With 15 of 18 holes damaged when the Bow River spilled over its banks, McKenzie Meadows was one of a handful of golf courses that remained closed last summer after the devastating floods. “They’re going to find it to be a lot the same,” Scott Orban, Executive Professional, said. “It’s refurbished. We didn’t lose any holes. Nothing happened where we had to change the layout of the golf course.”
The juniors showed why they are the best in the province this week. The wolf of Wolf Creek GR, Tyler Saunders, won the boys overall championship shooting a 69-68, resulting in a four-under par 137. Bria Jansen, down a few strokes to Emily Creaser after round one, came from behind to claim the girls overall championship shooting scores of 75-72 with an overall score of 147. Click here to see the overall results for the Junior Masters.
New Derrick golf course offers 101 flavours, not just vanilla
Golf architect, Jeff Mingay, says the old Derrick Golf Course lacked variety. That is now far from the case as evidenced by nine holes of the new layout, which opened 1-1/2 weeks ago, and the other nine possibly playable as early as this fall. Everything on the course has been touched; everything is essentially new: bunkers, fairways, greens, tee boxes and a complete rerouting of the course. One of the most peculiar aspects of the “old” Derrick was that there were no fairway bunkers. Now there are 75 bunkers.
Five Times "Lucky" - An Interview With Dean Spriddle
Dean Spriddle may feel fortunate to have won the PGA of Alberta Instructor Of The Year Award for a record fifth time in 2013 but luck had very little to do with it. Spriddle's dedication to teaching has been acknowledged by his industry peers; in 2000 he earned his first of three consecutive Alberta PGA Teaching Professional of the Year Awards, culminating in the 2002 honour he received as the Canadian PGA Teacher of the Year. Inside Golf was able to catch up with the jet-setting Spriddle in late April – Click here to read the full article.
The draw is now posted for the PGA of Alberta Tournament of Champions sponsored by TaylorMade adidas Golf Canada. Two person teams consisting of a Club Champion and Head Golf Professional or Executive Golf Professional will play in a best ball format. The event, which is scheduled for Monday, June 2nd will begin at 12:30 as a shotgun and is taking place at River Bend GC. For more tournament details and to see the full field click here.
PGA of Canada News
Pro-Lady North Draw Posted
The draw is now posted for the PGA of Alberta Pro-Lady North sponsored by Caulfeild Apparel. Play will begin at 8:00am as a shotgun on Wednesday, June 4th at the Edmonton Petroleum G&CC. The 45 team field will be comprised of female and male Professionals, along with amateur female golfers. For more information and to see the full field click here.
PGA of Canada News
Tyler and Emily lead after round 1 at the Junior Masters
Tyler Saunders leads round 1 of the Junior Masters for the boys with a score of 2-under par 69. Emily Creaser leads the girls with a score of two-over par 73. The field is in hot pursuit led by Andrew Harrison for the boys with a 1-under par 70, and Bria Jansen for the ladies with a score of 75. Action picks back up bright and early tomorrow morning at 7am. Click here to see round one results and round two draw.
The Golf Canada Calgary Centre recently reopened their par-3 course and will be hosting a grand re-opening and appreciation event on Friday May 30th from 4-7 p.m. The golfing public is welcome to join the festivities and even tune up their games with a free basket of range balls.
Province-wide media exposure generated at the Stay Prime – PGA of Alberta Invitational
Plenty of media types along with Professional and Olympic Athletes all hit the links at the Innisfail Golf Club on Monday to get to know their Golf Professional.
Cool conditions didn’t stop Gary Ward from shooting a 3-under 68 to win the Golf Supply House Professional Series Event held at the River Ridge GC. Shaun Piercey (Ranch G&CC) and Craig McArthur (Blackhawk GC) finished tied for second with a 2-under 69. Greg McGarry (Glendale G&CC) finished third with a 1-under 70.
PGA of Canada News
Chapman Team wins first Media Event
The team of James Chapman (The Golf Den), Chris Caughall, Bruce Legault, Jayme Hall won the Inaugural StayPrime – PGA of Alberta Invitational held at the Innisfail GC. Mitch Walz, David Legg, Pat Jarvis and Dean Moldberg finished second with 98 stableford points. For more results, click here.
PGA of Canada News
Professional Series at River Ridge GC
The draw is now posted for the Golf Supply House Professional Series event being hosted at River Ridge GC on Tuesday, May 27th. Tee times begin at 9:00am. Click here to see the current field and draw.
PGA of Canada News
TEAM MATCH PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP AT WOLF CREEK GR
Rounds one and two came to a finish this evening with 16 teams remaining in the Team Match Play Championship sponsored by Adams Golf. Teams will battle one another during the season to see who the best team is. Today also decided the Consolation winners of Jamie Gerlitz/Chris DiPasquale and Tyler Komick/Joey Sereda, who each shot a score of 65 in the Consolation Pro-Pro best ball match to take home $750 per team. Click here to see the north and south brackets.
