News

Ron Laugher’s journey to the PGA of Canada Hall of Fame began with an unlikely turning point—a casual conversation during a rain delay at a Florida golf tournament that would ultimately lead him from Ontario to Alberta, and into one of the most influential careers in Canadian golf. More than 40 years later, his legacy as a player, mentor, leader, and ambassador stands as one of the most impactful in the history of the PGA of Canada.

After graduating from McMaster University in 1977, Laugher entered the golf industry as an Apprentice Professional at St. Catharines Golf Club, guided early by Bruce Murray, who shaped his game and his approach to the profession. A chance meeting with Al Ewen in Florida, then the pro at the Calgary Golf and Country Club, opened an unexpected door: an invitation to move to Alberta. Laugher accepted—and never looked back.

His professional path took him first to Calgary Golf & Country Club, then to The Winston Golf Club (formerly Calgary Elks), before he found his longtime home as Head Professional at Priddis Greens Golf & Country Club, a role he held with distinction from 1988 to 2022. While there, he served as Head Professional during three LPGA Tour events (1999, 2009, and 2016), each a reflection of his meticulous preparation and unwavering professionalism. His influence at Priddis Greens extended far beyond operations: more than 30 Assistant Professionals who worked under him have gone on to become Head Professionals—an extraordinary testament to his mentorship.

A formidable competitor, Laugher amassed over 50 professional tournament victories, including 33 individual and 22 team events. He captured the 1987 PGA of Alberta Championship, the 1984 Alberta Match Play title, and represented Alberta seven times at the Canadian Club Professional Championship. He was honoured six times as the PGA of Alberta Club Professional of the Year and received the national Murray Tucker Club Professional of the Year award in 2006.

Laugher’s leadership within the PGA of Alberta has been equally profound. He served as President from 1989–1990, sat on the Board of Directors from 1984–1992, and has continued to guide the association as a trusted Advisor ever since. His calm leadership and financial stewardship helped strengthen the association during pivotal moments, and he was often the voice of reason in times of debate or transition.

Dedicated to growing the game, he spearheaded junior programs, hosted national championships, contributed to committees at both amateur and professional levels, and donated countless hours to clinics and camps. His passion for teaching, mentorship, and service has left an enduring mark across Alberta and beyond.

Earlier this fall, Ron was honoured with the PGA of Alberta’s Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to the betterment of golf in the province.  

Ron Laugher embodies the very essence of the PGA of Canada—professionalism, integrity, mentorship, leadership, and a lifelong love of the game. His induction into the PGA of Canada Hall of Fame honours not only a remarkable career, but a legacy that will continue to shape Canadian golf for generations.

The PGA of Alberta is pleased to announce that nominations for the 2026 Board of Directors is now officially open, December 1, and remain open until January 23, 2026.

This is an excellent opportunity for members who are passionate about the future of golf in Alberta to step forward and contribute to the advancement of our Association. Serving on the Board offers a meaningful way to influence decision-making, support the growth of the game, and represent the interests of fellow professionals across the province.

Directors Up for Re-Election

Main Board:
Kevin Chow
Blake Clayton
Todd Halpen
Miles Mortensen

Assistants’ Board:
Stephen Yanitski
Elizabeth Stewart
Gina Nelson
Tyler Leicht

We encourage all eligible members to consider submitting their nomination and becoming part of the leadership team that helps shape the direction of the PGA of Alberta.

Two-year partnership brings competitive and career development ops for young Alberta golfers

CALGARY–Aspiring and new golf professionals in Alberta will have greater professional development opportunities on and off the course, thanks to a new partnership struck today with Play Golf Alberta.

The PGA of Alberta’s newly cemented two-year deal with Play Golf Alberta will allow for the Junior Masters to be extended to a three-round competition in 2026 and 2027, also allowing for more World Amateur Golf Ranking points.

“We have heard from our members that it is important to increase the number of rounds played at the Junior Masters to provide a greater competitive experience for the top junior golfers in Alberta and we are thrilled to be able to provide this with the increased support of Play Golf Alberta,” said Robert Rousselle, chief executive officer, PGA of Alberta. “Play Golf Alberta is committed to providing a highly competitive and affordable opportunity for junior golfers to continue developing their game and we are grateful for their support.”

The Play Golf Alberta Junior Masters Tournament is a 36-hole invitational event that has been led over the last 35 years by the PGA of Alberta, featuring the top-40 boys and top-20 girls in Alberta.

Play Golf Alberta also announced it will invest in the continued career development of a young golf professionals by sponsoring the PGA of Alberta Assistants’ Championship and will provide a professional aged 25 and under with a $5,000 scholarship to be used to attend the PGA of America Buying Show in Orlando, Florida.

“Whether it is junior golfers aspiring to one day be a professional themselves, or helping to provide greater career development opportunities for newcomers to the industry, Play Golf Alberta is committed to giving back to this next generation of leaders in the same fashion those professionals have done for us,” said Jeff Sveen, who has been a PGA of Alberta members since 1989.

“I truly believe it is important for us to provide the competitive opportunities for our top juniors to continue to test their game against an elite field, while also mentoring and opening doors for your young professionals who are already emerging as the next leaders of the game in Alberta.”

Play Golf Alberta will be profiled throughout the term of the contract as one of the  PGA of Alberta’s premier partners in its official sponsor pool.

For more information about the PGA of Alberta, please visit www.pgaofalberta.com.

The PGA of Alberta is looking for “Mentors” to help support new (Apprentice Professional) members to the Association.

Developed in conjunction with the Assistants’ Board of Directors, the Mentorship Program provides guidance and direction to new members of the Association (Apprentice Professionals).

The Mentorship Program is designed to pair experienced members who are passionate about their careers, the industry, and the Association with newcomers in an effort to lead them to long and healthy career in the golf industry.

The deadline to enter is November 30, 2025. All pairings will be completed in December.

If you are interested in becoming a mentor for 2026, please email:

Marlene Sanderson
[email protected]

The PGA of Alberta’s 2025 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 Foundation Jim 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.

Click here to apply for a 2025 PGA of Alberta Bursary

Click here to apply for the 2025 PGA of Canada Foundation Jim Jempson Bursary

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]).

In partnership with NFP Canada Corp., the Hole-In-One program is back, providing Members and Non-Members the opportunity to purchase affordable insurance for your club, corporate and charity events!

Benefits of PGA of Alberta HIO Program?

• Competitive industry rates
• Low prize limit amounts available for purchase ($500 - $50,000)
• Fixed rate for field sizes from 32 to 199 players
• Easy to purchase online
• Purchase for one event OR for an entire season worth of events at once
• Modify your events by contacting the office based on any changes that occur throughout the season
• Fees/Premium waived if tournament is cancelled due to inclement weather
• No dealing with the insurance company directly
• Supporting the Association and golf industry

Corporate Tournament Package
Don’t have a section in your corporate tournament package about Hole-In-One Insurance? Consider adding value to your corporate event. 

Add a Hole-In-One Cash Prizing!

• Any cash prize amount between $500 to $50,000 (or more!) per hole can be included for your event. Contact your event coordinator for pricing or with any questions you may have.
• Offering Hole-In-One cash prizes will create excitement at your event,  it can also provide the perfect sponsorship opportunity for your partners.

For more information about the Hole-In-One program, or to submit your event, please visit: 2025 Hole-In-One Program Information

For any additional questions, please contact Marlene Sanderson: (E: [email protected] or P: 403-256-8894)

Lavoie to build on history-rich foundation to continue growing game in new era for PGA of Alberta,
Jason Stanier named Vice-President

EDMONTON—One of the province’s most respected members, Shawn Lavoie, has been named President of the PGA of Alberta.

Lavoie, who has served on the Board for 15 years and the last two as Vice-President, has committed his life to the game of golf since his unlikely entry into the sport at the age of 12.

“I was doing yard work at my aunt’s place one day and she took me to the golf course. This led me to getting a job at the course, working in the back shop cleaning clubs. I loved everything about it and didn’t want to leave,” said Lavoie on the heels of being officially named 31st President at the Association’s 2025 Annual General Meeting in Edmonton. “By Grade 11, I was working at golf programs and knew I wanted to chase a career in golf.”

After graduating high school, Lavoie moved to Edmonton to attain his Professional Golf Management Diploma at Grant McEwan University. He got his first opportunity as a head professional at Jackfish Lodge before he moved to Calgary for a brief stop as Associate Professional at Priddis Greens Golf Club. Lavoie took on the head pro position at The Winston Golf Club for 10 months before he became General Manager at the Club – a role he served over the next 10 years. He took his leadership skills to Canyon Meadows Golf and Country Club (2019-2023) where he orchestrated the revitalization of one of Calgary’s most prestigious golf clubs.

“There have been lots of projects that I have been proud to have worked on over the years, but what I have been most proud of is being part of the PGA and being on the Board, spending time with leaders in the Association and learning from those people,” added Lavoie.

The soft-spoken, self-described golf junkie has been passionate about growing the game. He first joined the PGA of Alberta’s Board of Directors in 2010. After serving as Tournament Chair (2014-2016), Lavoie took his leadership skills to the Buying Show Committee where he was accountable for the delivery of the largest golf show in Canada. Lavoie also oversaw the financial stewardship of the organization as Vice-President (2022-2025).

“I’m very proud to be a PGA of Alberta member. It’s a flag that I’ve been flying my whole career and it has always been really important to me,” said Lavoie. “It’s cool to be a golf pro and be apart of something that is growing and thriving. My focus now, is to ensure that we all, as the PGA, focus on keeping people playing, making sure we have programs and services for the youth in our communities, but also making sure everyone’s having a great experience.”

Lavoie will take comfort in having a supportive network of members with him on the PGA of Alberta Board of Directors.

Jason Stanier will take on Vice-President responsibilities over the next two years.

Jason Stanier and Chris Paskin were re-elected for another two-year term to the Board of Directors. The Board also elected Shelley Charlton and Samuel Kirkness to their first two-year term on Monday.

Outgoing President, Matt Johnson, will now assume the Past-President role on the 12-member Board of Directors that also includes: Dallas Cantera; Kevin Chow; Blake Clayton; Josh Fleming; Todd Halpen; Jeff MacGregor; Miles Mortensen; and Chris Paskin.

Joseph Busetto, Nic Longley, Amy Popkes and Colin Yarchuk were elected to join the nine-member Assistants’ Board of Directors. Stephen Yanitski was named President of the Assistants’ Board that also includes: Tyler Leicht; Gina Nelson; Lisa Rosengarten; and Elizabeth Stewart.

For more information about the PGA of Alberta, please visit www.pgaofalberta.com.

ATTN MEMBERS:  Time to cast your ballots!!!

The Board of Directors and the Assistants’ Board of Directors voting opened on February 10, 2025.  Voting will close 15 minutes after the Annual General Meeting (AGM) has begun.

Each member received an email via Simply Voting.  If you did not receive the email for the 2025 PGA of Alberta Board of Directors and the Assistants Board of Directors election, please look in your junk mailbox.  

To view the Board of Directors Nominees and the Assistants’ Board of Directors nominee bios, click here to be directed to the website.

If you have any questions, please contact Brendan Ethier or Marlene Sanderson

[email protected] or [email protected]

The 2025 Spring Seminar is less than 5 weeks away! Taking place March 3rd & 4th at The Derrick G&WC. Spots are filling fast so make sure to register your facility to ensure you don’t miss out on this great opportunity

The full speaker line up has been released on the Education Page. We want to share some more information on the rest of the speakers, here some biographies and head shots!

Gavin Parker

Gavin developed an internationally recognized junior golf program at
Salisbury Country Club that promotes critical thinking and problem solving
while also inspiring passion for the game of golf. Gavin aims to instill
confidence, skills, values, and well-being in children, using golf as a tool.

Profuse social media content of videos, coaching, lessons, and humor
attract his rapidly growing audience on TikTok and Instagram. Gavin has
also collaborated with top brands in the sport such as Nike, PGA of
America, Vice Golf, Eastside Golf and more.

Danielle Gifford

Hotel Information

Room Block is with the Holiday Inn & Conference Centre

4485 Gateway Boulevard, T6H 5C3

Block Code: "PGA" , Or PGA of Alberta

Double Queen Bed Rooms: $129/night 

Call (780) 431-1100 to book your room

Cut off date is February 15th so please book your rooms before that date!

1 Day North and South Winter Teaching Summit Featuring Ryan Holley

The PGA of Alberta will be hosting its Winter Teaching Summit on March 5th immediately following the Spring Seminar at The Derrick G&WC in the north and the 6th at Golf Fanatics in the south.

Start your golf season by learning from Ryan Holley, who will join us in diving deeper into swing mechanics and ground force reaction. We are lucky to have him do a presentation at the Spring Seminar and provide a more practical experience through the teaching summit in the north and south to accommodate as many Professionals as possible.

The registration will include a catered lunch and access to the included facilities.

The summit will run through a full day from 9:00am till 4:00pm

Register for the North Summit Here

Register for the South Summit Here

The 2025 Spring Seminar is scheduled for March 3rd and 4th at The Derrick G&WC. Early Bird Registration is open until today, January 15th, at 4:00 p.m. Don’t miss out on kick-starting your 2025 season with the PGA of Alberta Flagship Education Event. This will be the third year returning to an in-person event, and the Education Committee is looking to build on the momentum from 2024.

Information regarding menu options, keynote speaker bios and detailed previews of their speeches will be released in the annual Spring Seminar information package set to be shared at the end of this month.If you have any questions regarding the Seminar and or need help registering yourself or your facility please contact Thomas Powley to assist.

Are you keen to help shape the future direction of the PGA of Alberta Golf Show? Then we want to hear from you!

The PGA of Alberta is currently seeking applications to fill two vacant positions on the organization’s Golf Show Committee.

Committee members play an active role in the planning, activation, and operation of the SHOW that is scheduled to take place March 22-23 at the Calgary BMO Centre. As a result, all Committee members are requested to be on-site to support with a day of set-up along with the duration of the SHOW where they are responsible for an active role.

Additionally, the Committee will meet a minimum of three times per year. Meetings will primarily be in person at the PGA of Alberta office. 

Individuals interested in applying to be a part of the Committee are asked to submit a brief cover letter outlining why they would like to join the PGA of Alberta Golf Show Committee. All applications should be sent to Michelle Moody ([email protected]) by the deadline of January 28, 2025, at 4 pm.

Each member will receive 5 Top 100 points for being part of the Committee.

We look forward to hearing from you!

The 2025 Spring Seminar is scheduled for March 3rd & 4th at The Derrick G&WC. This will be the third year returning to an in person event and the Education Committee is looking to build off momentum from 2024. Early Bird registration is open Now until Janurary 15th at 4:00pm, don’t miss out on kick starting your 2025 season with the PGA of Alberta Flagship Education Event. 

Speaker Announcements

Ben Lorenzen 

Ben Lorenzen, CCM, is the Creative Director of Champions Run in Omaha, Nebraska, where he leads the industry in innovation and creative club concepts. As a national speaker, Ben focuses on member engagement, technology, creativity, marketing, fitness, and aquatics, sharing his expertise and setting new standards for excellence in the club industry. His dynamic leadership at Champions Run and his influential speaking engagements make him a trailblazer shaping the future of private clubs nationwide.

Terry Eckman

Dr. Terry Eckmann, is an award-winning presenter, author, and researcher. She presents internationally on topics related to leadership, effects of lifestyle choices on the brain, movement that matters, healthy aging, stress management, worksite wellness and the power of choice.

Eckmann and her daughter, Katie, coauthored “101 Mindfulness and Meditation Practices”. Terry’s other two books are "101 Ways to Age Gracefully” and "101 Brain Boosters" are used in schools and active aging communities nationally. Eckmann hosted the TV segment "Eye on Fitness" in the Minot viewing region for over 25 years.

Terry has served in various leadership roles; Chair of Teacher Education and Kinesiology, Coordinator of Corporate Fitness and Wellness and Master’s in Sports Management at MSU; Director of Marketing, Public Relations, and Community Education at Trinity Medical Center, Director of Wellness at Trinity, and owner of Body by Choice Exercise Studio.

Ryan Holley

Interested in running for a position on either the PGA of Alberta Board of Directors or Assistants’ Board of Directors in 2025? If yes, click the link below (login required) for more information and to be directed to the online Nomination Form. Deadline to submit your nomination is Friday, January 24, 2025 at 11:59pm.

Board of Directors
The Board of Directors sets all policies, rules and regulations for the PGA of Alberta, meeting on a quarterly basis to conduct the business affairs on behalf of the members. There are between nine and twelve members elected to the PGA of Alberta Board of Directors, all are Class "A" members of the PGA of Canada. Elections to the Board are held every year at the Annual General Meeting in March and election terms are set at three years.

Four (4) spots are open for election in 2025 for the Board of Directors. Click here to see the current Board.

Assistants’ Board of Directors
Assistant Professionals (Class "A") and Apprentice’s also have a voice in the Association, through the Assistants’ Board of Directors. Up to nine Class "A" members or Apprentice’s are invited to run annually for a two-year term on the Assistants’ Board of Directors, and upon election assume a portfolio, and attend committee meetings consistent with those on the Board of Directors. 

Four (4) spots are open for election in 2025 for the Assistants’ Board of Directors. Click here to see the current Assistants’ Board.

If you have any questions, please email [email protected]. 

Click Here to Submit Your Nomination

REMINDER - SAVE DRAFT FEATURE
You can save your forms online before submitting. Please follow the steps below:

1. You must be logged into your account to be able to save your draft
2. Save Draft button is located at the bottom of every form on the website
3. To find Saved Drafts, please go to "My Account" or "Manage Account" > My Saved Drafts
4. Click "Edit" beside the form you want to update
5. Submit when finished

Tom Greiner will, among other things, miss the commute to work.

The entrance road at Calgary Golf & Country Club weaves through the picturesque property, with pristine fairways out the windows on either side. You’re treated to a sneak preview of Holes 9 and 18, both dandy downhillers, and a view of a beautiful clubhouse that is backdropped by the Elbow River. 

In four decades on staff at Calgary Golf & Country Club, including 32 years as head professional, Greiner has done this drive thousands and thousands of times.

He announced several months ago that he would be retiring at the conclusion of this current season. Calgary Golf & Country Club, like many courses across Alberta, pulled the pins after the Thanksgiving long weekend.

“My first drive down to the club was with Al Ewen, my predecessor,” Greiner reminisced. “I’m pretty sure it was in January of 1985, or it may have been December of 1984, and the club had an opening for an assistant golf professional and they flew me out for an interview. I was living in Toronto at that time. So, I flew in the night before, stayed at a downtown hotel, and Al picked me up. Driving into the golf club, I remember that day like it was yesterday. It was one of those bluebird days, middle of winter, fresh snow on the ground, and we’re driving in and I’m thinking, ‘Oh boy, this place looks pretty special.’ ”

Think of all that has changed in golf since the mid-1980s — from the equipment, fashion and technology to the heroes that we’re emulating during our range sessions. But through that time, Greiner has remained a constant at Calgary Golf & Country Club. He’s been a familiar (and friendly) face for multiple generations of members and a role model for his peers. He was saluted as the PGA of Alberta’s Club Professional of the Year in 2018. 

Jeff MacGregor, the head pro at Glendale Golf & Country Club in Edmonton, described Greiner as “just a true professional” and somebody who has “set the standard within our business.”

“He’s been a mentor to many and a leader in our industry,” echoed John Wilson, a way-back-when junior member at Calgary Golf & Country Club — that was during Ewen’s tenure — and the head professional at Priddis Greens Golf & Country Club. “To have that tenure at a Club like that, it’s amazing. You’ve heard the story about him driving down that road on the first day and it’s snowing and that he knew that’s exactly where he wanted to be when he drove through those gates. And he stayed there for 40 years. It’s incredible.” 

Greiner was “immensely proud” to host the PGA of Alberta’s 2024 PING Club Professional Championship in late July, one of many dates on his summer schedule that left him feeling a bit nostalgic. “Even with every Club event, it’s like another chapter — ‘This is my last men’s member-guest, this is my last ladies’ member-guest, this is going to be my last club championship.’ You do think about that, and there’s some emotion that goes through you.”

Throughout his final season as a head professional, he’s been reflecting on his start in the sport. He didn’t grow up in a golfing family but vividly remembers an on-a-whim round at age 13, alongside a couple of buddies at a municipal layout in Burlington, Ont.

“From that first time, which really just instilled a love of the game, to end up like this, is pretty surreal,” added Greiner.

He has been asked often about his future plans and always starts with the appeal of squeezing in a few more rounds and experiencing Calgary’s next splendid summer at a different pace.

“I just want to simplify things, enjoy the city, enjoy my home, enjoy my backyard and be able to enjoy a summer not having my days laid out for me because I have this list of things that need to be accomplished at work,” he said.

He will, however, miss his commute. His initial observation, all those years ago, was spot-on — Calgary Golf & Country Club is a pretty special place. 

