Alberta Golf rejoins the North Pacific Junior Girls Match Play Event
Alberta Golf is pleased to announce that Alberta will participate in the prestigious North Pacific Junior Girls Match Play in 2026. The tournament will take place May 21–23 at the North Course at Golden Eagle Golf Club in British Columbia.
“Providing high-level competitive opportunities for juniors is always a priority.
John Deneer, Director of Athlete Development & Provincial Coach
History
The event was established in 1987 by Joan ‘Jo-Anne’ Teats, founder of the Washington Junior Girls Golf Association, in collaboration with Joan Green, a member of the British Columbia branch of the Canadian Ladies Golf Association. The tournament was created with the goal of encouraging girls to play golf in a fun and competitive environment.
The event has been held annually since its inception, with the exception of two years during the COVID-19 pandemic. Alberta has previously participated in the competition and captured the team title in 2002, with players such as Meaghan Leblanc, Jennifer Ha, and Nicole Forshner representing the province.
While the exact year Alberta last sent a team is unclear, participation is believed to have paused in the late 2000s.
The Event
The North Pacific Junior Girls Match Play follows a format similar to the Alberta–Montana Ryder Cup. Participating provinces and states traditionally bring teams of six junior girls to compete in a points-based match play format over two days, featuring four-ball, foursomes, and singles matches.
In 2026, the event format will be adjusted, with teams of four competing. In addition to Alberta, the participating associations will include British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon. The event alternates annually between host locations in Canada and the United States.
“An international event like this provides a unique competitive experience for our players”
John Deneer, Director of Athlete Development & Provincial Coach
Team Alberta
Alberta will be represented by a strong lineup of junior golfers selected through the Alberta Golf High-Performance Program criteria. Eligible athletes who achieved the highest standing within the program’s selection process were chosen to represent the province.
Team Alberta for the 2026 North Pacific Junior Girls Match Play will include:
- Sela Ogada
- Alessandra Sundquist
- Olivia Johnson
- Raylee Denton
Alberta sweeps golf competition at Western Canada Summer Games
Alberta Golf (Swift Current) – The 2019 Western Canada Summer Games have wrapped up in Swift Current. Team Alberta swept all 4 golf categories with Albertans Cole Robert Bergheim and Jenna Bruggeman winning the male and female divisions while Team Alberta won both the male and female team competition.
Alberta finished 1st overall in the medal standings for all sports.
Alberta leads medal standings & golf competition at Western Canada Summer Games
Alberta Golf (Swift Current) – Alberta leads the overall medal standings and the golf competition heading into the final round of golf and the final day of the 2019 Western Canada Summer Games in Swift Current.
Albertans at the 115th Canadian Mens Amateur Championship
Pictured above: Brady McKinlay of Lacombe, AB
FINAL LEADERBOARD FEATURING THE ALBERTANS
Click here for full scoring.
Click here to download images from the championship. (Photo credit: Justin Naro / Golf Canada).
Team Ontario won the 36-hole inter-provincial team competition, the Willingdon Cup, by combining to shoot 10 over par. Team Alberta, consisting of Max Murchison (Calgary), Andrew Harrison (Camrose) and Matt Bean (Canmore) finished runner-up, six shots behind Ontario at 16 over. This is Ontario’s first Willingdon Cup since 2014 and their 32nd since the inter-provincial competition was established in 1927.
A total of 76 players who finished 10 over par or better advanced to the final two rounds that will be contested at Glen Arbour. Albertans Max Sekulic, Andrew Harrison, Carter Graf, Logan Carver and Brady McKinlay all made the 36-hole cut.
WILLINGDON CUP FINAL STANDINGS
1. Ontario – Matthew Anderson, Charles Fitzsimmons, Ty Celone, *151-143-294 +10
2. Alberta – Andrew Harrison, Matt Bean, Max Murchison, *155-145-300 +16
3. Québec – Étienne Papineau, Étienne Brault, Olivier Ménard, *152-150-302 +18
4. Nova Scotia – David Williamson, Brett McKinnon, Kevin George, *160-145-305 +21
5. Manitoba – Colwyn Abgrall, Austin Dobrescu, Jordy Lutz, *155-151-306 +22
6. New Brunswick – Calvin Ross, Stuart Earle, Bastien Nadeau, *163-145-308 +24
6. Saskatchewan – Danny Klughart, Jehremy Ryde, Justin Wood, *161-147-308 +24
8. British Columbia – Jackson Rothwell, Isaac DH Lee, Roy Kang, *163-152-315 +31
9. Prince Edward Island – Curtis Hall, Saulomon Lanigan, Tyler Hashmi, *160-166-326 +42
10. Newfoundland and Labrador – Andrew Bruce, Ryan McNeil Lamswood, *164-163-327 +43
11. Northwest Territories – Stephen Versteeg, Ron Lafond, Brad Waugh, *187-172-359 +75
Team Alberta named for Western Canada Summer Games
Team Alberta has been named for the 2019 Western Canada Summer Games. These 10 golfers will compete against Western Canada’s best August 9-18th in Swift Current, Saskatchewan.
