By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

Inspired by daily inspirational messages from her mother, Calgary’s Kim Carrington completed her wire-to-wire victory Thursday at the B.C. Senior Women’s Championship.

Each morning, Carrington received an email from her mom, Shelley. The one she received before Thursday’s final round read in part: “Enjoy the moment. Play fearlessly. Breathe, inhale confidence. Feel your powers, feel your energy. Trust, commit. Love surrounds you. Play happy.” 

“She was my 15th club,” a tearful Carrington said after winning the B.C. Senior title at St. Eugene Golf Resort in Cranbrook.

Carrington, a three-time winner of the Alberta Senior Women’s Championship, finished the 54-hole event at 11-over par. That was good for a six-shot win over former B.C. Senior Women’s Champion Holly Horwood of Vancouver. Horwood won the Super-Senior title for players 60 and over.

Carrington decided to play in Cranbrook in part because the East Kootenays is her home turf when it comes to her work as a sales rep for G&G Golf and ACI Brands. “I know all the (B.C.) girls and I love to just support golf and the East Kootenays from Golden to Fernie is part of my territory,” she said.

“And with Cindy Soukoroff here being the Head Professional and being a great ambassador to golf, we talked about me coming over to play. And I thought, you know what, I am going to do it. I had never played St. Eugene before and it was a spectacular property and venue to host this event.”

Carrington shot rounds of 75, 76 and 76. She credited Horwood with forcing her to play well in Thursday’s final round. Carrington tried not to think about her big lead and just concentrated Thursday on finishing strong. “Yes, there was a lead, but for my own peace of mind I just really wanted to play three really great rounds of golf as best as I could,” she said. “I think as we get older we know that in this game anything can happen at any point.”

Carrington now hopes to complete the B.C.-Alberta double. The Alberta Senior women’s tourney is not being played until July 23-25 in Rocky Mountain House. “We haven’t had our provincials yet, so this was the first stop,” Carrington said. “I am appreciative of this event and being able to win. I just really hope I can go back to my own province and play well enough to potentially win the Alberta title and be a representative of Team Alberta.”

Penny Baziuk of North Saanich finished third at 19-over, while Alison Murdoch of Victoria was fourth at 21-over. Baziuk was second in the Super-Senior championship, two shots behind Horwood.
A Stableford competition was contested in three flights during the tournament. Horwood won the A flight with 109 points, five more than Karen Kloske of Lake Cowichan. Xuanli Li of Vancouvercaptured the B flight with 109 points.

Connie Dykstra of Victoria was three points back. Nina Henriksen and Diana Maughan, both of Vancouver, each finished with 107 points to top the C flight.

This week’s championship also included a two-woman Best-Ball team competition. The Cranbrookteam of Kathryn Teneese and Leslie Weaver won with a score of 23-under. Horwood and Maughan finished three shots back in second.

The top three finishers in the B.C. Senior competition — Horwood, Baziuk and Murdoch — will represent British Columbia in an inter-provincial team competition at the Canadian Senior Women’sChampionship, which goes Aug. 18-20 at Osoyoos Golf Club.

Alberta Golf (Calgary)– The 2019 Alberta Mens Mid Amateur championship is set to begin Tuesday as 156 players 25-and-over compete for a provincial championship.

Competitors will play 54 holes at the newly renovated Earl Grey Golf Club in Calgary. After the 2nd round the field will be cut to low 60 players and ties for Thursday’s final round.

KEY INFO

Dates: June 25 – 27th

Course: Earl Grey Golf Club

Yards/Par: 6,790 – Par 72

Field: 156

2018 champion: Brandon Markiw

Format: 54 holes of stroke play with a 36-hole cut to the low 60 and ties

Social: #abmidam

LOOKING BACK

Brandon Markiw of the Edmonton Petroleum G&CC dominated the field in 2018 during the final round at the Glendale G&CC to finish five shots ahead of the nearest competitor. Markiw was the only player to finish the 54 hole championship in red numbers. He finished at three-under-par with rounds of 68, 75 and 70 to take the championship.

FULL 2018 RECAP STORY HERE

The 31-year-old says he’s looking forward to defending his title at Earl Grey.

“The membership invested a lot into the changes they made to the course and the new clubhouse and I’ve heard nothing but great feedback about it,” Markiw said. “I heard it’s in great shape this year and really looking forward to getting out there and having a good week.”

Markiw still battles at provincial championships against top teenagers and college players and says when he tees it up at the Mid-Am he notices the field still competes at a very high level.

“We’re very much in the weekend warrior class, onto careers and families,” Said Markiw who’s getting married a month from now. “Once we get on the course everyone is out there to put up some good numbers, play some good golf, the competitive spirit is still there.”

HISTORY

The Alberta Mid Amateur Championship was first contested in 1986. Originally designed for the best players aged 40 and over the championship transitioned in 2015 to include those aged 25 and over to align with other provincial, national and international Mid Amateur competitions. There is a Mid Master contest for those aged 40 and over.