“One of my lines for many, many years has always been that I have the best head office in Calgary,” Greiner said. “I feel incredibly fortunate to have been able to call this home for so many years. Probably a lot of professionals would aspire to be the head professional at a top-tier private club in the country, and this certainly is one of those. So, for me to be able to be in the position that I’ve been for so many years, you know, I feel so lucky.

“I couldn’t have scripted it any better.”

The PGA of Alberta is thrilled to announce a new partnership with PLYR Athletics for the next two years! PLYR will serve as the Title Sponsor of the PLYR Season Kick-Off, set to take place at the beautiful Banff Springs Golf Course.

Chase Porter, Founder of PLYR Athletics, shared his excitement “On behalf of PLYR, we are very excited to partner with the PGA of Alberta and its membership through an event that closely aligns with our brand values. 2025 marks the ten-year anniversary for us at PLYR, and we couldn’t be more excited to kick off the year with this partnership and to host an event at the prestigious Banff Springs Golf Course. We look forward to making the Season Kick-Off a memorable experience for everyone involved!”

About PLYR: 

PLYR is a dynamic apparel brand founded in 2015 in Saskatchewan, blending casual streetwear with golf attire. Over the past decade, PLYR has evolved to encompass a broader range of athletic wear, while still staying true to its roots in golf. The brand is committed to challenging the norms of athletic apparel through innovation, sustainability, and style.

In addition to it’s golf heritage, PLYR has grown to offer a variety of athletic options across other sports as well as become a great corporate apparel option for Canadian businesses and sports teams. PLYR Athletics is not just a clothing brand; it’s a movement aimed at empowering individuals to perform their best, both on and off the course. Join us in redefining athletic apparel and pushing the status quo of what’s considered "cool” in athletic apparel. 

We invite you to check out our 2025 Spring Collection, or to explore all of our current products online at www.plyrathletics.com. For wholesale opportunities or more information, please contact Curtis Butler at [email protected] or reach out to us at [email protected]. 

We are excited to announce that the new Communication & Membership Committee has been formed for the remainder of 2024 and for 2025. Thank you to all the applicants who have volunteered their time and passion to help support our Association.

The new committee consists of:

1. Jeff MacGregor (Chair)
2. Blake Clayton (Board Member)
3. Dallas Cantera (Board Member)
4. Kevin Chow (Board Member)
5. Bryce Halverson (Assistant’s Board)
6. Elizabeth Stewart (Assistant’s Board)
7. Gina Nelson (Assistant’s Board)
8. Andrew Szewczuk
9. Jason Plosz
10. Michael Thompson
11. Nicola Greaves
12. Tyrel Babkirk

This committee was formed after the dissolving of two former committees, Promotion & Communication and Membership & Employment. 

This new committee will meet shortly to review the direction for the PGA of Alberta communication plan along with finding new initiatives that will positively affect the entire membership. 

Apply Now to Join The new “Communication & Membership Committee”

The PGA of Alberta’s Membership & Employment Committee along with the Promotions & Communication Committee are both dissolving to form one, unified committee:  Communication and Membership Committee. 

A new application process has been launched.  For all member considering joining the newly created Communication & Membership Committee, please submit a brief cover letter stating why you want to be involved and a summary of your contributions to the Association in recent years.

Please submit all applications to Marlene Sanderson ([email protected]) before the deadline - October 3rd at 4 PM. 

The new Committee will be announced on October 14, 2024.

Committee Responsibilities:
The Communication & Membership Committee shall meet as a committee up to 4-times per year and at the call of the chairs for:

1. Review PGA of Alberta By-Laws and provide recommendations as required.
2. New Member Orientation.
3. Compensation Survey.
4. Job Posting Standards.
5. Communication & Membership Initiatives.
6. Club Relations.
7. Association Resource Centre.
8. Retention and attraction of golf professionals in Alberta.
9. Review and recommend changes or additions to the Hole in One Program.
10. Discuss how to promote the brand of the PGA of Alberta.
11. Stay aligned and updated on the PGA of Canada employment implementations and strategies.
12. Make recommendations to the Board of Directors concerning PGA of Alberta’s social media policies and platforms.
13. Review and recommend any changes needed to the PGA of Alberta Top 100 Program (point allocation, prize breakdown, Top 100 initiative, etc.).
14. Make recommendations to the Board of Directors for implementing changes within the scope of the committee’s mandate that will be beneficial to members of the PGA of Alberta.
15. Proactively obtain input and suggestions from members on their level of satisfaction with suggestions for improvement of the communication and membership portfolio.
16. Review with the Executive Director any breach of member misconduct and make recommendations for any fines or suspensions to the Board of Directors for any case related to employment or membership.
17. Liaise with other committees as required on operations and activities that may overlap.

The Committee Chair will provide a report on committee activity at each Board of Directors meeting even if no formal committee meetings have taken place.

Top 100 Points - Each member will receive five Top 100 points for being a part of the committee (see more information here).

If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].

In the days and weeks after they were forced to evacuate their homes — and their course — due to a devastating wildfire, Tahlon Sweenie, Troy Mills and the rest of the golf professionals at Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge have received an outpouring of support from their PGA of Alberta peers.

That comes as no surprise to those who have been through similar circumstances, who still remember the worrying and wondering, who can provide advice on the rebuild and recovery and, above all else, can relate to what is an emotional rollercoaster.

“Having gone through a natural disaster, I called Tahlon and we had a lengthy conversation,” said Glendale Golf and Country Club’s head professional Jeff MacGregor, who was working at Inglewood when it was one of several Calgary-area hangouts to sustain significant damage during a historic flood in 2013. “He’s a good friend of mine and I just told him, ‘If you need anything, I’m there for you. Because I’ve been there.’ ”

Jason Vaughan, too, was keen to lend his support.

Vaughan was head professional at Fort McMurray Golf and Country Club when a wildfire struck that community in 2016. He and team were evacuated for a grand total of 40 days.

“Tahlon posted a picture on Facebook of him, his family and his dog, all in the car, piled in and leaving,” said Vaughan, still based in Fort McMurray but now as director of golf and grounds at Miskanaw. “And so, I sent him a message — ‘Hey buddy, if you need anything, feel free to give me a shout. I’ve been through this same situation.’

“Looking back on it, I know the exact feeling of just grabbing whatever you can grab and getting in a vehicle and not really knowing where you’re going to go. I just sent him a message saying, ‘Hey, if you need anything, Fort McMurray is here for you. We’re here to help. Because we know your situation.’ ”

Jasper residents were recently allowed to return to their hometown, a magical mountain destination that has attracted millions of tourists over the years. Bing Crosby, Marilyn Monroe and a long list of royals have vacationed here — and played golf during their stay.

There has yet to be an update from Fairmont on any potential damage to Stanley Thompson’s iconic design at Jasper Park Lodge. Both the Resort and Golf Course remain closed, with a recent social media posting that stated: “JPL looks forward to welcoming our colleagues and guests back when the time is right.”

“It just brings you right back to where you were and your immediate reaction is, ‘How do I help?’ ” said Bob Paley, executive professional at Kananaskis Country Golf Course, sharing his reaction to the jarring images from Jasper in late July. “It’s not a case of, ‘Somebody helped me, so now I have to help.’ You’re not keeping score. But you just want to be a part of that same community, because you know what it feels like to be supported.”

The sibling stunners at Kananaskis — home to the Mount Kidd and Mount Lorette layouts — were both destroyed by flooding in June 2013. The facility was ultimately closed for nearly five years but now, after an extensive rebuild, is one of Canada’s great golf comeback stories.

“It’s critical having that network of people that is there to support you, and PGA professionals are a significant part of that posse or that village that I had and anybody in that kind of situation has,” Paley said. “You sort of feel like you’re in the middle of a tornado and they just turn the fans off and just bring some calmness and some perspective that you didn’t have, and maybe even just a pump-up. It’s almost like having siblings. It just felt like I was a part of something, something bigger than I was helping to take care of me.

“I’d just lost my dad the week before the flood and so people were aware of that, as well. People were just genuinely showing care. It wasn’t just, ‘If you need something, let me know.’ People were calling, coming out when it was safe to do so. It was, ‘What do you need? How can we help? Do you have any team members that need work?’ It was incredible.”

Blair McDowell experienced the same after a fire levelled the clubhouse at Northern Bear in mid-January of this year.

Even in the midst of their off-season, his counterparts were filling his voicemail and e-mail inbox.

“I had so many people — golf professionals, general managers, those involved with the PGA of Alberta — reach out to me,” said McDowell, the executive pro at Northern Bear. “It sure felt like a brotherhood. People were trying to lend a helping hand anywhere they could. Anything we needed, if they could, they would like to provide. That was really nice.”

That part isn’t about to change, either.

Whether Sweenie and Mills are looking for temporary jobs for their staff or tee-times for their members, they have a lot of friends that they can lean on.

“I’ll never forget a lot of the golf professionals that helped me out when times were tough,” said MacGregor, recalling that neighbouring superintendents also offered to loan maintenance equipment, helping Inglewood to reopen nine holes about a month after the flood.

Added Vaughan: “There were times when it pulled on the heart strings, just the extra mile that people would go.”

“That’s how it works within our Association, because there are so many damn good people that are looking out for each other,” Paley reasoned. “It’s like that warm, comfortable blanket of support that helps you through these times when you need it. It’s nice to be able to be that blanket. But it’s also nice, when you need that blanket, to have that.”

Alberta’s golf fans have also stepped up and done their part, too. The Rogers Charity Classic, the annual PGA Tour Champions stop at Canyon Meadows, directed $250,000 to Canadian Red Cross Alberta Wildfires Appeal, with that donation coming from ticket proceeds.

But what all of these pros stressed is that the need for help remains long after the flames are extinguished, or the floodwaters recede.

“The initial shock is something, but the rebuild is what I think of,” Vaughan said. “That’s where the support from other people definitely comes in handy to keep you pushing and loving what you’re doing.”

The team at Jaspar Park Lodge can be sure, their family at the PGA of Alberta are there to support them for the long run.

Golf professionals tee off FREE program, August 23 from 1 – 4 p.m., at Valley Ridge Golf Club

CALGARY—Golf professionals in Alberta are teeing up a drive to break down barriers and make the game more inclusive for people with physical/cognitive disabilities by hosting a community outreach learn-to-play session for people with a disability at Valley Ridge Golf Club.

A FREE program for golfers of any age with physical limitations will be available on August 23 from 1-4 p.m. at the Valley Ridge Golf Club in Calgary. A total of 24 participants will be instructed by six PGA of Alberta Assistants Board members through four, one-hour stations: driving range; putting green; short game area; and activity time. Funded by Jumpstart, equipment will be provided and prizes up for grabs. Registration is still available at www.golfgenius.com/ggid/aw9g3p/register.

“We created this program as a way for our PGA of Canada Golf Professionals to not only assist with instructing the grassroots portion of the game, but to also reach those demographics who can sometimes be unserved when it comes to receiving golf instruction” said Bryce Halverson, Head Associate Golf Professional at Carnmoney Golf Club.

“The PGA of Alberta is committed to elevating the experience for numerous traditionally under-serviced demographics in the community by doing our part to provide positive experiences through golf instruction and activities. We hope to further strengthen the overall local golf community with inclusivity and diversity,” added Stephen Yanitski, Assistant Golf Professional at Valley Ridge Golf Club.

Both Halverson and Yanitski, along with Jumpstart and the PGA of Alberta, created a plan to serve this need, and identified four key community groups to positively impact in 2024: people with a physical disability; Indigenous communities; women/girls; and Els for Autism/Special Olympics in Calgary and Edmonton with the goal of making the game of golf a more welcoming and inclusive place for all to enjoy.

Earlier this summer a one-day summer camp for 16 Indigenous youth was held at Rundle Park Short Course in Edmonton. Calgary-based also led a series of events focused on supporting Els 4 Autism, Aspergers Friendship Society, and Special Olympics. Alberta professionals also introduced more than 70 junior girls and young women to the game.

We are excited to announce that the new Education Committee has been formed for the remainder of 2024 and for 2025. Thank you to all the applicants who have volunteered their time and passion to help support our Association.

A message from Chair, Todd Halpen:

" We are really looking forward to working closely with the new members of the Committee.  We are extremely pleased the we have members from both Public and Private facilities that will bring in their personal experience and club experiences to help make the education events beneficial for the association. With this committee we are looking to execute long range planning to ensure success for all our events in the future."

The new committee consists of:

1. Todd Halpen (Chair)
2. Miles Mortenson (Board Member)
3. Kevin Chow (Board Member)
4. Shannon Riana (Assistant’s Board)
5. Tyler Leicht (Assistant’s Board)
6. Stephan Yanitski
7. Elizabeth Stewart
8. Chris Horton
9. Stefan Cox
10. John Randle
11. Nic Longley 
12. Doug Repp

The Education Committee will sit with a minimum of 8 Members and maximum of 12 and shall meet as a committee up to 4-times per year and at the call of the chairs for:

1. Spring Seminar.
2. PD Series.
3. Teaching Summits.
4. Buying Show Education.
5. Further education development that works within the scope of the PGA of Canada curriculum.
6. Proactively obtain input and suggestions from members on their level of satisfaction with suggestions for improvement of the education portfolio.
7. Liaise with other committees as required on operations and activities that may overlap.
8. Undertake other activities assigned by the Board of Directors.
9. Review the terms of reference on an annual basis and make any recommendations for change.

The committee chair will provide a report on committee activity at each Board of Directors meeting even if no formal committee meetings have taken place.

Janelle Istvanffy understands the impact of an event like this. She has experienced it first-hand.

Istvanffy is now an associate professional at Earl Grey Golf Club, proudly playing host this week to the 2024 CPKC Women’s Open. It brings back memories from 1999, when the LPGA Tour paid its first visit to the Calgary area.

“I grew up at Priddis Greens and I remember watching the du Maurier Classic in 1999, when I was just a little kid,” Istvanffy said. “I remember Karrie Webb walked off the 18th green after winning and handed me a golf ball. I still have vivid memories of that.

“It’s fun seeing our juniors now have those same experiences. We hosted a junior Ryder Cup on Saturday (prior to tournament week) and as part of it, we got them to all take pictures in front of the trophy before they teed off. And just seeing their smiles, it was like, ‘That was me, back in 1999.’ You can really see that these are memories that they will carry with them forever.”

It’s not just the junior members at Earl Grey that are in pinch-me mode this week as Brooke Henderson, Lydia Ko and others dig divots on their home turf.

For the staff of seven PGA of Alberta professionals at this private facility, including three women, this is truly something special. 

“It’s been like the dream come true that I didn’t even know I had,” said associate professional Jennifer MacKinnon, who has witnessed the evolution of Earl Grey through a major redesign (2018), a centennial celebration (2019) and now an event that is drawing international eyeballs. “It’s just an opportunity that I feel like I’m so fortunate to be a part of. I’ve been here for eight years, so I’ve gone through all of the construction and changes and I think it’s amazing that the rest of the world gets to see our little slice of heaven.

“And now, to see all these famous people that I never in my wildest dreams thought that I’d be able to be two feet from, it’s just so cool.”

It’s even cooler when those big-name birdie-seekers are heaping praise on your course, when golf fans around the globe are going to be seeing the highlights on TV or on social media.

Earl Grey’s head professional, Pat Wilmot, has encouraged his staff to “take it in, enjoy every moment and be proud of position you’re in and that you’re a part of what built it.” 

They have done precisely that.   

Associate professional Shannon Raina was thrilled to tee it up in the pro-am, strolling the fairways alongside LPGA Tour regulars Bianca Pagdanganan and Jenny Shin. She called it “a top experience of my life” and “a day I’ll never forget.”  

Apprentice professional Josh Berze has been hauling a bag as a caddie.

Istvanffy was among those who attended the CPKC Women’s Leadership Summit on Tuesday, where the speakers included the commissioner of the LPGA Tour and president of the Kansas City Current of the National Women’s Soccer League. Istvanffy described that event as “a 12 out of 10” and added “it really set the stage for a great week because we talked about how we can champion women’s sports.”

“I’m just trying to be a sponge,” MacKinnon said during the hubbub of CPKC Women’s Open week. “Just taking the opportunity to connect with coaches — whether it be a swing coach or a mental coach or physiotherapist — and just watching their practice routines and stuff that I can then take back into my day-to-day role here and share with our members when I’m coaching them. So just trying to soak up as much as possible.”

The members at Earl Grey, regardless of age or gender, are doing the same. Many are volunteering at the tournament.

“I hope it keeps building the love of the game,” Raina said. “Even for myself, I felt reinvigorated by playing in the pro-am. I was like, ‘Man, I want to practice more. I want to play more.’ I saw a couple of our junior members out there and they were watching Brooke Henderson with wide eyes. Maybe this just makes them love golf even more. 

“You don’t have to be a pro golfer, but if you just keep loving the game … If that is what happens, I think that’s incredible.”

MacKinnon, too, has first-hand experience with that.

When the LPGA Tour played at Royal Mayfair Golf Club in Edmonton in 2007, she was among the junior participants in the pro-am. She remembers posing for a photo with Alena Sharp, who has been competing in the CPKC Women’s Open for two decades now. 

“So, it’s kind of coming full circle. It’s cool to be a part of it on this side now,” MacKinnon said. “The more that they get the itch after this week, the better. Shannon already has a huge junior program going here.”

Indeed, there are about 200 juniors at Earl Grey. When they hosted a girls-only night in June, the sign-up sheet filled up fast.

What’s especially meaningful is that when the LPGA Tour stars pack up and head off to the next stop at the Olympic Games in Paris, those youngsters will still have three strong role models in Istvanffy, MacKinnon and Raina.

There can’t be many courses in Canada, or anywhere, with this many females on their professional staff.  

“I think the girls here will grow up seeing that as normal,” Istvanffy said. “And that’s really cool.”

“It’s nice to have them as my co-workers as well as my friends,” Raina added. “The golf industry, for females, is not an easy place to be all the time. But it doesn’t feel like that at Earl Grey because it’s almost like there’s more of us than there are men. It’s super cool, and we’re pretty close. I just think having us together navigating this all is really important.”

The stats, both in terms of kids impacted and kilometres on the odometer, are mighty impressive.

And Matt Seifert is adamant that he is just getting started.

Seifert is determined to both give back and grow the game. That’s why he just returned from his latest RV road-trip to northern Alberta, travelling from course to course — and from campground to campground — to conduct clinics for juniors and women at facilities that don’t employ a certified teaching pro.

“There’s about 150 courses (across the province) with PGA of Alberta pros,” Seifert said. “And there are just shy of 300 that I’ve found that do not have a pro. My goal is to go to every single one of them. The only problem is it will take me about 10 years.”

That’s not so much a problem as a passion for Seifert, also an instructor at Golf Future in Calgary.

Two summers back, he was on the road for a 24-day stretch. He even made it as far as the Northwest Territories.

He had to cancel his plans in 2023 due to forest fires but was determined to hit the highway again.

“This latest one was 13 days, just me and a truck and trailer,” said Seifert, who covered more than 3,200 kilometres on his most recent roadie and worked with upwards of 500 golfers along the way — roughly 400 juniors, 140 women, and 20 dads or husbands. “I made it all the way up to High Level, which is the most northern golf course in Alberta. I made it to Fairview, where I had probably the best experience I’ve had on the RV tour. I actually had to go back for my day-off because there was such a demand for lessons.”

Seifert knows first-hand that the demand isn’t limited to Alberta’s major centres. 

While he’d started to groove his golf swing as a youngster in Calgary, he was just about to start Grade 10 when his family moved to the village of Linden, a farming community with a population in triple digits.

The nine-hole Acme Golf Club became his home hangout.

“All of a sudden, everything I had in the city, all the golf resources, everything was gone and I was kind of left to fend there for myself,” Seifert said. “But I just worked really hard and there were some people that didn’t know a lot about golf but still inspired me to pursue it as a career when no other kid in town was even looking at golf as a career. So, I was lucky. 

“I guess I’m one of the few professional athletes to ever come out of Kneehill County. So that’s pretty cool for me.”

There have been, in Seifert’s golf journey, plenty of pretty cool moments.  

He’s competed on the mini tours. He’s worked in Australia and New Zealand. He has volunteered at the Hero World Challenge in Bahamas, a star-studded shootout that benefits the Tiger Woods Foundation. That has provided the opportunity to chat with some of the biggest stars in the sport — from Rory McIlroy and Collin Morikawa to Nelly Korda and Michelle Wie and even Tiger himself. Seifert has a cherished photo with the 15-time major champion.  

“I’ve dined with celebrities and I’ve caddied for presidents and I’ve met Tiger Woods,” said Seifert, not boasting but rather explaining why he feels indebted to the game of golf. “I’m like, ‘This shouldn’t have happened to a small-town kid.’ This RV tour means the world to me, because it wasn’t supposed to happen to me. But it did.”

