do. I can only control how well I play.” Andrew Harrison (2015 Alberta Junior champion) and Brett Hogan (2015 Alberta Amateur champion and 2016 Alberta Open champion) have shot matching 70’s and 69’s to sit at five-under-par for the championship. They are joined by Carter Graf who matched Sekulic’s 67 on day two. The Team Alberta U19 member from the Red Deer G&CC is having an impressive showing through two rounds.

Jack Wesche of the Country Hills GC made a spectacular ace on the par three, fifth hole. He chose a four iron from 226 yards that landed ten feet in front of the hole, checked up and broke right into the hole. It’s not Wesche’s first ace but definitely a memorable one as he didn’t realize it had gone in until Head Professional Rob Macpherson and a gaggle of spectators waved him down.

A total of sixty-one players made the cut after today’s second round and will compete over the next two days for quota positions into the national championship. 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 7-10^th. The champion will earn the final spot on the 2018 Pacific Coast Amateur Championship Alberta Morse Cup Team.

TOP 10 LEADERBOARD

MEDIA

• Full results
• Full event information
• #ABMensAm
• Flickr albums

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ABOUT ALBERTA GOLF
The Alberta Golf Association was incorporated as a society in 1912 and continues today as a not for profit Provincial Sport Organization (PSO) operating as Alberta Golf. As the PSO, we are commited to realizing the positive impacts of golf on individuals and communities across Alberta. Our vision is that through golf, Albertans will enjoy a high quality of life, improved health and wellness, a strong sense of community, economic benefits and personal fulfillment.

Alberta Golf hosts 13 annual provincial championships in order to identify the best golfers in various age and gender catergories. A mix of nearly 1,500 pro and amateur golfers compete on high quality member facility courses across the province. Championships are hosted by a core team of staff and over 100 volunteers. The tournaments promote competition, build pride in the community, support charitable giving and inspire future generations of golfers. They also serve as an opportunity for golfers to qualify for national amateur championships.

ABOUT SUN LIFE FINANCIAL
Sun Life Financial has served Canadians for 150 years. With an array of products and services, Sun Life is able to offer trusted solutions for customer’s needs. Beyond business, Sun Life is committed to operating in a socially responsible way and acting as a good corporate citizen. Sun Life Financial has been a dedicated sponsor of the Sun Life Financial Alberta Men’s Amateur Championship for 27 years.

MORE INFORMATION
Anthony Stirling
Tournament Director
Alberta Golf
(p) 403-999-2615

Reigning junior champion has his eye on Alberta’s top prize

Max Sekulic of the Grande Prairie G&CC came to the Ponoka Golf Club this week with a goal in mind – to make the 2017 Willingdon Cup team. The recently minted Alberta Junior champion might be setting his sights even higher after getting off to a fast start at the 2017 edition of the Sun Life Financial Alberta Men’s Amateur Championship. The Team Canada Development Squad member played solid golf in his first lap around the parkland style community course in Ponoka.

When asked about his first-round highlights, Sekulic said, “I started off good by making a nice long putt on one for birdie to get it going. Then made an eagle on eight to get to three under and I hit a great second shot on ten that set up a birdie. I hit a few loose ones coming in but almost made another birdie on eighteen. Overall, I can’t complain, it was a good round.”

Capturing the Alberta Junior two weeks ago gave Sekulic that added bit of self-assurance that comes from a victory. “Coming down the stretch that day and making a few birdies gave me enough confidence to believe I can win. It just gives you a bit of comfort knowing you can do it.”

Sekulic knows that there is a lot of golf yet to be played this week but has a strategy to stay focused. He said he will “stay positive, stay collected and try and take it hole-by-hole. It sounds pretty cliché but it is what you have to do to get it done.”

Jordan Gustman of The Bridges at Claresholm, finds himself in unfamiliar territory sitting tied for the tournament lead after day one. He started on the tenth hole and set a blistering pace by going out in 32 strokes, including four birdies in a five hole stretch. The only blemish on his card was a bogey that came on his closing hole.

Logan Carver from the Calgary G&CC sits two shots back in a tie for third place with 2015 champion and Glencoe G&CC member Brett Hogan. Carver comes to Ponoka after claiming the Future Links, driven by Acura Western Championship last week at the Fernie G&CC. Andrew Harrison of the Edmonton Petroleum G&CC, rounds out the trio tied for third.

Competitors will look to make their way up the leaderboard on day two. The low 60 and ties after tomorrow’s round will make the 36-hole cut.

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 7-10^th. 24 quota spots are available to the top finishers into the national championship. The champion will earn the final spot on the 2018 Pacific Coast Amateur Championship Alberta Morse Cup Team.

