Canada’s top student-athlete golfers will descend on Tangle Creek Golf and Country Club in Barrie, Ont., from May 29 – June 1 for the 2017 Canadian University/College Championships.

2017 marks the 15th playing of the event, which was established in 2003 by Golf Canada to give the country’s best college and university golfers a chance to compete at a national championship.

The Georgian College Grizzlies will host the event this year on the windswept fairways of Tangle Creek Golf and Country Club.

Designed in 2002 by Rene Muylaert, the course is known for its combination of classic and links style features in addition to its grassy hollows and signature fescue.

“We are thrilled to welcome the best Canadian student golfers to Tangle Creek. We’re looking forward to a competitive championship, and showcasing our beautiful course,” said host club tournament chair Mackenzie Cuthbert.

Golf Canada prides itself on conducting a top-notch tournament that is the highest level of national competition for college and university golfers in the country.

“The Canadian University/College Championship provides a unique opportunity for the best student-athlete golfers in Canada to compete for a national championship. Golf Canada is proud to conduct this event to showcase the talent from universities and colleges across the country,” added tournament director, Mary Beth McKenna.

In 2016, the University of British Columbia (UBC) Thunderbirds swept the championship, winning all four events. It was the first time in the tournament’s history that a school has won the men’s and women’s team and individual events in the same year.

Calgary’s Scott Secord went wire-to-wire to win the men’s division by four strokes at 11-under par and Kat Kennedy of Okotoks, Alta., claimed victory on the women’s side by four shots at 12-over par.

UBC returns to the tournament having won 11 women’s and five men’s titles—including three of the last four.

Georgian College will look to draw upon the magic of the University of Manitoba Bisons—the last host club to win a team title—when they captured the men’s division championship in 2014 at Southwood Golf and Country Club in Winnipeg.

The 72-hole stroke play competition will feature 19 men’s teams and 11 women’s teams from across the country vying for the national championship titles.

Following the third round, the field will be reduced to the top 10 men’s teams and the top six women’s teams, in addition to any individuals within 15 shots of the lead. Additional information regarding the 2017 championship, can be found here.

FAST FACTS

UBC is the defending champion on both the men’s and women’s side.

Scott Secord, of Calgary, Alta., is the defending men’s medallist.

Kat Kennedy of Okotos Alta., is the defending women’s medallist.

UBC has won the most women’s titles with 11 and the most men’s championships with 5.

The individual men’s and women’s champions receive exemptions into the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship and Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, respectively.

The top three individual men and top three individual women earn the right to represent Canada at the 2017 Summer Universiade Games in Taipei City, Taiwan, from Aug. 19-30.

For pairings and additional information, click here.

ABOUT THE COURSE

Tangle Creek Golf & Country Club was designed in 2002 by Rene Muylaert.

6,307 yards, CR/Slope: 69.7/131.

Course record of 64 was set in 2011 by Keir Smith.

In 2016, Tangle Creek hosted Golf Ontario’s Junior Boys Match-Play and the PGA of Canada’s Seniors Championship.

In 2003 Golf Digest named Tangle Creek the Best New Golf Course in Canada.

MEN’S TEAMS
Brock University Badgers
Concordia University Stingers
Georgian College Grizzlies
Humber College Hawks
Les Patriotes de l’UQTR
Queen’s University Gaels
Universitie du Montreal Carabins
Universitie Laval Rouge et Or
University of Alberta Golden Bears
University of British Columbia Thunderbirds
University of Guelph Gryphons
Universit of Manitoba Bisons
University of the Fraser Valley Cascades
University of Toronto Varsity Blues
University of Victoria Vikes
University of Waterloo Warriors
University of Western Mustangs
University of Windsor Lancers
Wilfred Laurier University Golden Hawks

WOMEN’S TEAMS
Georgian College Grizzlies
Humber College Hawks
Queen’s University Gaels
Université Laval Rouge et Or
Universitié du Montreal Carabins
University of British Columbia Thunderbirds
University of the Fraser Valley Cascades
University of Toronto Varsity Blues
University of Victoria Vikes
University of Waterloo Warriors
University of Western Mustangs

To view the full list of teams and other information, click here.

This Sunday, May 28, is Get Out and Golf Day in Canada, in support of the ParticipACTION 150 Playlist, where Canadians are being asked to participate in 150 activities through the year to celebrate our country’s 150^th birthday. There will be a number of fun golf activities taking place at facilities across the country. (A full national list can be found here, including Alberta facilities)

But even if there isn’t an organized event in your area, get out and show support for the game—and the nation!—we love.

As if you need more justification for playing golf, or maybe to persuade some non-golfing friends to join you, here are some reasons to celebrate Get Out and Golf Day this Sunday.

In fact, you can argue that the game reflects many of the values that are distinctly Canadian.