That is exactly why Seifert, who just turned 40, gasses up and hits the road — because he hopes it will eventually happen again for some other kid from some other speck on the map in rural Alberta. 

He plans to focus a little closer to Calgary in 2025, since he’ll soon have a baby at home. He has already started a list of stops in southern Alberta. 

“I’ve had parents who will tell me, ‘I haven’t been able to make my kid smile in two months and all of a sudden, you have them smiling and they want to come back to the golf course the next day,’” Seifert said. “For me, I get emotional just talking about it. But that was my goal to start. It wasn’t about making money. I just wanted to give back to the game of golf. It was if one small-town kid sees my tour bag, like I saw Ron Laugher’s or Dale Tomlinson’s or Greg Griffith’s when I was kid … If one kid decides to pursue golf and they get to live half the life I’ve lived travelling the world, to me that’s it. One kid is enough. 

“I’m very lucky right now that dozens and dozens of these hundreds of kids are starting to think, ‘I want to work in a pro-shop’ or ‘I want to play on the PGA Tour or the LPGA Tour.’

Things like that probably weren’t on their minds until I rolled through.

“I know we’re definitely inspiring a few kids out there. And with kids and sports, that’s what it is all about.”

The Education Committee would like to announce that the committee has  officially been dissolved and is commencing a new application process.  If you wish to be considered for the Education Committee, please submit a brief cover letter stating why you wish to be involved and a summary of your contributions to the association in recent years.

All submissions should be sent to Thomas Powley ([email protected]) before the deadline of July 23rd at 4:00PM. The new committee will be announced by August 2nd.

Responsibilities
The Education Committee shall meet as a committee up to 4-times per year and at the call of the chairs for:

1. Spring Seminar.
2. PD Series.
3. Teaching Summits.
4. Buying Show Education.
5. Further education development that works within the scope of the PGA of Canada curriculum.
6. Proactively obtain input and suggestions from members on their level of satisfaction with suggestions for improvement of the education portfolio.
7. Liaise with other committees as required on operations and activities that may overlap.
8. Undertake other activities assigned by the Board of Directors.
9. Review the terms of reference on an annual basis and make any recommendations for change.

The committee chair will provide a report on committee activity at each Board of Directors meeting even if no formal committee meetings have taken place.

Top 100 Points - Each member will receive 5 Top 100 points for being a part of the committee (see more information here).

If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].

Program focused on introducing people with a physical disability set for August 16 in Calgary

Golf professionals in Alberta are teeing up a drive to break down barriers and make the game more inclusive for people with physical/cognitive disabilities, Indigenous communities, and women, by hosting a series of community outreach learn-to-play sessions at facilities throughout the province this summer.

Funded by Jumpstart, PGA of Alberta’s Assistants Board will host a series of clinics in Calgary and Edmonton with the goal of making the game of golf a more welcoming and inclusive place for all to enjoy.

“We created this program as a way for our PGA of Canada Golf Professionals to not only assist with instructing the grass roots portion of the game, but to also reach those demographics who can sometimes be unserved when it comes to receiving golf instruction” said Bryce Halverson, Head Associate Golf Professional at Carnmoney Golf Club.

“The PGA of Alberta is committed to elevating the experience for numerous traditionally under-serviced demographics in the community by doing our part to provide positive experiences through golf instruction and activities. We hope to further strengthen the overall local golf community with inclusivity and diversity,” added Stephen Yanitski, Assistant Golf Professional at Valley Ridge Golf Club.

Both Halverson and Yanitski, along with Jumpstart and the PGA of Alberta, created a plan to serve this need, and identified four key community groups they will open doors to, and positively impact in 2024: people with a physical disability; Indigenous communities; women/girls; and Els for Autism/Special Olympics.

A FREE program for golfers of any age with physical limitations will be available on August 23rd from 12 noon – 5 p.m. at the Valley Ridge Golf Club in Calgary. A total of 24 participants will be instructed by six PGA of Alberta Assistants Board members through four, one-hour stations: driving range; putting green; short game area; and activity time. Equipment will be provided and prizes up for grabs. Registration is available at www.golfgenius.com/ggid/aw9g3p/register.

PGA of Alberta golf professionals Shannon Raina (Earl Grey Golf Club) and Tyler Leicht (Derrick Golf and Winter Club) will team up to host a FREE one-day summer camp for up to 16 Indigenous youth at Rundle Park Short Course in Edmonton on August 16, 2024. Participants will receive six hours of FREE instruction, access to equipment, lunch, and a sleeve of golf balls at the conclusion of the camp. Registration details are to follow. 

Calgary-based professionals – Amy Popkes (Silver Springs Golf and Country Club) and Lisa Rosengarten (Glencoe Golf and Country Club) will lead a series of FREE events focused on supporting Els 4 Autism, Aspergers Friendship Society, and Special Olympics.

A Special Olympics Tournament was held at Silver Springs Golf and Country Club, June 20. Additionally, an Els 4 Autism tournament will be held on August 12 at The Links of Gleneagles. Prior to taking the course, all kids will participate in a two-hour instructional clinic as a way to get them involved in the game.

Over the last two months, Elizabeth Stewart (Petroleum Golf and Country Club) and Gina Nelson (Highlands Golf Club) introduced more than 70 junior girls and young women to the game. Four instructors joined forces to teach newcomers to the game in May at Victoria Golf Club. Participants then tested their skills in a fun round of golf at Rundle Park in June, creating an additional opportunity to bring young girls and women around the city together. PGA of Alberta Golf Professionals were on-hand to provide instruction throughout the round. 

“I personally experienced the power sport can have, as a young child and now in my career as a golf professional. Sport and physical activities are fundamental for all of us to learn new skills, boost confidence, build self-esteem,” said Elizabeth Stewart, Associate Golf Professional at Edmonton Petroleum Golf and Country Club. “These clinics will not only introduce kids from these communities to the game, but they will create opportunities to meet other kids, and provide new experiences while having fun putting, playing and just enjoying themselves. Gina and I are hopeful that introducing young girls and women to the sport while representing women in prominent roles in the golf industry will inspire each of them to pursue their goals and success in their own lives. Representation and participation in golf are integral to ensuring this demographic feels that they belong in the golf community.”

Joey Busetto and fellow pros at the Edmonton Petroleum Golf and Country Club will also host two more FREE adaptive golf lessons throughout the summer: July 26 (chipping, pitching, putting) and a three-hole on-course session August 23 where a golf professional will be in each group. Registration is available through the following link: https://www.parasportsab.com/we-offer/adapted-golf-9/.

For more information about the PGA of Alberta, please visit www.pgaofalberta.com.

Todd Kuczma, beloved son, father, brother, uncle, and friend, passed away on Thursday, June 20, 2024, at the age of 48 years.

Todd was born in Ontario and moved to Alberta when he was four years old. Growing up he moved with his family to Houston, Texas and Red Deer before finally settling in Calgary in 1988. Todd had an incredible sense of humour, (he could make anybody laugh), an easy-going personality, patient, kind and would do anything for the people he loved at the drop of a hat. Todd was friends with everyone he met for life. From an early age, he participated and excelled in sports. He had two great loves in his life – his son, Jake and the game of golf.

In his early twenties, he became a member of the Canadian Professional Golfer’s Association and worked at several golf courses in and around Calgary. In 2015 he left the industry to work for Canadian Engravers. At about the same time he started his own business under Blackwolf Golf Inc. It was a way for his friends and golf associates to participate in high-level golf competitions at affordable rates. Later he was able to successfully add engraving golf merchandise as a significant part of the business.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Kids Cancer Care Foundation of Alberta, 5757 – 4^th Street SE, Calgary, AB  T2H 1K8, www.kidscancercare.ab.ca.

Obituary

Right from Day 1, Chris Cooke may have been destined to follow his father, Darren, into the golf industry.

Darren has been a staple for the past 36 seasons at Canmore Golf & Curling Club where he serves the dual role of general manager and director of golf. Chris is now the head professional at neighbouring Silvertip Resort, another beauty in the Bow Valley.

“The day that Christopher was born, he didn’t go straight home from the hospital. He came to the golf course first,” Darren reminisced. “There was a group of old guys that played cards in the pro shop all winter long, so we had to come and show him off. So, the first stop was the golf course.

“And ever since then … ” 

Chris grew up at Canmore Golf & Curling Club, as much a constant as the stunning mountain views. It was, as he put it, both his “daycare” and “playground.”

He was only eight when he picked the range for the first time. When he was attending high school just down the street, Darren noticed that his lunch bill at the course was usually doubled. 

After Chris completed his collegiate golf career at the University of Central Arkansas, he ultimately decided to try for his pro card. 

He and his dad are now PGA of Alberta peers. When asked about his son, “proud” is the word that Darren uses most often.

“He always seemed to be where everybody came to have fun,” Chris said, sharing his childhood impressions of the life of a golf pro. “And when you get to work at a place where everybody goes to enjoy themselves, it makes for a pretty good work environment, for the most part. 

“We’re here to facilitate enjoyment, to facilitate camaraderie, to facilitate fun. It’s just such a great sport to be involved with.”

Now in his ninth season as a pro, Chris has even more appreciation for why his father has such a sterling reputation in the golf biz. Darren was the PGA of Alberta’s Club Professional of the Year in 2014. 

“He really cares about everyone else before himself,” Chris said. “There is no job that is too big or too small for him to take on, and I have always really respected him for that. Some people think, ‘Oh, as a golf pro, you just walk the range and teach a few lessons.’ They don’t tell you that sometimes you have to clean the bathrooms or once in a while, you have to do some real dirty jobs that aren’t very glorious. But it’s all about getting it done.” 

Whatever it is that you’re trying to get done, it helps to have somebody you can lean on for advice, experience or just a sounding board. For this father-son duo, that goes both ways. Golf isn’t the Cookes only shared passion. They also like to strap on the pads and tend the nets at the hockey rink.

“We share a lot of conversations back and forth, and I learn a lot from him too,” Darren said. “With the PGA of Alberta and PGA of Canada, it’s always been about networking and helping each other and sharing. Of course, when it’s your family member, sometimes those conversations are easier and sometimes they’re a little more difficult.

“I know in our area, with all of the golf courses, you can ask anybody around here and you’ll get an honest answer about what’s going on. Everybody is willing to help out. And when it’s your son, you answer that phone quickly and maybe get it done a little quicker, because it’s a part of you.”

For the Cookes, golf has been a big part of their lives. This Father’s Day will be extra special for Chris — his first with a child of his own. His daughter, Ruth, was born last August. And yeah, she is already a regular at the course.  

“Through the winter, there was a simulator set up in the Canmore pro shop,” Chris said. “So, I would take her around there quite frequently and we’d hang out with Grandpa and I’d hit a couple shots and she’d be cruising around and she just wanted to grab every golf club or every golf ball she could see. It’s cool to see her so excited already and I just want to continue to expose her to all the greatness that golf can deliver. If she chooses it as one of her pastimes, great. And if not, so be it. She’ll have a lot of other activities going on. But just the way she’s already grabbing that golf club, I think she’s going to be hooked.”

That would be a case of history repeating itself.

“There’s not many places I’d rather be other than the golf course or hanging out with my family,” Chris beamed. “And at the golf course, I get to do both.”

Mathew MacDonald and Weston Gillett can look out the window and sometimes feel like they’re watching a rewind from their junior-golf days.

That’s one of the unique perks of working as head professional at the same course where you first fell in love with the sport. In MacDonald’s case, that would be Olds Golf Club. Gillett, meanwhile, learned the finer points of the game on the fairways and greens at Lacombe Golf & Country Club. 

“I can’t remember who came up with the term, but I was what they called one of the ‘grapes’ of the pro-shop, because I would just hang around,” MacDonald said with a chuckle. “There were weeks when I was out here seven straight days as a kid. It was basically whenever mom and dad were able to get me to the golf course, I was usually more than willing to go.

“So yeah, I can definitely see a part of myself in some of these youngsters.”

Gillett, his fellow PGA of Alberta pro, knows that feeling.

Long before he had an office at Lacombe Golf & Country Club, he was one of the young whippersnappers with a stall in the junior club storage area. 

Whenever he wanted to practice or play, he’d simply lace up his sneakers and walk to the course. When he arrived, he typically had to empty his pockets.

“Luckily, I didn’t live too far from here,” Gillett reminisced. “Back when I was a kid, the highway wasn’t as busy as it is now. I wouldn’t recommend walking anymore, but it wasn’t that busy back then. 

“So, I’d walk over, and then on the other side of the highway, there’s ball diamonds across

from our ninth hole. I used to walk up between the ball diamonds and the golf course and I’d find tons of golf balls. I remember never having to buy balls because I’d find them as I was walking.”

Gillett had such fond memories of his upbringing at Lacombe Golf & Country Club — and his stints as a high-schooler on the maintenance crew and pro-shop staff — that he admits there was a bit of apprehension as he pondered whether to apply to be the head pro in his hometown. He’s now in his sixth season in the role after making the move from Drayton Valley. 

“This golf course, this Club, it’s always been very important to me because it’s kind of where I grew up, and I didn’t want to go in and have a negative outlook if something were not to be quite as I perceived it,” Gillett explained. “But it’s been really good. It’s all been super positive.”

MacDonald is just getting settled into his new job as pro/manager at Olds. He worked up the road in Innisfail for the past three years. 

“This was always something that was in the back of my mind that I wanted to potentially do,” he said. “I mean, this course kind of gave me my start in the golf world — both as a back-shop kid when I was younger and again as I was starting to make my way into the professional ranks. I’ve always had a soft spot in my heart for the town of Olds and for the golf course. When I had an opportunity to jump up and take the position, I jumped into it with both feet. It’s been a really fun experience so far. It’s very interesting. I always say it’s very weird that I get to sit on the other side of the same desk where I used to get in trouble if I did something wrong out here.

“But it’s been a lot of fun. Pretty cool.”

For Gillett, MacDonald, and other professionals now working at the same facilities where they were first introduced to the game, the best part isn’t the opportunity to occasionally relive their youth. 

 It’s the opportunity to influence the next wave. 

When Gillett was a smooth-swinging junior, Kevin Snell was head pro at Lacombe. He was delighted when Snell, a PGA of Alberta life member, stopped by on his first day on the job to offer his congratulations. 

“I see a lot of kids that come out here, and I see a little bit of myself in them,” said Gillett, now a proud father of three. “I was always treated really, really well by the previous pros when I was kid and they’d take me out to play. I know the first couple times that I played with Kevin when I was 12 or 13 years old, I was just in awe of what he could do with the golf ball. In the grand scheme of things, it wasn’t like Tiger Woods or anything. But to me, it was.

“I can remember walking in the shop and Kevin had his bag there with his name on it, and I thought that was so cool. I thought that was just one step below seeing Tiger Woods.”

MacDonald, too, can rattle off a list of pros who had a major impact on his growing love for golf and instilling the values that you learn while chasing birdies and pars — honesty, integrity, and responsibility to name a few.

“One of the things that I’ve always remembered is that those individuals always made time for me, always took time to say hello or come walk out on the putting green to see how I was doing,” MacDonald said. “They always made themselves very available. They were very generous with their time. And I always try to remember that — that I probably wouldn’t be here in the position that I’m in if it wasn’t for their encouragement, their kindness and their willingness to have that influence on my golf game and my life. I always try to remember that no matter what comes up, it’s the people first and making sure that people feel valued and welcomed. A simple tip on the driving range can go a long way toward helping a relationship grow. In my case, it helped me create a career out of it.”

New Economic Impact Study Released

OTTAWA, May 23, 2024 – After a four-year pause due to COVID-19, the National Allied Golf Associations (NAGA) are on Parliament Hill leading National Golf Day and discussing with Parliamentarians the many positive benefits of golf for Canadians.

The golf industry representatives are also releasing the results of a new Canadian Golf Economic Impact Study highlighting golf’s financial contributions and incredible popularity as the number one participation sport in Canada.

National Golf Day also celebrates golf’s physical and mental health benefits, its safe sport attributes, social merits, environmental stewardship, diversity, life skills for youth, and economic value to the business community. National data indicates that hundreds of thousands of Canadians have entered the sport since Covid-19, totaling six million Canadian golfers and further strengthening golf’s status as the number one participation sport in the country.

“Canadians played 74 million rounds of golf in 2023, a considerable 24% increase from the last Study in 2019,” stated Jeff Calderwood, CEO of the National Golf Course Owners Association Canada, and Chair of NAGA.

“Existing golfers have been playing more often and new golfers have been taking up the game at impressive levels,” said Calderwood. “The broad appeal of golf as a safe, healthy, outdoor recreation that can be enjoyed by all ages, genders, abilities, and budgets, anywhere in Canada, generates continued growth in the game. The impressive economic impacts that are then generated reflect that popularity.”

NAGA conducts an economic impact study every five years to measure such financial contributions as employment, charitable support, tourism, and gross domestic product. The sport and business of golf are thriving post-pandemic and continue to be an important economic engine for Canadians and their communities across Canada. Some of the highlights from the Canadian Golf Economic Impact Study include:

• Golf contributes a massive amount to Canada’s GDP at $23.2 billion, an increase of $4 billion since the previous Study
• Golf supports 237,000 person-years of employment, illustrating its importance as a vital source of livelihood for countless Canadians. Nearly 135,000 Canadians work directly in golf, with 45,000 being student employment.
• Golf-related activities generated over $14.2 billion in labour income, sustaining families and generating significant economic spin-off spending.
• $382 million was raised through golf activities for charities across Canada, a return to the pre-Covid-19 range and tops among all participation sports.
• Approximately 6 million Canadians played golf in 2023, an all-time high for the number one participation sport in the country, generating 74 million rounds played.
• Golfer spending totalled $14.2 billion in 2023.
• Golf course operations contributed $8.1 billion to Canada’s GDP.
• Capital expenditure by golf course operations in 2023 was $907 million.
• Taxes paid to governments by the Canadian golf industry were $4.7 billion in 2023.

“Golf is a sport that brings so many benefits to Canadians – not just the economic contributions. It is also a holistic solution to many of life’s necessities and an activity that can enjoyed for a lifetime,” said Laurence Applebaum, CEO, Golf Canada.

“Golf is a healthy, safe activity, promoting environmental stewardship, providing exceptional social value, and is great for business. And importantly, we’re seeing tremendous diversity in our growth with incredible levels of engagement,” said Applebaum. “In addition, the recent success of our Canadian LPGA and PGA Tour Pros has further propelled the enthusiasm for the sport, with such stars on the world stage as Brooke Henderson and Nick Taylor.”

• Other attributes of Canadian golf include:
• 18 holes of golf burns up to 2000 calories, a very healthy 15 km walk and active exercise in nature.
• 95% of golfers in Canada feel that golf is very good for their mental health, which has also been clinically proven.
• 83% of Canadian golfers state that the social aspects of golf are important to them and improve their lives.
• Spectator interest in professional golf is at an all-time high. The RBC Canadian Open and CPKC Women’s Open are setting records for attendance and commercial success.
• Golf is a trusted Safe Sport environment for both recreational and competitive play.
• Canadian golf has been experiencing great diversity, including a 6% increase in active women golfers and 33% growth in BIPOC golfers in 2023.
• Off-course golf including simulator play and virtual golf experiences have bolstered the growth in participation.
• Sustainable golf has become a leading environmental stewardship movement in Canadian golf, with golf courses throughout the country embracing sustainability pledges and best practices.

Golf flourished during the pandemic as the nature of the sport easily allowed for social distancing while delivering a social recreation experience that could not be found elsewhere.

With golf now better recognized as an important part of the solution, and all of the health, social and economic benefits, the positive spotlight on golf and its impact on Canadian communities has since sustained most of that increased demand.

In summary, the study clearly shows that golf is good for Canada and Canadians.

For Kim Valleau, this prestigious honour provided a reminder of past success, of her days as a trophy-collecting force on the post-secondary golf circuit. 

It presented a chance, too, to reflect on her path to a career in the sport that she loves. 

Valleau, now head professional at The Winston Golf Club in Calgary, was inducted this past week in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) Hall of Fame.  

“It’s very meaningful to me,” Valleau said prior to Friday’s enshrinement ceremony in Red Deer. “I just feel like that’s where I really got into golf. I played competitive in high school, but it means a lot because I feel like that’s where I feel like my career in golf kind of started. Even though I didn’t think I’d be a golf pro when I was playing college golf, that’s what it turned into.”

It was abundantly clear, back when she was racking up birdies on behalf of the Mount Royal Cougars from 2003-07, that Valleau had a bright future in golf.

She won the ACAC’s individual crown in five consecutive seasons and helped the Cougars to claim the team title in four of those. Her Hall of Fame bio mentions “an unparalleled legacy of excellence and achievement on the course.” That’s lofty praise. 

“It’s pretty cool,” said Valleau, who hails originally from Nipawin, Sask. “To play college golf, it was a big deal to me. It was very important, a big part of my life. So, it’s nice to be recognized for that.”

