The Alberta U19 Championship is an event perpetually circled on junior golfers’ calendars—a true proving ground for Alberta’s emerging talent looking to put both competitors and potential post-secondary programs on notice. Beyond identifying the province’s best, the championship offers athletes a chance to reinvent themselves each year, returning after a long winter of practice and improvement. There is perhaps no better venue for such an event than a familiar favourite undergoing its own transformation. Welcome to The Coyote Golf Club, formerly known as Coyote Creek Golf Club, host of the 2026 Alberta U19 Championship.

The Coyote Golf Club is one of Alberta’s most scenic courses, tucked away in Central Alberta in the town of Sundre. Sundre itself is no stranger to hidden gems, with Sundre Golf Club also calling the community home. The Coyote is a championship layout designed by renowned architect Gary Browning, whose portfolio includes Stewart Creek, Copper Point, and the redesign of Pinebrook Golf & Country Club. The course offers an accessible layout for golfers of all skill levels while presenting elite players with a memorable test filled with both challenge and reward. Coyote GC is also well versed in hosting provincial championships, most recently serving as host of an Alberta Mid-Amateur qualifier, and previously the 2023 Alberta Women’s Senior Championship, which was won by Celina Lam in rainy conditions. While the course competed under a different name at the time, juniors in 2026 will be tasked with navigating the same demanding challenges.

THe Coyote Golf Club

The U19 Championship has often seen favourites rise to the occasion. Recent examples include Saylar May’s victory following her 2024 U17 Championship win, and Tobias Buffam’s 2025 triumph after knocking on the door in 2023. Heading into 2026, Saylar May once again stands as the clear favourite on the girls’ side. After capturing two championships in 2025 and earning a spot at Golf Canada’s Selection Camp, she enters highly regarded. Other contenders include Alessandra Sundquist, who made her first interprovincial team appearance last year; Sela Ogada, the 2024 U15 Girls’ Champion; and Danika Horcica, who will look to continue adding to her growing trophy case.

2025 U19 Event Recap

The championship is also known for unexpected breakthroughs, and 2026 features a group of hungry juniors quietly compiling impressive resumes. Chase Strang brings a string of strong finishes, including a 2025 U17 Championship. Bennett Love is a two-time U15 Boys’ Champion with a third-place finish at the Canadian U15 Championship, while Jayden Arnold continues to build momentum with consistent year-over-year performances. Most notably, Benson White may be poised for the biggest leap. Following an impressive summer, he capped off 2025 with a historic showing at the Alberta Open, becoming the youngest player ever to win Low Amateur, and will represent Alberta at the Pacific Coast Amateur in July.

The U19 Championship is open to both boys and girls who are under the age of 19 as of August 1st each year. The event does not require qualifying, with eligibility set at a Handicap Index of 25.0 or lower for boys and 30.0 or lower for girls. With registration opening April 1 and the championship scheduled for July 14–16, there remains ample time for both players and the course to prepare. Will a new name rise to the top at The Coyote, or will a familiar face fend off the challenges of a Central Alberta favourite?

Championship registration opens april 1

The Alberta Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship will celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2026—an ironic milestone given that the event was originally established for male golfers aged 40 and over, prior to the creation of the Mid-Master Championship. Today, the Men’s Mid-Amateur is open to the province’s top male players aged 25 and older as of the first day of the national championship. Fittingly, the provincial championship will return in 2026 to the course that hosted the inaugural event in 1986: Wolf Creek.

The first championship was won by Alberta Golf Hall of Famer Ken Tamke, and over the years the event has been captured by many of the province’s standout players, including Frank Van Dornick, Floyd Kilgore, Senan Foley, David Schultz, and numerous others. In more recent editions, Edmonton Country Club’s Neil Thomas has claimed back-to-back titles and will be seeking to become the first player to win three consecutive Alberta Men’s Mid-Amateur Championships. Among the challengers is Alex Cartwright, who recently relocated to Calgary and earned a spot on Alberta’s interprovincial team in his first year in the province. A Canmore native, Cartwright previously spent five years competing on the University of Victoria golf team. Michael Valk, a member of the 2025 interprovincial team, will also be in pursuit of his first Mid-Amateur title as one of the newer competitors in the field. Meanwhile, established regulars such as Galvon, Markiw, DenBraber, Werre, Lefaivre, and Hollman will no doubt look to play spoiler to the emerging contenders.

