Alberta Golf wrapped up its double header yesterday with three champions being named at the two sites. The 114th Alberta Men’s Amateur was played at the end of Highway 63 at the stunning Fort McMurray Golf Club, while down south in Calgary The Hamptons Golf Club hosted the 113th Alberta Women’s Amateur Championship.

114th Men’s Amateur Championship

The 114th Alberta Men’s Amateur Championship returned to Fort McMurray Golf Club for the first time since 2007, when Mitch Fox claimed the title. While both the course and the community have endured significant challenges in recent years, including devastating wildfires and flooding, the pride of the membership remains as strong as ever.

From the moment players arrived, that pride was impossible to miss. Welcome signs greeted competitors at the entrance, championship banners celebrating past winners lined the property, and even designated practice spots on the driving range had been reserved for the field. It was a fitting welcome for one of Alberta’s most prestigious championships.

Although the field was without two-time defending champion Hunter Thomson, the level of competition remained exceptionally high. The championship featured an impressive collection of collegiate athletes, Alberta Golf High-Performance Program members, past provincial champions, interprovincial team representatives, and even an Alberta Golf Hall of Fame member, making for one of the strongest amateur fields in the province.

The opening round was played under warm, sunny skies with temperatures climbing to 27°C. Only four players managed to navigate both the heat and the challenging layout at even par or better. Ryan Gillis and Neil Thomas shared the first-round lead after matching rounds of 69 (-3), while Tobias Buffam sat just three shots back following an even-par 72.

Round two proved to be a marathon. Play was suspended for two hours because of inclement weather after only two groups had reached the golf course. Once play resumed, the morning wave benefited from softer conditions and relatively calm weather, while the afternoon competitors battled steady rain for much of their round before the skies finally cleared. Despite the changing conditions, only five players finished the day under par, setting the stage for a tightly contested final round.

That anticipated battle quickly turned into a commanding performance by Tobias Buffam.

After beginning the day just three shots off the lead, Buffam caught fire immediately, birdieing each of his first three holes and five of his opening seven. By the turn, he had built an astonishing nine-shot advantage over the field. Although a few bogeys appeared on the inward nine, his early surge proved more than enough as he closed with a four-under-par 68 to finish the championship at 72-69-68.

The victory marks Buffam’s second provincial championship, adding the Alberta Men’s Amateur title to his 2025 Boys’ U19 Championship. His win also secured him a place on Alberta’s 2027 Morse Cup Team, as well as a spot on the province’s Willingdon Cup Team for the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship later this month.

Joining Buffam on the Willingdon Cup Team are Neil Thomas of Edmonton Country Club and Jordan Gustman of The Bridges at Claresholm. An additional 15 Alberta players also earned exemptions into the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, which will be contested later this month on home soil at Mickelson National Golf Club and Heritage Pointe Golf Club.

113th Women’s Amateur Championship

For the first time, the 113th Women’s Amateur Championship competed at The Hamptons Golf Club in Calgary. Despite being settled in a neighbourhood surrounded by homes, The Hamptons is its own secluded world featuring stunning views. In addition to its views, The Hamptons contains narrow fairways, large lakes, and so many trees it feels like a forest—all of which proved to challenge the players throughout the championship. This championship looked to crown champions in three different divisions: the Amateur, the Mid-Amateur, and the Mid-Master.

The field was comprised of players from many different walks of life developing an intense competition across all divisions. Four-time Mid-Amateur Champion Meaghan LeBlanc returned to the field after not competing last year. Additionally, defending Mid-Amateur and Mid-Master Champion Kassie Bourassa and 2025 U17 and U19 Champion Saylar May were notable names competing this week.

Round one was played under the sun while players looked to navigate a course with a difficult layout. The courses difficulty was apparent in round one scores with only one player shooting par. Emily Cornwall had a one stroke lead after the first day, with three players following at +1—Jayla Kucy, Coryn Tardif, and Niya Friesen.

In the Mid-Amateur and Mid-Master divisions Carly McNaughton led after day one shooting a 74. Meaghan LeBlanc was not far behind with a 77 in both divisions. Jenn Orcheski followed in the Mid-Amateur division with a 79 while Charmaine Hayden followed in the Mid-Master division with an 80.

On day two the players were faced with high heat as the temperature reached 27°C. Players were challenged by both the course and the heat on this day, but one player managed to shoot the best round of the tournament. Tessa Ion shot an impressive 68 following her 76 from day 1. This score allowed her to climb the leaderboard while others fell. May stayed consistent throughout day one and two, shooting 75 on both days putting her tied for second after day 2. Cornwall struggled on day 2 shooting a 78, but this only dropped her down to second, tied with May.

