Andrew Harrison continues hot play to lead Mens Amateur after day 1
Alberta Golf (Ponoka) – Andrew Harrison of Camrose shot a 2 under 69 to lead the first round of the Sun Life Financial Alberta Mens Amateur Championship at Wolf Creek Golf Resort in Ponoka. Harrison already has a title this summer after winning The Alberta Open presented by SVR Lawyers at Trestle Creek Golf Resort and a T2 finish at The Glencoe Invitational.
The 22-year-old missed short birdie putts on the 16th and 18th hole and said his round could have been much lower.
Andrew Harrison in his own words. WATCH:
Preview: 2019 Sun Life Financial Alberta Mens Amateur Championship
Alberta’s best golfers to compete for Alberta’s top prize at Wolf Creek
The 2019 edition of the Sun Life Financial Alberta Mens Amateur Championship tees off Tuesday in central Alberta at Wolf Creek Golf Resort in Ponoka. 120 players comprise the final field that will compete in hopes of adding their name to the history books. Defending champion AJ Armstrong has turned professional which leaves the door wide open for a new champion to emerge.
“It’s good to get a big showcase event like the Men’s Amateur back here, that’s for certain.” said Aaron Miller, Wolf Creek’s Head Professional. “We’re excited to have it on The Links course. It’s a perfect tournament venue.”
KEY INFO
Dates: July 16-19
Course: Wolf Creek Golf Resort – Links Course
Yards/Par: 7,135 yards/71
Field: 120
2018 Champion: AJ Armstrong
Format: 72 holes of stroke play competition; cut to low 60 players and ties after 36 holes
Social: #abmensam
NOTABLES
- Andrew Harrison – 2019 Alberta Open presented by SVR Lawyers Champion
- Carter Graf – 2019 Alberta Junior Champion
- Jordan Irwin – 2016 Alberta Mid Amateur Champion
- Brian Laubman – 2004 Alberta Mens Amateur Champion
- Brandon Markiw – 2018 Alberta Mid Amateur Champion
- Jesse Galvon – 2019 Alberta Mid Amateur champion
- Tyler Saunders – 2014 Alberta Mens Amateur Champion
- Kevin Temple – Three time Alberta Mid Amateur Champion (2007, 2010, 2015)
- Max Sekulic – 2019 Alberta Match Play Champion
LOOKING BACK
AJ Armstrong of St. Albert went wire-to-wire to win the 2018 Sun Life Financial Alberta Mens Amateur Championship at RedTail Landing Golf Club.
Armstrong, who plays out of the Windermere Golf & Country Club, shot rounds of 64, 67, 70 and 68 for a four day total of 269.
The 269 mark ties for the lowest 72-hole tally at the Alberta Amateur since Kris Wasylowich shot the same number in 2006 at the Red Deer G&CC.
HISTORY
The Alberta Mens Amateur Championship was first contested in 1908. Sun Life Financial has been a proud sponsor of the event since 1991.
2010 – Steven Lecuyer
2011 – Scott Stiles
2012 – Riley Fleming
2013 – Riley Fleming
2014 – Tyler Saunders
2015 – Brett Hogan
2016 – Evan Holmes
2017 – Brett Hogan
2018 – AJ Armstrong
FAST FACTS
- The champion will earn the final position on Team Alberta for the Morse Cup for the 2020 Pacific Coast Amateur Championship. They will join the previously qualified 2019 Alberta Match Play Champion (Max Sekulic) and the low amateur at the 2019 SVR Alberta Open (Andrew Harrison)
- The top three competitors at weeks end will make up Team Alberta for the Willingdon Cup competition at the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship Aug 5-8 at Glen Arbour Golf Course in Nova Scotia.
ABOUT THE COURSES
OLD COURSE
The original Rod Whitman design. The Old Course is a Tour tested, pure inland links course winding in and out of the Wolf Creek bed. Each hole provides a variety of strategical options for you to discover. Creative shot-making and precision are the key to playing your best on the Old Course.
LINKS COURSE
Rod Whitman gives us the Evolution of Old World golf design with the Links Course. Cut through vast natural sand dunes and deeper off the tee, the Links Course demands the best from all areas of your game. Additional fairway width gives the Links Course beautiful rolling contours unique to sand belt golf courses.
More information on the Wolf Creek Golf Resort can be found here.
ABOUT THE SPONSOR
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 28 years.
