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

We are pleased to present our 2019 competitions schedule and announce that registration is now open!

Ten provincial championships will be contested over the course of the summer at many of the province’s best facilities. Early bird pricing is in place for qualifiers and select events for the first 15 days! View the schedule and sign-up now!

WE ARE ENCOURAGING THOSE WHO ARE NEW TO COMPETITION TO GIVE IT A TRY!

Often, golfers don’t realize that their Handicap Factor does make them eligible to participate in provincial championships. Check our eligibility requirements to see which events are open to you. Give it a try and we will ensure you have an enjoyable, positive and memorable golf experience.

The Alberta Match Play Championship will be held June 4-6^that the River Spirit Golf Club in Calgary. Men and women with a Handicap Factor of 8.0 or less are encouraged to register. There will be an 18-hole stroke play qualifier to determine the mens and ladies brackets. The mens champion will earn a spot on Team Alberta for the 2020 Pacific Coast Amateur Championship at Royal Colwood in Victoria, BC.

We are delighted to welcome back SVR Lawyers as title sponsor of the Alberta Open Championship. The Calgary based law firm has increased their investment through to 2021. The Alberta Open Championship presented by SVR Lawyers will be held June 11-13^that the Trestle Creek Golf Resort in Entwistle. One of the marquee events on the provincial schedule, the Alberta Open brings together 120 amateur and junior golfers with PGA of Alberta club professionals as well as professionals on various developmental tours. The professionals will battle for an $18,000 purse. The low amateur will earn a spot on Team Alberta at the 2020 Pacific Coast Amateur Championship.

New this year, amateurs and professionals from outside Alberta will be eligible to compete in the Alberta Open. We anticipate one of the strongest fields in recent memory. Additionally, a Last Chance Monday Qualifier will be held on June 10^th where there will be a limited number of spots available for the championship.

The Alberta Mens Mid Amateur Championship will be held June 25-27^th at the Earl Grey Golf Club in Calgary. The club is celebrating its 100^th year and we are excited to be a small part of their season long celebration. 144 Mid-Am’s (players aged 25 & over) will have the opportunity to experience one of the best venues in the province which has recently undergone an extensive renovation including improvements to the golf course and a gorgeous new 37,000 square-foot clubhouse. Sign up early as registration is first come, first served.

THE ALBERTA JUNIOR AT HIGHWOOD GOLF

The Alberta Junior Championship is set for July 2-5^th at Highwood Golf in High River. Many juniors saw the course last year at the Future Links Western Championship and will already have this championship circled on the 2019 calendar. 156 junior boys and girls will descend upon High River to compete over 72 holes. New this year, there are a variety of social functions planned following the first two rounds that focus on having fun and forging new friendships including individual and partner contests, barbeques, coaching and education. The Alberta Bantam Championship, for those aged 14 and under, will be held August 26-27^th at River Bend Golf Course in Red Deer and will have the same social element.

The Sun Life Financial Alberta Amateur Championships will be held in back-to-back weeks in July at the Ranch Golf & Country Club in Acheson (Ladies Amateur) and the Wolf Creek Golf Resort – Links course in Ponoka (Mens Amateur). We wish to thank Sun Life Financial and their Advisors across the province for their tremendous support as a long-term sponsor for the last 29 years! The two championships are qualifiers for the Canadian National Championship and the mens champion will earn the third spot on Team Alberta at the 2020 Pacific Coast Amateur Championship.

The Alberta Senior Championships will also be held in back-to-back weeks in late July at the Pine Hills Golf Club in Rocky Mountain House (Senior Ladies) and the Derrick Golf & Winter Club in Edmonton (Senior Mens). Two great golf courses that will be enjoyed by the senior-aged group of competitors.

MENS AND LADIES INTERCLUB CHAMPIONSHIP AT KANANASKIS

The Alberta Interclub Championship is destined to become the hallmark event to wrap up the Alberta Golf season each year. Kananaskis Country Golf Course has committed to host both the mens and ladies championships on alternating courses. On September 3^rd, 32 mens teams and 20 ladies teams will make the enjoyable trek to Kananaskis Country. In 2019, the mens contest will be on the Mt. Kidd course and the ladies contest on the Mt. Lorette course.

The Interclub brings together teams of four from clubs across the province to compete against each other for bragging rights. Registration is on a first come, first served basis and each individual player must have a Handicap Factor of 20.0 or less. The clubs themselves decide how to select the players that represent them at the championship. Often it is through club championship results and alternating years of sending low gross or low net finishers.