2025 Men’s Mid-Amateur Recap

Whoever ultimately prevails in 2026 will be tested not only by the field, but by the venue itself. Known to many Albertans as “The Wolf,” Wolf Creek presents a formidable challenge regardless of which course hosts the championship, a decision yet to be confirmed. The Old Course, the original Rod Whitman design, is described on the club’s website as “a pure inland links course winding in and out of the Wolf Creek bed.” Tour-tested and strategically demanding, it places a premium on creativity, precision, and thoughtful shot-making. Across the road, the Links Course represents an evolution of classic design principles. With wider fairways and striking natural beauty, the course is carved through expansive natural sand dunes and features rolling contours that reward both power and finesse.

Wolf Creek has long been a premier championship venue in Alberta, hosting a wide range of prestigious events. It served for many years as the home of the Alberta Open during its Canadian Tour era, has welcomed multiple Golf Canada events including NextGen tournaments, and has hosted the McLennan Ross Alberta Junior Tour Championship. Most recently, Wolf Creek earned widespread praise from competitors after hosting the Alberta Men’s Senior Championship.

Regardless of the course selection or the final field, the 2026 Alberta Men’s Mid-Amateur champion will need to outduel a deep roster of talent and successfully tame the teeth of the Wolf over three demanding days, from July 21–23. In doing so, the winner will not only join the distinguished list of past champions of one of Alberta’s most popular events, but also secure a lasting place in the history of one of the province’s finest golf courses.

Wolf Creek Golf Resort Website

With the arrival of the New Year, the golf season is just a few months away, and shortly thereafter, the 2026 Championship season will be underway. From players to watch and potential repeat champions to new events and compelling milestones, we have you covered with the 2026 Championships: Stories to Watch.

Chasing History

As attention turns to 2026, several notable players will have more than just another title at stake.
Brett Jones made history last year with his victory at Paradise Canyon, becoming just the 15th player to win back-to-back Amateur Championships and cementing his place among the province’s greats. In 2026, Jones will pursue a rare three-peat in the province’s oldest championship. A victory would place him on an even more exclusive list alongside Bob Wylie, Henry Martell, and Munroe Hunter—the only players to have accomplished this feat.

Sydney Bisgrove faces a tall challenge in 2026 following an impressive 2025 season. After a narrow miss at the Women’s Amateur, she captured the inaugural Alberta Open Women’s Championship. In 2026, she will have the opportunity to complete her trophy collection by winning the Women’s Amateur and becoming the first player to hold both the Women’s Amateur and Women’s Alberta Open titles simultaneously. Dubbed the “Sydney Slam,” the achievement would make her the first female to do so and only the second person overall, joining Henry Martell, to hold both Amateur and Open titles at the same time.

Wes Heffernan experienced a minor setback in his pursuit of history at the Alberta Open in 2025, but redemption could be on the horizon in 2026 as the championship heads to Priddis Greens. Heffernan currently sits at seven Alberta Open victories—just two shy of the record set by Stan Leonard in 1955. Could 2026 be the year he moves one step closer?

The Alberta Open

The 90th edition of the Alberta Open will build on the momentum of last season’s successful championship. The introduction of a Women’s division proved to be a major success, with more than 20 players testing their skills against the province’s top female professionals and amateurs. Alberta Golf will continue to focus on growing this division in 2026, including an increased purse for female professionals to attract additional talent. With Priddis Greens set to host on August 11 to 13, participation is expected to rise across all divisions.

A New Era In The Seniors

The 2025 Women’s Senior Championship appeared to signal a changing of the guard. Daniela Pacheco captured her first Women’s Senior title and followed it with a remarkable season that included a Mickelson National Club Championship win and a top-20 finish at the Canadian Women’s Senior. As the 2026 championship approaches, she will undoubtedly enter as the favourite.

The 2025 season also marked the return of Gisselle Willimus to competitive golf. Gisselle was a prominent figure before her departure from the game. Any rust was quickly shaken off, as she secured a spot on the interprovincial team in her first year back.
Adding further intrigue, the 2026 Canadian Women’s Senior Championship will be hosted in Alberta at Pine Hills Golf Club. With the national championship being held in the West, new faces are expected to emerge in July as players look to earn their place in the field.

Men’s Mid-Master Makeover

One of the province’s most popular championships over the past five years is undergoing a format update. Beginning this year, the Men’s Mid-Master Championship (for players aged 40+) will feature both a North and South qualifier in the spring, with players required to earn their way into the championship. The existing exemption criteria will remain the same with exemptions being sent out in early March. This change will ensure that the strongest fields are assembled while eliminating the annual rush to register on April 1.