It is, indeed, another stellar addition to a resume that also includes a double nod as both the PGA of Alberta’s Class A Professional-of-the-Year and the PGA of Canada’s Stan Leonard Assistant Professional of the Year in 2022. 

As a student-athlete standout at Mount Royal, Valleau earned an applied business degree in entrepreneurship, sport and recreation. While she’d work summer jobs in pro shops, often chasing morning shifts with afternoon rounds or practice sessions, she admits this wasn’t always her intended career path. 

“When I graduated from Mount Royal, I was actually working for the 2009 Tim Hortons Brier as the admin assistant, so I took care of all the volunteers,” Valleau reminisced. “And then our head professional at the time, Wayne Fairbairn, asked me, ‘Hey, do you want to try to get your pro card?’ I said, ‘Sure, I’m not really doing anything after the Brier ends.’ So, I went back to the golf course, took my Player Ability Test, which was two days at the time, and passed. And honestly, the rest is all history.”

Valleau has now been a fixture at The Winston — formerly known as Calgary Elks — for 15 years and was recently promoted to head professional. She is proof of the positive impact of the PGA of Alberta’s mentorship program, having benefitted from the opportunity to learn from her experienced counterparts and now sharing that expertise as a role model for the next wave. 

“I like the connections that you’re able to make through golf, whether it’s somebody that you’re playing with, playing against or serving members or making someone’s day,” Valleau said. “Working in the golf shop, you’re always asking, ‘How was your round?’ And you rarely hear, ‘Oh, I hit it straight sideways today.’ You never hear about the bad shots, right? You hear, ‘Oh, I hit it really close today on Hole 8’ or something like that. You always hear about the good things, which is awesome.”

These days, she should be hearing something else — ‘Congrats, Kim.’ After all, a Hall of Fame induction is a heck of an honour.

HOLE-IN-ONE INSURANCE is now available for the 2024 golf season! For more information about the HIO program and to submit your event, click the button below. 

TOP 10 BENEFITS OF THE PGA OF ALBERTA HIO PROGRAM

1. Competitive industry rates
2. Prize Premiums available from $500 - $50,000
3. Fixed-rate for field sizes from 32 to 199 players
4. Easy to purchase online
5. Easy payment options
6. Purchase for one event OR an entire season’s worth of events at once
7. Modify your events by contacting the office based on any changes that occur throughout the season
8. Fees/Premiums are waived if the tournament is canceled due to inclement weather
9. No dealing with the insurance company directly
10. Supporting the Association and golf industry

Questions?
If you have any questions on how this program can work for you, please contact Marlene Sanderson by email ([email protected]) or phone (403-256-8894).

While this is the start of their busy season, or what some might call their crazy season, you won’t catch any golf professional complaining.

As Matt Johnson, the general manager at Royal Mayfair and president of the PGA of Alberta’s Board of Directors, put it: “This is the start of a pretty heavy sprint, but we all look forward to this time of year. There are no bad days when you’re open in April.”

As April gives way to May, most courses across the province are now up and running for the 2024 season.

“No matter how many years you’ve been doing this, it’s always exciting,” said Tiffany Gordon, who has 35 years of experience in the golf industry — probably just as many awards and accolades — and is now the director of clubhouse operations and membership ambassador at Carnmoney. “You grind down and you do a bunch of work through the winter and you’re always working on new ways to do things or ways to make things better or to keep things going. But you miss the people, right? It’s exciting when you open the gates, and you get everybody out playing golf again. I think that rejuvenates everyone.”

The people are the best — and the biggest — part of this business, which is why the PGA of Alberta has launched a new season-long storytelling campaign to help you get to know the more than 670 golf professionals across the Wild Rose Province.

There are plenty of great, and inspiring, stories to tell.

There are familiar names, those who have chased birdies on some of the biggest stages in the sport, and compelling family connections — spouses, sons following their fathers, a set of twin siblings. There are life members eager to share their years of experience and wisdom and not-so-long-ago junior golf standouts who are now growing the game as mentors and role models for young girls and boys.

Whether at a top-end private club, a dedicated fitting or practice centre or an off-the-beaten-path rural course, the common bond for all PGA of Alberta golf professionals is a passion for this great game and a tremendous pride for their place in it.

“We wear a lot of hats, and we do a lot of things, but most importantly we’re ambassadors for the game,” said Gordon, the PGA of Alberta’s national director. “We could be doing anything from teaching and coaching to running events to managing facilities to playing to heading up associations or being involved at the Board level. There’s really nothing that we don’t touch, and that’s pretty special.

“There’s a number of opportunities for us to lead in the game and what you do is you just promote how good this game is for people, in general. Whether you’re at a private club, a public club, a resort, the most important thing is we’re encouraging people to play the game. Because it’s good for them. It’s good for families. It’s good for couples. It’s good for women. It’s good for every aspect of your community. That’s the great thing about being an ambassador, too, is all that community-driven opportunity that we have.”

Because as the 800,000 golfers across the province — all of them ready to be digging divots rather than shovelling snow — return to their favourite courses to tee up a new season, it’s likely the first face they will see is a PGA of Alberta professional.

“We’re kind of the front desk for your experience at any club,” Johnson said. “We feel like we’re leaders in understanding what the expectation of the golfer is. Nothing against the other departments at the clubs, but we deal one-on-one with the golfers more than anyone else does and so it’s up to us to promote the game of golf, engage people in the game of golf, make it fun, make it enjoyable, and knock down barriers for all to feel welcome and enjoy this game.”

This responsibility is not taken lightly by any of Alberta’s golf professionals – even those cutting their teeth in the business, including Dillon Batsel who is in his sixth year as an associate professional at Desert Blume Golf Course down in Medicine Hat.

“I think all golf professionals understand we are integral to developing a positive culture for people who play golf and enjoy the game at our facilities,” said Batsel. “For me personally, it is all about the people. I love seeing, helping and spending time with people who share my passion for the game.”

Inspired to chase a career in golf by his junior program coordinator, Terry Meidinger, while playing as a youngster growing up in Medicine Hat, Batsel is keen to pay it forward and positively influence a new generation of birdie seekers.

“Watching Terry run our junior program, he cultivated a lot of why I was drawn to golf (helping me understand the role of working in a pro shop) – you have to work hard, play hard because I think while we are busy, it is important to carve out a little time to play. That is important for people to see us playing,” added Batsel, who also particularly looks forward to the return of the adrenaline rush felt while helping guests improve their games.

“I think that is what we all teach for. We strive to put a smile on the face of the person taking the lesson, seeing someone new to the game hit their best shot, or helping someone struggling with a certain aspect of their game overcome it. It is great when you feel like you are marginally responsible for giving them hope.”

That positive sentiment of golf being back is felt by golf professionals opening the tee sheets at public and private courses all around Alberta.

“It’s exciting to be a golf pro at this time of year,” added Johnson. “You wake up in the morning and you look forward to going to work because it’s usually a positive environment. You see people with huge smiles on their faces, especially when they’re coming back to golf. That energy, it’s infectious.”

Congratulations to the following members on being elected to the Board of Directors on March 2 at the PGA of Alberta Annual General Meeting:

• Dallas Cantera (Cardiff G&CC, newly elected)
• Jeff MacGregor (Glendale G&CC, re-elected)
• Josh Fleming (365 GOLF, re-elected)
• Shawn Lavoie (PGA of Alberta Member, re-elected as Vice President)

Congratulations to the following members on being elected to the Assistants’ Board of Directors:

• Elizabeth Carr (Edmonton Petroleum G&CC, newly elected)
• Gina Nelson (Highlands GC, newly elected)
• Lisa Rosengarten (Glencoe G&CC, re-elected)
• Stephen Yanitski (Valley Ridge GC, re-elected as Vice President)
• Tyler Leicht (Derrick G&WC (The), newly elected)

Click the following links to view the entire Board of Directors or Assistants’ Board.

Deborah Kathleen Zupan (March 9, 1952 - December 29, 2023)

It is with great sadness that the family of Debbie Zupan announces her passing on Friday, December 29, 2023.

Debbie will be greatly missed by her husband of 49 years, Cyril; her sisters, Susanne Gamache (Darrell), and Charleen Zdril; and her brother, Jerry Elless; and her extended Zupan and Gamache families. She was predeceased by her mother Alice, and father Ted.

Debbie enjoyed the winters in Arizona with her friends down south as well as many trips to Europe and Slovenija.

The family wishes to thank the Doctors, Nurses, and Caregivers of Units 94/91/62/61 at the Foothills Medical Centre, the CareWest Glenmore, and Unit 32 of Honor Health Scottsdale for the comfort and care they provided.

A Memorial Mass will be held on Friday, March 1, 2024, at St. Michael’s Catholic Community (800-85 St SW, Calgary) at 1:00 p.m. Father Edmund Vargus will be presiding. Following the Mass, a reception will be held at the Slovenian Canadian Club at 2335-16aSt SE.

Debbie was an ardent Volunteer for Calgary Meals on Wheels for 26 years. In lieu of flowers, friends and family wishing to make a memorial contribution are invited to donate to Calgary Meals on Wheels (5759 80th Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2C 4S6) or at calgarymealsonwheels.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Deborah Kathleen Zupan Click Here

With a strong background in community sport, Thomas Powley has been given the nod to fill the role of Education and Community Lead for PGA of Alberta effective, February 1.

A recent graduate of Mount Royal University’s Health & Physical Education program with a major in Sport & Recreation Management, Powley brings an unwavering passion for the sport industry in Canada to Alberta’s golf industry. He began his professional career at Lululemon Athletica where he has served multiple positions including Product Operations Lead and Educator.

“Thomas brings energy, drive and a keen understanding of the golf community to this important administrative position,” said Robert Rousselle, Executive Director, PGA of Alberta. “We look forward to having him on our team as we continue to work towards better serving our more than 650 Members while delivering improved programming and events they need and deserve.”

Reporting to the Executive Director, Powley will work closely with the Tournament and Communications Coordinator as well as the Communications advisor. He will also be responsible for overseeing the partners; as well as supporting all staff members with administrative duties.

Powley brings a strong skillset in time management, proficiency in computer systems, and experience in event coordination and social media management to the position. His passion for events and engagement combines knowledge and creativity working with social media and as an independent freelance videographer.

Powley is also an accomplished athlete and aspiring coach. He played varsity rugby at Mount Royal University and is committed to giving back to the community through helping young athletes in sport. Powley was a sport development summer camp instructor at WinSport in 2019 and with aspiring alpine skiers learning to race competitively.

Please join us in welcoming Thomas Powley to the PGA of Alberta.

JAMES (JIM) HADLEY JEMPSON
April 29, 1948 – January 13, 2024

Jim, beloved husband of Shelley, suddenly yet peacefully passed away at the age of 75 surround by his loving Family.

Jim was a Loyal & Proud Husband, Father, Papa, Son, Brother, Uncle and Friend.  A Legend & Mentor in the Golf Industry and a cheerleader to us all in Life and Sport.

Jim leaves behind a community who have been profoundly impacted by his Guidance, Wisdom and Compassion. His genuine care for others has forever shaped the lives of those fortunate enough to have known him.

Born in Calgary in 1948 in the Community of Parkhill, Jim’s passion for Sports began at an early age. His Dad, Jimmy, was a professional hockey player & he was determined to follow in his footsteps.  

 After graduating from Viscount Bennett in 1966, Jim worked for Bud Loftus as a caddy at the Calgary Golf & Country Club, where he fell in Love with the property.  After 2 years at the club, he changed sports and moved to BC where he played Hockey for the Nelson Maple Leafs. Jim was proud to tell anyone who would listen, that he was part of the 1968 Cyclone Taylor Cup Championship Team.

In 1970 Jim was offered and accepted a Hockey Scholarship at Bemidji State University in Minnesota, where he was also a member of the golf team. After coming to the realization that he wasn’t going to make the NHL, Jim told us it was time to make a Life Decision, either Audition for Slap Shot 2 with Paul Newman and Hanson Brothers or “Get on with Life”. He chose to get on with Life and what a life it was!!

After moving back to Calgary With No Money and No Job, Jim returned to a familiar place to look for work, Willow Park Golf & Country Club.  His parents were original Members there, and Jim grew up playing Junior and Intermediate golf at the club.  Head Pro Bill Quilley hired him in April of 1971, Jim said he turned in his hockey stick and skates for a re-spike wrench, a shag bag to hand pick balls on the range and a wet towel to clean clubs.

By the end of June, he was the only Pro shop employee left and his probationary apprenticeship was in full swing resulting in a career that spanned over 50 years.

His passion for golf led him to the Royal Mayfair Golf and Country club in Edmonton under the leadership of Derek & Irene Gibson. Jim then accepted his first Head Professional job at Sturgeon Valley.  While in Edmonton, Jim and Shelley got together and eventually purchased a home in St. Albert.  According to Jim her contribution was the down payment and three children, his contribution was the mortgage payment and three used cars!

In 1982 Willow Park Golf & Country Club came calling!  Jim was offered & accepted the Head Professional Position. Shelley joined Jim in the Pro Shop which was the best move for “Me and Us” according to Jim.  As independent concessionaires, the dynamic duo in life and in business were recognized with numerous awards for their talent in merchandising and sales.

Jim has been the recipient of some notable awards and competitions including 1976 PGA of Alberta Championship, 1997 PGA Club Professional of the Year and 2003 PGA of Alberta Merchandiser of the year. Most recently Jim was recognized as the 4th member to receive the PGA of Alberta Lifetime Achievement Award in the Leadership Pillar.  Jim was also very proud to be a Life Member of the PGA of Canada.

Over his storied career Jim had the opportunity to play with Legends including Moe Norman, George Knudson, Stan Leonard, Chi Chi Rodriguez, Bob Charles and the Great Arnold Palmer.

Jim was also a philanthropist at heart and during his lifetime he and Shelley contributed personally to numerous charities. The one that held a special place in his heart was the Willow Park Charity Classic.  It all began in 1988 with a simple conversation, a glass (or two) of Scotch and notes on a napkin between Jim and Willow Park owner Amos Carpenter. Together that day they created something very special. To date the tournament has donated over 12.7 million dollars to various Calgary Charities.

Jim was “guilty” of sending out handwritten letters of congratulations and encouragement to award winners and new head professionals. He encouraged them to be faithful to their profession and pass on their skills to those that follow.

Jim encouraged them to make a difference in their pursuit of golf excellence.

Outside of Golf, Jim and Shelley loved to travel with trips to Bermuda, Florida, Palm Springs, Arizona, California, Cook Islands, Scotland, England and Wales just to name a few. Maui was their special place, where for over 30 years they enjoyed fun in the sun with their family and friends.

In retirement, Jim & Shelley spent many days travelling around Alberta watching their grandsons play hockey and lacrosse.  Jim always said he was on a personal mission to find the perfect arena hot dog!

"To the world he was a man, to us he was the world”

Jim is survived by his loving wife Shelley, his faithful fur buddy Oakley, his Children Kim Carrington (Joanne Johnson)

• Martin Carrington
• Tanya & Trevor Forbes, Grandsons Cody & Cale
• Sister Ismay Seyer, Sister in Law Laurie Martin
• Numerous & loving Nieces and Nephews
• Jim was predeceased by his Mother Ismay and his Father Jim

We are grateful to the incredible team of Doctors and Nurses at the Rockyview General Hospital Coronary Care Unit for the kindness & compassion given to Jim and our Family during the short time he was in their care.

A Celebration of Jim’s Life will be held at a later date.

In Lieu of Flowers donations can be made to:

Rockyview General Hospital Coronary Care Unit

Heart & Stroke Foundation

Canadian Cancer Society

Interested in running for a position on either the PGA of Alberta Board of Directors or Assistants’ Board of Directors in 2024? If yes, click the link below (login required) for more information and to be directed to the online Nomination Form. Deadline to submit your interest is this Friday, January 19th, 2024 at 11:59pm.

Board of Directors
The Board of Directors sets all policies, rules and regulations for the PGA of Alberta, meeting on a quarterly basis to conduct the business affairs on behalf of the members.  There are between nine and twelve members elected to the PGA of Alberta Board of Directors, all are Class "A" members of the PGA of Canada. Elections to the Board are held every year at the Annual General Meeting in March and election terms are set at three years.

Four (4) spots are open for election in 2024 for the Board of Directors. Click here to see the current Board.

Assistants’ Board of Directors
Assistant Professionals (Class "A") and Apprentice Professionals also have a voice in the Association, through the Assistants’ Board of Directors. Up to nine Class "A" members or Apprentice Professionals are invited to run annually for two-year Committee terms on the Assistants’ Board of Directors, and upon election assume a portfolio, and attend Committee meetings consistent with those on the Board of Directors. 

Five (5) spots are open for election in 2024 for the Assistants’ Board of Directors. Click here to see the current Assistants’ Board.

If you have any questions, please email [email protected].

Click Here to Submit Your Nomination

PGA of Alberta Welcomes Chris Dornan as New Communications Advisor

In an effort to raise awareness of its members, events and programs throughout the province, the PGA of Alberta has named accomplished communications consultant, Chris Dornan, in a newly-created role of communications advisor.

Dornan has come a long way from his days of play-by-play commentary of the games and exploits of his siblings and friends on a quiet cul-de-sac in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, to becoming one of Canada’s most prolific sports PR consultants.

The common thread? Storytelling. And creativity.

Dornan has provided media and public relations support over the last 25 years, specializing with many of Canada’s amateur and professional athletes and sport organizations. Having represented Canada at nine Olympic and five Paralympic Games, along with countless major international events, Dornan opened his own communications consulting company in 2008 — High-Performance Public Relations – where he provides communications support to Own the Podium along with a number of Canada’s summer and winter sport organizations. He has played a key role in building brand and media opportunities for many of Canada’s most successful athletes.

Having launched his career with Golf Canada (1997-2000), Dornan has since made a professional return to the sport as the media director for two of the PGA TOUR’s leading Champions Tour events: Shaw Charity Classic (Calgary) and Insperity Invitational (The Woodlands, TX) where he continues to work closely with the TOUR communications and business affairs teams, along with the players at each of his events. Dornan has also continued to support Golf Canada’s communications team over the years when called upon: providing advice and counsel while serving on communications committees; leading Olympic Team announcements; and he was the lead media advisor on-the-ground for Canada’s golf team at the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games in November.

“There is an obvious professional and business fit with bringing Chris on board to support our increasing operational responsibilities, while helping to tell the important stories of the people in our membership,” said Robert Rousselle, executive director, PGA of Alberta. “A strategic and creative thinker, Chris brings a wealth of media and communications experience and relationships in and outside of our community to the role, with extensive knowledge of the golf industry in Alberta, across Canada and internationally.”

A journalism graduate of Ryerson Polytechnic University in Toronto (now Toronto Metropolitan University), Dornan spent two years in a public relations agency with a client-base that included: Molson, Nike Canada; and Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment before moving west to Calgary to take on the role of director of communications with the Calgary Olympic Development Association (now WinSport) for six years. He has also worked as a news reporter with CTV in Saskatoon, and as a freelance writer for numerous magazines and newspapers across the country.

Dornan has also done work for the Canadian Olympic Committee, Canadian Paralympic Committee, Alberta Government, WestJet, Kyle Shewfelt Gymnastics, Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton, Luge Canada, Triathlon Canada, Ski Jumping Canada, Nordiq Canada, Hockey Canada, Swimming Canada, Curling Canada, Speed Skating Canada, Taekwondo Canada, Karate Canada, Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame, Canadian Sport Institute Calgary, Edge Sport School, Canada Winter and Summer Games and Haywood Securities.

He and his wife Lisa are raising two “Texadians” – born in Texas and now enjoying life as dual citizens – who have fallen in love with the Calgary community while making friends and learning important life lessons as they pursue their own love of sport and play on the ice, at the ballpark, in the pool, and while working with PGA of Alberta golf professionals at their home course, Pinebrook Golf and Country Club.

For more information on his work, please visit www.chrisdornan.ca

Featured Facility Friday

Looking to promote your facility this off-season? Take advantage of the Associations social media initiative where we feature a new facility every Friday in the off-season on our X and Instagram accounts (~ 8,500 followers!).

How It Works

All you have to do is submit the required information on the form (see link below) to have your facility featured! Please note that facilities will be selected at random and all information must be filled in to be considered (unless noted as optional on form). In the event we have more submissions than Fridays available, we will store your information to be used the following off-season.

Important

To prevent having multiple submissions from the same facility, please collaborate with your staff/team to ensure only one application is sent for the initiative.

Prize Giveaway

As you’ll see in the form, please let us know if your facility is willing to donate a prize giveaway to help increase engagement with your post! This is OPTIONAL and not mandatory but will help increase the amount of viewers for your post. Prize could be green fees, merchandise, lesson, gift card, golf simulator usage, etc. As part of this giveaway, viewers will need to follow your facility’s account along with other conditions in order to be eligible to win.