National Championships: There are several National Championships in Alberta this year. They include the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship July 23-26^th at the beautiful Red Deer Golf & Country Club and the Canadian Junior Girls Championship at the storied Lethbridge Country Club. The Future Links, driven by Acura Western Championship will be held May 31 to June 2^nd at the Wolf Creek Golf Resort.

How do you register for a competition and frequently asked questions? We have developed a step-by-step document to guide you through registration and answer common questions. In conjunction with the modernized Rules of Golf, our competition policies have been updated and presented in a clearer fashion. Please take the opportunity to familiarize yourself with the new Rules of Golf and the 2019 competition policies and helpful information.

Which Qualifier should I sign-up for? Players who are not exempt from qualifying can choose to play in any of the regional qualifiers for the respective championship. There are a variety of dates and locations to choose from, but players may only attempt to qualify once. The exception to this is the Last Chance Monday Qualifier for the Alberta Open Championship presented by SVR Lawyers, where players can attempt either for the first time or for a second time. Two of the Junior Regional Qualifiers for the 2019 Alberta Junior Championship will be conducted by the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour and the McLennan Ross Alberta Junior Tour.These two events allow players the opportunity to compete in a multi-day event and opt in to use the first round as their qualifying score for the Alberta Junior. An additional qualify fee does apply. A reminder to those players who are exempt from qualifying, you still need to register before the respective entry deadline.

IN 2019, GIVE COMPETITIONS A TRY. WE KNOW YOU WILL ENJOY THE EXPERIENCE. SEE YOU ON THE COURSE!

Youth on Course – the non-profit organization providing young people with subsidized golf, college scholarships, caddie programs and paid internships, in partnership with Golf Canada and Alberta Golf – breaks international ground and brings affordable junior golf to Canada.

Initially, Youth on Course will be launching as a two-year pilot in the province of Alberta and will be recognized under the umbrella of Canada’s National Junior Golf Program – Future Links. With 17,000 junior member golfers and nearly 1,400 Golf Canada member clubs from coast to coast, Golf Canada will evaluate the results of the pilot prior to expanding the program nationwide.

In Alberta, the list of courses offering junior golf rounds for $5 or less are:

• Goose Hummock Golf Resort
• Westlock Golf Course
• RedTail Landing Golf Club
• Whitetail Crossing Golf Club
• Eagle Rock Golf Course
• Olds Golf Club
• River Spirit Golf Club
• Heatherglen Golf Course
• Serenity Golf Club
• McCall Lake Golf Course (18 & par 3)
• Shaganappi Golf Course (18 & 9)
• Banff Springs Golf Club (Tunnel 9)
• Cottonwood Coulee Golf Course
• Lakeside Golf Club
• Barrhead Golf Club
• Northern Bear Golf Course

“Golf Canada and Alberta Golf continually inspire and nurture a new generation of golfers by providing access to affordable rounds,” says Adam Heieck, CEO of Youth on Course.  “With the highest per-capita golf participation in the world, Youth on Course’s expansion will benefit the sport’s sustainability.”

Youth on Course will be a significant addition to the existing Future Links suite of programs and offers an on-course application for facilities to offer to youth, eliminating golf’s barrier of affordability and providing more opportunities for kids to play golf. Golfers, ages 6-18 will be able to join the Youth on Course international network, getting access to 1,000 golf courses in 27 different states.

“When first introduced to Youth on Course, we felt it was a very strong initiative to advance junior golf and we are pleased to be involved in this pilot stage for the program in Canada,” says Jeff Thompson, Chief Sport Officer of Golf Canada. “Together with Alberta Golf and our participating partner courses, we are eager to give community access to golf at an unprecedented level of affordability.”

Golf Canada runs a variety of grassroot level programs under the Future Links brand, aimed at introducing and developing the game of golf amongst Canadian youth. A national junior program conducted in partnership with the PGA of Canada and Canada’s 10 provincial golf associations, Future Links is focused on three primary pillars of engagement – an in-school program, facility programs and outreach programming, all of which have contributed to the success of Future links, which has eclipsed the mark of 1.7 million youth engaged in golf.