2013 – Alan Stewart

2014 – Frank Van Dornick

2015 – Kevin Temple

2016 – Jordan Irwin

2017 – Neil Thomas

2018 – Brandon Markiw

NOTABLES

• Brandon Markiw – Defending Champion
• Kevin Temple – Champion (2007, 2010, 2015)
• Brian Laubman – Champion (2005)
• Senan Foley – Champion (2008)
• Eric Allard – Earl Grey Club Champion and course record holder
• Tom McKinlay Jr – Four-time Mid Amateur Interprovincial Team Member

FAST FACTS

• Competitors will be playing for one of 25 quota positions in the 2019 Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship. The national championship will be contested at the beautiful Summit Golf Club in Toronto August 20-23rd.

• The 2019 Interprovincial Mid Amateur Team will be comprised of the eventual champion, runner-up and the mid master champion. The three-man team will represent the province at nationals.

ABOUT THE COURSE

Earl Grey Golf Club

MEDIA

• The Field

• Flickr Albums

Alberta Golf (Calgary) – The Calgary Golf Festival presented by Shaw and the Shaw Charity Classic will be a first of it’s kind, fun full day event at Cottonwood Golf and Country Club on Thursday, July 4th.

Everyone is welcome regardless of your golfing abilities, even if you’ve never picked up a golf club before this is the perfect event to give the game a try !

Alberta Golf Executive Director Phil Berube explains how this unique event at a private golf course breaks down many barriers associated with the game.

“The intention with the Calgary Golf Festival is to continue breaking down barriers for the game of golf.  Everyone is invited to this FREE Festival and we plan to see this grow to five cities throughout the province next year,” Berube said “Alberta Golf continues to focus on being innovative and more relevant to the recreational and junior golfer.”

A feature event at the festival is the rent-a-hole program. For only $20, an entire group of up to six adults and kids can spend 90 minutes on a specific hole.

“We believe this is a great place to start the on-boarding process, with equipment available , zero distractions on the hole you’re playing and no pressure from anyone in the group behind,” Berube said.  “We have all heard so many times from everyone who works in the golf industry that we need a place you can bring kids or grandchildren or spouses to just TRY the game of golf.”

To join the fun at the Calgary Golf Festival on July 4th REGISTER HERE 

Team Alberta has been named for the 2019 Western Canada Summer Games. These 10 golfers will compete against Western Canada’s best August 9-18th in Swift Current, Saskatchewan.

• Cole Bergheim
• Richard Dou
• Alex Gerrard
• Braden O’Grady
• Carson Rody

• Grace Bell
• Brooke Brezovski
• Jenna Bruggeman
• Brooke Frerichs
• Kaitlyn Wingnean

This major event only happens once every 4 years. Alberta Golf Director of Sport Development Jennifer Davison says these athletes have worked hard the past year to make this team.

“We are very proud to be sending this group of players to represent Alberta at the Western Canada Summer Games,” Davison said. “This is a unique multi-sport event for golf and really gives the players the opportunity to experience a team atmosphere, in an otherwise individual sport.”

Head coach Jamie Reimer and manager Tiffany Gordon will guide this talented group of players that will join 1,700 athletes, coaches, officials and mission staff from Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Northwest Territories, Yukon and Nunavut during the 10-day competition.

Click here for more information on the 2019 Western Canada Summer Games   

Golf season is in full swing! The summer is upon us and Alberta Golf programs are in full swing across the province. Please enjoy the material below recapping what we’ve been up to the past 3 months, from running elite competitions to our recreational and youth initiatives.

Spring Launch: Alberta Golf held their annual Spring launch at River Bend Golf Club in Red Deer on Thursday May 23rd. The event brought together industry stakeholders, golf course professionals and staff, media, partners, sponsors, suppliers and volunteers. READ MORE

Alberta Golf launches junior website: Alberta Golf has launched albertagolfjuniors.org as a one stop shop for all of our youth initiatives including the home base for the new McLennan Ross Junior Tour. READ MORE 

Amateur Andrew Harrison dominates the pros at The Alberta Open: Camrose amateur Andrew Harrison led wire to wire at this year’s Alberta Open Championship presented by SVR Lawyers held at Trestle Creek Golf Resort west of Edmonton June 11-13. Harrison dominated a field including Alberta’s top professionals. READ MORE

Max Sekulic wins Alberta Match Play Championship: Max Sekulic defeated 2-time defending champion Brendan MacDougall in the finals of the Alberta Match Play Championship held June 4-6 at River Spirit Golf Club west of Calgary. WATCH VIDEO

$20, Private Golf Course, Your Own Hole, No Pressure…! Join us at the Calgary Golf Festival and introduce someone you know to the game. On Thursday, July 4th Alberta Golf in partnership with SHAW and the SHAW CHARITY CLASSIC have booked four shotguns at the Cottonwood G&CC and for just $20 PER GROUP you and up to five family members or friends can enjoy 90 minutes of uninterrupted golf. You can also enjoy the FREE festival atmosphere, a BBQ and tons of fun for the kids…everyone is invited! REGISTER HERE

 Alberta Golfer Magazine digital version: The 2019 Alberta Golfer Magazine is now in digital form. READ HERE