Past Examples

Below are a few posts from past years. This will give you an idea of the exposure your facility will receive as part of this initiative:

• Example #1 - Apple Creek GC - Click here to see post
  • Apple Creek GC gained 55 followers in the four days after the post
  • 2,683 impressions on post
  • 154 likes on post
• Example # 2 - Edmonton Petroleum G&CC - Click here to see post
  • Edmonton Petroleum G&CC gained 51 followers in the four days after the post
  • 2,749 impressions on post
  • 194 likes on post
• Example #3 - Stewart Creek G&CC - Click here to see post
  • Stewart Creek G&CC gained 99 new followers in the four days after the post
  • 3,792 impressions on post
  • 326 likes on post

If you want your facility featured, DEADLINE to submit the form is January 31st, 2024. If you have any questions, please contact [email protected]. PLEASE NOTE - Priority will automatically be given to facilities that were not part of the initiative last year.

CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT FORM

Pro Tip Tuesday

Pro Tip Tuesday is a social media initiative that showcases your skills as a Golf Professional to help bring exposure to you and your facility. The Association wants to give golfers a reason to check out the PGA of Alberta Instagram account, including your own! We will start posting Pro Tip Tuesday submissions in January.

How Do You Become A Part Of Pro Tip Tuesday?

All you need to do is create a quick tip video between 30 seconds to 2 minutes and submit using the Dropbox link below. One video will be posted per week during the off-season beginning in January.

In addition to golf instruction tips, we are allowing other categories of submissions for Pro Tip Tuesday including the following:

• Fashion tips - Types of apparel to wear on certain days, clothing accessories, latest fashion trends, etc.
• Technology tips - Different technologies to utilize to improve game, technology features most golfers are unaware of, new technology in the golf industry, etc. 
• Rules of Golf tips - New rules in the game, common rules the average player is unaware of, proper rule procedures, etc.
• Etiquette tips - Things the average player should be doing on the golf course, how to best fix a divot/ball mark, pace of play etiquette, etc.

Video Tips

1. Be Professional. You are representing the Association so ensure you look and act the part.
2. Intro. State your name, club, and position as the intro to your video.
3. Length. Ensure your video is between 30 seconds to 2 minutes.
4. Rehearse. Practise your video tip a few times before the final "shoot".
5. Setting. Make sure there’s no noise/visual distractions around you so viewers can focus on you. Your video can be shot indoors or outdoors.

Look at past examples of Pro Tip Tuesday videos for inspiration:

• Example #1 - Click Here
• Example #2 - Click Here
• Example #3 - Click Here

Top 100 Points

Everyone who participates in Pro Tip Tuesday will earn 3 Top 100 points for the program year. You can only receive 3 points per year. We recommend doing more than one video but a max of 3 points will be rewarded for the Top 100 program.

Deadline

Deadline for submission is January 31, 2024.

CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT FORM

Dropbox Link > CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT VIDEO WHEN COMPLETE

Interested in running for a position on either the PGA of Alberta Board of Directors or Assistants’ Board of Directors in 2024? If yes, click the link below (login required) for more information and to be directed to the online Nomination Form. Deadline to submit your interest is Friday, January 19th, 2024 at 11:59pm.

Board of Directors
The Board of Directors sets all policies, rules and regulations for the PGA of Alberta, meeting on a quarterly basis to conduct the business affairs on behalf of the members.  There are between nine and twelve members elected to the PGA of Alberta Board of Directors, all are Class "A" members of the PGA of Canada. Elections to the Board are held every year at the Annual General Meeting in March and election terms are set at three years.

Four (4) spots are open for election in 2024 for the Board of Directors. Click here to see the current Board.

Assistants’ Board of Directors
Assistant Professionals (Class "A") and Apprentice Professionals also have a voice in the Association, through the Assistants’ Board of Directors. Up to nine Class "A" members or Apprentice Professionals are invited to run annually for two-year Committee terms on the Assistants’ Board of Directors, and upon election assume a portfolio, and attend Committee meetings consistent with those on the Board of Directors. 

Five (5) spots are open for election in 2024 for the Assistants’ Board of Directors. Click here to see the current Assistants’ Board.

If you have any questions, please email [email protected].

Click Here to Submit Your Nomination

REMINDER - SAVE DRAFT FEATURE
You can save your forms online before submitting. Please follow the steps below:

1. You must be logged into your account to be able to save your draft
2. Save Draft button is located at the bottom of every form on the website
3. To find Saved Drafts, please go to "My Account" or "Manage Account" > My Saved Drafts
4. Click "Edit" beside the form you want to update
5. Submit when finished

The PGA of Alberta Mentorship Program (separate from the PGA of Canada Mentorship Program) provides guidance and direction to first-year Members of the Association. The objective of the Mentorship Program is to create a group of Members who are passionate about their careers, the Industry and Association, leading to long-term commitment in the golf industry.

Click Here to see Program Feedback from Mentors/Mentees

IMPORTANT

Members must have their Class "A" status within the Association in order to be a Mentor. We are in need of Mentors in all geographical locations of the province. We want to ensure the best support possible for our new Apprentice Professionals and this will be accomplished by pairing a Mentee with a Mentor that lives in a close proximity.

Expectations of Mentors

• Commit to your Mentor/Mentee relationship(s) for a minimum of 1-year.
• Be accountable for your Mentee and provide continuous support on an ongoing basis as needed.
• Set parameters of the relationship with the Mentee and create a plan for goals/objectives on what both parties want achieve.
• Attempt to meet in person with your Mentee twice (spring & fall). For example, this can be accomplished over a round of golf or at an Association tournament/event.
• Provide feedback to the office by completing the Mentor Evaluation Form when required.

Top 100 Points
All Mentors will receive 5 Top 100 points max. for their involvement in the Mentorship Program. These points are awarded annually. All Mentors must execute the action items as indicated and submit the Evaluation Form before being eligible to receive points. Points are ONLY awarded for the first-year of your pairing.

Become A Mentor in 2024
If interested in being involved, click the link below to submit the "Become A Mentor" form by January 31st, 2024. After the form has been submitted, you will be added to the Mentor list (if eligible) and MAY be assigned a Mentee in February (depending on total number of Mentors/Mentees, and geographical location).  

Click Here for Mentor Form

Become A Mentee in 2024
All new Members of the Association are automatically signed up to be a Mentee in the program. If you received your card in 2023, you will AUTOMATICALLY be assigned a Mentor in February of 2024.

If interested in being a Mentee and you are not a new Member as stated above, please contact  [email protected] at the PGA office for more information. Mentors are assigned based on several factors including geographical location to the Mentee.

2024 Day Planner

There are only 6 hard copies of the 2024 Day Planner left!

If you want to purchase one of these, contact Marlene Sanderson [email protected]. The digital version is also available now for download (click link below).

Download 2024 Day Planner

In 2003, Alan was the first PGA of Alberta Member to be awarded the Master Professional designation, a title that only 14 members in Canada held at that time. Today, Alan is one of three Master Professionals in Alberta and 25 in Canada. In 2016, Alan was selected by the PGA of Alberta Board of Directors as the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award in the Teacher Category. Alan becomes the third Member in Alberta to receive this prestigious Award. 

On behalf of the PGA of Canada & Alberta, thank you for: 

1.  Your unwavering loyalty.
2. Your relentless efforts developing your leadership facilitator skills.
3. Being a long-standing role model for professionals in Alberta.
4. Your pride, representation and commitment to the PGA of Canada & Alberta.

The PGA of Alberta is proud to present 4 bursaries each year to deserving Apprentice Professionals and/or Class "A" Assistant/Teaching Professionals who meet or exceed the Bursary criteria. The Association is pleased to continue awarding each bursary amount at $1,000 each! (previously $750).

All seasonal and year-round Apprentice Professionals and Class "A" Professionals (who are not employed as Head/Executive Professionals) are eligible and encouraged to apply. A minimum of two of the bursaries will be reserved for seasonal Apprentice Professionals (working 9-months or less). All Information will be held in strict confidence.

Deadline to apply for a bursary is September 30th, 2023 (end of day). The bursaries will be awarded at the Awards Banquet on Wednesday, October 19th.

*Save Draft Feature*
Please remember you can save your applications online before submitting. This allows you to complete an application form intermittingly rather than all at once. Please follow the steps below.

1. You must be logged into your account to be able to save your draft. 
2. Save Draft button is located at the bottom of every application form on the website.
3. To find Saved Drafts, please go to "My Account" or "Manage Account" and click ’My Saved Drafts’.
4. Submit when finished!

Click Here for Application Form

Congratulations to our 2023 Cobra Puma Golf Assistants’ Team for a third consecutive year of Victory in the InterZone Championship at the PGA Assistants’ Championship of Canada presented by Callaway Golf at the Ranch G&CC! It was a hard fought and exciting two-day InterZone competition with 6 Teams battling for National bragging rights and a total purse of $3,450.00. 

Wes Heffernan, Mitchell Fox, David MacComb & Michael Harrison made up the 2023 Team and started the competition with an encouraging Round 1 Team Gross score of -6 but knew they’d need something special for Round 2 with Team Ontario coming out firing. Something special did indeed happen and our Team carded a scorching Round 2 Team Gross score of -9 which saw them vault into the lead after starting the day 1-stroke down to the Leaders from Ontario. They finished the two round event at a Team Gross of -15 and just nudged Ontario for the Title by 1-stroke;  Wes fired a -5, Mitch a -3 and David a -1 during Round 2 which just was enough to prevail and keep the hardware in Alberta for another year!

Check out the Leaderboard by clicking here. 

PGA of Canada Article

We are deeply saddened to announce the recent passing of PGA of Alberta member Bill Dreger.

Bill has been a lifelong member of the Association becoming a Class "A" member of the PGA of Canada in 1994 and receiving his 25-year milestone in 2020. He passed away in 2023 at the age of 57 years.

William Darcy Dreger, "Billy" born in Didsbury, Alberta has passed away in his beloved mountains of the Bow Valley. He is survived by his wife Mayuko, sons, Benjamin and Yoshi Dreger of Canmore, two sisters, Joy Hoerle of Red Deer, AB. and Gaye Pauls of Calgary, AB, plus numerous other family members.

He will also be greatly missed and deeply mourned by his second family, the Canmore golf community.

Please join for a Celebration of Bill’s Life on Wednesday, September 13th at 2:00 pm at the Canmore Golf and Curling Club.

No flowers by request. Friends wishing to remember Billy are encouraged to make contributions in support of the Canmore Junior Golf program at the Canmore Golf Course in his memory.

Call Emily at the Canmore G&CC directly at 403-678-5959  ext. 236 if donating by CC.  She will process payment and email the receipt.

                                OR

[email protected] and provide a note saying it is for Junior Golf or Bill Dreger.

We are excited to announce that the new Membership & Employment Committee has been formed for the remainder of 2023 and for 2024. Thank you to all the applicants who have volunteered their time and passion to help support our Membership.

A message from Co-Chairs, Jeff MacGregor & Blake Clayton:  

"Jeff and I are looking forward to working closely with the new members of the Committee.  We are extremely pleased the we have Members from both Public and Private facilities that will bring in their personal experience and club experiences to help engage in constructive conversation to make sure all sides of the business are represented."

The new Committee consists of:

1. Jeff MacGregor (Co-Chair)
2. Blake Clayton (Co-Chair)
3. Nic Longley
4. Tyrel Babkirk
5. Michael Thompson
6. Leif Hanson
7. Nicola Greaves
8. Bryce Halverson
9. Michael Nutt

The Membership & Employment Committee will sit with a minimum of 8 Members and maximum of 12 and will meet at minimum twice annually to address and review the PGA of Alberta’s Membership & Employment related matters.

Committee Responsibilities list below for a general outline of what is expected from Committee members.

1. PGA of Alberta By-Laws.
2. New Member Orientation.
3. Compensation Survey.
4. Job Posting Standards.
5. Membership & Employment Initiatives.
6. Club Relations.
7. Association Resource Centre.
8. Retention and attraction of Golf Professionals in Alberta.
9. Proactively obtain input from fellow members on their level of satisfaction of the Membership & Employment portfolio and consider suggestions for improvement.
10. Interacting with other Committees as required on operations and activities that may overlap.
11. Undertake other activities as may be assigned by the Board of Directors from time to time.
12. Review the Terms of Reference on an annual basis and make any recommendations for change.
13. Review with the Executive Director any breach of member misconduct and make recommendations for any fines or suspensions to the Board of Directors for any case related to employment or membership.

After much thought and consideration, the Co-Chairs of the PGA of Alberta Membership & Employment Committee have decided to formally Dissolve the Committee and are excited to announce the commencement of the Application Process to join the new 2023/2024 Committee. Please reach out to either Co-Chair (Jeff MacGregor & Blake Clayton) or Robert Rousselle ([email protected]) or Aaron Mckay ([email protected]) with any questions, comments or application documents.

In the interests of creating a diverse Committee that is representative of the entire PGA of Alberta Membership the application process is open and will run until end of day, 11:59 PM on Sunday, July 30th.
All interested Members are invited to apply and letter of intent stating their motivations for joining the Committee and any relevant experiences they feel make them a strong candidate for joining.

The new Committee roster will be announced by the end August, 2023.

The Membership & Employment Committee will sit with a minimum of 8 Members and maximum of 12 and will meet at minimum twice annually to address and review the PGA of Alberta’s Membership & Employment related matters.

Please refer to the Committee Responsibilities list below for a general outline of what is expected from Committee members.

1. PGA of Alberta By-Laws.
2. New Member Orientation.
3. Compensation Survey.
4. Job Posting Standards.
5. Membership & Employment Initiatives.
6. Club Relations.
7. Association Resource Centre.
8. Retention and attraction of Golf Professionals in Alberta.
9. Proactively obtain input from fellow members on their level of satisfaction of the Membership & Employment portfolio and consider suggestions for improvement.
10. Interacting with other Committees as required on operations and activities that may overlap.
11. Undertake other activities as may be assigned by the Board of Directors from time to time.
12. Review the Terms of Reference on an annual basis and make any recommendations for change.
13. Review with the Executive Director any breach of member misconduct and make recommendations for any fines or suspensions to the Board of Directors for any case related to employment or membership.

Committee Agreement Form & Member Declaration.

PGA of Alberta Member Katy Rutherford of Silver Springs G&CC had a memorable week and great showing  at the ORORO PGA of Canada Women’s Championship finishing with Co-Low PGA Professional Honours at Kingsville G&CC  in Ontario and an overall T-6th finish for the event!

Check out Katy’s two rounds by clicking the links below.

Tue, July 4 - Katy Rutherford - Round 1
Wed, July 5 - Katy Rutherford - Round 2 

Full Results and Purse Breakdown can be seen here

Katy featured on the "On The Bag" content segments done by the PGA of Canada and can viewed by clicking here.

Click here for full article on the PGA of Canada website by Brendan Stasiewich.

Applications are now open for the PGA of Alberta Junior Scholarship Program!

One of the main focuses of the PGA of Alberta has been supporting Junior Golf.  Alberta Golf Professionals use their expertise to create, organize, and facilitate junior-oriented events.

The Scholarship Program is another step in the overall development of our current programming. The program provides junior golfers from around the province the opportunity to be recognized for their outstanding achievements, while promoting and providing access to continuing education. Over 60 scholarships have been presented since 1998.

 For more details, criteria, and to apply, please click here.
Applications close end of day on Monday, July 31, 2023.

Our Hole In One Insurance program, provided by, NFP Canada Corp. in partnership with the PGA of Alberta. NFP Canada Corp. is proud to offer a minimum $500 policy coverage to our Members and Western Canada.

Don’t have a section in your Corporate Tournament Package about Hole In One Insurance? 

Want to stir up some excitement for your guests?  Add a HOLE IN ONE CASH PRIZE contest at your event and give your guests a chance to win some money!

Any cash prize amount between $500 to $50,000 (or more!) per hole can be included for your event. Contact your Event Coordinator or Head Professional for pricing or with any questions you may have.

Not only will offering Hole in One cash prizes create excitement at your event,  it can also provide the perfect sponsorship opportunity for your partners.

Click the button below for the following...

Please contact the Marlene Sanderson ([email protected]) with any enquires regarding Hole In One Insurance.

Webinar #5 has been confirmed and will cover "Work/Life Balance and Mental Health Resources"

In the world of professional hockey, what plays out behind closed doors is just as important as what plays out on the ice itself. Former professional goaltender, Hockey Night in Canada broadcaster and NHL on Sportsnet analyst Kelly Hrudey will take us behind the scenes of his 15-year career with the NHL, sharing stories he lived from both inside and outside the locker room and work life balance while playing in the NHL.  Kelly is an advocate for mental health awareness and has multiple foundations he represents to continue to spread the word and end the stigma.

Click Here for Full Bio

This will be the last of five webinars produced by the assistants board with the intention of providing professional development for all assistants within the industry. This will produce an avenue for networking and relationship building so members can continue to further their careers.

If you have any questions for Kelly, please write it in the comment box when registering.

 Registration will open tomorrow, Friday, April 7th for the Seniors’ Division #1 Event at Lakeside GC just east of Calgary in Chestermere and is set for Tuesday, July 4th with Tee Times starting at 9:00 AM. 

Click here for Event & Registration details.

Pricing is set and confirmed for the 2023 season for our Hole In One Insurance program, provided by, NFP Canada Corp. in partnership with the PGA of Alberta. NFP Canada Corp. is proud to offer a minimum $500 policy coverage to our Members and Western Canada.

Don’t have a section in your Corporate Tournament Package about Hole In One Insurance? 

Want to stir up some excitement for your guests?  Add a HOLE IN ONE CASH PRIZE contest at your event and give your guests a chance to win some money!

Any cash prize amount between $500 to $50,000 (or more!) per hole can be included for your event. Contact your event coordinator for pricing or with any questions you may have.

Not only will offering Hole in One cash prizes create excitement at your event,  it can also provide the perfect sponsorship opportunity for your partners.

Click the button below for the following...

Please contact the Marlene Sanderson ([email protected]) with any enquires regarding Hole In One Insurance.

There is one week left to vote in the 2023 Board of Directors and Assistants’ Board Elections; make sure you get your vote in now! Voting is being conducted via Simply Voting again this year so check your inbox for your Election Information message if you haven’t voted already. Voting closes at 9:45 AM sharp during the AGM on Monday, March 6th. 

Board of Directors Election (5 Nominees)

Four (4) spots are open for election in 2023 for the Board of Directors. Online voting via Simply Voting officially opened on Tuesday, February 14th and will close just after the start of the AGM on March 6^th, 2023. 

Assistants’ Board of Directors Election (13 Nominees)
Four (4) spots are open for election in 2023 for the Assistants’ Board of Directors. Online voting via Simply Voting officially opened on Tuesday, February 14th and will close just after the start of the AGM on March 6^th,  2023.

Click here to see this year’s Board Nominees (login required)

Click here to Register for AGM

The 2023 Election window for the Board of Directors and Assistants’ Board officially opened on Tuesday, February 14th and will close after the start of The Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Monday, March 6th, 2023, at The Derrick Golf and Winter Club (3500 119 St NW) in Edmonton.
Start time will be 9:00 AM and voting will close at 9:45 AM.

Board of Directors Election (5 Nominees)

Four (4) spots are open for election in 2023 for the Board of Directors. Online voting via Simply Voting officially opened on Tuesday, February 14th and will close just after the start of the AGM on March 6^th, 2023. 

Assistants’ Board of Directors Election (13 Nominees)
Five (5) spots are open for election in 2023 for the Assistants’ Board of Directors. Online voting via Simply Voting officially opened on Tuesday, February 14th and will close just after the start of the AGM on March 6^th,  2023.

Click here to see this year’s Board Nominees (login required)

Click here to Register for AGM

The application process to become a Mentor for the Mentorship Program is open until day’s end of Friday, February 24th. If you are interested, check out the Mentorship Program page here and click here to view the Application Form.

The PGA of Alberta Mentorship Program provides guidance and direction to new Members of the Association (Apprentice Professionals). Developed in conjunction with the Assistants’ Board of Directors, the objective of the Mentorship Program is to create a group of Members who are passionate about their careers, the industry and Association, leading to long-term commitment to the golf industry.

Top 100 Points…
Mentors - All Mentors will receive 5 Top 100 Points for their involvement in the Mentorship Program. Points are awarded annually in September. All Mentors must execute the action items as indicated and submit the Evaluation Form before being eligible to receive the points. Points are only awarded for the first year of the program.

Click Here to view Program Feedback from Mentors/Mentees

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Members of the Professional Golfers’ Association of Alberta will be held on Monday, March 6th, 2023, at The Derrick Golf and Winter Club (3500 119 St NW) in Edmonton. Start time will be 9:00am.

Board of Directors Election (5 Nominees)

Four (4) spots are open for election in 2023 for the Board of Directors. Online voting via Simply Voting will officially open on Tuesday, February 14^th and will close just after the start of the AGM on March 6^th, 2023. 