Men’s Mid-Amateur: 40th Anniversary

The Men’s Mid-Amateur (for players aged 25+) has long been a staple on the provincial calendar, and in its 40th year, the championship will return to Wolf Creek for a special celebration. “The Wolf” hosted the inaugural Men’s Mid-Amateur in 1986, where Alberta Golf Hall of Famer Ken Tamke claimed the first title.

In 2026, Neil Thomas will be aiming for his third consecutive Mid-Amateur victory. Should he succeed, he would become the first player to achieve a three-peat in the event’s history—no small task against the demanding layout of Wolf Creek.

The Overachieving U19’s

The U19 Championship once again promises excitement, but one junior in particular has the opportunity to continue an exceptional run. Saylar May completed the Junior Crown by winning the U15 Girls, U17 Girls, and U19 Girls Championships over a three-year span. In 2026, she has the chance to close out her junior career on a high note by successfully defending her U19 title.
Should she do so, the only remaining championships missing from her trophy case would be the Women’s Amateur and the Alberta Open Women’s Championship. Regardless of what lies ahead, her junior career already stands among the best seen in the province since the emergence of players such as Katy Rutherford and Kim Qually.
 

The 2026 Championship Schedule is nearing completion and registration has been set for April 1st at 9am.

2026 Championship Schedule

Alberta Golf (High River) – After the 2nd round of the 2025 Alberta Women’s Senior Championship was rained out on Tuesday, sunny skies for the final round in the rain shortened event at Highwood Golf. Daniela Pacheco from Mickelson National Golf Club fired a final round 1-under 71 for a 5 stroke victory over Jackie Little. Pacheco, playing in only her 2nd ever Alberta Golf event had 2 bogeys in her first 5 holes but had 3 birdies the rest of the way including an impressive birdie on 18 to cap off the win.

Daniela Pacheco – 2025 Alberta Women’s Senior Champion

WATCH VIDEO INTERVIEW WITH CHAMPION DANIELA PACHECO

Tournament runner up and 2025 Alberta Golf Hall of Fame inductee Jackie Little posted rounds of 75-77 to win the Super Senior Championship for competitors over 65 years of age.

Jackie Little – 2025 Alberta Super Senior Champion

Ena Spalding is the 2025 Alberta Diamond Division Champion for competitors over 70 years of age.

Ena Spalding – 2025 Alberta Diamond Division Champion

The Alberta Interprovincial Team that will represent the province at the 2025 Canadian Women Senior’s Championship consists of Daniela Pacheco, Gisselle Willimus and Lynn Kuehn.

Lynn Kuehn, Daniela Pacheco and Gisselle Willimus

At the prize presentation the entire field had high praise for Superintendent Troy Hurl and his staff for getting the course tournament ready for the final round after Tuesday’s heavy rain. Thanks to General Manager J.D. Scheller, Head Professional Dan Warwaruk, Food and Beverage Manager Crista Watt and all the Highwood Golf volunteers for all they did to create a great championship.

Highwood Golf Head Professional Dan Warwaruk

As the summer continues to roll on, so does the Alberta Golf Championship schedule. Up next, the 2025 Alberta Women’s Senior Championship, July 21-23. The championship returns to a course that’s very familiar to competitive players in Alberta, as Highwood Golf will host the event in 2025.

Highwood is a familiar course to many players in Alberta, as it’s been a terrific host for a variety of championships. Last year, Highwood hosted the Men’s Senior Championship where we saw David Schultz win the championship. In previous years Highwood has hosted the U19 Championships and the Women’s Amateur making it no stranger to hosting a provincial championship.

For the Women’s Senior Championship there’s a lot up for grabs this week. Players will be competing for the Women’s Senior, Super Senior, and Diamond Division Championships. There are also national championship quota spots up for grabs and the coveted Women’s Senior Interprovincial Team has three spots up for grabs.

As for potential winners this week, there are a lot of players to watch. Celina Lam, the defending champion, is on the cusp of history with the chance to win three straight Women’s Senior Championships. The other two members from last year’s interprovincial team, Lisa Hall & Lynn Kuehn, are also in the field and will be on the hunt this week. The championship also marks the return of Kim Carrington, a long time competitor in Alberta who has been sidelined for injury in recent years. Jackie Little will defend her Super Senior title from last year and has the chance to claim the 2025 Women’s Senior title in the same year that will see her get inducted into the Alberta Golf Hall of Fame.

