MEN’S TOP 10

Austin Connelly made the biggest move among the Top 10, picking up 172 spots in the world ranking following his impressive showing at The Open Championship. The 20-year-old, who holds dual citizenship, finished in a tie for 14th in his first appearance at a golf major. At one point in the weekend, he was sitting in a tie for third. The former Golf Canada National Squad member just missed automatically qualifying for next year’s championship by two strokes. The result was worth 8.75 world ranking points, the biggest points-paying of his career to date. Connelly also moves up to No. 6 in the Canadian rankings.

Roger Sloan made a 37 place gain in the world rankings but it was not enough to stop the surging Connelly from moving past him. Sloan posted his third top 10 finish of the year, finishing in a tie for seventh at the Web.com Tour Pinnacle Bank Championship. The result was worth 2.21 world ranking points and marked his first points-paying finish in his last 10 events.

Graham DeLaet and Mackenzie Hughes continued their flip-flop atop the rankings with the Saskatchewan golfer reclaiming the No. 2 Canadian ranking after climbing one spot in the world rankings.

Other notable results: No. 1 Adam Hadwin missed the cut at The Open Championship; No. 5 David Hearn finished tied for 27th at PGA Barbasol Championship; No. 8 Brad Fritsch missed the cut at the PGA Barbasol Championship; No. 9 Corey Conners missed the cut at Web.com Tour Pinnacle Bank Championship; No. 10 Adam Svensson finished tied for 31st at Web.com Tour Pinnacle Bank Championship;

Click here for Men’s Official World Golf Rankings.

WOMEN’S TOP 10

Top ranked Brooke Henderson slipped two places in the world rankings, down to No. 10 after she missed the cut at the LPGA’s Marathon Classic. It was only the second time she missed the cut this year in 19 events.

Alena Sharp maintained her No. 77 world ranking with her third top 15 result of the season, finishing in a tie for 13th at the Marathon Classic.

Other Notable Results: No. 5 Augusta James, No. 7 Samantha Richdale and No. 9 Jennifer Ha missed the cut at LPGA Marathon Classic; No. 4 Anne-Catherine Tanguay finished tied for 33rd at Symetra Tour event in Rochester; No. 6 Brittany Marchand missed the cut at Symetra Tour event in Rochester; No. 10 Elizabeth Tong finished tied for 51st at Symetra Tour event in Rochester;

Click here for full Women’s Rolex World Rankings.

MEN’S AMATEUR TOP 10

Matt Williams made the biggest move among the Top-10, gaining 50 places in the world ranking which enabled him to climb up from No. 9 up to No. 7 in Canadian rankings.

Golf Canada National Team member Hugo Bernard made the second biggest gain over the past week, picking up 23 places in the world rankings after finishing in a tie for seventh in his debut event on the Mackenzie Tour-PGA Tour Canada.

Top ranked Garrett Rank climbed three places up to No. 62 in the world rankings after finishing in a tie for fifth at the Porter Cup.

Chris Crisologo moved up six spots in the world rankings after finishing fourth at the B.C. Amateur Championship.

Joey Savoie climbs up to No. 4 in Canadian rankings, moving past Lawren Rowe.

Biggest move:  Max Sekulic gained 1,339 spots in the world rankings after finishing runner-up at the Sun Life Financial Alberta Men’s Amateur Championship, losing on the second playoff hole to 2015 champion Brett Hogan.

Complete World Amateur Golf Rankings can be found here.

WOMEN’S AMATEUR TOP 10

Only significant movement inside the Top-10 was Selena Costabile gaining 28 places to move up one spot from No. 11 to take over the No. 10 ranking in Canada.

Golf Canada National Team members Jaclyn Lee and Naomi Ko took part in the Pacific Northwest Amateur Championship. Lee, seeded 13th, made it all the way to the Round of 16 before running into eventual champion Julianne Alvarez. Ko, the No. 8 seed, got as far as the semi-finals before losing to Alvarez.

Biggest Move: Christina Proteau gained 212 places in the world rankings after winning the PNGA Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship. The Port Alberni, B.C.  golfer, who was seeded No. 1 entering the match-play portion of the event, defeated Gretchen Johnson 3 and 2 in the final. A three-time PNGA Women’s Mid-Amateur Player of the Year, Proteau is five months pregnant with her second child.

Complete World Amateur Golf Rankings can be found here.

On Tuesday, July 25 at 10 a.m. ET at Glen Abbey Golf Club, golf icon Jack Nicklaus will be on hand to officially open the 2017 RBC Canadian Open during a public outdoor ceremony at Glen Abbey Golf Club.

The Opening Ceremony for the 2017 RBC Canadian Open will be immediately followed by the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, where amateur champion Judy Darling Evans and legendary golf club maker Bob Vokey will be officially inducted as the 78th and 79th honoured members. Nicklaus, who was inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame in 1995, will join 16 other legends of Canadian golf as part of the celebration.