Assistants’ Board of Directors Election (13 Nominees)
Four (4) spots are open for election in 2023 for the Assistants’ Board of Directors. Online voting via Simply Voting will officially open on Tuesday, February 14th and will close just after the start of the AGM on March 6^th,  2023.

Click here to see this year’s Board Nominees (login required)

Click here to Register

The PGA of Alberta is pleased to introduce Michelle Moody as the newest member to the Zone staff in the position of Events & Membership Coordinator. Michelle’s role will consist of the coordination and execution of the Consumer Shows, the Buying Show and the Membership portfolio to name a few. The Consumer Golf Shows are fast approaching and the upcoming Spring Seminar and AGM  will be the first opportunities for her to meet some of the Membership in person. 

Michelle graduated from Mount Royal University in Event Management, has a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and a minor in Behavioral Sciences from Ambrose University. She is passionate in the field of event planning, marketing and communication. She can now be reached by email at [email protected]. 

Click here to view entire staff listing

Interested in running for a position on either the PGA of Alberta Board of Directors or Assistants’ Board of Directors in 2023? If yes, click the link below (login required) for more information and to be directed to the online Nomination form. Deadline to submit your interest is Friday, January 20th at 11:59pm (1 week from today).

Board of Directors
The Board of Directors sets all policies, rules and regulations for the PGA of Alberta, meeting on a quarterly basis to conduct the business affairs on behalf of the members.  There are between nine and twelve members elected to the PGA of Alberta Board of Directors, all are Class "A" members of the PGA of Canada. Elections to the Board are held every year at the Annual General Meeting in March and election terms are set at three years.

Four (4) spots are open for election in 2023 for the Board of Directors. Click here to see the current Board.

Assistants’ Board of Directors
Assistant Professionals (Class "A") and Apprentice Professionals also have a voice in the Association, through the Assistants’ Board of Directors. Up to nine Class "A" members or Apprentice Professionals are invited to run annually for two-year Committee terms on the Assistants’ Board of Directors, and upon election assume a portfolio, and attend Committee meetings consistent with those on the Board of Directors. 

Five (5) spots are open for election in 2023 for the Assistants’ Board of Directors. Click here to see the current Assistants’ Board.
  

Click Here to Submit Your Nomination

Interested in running for a position on either the PGA of Alberta Board of Directors or Assistants’ Board of Directors in 2023? If yes, click the link below (login required) for more information and to be directed to the online Nomination form. Deadline to submit your interest is Friday, January 20th, 2023 at 11:59pm.

Board of Directors
The Board of Directors sets all policies, rules and regulations for the PGA of Alberta, meeting on a quarterly basis to conduct the business affairs on behalf of the members.  There are between nine and twelve members elected to the PGA of Alberta Board of Directors, all are Class "A" members of the PGA of Canada. Elections to the Board are held every year at the Annual General Meeting in March and election terms are set at three years.

Four (4) spots are open for election in 2023 for the Board of Directors. Click here to see the current Board.

Assistants’ Board of Directors
Assistant Professionals (Class "A") and Apprentice Professionals also have a voice in the Association, through the Assistants’ Board of Directors. Up to nine Class "A" members or Apprentice Professionals are invited to run annually for two-year Committee terms on the Assistants’ Board of Directors, and upon election assume a portfolio, and attend Committee meetings consistent with those on the Board of Directors. 

Five (5) spots are open for election in 2023 for the Assistants’ Board of Directors. Click here to see the current Assistants’ Board.

Click Here to Submit Your Nomination

REMINDER - SAVE DRAFT FEATURE
You can save your forms online before submitting. Please follow the steps below:

1. You must be logged into your account to be able to save your draft
2. Save Draft button is located at the bottom of every form on the website
3. To find Saved Drafts, please go to "My Account" or "Manage Account" > My Saved Drafts
4. Click "Edit" beside the form you want to update
5. Submit when finished

We are deeply saddened to announce the recent passing of PGA of Alberta member Andy Black. Andy has been a lifelong member of the Association becoming a Class "A" member of the PGA of Canada in 1973 and receiving his 25-year milestone in 1998. He passed away in December at the age of 77 years.

Andy had a notable career as the Head Professional of Earl Grey GC in Calgary which lasted 27 years before he retired in 2004. During that span, Andy won the PGA of Alberta Seniors’ Championship in 1998, and won again two years after he retired in 2006, making him one of eight members to win multiple Seniors’ Championships. Our thoughts are with Andy’s family and friends during this difficult time.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, December 17th at 2:00pm at the Earl Grey Golf Club in Calgary.

Looking to promote your facility this off-season? Take advantage of the Associations social media initiative where we feature a new facility every Friday in the off-season on our Twitter and Instagram accounts (over 8,000 followers!).

HOW IT WORKS - All you have to do is submit the required information on the form (see link below) to have your facility featured! Please note that facilities will be selected at random and all information must be filled in to be considered (unless noted as optional on form). In the event we have more submissions than Fridays available, we will store your information to be used the following off-season.

IMPORTANT - To prevent having multiple submissions from the same facility, please collaborate with your staff/team to ensure only one application is sent for the initiative.

PRIZE GIVEAWAY - As you’ll see in the form, please let us know if your facility is willing to donate a prize giveaway to help increase engagement with your post! This is OPTIONAL and not mandatory but will help increase the amount of viewers for your post. Prize could be green fees, merchandise, lesson, gift card, golf simulator usage, etc. As part of this giveaway, viewers will need to follow your facility’s account along with other conditions in order to be eligible to win.

PAST EXAMPLES - Below are a few posts from earlier this year. This will give you an idea of the exposure your facility will receive as part of this initiative:

• Example #1 - Innisfail GC - Click here to see post
  • Innisfail GC gained 55 followers in the four days after the post
  • 2,688 impressions on post
  • 200 likes on post
• Example # 2 - Edmonton Petroleum G&CC - Click here to see post
  • Edmonton Petroleum G&CC gained 51 followers in the four days after the post
  • 2,729 impressions on post
  • 195 likes on post
• Example #3 - Stewart Creek G&CC - Click here to see post
  • Stewart Creek G&CC gained 99 new followers in the four days after the post
  • 3,746 impressions on post
  • 329 likes on post

If you want your facility featured, DEADLINE to submit the form is January 31st, 2023. If you have any questions, please contact [email protected]. PLEASE NOTE - Priority will automatically be given to facilities that were not part of the initiative last year.
  

Click Here for Form

Pro Tip Tuesday is a social media initiative that showcases your skills as a Golf Professional to help bring exposure to you and your facility. The Association wants to give golfers a reason to check out the PGA of Alberta Instagram account, including your own! We will start posting Pro Tip Tuesday submissions in January.

How do you become a part of Pro Tip Tuesday? 
All you need to do is create a quick tip video between 30 seconds to 2 minutes and submit using the Dropbox link below. One video will be posted per week during the off-season beginning in January.

New This Year
In addition to golf instruction tips, we are allowing other categories of submissions for Pro Tip Tuesday including the following:

• Fashion tips - Types of apparel to wear on certain days, clothing accessories, latest fashion trends, etc.
• Technology tips - Different technologies to utilize to improve game, technology features most golfers are unaware of, new technology in the golf industry, etc. 
• Rules of Golf tips - New rules in the game, common rules the average player is unaware of, proper rule procedures, etc.
• Etiquette tips - Things the average player should be doing on the golf course, how to best fix a divot/ball mark, pace of play etiquette, etc.

Video Tips

1. Be Professional. You are representing the Association so ensure you look and act the part.
2. Intro. State your name, club, and position as the intro to your video.
3. Length. Ensure your video is between 30 seconds to 2 minutes.
4. Rehearse. Practise your video tip a few times before the final "shoot".
5. Setting. Make sure there’s no noise/visual distractions around you so viewers can focus on you. Your video can be shot indoors or outdoors.

Look at past examples of Pro Tip Tuesday videos for inspiration:

• Example #1 - Click Here
• Example #2 - Click Here
• Example #3 - Click Here

Top 100 Points
Everyone who participates in Pro Tip Tuesday will earn 3 Top 100 points for the program year. You can only receive 3 points per year. We recommend doing more than one video but a max of 3 points will be rewarded for the Top 100 program.

Deadline
Deadline for submission is January 31, 2023.

Dropbox Link > CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT VIDEO WHEN COMPLETE

The Compensation Survey is a very important tool for the Association as it provides our membership the most current earning potential in each area of the province based on their position.  The more surveys that are filled out, the more accurate both the averages and high/low points will be.

Please take 5-10 minutes to fill out the survey. Once completed, you will be sent a copy of the results.

Important Aspects of the Compensation Survey

• Each member will only be able to submit one survey for approval between Oct 1 - Sept 30 each year.
• Top 100 Points - Every Member will receive 5 Top 100 points for completing the survey!
• Your information will be kept confidential and will be used only for statistical purposes.
  
  

The PGA of Alberta Mentorship Program (separate from the PGA of Canada Mentorship Program) provides guidance and direction to first-year members of the Association. The objective of the Mentorship Program is to create a group of members who are passionate about their careers, the industry and Association, leading to long-term commitment in the golf industry.

Click Here to see Program Feedback from Mentors/Mentees

IMPORTANT: Members must have their Class ’A’ status within the Association in order to be a Mentor. We are in need of Mentors in all geographical locations of the province. We want to ensure the best support possible for our new Apprentice Professionals and this will be accomplished by pairing a Mentee with a Mentor that lives in a close proximity.

Expectations of Mentors…

• Commit to your Mentor/Mentee relationship(s) for a minimum of 1-year
• Be accountable for your Mentee and provide continuous support on an ongoing basis as needed
• Set parameters of the relationship with the Mentee and create a plan for goals/objectives on what both parties want achieve
• Attempt to meet in person with your Mentee twice (Spring & Fall). Ex. This can be accomplished over a round of golf or at an Association tournament/event
• Provide feedback to the office by completing the Mentor Evaluation Form when required

Top 100 Points…
All Mentors will receive 5 Top 100 Points max. for their involvement in the Mentorship Program. These points are awarded annually. All Mentors must execute the action items as indicated and submit the Evaluation Form before being eligible to receive points. Points are ONLY awarded for the first-year of your pairing.

Become A Mentor in 2023…
If interested in being involved, click the link below to submit the "Become A Mentor" form by January 31, 2023. After the form has been submitted, you will be added to the Mentor list (if eligible) and MAY be assigned a Mentee in February (depending on total number of Mentors/Mentees, and geographical location).

Click Here for Mentor Form

Become A Mentee in 2023...
All new members of the Association are automatically signed up to be a Mentee in the program. If you received your card in 2022, you will AUTOMATICALLY be assigned a Mentor in February of 2023.

If interested in being a Mentee and you are not a new member as stated above, please contact [email protected] at the PGA office for more information. Mentors are assigned based on several factors including geographical location to the Mentee.

The 2022 edition of the PGA of Alberta Industry Directory is NOW available online in PDF! The Directory is distributed in hard copy at the Buying Show every year.

Please only share the Directory amongst your team as it is an exclusive document only available to PGA members, Buying Show Exhibitors, and industry affiliates that attend the Show. The Directory includes the following information: 

• Facility Listings
• Membership List
• Industry Suppliers Index (Buying Show Exhibitors)
• Products & Lines Represented
• Notes Section (for use when printed)

Click Here for Industry Directory

The PGA of Alberta is proud to present 4 bursaries each year to deserving Apprentice Professionals and/or Class "A" Assistant/Teaching Professionals who meet or exceed the Bursary criteria. The Association is pleased to increase the bursary amount this year to $1,000 each! (previously $750).

All seasonal and year-round Apprentice Professionals and Class "A" Professionals (who are not employed as Head/Executive Professionals) are eligible and encouraged to apply. A minimum of two of the bursaries will be reserved for seasonal Apprentice Professionals (working 9-months or less). All Information will be held in strict confidence.

Deadline to apply for a bursary is September 30th at 11:59pm. The bursaries will be awarded at the Awards Banquet in Calgary on Wednesday, October 19th.

*Save Draft Feature*
Please remember you can save your applications online before submitting. This allows you to complete an application form intermittingly rather than all at once. Please follow the steps below.

1. You must be logged into your account to be able to save your draft. 
2. Save Draft button is located at the bottom of every application form on the website.
3. To find Saved Drafts, please go to "My Account" or "Manage Account" and click ’My Saved Drafts’.
4. Submit when finished!

Click Here for Application Form

The 2023 Play Golf Alberta Junior Masters presented by Sundog Eyewear and Tour Tee, is an invitational event open to Alberta residents 18 years of age and under as of August 1^st, 2023. Please read below the updated eligibility guidelines for next year’s event.

In alignment with Golf Canada’s National Championship Eligibility Guidelines, a player’s age as of August 1^st, 2023, is used to determine eligibility.

There will be thirty-nine spots for boys and twenty-one spots for girls in total to form the field of sixty players.  Invitations for the 2023 PGA of Alberta Junior Masters will be sent in March 2023 to all eligible players.

Players qualify in the U19, U17, and U15 Divisions based on results from the 2022 Alberta Golf Provincial Championships and 2022 Maple Leaf Junior Tour Order of Merit Standings (highest ranked results by age division).  

Player Exemptions
Two discretionary exemptions are also available per gender events.  Applications for these exemptions must be submitted to the Junior Masters Committee no later than March 31^st, 2023. Please submit the online exemption form prior to this date. Click here for form.

If there are no accepted exemptions from the four reserved invitations they will be distributed as follows:

• 1 - U17 Flight - Boys
• 1 - U15 Flight - Boys
• 1 - U19 Flight - Girls
• 1 - U15 Flight - Girls

If a player is unable to accept the invitation, the next highest-ranked player based on the set criteria below will be invited to take this spot.

• U19 Boys Division (12)
  • 4 eligible players from the U19 Provincial Championship results
  • 2 eligible players from the U17 Provincial Championship results
  • 3 eligible players from the MJT OOM (Alberta, Junior Boys)
  • 3 eligible players from the MJT OOM (Alberta, Juvenile Boys)

• U17 Boys Division (15)
  • 4 eligible players from the U17 Provincial Championship results
  • 3 eligible players from the U15 Provincial Championship results
  • 4 eligible players from the MJT OOM (Alberta, Juvenile Boys)
  • 4 eligible players from the MJT OOM (Alberta, Bantam Boys)

• U15 Boys Division (10)
  • 3 eligible players from the U15 Provincial Championship results
  • 2 eligible players from the U13 Provincial Championship results
  • 3 eligible players from the MJT OOM (Alberta, Bantam Boys)
  • 2 eligible players from the MJT OOM (Alberta, Peewee Boys)

• U19 Girls Division (13)
  • 4 eligible players from the U19 Provincial Championship results
  • 3 eligible players from the U15 Provincial Champion results
  • 6 eligible from the MJT OOM (Alberta, 15-19 Girls)

• U15 Girls Division (6)
  • 2 eligible players from the U15 Provincial Championship results
  • 1 eligible player from the U13 Provincial Championship results
  • 3 eligible players from the MJT OOM (Alberta, U15 Girls)

U15 Divisions Yardage:  To ensure the competition is set up using fair standards for all players, competitors in the U15 Divisions will play from reduced yardage, however, they will forfeit the opportunity to compete for the overall title.  Players in these divisions who wish to compete for the overall title must indicate their intention to waive this opportunity at the time of registration.

*New for 2023 – The overall winner will automatically receive an invitation to participate in the next year’s Junior Masters as long as they meet the age eligibility.

Read More

The mission of the PGA of Alberta is to provide junior golfers from around the province the opportunity to be recognized for their outstanding achievements, while promoting and providing access to continued education. This program has presented over 60 scholarships since 1998.

Scholarships Available

The PGA of Alberta is proud to increase the total number of scholarships available this year. In total, the Association will award 5 Junior Scholarships of $1,000 each to deserving candidates in 2022! See scholarship breakdown below.

• 3 scholarships will be awarded to children of PGA of Alberta Members who meet the scholarship criteria (no golf experience needed). Applicants are able to win this scholarship twice.
• 2 scholarships will be awarded to Alberta Junior boys and girls who meet the scholarship criteria (golf experience required). Applicants can win this scholarship once.
  

Deadline to Apply

Deadline to apply for a scholarship this year is Sunday, July 31st (end of day). Online application forms and accompanying information must be sent to the PGA of Alberta office no later than this date.

Click Here to Apply

Add some excitement to your tournaments and club leagues this season by purchasing Hole in One Insurance through the PGA of Alberta HIO program! In partnership with Foster Park Brokers Inc., the HIO program provides members and non-members the opportunity to purchase affordable HIO insurance for your club, corporate, and charity events!

Click Here for Member Testimonials

Denominations That Can Be Purchased
Any denomination from $500 to $50,000 per hole can be purchased online. Should you wish to purchase more than $50,000 per hole, please contact [email protected] for a custom quote. On coverage up to $100,000, PGA of Alberta members will always receive the best possible premium from Foster Park Brokers.

Benefits of PGA of Alberta HIO Program

• Competitive industry rates
• Low prize limit amounts available for purchase (under $5,000)
• Fixed rate for field sizes from 32 to 199 players
• Easy to purchase online
• Purchase for one event OR for an entire season worth of events at once
• Modify your events by contacting the office based on any changes that occur throughout the season
• Fees/Premium waived if tournament is cancelled due to inclement weather
• No dealing with the insurance company directly
• Supporting the Association and golf industry

How To Purchase
Coverage can be easily purchased on the PGA of Alberta website with the following steps:

1. Login to the website and select ‘My Hole In One’ under ’Manage Account’ or ’My Account’
2. Select the ’Create New Event’ button
3. Follow the step-by-step instructions that will guide you through the easy purchasing process. It’s as simple as that!

*If you are a non-member of the PGA of Alberta and interested in purchasing, please contact Marlene Sanderson at the PGA of Alberta office (see contact info below).

Questions
If have any questions on how this program can work for you, please contact Marlene Sanderson (E: [email protected] or P: 403-256-8894 / TF: 1-888-866-6140).

Click Here to Purchase

One of the main focuses of the PGA of Alberta has been supporting junior golf to help grow the game. Golf Professionals in Alberta use their expertise to create, organize and facilitate junior-oriented events including the annual Play Golf Alberta Junior Masters. The Scholarship Program is another important step in the overall development of our current programming.

The mission of the PGA of Alberta is to provide junior golfers from around the province the opportunity to be recognized for their outstanding achievements, while promoting and providing access to continued education. This program has presented over 60 scholarships since 1998.

Scholarships Available

The PGA of Alberta is proud to increase the total number of scholarships available this year. In total, the Association will award 5 Junior Scholarships of $1,000 each to deserving candidates in 2022! See scholarship breakdown below.

• 3 scholarships will be awarded to children of PGA of Alberta Members who meet the scholarship criteria (no golf experience needed). Applicants are able to win this scholarship twice.
• 2 scholarships will be awarded to Alberta Junior boys and girls who meet the scholarship criteria (golf experience required). Applicants can win this scholarship once.
  

Deadline to Apply

Deadline to apply for a scholarship this year is July 31st (end of day). Online application forms and accompanying information must be sent to the PGA of Alberta office no later than this date.

Click Here to Apply

Congratulations to Stephen Yanitski of Valley Ridge GC on being elected as the new Vice President of the PGA of Alberta Assistants’ Board of Directors.

Stephen has been a member of the Assistants’ Board since the beginning of 2020 and has been actively involved in the Association including sitting on the Education Committee. He is also the recipient of the PGA of Alberta Junior Leader of the Year Award in 2021.

The Association would also like to welcome Robbie Johnson (Banff Springs GC) as the newest member to the Assistants’ Board. The Board is in great hands moving forward with President Bryce Halverson (Carnmoney GC) and the other Board members all striving towards making a positive impact for the Association and Assistant Professionals.

About the Assistants’ Board of Directors...
Up to nine Class "A" Members or Apprentice Professionals are invited to run annually for two-year terms on the Assistants’ Board of Directors, and upon election assume a portfolio, and attend Committee meetings consistent with those on the Board of Directors.
  

Congratulations to the following members for reaching their 25 & 50 Year milestone as a Class "A" Member of the PGA of Canada in 2022! All members were recognized at the Annual General Meeting on March 16^th for their outstanding dedication to the Association and golf industry. With such an accomplishment, the National office will recognize each members milestone with a special gift!