MEDIA
Becky Martin blows away competition in final round at Ladies Amateur
Alberta Golf (Edmonton)- 25-year-old Becky Martin fired a sparking 4 under 67 during the final round of the Sun Life Financial Alberta Ladies Amateur Championship at The Ranch Golf & CC just west of Edmonton. The Medicine Hat golfer had the lowest round of the day by 4 strokes and won her first provincial title by 7 shots over Kylie Barros of Edmonton. Martin becomes the first golfer from Medicine Hat to win a provincial golf title.
Martin also captured the Alberta Mid-Amateur title as well as the Feef MacDonald trophy for low round.
In 2015 Martin had surgery for a degenerative nerve damage condition called ‘Thoracic Outlet Syndrome’. She has found a way to compete at a high level despite extreme pain in her hands, arm shoulder and neck. Kevin Smith from Alberta Golf has the story.
WATCH:
25 and over Mid-Amateur division
In the 40 and over Mid Master category Barbara Flaman won a three hole playoff over Cheryl Newman to take the trophy.
13-year-old Jayla Kucy of Camrose won the trophy for overall low net with a score of 6 under par, 6 shots clear of her next competitor. Kucy shows off the hardware with a thumbs up from Mark Dickson of Sun Life Financial.
Team Alberta, that will compete in the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship July 23-26 at the Red Deer Golf & CC, consists of Becky Martin, MacKenzie Baustad of the Canyon Meadows Golf & CC and Stephanie Chelak from the Inglewood Golf & Curling Club.
Taylor Stone shoots low round to share lead at Ladies Amateur
Alberta Golf (Edmonton) – Taylor Stone of the Pinebrook Golf & CC shot an even par 71 during round 2 at the Sun Life Financial Alberta Ladies Amateur Championship at The Ranch Golf & CC just west of Edmonton. Stone’s even par round was the best of the day and see’s her tied at the top with Calgary’s MacKenzie Baustad and Becky Martin of Medicine Hat after another cloudy but calm and dry day of action.
Taylor Stone, who plays college golf at The University of Texas El Paso, talks about her even par round.
WATCH:
In the 25 and over Mid Amateur division Martin has a one shot lead on local product Kylie Barros.
In the 40 and over Mid Master category it’s a 3-way race between Barbara Flaman of the Windermere Golf & CC, Cheryl Newman from Canyon Meadows in Calgary and Gail Barros from the Edmonton Petroleum Golf & CC.
The final round Thursday should be exciting with 9 ladies within 4 shots of the lead.
Gord Rayner takes top medalist honours at Senior Mens Championship Qualifier
Alberta Golf (Nisku) – The second qualifier for this summer’s Alberta Senior Mens Championship was held Tuesday at RedTail Landing in Nisku, Alberta.
Gord Rayner from the Mill Woods Golf Course in Edmonton took top medalist honours shooting an even par 72.
In all 39 qualifiers and 3 alternates emerged from the 89 player field.
The Alberta Senior Mens Championship will be held at the Derrick Golf & Winter Club from July 30th-August 1st.
Hughes and Martin share lead at Ladies Amateur Championship
Alberta Golf (Edmonton) – Kenna Hughes from Willow Park Golf & CC in Calgary and Becky Martin who plays out of the Medicine Hat Golf & CC both shot rounds of 2 over 73 at The Ranch Golf & CC just west of Edmonton. Hughes and Martin share the lead after round one of the Sun Life Financial Alberta Ladies Amateur Championship after a cool but dry first day of action.
In the 25 and over Mid Amateur division Becky Martin has a 2 shot lead on Kylie Barros of the Glendale Golf & CC.
In the 40 and over Mid Master category Cheryl Newman of the Canyon Meadows Golf & CC in Calgary leads Gail Barros from the Edmonton Petroleum Golf & CC by one stroke.
Cheryl Newman and her daughter Sydney Scraba (Pictured below) join Gail and Kylie Barros as the 2 mother/daughter combos in this year’s field.
Kevin Smith has more WATCH:
Register for August fun at Banff Springs
August 17th, Canadian Par 3 Championship
August 31st- sept 1 Banff Men’s Open
Major and Hauck top honours at Alberta Senior Mens Qualifier
Alberta Golf (Carseland) – The first qualifier for this summer’s Alberta Senior Mens Championship was held Monday at Speargrass Golf Course south east of Calgary.
Peter Major of the Calgary Golf & CC and Randy Hauck of the Picture Butte Golf Club shared top medalist honours shooting 1 over 73.
In all 43 qualifiers and 3 alternates emerged from the 98 player field.
The Alberta Senior Mens Championship will be held at the Derrick Golf & Winter Club from July 30th-August 1st.
