Team Canada’s Jaclyn Lee Advances to round of 16 at North and South Amateur
Amateur Squad’s Jaclyn Lee def. Kennedy Swann (Austin, Tex.) 4 and 3 to advance to the round of 16 at the North and South Women’s Amateur Championship at Pinehurst No. 2 in Pinehurst, N.C.
The Calgary product never trailed in the match jumping out to an early lead on the second hole and leading 1-up through nine. Lee went on to win holes No. 11, 12, 14, and 15 to knock off Swann.
A four-year veteran of Team Canada, Lee is the No. 2 seed in the 32-player match play draw after finishing T2 in the two rounds of stroke play qualifying.
The Ohio State Buckeye will face Angleton, Tex., native Lakareber Abe in the second round later today. Abe def. Brenna Lervick (Chanhassen, Minn.) 2 and 1 in the round of 32.
Round of 32 action @PinehurstResort North & South for @JaclynLee57 this morning #warm up #107' pic.twitter.com/NH10q5DCeY
— Tristan Mullally (@tmullallygolf) July 12, 2017
Click here for match-play bracket.
Golfer feedback towards a World Handicap System
Over the past several years, the USGA and The R&A have been working with golf’s handicapping authorities to develop a single World Handicap System (WHS) for the sport.
More than 15 million golfers in over 80 countries presently have a handicap, a numerical index long used as a reference to gauge a golfer’s potential skill level. Handicaps are currently delivered through six different systems around the world. The aim of the proposed handicap system is to adopt a universal set of principles and procedures that will apply all over the world.
As an important step towards the development of a World Handicap System, The R&A and USGA have created a survey to gather insights from golfers, club managers, course owners, PGA of Canada professionals and various other handicap administrators at the club, provincial and national level.
The purpose of this survey (which is open until the end of July) is to learn more about what golfers and those individuals involved in golf administration think about the potential World Handicap System and its core principles.
Golf’s governing bodies will use the feedback from this international study towards the formation a globally aligned system for handicapping.
Click here to participate in the study.
Carver leads strong Alberta contingent at Future Links, driven by Acura Western
FERNIE, B.C. – Logan Carver shot a 5-under-par 65 and Angela Zhang shot a 1-over-par 73 to lead their respective divisions at the Future Links, driven by Acura Western Championship on Tuesday at Fernie Golf and Country Club.
Carver propelled himself to the top of the leaderboard after an incredible back nine where he carded five of his seven birdies, including the final three holes.
“It was just the last three holes when it all came together,” he said, after his opening round. “Standing on the 16th tee I was only 2 under and was coming off a hole where I three-putted from seven feet so I didn’t know how I was going to finish.
“But I hit some good iron shots those last three holes and they managed to go in, so it all worked out.”
The 18-year-old from Calgary, Alta., birdied four of his last five holes and carded just two bogeys during his impressive start to the tournament.
Sitting in solo-second behind Carver is Bradley McKeating, also from Calgary, Alta. He made the turn at even par after registering two birdies and two bogeys on the front nine before he managed to play bogey-free on the back and finish three strokes off the leader.
Jammed up in a four-way tie for third place at 1 under par are Jace Ouellette (Red Deer, Alta.), Dylan Henderson (Waterloo, Ont.), Hunter Thompson (Calgary, Alta.) and Brodie Shields-Tyler (Calgary, Alta.).
In the girls division, Zhang holds onto her spot at the top of the leaderboard by just one stroke. The 15-year-old from Vancouver, B.C., headed into the final eight holes at 3 under par but stumbled down the stretch with two bogeys and a double-bogey.
“The course was in really good condition today,” she said. “The chances were definitely there so if you could just hit it solid and be patient and you could get a really low score.”
Sydney Scraba, from Calgary, Alta., sits one stroke back of Zhang after she managed to card four birdies in her opening round, but four bogeys and a double-bogey found her settling into solo-second with a 2-over-par 74.
Taylor Stone (Calgary, Alta.), Claire Lovan (Surrey, B.C.) and Jennifer Gu (West Vancouver, B.C.) all shot 3 over par and sit in a three-way tie, two strokes behind Zhang after round one.
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.
Team Canada’s Jaclyn Lee finishes T2 in stroke play at Women’s North and South, advances to match play
Calgary’s Jaclyn Lee carded a 1-over-par 72 in Wednesday’s second round of the Women’s North and South Championship to finish T2 in stroke play, advancing to the match play portion of the tournament.