50 Years

• Ed Engelhardt (River’s Edge GC)
• Russell Farrell (Life Member)

25 Years

• Brent MacDuff (Coal Creek GR)
• Garett Jenkinson (Golf Performance Canada at Total Golf)
• Gord Courage (The Hamptons GC)
• Gregg Schubert (The Track)
• James King (Belvedere G&CC)
• Jeff Cuthbertson (Stony Plain GC)
• Michael Hogan (Glencoe G&CC Teaching Centre)
• Phil McCluskey (River Bend G&RA)
• Scott Allred (Elbow Springs GC)
• Scott Westman (The Ranch G&CC)
• Todd Jurak (Sylvan Lake G&CC)
• Trevor Ellerman (Desert Blume GC)

Add some excitement to your tournaments and club leagues this season by purchasing Hole in One Insurance through the PGA of Alberta HIO program! In partnership with Foster Park Brokers Inc., the HIO program provides members and non-members the opportunity to purchase affordable HIO insurance for your club, corporate, and charity events!

Click Here for Member Testimonials

What Denominations Can I Purchase?
Any denomination from $500 to $50,000 per hole can be purchased online. Should you wish to purchase more than $50,000 per hole, please contact [email protected] for a custom quote. On coverage up to $100,000, PGA of Alberta members will always receive the best possible premium from Foster Park Brokers.

What are the Benefits of PGA of Alberta HIO Program?

• Competitive industry rates
• Low prize limit amounts available for purchase (under $5,000)
• Fixed rate for field sizes from 32 to 199 players
• Easy to purchase online
• Purchase for one event OR for an entire season worth of events at once
• Modify your events by contacting the office based on any changes that occur throughout the season
• Fees/Premium waived if tournament is cancelled due to inclement weather
• No dealing with the insurance company directly
• Supporting the Association and golf industry

How Do I Purchase?
Coverage can be easily purchased on the PGA of Alberta website with the following steps:

1. Login to the website and select ‘My Hole In One’ under ’Manage Account’ or ’My Account’
2. Select the ’Create New Event’ button
3. Follow the step-by-step instructions that will guide you through the easy purchasing process. It’s as simple as that!

*If you are a non-member of the PGA of Alberta and interested in purchasing, please contact Marlene Sanderson at the PGA of Alberta office (see contact info below).

Questions?
If have any questions on how this program can work for you, please contact Marlene Sanderson (E: [email protected] or P: 403-256-8894 / TF: 1-888-866-6140).

Click Here to Purchase

Congratulations to the following members on being elected to the Board of Directors today (March 16^th) at the PGA of Alberta Annual General Meeting:

• Chris Paskin (Valley Ridge GC, re-elected)
• Dale Tomlinson (The Winston GC, re-elected as President)
• Matt Johnson (Royal Mayfair GC, re-elected as Vice President)
• Jason Stanier (Inglewood G&CC, re-elected)

Congratulations to the following members on being elected to the Assistants’ Board of Directors:

• Bryn Quickstad (Windermere G&CC, newly elected)
• Lisa Rosengarten (Glencoe G&CC, newly elected)
• Michael Nutt (Kananaskis Country GC, newly elected)
• Stephen Yanitski (Valley Ridge GC, re-elected)

Click the following links to view the entire Board of Directors or Assistants’ Board.

The Annual General Meeting of the Members of the Professional Golfers’ Association of Alberta will be held this week on Wednesday, March 16^th starting at 10:00am MST. The AGM will be held virtually through Zoom. Please see the below updates for the meeting.


Special Guest – We are pleased to announce that recent PGA of Canada Hall of Fame Inductee Mr. Don Price (pictured above) will be a special guest at the AGM. Don will be recognized for his contributions to the Alberta Zone which includes some of the following; being a Board Member for over 10 years, the Zone National Director, and serving as Association President from 1976 - 1980. He is also a two-time PGA of Alberta Lifetime Achievement Award recipient in both the Leadership and Association Builder pillars. Don will also be saying a few words at the meeting!

Board Elections – Voting for the Board and Assistants’ Board Elections is being executed online through a secure voting platform. Deadline to vote is March 16^th, just after the start of the AGM. Please contact [email protected] if you have not received an email for voting instructions. Please note there will be no floor nominations.

Top 100 Points - Members will receive 3 Top 100 points for attending the virtual AGM. Members MUST attend the live stream to receive points. No points will be given for watching the recorded version of the AGM.

Click Here for more information on the AGM

Please be reminded to submit your vote for the 2022 PGA of Alberta Board of Directors and Assistants’ Board elections if you have not done so already. If you are a member of the PGA of Alberta and did not receive an email with instructions on how to vote, please contact [email protected].

Board of Directors Election (8 Nominees)
Four spots are open for election for the Board of Directors. Voting will close just after the start of the AGM on March 16^th.

Assistants’ Board of Directors Election (7 Nominees)
Four spots are open for election for the Assistants’ Board of Directors. Voting will close just after the start of the AGM on March 16^th.

Click here to see this year’s Board Nominees (login required)

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Members of the Professional Golfers’ Association of Alberta will be held virtually this year due to the Spring Seminar moving to a virtual format. The date of the virtual AGM will be on Wednesday, March 16, 2022, beginning at 10:00am MST. The AGM will be hosted through the Zoom platform. Click here to register for the AGM.

Board of Directors Election (8 Nominees)
Four spots are open for election in 2022 for the Board of Directors. Online voting will officially open on Tuesday, February 22nd and will close just after the start of the AGM on March 16th.

Assistants’ Board of Directors Election (7 Nominees)
Four spots are open for election in 2022 for the Assistants’ Board of Directors. Online voting will officially open on Tuesday, February 22^nd and will close just after the start of the AGM on March 16^th.

Click here to see this year’s Board Nominees (login required)

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Members of the Professional Golfers’ Association of Alberta will be held virtually this year due to the Spring Seminar moving to a virtual format. The virtual AGM will be held on Wednesday, March 16, beginning at 10:00am. The AGM will be hosted through the Zoom platform.

Top 100 Points - Members will receive 3 Top 100 points for attending the virtual AGM. Please note - Members MUST attend the live stream to receive points. No points will be given for watching the recorded version of the AGM.

Sign Up Today - Register to ensure you receive all information for this year’s AGM. Information will be sent in the week prior to the AGM including the agenda, 2021 financial statements, and meeting Zoom link.

Click Here to Register (login required)

The PDF version of the 2022 PGA of Alberta Industry Directory is NOW available! This version is SUITABLE FOR PRINTING if you would like to have a hard copy of the Directory.

Since the Buying Show was cancelled last October, there will only be a PDF and Online version available of the Directory this year. Please click the links below to view the different versions.

*NEW FEATURE* - Please remember you are now able to access a company’s DIGITAL CATALOGUE through the online Directory. In the Industry Suppliers section, look under a company’s listing to find the link to their online Catalogue (if available).

We hope you find value in the annual Industry Directory. Please only share the Directory amongst your team as it is an exclusive document. The Directory includes the following information: 

• Partner Page
• Facility Listings
• Membership List
• Industry Suppliers Index with Digital Catalogue links (*New Feature*)
• Products & Lines Represented
• Notes Section (for PDF printable version)
     

PDF Version --> CLICK HERE
  

ONLINE Version --> CLICK HERE

Dear Member,

All Head Professionals, Executive Professionals and Head Teaching Professionals have the ability to update their Facility page information on the PGA of Alberta website. This will allow you to update your Facility information to ensure everything is accurate and up-to-date. See the below table for information that can be updated.

To start making changes on your Facility page, please follow the steps below:

1. Login to the PGA of Alberta website by clicking here.
2. Under ’My Account’ or ’Manage Account’, click the ’Edit Facility’ tab (see screenshot below).
3. Update your Facility information. Click ’Save Changes’ at the bottom of the page once finished.
4. Click ’View Facility’ after changes have been successfully saved. Make sure your Facility logo and banner image have cropped properly.

PLEASE NOTE: Only Head Professionals, Executive Professionals and Head Teaching Professionals will be able to make changes to the Facility page. If you want to give access to an Apprentice or Class "A" Professional at your Facility to make changes, or if you have any questions, please contact [email protected]. If you want to update a new Professional at your facility, please notify [email protected].

What To Update

Examples: Below are a few current examples of updated facility pages on the website.

• Example #1 - Click Here
• Example #2 - Click Here
• Example #3 - Click Here

The 2022 edition of the PGA of Alberta Industry Directory is NOW available! Since the Buying Show was cancelled last October, there will only be an online version available of the Directory this year. Please click the link below to view the online version.

*NEW FEATURE* - You are now able to access a company’s digital Catalogue through the Directory. In the Industry Suppliers section, just look at a company’s listing to find the link to their online Catalogue (if available).

Next week, a PDF version will be released suitable for downloading and printing if needed. The Industry Directory includes the following information: 

• Partner Page
• Facility Listings
• Membership List
• Industry Suppliers Index with Digital Catalogue links (if available)
• Products and Lines Represented
• Notes Section (for PDF printable version)

Click Here for Industry Directory

The PGA of Alberta Mentorship Program (separate from the PGA of Canada Mentorship Program) provides guidance and direction to first-year Members of the Association. Developed in conjunction with the Assistants’ Board of Directors, the objective of the Mentorship Program is to create a group of Members who are passionate about their careers, the industry and Association, leading to long-term commitment in the golf industry.

CLICK HERE to see Program Feedback from Mentors/Mentees

IMPORTANT: Members must have their Class ’A’ status within the Association in order to be a Mentor. We are in need of Mentors in all geographical locations of the province. We want to ensure the best support possible for our new Apprentice Professionals and this will be accomplished by pairing a Mentee with a Mentor that lives in a close proximity.

Expectations of Mentors…

• Commit to your Mentor/Mentee relationship(s) for a minimum of 2-years
• Be accountable for your Mentee and provide continuous support on an ongoing basis as needed
• Set parameters of the relationship with the Mentee and create a plan for goals/objectives on what both parties want achieve
• Attempt to meet in person with your Mentee twice (Spring & Fall). Ex. This can be accomplished over a round of golf or at an Association tournament/event
• Provide feedback to the office by completing the Mentor Evaluation Form when required

Top 100 Points…
All Mentors will receive 5 Top 100 Points max. for their involvement in the Mentorship Program. These points are awarded annually. All Mentors must execute the action items as indicated and submit the Evaluation Form before being eligible to receive points. Points are only awarded for the first-year of your pairing.

Become A Mentor in 2022…
If interested in being involved, click the link below to submit the "Become A Mentor" form by February 18, 2022. After the form has been submitted, you will be added to the Mentor list (if eligible) and MAY be assigned a Mentee in March (depending on total number of Mentors/Mentees, and geographical location). Please ignore this form if you have already expressed interest in being a Mentor.
  

Click Here for Mentor Form

Become A Mentee in 2022...
All new members of the Association are automatically signed up to be a Mentee in the program. If you received your card in 2021 or 2022, you will AUTOMATICALLY be assigned a Mentor in March of 2022.

If interested in being a Mentee and you are not a new member as stated above, please contact [email protected] at the PGA office for more information. Mentors are assigned based on several factors including geographical location to the Mentee.

Looking to promote your facility this off-season? Take advantage of the Associations social media initiative where we feature a new facility every Friday in the off-season on our Twitter and Instagram accounts (over 7,400 followers!).

HOW IT WORKS - All you have to do is submit the required information on the form (see link below) to have your facility featured! Please note that facilities will be selected at random and all information must be filled in to be considered (unless noted as optional on form). In the event we have more submissions than Fridays available, we will store your information to be used the following off-season.

IMPORTANT - To prevent having multiple submissions from the same facility, please collaborate with your staff/team to ensure only one application is sent for the initiative.

PRIZE GIVEAWAY - As you’ll see in the form, please let us know if your facility is willing to donate a prize giveaway to help increase engagement with your post! This is OPTIONAL and not mandatory but will help increase the amount of viewers for your post. Prize could be green fees, merchandise, lesson, gift card, etc. As part of this giveaway, viewers will need to follow your facility’s account along with other conditions in order to be eligible to win.

PAST EXAMPLES - Below are a few posts from last year. This will give you an idea of the exposure your facility will receive as part of this initiative:

• Example #1 - Stewart Creek G&CC - Click here to see post
  • Stewart Creek gained 149 followers in the three days after the post
• Example # 2 - The Ranch G&CC - Click here to see post
  • The Ranch G&CC gained 73 followers in the three days after the post
• Example #3 - Lakeside GC - Click here to see post
  • Lakeside GC gained 71 new followers in the three days after the post

If you want your facility featured, DEADLINE to submit the form is January 28^th, 2022. If you have any questions, please contact [email protected]. PLEASE NOTE - Priority will automatically be given to facilities that were not part of the initiative last year.
  

Click Here for Form

We are deeply saddened to announce the recent passing of PGA of Alberta member Drake Mason. He passed away in December of 2021 at the age of 66 years. Drake had worked at a number of golf facilities in Alberta which include Pheasantback GC, Edmonton Springs GR, and Billy D’s Driving Range.

Drake joined the Association in 1978 and received his 25-Year milestone as a Class "A" Member in 2008. A Memorial Service was held for him on December 27^th, 2021 in Edmonton.

Our thoughts are with Drake’s family and friends during this time. Click the link below for his obituary.

Click Here for Obituary

If you are interested in running for a position on either the PGA of Alberta Board of Directors or Assistants’ Board of Directors in 2022, please click the link below (login required) for more information and to be directed to the online Nomination form. Deadline to submit your interest is Tuesday, January 18th, 2022 (end of day).

Board of Directors
The Board of Directors sets all policies, rules and regulations for the PGA of Alberta, meeting on a quarterly basis to conduct the business affairs on behalf of the Members.  There are between nine and twelve Members elected to the PGA of Alberta Board of Directors, all are Class A Members of the PGA of Canada. Elections to the Board are held every year at the Annual General Meeting in March and election terms are set at three years.

Four (4) spots are open for election in 2022 for the Board of Directors. Click here to see the current Board.

Assistants’ Board of Directors
Assistant Professionals (Class A) and Apprentice Professionals also have a voice in the Association, through the Assistants’ Board of Directors. Up to nine Class A Members or Apprentice Professionals are invited to run annually for two-year Committee terms on the Assistants’ Board of Directors, and upon election assume a portfolio, and attend Committee meetings consistent with those on the Board of Directors. 

Three (3) spots are open for election in 2022 for the Assistants’ Board of Directors. Click here to see the current Assistants’ Board.

Click Here to Submit Your Nomination

REMINDER - SAVE DRAFT FEATURE
You can save your forms online before submitting. Please follow the steps below:

1. You must be logged into your account to be able to save your draft
2. Save Draft button is located at the bottom of every form on the website
3. To find Saved Drafts, please go to "My Account" or "Manage Account" > My Saved Drafts
4. Click "Edit" beside the form you want to update
5. Submit when finished

We are deeply saddened to announce the recent passing of former PGA of Alberta Member and PGA of Canada member Richard "Rick" Martison. He passed away peacefully, surrounded by family at Foothills Hospital in Calgary, Alberta on November 19th at the age of 78.

Rick joined the PGA of Canada in 1965 and in 67-68 became one of the first Canadians to play on the Australian Tour. After his touring career, Rick shifted focus back to Canada and in 1971 landed the head professional role at Silver Springs Golf and Country Club where he remained for 25 years before retiring. Five years later Rick found himself drawn back to the golf industry where he served as the General Manager at Country Hills where he finished out his career in 2006.

Our thoughts are with Rick’s family and friends during this difficult time. Click the link below for obituary.

Click Here for Obituary

Take a moment to look over your Member Profile on the PGA of Alberta website this off-season by clicking ‘Edit Profile’ and ’Account Settings’ under ‘My Account’ to ensure that your contact information, professional photo, social media handles and bio is up-to-date. You can also update your Privacy Settings for what the public and other members can see on your Profile (under Account Settings).

Be sure to notify the office of any recent facility change to ensure your Profile information/category is accurate and also to be mentioned on the ‘Members on the Move’ page. If you have recently changed facilities, or made changes to your staff, please inform Marlene Sanderson at the PGA of Alberta office ([email protected]).

Here are three examples of completed profiles on the website:

• Example #1 - Click Here
• Example #2 - Click Here
• Example #3 - Click Here

Click the following links to update your Account Settings and Profile (login required) – Edit Account Settings / Edit Profile

We are deeply saddened to announce the recent passing of former PGA of Alberta President and PGA of Canada member Kevin Vincent Hunter. He passed away peacefully, surrounded by family at Victoria Hospital in London, Ontario on November 10^th at the age of 70.

Kevin joined the PGA of Canada in 1973 and was the President of the PGA of Alberta from 1983 - 1984. As per his request, there will be no funeral. Celebrations of life with Kevin’s friends and family have, and will continue to take place privately. A more public celebration of life will take place in the springtime.

Our thoughts are with Kevin’s family and friends during this difficult time. Click the link below for obituary.

Click Here for Obituary

Pro Tip Tuesday is a social media initiative created in 2019 that will show off your skills as a Golf Professional and help bring exposure to you and your club. The Association will give golfers a reason to check out the PGA of Alberta Instagram account, including your own! We will start posting Pro Tip Tuesday submissions in December.

How do you become a part of Pro Tip Tuesday? 
All you need to do is create a quick golf tip video between 30 seconds to 2 minutes and use the specific hash tag #pgaofabprotiptuesday and handle @pgaofalberta and the PGA of Alberta will re-post your video on their Instagram account every Tuesday. One video will be posted per week. We ask you to submit your video using the Dropbox link below in case you do not post on your own account.

Video Tips

1. Be Professional. You are representing the Association so ensure you look and act the part.
2. Intro. State your name, club, and position as the intro to your video.
3. Length. Ensure your video is between 30 seconds to 2 minutes.
4. Rehearse. Practise your video tip a few times before the final "shoot".
5. Setting. Make sure there’s no noise/visual distractions around you so viewers can focus on you. Your video can be shot indoors or outdoors (weather permitting).

Look at past examples of Pro Tip Tuesday videos below for inspiration:

• Example #1 - Click Here
• Example #2 - Click Here
• Example #3 - Click Here

Top 100 Points
Everyone who participates in Pro Tip Tuesday will earn 3 Top 100 points for the new program year. You can only receive 3 points per year. We recommend doing more than one video but a max of 3 points will be rewarded for the Top 100 program.

Deadline
Deadline has been EXTENDED to Friday, December 10^th for submission.

Dropbox Link > CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT VIDEO WHEN COMPLETE

The PGA of Alberta is proud to present a total of four (4) cash bursaries of $750 each to deserving Apprentice and Class A Assistant/Teaching Professionals who meet or exceed the bursary criteria as outlined on the website.

All Apprentice and Class A Professionals (who are not employed as Head/Executive Professionals) in good standing are eligible and encouraged to apply. Two of the bursaries will be reserved for seasonal Apprentice Professionals (working 9-months or less for their employer). 

Bursary Criteria

1. Participation in Association & Industry Events
2. Volunteer Experience
3. Education
4. Work Experience & Responsibilities
5. Reference Letter from employer
6. Declaration

Deadline
Bursary application and accompanying information must be submitted online no later than September 29^th, 2021 by 4pm.

If you have any questions, please contact Marlene Sanderson at the PGA office 403-256-8894 or by email [email protected].

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

The 2021 edition of the PGA of Alberta Junior Masters presented by Sundog Eyewear & TourTee is now officially in the books. Round 2 today saw plenty of fantastic golf being played by the talented field of juniors showing why they are the top players in the province.

Winning her first Junior Masters title in the Girls’ Division was Jayla Kucy of Camrose GC. Jayla played fantastic golf over the two-days shooting 74-79 to win by just a single stroke over Sydney Bisgrove of Canyon Meadows G&CC. Sydney started the day six strokes back of the lead and did everything she could to force a playoff but fell just short after shooting 80-74. Rounding out the top 3 was Georgia Barr of Glencoe G&CC after firing 76-80 for the tournament to finish three back of the lead. Congratulations to the following winners of their respective Flight:

• 16 & Under - Sydney Bisgrove of Canyon Meadows G&CC
• 14 & Under - Gabrielle Roznicki of Pinebrook G&CC

In the Boys’ Division, shooting an even par 71-70 to win the Junior Masters for the first time was Zachary Haydamack of Mickelson National GC. Zachary cruised his way to victory by six strokes over his nearest competitor and was only one of two players in the field to shoot even par for either round. Finishing in second was the likes of Cole Bergheim of Red Deer G&CC after carding 74-73 for the two rounds. Rounding out the top 3 was Brett Jones of Glencoe G&CC with 76-72 for the tournament. Congratulations to the following winners of their respective Flight:

• 18 & Under - Cole Bergheim (Red Deer G&CC)
• 16 & Under - Brett Jones (Glencoe G&CC)
• 14 & Under - Charlie Gillespie (Canyon Meadows G&CC)

Thank you to all our players, sponsors, and of course Wolf Creek GR for hosting another Junior Masters event.

Click here for full results

After a windy and cool day at the Wolf Creek Golf Resort in Ponoka for the PGA of Alberta Junior Masters presented by Sundog Eyewear & TourTee, Zachary Haydamack of Mickelson National GC in the Boys’ Division and Jayla Kucy of Camrose GC in the Girls’ Division stood above the rest to hold the lead heading into Round 2 tomorrow.

