The 2026 championship season officially begins tomorrow with the Alberta Best Ball Championship at Sundre Golf Club. Now entering its third year, the event has quickly established itself as a favourite among competitors from across the province. Before the season gets underway, here’s a closer look at what makes the championship such a unique and popular stop on the Alberta Golf calendar.
The Event
Introduced in 2023 as a relaxed, early-season competition designed to help players ease back into tournament golf, the Alberta Best Ball Championship has rapidly become a staple on many competitors’ schedules. The inaugural field featured 80 players before growing to 100 the following year and reaching a full field of 120 players in each of the last two seasons. Demand for the event has continued to rise, with registration selling out in under 30 minutes in both 2024 and 2025.
The championship is contested in a two-person best ball format, where each player competes with their own ball throughout the round. At the conclusion of each hole, the team records the lower of the two scores as its official score. The format is especially appealing early in the season, as it encourages aggressive play while also providing players with the security of a partner’s score if they encounter trouble on a hole.
The event is open to players of all skill levels, with no handicap requirements. Teams may be comprised of male, female, or mixed-gender pairings, further contributing to the championship’s welcoming and inclusive atmosphere.
The Course
Sundre Golf Club has proudly hosted the championship since its inception in 2023. The course’s tight, strategic layout is ideally suited to the best ball format, often encouraging one player to take a conservative approach off the tee while their partner attacks more aggressive lines and scoring opportunities.
The 18-hole facility features challenging golf for players of all abilities, highlighted by rolling greens, mature trees, and picturesque water features throughout the property. In addition to the course itself, the club offers practice facilities, professional instruction, club and cart rentals, and a renovated clubhouse complete with a pro shop and restaurant.
Alberta’s Trophy 18 – ONe Highlight Hole From Every Alberta Host Venue (Sundre #8)
The Players
With 120 players in the field, the 2026 championship features an impressive mix of established competitors, rising stars, and recognizable names from across Alberta golf. Here are several teams to watch this week:
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Ryan DenBraber & Mickey Spencer
Defending champions entering the week after capturing the 2025 title.
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Saylar May & Brae Rogalczyk
- Saylar May captured both the 2025 U17 and U19 Girls’ Championships.
- Brae Rogalczyk is a five-time 2025 MJT champion.
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Ken Griffith & Grant Lee
- Ken Griffith is a six-time Alberta Men’s Senior Team member.
- Grant Lee was the runner-up at the 2025 Alberta All Abilities Championship.
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Alex Cartwright & Tanner Melnychyn
Cartwright built an impressive competitive resume in British Columbia and, in his first season competing in Alberta, earned a spot on the Alberta Mid-Amateur Interprovincial Team.
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Sean Utley & Paxton Maxwell
- Sean Utley is widely known throughout Alberta golf circles for his social media presence as “Seanzy6nine” and “9-Rod Tour.”
- Paxton Maxwell is a standout Alberta competitor and former 2021 Alberta U19 Boys’ Champion who currently attends Utah Tech University and is ranked 1183rd on the World Amateur Golf Ranking.
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Neil Thomas & Brock Crosson
Thomas enters the championship as the reigning back-to-back Alberta Men’s Mid-Amateur Champion.
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Alex Large & Bradford Gavronsky
Large has been a consistent contender in Alberta Mid-Amateur competition and claimed the Mid-Amateur Championship title in 2020.
Family Connections
The championship field also features several family pairings and head-to-head matchups:
- Joe and Sean Kelly will once again compete together, while Brad Kelly takes on his sons in the field.
- Brothers Curtis and Troy Butterfield reunite as teammates for another season.
- Ben Lehmann and Zach Lehmann will compete against one another, with Zach teaming up alongside college teammate Chris Colberg.
A Championship for All Ages
The Alberta Best Ball Championship continues to showcase the diversity of Alberta’s golf community, including a wide range of ages competing side-by-side.
- Oldest Team (Combined Age): Ken Griffith (65) & Grant Lee (62)
- Youngest Team (Combined Age): Judah Wurtz (16) & Andrew Schmidt (16)
With a full field, an exciting format, and a strong mix of talent throughout the draw, the Alberta Best Ball Championship promises to provide an exciting start to the 2026 championship season. Play begins tomorrow with a shotgun start at 12:00 p.m.