The famed Pinehurst No. 2 lived up to its reputation as one of the stiffest tests in golf on Tuesday with every golfer in the field—except medallist Kristen Gillman (Austin, Tex.)—finishing over par for the day.
Lee, a Team Canada Amateur Squad member, recorded two birdies and three bogeys to finish tied for second at 4 over par with Norman, Okla., native Yujeong Son—two shots back of Gillman who was 2 over par for the championship (73-71).
At the Women’s Western Amateur Championship in June, Lee was the No. 3 seed after 36 holes of stroke play but lost in the first round of match play to Maddie Rayner (Southlake, Tex.) in 23 holes.
For the full leaderboard click here.
Red Deer G&CC hosts Alberta’s top female amateurs
Strong contingent of talent to converge at the Ladies Amateur
The 2017 Sun Life Financial Alberta Ladies Amateur Championship features 43 of the provinces top female amateur players. They will compete over the course of the next three days in hopes of adding their name to the illustrious list of past champions. Two-time and defending champion, Jaclyn Lee, is not in the field, marking an opportunity for a newcomer to challenge for the title.
Team Alberta’s U19 Squad is well represented with four out of the six members competing at the Red Deer G&CC. 2016’s runner-up, Kat Kennedy, is in the field and will be one of the favourites. Kennedy, a University of British Columbia Thunderbird, captured the 2017 Canadian University/College Championship by an impressive 15 shot margin earlier this spring. Also in the field is Kehler Koss, who comes to Red Deer as the recently crowned Alberta Junior Girls champion. Koss won the provincial championship last week at the Coal Creek Golf Resort.
General Manager, Don McFarlane, is eagerly anticipating the event, saying that “the Red Deer Golf and Country Club looks forward to hosting the 2017 Sun Life Financial Alberta Ladies Amateur Championship. We are anxious to showcase our Club and community to the Province’s top female golfers. The course has never been in better shape and is perfectly suited to this competition. Our membership and staff will work hard to provide a memorable and enjoyable event for all participants.”
The top three finishers at the conclusion of the championship will form the Team Alberta Interprovincial Squad for the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship to be conducted at Cutten Field in Guelph, ON, July 25-28th.
NOTABLES
- Kat Kennedy – 2nd place, 2016 Alberta Ladies Amateur
- Kenna Hughes – 2016 Alberta Junior Girls Champion & Team Alberta High Performance Squad
- Devon Spriddle – 4th place, 2016 Alberta Ladies Amateur
- Lauren Diederichs – 2016 Alberta Ladies Mid Amateur Champion
- Sabrine Garrison – Two-time Alberta Juvenile Girls Champion
- Kehler Koss – 2017 Alberta Junior Girls Champion & Team Alberta member
FAST FACTS
- First contested in 1929
- Format – 54 holes of stroke play competition
- Mid Amateur contest – for those aged 25 & over
- Mid Master contest – for those aged 40 & over
- Feef MacDonald trophy – awarded to the low gross round of the championship
- Championship tees – 5,902 yards, par 72
MEDIA
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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 Ladies Amateur Championship for 15 years.
MORE INFORMATION
Stephen Wigington
Tournament Director
Alberta Golf
(p) 403-860-7425
One on one with Alberta Junior Boys Champion
Max Sekulic, from the Grand Prairie G&CC, wins the 2017 Alberta Junior Boys Championship at Coal Creek Golf Resort in Ryley, AB. with a 5-under-par finish.
Talk about the course and how it played over the past four days?
“It was good it was pretty windy the first day, and it firmed up especially today, so each day I think it played a little different, so we had to plan accordingly. It was a good and fair test of golf.”
When did you start to feel your momentum?
“When I birdied 15, I knew that I had a chance, I just needed to put together three more holes, and then I could have the W. It was good, it was definitely 15, when I made the birdie.”
What’s it like to be on Team Canada’s Development squad?
“It’s awesome we have great support staff, great coaching, great support from our sponsors like Titleist, RBC, CP and all. It’s great we’re given everything we basically need to do our best, and it’s awesome.”
What does the team do on a day to day?
“On a daily basis with the team, we do some work out stuff, some combine testing and play a bunch. We are always competing at something trying to simulate a tournament. I think that’s the best practice.”
What does this win mean to you?