The Mid-Amateur and Mid-Master players faced the same struggles with the heat on day two with many scores dropping. This was not the case for Kaitlin Taylor who put herself back in contention in the Mid-Amateur by shooting a 78 after shooting an 83 on day one putting her at +17 going into day three. LeBlanc took the lead at +13 going into day three, followed by Orcheski at +16, and McNaughton tied with Taylor at +17 in the Mid-Amateur. LeBlanc also took the lead in the Mid-Master followed by McNaughton at +17 and Hayden at +20.

By day three the pressure was on, especially for Ion who had broken a course record the day before and was leading the Amateur by six strokes. Through nine holes, Ion put herself at -2 with a lead of five strokes. Hole 10 challenged Ion who took a triple bogey putting her up to +1, but she recovered making two birdies and six pars in the rest of the of her round. Her hot round on day two set her up well, giving her a lead that no one was able to catch allowing her to claim the 113th Women’s Amateur Championship.

Back on the Mid-Amateur side, LeBlanc was +2 on the day through six holes before she double bogeyed on hole seven, but she recovered well with a successful long birdie putt on eight. Taylor crept close to LeBlanc, but a bogey on 18 after she nearly chipped in for birdie left her two strokes behind. In addition to her Mid-Amateur win, LeBlanc captured the Mid-Master win by 18 strokes.

Tessa Ion, Emily Cornwall, and Saylar May will represent Team Alberta in the 112th Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship in Mississauga at The Toronto Golf Club. Jenn Orcheski, Carly McNaughton, and Jin Yeo will represent Team Alberta in the Canadian Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship in Burlington at the Burlington Golf & Country Club.

Notable Highlights

• Reid Casavant recorded the championship’s only hole-in-one, acing the 221-yard 4th hole while playing in the opening group of the tournament. The ace was the first of his career and Alberta Golf’s second hole-in-one of the 2026 championship season.
• Tobias Buffam was the only player in the field to shoot even par or better in all three rounds of the championship.
  
  • Tessa Ion set a new competitive course record from the tournament ladies tees at The Hamptons Golf Club with her 68 in round two.
  • Meaghan LeBlanc captured her fifth Mid-Amateur win and her first Mid-Master win with Alberta Golf.

Up next, Alberta Golf heads to The Coyote in Sundre for the U19 Championship beginning on July 14th.

This week, Alberta Golf presents a championship doubleheader, as the Alberta Men’s Amateur and Alberta Women’s Amateur Championships will be contested simultaneously. Both championships begin on July 7, with the final putts set to drop on July 9. Here’s a closer look at each championship, the host courses, and the players competing for two of Alberta’s most prestigious amateur titles.

The 113th Alberta Women’s Amateur

The Alberta Women’s Amateur Championship is one of the province’s original amateur championships, with a history dating back to 1907. The first recorded champion was Mrs. W.N. Clark. The championship predates both the Alberta Golf Association and the Alberta Ladies Golf Association. The current championship trophy dates back to 1928, when the Alberta Ladies Golf Association officially joined the Canadian Ladies Golf Union.

Throughout its history, the Women’s Amateur has served as a proving ground for many of Alberta’s finest golfers. Its list of champions includes names such as Betty Stanhope Cole, Marilyn O’Connor, Jessica Luciuk, Kareen Qually, Jaclyn Lee, Jennifer Ha, and, more recently, Eileen Park and Carys Code.

Also contested during the week are the Women’s Mid-Amateur and Women’s Mid-Master Championships. These age-based competitions allow golfers aged 25 and older and 40 and older to compete for their respective titles while also competing in the overall championship.
The championship also features six interprovincial team positions. The top three overall finishers will earn spots on Alberta’s Women’s Interprovincial Team, while the top three Mid-Amateur finishers will qualify for the Women’s Mid-Amateur Interprovincial Team. In addition, five quota spots are available for the highest-finishing Alberta players to advance to the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship.

The Course

The Hamptons Golf Club will host Alberta’s top female amateur golfers for the first time in the club’s history. Located in the northwest Calgary community that shares its name, The Hamptons is no stranger to welcoming elite competition. Click the link below to read the full championship and course preview, written by Taylor Tracey for the 2026 Alberta Golf Yearbook.

113th Women’s Amateur Preview Article

The Players

The Women’s Amateur remains a must-play championship for many of Alberta’s top junior golfers, but this year’s field is filled with talent across every age division. Here are some of the names to watch this week.

Women’s Amateur Pairings

The 114th Alberta Men’s Amateur

Like the Women’s Amateur, the Alberta Men’s Amateur Championship is steeped in history, predating the official formation of the Alberta Golf Association. Unlike the Women’s Amateur, however, the championship trophy has remained largely unchanged since its inception. The bowl atop the trophy is the original Cross Cup, donated by Charles Wilson Cross. The trophy base was added in 1976 to honour Charlie Scott, one of the most influential figures in Alberta golf history.