Preview: 2019 Sun Life Financial Alberta Ladies Amateur Championship
Alberta Golf (Edmonton) –
The 2019 Sun Life Financial Alberta Ladies Amateur Championship is set to begin Tuesday with 41 players competing for the prestigious title. The 54-hole stroke play tournament field is made up of competitors who range from 13-year-old Jayla Kucy to 61-year-old Candace Wickens.
KEY INFO
Dates: July 9-11
Course: The Ranch Golf & CC
Yards/Par: 5,751 yards/71
Field: 41
2018 Champion: Kat Kennedy
2018 Mid Amateur: Alexis Skyesong
2018 Mid Master Champion: Barbara Flaman
Format: 54 holes of stroke play
Social: #abladiesam
LOOKING BACK
The 2018 Sun Life Financial Alberta Ladies Amateur Championship saw Kat Kennedy of Okotoks outlast Sydney Colwill of Arizona at Willow Park Golf Course in Calgary as both players went low shooting rounds of 66 and 67 respectively in the final round as Kennedy won the title by 1.
HISTORY
The Alberta Ladies Amateur Championship was first contested in 1929. The Mid Amateur and Mid Master divisions were added to the event in 2003 and 2010, respectively. Sun Life Financial has been a proud sponsor of the event since 2002.
2010–Ashley Smith
2011–Nicole Zhang
2012–Jocelyn Alford
2013–Jocelyn Alford
2014–Jaclyn Lee
2015–Jennifer Ha
2016–Jaclyn Lee
2017–Sabrine Garrison
2018- Kat Kennedy
NOTABLES
- Sabrine Garrison– 2017 Alberta Ladies Amateur Champion
- Kehler Koss– 2017 Junior Girls Champion, 2019 Calgary City Ladies Champion
- Taylor Stone – 2018 Future Links, driven by Acura Western Champion
- Kaitlyn Wingnean – 2017 Alberta Bantam Girls Champion
- Barbara Flaman – 2018 Alberta Senior Ladies & Alberta ladies Mid Master Champion
FAST FACTS
- There are three contests up for grabs this week. The Amateur Championship which is open to all competitors, the Mid Amateur Championship for those aged 25 and over, and the Mid Master Championship for those aged 40 and over.
- The top three competitors at weeks end will make up Team Alberta at the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship at Red Deer Golf & CC July 23-26.
ABOUT THE COURSE
The Ranch features all the facilities of one of the top golf courses around Edmonton. These include:
- Our championship-calibre course
- A fully-stocked pro shop—in 2012 we were named Merchandiser of the Year by the PGA of Alberta and Retailer of the Year by the PGA of Canada for all of Canada
- Our licensed clubhouse, featuring a full menu for golfers and visitors
- A driving range for warm-up, lessons, and practice
- Pitching and putting greens for you to round out that short game
At The Ranch, our comprehensive facilities allow us to cover all of your golfing needs. This is one of many reasons we’ve been ranked as one of Canada’s top 100 courses.
More information on the Ranch Golf & CC can be found here.
ABOUT THE SPONSOR
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 16 years.
MEDIA
Ackroyd and Graf take provincial junior titles
Alberta Golf (High River) – Defending junior girls champion Annabelle Ackroyd of the Glencoe Golf & CC shot a 3 over round of 73 at Highwood Golf to defend her Alberta Junior Championship title with an impressive 9 stroke victory over Victoria Tse and Kaitlyn Wingnean.
Kaitlyn Wingnean of the Derrick Golf & Winter Club shot a 3 over round of 73 to win the Juvenile Girls title by a whopping 16 strokes.
Victoria Tse will join Wingnean and Ackroyd on Team Alberta that will compete later this summer at the Canadian Junior Girls Championship at the Lethbridge Country Club.
On the boys side Carter Graf of the Red Deer Golf & CC outlasted UBC golfer Ethan de Graaf to take the title with a 1 shot victory. Graf had a clutch par save on the par 4 17th hole to help secure the title.
Tommy McKenzie from the Priddis Greens Golf & CC won a 4 player playoff to take the Juvenile Boys championship.
Team Alberta on the boys side will see Carter Graf, Ethan de Graaf and Brady McKinlay from the Lacombe Golf & CC compete later this summer at the Canadian Junior Boys Championship at Covered Bridge Golf & CC in Nova Scotia.
FINAL ROUND VIDEO FEATURE – WATCH:
FULL FIELD JUVENILE BOYS SCORES