TOP 10 LEADERBOARD

MEDIA

• Full results
• Full event information
• #ABMensAm
• Flickr albums

-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

The Provinces top golfers will converge in central Alberta to compete for Alberta’s top prize over 72 holes

Over 250 players attempted to qualify for the 2017 edition of the Sun Life Financial Alberta Men’s Amateur Championship. Of those aspirants, 120 of them comprise the final field that will compete over the course of the next four days in hopes of adding their name to the history books. Defending champion, Evan Holmes, is representing Alberta at the Pacific Coast Amateur Championship at Chambers Bay this week, which leaves the door wide open for a strong field of hopefuls.

The championship is destined to be a shoot-out worth keeping a close eye on. Several players are in peak form as they head to Ponoka. They are led by past champion, Brett Hogan, who triumphed at the Edmonton Petroleum G&CC in 2015. 2017 SVR Alberta Match Play champion, Brendan MacDougall, and 2017 Alberta Mid-Amateur champion, Neil Thomas, will draw on their recent success in hopes of winning their first Alberta Amateur. Also in the field is Team Canada’s Max Sekulic of the Grande Prairie G&CC. Sekulic won the 2017 Alberta Junior two weeks ago at the Coal Creek GC. It shouldn’t come as a surprise should one of these men end up on top of the leaderboard come Friday afternoon.

Ponoka Golf Club Head Professional and Manager, Rob Macpherson, says “the membership couldn’t be more excited to host the 2017 Sun Life Financial Alberta Men’s Amateur. Our Superintendent, Randy Gallant, embraces the challenge of hosting high profile events and be assured our course will be in optimum condition for the event. We are happy to showcase our facility to the best players in Alberta and we are anxious to show Alberta Golf and the competitors some small-town hospitality.”

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 7-10^th. 24 quota spots are available to the top finishers into the national championship. The champion will earn the final spot on the 2018 Pacific Coast Amateur Championship Alberta Morse Cup Team.

NOTABLES

• Brett Hogan – 2015 Alberta Amateur champion & 2016 Alberta Open champion
• Jordan Irwin – 2016 Alberta Mid-Amateur champion
• Jaxon Lynn – 2016 Alberta Junior champion
• Brendan MacDougall – 2017 Alberta Match Play champion
• Max Sekulic – 2017 Alberta Junior champion
• Neil Thomas – 2017 Alberta Mid-Amateur champion

FAST FACTS

• First contested in 1908
• Format – 72 holes of stroke play competition; cut to low 60 players and ties after 36 holes

ABOUT THE COURSE

• Championship tees – 6,639 yards, par 72

MEDIA

• First round pairings
• Full event information
• #ABMensAm
• Flickr albums

-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

Emmett Oh of Calgary, Alberta birdied the 36th hole to defeat Derek Bayley of Rathdrum, Idaho 1-up in today’s final match to win the 116th Pacific Northwest Men’s Amateur Championship.

The championship was held this week at Emerald Valley Golf & Resort in Creswell, Ore., and was conducted by the Pacific Northwest Golf Association (PNGA).

Click here for complete hole-by-hole scoring of the match, and for the full match-play bracket. Full information about the championship can be viewed here. To follow the conversation on social media, follow @PNGALIVE on Twitter.

Oh won the first hole in the match, and although Bayley took a 1-up lead after four holes, Oh won the next two holes to take another 1-up lead and never fell behind again. After the morning round, Oh still had his 1-up lead, and built it to 3-up after 26 holes. But Bayley clawed his way back into the match, squaring the match on the 33rd hole and after 35 holes of play, Oh and Bayley still stood All Square on the tee of the 36th hole, a 577-yard par-5.

On the final hole, Oh hit a good drive, while Bayley pushed his tee shot right into the trees, from where he had to punch out to about 150 yards from the green. From there he put his third shot onto the green, about 40 feet from the hole. Oh hit his second shot to the front fringe of the green, and chipped up to just a few inches from the hole and Bayley conceded the birdie. Bayley’s long birdie putt, and chance to tie the hole and push the match to extra holes, missed the hole on the left side, giving the hole, and the match and title, to Oh.

“A 36-hole match is such a long day,” Oh said. “The feeling is that, early on, as long as you stay within an arm’s length of the guy, that’s all you want to do at first. And then every hole on the second 18 things start to ramp up a little more. That final nine holes, it was pressure packed. It felt like Derek had all the momentum. He played super solid coming home, didn’t give me anything, and the course played tough. It was tough just to make pars. To birdie 18 to win felt really good. My hands were shaking pretty good on that last chip, and I’m just glad I didn’t have to putt it (after chipping so close).”