“It’s huge, I remember when I was 11 and 12, I missed the cut both years. It made me really want it. I always thought winning it would be super cool. To be able to do it in my last year is awesome.”
Would you like to thank anybody?
“I would like to thank my mom Caroline and my dad, Nick for supporting the dream: Golf Canada’s Robert Ratcliffe, our coach; the coaches at GC who I will be working with next year, and my buddy Chandler and my brother Theo for being solid roomies. I would also like to thank my coach Kent Fukushima. I have been working with him since I was 13. It’s been awesome working with him, and I think he’s one of the best coaches around. The list goes on and on, but that’s what first come to mind.
What’s your next goal?
“I’d like to make the Willingdon Cup Team for the Alberta Amateur”
Sekulic and Iguchi take home Alberta Juniors’ top titles
In the 72 hole championship at the Coal Creek Golf Resort, it came down to last three for Max Sekulic to claim his long awaited junior title at provincials, with a four round total of 283 (-5), landing him one shot ahead of his nearest challenger.
“It’s huge, I remember when I was 11 and 12, I missed the cut both years. It made me really want it. I always thought winning it would be super cool. To be able to do it in my last year is awesome,” he says.
Matt Bean and Chandler McDowell also earned their well-deserved tickets, with Sekulic, to the 2017 Canadian Junior Boys Championship. Kai Iguchi held his own in the final round, winning the Juvenile division finishing fourth overall with an even par total (288).
This year’s 2017 Alberta Junior Boys Interprovincial Team. @ChandlerMcd99, @Maxsekulic & Matt Bean to compete in nationals @Catgandcc! ?? pic.twitter.com/VxS8DK8LZl
— Alberta Golf (@Alberta_Golf) July 8, 2017
The Championship was a close contest all week long, with the top three finishing within three strokes of one another. Iguchi held his own in Sekulic and Bean’s group, but says he could feel the pressure during the last critical holes.
“It was definitely nerve racking. It is my first time doing that well coming into the last day. I just tried to go out and play golf.”
The 2017 Canadian Junior Boys Championship will be held at the Caratiqui Golf and Country Club from July 31st to Aug. 3rd in Kingston, Ontario.
2017 Alberta Juvenile Champion Kai Iguchi
TOP 10 – JUNIOR BOYS LEADERBOARD
For the full leaderboard, click here.
For photographs from the championship, click here.
Follow the days events #ABJuniors
Teammates prevail for the girls at the 2017 Alberta Juniors
RYLEY, Alta. (Alberta Golf) – It was a celebratory moment as teammates Kehler Koss and Annabelle Ackroyd became this year’s 2017 Alberta Junior & Juvenile Girls Champions. After three days at the Coal Creek Golf Resort, the girls were closely matched until the end. Koss was able to claim the junior title with a strong back nine finish, only one stroke ahead of this year’s juvenile champion, Annabelle Ackroyd.
“I think it honestly came down to the last hole. Annabelle and I were close the whole day. I had three birdies coming in on the back nine. The last hole was really what set it,” says Koss.
Koss and Ackroyd went back and forth over the entire three day championship. Koss lead by two strokes after the first two rounds, following her 74, 72 (146) total. Ackroyd managed to close the gap by shooting 74 in the third and final round, but fell one shot short down the stretch. With three holes to play, the pair were tied at the top. Koss’ birdie on the 16th hole seemed to be the turning point.
Even though the competition was intense, the ladies were all laughs as Ackroyd explains what it was like to play with her Team Alberta squad member.
“It’s awesome, we always have a good time out there. We’re so fairly matched all the time. We’ve been together in probably every tournament. This is maybe our seventh time this year. So it kind of just feels normal at this point. It’s always the same.”
Annabelle Ackroyd on the back nine of the final round.
Despite losing the junior girls title to her teammate, Ackroyd, at age 15, takes home the juvenile title in her fifth attempt at provincials. Koss, 18, has only been competing for a few years, but has worked hard to get to this level of play.
“In this last year, I’ve really set my mind to certain goals and trying to achieve them,” she says.
Tillie Claggett, from The Glencoe Golf & Country Club, joins today’s top two to form the 2017 Alberta Interprovincial Junior Girls Team. Koss will attempt to use this week’s momentum in the 2017 Sun Life Financial Alberta Ladies’ Amateur Championship next week in Red Deer. She will then go to nationals, and begin her first year at New Mexico State University in the fall. Ackroyd is set to compete with the 2017 Canada Summer Games Alberta girls and boys teams this August in Winnipeg.