- Cole Bergheim
- Richard Dou
- Alex Gerrard
- Braden O’Grady
- Carson Rody
- Grace Bell
- Brooke Brezovski
- Jenna Bruggeman
- Brooke Frerichs
- Kaitlyn Wingnean
This major event only happens once every 4 years. Alberta Golf Director of Sport Development Jennifer Davison says these athletes have worked hard the past year to make this team.
“We are very proud to be sending this group of players to represent Alberta at the Western Canada Summer Games,” Davison said. “This is a unique multi-sport event for golf and really gives the players the opportunity to experience a team atmosphere, in an otherwise individual sport.”
Head coach Jamie Reimer and manager Tiffany Gordon will guide this talented group of players that will join 1,700 athletes, coaches, officials and mission staff from Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Northwest Territories, Yukon and Nunavut during the 10-day competition.
Click here for more information on the 2019 Western Canada Summer Games
VIDEO: “Shot by Shot” app with Ethan De Graaf and Randy Robb
Alberta Golf (Entwistle)– During this week’s Alberta Open Championship at Trestle Creek Golf Resort, UBC amateur Ethan De Graaf is using an app called “Shot by Shot” after every round to help improve performance. De Graaf and Alberta Golf technical advisor Randy Robb discuss the benefits of using the program.
VIDEO:
LPGA professional Jaclyn Lee goes 1-on-1 with Alberta Golf’s Kevin Smith
Calgary’s Jaclyn Lee turns professional
Jaclyn Lee has turned professional. Lee, 21, has opted to forego her final semester of eligibility at the Ohio State University and begin a professional career in the LPGA, the Canadian golfer announced in an Instagram post Friday night.
The Calgarian wrote she will be wrapping up her degree at the American university in the spring, but will not be playing for its golf team.
“This is not a decision I made lightly – which is why it took so long for me to come to a conclusion. I’m extremely touched by all the support I have received so far from all the parties involved in my decision,” said Lee.
“I’m lucky to have each and every one of you in my life. While my time at Ohio State was eventually going to come to an end, it’s bittersweet to be leaving the team a little early. I’m going to miss my Buckeye family, but I’m also really excited to start my new chapter. I feel very blessed for everyone who has been a part of my journey so far.”
Lee picked up her LPGA Tour card for 2019 in November after finishing sixth in the Q-Series LPGA tournament
She is a 6-year veteran of the Team Canada program (Amateur Squad in 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016 | Development Squad in 2015, 2014).
She also earned second-team All-American honours from the Women’s Golf Coaches Association in July.
Golf Canada names three Albertans to Team Canada
Golf Canada is proud to announce the 17 athletes who have been chosen to represent Team Canada as part of the 2019 National Amateur and Junior Squads.
In all, seven athletes comprise Team Canada’s National Amateur Squad including four players on the men’s team and three on the women’s team. The 10-member Junior Squad will include five women and five men.
“Golf Canada is pleased to select this outstanding group of elite athletes based on their remarkable performances this past season,” said Jeff Thompson, Golf Canada’s chief sport officer. “These squads are a product of an immersive training environment led by our head coaches alongside sport science staff, parents, the provincial high-performance programs along with member clubs. They will be fantastic representatives of Canada on the global golf stage.”
From February through early June, the 10-member Junior Squad will be based out of Golf Canada’s National Training Centre at Bear Mountain Golf Resort in Victoria—the second year the program has provided centralized training, accommodation and education for athletes during their high school second semester. Team members will be immersed in a focused centre of excellence, surrounded by world-class technical coaching staff and experts in the areas of mental performance, physiotherapy, biomechanics and nutrition.
The following athletes have been selected to Team Canada’s 2019 Amateur Squad:
WOMEN’S NATIONAL AMATEUR SQUAD
- Jaclyn Lee, Calgary, Alta., Glencoe Golf & Country Club (21)
- Naomi Ko, Victoria, B.C., Royal Colwood Golf Club (21)
- Brigitte Thibault, Rosemère, Que., Club Laval-sur-le-Lac (19)
MEN’S NATIONAL AMATEUR SQUAD
- Joey Savoie, La Prairie, Que., Pinegrove Country Club (24)
- Chris Crisologo, Richmond, B.C., Marine Drive Golf Club (22)
- Josh Whalen, Napanee, Ont., Napanee Golf & Country Club (23)
- Brendan MacDougall, Calgary, Alta., Glencoe Golf & Country Club (20)
The following athletes have been selected to Team Canada’s 2019 Junior Squad:
WOMEN’S JUNIOR SQUAD
- Céleste Dao, Notre-Dame-de-l’Île-Perrot, Que., Summerlea Golf & Country Club (17)
- Ellie Szeryk, Allen, Tex., Ontario Public Player (17)
- Emily Zhu, Richmond Hill, Ont., National Pines Golf Club (14)
- Sarah Beqaj, Toronto, Ont., Toronto Golf Club (16)
- Monet Chun, Richmond Hill, Ont., Summit Golf & Country Club (17)
MEN’S JUNIOR SQUAD
- Laurent Desmarchais, Longueuil, Que., Club de golf La Vallée du Richelieu (17)
- Christopher Vandette, Beaconsfield, Que., Summerlea Golf & Country Club (17)
- Jeevan Sihota, Victoria, B.C., Gorge Vale Golf Club (14)
- Olivier Ménard, Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Que., (18)
- Kai Iguchi, Banff, Alta., Banff Springs Golf Club (18)
Complete player bios can be found here.