Afterward, Oh said, “What is it, nine rounds over five days? I’ve never played that much tournament golf in a week. I’ve never made it to a final match before in an event like this. I can’t really express to finally, you know, get a win under my belt this year. I’m just really happy right now.”

Oh, the No. 13 seed in the championship’s match-play bracket, is a recent graduate of the University of Houston. Earlier this summer he set a course record in being the medalist at a local qualifier for the 2017 U.S. Open.

This is Oh’s first win in five years. He has come close this summer, finishing second and third in locals events in Alberta. Of this victory, Oh said, “It just feels really good. I’ve been waiting for something like this for a long time.” He was the low Albertan at the 2017 Glencoe Invitational and runner-up in the 2017 SVR Alberta Match Play Championship earlier this spring.

ABOUT THE PNGA
First held in 1899, the Pacific Northwest Men’s Amateur is one of the oldest amateur golf championships in the world, and its past champions include Tiger Woods, Jeff Quinney, Ben Crane, Jeff Coston, Nick Flanagan, Jim McLean and Pacific Northwest Golf Hall of Famers Chandler Egan, Harry Givan, Jack Westland, Bud Ward and George Holland, among many others. The Pacific Northwest Men’s Amateur Championship is one of 15 major, regional, amateur championships for men, women, juniors, and seniors conducted annually by the PNGA throughout the Northwest.

From fourth to first after round two, Sabrine Garrison shoots a low 70 final round to win this year’s 2017 Sun Life Financial Alberta Ladies’ Amateur Championship at the Red Deer Golf and Country Club.

“To be honest coming off the last green today, I really actually didn’t think I had it. I knew I put together a good round, but there is a little bit of nerves coming into the last three holes. I mean it was tough conditions today, and I think that’s really what differentiated me from everybody else. I put a good round together on a tough day,” says the Country Hills Golf Club 219 (+3) three-day total champion.

Andrea Kosa takes home both the Mid Amateur and Mid Master titles, placing second overall in the tournament (+5). She had a strong consistent week on the course, well above her nearest divisional competitors.

“I was very patient and calm, I know the big picture world out there, and I know it’s not all golf all the time, so I was just able to stay in my moment, enjoy it and save myself most of the time. I’m glad Alberta Golf has these categories. I think it should inspire other people to come out, and then having that opportunity to get the bigger prize there at the end, and win all three, could have been spectacular, but it’s still awesome. I’m very proud of what I did today,” Kosa says.

With Garrison unable to attend the 2017 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship in Guelph, Ont. from July 25th to 28th, Lauren Diederichs, Kenna Hughes and Kat Kennedy form this year’s Alberta Interprovincial Women’s Team.

TOP 10 – LADIES AMATEUR LEADERBOARD

Shirley Tong, Irene Bateman and Judy Thompson in the scoring area after their second day of Alberta Ladies’ Am competition. 

With multiple flight categories and a 25.0-handicap factor limit, the Sun Life Financial Alberta Ladies’ Amateur Championship is a unique opportunity for players of all ages and abilities to shine. This week, both young and experienced golfers get to test their hand at one of the province’s most acclaimed golf courses. With only 35% of this year’s Ladies’ Am roster full, returning competitors Judy Thompson and Irene Bateman are shocked that more women aren’t competing.

“I like having the chance to golf at this year’s private course, that I wouldn’t have been able to otherwise. I love the game. I can’t believe more women aren’t golfing this week with the handicap you’re allowed to have and to still be able to get in. It doesn’t make any sense. There are a lot of women that I know, fantastic women, that should be here,” says 51-year-old Bateman.

After volunteering for the past two days, Red Deer Golf & Country Club Ladies’ Club President Darlene Bates agrees that more local members should have signed up.

“After watching, I feel that more and more of the ladies here could be competing. I just feel that the majority of our ladies thought that it was for more professional golfers. I guess we all aren’t listening to the word ‘amateur.’ I just feel with a little nudge from executive we can get more in. It’s the experience. What do you have to lose? Because everybody is playing their own game.”

Fellow 60-year-old competitor Judy Thompson, believes that majority of ladies are afraid to fail and are unsure about who they might be next to. Many women don’t know that tournament pairings are determined by handicap, and are re-seeded each day based on their previous results. This means that everyday players are competing amongst their same skill level. Thompson says that after playing in her first tournament and beyond, it’s surprising how you feel after.

