After a month marked by rain delays, postponements, and a busy schedule of one-day qualifiers, Alberta Golf’s championship season is finally ready to hit full stride. The 2026 Men’s Mid-Master Championship gets underway tomorrow at Water Valley Golf Club, with competitors set to tee off in a double crossover format beginning at 8:00 a.m., followed by a second wave at 1:00 p.m.
From a championship-calibre field to one of Alberta’s most celebrated golf courses, here’s everything you need to know before the first tee shot is struck.
The Event
The Men’s Mid-Master Championship has become one of the most sought-after events on Alberta Golf’s championship calendar. Originally contested as part of the Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship, the event was eventually separated into its own three-day championship due to overwhelming demand from competitors.
That popularity has only continued to grow. In recent years, registration day became a race to secure a spot, with waitlists surpassing 100 players. To address the increasing demand and ensure the strongest possible field, Alberta Golf introduced qualifying events in 2026, creating a fair and competitive pathway into the championship.
Open to male golfers aged 40 and older with a Handicap Index of 15.0 or lower, the championship features 36 holes of stroke play before the field is reduced to the top 60 players and ties for the final round. While there is no interprovincial team competition attached to the event, the champion will earn one of Alberta’s quota spots into the Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship. Competitors will also battle for honours within their respective age divisions in addition to the overall title.
The Players
The Men’s Mid-Master Championship consistently attracts many of Alberta’s top amateur golfers, including some of the province’s most accomplished veterans and perennial contenders. With a deep and talented field assembled once again, there will be no shortage of storylines to follow throughout the week. Here’s a closer look at the players and groups to watch as the championship unfolds.
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Past Mid-Master Champions In The Field
- Tom McKinlay Jr – 2025, 2017
- Shiro Mani – 2022, 2021
- J Grant Oh – 2020
- Paul Briske – 2016
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Other Notable Names & Winners
- Howard Broun – 2025 Men’s Super Senior Champion
- Senan Foley – 2024 & 2025 Men’s Senior Interprovincial Team Member
- Ken Griffith – Past Men’s Senior Interprovincial Team Member
- Grant Lee – 2026 B.C. All Abilities Champion
- James Varnam – 2023 Men’s Senior & Super Senior Champion
- Ryan Vallely – Past Willingdon Cup Team Member
The Course
Known by its members as “Alberta’s Jewel of the West,” Water Valley Golf Club has built a reputation as one of the province’s premier championship venues. Its scenic setting, challenging layout, and exceptional conditioning have made it a favourite among golfers and tournament organizers alike, including Alberta Golf.
As the club prepares to welcome the Men’s Mid-Master Championship, take a deeper look at the course and what players can expect this week in the full championship and course preview, written by Todd Saelhof for the 2026 Alberta Golf Yearbook.
The Men’s Mid-Master Takes On The Changes At Water Valley By Todd Saelhof