Team Canada coaching staff announced
Golf Canada is pleased to announce the 2019 Team Canada coaching staff that will support both the National Amateur and Junior Squads.
On the men’s side, Derek Ingram of Winnipeg, Man. returns as Men’s Amateur Squad Head Coach. Robert Ratcliffe of Comox, B.C. will be leading the Men’s Junior Squad.
On the women’s side, Tristan Mullally of Waterdown, Ont., returns as Women’s Amateur Squad Head Coach. Matt Wilson, from Newmarket, Ont., will oversee the Women’s Junior Squad.
Wilson, who also works as Golf Canada’s director of next generation performance, will resume leadership of the Junior Squad centralized program at Bear Mountain alongside Ratcliffe.
“Derek and Tristan have had tremendous success with Team Canada athletes and the evolution of our national team program will see Robert and Matt play a more significant role through the centralized training environment at Bear Mountain,” added Thompson. “We are excited to build on the success of Team Canada’s new centralized program in helping our young stars make the jump to the next level in their careers.”
Mullally, Ingram, Ratcliffe and Wilson are all Class “A” professionals with the PGA of Canada.
The 2019 Team Canada Young Pro Squad athlete selection is expected in December.
Calgarian Jaclyn Lee earns LPGA Tour status for 2019
PINEHURST, N.C. – Canada’s Jaclyn Lee had two immediate feelings when a 10-foot birdie putt dropped on the 144th and final hole of the Q-Series LPGA qualifying tournament on Saturday.
“I feel great; relieved,” the 21-year-old amateur golfer from Calgary said after locking up her tour card for 2019 with an impressive showing at Pinehurst No. 7. “I’m just happy that this process is all over. It’s been a long three weeks.”
Lee and Anne-Catherine Tanguay of Quebec City both earned LPGA Tour status after easily finishing in the top 45 – the cutoff for a tour card – in the third and final stage of the Q-Series, which started way back on Oct. 24 at Pinehurst No. 6.
Lee shot 2-under 70 to finish the eight-round tournament in sixth place at 7 under at Pinehurst Course No. 6. The 27-year-old Tanguay wasn’t far off in a tie for eighth at 4 under.
Tanguay – who was on the LPGA Tour this year had to return to qualifying school after missing 10 of 17 cuts – shot 74 on Saturday.
Korea’s Jeongeun Lee won the event with a score of 18 under, one stroke ahead of American amateur Jennifer Kupcho.
Maude-Aimee Leblanc of Sherbrooke, Que., did not earn status, finishing in a tie for 51st.
Lee opened the qualifying tournament with a 68 on Oct. 24 to sit atop the leaderboard. The Canadian national amateur team member shot back-to-back 70s in the second and third rounds and again in the sixth.
“It’s definitely the longest tournament I’ve ever played in,” Lee said. “It’s just one round at a time. You can’t really get ahead of yourself, but it’s hard because so many people are cheering you on back home and at school (she attends Ohio State University) and wishing you good luck. For me, it’s just try to stay in present and not get too excited about what’s to come.”
Lee now has a decision to make. She can maintain her amateur status and finish off her NCAA career at Ohio State before joining the tour on July 1, or she can turn pro to open the 2019 LPGA campaign in January.
“I’m really torn between the two,” said Lee, who planned to fly back to Columbus, Ohio on Sunday after a celebration with friends and family in Raleigh, N.C., on Saturday night. “There’s pros and cons to both. I have to make my list.”
“I’ve been working towards this for a long time now and to know that I’ve got my card for next year, it’s really exciting to be able to live out my dream. With all the hard work and energy I’ve put into this sport, it’s really good to know I have this behind me now.”
Lee has had a strong year, reaching the semifinals of the British Amateur and the quarterfinals of the U.S. Amateur. She also made the cut at the Meijer LPGA Championship.
Lee made it through all three stages of the Q-Series, unlike many of her competitors who got to enter at a later stage.
“I’m proud of progress I’ve had in the past summer,” she said. “I definitely think it’s within my capabilities to compete on tour.”