Leads narrowly held after day two of Alberta Juniors
Choi and Koss manage to narrowly hold their leads after round two of the 2017 Alberta Junior & Juvenile Championship
31 girls will compete for the title, with 66 boys advancing to round three
RYLEY, Alta. (Alberta Golf) – On a sweltering day at the Coal Creek Golf Resort, Alberta’s top U19 boys and girls seem to have settled into the 2017 Alberta Junior & Juvenile Championship. Of the 114 boys in the competition, 66 managed to advance to the remaining two days of play. The cut line fell at +21 (165) with four additional U15 boys advancing based on Alberta Golf’s age protection rules. The entire field of 31 girls are set to play in tomorrow’s final round.
With a back nine highlighted by a streak of four birdies, Matt Bean, from the Canmore Golf & Country Club, climbed day two’s leaderboard. He posted a six under score (66) and will enter round three just one stroke behind the tournament’s current leader Ethan Choi, whose two day total finds him at 4 under par (140.) The 15-year-old has a chance to claim both the Junior and Juvenile Championships, but will have to fend off the other 65 contenders for 36 more holes. Chandler McDowell looks to follow up his victory at last year’s provincial juniors, currently sitting third, just two shots back, after a two under par round of 70.
The girls head into their final rounds tomorrow with what appears to be a match play contest shaping up between Kehler Koss and Annabelle Ackroyd. After shooting identical rounds of even par (72) in round two, the pair find themselves just two shots apart and eight shots ahead of their nearest competitors. Taylor Stone bettered her first round score by four shots to join Tillie Claggett in a tie for third. Team Alberta’s High Performance Coach Randy Robb commented on the way the girls have approached competitive play.
“They’re really focused on the games that they’ve made up to help distract them from how fickle the game of golf can be. One bad bounce here and there can affect your score drastically, while these fun games they’ve invented, like ‘Thunder,’ help to keep them focused within their own competition.”
The girls final round is set to start at 8AM, while the boys will begin their third round at 10AM. The girls Junior and Juvenile Champions will be crowned at the 3PM prize presentation. Alberta’s 2017 Interprovincial Girls Team will also be determined at that time.
Team Alberta sets day one Alberta Juniors tone
Team Alberta’s Koss and Choi set the pace for day one of the 2017 Alberta Junior & Juvenile Championship
First time host, Coal Creek Golf Resort, demands juniors to step up their game
RYLEY, Alta. (Alberta Golf) – Two Team Alberta players are on top of the leaderboard after day one of the 2017 Alberta Junior & Juvenile Championship. Today’s competitors battled blustery conditions, while testing their skills at a new provincial championship host course. The Coal Creek Golf Resort, in Ryley Alta., proved to be a fair but challenging test, with only three of the 145 competitors able to post red figures through the first round.
“Coal Creek is an amazing facility and a very, very challenging golf course. When we set it up, we tried to be as fair as possible, because we know usually the wind blows out here, and it didn’t let us down today. It got a little calmer towards the end, but it sure gave us a lot of cause for concern out there, and every spotter we had we needed,” says Tournament Rules Chair Fran Marsden.
U19 girls team member, Kehler Koss, and High Performance player, Ethan Choi both find themselves two shots ahead of their competition heading into day two.
After posting an opening round 74, Koss comes off of last year’s Interprovincial Junior Team and leads by two shots over her U19 teammate, Annabelle Ackroyd (+4). Tillie Claggett (+5) finds herself in third place, which included a highlight eagle on the par 4 fifth.
Choi is building off his incredible 59 posted at last year’s 2016 Alberta Bantams, claiming today’s top spot with score of 68. The 15-year-old finds himself ahead of his nearest competitor by two shots. Korbin Allan, sits second after posting a two under par round of 70, with Matt Campbell (-1) and 2016 Alberta Juvenile Champion, Chandler McDowell tied with three others at even par.
The boys will begin their second round of the 72 hole competition at 8AM tomorrow. The top 60 and ties will advance to Thursday and Friday’s final rounds. The girls will begin their second rounds at 12:30PM tomorrow. A 54 hole female champion is expected to be declared by 2PM on Thursday.
TOP 10 – BOYS LEADERBOARD