“At my first tournament, I was so nervous. At the start of the event, I said to myself, ‘Why am I here?’ I couldn’t believe I was there, but then I got over it and I got a really good friend out of it – one that I’m still friends with today. I tried to get some more ladies interested, but they said, ‘Oh, I’m not going to be able to golf there, and I’m not going to do well. I’m scared.’ I’m having a good time at the Ladies’ Am. It’s awesome. It’s fun. I feel good. Scoring aside, I feel really good and I’m happy for the experience.”

Thompson and Bateman are a part of a handful of players competing in this year’s tournament who are helping to break down the barriers of competitive women’s amateur golf. They are trying to convey the message that competition, and golf in general, shouldn’t be scary and that more women should play.

“My scores weren’t the best today, but I would still sign up to do it again, even if I’m not hitting well. Who cares? It’s all about learning and being more comfortable at different places. Women golfers need to be more confident, no matter what they’re hitting. I think maybe women are afraid to go to their first one. Women need to be willing to not just golf with their friends and their husbands. They need to be confident enough, that if you happen to be in a town that you really like, and there is a golf course, to go sign up by yourself. You’re worthy of being able to do something that is near and dear to your heart. If you like to golf, then go golf,” says Bateman.

Thompson explains that no matter what level you are at, you just need to have a positive and realistic attitude to help tame competition insecurities.

“I knew that there are players here that are better than me, but my expectation was to do well – better than I’ve done in the past. I’ve shot 97 and 99 so far, and I know I can shoot better, but the expectation is just to do how I’m used to doing. I know I can’t do the same as what I do at other golf courses. Here there are faster greens and there are longer tee boxes to the green, but I know if I put the ball in the middle of the fairway and can get on it in two, that’s what’s required. I didn’t expect to shoot birdies and what not, but to push myself to shoot a little better each time.”

Through tournament play, female golfers can become better players overall. Bates says that encouraging one another is where women need to start, in order to get better and to be more involved in the game.

“A little more self-confidence and perhaps better golf scores, can result by going into event’s like these,” says Bates. “There are so many of us, and we just need to practice and we just need to play golf. You have to come out and convince as many ladies as you can to play in it and in regular ladies’ leagues. That’s the only way that you get to know one another, and it’s the only way that you get to know the rules. An established golfer can provide advice and help build up an upcoming golfer’s confidence.”

There are still two great Alberta Golf competition options left to try this season. A great way for women to get started is the Golf Fore the Cure Alberta Ladies’ Team Classic, in Canmore. The Ladies’ Team Classic is a fundraising team based event. For $200 per team, pairs of golfers get to play at the Stewart Creek Golf Club on August 1st. Meal and cart included.

Another great option is the Alberta Net Amateur Championship, hosted at the Lacombe Golf & Country Club, from August 30th to 31st. With both men and women competing, the event awards players with the best overall score in relationship to their handicap.

View this year’s full Alberta Golf 2017 Championship Schedule, and contact us if you have any questions regarding any of the tournaments.

FERNIE, B.C. – Logan Carver rebounded after a sloppy start to edge the competition in the final holes while Angela Zhang won the girls division at the Future Links, driven by Acura Western Championship at Fernie Golf and Country Club on Thursday.

Carver shot a 3-over-par 73 to complete his wire-to-wire victory by one stroke. The 18-year-old, who held the lead through the first two rounds, recorded four bogeys on the front nine and two more immediately after making the turn to fall three strokes behind both Ty Steinbring and Ethan Choi.

Carver capitalized on late mistakes by the other two boys and finished the tournament going birdie-birdie and scraping out the victory.

Choi (Pincher Creek, Alta.) and Steinbring (Barrhead, Alta.) looked like they were clear of Carver heading down the stretch, but Choi carded two bogeys in his final four holes and Steinbring fell down the leaderboard due to a triple bogey on the 15th hole, opening the door for Carver’s dramatic finish.

Choi carded a final-round 72 to secure his second-place finish while Steinbring shot a 4-over-par 74 to finish in third, two strokes back of Carver.

Rounding out the top six finishers in the boys division who earned exemptions into the 2017 Canadian Junior Boys Championship on July 31-Aug. 3 at Cataraqui Golf and Country Club in Kingston, Ont., are: Bennett Ruby (Waterloo, Ont.), Hunter Thompson (Calgary, Alta.) and Michael Valk (Medicine Hat, Alta.).
Zhang shot a 1-under-par 71 to lock up the girls division and win her first Future Links, driven by Acura event.

The 15-year-old Vancouver native was leading after the first round on Tuesday, but she entered Thursday one shot back of Claire Lovan of Surrey, B.C. Zhang got off to a good start going bogey-free on the front nine and managed to hold off Lovan’s late surge to come away with a two-stroke victory.