Golf is inclusive. The game does not discriminate by race, colour, religion, gender, age, physical size or ability. Heck, even golf balls are all different colours.

Golf is democratic. We take pride in our democratic model of government. Golf is the most democratic of sports, thanks to the handicap system. In no other sport can players of differing skill levels compete on an equal basis.

Golf is honest. It’s been said that golf doesn’t build character, it reveals it. In most cases, there are no referees or officials present when you play. You break a rule, you call the penalty on yourself. That takes courage and integrity, more Canadian traits.

Golf has rules. In daily life, the rule of law is important to Canadians. Order is something we respect. Similarly, the rules of golf impress upon players the importance of equity, fairness, etiquette, safety, consideration of others and more.

Golf is tough. Canadians aren’t afraid of work. Unless you win the lottery, nothing good happens without effort. It’s the same for golf. If you want to improve, you have to put the time in.

Golf is fun. If you don’t believe me, look at the facts. Our country has the highest per-capita participation rate in golf worldwide. We’re not a nation of masochists, so the only explanation for this phenomenon is that the game must be fun.

Golf is solitary. Whether you’re playing alone or with others, golf offers the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of Canadian nature as well as to get away from the pressures we all experience in our daily lives. The benefits of this “mindfulness” have been compared to a form of meditation.

Golf is social. Canadians like to party. From Newfoundland and Labrador to British Columbia, golf clubhouses may reflect regional cuisines, music and other attributes, but they all share one thing—Canadian camaraderie and good humour.

Golf is family. The fabric of family is vital to Canadians and golf strengthens that fabric. It’s not unusual to see three and, sometimes, four generations playing together. It’s called “the game for a lifetime” for a reason.

Just a few off the top of my head. I’ll be playing on Get Out and Golf Day this Sunday. Will you?

Editor’s Note: Get Out and Golf Day is in support of the ParticipACTION 150 Playlist, where Canadians are being asked to participate in 150 activities throughout 2017 to celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday. Visit participaction.com/150 for more details about the ParticipACTION 150 Play List. Get Out and Golf Day is proudly supported by golf industry partners including the National Golf Course Owners Association of Canada (NGCOA), PGA of Canada, Canadian Society of Club Managers, Canadian Golf Superintendents Association and Golf Canada in addition to Canada’s 10 provincial golf associations.

Claire Emery with Team Alberta last year in the Junior and Juvenile Championships. 

Former Team Alberta member, Claire Emery, is currently competing in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Women’s Golf National Championships in Palm Beach Gardens, FL. Having been ranked as a Top 100 NAIA female golfer last fall, Emery has been working hard with her University of British Columbia (UBC) squad.

“This is it. This is the best of the best for our conference. We were able to win our regionals by quite a bit, so that gave us a lot of momentum. We are all playing well, and the group of girls that are going have such good energy and chemistry. I think it’s just going to be fun to see how much improvement there has been throughout the year, and go down to Florida and show everyone what Canada has got.”

UBC is one of only three Canadian schools that qualify for the NAIA. Emery says that being able to compete and train with the best at her university has been humbling.

“UBC is easily one of the best teams in Canada, and one of the best teams in our conference. Going in I knew that there was a lot of girls who were a lot better than me, and I knew that this program, these girls and this coach would push me to become a better golfer, a better student and better person all around.”

As a rookie, she continues to set the bar higher for herself.

“First year university in general is a huge shift from high school. As well it’s a huge shift from junior golf to collegiate golf. So, I think as I get more comfortable, I am only going to get better. I mean after being ranked in the top 100 in my first year, I want to be in the top 50, then top 25, then top 10. I just want to keep getting better and give back to the game.”

She says it can be tough to balance all these new expectations, but she draws motivation from her team and the people who have helped her get to this point.

“I would definitely say the team is such a huge part of everything. These girls are your family. When you’re having a rough day, you can always go and talk to them. Coaches are fantastic, our head coach is great, we have a couple of assistant coaches that help us so much. Of course, my parents are still there at midnight, if I need to call them for something. I also definitely still have coaches and connections in the golf world back home, at both my home course, the Glencoe Golf & Country Club, and still through Alberta Golf that are so supportive and have gotten me to where I am. They are always happy to help remind me of who I am and why I do all of this.”

The tournament has experienced rain delays but has resumed today. The final day of competition is on May 26th. Follow Emery and the full UBC team now on the NAIA leaderboard.

Executive Director/CEO Phil Berube and Volunteer Dan McDougall at the 2017 Spring Launch.  

Volunteers, industry stakeholders, board members and staff met in Sundre, AB during the 2017 Season Launch. The meeting marked the next step in the evolution of an operating committee structure which will help to provide strong, thoughtful and representative operating recommendations to the Alberta Golf Board of Directors.