Operating in every U.S. region, Youth on Course has more than 50,000 active members. Since 2006, juniors have played more than 10 million holes and 765,000 rounds while the organization has helped generate more than $5.2 million in tee-time revenue reimbursed back to individual golf courses. In addition to subsidized rounds, Youth on Course also facilitates paid internships, a caddie program and nationwide scholarships. They have awarded 223 students with college scholarships totaling more than $1.4 million in financial support. The current Youth on Course scholarship retention rate is ninety-four percent, with 80 students already graduated.

For many of us trying to squeeze in the last few rounds of the season, or for those planning on heading south this winter, it’s important to note the “active season” in the region, province or country you’re playing in.

Golf Canada’s Handicap System stipulates every player is responsible for returning all acceptable scores into one’s scoring record from rounds played on courses observing their active season, which is part of the golf season when courses have acceptable playing conditions.

Ultimately, it is the responsibility of authorized provincial golf association to declare active and inactive periods, and it is the responsibility of the area club and golfers to observe these dates for posting purposes.

Each year, provincial associations analyze numerous factors to determine their active seasons. This ensures consistency of when scores would be posted by the majority of golfers to help keep Handicap Factors accurate.

Scores made at any golf course observing an inactive season are not acceptable for handicap purposes. The rationale behind this is that posting scores during inactive seasons (periods of poor course conditions) could artificially increase a player’s Handicap Factor.

Scores made at a golf course in an area observing an active season must be posted for handicap purposes, even if the golf club from which the player receives a Handicap Factor is observing an inactive season. The club’s Handicap Committee must make it possible for a player to post these away scores at the beginning of the active season.

For example, if a player belonging to a golf club in Ontario plays golf in Florida during January, any scores made in Florida are acceptable and must be returned to the player’s Ontario golf club. If the player is also a member of a golf club in Florida, scores must be posted to the player’s Florida club.

In Canada, the active season in each province is as follows:

BC = Mar. 1 – Nov. 15
AB = Mar. 1 – Oct. 31
SK = Apr. 15 – Oct. 31
MB = Apr. 15 – Oct. 31
ON = Apr. 15 – Oct. 31
QC = Apr. 15 – Oct. 31
NS = Apr. 15 – Oct. 31
NB = May. 1 – Oct. 31
PE = Apr. 16 – Nov. 14
NL = Apr. 1 – Nov. 30

It’s also important to note that if you are travelling to other countries, you should determine their active seasons to prevent posting unacceptable scores. Your home club needs all acceptable scores from the “off-season” as well to ensure your Handicap Factor is accurate once recalculated at the beginning of the season.

For a detailed list of active and inactive schedule in the United States, click here.

For more information on handicapping, click here.

To enter your scores for an official handicap, become a Golf Canada member here.

The Level 2 Rules of Golf Seminars will take place during the month of March in both Calgary and Edmonton. They are an opportunity for those who are keen on the Rules of Golf to learn more and write an examination to gain their provincial level certification.

“We are very excited to be running these seminars with the brand new 2019 Rules of Golf,” said Stephen Wigington, Alberta Golf’s Manager of Membership and Course Services. “As of January 1^st, 2019, all levels of certification need to be renewed, so this is somewhat of a fresh start for Referees in this province. It is also an opportunity for anyone not previously involved to get started on the ground level.”

The Seminars will be open to anyone wishing to improve their knowledge of the Rules of Golf, specifically focusing on their application in a tournament setting. There is no previous certification necessary to attend.

“We want our provincial seminars to be inclusive,” said Stephen. “That is to say we want to provide this opportunity to anyone who wishes to have a provincial level certification. Our goal is to have our own Alberta Golf Referees attending alongside golf professionals, coaches, members interested in helping with club events, and public golfers who just want to know more.”

Country Hills GC will host the first seminar March 15-17, with RedTail Landing hosting the second March 29-31. Questions or comments can be directed to stephen@albertagolf.org. For details and registration information please use the links below.

Level 2 Rules Seminar (Calgary)

Level 2 Rules Seminar (Edmonton)

The Annual General Meeting of the Voting Members of the Alberta Golf Association was held at RedTail Landing Golf Club in Nisku, Alberta on Tuesday January 29th.

During the meeting the following Board of Directors were elected for the Alberta Golf Association for 2019.

