Calgary’s Wes Martin Wins Final Qualifier to Book Tee Time for 2025 Rogers Charity Classic
Michael Jonzon and Tommy Gainey Secure Final Two Spots
CALGARY—Calgary’s Wes Martin will become the fourth Canadian to have a tee time at the 2025 Rogers Charity Classic after he won low medallist honours in Tuesday’s qualifying event.
Martin, a member at Inglewood Golf and Country Club in the heart of the Stampede City, fired a sizzling bogey-free round of 62 (-9) in the final qualifier contested at Highwood Golf.
“I can’t believe it. The game feels good, but I just did not expect this,” said Martin, who played the Canadian Tour for 12 years. “I had three lip outs today and even missed a couple of three footers. It was crazy what kind of day it was. I just think the big guy was looking out for me today.”
The 52-year-old had come close in his last two attempts to get into a PGA TOUR Champions event. He wasn’t going to let the opportunity slip away during this 18-hole spin on home turf. Martin, who is a pipefitter during the winter months, carded one eagle and seven birdies to win by three shots.
“I eagled the fourth hole, and then I started thinking. I told myself earlier in the year that if you start thinking about what might be, don’t fight it, just let it happen, but when it’s time to hit your shot, hit it,” he added. “This shows I’m doing the right things, putting the work in and thinking the right way out there. I’m going to be nervous. I was nervous today, but I’m going to go enjoy it. I’ll have a bunch of family and friends out to watch me. I’d love to play like this again, but we’ll see what happens.”
Tommy “Two Gloves” Gainey had the best 50th birthday present a professional golfer could imagine. Gainey secured one of the final three spots one day prior to his milestone birthday after he finished deadlocked with Sweden’s Michael Jonzon at 65 (-6) to round out the 78-man field that will battle for the $2.5 million purse, August 15-17.
Martin will sport the red maple leaf on his golf bag this week at Canyon Meadows Golf and Country Club along with Mike Weir, Stephen Ames, and Gordon Burns.
Highwood Golf was in pristine condition for the final qualifying opportunity for Canada’s lone PGA TOUR Champions event with 23 players battling for three spots.
Tournament News
Wes Heffernan Wins 2025 PGA of Alberta Championship
Gina Nelson fires a 71 to post a new Lady’s course record at Cardiff Golf and Country Club
Cardiff, Alta.— Calgary’s Wes Heffernan birdied the final hole to capture the 2025 Cobra Puma Golf and Mobilicab PGA of Alberta Championship at the Cardiff Golf and Country Club.
It was the third PGA of Alberta Championship title of Heffernan’s storied career.
“This is my 10th year, and every single Championship that I play, I have to take on somebody. There is always someone coming for me,” said Heffernan, who backed up an opening round 66 with a 67 on Tuesday for a winning score of 11-under-par. “If you don’t play well you won’t win, so that’s good for our game.”
With Heffernan making a double-bogey on the ninth hole, Jordan Bean (Priddis Greens Golf and Country Club) made a charge with an eagle and seven birdies, including the 17th hole, and appeared to have the tournament wrapped up. But Heffernan bounced back with five birdies on the back side before taking advantage of an opportunity when Bean double-bogeyed the final hole.
“Jordan took over this tournament on the 17th hole with that birdie, so I had to press to make a birdie on 18. He made a double on the last hole, and then it was my tournament,” said Heffernan. “Golf is so up and down. Last week I gave one away at the Alberta Open, and this week it was given to me.
“I’m pleased with the resilience I showed, knowing I had to make those birdies to keep up with Jordan. We hit a lot of great shots this week and made a lot of birdies.”
Bean was forced to settle for second place with back-to-back 67s (-10).
Dillon Batsel (Desert Blume Golf Course) had the round of the day. Batsel catapulted up the leaderboard into third place with a 7-under-par 65 to finish at -6 over the 36-hole test.
It’s been quite a year for Heffernan.
Shortly after competing in his eighth-career RBC Canadian Open, Heffernan won the 2025 Assistants’ Championship at Coal Creek Golf Resort.
Edmonton’s Gina Nelson also fired her way into the history books on Tuesday. The Highlands Golf Club Associate Professional shot a new ladies’ course record at Cardiff Golf and Country Club with a 71. Nelson finished T25 overall with rounds of 75-71 (+2).