The model was designed to both simplify Alberta Golf’s internal processes and further engage all industry stakeholders in the province. The four operating committees that met included: Brand & Business Development, Competitions & Performance, Membership & Golf Course Services, and Recreational & Community Events.

“The four operating committees at Alberta Golf provide all industry stakeholders, including our network of volunteers, with a clear channel in which to provide input into the strategy and future direction of Alberta Golf.  It is part of our engagement process”, said Phil Berube, Executive Director/CEO of Alberta Golf.

Each committee is comprised of specialists and experts in their various fields. From club managers and journalists, to executive directors and competitive players, the broad spectrum of knowledge and experience was evident. The operating committees will continuously meet and connect with one another throughout the year to share ideas and formalize plans. Task forces will then be created within in each area to help with identified operational goals and specific projects.

Berube added that “as these committees continue to meet and deliberate over specific issues in the coming years, our decision making process will clearly reflect the opinions and expectations of all golfers in our province, providing our Board of Directors with strong recommendations for consideration.”

The model was introduced to give those at the table an opportunity to be fully engaged and to directly impact the business of Alberta Golf. The committee structure will support the associations business plan and related tactics. Berube said “from a staffing standpoint, I am looking forward to announcing very soon how our structure and roles will support these committees.”

Les Swelin – 2017 Alberta Golf Hall of Fame inductee with his family 

Anna Sewell said, “It’s good people who make good places.” Martin Blake and Les Swelin made that clear as they were recognized as pillars in the Alberta Golf community. With their trademark modesty, they both accepted their Hall of Fame awards amongst a gathering of friends, family and industry partners last night at the 2017 Season Launch in Sundre, AB.

Both Blake and Swelin were emotional thanking and recognizing all the people in their lives that supported them up to that moment. A long pause of warmth and kindness were felt as Blake spoke of his wife Norma. While Swelin’s memories within the organization had the whole room chuckling with both highlights and humorous lowlights of times past.

Sandra Craig, a past Alberta Golf president, spoke of Blake’s charisma and how he demonstrated all of the key competencies of a great volunteer, leader and rules official. Dunc Mills, long-term volunteer and friend of Swelin, told the story of a man who was so determined and involved within the game that he had once set out to build his own putting green at his home club.

These two inductees have helped, and continue to help, shape the organization. An entire new generation of volunteers have been impacted by their mentorship and leadership. Last night was a well-deserved celebration of their accomplishments and the people they’ve impacted throughout their lives. Thank you from all of us within the Alberta Golf community.

Martin Blake with his son Marty Blake

Joan Wilson demonstrates that, no matter what, it’s never too late to get in the game.

It takes an army to create a professional golf tour player, but it takes a special person to be an elite amateur athlete. Those competing amongst the amateur scene often balance numerous responsibilities against a variety of odds. Having received Alberta Golf Athlete Assistance, former Alberta Ladies Senior Team member, Joan Wilson, has managed to overcome adversity and reinvigorate her love for competition.

“I have applied for, and been very fortunate to receive, funding in prior years based on financial need. I am a single, female physiotherapist working in private practice. As a result, I do not get paid if I am not treating patients, so taking time off to travel to tournaments is a double whammy financially, as I pay to play and do not generate revenue.”

At 15, Wilson was a part of the Canadian Alpine Ski Team, and only golfed for a limited time from age 12 to 14. She didn’t start playing again until she turned 40.

Now at the age of 58, she has since built an impressive resume winning six Club Championships, four City Medalist Series, and placing top five in Canadian Senior Championships.

She explains that it has taken awhile to become competitive again. “I gradually worked my way up through the Alberta amateur flights and was lucky to attend a few Alberta Golf development camps as I approached the age for senior tournaments.”

She is also a former National and World Championship Master Ski Racer. She still loves to ski, but has shifted her competitiveness to golf. “Recognizing that golf is less risky to my physical health, and professional career, than ski racing, I began refocusing on my golf game in 2004.”

Wilson has struggled with both shoulder and wrist injuries in the past, but is looking to make a strong comeback. “My future goals in golf are to recover from wrist injuries in the last two seasons and surgery in December 2015 to prepare for 2018 when I will, hopefully, then qualify for the Super Senior event.”

Through all the training, travelling and daily routines she still finds time to contribute to the local sporting community. Wilson was a long-term ski coach and is now an active Canadian Ski Team Alumnus. She says that sport has played an important part in her life and she hopes to pass along that same feeling.

“Athletic challenges and successes have helped in every avenue of my life including academic, professional, personal achievements and leadership growth. Golf has taught me patience and to live in the present. This extends to many avenues in my life. I also have learned that encouragement and positivity helps everyone, no matter the circumstance.”

Alberta Golf Athlete Assistance is available to anyone who wishes to attend provincial, national and international events. If you need help achieving your golf goals, learn more about the program and apply now. The deadline to apply for this season is May 31, 2017.