Spectators are invited to join the celebration (FREE for all attendees) that will officially kick off the 2017 RBC Canadian Open. Both the induction and ceremony will take place on stage in the Coors Light 19th Hole Beer Garden.

Click here for more information on what’s happening at the 2017 RBC Canadian Open.

On July 20, Alberta Golf participated in the Jumpstart Games at the Calgary Soccer Centre. This community event is part of the PGA on Wheels program, which is focused on teaching and welcoming new golfers to the game.

PGA on Wheels has been to various community events this year including: All Sport One Day and the Spruce Grove Canada Day Parade. PGA on Wheels goes into community events across Alberta with the goal of growing the game of golf.

More than 700 kids from ages 4-18 representing various Jumpstart community partners like the YMCA, Boys and Girls Clubs Of Calgary, Big Brothers Big Sisters Calgary and Hull Child and Family Services were at the Calgary Soccer Centre on Thursday.

In the Calgary Soccer Centre there was one field dedicated to each sport. The sports ranged from: dodgeball, soccer, kickball and KIN-Ball.

The PGA of Alberta Golf professionals volunteered their time to teach kids how to swing. Each station provided a new opportunity for kids to fall in love with the game. From a putting course, target practice, chipping, full shots and golfzilla. The kids had so much fun during the 35 minute sessions.

Many of the children participating had never picked up a golf club before but once they did they didn’t want to stop. Once kids see how fun golf is, the game continues to grow from there.

The kids were able try sports that they may not have had the opportunity to try without programs like Jumpstart and the PGA on Wheels. No matter what, all kids should be able to be active and have the chance to play sports.

Some kids and their families need financial help to play sports and that is where Jumpstart comes in. Jumpstart is a National Canadian Tire charity that provides funding to those families that need it most. By supporting programs like the PGA on Wheels and Jumpstart, by volunteering or donating you could be helping your neighbor or a friend.

Alberta Golf was able to help the PGA of Alberta give back at this great event.

Learn more about how the PGA of Alberta program PGA on Wheels is helping grow the game through community events across Alberta this summer.

Learn how Jumpstart is helping kids try new sports without financial barriers.

Over the past several years, the USGA and The R&A have been working with golf’s handicapping authorities to develop a single World Handicap System (WHS) for the sport.

More than 15 million golfers in over 80 countries presently have a handicap, a numerical index long used as a reference to gauge a golfer’s potential skill level. Handicaps are currently delivered through six different systems around the world. The aim of the proposed handicap system is to adopt a universal set of principles and procedures that will apply all over the world.

As an important step towards the development of a World Handicap System, The R&A and USGA have created a survey to gather insights from golfers, club managers, course owners, PGA of Canada professionals and various other handicap administrators at the club, provincial and national level.

The purpose of this survey (which is open until the end of July) is to learn more about what golfers and those individuals involved in golf administration think about the potential World Handicap System and its core principles.

Golf’s governing bodies will use the feedback from this international study towards the formation a globally aligned system for handicapping.

Click here to participate in the study.

To some, golf can mean so much more than a game. To Celine Copeland it means family, humbleness and, as of two years ago, golf also represents perseverance.

Before the 2015 Alberta Junior & Juvenile Championship, Copeland suffered a heart-breaking injury. She says she is still recovering from a torn ligament in her wrist, after making the decision to withdraw from the competition and to retire for the season.

“In September of 2015, I had wrist surgery and now a year later my wrist is starting to feel better, and I am trying to slowly get back into golf. It has been extremely hard for me not to be able to play, since golf has been such a big part of my life for the last couple of years.”

To many, the set back may seem unsurmountable, but for Copeland it meant moving forward. While healing on the sidelines, she channeled her competitive spirit and love for the game to give back and achieve her goals.

In 2016, she was selected as her class’ Valedictorian. Volunteering at her church, at the library and lending 120 hours of time with Youth Central, Copeland was awarded Citizen of the Year and Premier’s Citizenship Awards in her final year of high school. Now at Mount Royal University, she continues to help-out and maintain honours.

Having made the Team Alberta Development Squad in 2015, Copeland helps to encourage others to play golf within Willow Park Golf Club’s Junior Girls Interclub program. She also volunteers for Golf Canada Girls Club programs and Alberta Golf community events. Her next step is to start a Best Buddies Club at MRU. As the current VP, she says the group will attempt to “encourage friendships and the acceptance of those with special needs.”

Competitive golf is still in the picture, with Copeland determined to get back on the course. With the help of a 2016 Alberta Golf Foundation scholarship, she also looks to translate her passion into a communications career within the golf industry. Amongst all of her current, present and future achievements, Copeland stays humble. She says that giving back is easy when golf has given her so much.