For the full event preview and hear from the defending champions, click the button below for the 2025 Women’s Senior Championship Yearbook Article written by Gord Montgomery.

2025 Women’s Senior Championship Preview

For Round 1 & Round 2 pairings, click the button below to find and star your favourites for the event this week!

Women’s Senior Pairings

Alberta Golf (Water Valley) – 2 weather delays, a course record and a playoff that wrapped up with the sun setting defined a memorable day at Water Valley Golf Club at the 2025 Alberta U19 Championships. Saylar May from Pine Hills Golf Club added to her previous U15 & U17 victories with a fantastic course record of 6-under 66 to add the U19 title to her trophy case. The Pine Hills golfer from Rocky Mountain House blistered the course with 7 birdies and a bogey for the course record and an 8-shot victory.

Saylar May – 2025 U19 Girls Champion – Course Record 66

On the boys side Jalen Apedoe made a great up and down on 18 to force a playoff with Tobias Buffam. In the playoff Buffam was blocked out on his second shot and could only get it to 88 yards with Apedoe was on the green in 2 25 feet away. Buffam, with staff from his Valley Ridge Golf Club cheering him on, made the up and down of his life while Apedoe was not able to 2-putt and Buffam claimed the title after a 3-under 69 and a par on the first playoff hole.

Tobias Buffam – 2025 U19 Boys Champion

WATCH VIDEO INTERVIEW WITH SAYLAR MAY AND TOBIAS BUFFAM

The Alberta Interprovincial Boys Team consists of Jalen Apedoe, Russell Quinn and Owen Bruins while the Alberta Interprovincial Girls Team consists of Saylar May, Sela Ogada and Alessandra Sundquist.

Saylar May & Sela Ogada (Alessandra Sundquist not in photo)

Jalen Apedoe, Russell Quinn and Owen Bruins

Water Valley Golf Club was a great host for the Alberta U19 Championship. Owner Jeremy Dueck spoke at the prize presentation and the first person he thanked was Superintendent Ross Parsons who had the course in sublime shape. Thanks to Office Manager Shannon Sherriff, Head Professional Wes McLeod, Co-Owner Pat Thomas and all the Volunteers who made this week a great success.

READ HERE PAGE 22 OF OUR YEARBOOK FOR A FULL STORY ON WATER VALLEY GOLF CLUB

Water Valley Golf Club Owner Jeremy Dueck with Saylar May

Water Valley Golf Club Owner Jeremy Dueck with Tobais Buffam

The top juniors in the province have their eyes on the prize this week, as we close in on the Alberta U19 Championship set at Water Valley Golf Club from July 8-10.

The U19 Championship is a full 140 players all competing for either the U19 Boys’ or U19 Girls’ Championship. The list of winners is long with plenty of names going on to win either the Men’s Amateur or Women’s Amateur, and even turning pro. This year with neither of the defending champions returning, two new juniors will be crowned as champions. In addition, there are national championship implications with quota spots available on both the Boys’ and Girls’ sides. There are also two interprovincial teams up for grabs, either for the Canadian Junior Boys or Canadian Junior Girls.

Some top players to watch are the champions from the 2024 U17, U15, & U13 Championship. On the girls side, Saylar May looks to continue her winning ways already claiming the 2023 U15 and 2025 U17 Championships. Sela Ogada looks to make a big step after winning the 2024 U15 Championship. On the Boys’ side, Patrick McLarty hopes to win this event after claiming the 2024 U17 Championship and Bennett Love is eyeing down his next junior prize after winning the 2024 U15 Championship.

Click below to hear from last year’s champions and read more about our 2025 host club, Water Valley Golf Club. Additionally, follow the bottom button to see the tee times for Rounds 1 & 2.

U19 Yearbook Preview

ROUNDS 1 & 2 Pairings

Alberta Golf (Leduc) – The 112th Alberta Women’s Amateur Championship was proudly hosted by the Leduc Golf and Country Club. Final round action on Friday saw Carys Code from The Glencoe Golf and Country Club post a 3-over par round of 74 with 4 bogeys and a birdie on a breezy day to fend off Sydney Bisgrove by a single stroke to claim the title.

Carys Code – 2025 Alberta Women’s Amateur Champion

WATCH INTERVIEW WITH CARYS CODE

Kassie Bourassa won both the Alberta Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship and the Alberta Women’s Mid-Master Championship.