McLennan Ross Junior Tour action well underway: The new McLennan Ross Junior Tour had a successful debut at Henderson Lake Golf Club in Lethbridge June 8-9. The next event on the schedule is the Innisfail Junior Open on July 2nd which will have a junior/adult team format. For more info go to albertagolfjuniors.org

Sign up for our fun Rec Series: 2 events are in the books on our recreational series schedule. Spectacular fun days were held on Mother’s Day at Stewart Creek Golf and Country Club and Father’s Day weekend at Jasper Park Lodge. There’s still room to sign up for the Ladies Team Classic, August 19-20 at the Canmore Golf & Winter Club as well as our Net Amateur Championship, August 29-30 at the Wintergreen Golf Club. READ MORE

Alberta Golf Technical Advisor Randy Robb encourages players to use “Shot by Shot” app to improve performance: Technical advisor Randy Robb is encouraging his players to track all of their shots after every round on a app called “Shot by Shot” to improve all areas of their game. WATCH VIDEO

Youth On Course pilot program launches in Alberta: 16 golf courses across Alberta are getting youth on the fairways for $5 or less. This popular United States based program has come to Canada for the very first time. READ MORE

Course rating underway across the province: 41 people attended a course rating clinic at Canyon Meadows Golf & Country Club in May. Every decade courses need to be re-rated, so far these 7 courses have been visited by raters this year with many more to come before fall.

– Canyon Meadows Golf & CC

– Crowsnest Pass Golf & CC

– Hell’s Creek Golf and FootGolf course

– Keho Park Golf Course

– Sturgeon Valley Golf & CC

– Raven Crest Golf & CC

– Redwater Community Golf Club

Alberta Golf Sport Development program funds 23 High Performance athletes: Alberta Golf is proud to continue support of it’s High Performance athletes in 2019 supporting 23 athletes in their pursuit of golf excellence. READ MORE 

Upcoming Junior Camp: Alberta Golf junior camps have been running since May. Paradise Canyon Golf Resort held one camp in conjunction with an MJT event while RedTail Landing Golf Club held another in conjunction with a CJGA event and both were a great success. There is still room available in the upcoming prep camp June 28th at Highwood Golf Club for the Alberta Junior Championships. CAMP DETAILS HERE

Golf. Better. Join. Everyone benefits! Join hundreds of thousands of golfers across the country who get more out of their game through their Golf Canada Gold Membership! JOIN NOW

The only thing a golfer needs is more daylight. ~Ben Hogan

Alberta Golf (Turner Valley) – The fourth qualifier for this summer’s Sun Life Financial Alberta Men’s Amateur Championship was held Monday at the Turner Valley Golf Club.

Spencer Pal from the Carnmoney Golf Club and Zander Ritson from Inglewood Golf and Curling Club fired rounds of 71 to share low medalist honours.

In all 12 qualifiers and 3 alternates emerged from the 39 player field.

The Sun Life Financial Alberta Men’s Amateur Championship will be held at the Wolf Creek Golf Resort from July 16th-19th.

Alberta Golf (Entwistle) – Camrose amateur Andrew Harrison led wire to wire at this year’s Alberta Open Championship presented by SVR Lawyers and dominated a field including Alberta’s top professionals. Harrison shot rounds of 67-67-68 to win by 6 strokes, the first amateur since Brett Hogan in 2016 to win the title.

2013 and 2014 champion Riley Fleming and Matthew Codd went to a playoff to settle honours for top professional and the first place cheque for $5,000. Fleming birdied the first playoff hole to take top professional at this year’s event played at Trestle Creek Golf Resort.

Despite losing the playoff Matthew Codd ends the day with a course record 64, a runner-up cheque for $3,000 and a flag to take home for his amazing hole-in-one on the third hole in the final round.

Photos from the 2019 Alberta Open here on FLICKR

Alberta Golf (Entwistle) – Day 2 of the Alberta Open Championship presented by SVR Lawyers saw first round leader Andrew Harrison repeat his course record 67 at Trestle Creek Golf Resort to lead by 5 strokes heading into the final round.

Tied for second and 5 shots back is Andrew’s brother Michael. Both brothers say Thursday’s final round will be special.

“I don’t think we’ve ever had an opportunity like this since we were 13 or 14 years old,” said Andrew Harrison. “I’m looking forward to it tomorrow, it should be a lot of fun.”

Michael, older by 2 years, feels the same way.

“This is cool, I don’t know if it will ever happen again,” said Michael Harrison. “It’s the first time it has happened at a big event like this so it’s special.”

Tied with Michael Harrison in second spot are pros Patrick Murphy and Riley Fleming.

Kent Fukushima sits 6 shots back while fellow pro Mitchell Fox is 7 shots out of the lead.

Considering both Andrew and Michael Harrison are amateurs the battle for the $5,000 first place cheque is a tight one. Scott Stiles and defending champion Wes Heffernan are within 4 shots of Fleming and Murphy for the top pay day.

The final round of the Alberta Open Championship presented by SVR Lawyers tees of Thursday morning at Trestle Creek Golf Resort.

VIDEO: Round 2 wrap