“Golf has made me a better person and has instilled in me great values. I will treasure all the amazing experiences on the golf course as I continue to play golf for the rest of my life. Golf has provided me with so many wonderful opportunities.”

The deadline to apply for a 2017 Alberta Golf Foundation scholarship is July 16. For more information click here.

On July 6, Alberta Golf participated in a community event hosted by the City of Calgary. Being in the centre of Eau Claire Market during lunch hour made it the perfect time to introduce a new sport, or a familiar one. Those walking through could stop by and learn more about ways they could get active this summer. The City of Calgary has a wide range of affordable golf options available. The Play City app can help you find people with the same skill level to play golf with.

The movement of #GetMovingYYC is focused on helping calgarians become active more often. You can even find a summer bucket list with 50 ways to get moving this summer.

This event raised awareness for local golf programs and showcased how accessible the game of golf is to everyone. There were hitting and chipping nets set up and a variety of golf clubs to choose from. The participants could polish up their swings and learn a new thing or two from the National Golf Academy professionals who provided great instruction and helpful tips. Some, who have never tried golf before, were able to learn the fundamentals of the game.

This summer there are so many ways to get active on and off the golf course. Through the Play City app, you can meet new people and be active at the same time. To some, golf can be intimidating at first but the Play City app is focused on matching people who have the same skill level and ability. The app is centered around multiple sports including: badminton, tennis and basketball.

City of Calgary Recreation also plays a role in providing many budget friendly options throughout the summer including Family Games and Sports Nights, Take a Kid to The Course Week and the annual EJ Justice Junior Golf Tournament.

Alberta Golf was able to provide information on volunteer and membership opportunities, as well as competitive and recreational golf programs across the province. Also, the importance of teaching golf at an early age by bringing golf into schools with the Future Links driven by Acura Golf In Schools program.

Through community events like this, Alberta Golf can introduce the sport to so many. Jennifer Davison, Alberta Golf’s Coordinator of Golf Course Services & Community Events, says that “we (Alberta Golf) are actively introducing more participants to the game. Golf has so much to offer for individuals and families. Events like this and initiatives like #GetMovingYYC are perfect for raising awareness about the game, the opportunities that exist in the market and the health benefits of playing golf and being active.”

Learn more about how the City of Calgary, the Play City app, the National Golf Academy and Alberta Golf make it easy, affordable and fun to play golf this summer.

For photographs of the community event, click here

To think, by a fluke, Alberta Golf was able to recruit, now over 10-year volunteer, Chris Leach. The 2017 Alberta Junior & Juvenile Tournament Chair, was originally looking to help-out at the CP Women’s Open when it came to the Priddis Greens Golf & Country Club. Registering through the wrong website, Alberta Golf staff jumped on the chance to get Leach involved. A staff member did end up redirecting him to the correct event, but that accident has been nothing but positive for the long-term bantam and juniors volunteer.

“It’s nice to be out on a course, working with some amazing people from the staff from Alberta Golf to the host club representatives. There’s never been a bad experience. I mean it’s fun, it’s rewarding. They are long days, and everyone is exhausted by the end, but we get up and we do it again the very next morning.”

When Leach first got started with Alberta Golf, he didn’t know what his role would be or what it eventually would come to mean to him. Soon, he was able to find what he loved by learning about all of the tournament aspects available.

“I guess when I first started with Alberta Golf, I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do. I kind of dabbled in everything and took on any kind of role. I participated in a variety of rules seminars that there were; took my Level 2 online; went and learned how to do course rating and learned about handicapping. I think during all of that, I was able to get involved in one of the junior tournaments. That’s kind of where I really found my passion. To see some of the kids develop over the years, coming through the Bantam, Junior and Juvenile events, it’s kind of incredible to watch them progress. Having an 11-year-old son of my own, it’s always been enjoyable for me to work with the kids.”

Leach has even been able to watch Alberta juniors compete up close on a national stage.

“I was fortunate enough to take down, Matt Williams and Tyler Saunders, for the Junior America’s Cup, for two years in a row. It was really interesting to see the dynamics, how they trained, how they practiced and how they put that into competition play.”

He says the experience of being around the young athletes over the years has been humbling. Having waited to pick up his first club at 27, the tournaments have also acted as teaching moments.

“Sometimes it’s frustrating to watch the kids come in with a score of like 78 and be upset. But you kind of reflect on where your game is compared with where they are at. You learn so much watching them practice and get ready for the tournaments. It certainly has helped me and my personal game. It has reminded me to work on what I need to focus on, such as if I’m struggling with putting or bunker play. Having been out at some of these tournaments with some great coaches too, and just watching what they do with kids, has benefited me personally. It’s great to see all aspects of the game, and really what we can do with it in the future.”