Kassie Bourassa – 2025 Alberta Women’s Mid-Amateur & Mid-Master Champion

2 Alberta teams were named after the championship. The Women’s Amateur Interprovincial Team consists of Sydney Bisgrove, Jayla Kucy & Sarah Armstrong while the Women’s Mid-Amateur Interprovincial Team consists of Kassie Bourassa, Heather Lee and Jenn Orcheski.

Jayla Kucy, Sydney Bisgrove & Sarah Armstrong (Not in photo)

Jenn Orcheski, Kassie Bourassa and Heather Lee

A big thank you to the Leduc Golf and Country Club General Manager Rick Brown and Head Professional Jeremy Beirnes for being amazing hosts this week. The volunteers, food and beverage, and course conditions were all outstanding.

Jeremy Beirnes – Leduc Golf and Country Club Head Professional

WATCH INTERVIEW WITH JEREMY BEIRNES

The Alberta Women’s Amateur Championship starts tomorrow at Leduc Golf Club and the 112th playing of this event promises to be a treat!

At the Alberta Women’s Amateur there’s more than just one trophy up for grabs, there’s three! The Alberta Women’s Mid-Amateur and Women’s Mid-Master are also up for grabs, with competitors of the right age having a chance of walking away with multiple pieces of hardware. Also up for grabs this week are quota and interprovincial team spots for the Canadian Women’s Amateur and Canadian Women’s Mid-Amateur Championships. New in 2025, the winner of the Alberta Women’s Amateur will get an invite to compete in the 2026 PNGA Women’s Amateur, along with the Low Albertan at Nationals and the Low Amateur at the new Alberta Open Women’s Division.

This year a new champion will be crowned and the list of potential winners is lengthy. With young juniors climbing the ranks like Saylar May, the university players back from their years at school like Sydney Bisgrove and Jenna Bruggeman, and the veteran champions like Celina Lam.

Click the link below to read more about what Leduc has to offer the competitors this year and hear from the 2024 Champions.

Women’s Amateur Yearbook Preview

Alberta Golf (Lethbridge) – The final round of the 113th Alberta Men’s Amateur Championship was held Friday at the Paradise Canyon Golf Resort in Lethbridge. Defending champion Brett Jones from Calgary started the day with a 4-shot lead over Paxton Maxwell, Ryan Gillis and 2020 champion Michael Valk. On a windy day at Paradise Canyon, Jones turned in 3-under 33 with 4 birdies and a lone bogey to extend his lead to 5 strokes. On the par 3 12th hole the golfers only had 117 yards but faced 70 kmh gusts of wind and 1 in 3 competitors were even hitting the green. Jones pured one to 8 feet and even though he missed his birdie putt he went eagle-birdie-birdie over the next 3 holes and the tournament was over. In the end 18-year-old Brett Jones fired 8 birdies and an eagle with only 2 bogeys for a final round 63 and a 12 stroke victory finishing the tournament at 17 under par to defend his title. Jones is the first player since Riley Fleming in 2012 and 2013 to defend the Alberta Men’s Amateur Championship.

“Sometimes everything gets clicking, putts go in, you’re in the fairway and you hit it close, and today was one of those days,” Jones admitted. “Ever since I won last year I wanted to defend well and to have my name beside a player like Riley Fleming, that’s a great accomplishment and I’m very happy to do that.”

Brett Jones – 2025 Alberta Men’s Amateur Champion

WATCH VIDEO INTERVIEW WITH CHAMPION BRETT JONES

Ryan Gillis posted an even par round of 71 to finish runner up, while 2020 champion Michael Valk posted a 1-over par 72. Gillis, Valk and Jones make up the 2025 Alberta Willingdon Cup team and will represent Alberta at the 120th Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship in late July at the Royal Ottawa Golf Club.

Ryan Gillis, Brett Jones and Michael Valk

A thank you to the staff at Paradise Canyon Golf Resort for being such great hosts this week, the volunteer spirit from the membership was amazing and the course was in incredible shape. Head Professional Jae Maegaard, General Manager Matt Barkway, Owner Ron Sakamoto and Superintendant Kelly Thorson along with the food and beverage staff were amazing hosts.

Matt Barkway and Jae Maegaard

WATCH DRONE FOOTAGE OF PARADISE CANYON GOLF RESORT

The 114th Alberta Men’s Amateur Championship will be held in 2026 at the Fort McMurray Golf Club.