Learn more about the history of the men’s and women’s amateur trophies

Simply earning a place in the championship field is an accomplishment, as players must qualify through one of three provincial qualifying tournaments held each year. The qualification process ensures the province’s top 120 amateur golfers compete for the championship.

Over the years, the Men’s Amateur has crowned many of Alberta’s most accomplished golfers. Champions include Charlie Hague, the legendary “Big Three” of Wylie, Alexander, and Silverberg, as well as professionals Wes Heffernan, Darryl James, Ryan Yip, Scott Stiles. Don’t forget about back-to-back champion Brett Jones in 2024 and 2025, who just claimed the 2026 Mickelson National Amateur Division.

The champion not only claims the Alberta Men’s Amateur title but also earns the first position on Alberta’s 2027 Morse Cup Team for the Pacific Coast Amateur Championship. Beyond the championship itself, players are also competing for three positions on Alberta’s Willingdon Cup Team for the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, along with 18 Alberta quota spots into the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, which will be hosted in Alberta.

The Course

Nestled in the Boreal Forest of northern Alberta along the Athabasca River, Fort McMurray Golf Club provides a spectacular setting for this year’s championship. The 27-hole facility welcomes the Alberta Men’s Amateur back for the first time since hosting the event in 2007. Click the button below to read the full championship and course preview from the 2026 Alberta Golf Yearbook, written by Taylor Tracey.

114th Men’s Amateur Preview

The Players

With the back-to-back defending champion absent from the field, a new champion will lift the Charles Scott Memorial Trophy and Cross Cup on July 9. The field features no shortage of experienced competitors capable of capturing Alberta’s most prestigious amateur title. Here are some of the names to watch.

Men’s Amateur Pairings

In 2026, the Alberta Men’s Amateur Championship will make its return to northern Alberta, hosted by a venue with a proven history of championship golf. The beautiful Fort McMurray Golf Club, which most recently hosted the 2021 Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship and previously the 2007 Alberta Men’s Amateur Championship, will welcome the province’s top amateur golfers from July 7–9 for the 114th playing of Alberta’s premier amateur championship.

The Course

Fort McMurray Golf Club features an impressive 27-hole facility that provides both members and public golfers with a unique playing experience. Situated within the boreal forest and the Athabasca River Valley, the course offers a setting unlike any other on the provincial championship schedule.

For many competitors, this will be their first opportunity to compete in such surroundings, creating a true test of concentration and adaptability. While the scenery is spectacular, the tree-lined corridors of the boreal forest demand precision and strategic decision-making. Accuracy, particularly off the tee, will be at a premium as players carefully balance distance with dispersion when selecting clubs throughout the championship.

Host Club Website

The Event

The Alberta Men’s Amateur Championship is the province’s oldest amateur golf tournament and one of the longest-running championships in Canada. Its origins date back to 1907, predating the formation of the Alberta Golf Association itself.

Players earn their place in the championship field through one of three regional qualifying events unless exempt through previous achievements. This process ensures that the field represents the strongest amateur golfers from across Alberta.

The champion will also earn the distinction of becoming the first member of the 2027 Alberta Morse Cup Team, securing a place in the prestigious Pacific Coast Amateur Championship. In addition, several quota positions into the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship will be awarded to top finishers. This year’s national championship will be contested in Alberta at Mickelson National Golf Club and Heritage Pointe Golf Club.

Inside the Field

With qualifying now complete, the championship field has begun to take shape. With the two-time defending champion absent, a new Alberta Men’s Amateur Champion will be crowned in Fort McMurray.

Identifying a favourite, however, is no easy task. The field includes an impressive collection of past champions, provincial team members, and rising stars, including:

• Neil Thomas — Back-to-Back Alberta Men’s Mid-Amateur Champion
• David Schultz — Alberta Golf Hall of Fame Member
• Braden O’Grady — 2022 Alberta Men’s Amateur Champion
• Chase Strang — Defending U17 Boys Champion
• Shiro Mani — 2022 and 2023 Alberta Men’s Mid-Master Champion
• Russell Quinn and Jalen Apedoe — 2025 Alberta U19 Boys Team Members
• Ryan Gillis — 2026 Alberta Morse Cup Team Member

Beyond those names, the championship field features a deep roster of accomplished competitors, including Paxton Maxwell, Chase Lassman, Brae Rogalczyk, Kye Fisher, and Josiah Tong.

With so much talent making the journey to “The Fort,” the 114th Alberta Men’s Amateur Championship promises to deliver exciting competition, momentum swings, and memorable moments. Over three days, players will be challenged not only by one of Alberta’s most distinctive championship venues but also by the strength of the field around them. The competitor who can remain focused and execute under pressure will earn the title of Alberta Men’s Amateur Champion.

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