Leach says that seeing the players from the beginning never gets old.

“It’s incredible to see the caliber of golf that we see at these junior tournaments, and then to see what professional play is like. You can see that the kids, some of them one day, will be on those tours which is amazing.”

As a past LPGA and current Shaw Charity Classic volunteer, he has worked with players that have moved up the ranks, but he says that helping at places like the Coal Creek Golf Resort this week are still some of the most inspiring times.

“As far as volunteering, nothing tops working with the kids. These junior tournaments are so rewarding. The kids are out here, they are having fun, they’re giving it their all. There were some high scores yesterday, as frustrating as it can be for them, they’re still here this morning, and they’re going to try to be better. That’s the thing I enjoy the most is learning to never give up. There is always tomorrow. There is always more to come. As bad as yesterday or today may be, there is always tomorrow.”

He says, that even though he had to travel quite far to attend the 2017 Alberta Juniors, exploring new host courses has really opened his eyes as to what’s out there.

“This has probably been the furthest I’ve been away from home to travel in the last few years for a junior tournament, but it’s definitely worth exploring the province and everything there is to offer. I’ve seen some incredible courses in the province that I didn’t even know existed. The course that we are at now, Coal Creek, I mean it’s got to be a hidden gem within the province. Some of the courses I’ve seen, that are over 10 years old, don’t look as good as this course does after having been only open for five.”

Having been involved with the juniors for so long, Leach says that he hopes to continue to see what’s next for the future of youth golf within the province.

“I would love to see more tournament opportunities for the kids. A lot of them have to travel far distances and it can be a big expense. It would be really nice, especially for the girls, to be able to get more involved. If there were more competitive opportunities where they could continue to push themselves and grow, it could only help take their game to that next level.”

As the conversation emerges, Chris reflects on the past 10 years with Alberta Golf and the responsibilities he will proudly continue to carry out.

“To me Alberta Golf feels like home. The last few years we’ve seen some staff changes; changes kind of all around. The good thing is that it seems that every tournament I go to, everyone seems to get better than the last – regardless of which volunteers are here, or which staffers are here. I think we’ve managed to take tournament play from where it used to be and make it better every single time.”

To learn more about how you can get involved as an Alberta Golf volunteer and to fill out an inquiry please visit Volunteer Opportunities.

In the midst of its 14th season, Golf Fore the Cure presented by Subaru boasts over 100,000 participants since 2003 raising over $5.9 million dollars for the Canadian Cancer Society and Québec Breast Cancer Foundation in support of breast cancer research during that period.

Golf Fore the Cure presented  by Subaru offers a seamless addition to an existing event (such as ladies night) with free prizing and event kits.

In 2017 Golf Fore the Cure presented by Subaru has a fundraising goal of $500,000.

In just one month over $15,000 has already been raised. The below infographic outlines six easy steps to planning your own Golf Fore the Cure event:

Today the City of Calgary hosted 70 unique events, ranging from roller derby to a military inspired activity called winterguard, for All Sport One Day. Kids between the ages of 6 to 12 were able to try a new activity for free at 12 unique sporting facilities across the city. The PGA of Alberta pros, Alberta Golf staff and City of Calgary representatives were at Glenmore Athlete Park to help inspire the next generation of golfers.

Kids had the chance to play fun interactive games with the assistance of golf professionals through the PGA on Wheels Program. Participants got to go through a series of introductory skill building activities. There was a spinning mini golf course, driver target practice and a netted golf range, all equipped with a variety of practice gear.

Many of the visitors had never picked up a club before, but it didn’t take them long to start to get into the swing of things. Big smiles could be seen as little rookies made their first big hits. The newly converted were then able to learn about all of the fun and affordable golf options across the city and province.

Families can find a range of golf options like free junior nights and take a kid to the course weeks through the City of Calgary. New golfers of any age can also arrange for trial runs and personal instruction. See what’s available this summer and view the City of Calgary’s golf information brochure.

Parents also got to learn about Alberta Golf/Golf Canada memberships as well as local, provincial and national PGA of Alberta and Golf Canada offerings. Members and member clubs help fund programs like Future Links. As Canada’s national junior golf platform, Future Links Driven by Acura has hosted affordable and fun programming for over 1.4 million kids so far. From competitive to new junior players, Future Links offers a range of activities from Golf in Schools to mobile clinics such as the one hosted today. Golf Canada’s online search option allows those interested to find junior golf opportunities in their area all year round.

Specific programming for women and girls is also offered by Alberta Golf. She Swing She Scores if specifically designed to introduce girls currently participating in other sports from ages 6 to 12 to try golf. Community Golf Coaches and PGA of Alberta Professionals provide pop-up elements like “boom rooms” for young athletes to test out the game. View all of Alberta Golf’s development programs.