Lovan, also 15, struggled to start her final round and carded two bogeys and a double bogey on holes four, five and six. After she made the turn, Lovan managed to close out her round bogey free and dropped in two birdies during her last four holes, but the push was too late to catch Zhang.

Rounding out the top six earning exemptions to the 2017 Canadian Junior Girls Champions on Aug. 1-4 at Camelot Golf & Country Club in Cumberland, Ont., are: Sydney Scraba (Calgary, Atla.), Tillie Claggett (Calgary, Alta.), Taylor Stone (Calgary, Alta.) and Stephanie Chelack (Calgary, Alta.).

FERNIE, B.C. – Logan Carver retained his lead in the boys division while Claire Lovan leaped to the top of the girls division at the Future Links, driven by Acura Western Championship at Fernie Golf Club on Wednesday.

Carver shot a one-over-par 71 and maintained his lead by one stroke heading into the final round. Early on it looked as if the Calgary, Alta., native was going to extend his lead after he made the turn 3 under par with three birdies on his card, but the 18-year-old faltered on the back nine with a double bogey on the 12th hole and two bogeys in his final three holes.

Ty Steinbring of Barrhead Alta., played his way into second place at the end of round two. The 17-year-old carded five birdies and a single bogey en route to a 4-under-par 66 to bring him to 3 under on the tournament.

Sitting two strokes back of Carver is the Pincher Creek, Alta., product Ethan Choi who shot a bogey-free 68. Through two rounds, the only blemish on his scorecard is a double bogey on the eighth hole from round one.

Zander Park of Calgary, Alta., recorded the low round of the day. The 18-year-old shot a 65 – the same score Carver carded in round one – propelled five birdies and an eagle. He sits at T12, seven strokes back of the leader.

In the girls division, Claire Lovan from Surrey, B.C., shot a 3-under-par 69 to move her one stroke ahead of Tuesday’s leader Angela Zhang. Lovan enjoyed a rollercoaster-like round that included one eagle, five birdies, two bogeys and a double bogey and moved her to even par on the tournament.

“After I made the turn onto the back nine I was even par, which rarely happens for me,” she said, after her round. “Then I was able to really start making birdies after I made the turn and the eagle on hole 15 was huge for me.”

Zhang got off to a slow start and carded three bogeys in her first six holes, but the 15-year-old from Vancouver, B.C., managed to head to the back nine at 2 over par and recorded an important eagle on the final hole to keep her at 1 over for the tournament.

Rounding out the top three is Sydney Scraba from Calgary, Atla., who carded six birdies and seven bogeys to move her to three over on the tournament, three strokes back of Lovan.

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

Full results can be found here.

Koss leads both the Mid Amateur and Mid Masters leaderboard

It’s anyone’s game after round one of the 2017 Sun Life Financial Alberta Ladies’ Amateur Championship. Kenna Hughes, Sabrine Garrison and Kehler Koss are tied for first with (+2) 74s. Kat Kennedy and Andrea Kosa follow close behind with matching (+3) 75 scores heading into day two at the Red Deer Golf and Country Club.

Team Alberta High Performance squad member, Hughes comes off of a 2016 Alberta Junior Girls Championship victory, with Koss recently claiming the 2017 Alberta Junior Girls Championship win. Along with veteran two-time Alberta Juvenile Girls Champion, Garrison, tomorrow’s 9:40AM group will have to continue to work hard to win the 2017 Ladies’ Amateur trophy.

Only one stroke behind today’s leaders, 2017 Canadian University/College Champion, Kat Kennedy, will enter round two tied at fourth with current Mid Amateur and Mid Master leader, Andrea Kosa.

Lauren Diederichs and Skyesong Alexis also look strong in the Mid Amateur 25 and over age division posting matching 77 scores. Kaitlyn Wingnean, from the Derrick Golf & Winter Club, currently sits a top the Amateur Low Net leaderboard.

With a wide range of ages and skills, round one also showcased a variety of new to competition golfers. Competing for her first time, home club Red Deer & GCC member, Tracey Biluk, says that after today, she felt more comfortable amongst some amazing players.

“Everybody was very organized, and I had very good time. I was hesitant at first with my game, but it got a little better before competition, and I’m feeling more confident after today. It’s fun, why not represent your club. Hopefully I’ll play as well or better tomorrow. I enjoyed the ladies I played with today. It was really good.”

Tee times begin at 7:30AM again tomorrow, with final rounds to be conducted on Friday.

TOP 10 – LADIES’ AMATEUR LEADERBOARD