Wes Heffernan Takes One-Shot Lead into Final Round
Cardiff, Alta.— Wes Heffernan once again has his name at the top of the leaderboard – this time he’s tops after the opening day of the 36-hole Cobra Puma Golf and Mobilicab PGA of Alberta Championship at the Cardiff Golf and Country Club.
Alberta’s most accomplished golf professional quickly bounced back after a bogey on his opening hole to chalk up seven birdies and card nines of 36-30—66 (-6).
Heffernan finished one-shot clear of Keith Whitecotton (The Quarry) and Jordan Bean (Priddis Greens Golf and Country Club), who both posted a rounds of 67 (-5).
The Cobra Puma Golf and Mobilicab PGA of Alberta Championship features 98 of the top golf professionals in Alberta competing in a head-to-head battle at the Cardiff Golf and Country Club.
Mike Belbin and Lisa Sadd Tops at adidas/EFW Radiology Pro-Lady North
EDMONTON—Mike Belbin and Lisa Sadd from the Royal Mayfair Golf Club teamed up to win the adidas Golf / EFW Radiology Pro-Lady North event on Thursday.
The Edmonton-based duo teamed up to earn 42 Stabeleford points – one better than three others in the field of 51 teams that hit the Mill Woods Golf Course.
Robin Stewart and Shylee Kostiuk (Leduc Golf Club), Jeff Cuthbertson and Karyn Murray (Stony Plain Golf Club), along with Scott Smith and Jamie Wong (Dynamic Motion Golf Performance Centre) all finished deadlocked at 41 points.
Net scores were accounted for in the unique format where teams chalked up five points for an eagle, three points for birdie, two points for par, and one point for bogey.
PGA of Alberta Opens Bursary Applications for 2025
The PGA of Alberta’s2025 Bursary Program is now open for applications.
Eligible Apprentice Professionals and Class "A" Professionals (excluding Head/Executive Professionals)—both seasonal (working nine months or less) and year-round—are encouraged to apply for one of four bursaries of $1,000 each. At least two of these bursaries will be reserved specifically for seasonal Apprentice Professionals.
Additionally, the PGA of Canada FoundationJim Jempson Bursary established a new award in 2024 to honour the legacy of one of the PGA of Alberta’s most distinguished members, and Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, Jim Jempson. A separate application for the Jim Jempson Bursary, which recognizes an individual who embodies sportsmanship and the values Jempson stood for, with a $2,500 bursary, is also available.
Application deadline for all bursaries: September 30, 2025 (end of day).
All winners will be announced at the PGA of Alberta Awards Ceremony, October 22, 2025, at the BMO Centre following the conclusion of the second day of the 2025 PGA of Alberta Buying Show.
For any questions, applicants can contact Marlene Sanderson at the PGA of Alberta office (403-256‑8894) or via email ([email protected]).
Tournament News
Vandermey Brothers Win G&G Pro-Pro Best Ball
Amy Popkes and Carmen Kinas Win Ladies Division Jason Stanier and Gord Courage Take Home The Seniors Division
CANMORE, Alta.—Nick and Spencer Vandermey took top team honours in the main division of the G&G Pro-Pro Best Ball presented by Coldstream Clear event at Stewart Creek Golf and Country Club while Amy Popkes and Carmen Kinas were crowned queens of the women’s division. Jason Stanier and Gord Courage combined to win the seniors division.
The Vandermey’s edged out a professional tandem of Samuel Kirkness (Inglewood Golf and Country Club) and Eric Locke (Priddis Greens Golf and Country Club) by one shot with a score of 59 (-12). Kirkness and Locke completed their 18-hole spin at 60.
Amy Popkes (Silver Springs Golf and Country Club) teamed up with Carmen Kinas (Canyon Meadows Golf and Country Club) were tops in the women’s division 72 (+1). Gina Nelson (Highlands Golf Club) and Crystal Austin posted a score of 73 to finish one-shot back of the winners.
Jason Stanier (Inglewood Golf and Country Club) and Gord Courage (The Hamptons Golf Club) finished on top of the senior division with a score of 5-under-par, 66.
They were one-shot better than Alexander Bunner and James King (Belvedere Golf and Country Club) were the only other senior duo under par, closing with a 4-under-par 67 for second place.