PGA of Canada News
TEAM MATCH PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP BEGINS TOMORROW
The second annual PGA of Alberta Team Match Play Championship sponsored by Adams Golf begins tomorrow with 63 teams from the north and south competing against each other to see who the best team in Alberta is. The event is being hosted at the Wolf Creek GR on Wednesday, May 21 with action continuing all season long to determine the winner. Round one will begin with a shotgun start at 10:00am & round two starts at 3:00pm. The draw for round one and two will be done onsite at random. Click here for more information.
Tournament News
MIKE BELBIN WINS AT SUNDRE GC
Mike Belbin of the Royal Mayfair GC shot a 2-under par 142 at the first Players’ Tour event of the season held at Sundre GC. Mike carded a 68 in the second round on his way to victory. Blair Buttar (Glendale G&CC) had a second consecutive second place finish with an even-par 144. Round 1 leader Scott Anderson (River Bend GC) shot three-over par on round 2 to finish the tournament tied for second with Buttar.
PGA of Canada News
Draw Posted for Alberta Springs GC PAT
The first Playing Ability Test of 2014 will be taking place at Alberta Springs GC on May 20th and 21st. Tee-times will begin at 10:00am for round one and 8:00am for round two. For the complete draw click here.
The first stop of the 2014 PGA of Alberta Players’ Tour circuit took place at Sundre GC in Sundre, AB today with long-awaited sunshine beaming down. Scott Anderson (River Bend GC) leads the field with a three-under par 69. Blair Buttar (Glendale G&CC) and Murray Walter both sit tied for second with opening rounds of 71. For full round one results and round two draw click here.
PGA of Canada News
Golf Tip: Broadmoor Professional, Kyle Crawford, shows how to hit the ball further
Want to hit the ball further? Who doesn’t? Click here to watch Kyle’s golf tip.
Joey Sereda (Academy at Golf Town –Edm. North) won the first Golf Supply House Professional Series event of the season, shooting 4-under 68 at the Coloniale GC. Blair Buttar (Glendale G&GC) finished a close second with a 69. Troy Golden (Windemere G&CC) and Marty Wheaton (Rolling Green Fairways GC) finished two strokes back with a 2-under 70
PGA of Canada News
Southern Alberta's flood-impacted golf courses back on track
Once under water, then under repair, there are several golf courses across Southern Alberta that are anxious to showcase their ‘renewed’ facilities this season. The bad news is both courses at Kananaskis Country — a government-owned facility in what legendary course architect Robert Trent Jones Sr. once referred to as “the best natural setting I’ve ever been given to work with” — will remain closed this summer. The future of the 36-hole hangout is uncertain.
The draw is posted for the Golf Supply House Professional Series event being hosted at the Coloniale GC on Monday, May 12th. Tee times begin at 8:40am. Click here to see the current field and draw.
PGA of Canada News
Players' Tour at Sundre GC
The draw is now posted for the first PGA of Alberta Players' Tour event of 2014. Founded by Callaway Golf, sponsored by Flightscope, Impact Canopies, Jancor Agencies, and Second Skin, the event is being hosted by Sundre GC on May 14th & 15th. Tee Times will begin at 1:00pm on Wednesday, May 14th and 9:00am on Thursday, May 15th. Click here to see the current field and draw for day one.
PGA of Canada News
Ronald Bruce MacLeod (1930-2014)
Ronald Bruce MacLeod, retired Head Professional at Jasper Park Lodge GC passed away on April 25th, 2014. Ron was the Head Professional at Jasper for 42 years before retiring in 1993. Ron was a great player, capturing many titles in B.C. and Alberta as well as high finishes in National events. He also held the course record at Jasper of 62 until Alan Carter shot 61. Ron was a role model for many Golf Professionals, a great player, well-spoken, well dressed and was consistently invited on many golf outings as the star player. For Ronald’s full obituary please click here.
Both the Carstairs GC and Calgary Elks Lodge & GC Golf Supply House Professional Series events have been postponed to later dates. Due to an unseasonably cold and snowy spring, the events (initially scheduled for May 5th and May 8th respectively) have been moved to September and July. Click here for the revised tournament schedule.
PGA of Canada News
PGA on Wheels Heading to River Bend
The PGA on Wheels will be heading to River Bend Golf & Recreation Area Saturday, May 10th in support of the Only Women's Fitness Fun Run. The first PGA of Alberta community event for the year will take place between 9:00am and 1:00pm. Please call 403-256-8894 to learn how you can volunteer.
PGA of Canada News
Professional Series at Carstairs GC
The draw is posted for the Golf Supply House Professional Series event being hosted at the Carstairs GC on Monday, May 5th. Tee times begin at 9:00am. Click here to see the current field and draw.
PGA of Canada News
PGA of Alberta Team Match Play Sponsored by Adams Golf Reaches 64-Team Field
The second annual PGA of Alberta Team Match Play Championship sponsored by Adams Golf will see a full 64-team field for its second year in a row. Teams from the north and south will take on a season long battle beginning May 21st to see who the best team in Alberta is.