Peter Major – President                  Calgary Golf and Country Club                Calgary

Mark Bamford – Vice President    Glendale Golf & Country Club                  Edmonton

Tiffany Gordon – Secretary            Heritage Pointe Golf Club                         De Winton

Bill McNaughton – Treasurer        Glencoe Golf & Country Club                   Calgary

Kendra Koss                                     Earl Grey Golf Club                                       Calgary

Chris Leach                                       Valley Ridge Golf Club                                 Calgary

Lorraine Moster                               Public Players Club                                      Edmonton

Alonzo Strange                                 Blackhawk Golf Club                                   Edmonton

Tom Zariski                                      Dinosaur Trail Golf and Country Club      Drumheller

In 2018 the Alberta Golf Association Foundation distributed $60,000 to athletes to help fund post-secondary education.

The following Board of Directors were elected for the Alberta Golf Association Foundation for 2019.

Name                                                 City

Wendy Davies                                    Rocky Mountain House

Jim Dymianiw                                    Calgary

Lois Gilbertson                                  Winfield

Janice Lamarre                                  Edmonton

Neil Little                                            Calgary

Duncan Mills                                      Edmonton

Tom Zariski                                        Drumheller

Click here for a link to the 2018 Alberta Golf Association Annual Report

Golf’s new Rules have been published by the The R&A and USGA in partnership with Golf Canada ahead of their effective date on Jan. 1, 2019.

For the first time, a new Player’s Edition of the Rules of Golf is being introduced to provide a shorter, more user-friendly version of the Rules for golfers at all levels of the game. This version, which will serve as the primary publication for all golfers, features:

• A more intuitive organization with 10 simplified topical groupings
• A “Purpose of the Rule” description at the top of each Rule, to better define why the Rule exists
• Easy-to-follow, full-colour diagrams and charts to aid in understanding
• A simpler, more direct writing style

The Player’s Edition is being launched alongside the modernized full Rules of Golf book, which includes some of the most significant changes made to the Rules in more than 60 years.

Adam Helmer, director of Rules, competitions and amateur status at Golf Canada said, “We are embarking on one of the most significant changes to the Rules of golf in the history of our sport. Today marks the start of the education process to communicate the modernized Rules with additional resources and publications available to all golfers, member facilities and referees in Canada and worldwide.”

Thomas Pagel, senior managing director, Governance for the USGA, said, “From the project’s inception, our one goal was to make the Rules easier to understand and apply for all golfers. It sets a new standard in the way we write and interpret the Rules and is central to our efforts to ensure a healthy future for golf. We look forward to continuing that process in the years to come.”

David Rickman, executive director – Governance at The R&A, said, “We are delighted to be rolling out the modernized Rules of Golf today. This is the biggest set of changes to the Rules in a generation and a major step forward in our efforts to make the Rules, and the sport itself, more accessible and more in tune with the way the modern sport is played.”

A new Official Guide to the Rules of Golf is also available in digital format and official apps today, with a printed version to be released in November. Designed for golf administrators and club officials, the Guide features Interpretations on specific Rules (which replace the current Decisions) and includes the first jointly-produced Committee Procedures document, providing practical guidance to Committees for running competitions and overseeing general play.

Another key feature is the Modified Rules of Golf for Players with Disabilities. This document is released alongside the Rules of Golf and enables players with disabilities to play fairly with other players with the same or different types of disability and, importantly, with those without disabilities. The Modified Rules were developed in close consultation with the community of players with disabilities and disability organizations.

All of the new books are available in digital formats online and a range of explanatory videos and resources is available on and websites to enable all golfers to learn about the 2019 Rules.

Extensive educational programs are being conducted around the world, with the assistance of national and regional associations, to ensure that golfers and administrators throughout amateur and professional golf are ready for the new Rules when they take effect on Jan. 1.

The process to modernize the Rules began in 2012 with the aim of making the Rules easier to understand and apply for all golfers and to help make golf more appealing and accessible for newcomers.

Some of the key changes in the new Rules include new procedures for dropping the ball when taking relief, the elimination or reduction of several penalties, relaxed putting green and bunker rules, and rules that encourage improved pace of play.

Golfers are reminded that the current Rules of Golf remain in effect for the remainder of 2018. The Rules of Amateur Status and the Rules of Equipment Standards were not part of the review process.

As an extension of its support of the Rules of Golf worldwide, Rolex has made a commitment to support The R&A and the USGA’s efforts to modernize golf’s Rules. The Swiss watchmaker’s contribution to excellence in golf is based on a rich heritage stretching back more than 50 years, forged through pivotal partnerships at every level of the sport, from the leading professional and amateur competitions and organizations to players at the pinnacle of their sport worldwide.

Click here to learn more about the Rules of golf.