Haydamack played bogey-free on the front nine and was sitting at 3-under after the 11 holes until making a few bogeys down the final stretch to finish at even par 71. Sitting right behind Haydamack is the 2020 Junior Masters Champion Carter Code (Glencoe G&CC) at 1-over 72. Code will be looking to repeat after winning by 3-strokes last year to win his first Junior Masters title. Five other players sit within 3 strokes of the lead heading into tomorrow at the Old Course.

In the 14 & Under Boys’ Division, Peter Hlushak (Stony Plain GC) had a stellar performance today to sit atop the leaderboard in his respective division. Hlushak fired a 3-over 74 today on the Links Course to give himself a healthy 3-stroke lead heading into tomorrow.

In the Girls’ Division, Kucy stayed calm under tough conditions today to finish at 3-over 74, giving herself a 2-stroke lead heading into round two. She started the round at 3-over after nine holes but dialed it in on the back nine and played even par golf to put herself in the lead. Right behind Kucy is Georgia Barr (Glencoe G&CC) at 5-over 76 and Aastha Savadatti (Canyon Meadows G&CC) at 6-over 77. Both players will try to put the pressure on the leader tomorrow as they tee off in the final group of the tournament at 10:20am.

In the 14 & Under Girls’ Division, Kali Yeske (Valley Ridge GC) took sole possession of first in her division after shooting an 83. Gabrielle Roznicki (Pinebrook G&CC) sits only one back of Yeske with at 84 setting up for an exciting battle tomorrow for the 14 & Under Division.

Players will take their talents over to the Old Course tomorrow (Sept. 3rd) at Wolf Creek GR for the final round and do everything they can to take home the 2021 Junior Masters title as well as their respective division.

Click here for Round 1 results & Round 2 draw.

The PGA of Alberta Junior Masters sponsored by Sundog Eyewear & TourTee is a 36-Hole invitational Junior Golf event organized each year by the Professional Golfers’ Association of Alberta. Celebrating its 31^st year in 2021, this event was initiated to provide elite level competition to a limited field of Alberta’s top junior golfers.

This year we have 55 Junior Boys and Girls with a highly competitive golf background competing at Wolf Creek GR in Ponoka this week on September 2^nd & 3^rd. The Boys Division Champion from 2020, Carter Code (Glencoe G&CC), will be back to defend his title while the Girls Division will crown a new Champion this year!

Click here to view draw


           

The Compensation Survey is a very important tool for our Association as it allows us to give our membership the most current earning potential in each area of the province based on their position.  The more surveys that are filled out, the more accurate both the averages and high/low points will be.

Please take 5-10 minutes to fill out the survey. Once completed, you will be sent a copy of the results.

Important Aspects to the Compensation Survey

• Each member will only be able to submit one survey for approval between Oct 1 - Sept 30 each year.
• Top 100 Points - Every Member will receive 5 Top 100 points for completing the survey!
• Your information will be kept confidential and will be used only for statistical purposes.
  
  

We are saddened to announce the recent passing of PGA of Alberta Life Member Alan Roy Killian. Alan passed away on August 8^th at the age of 60.

Alan was born on February 8^th, 1961, in Edmonton, Alberta to Roy and Georgina Killian. After graduating from NAIT with a Civil Engineering degree, Alan was drawn to his love of sports and in 1984 became a Golf Professional with the PGA of Canada. His golf career began at the Kananaskis GC and he would go on to have a 20-year career as a Head Professional in Calgary, culminating with many wonderful years at the Inglewood G&CC.

Beyond his love for playing, Al’s passion was teaching golfers the skills to improve their golf game and thereby their enjoyment of the game. Once his golf career ended, he would go on to reinvent himself and became a Certified Financial Planner with Investors Group where he could continue to teach and support others, but this time in the realm of finance.

There will be a celebration of Alan’s life, to be held on Thursday, August 19^th, 2021, at the Deerfoot Meadows location of the Shark Club Sports Bar & Grill, the address being: 7995 11 Street S.E., Calgary. The event will run from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm and all friends and family are invited to come at their leisure. The Killian family asks that if you have a memory or story to share involving Alan, to please bring a written copy to drop off in a collection box, as in the months and years to come they will treasure the chance to read them again and again.

Our thoughts are with Alan’s family and friends during this difficult time. Click the link below for Alan’s obituary.

Click Here for Obituary

Do you have any upcoming tournaments or events at your club? Create some excitement by purchasing Hole in One Insurance through the PGA of Alberta HIO program! In partnership with Foster Park Brokers Inc., the HIO program provides members and non-members the opportunity to purchase affordable HIO insurance for your club, corporate and charity events!

Click Here for Member Testimonials

What Denominations Can I Purchase?
Any denomination from $1,000 to $50,000 per hole can be purchased online. Should you wish to purchase more than $50,000 per hole, please contact [email protected] for a custom quote. On coverage up to $100,000, PGA of Alberta members will always receive the best possible premium from Foster Park Brokers.

How Do I Purchase?
Coverage can be easily purchased on the PGA of Alberta website with the following steps:

1. Login to the website and select ‘My Hole In One’ under ’Manage Account’ or ’My Account’
2. Select the ’Create New Event’ button
3. Follow the step-by-step instructions that will guide you through the easy purchasing process. It’s as simple as that!

*If you are a non-PGA of Alberta member and interested in purchasing, please contact Marlene Sanderson at the PGA of Alberta office (see contact info below).

What are the Benefits of PGA of Alberta HIO Program?

• Competitive industry rates
• Easy to purchase online
• Purchase for one event OR for an entire season worth of events at once
• Modify your events by contacting the office based on any changes that occur throughout the season
• Fees/Premium waived if tournament is cancelled due to inclement weather
• No dealing with the insurance company directly
• Supporting the Association

Important Items to Note
Electronic scorecards are acceptable as long as they can still be signed by the winner (digital signature acceptable).

Elevated flag/holes will NOT be permitted for HIO Insurance. However, clubs are still able to purchase insurance as long as the ball drops and stays in the hole after coming to a rest. There are NO requirements for a specific depth of the hole.

Questions?
If have any questions on how this program can work for you, please contact Marlene Sanderson at the PGA of Alberta office (E: [email protected] OR P: 403-256-8894 / TF: 1-888-866-6140).

One of the main focuses of the PGA of Alberta has been supporting Junior Golf. Alberta Golf Professionals use their expertise to create, organize and facilitate junior-oriented events including the PGA of Alberta Junior Masters. The Scholarship Program is another important step in the overall development of our current programming.

The mission of the PGA of Alberta is to provide junior golfers from around the province the opportunity to be recognized for their outstanding achievements, while promoting and providing access to continued education. This program has presented over 50 scholarships since 1998.

Scholarships

There are four (4) Junior Scholarships available of $1,000 each awarded to deserving candidates. Two of these scholarships will be awarded to children of PGA of Alberta Members (no golf experience needed) and the other two will be awarded to Alberta Junior boys or girls, who meet the criteria.

Deadline

Scholarship deadline is this Friday, July 30^th, 2021 by 4pm. Application forms and accompanying information must be sent to the PGA of Alberta office no later than this date.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

The PGA of Alberta is pleased to introduce Brendan Ethier as the newest member to the Zone staff in the position of Tournament & Education Coordinator. Brendan’s role will consist of coordinating the Education portfolio from the Spring Seminar to the Podcast Series as well as being present at PGA of Alberta tournaments this season. Many Assistant Professionals already had the chance to meet Brendan earlier this week at the Assistants’ Championship at Sirocco GC.

Brendan graduated from the University of Jamestown in North Dakota with a degree in Exercise Science. He has a strong passion for sports and is looking forward to meeting more of the membership at upcoming events. Brendan can now be reached by email at [email protected].

Click here to view entire staff listing

Please be advised of the recent staff changes at the PGA of Alberta office. Ashley Van Kroonenburg is no longer working for the PGA of Alberta. She is still however working in the golf industry at Canmore G&CC. We wish Ashley the best of luck in her new role at the club and look forward to seeing her at future Association events.

Trevor Rioux will be shifting over to our Events role (Buying Show, Awards, Golf Shows, etc.) as well as remaining the point of contact for several other Association programs. Please send any questions to him pertaining to the events above moving forward ([email protected]).

Aaron McKay is now the main point of contact for the tournament program this season. Please send any questions to him pertaining to tournaments moving forward ([email protected]).

Lastly, the Association is currently in the process of hiring a new person for the role of Education & Tournament Coordinator. The office has already interviewed several candidates and should have a new person in place in the coming weeks.

Click the link below to read the latest NAGA Alberta update regarding golf tournaments from today (May 31^st).

Click Here to View Update

Tournament Update - Tournament of Champions & GSH Series/Seniors’ Division @ Belvedere G&CC
With this latest update from NAGA Alberta, the PGA of Alberta will now POSTPONE the two events scheduled for next week; Tournament of Champions at Willow Park G&CC on June 7^th and the GSH Series/Seniors’ Division event at Belvedere G&CC on June 9^th. Both events will be rescheduled to a later date this season and communicated once confirmed.

If you are registered for either event (or both), your registration will automatically transfer to the new date. If you are unable to attend the new date, you will be able to withdraw and receive a full refund (if paid).

We appreciate your understanding and patience during this time. We are looking forward to getting the season started as soon as we are permitted.
  

We would like to keep you updated on the process forward from NAGA Alberta / PGA of Alberta. Our strategy/negotiations with AHS and the Provincial Government has been based on the appropriate timing and windows as guided by our Consultant/Government Relation Bruce McAllister. "The Golf industry as a whole is adhering to all AHS regulations and ’seeking clarity’ to ensure continued compliance".  Our approach forward is to integrate a new compliance guideline unattached from the Alberta Government Outdoor Sports and Recreation document.

As the numbers are decreasing in a positive manner (positivity percentage, ICU, hospitalizations, daily cases and doses administered), golf remains part of the solution to the economy as well as the physical and mental health of Albertans. The Alberta Golf Industry is bringing forward Recommendation Procedures to incorporate into the new proposed 2021 Guidance for Golf Courses and Driving Range Operators. Below are a few points in our letter that we are trying to address with Government. Under the subject of clubhouse and maintenance, power carts and all on course equipment. Also we are trying to address golf play, instruction, practice and gathering limits included in lessons, tee times, driving range, event bookings, etc.

Currently, golf is one of the few activities that allows participation during this challenging time. With the safety of members, employees and guests at the forefront, NAGA-AB has been working closely to support AHS protocols and restrictions throughout the course of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Additionally, the PGA of Alberta Updated the Resource Centre COVID-19 support tab on the PGA of Alberta website. To access the update, please click here.

From all of us, we want to thank you for your efforts and for helping us put our best foot forward as an industry.

Dear Golf Industry Partners / Key Stakeholders,

We have recently been contacted by several golf courses, as well as golfers, for further clarification on the protocols that apply to golfers that live alone in high case regions. To clarify, the following information is currently listed on the AHS website:

• People who live alone can have up to two (2) close contacts. These contacts must be:
  • the same two contacts throughout the duration of the restriction.
  • if the close contacts do not also live alone, visits cannot be held at their home.
  • single parents who only live with their children under 18 can have up to two (2) close contacts.

It is our understanding that for golf, this means that golfers that live alone or are single parents with children under 18 can golf with two (2) close contacts that do not need to be from the same household but must be the same two (2) close contacts throughout the duration of the current public health restriction.

We strongly urge all golf courses to continue to remain vigilant as the safety of staff and guests remain the utmost priority and we ask that all facilities do their part to adhere to all AHS guidelines.

NAGA AB continues to advocate for the Alberta golf industry communicating the mental and physical benefits of golf along with our adherence to all Public Health protocols to ensure safety for all. However, we have been advised by Dr. Hinshaw’s office that relief will not be offered provincewide until the health situation improves.  

Please do not hesitate to contact us should you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Erica Beck
Regional Director, NGCOA Canada
President - NAGA Alberta

cc:
Robert Rousselle, Executive Director, PGA of Alberta
Phil Berube, CEO, Alberta Golf
Jennifer Cox, President, CSCM – Alberta Chapter
Terri Solodan, Executive Director, AGSA

With last week’s various announcements regarding the new restrictions brought into effect by the province of Alberta, Chief Medical Officer and Alberta Health Services, we decided to consolidate the various COVID-19 related pages on our website to provide ease of access for all our Members.

We hope the updated Resource Centre Page (found under the "My Account" tab) will help with any questions you may have during these trying times and all information on these pages has come directly from Alberta Health Services or government of Alberta or Canada pages to ensure accuracy, consistent messaging and clarity. 

With all the hard-work being done on our Industry’s behalf by the tireless NAGA Alberta & all advocates, we have thankfully managed to remain open whereas so many others have not. While not easy to yet again be forced to endure making changes to operations and all the challenging facets that entails; we implore everyone to hang on and follow the new restrictions and guidelines that have been imposed. A recent article in the Calgary Herald by Wes Gilbertson helps shed some light on the current direction of lobbying and ongoing discussions with governmental persons.

Please click here to see the most recent update from NAGA Alberta and their most recent communication with the Chief Medical Officer - Dr. Hinshaw.

for the Covid-19 Resource Centre Page

We are saddened to announce the recent passing of PGA of Alberta member Corey Beaver. Corey joined the PGA of Canada in 2015 and received his Class A status at the beginning of 2020. He was most recently the Assistant Golf Professional at Sundre GC and previously worked at Jasper Park Lodge GC and Station Creek GC in Ontario. Corey passed away at the age of 27.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a time of celebration to honour Corey’s life will be held at a later date. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Colchester Community Funeral Home, 512 Willow St, Truro, N.S.

Our deepest condolences goes out to his family and friends during this difficult time. Click the link below for Corey’s obituary.
  

Click Here for Obituary

May 4, 2021

Dear industry stakeholders,

Premier Kenney and the Alberta Government have today announced new mandatory restrictions affecting gathering limits, retail and restaurants, as well as outdoor sport and fitness for a minimum of 3 weeks. These new measures apply to all communities with more than 50 cases per 100,000 people and with 30 or more active cases. For municipalities below the regional threshold noted above, please click here for guidance and restrictions.

To determine the rate of active cases in your region, and which public health measures apply in your area, please click here.

Please see below for restrictions affecting your operation:

Outdoor Social Gatherings: Outdoor gathering limit of no more than 5 individuals with 2 metre physical distancing mandatory between members of different households. (In effect Wednesday, May 5^th) Retail: Retail operations are limited to 10% capacity (not including staff) or a minimum of 5 customers. Curbside pickup, delivery and online services are encouraged. (In effect Wednesday, May 5^th)

Restaurants & Patios: In person dining is prohibited both inside restaurant and on patios. Takeout and delivery is permitted. (In effect Sunday, May 9th at 11:59 pm)

Outdoor Sports & Recreation: Outdoor sports and recreation is now limited to members of your household, or if living alone to two close contacts. (In effect Sunday, May 9th at 11:59 pm)

•  All group physical activities such as team sports, fitness classes, and training sessions
•  All one-on-one lessons and training activities
•  All practices, training and games

All indoor sport and recreation is prohibited.

We strongly urge all golf courses to remain vigilant as the safety of staff and guests remains our utmost priority and we ask that all facilities do their part to adhere to all AHS guidelines. 

NAGA AB, along with our government advocate Bruce McAllister, will be reaching out to the Alberta Government tomorrow for clarification on the outdoor sports and recreation enhanced public health measures and how it affects golf. Once we know more, we will reach out with an updated bulletin.

Please do not hesitate to contact us should you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Erica Beck
Regional Director, NGCOA Canada
President - NAGA Alberta

cc:
Robert Rousselle, Executive Director, PGA of Alberta
Phil Berube, CEO, Alberta Golf
Jennifer Cox, President, CSCM – Alberta Chapter
Terri Solodan, Executive Director, AGSA

April 29, 2021

Dear industry stakeholders,

The Government of Alberta has notified NAGA-AB that golf protocols will now fall under the Sport, Fitness and Recreation category. The Government has also released their updated Guidance document today for Sport, Fitness and Recreation on the Alberta Government website. Please see below for a brief highlight of the changes that impact your course. To read the complete sector guidance document, please CLICK HERE.

Golf Carts:

• Golf carts and other recreational vehicles should only be used by one individual or members of one household at a time, and must be cleaned and sanitized before they are used by another household.

Competitions:

• Sports, fitness and recreation competitions, festivals, showcases, or similar, are not permitted at this time for Albertans of any age, whether indoors or outdoors.

Gathering Limits:

• Outdoor gathering limit of 10 individuals with 2 metre physical distancing required.

Bookings:

• All tee-times and lessons must be pre-booked; drop-ins are not allowed.

Facility Rentals:

• Rental of an indoor fitness or recreational facility is permitted for the exclusive use of an individual or household only.
• Facilities with additional recreational amenities are permitted to be rented to multiple individuals or households only if they are separated by a permanent or semi-permanent wall.

General:

• Masks are required when participating in indoor fitness and recreation; this includes all coaches and instructors.
• Physical distance must be maintained at all times between participants. Coaches/instructors must keep 2 metres apart (outdoor) and 3 metres (indoor) unless in the case of very brief interaction for the purposes of instruction.
• One-on-one or one-to household indoor training is permitted.
• For sports/activities that require shared equipment to be handled (ie. rental clubs, rakes, benches, etc.), participants need to perform hand hygiene before and after the activity.
• Organizers must clean and disinfect any shared equipment/materials between uses.
• Locker room access should be limited whenever possible.

We strongly urge all golf courses to remain vigilant as the safety of staff and guests remains our utmost priority and we ask that all facilities do their part to adhere to all AHS guidelines. It is our understanding that AHS wants to manage outdoor gathering limits not only on course but pre- and post-sport activity as well.

Now that the province is clearly in the third wave of this pandemic, it has never been more important to adhere to the public health protocols to ensure that our sport remains open and golfers have a safe place to engage in healthy outdoor activity.

NAGA AB continues to monitor announcements, engage with government officials and provide updates as they become available. Please do not hesitate to contact us should you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Erica Beck
Regional Director, NGCOA Canada
President - NAGA Alberta

cc:
Robert Rousselle, Executive Director, PGA of Alberta
Phil Berube, CEO, Alberta Golf
Jennifer Cox, President, CSCM – Alberta Chapter
Terri Solodan, Executive Director, AGSA

April 16^th, 2021

Updated Restaurant Protocols Now Available

The Government of Alberta has posted updated Food Service and Sales protocols. Please see below for a brief highlight of the changes that impact your restaurant business and to read the complete sector guidance document, please CLICK HERE.

Outdoor Dining Areas: The Alberta Government has defined what is considered an outdoor dining area:

• if your dining area has a roof and no more than one wall, it is considered an outdoor dining area
• if your dining area has no roof and any number of walls, it is considered an outdoor dining area
• indoor dining areas with open windows, doors, or other large opening to the outside (open garage style doors) are not considered to be outdoor dining areas

Restaurant Booking: Operators cannot accept bookings for social or work-related events, meetings or gatherings involving people from different households.

Buffets: Buffets are not permitted at this time.

NAGA AB Hires Government Relations Advisor

We are pleased to announce that NAGA AB has once again retained the services of Bruce McAllister, Government Relations Advisor, to assist our industry in navigating any future revised protocols requested by AHS.

Bruce was integral with working alongside NAGA AB in the spring of 2020 with communicating to government on our safe protocols and ensuring golf was re-opened early on in stage 0 of re-opening Alberta last May.

Yesterday we were made aware that Alberta Health Services had removed many guidance documents for various industries including golf, pending updates. We encourage you to visit the Alberta Government Sector Guidance resource page by CLICKING HERE to ensure you have the most up-to-date protocols.

We strongly urge all golf courses to remain vigilant as the safety of staff and guests remains our utmost priority and we ask that all facilities do their part to adhere to all AHS guidelines.

The National Allied Golf Association (NAGA) of Alberta remains committed to working in partnership with the Province of Alberta and will update the industry with any future announcements with respect to golf that may be announced.

Sincerely,

Erica Beck
Regional Director, NGCOA Canada
President - NAGA Alberta

cc:
Robert Rousselle, Executive Director, PGA of Alberta
Phil Berube, CEO, Alberta Golf
Jennifer Cox, President, CSCM – Alberta Chapter
Terri Solodan, Executive Director, AGSA

Registration for the 2021 Play Ability Tests (PAT) is now open! Take note of the PAT schedule by clicking the button below. There will be five PAT’s in total this season. Please pass this information on to anyone interested in becoming a member of the PGA of Alberta at your facility! For more information on the steps to become a member, please refer to the PGA of Canada Membership Roadmap.

About the PAT…
The PAT is standardized testing all Applicants must pass in order to be eligible to apply for membership. All prospective Applicants are required to register with the PGA of Canada prior to registering for a PAT in 2021. Once an application has been accepted, the PGA of Canada will notify the PGA of Alberta office that there is a new Applicant who will be attempting a PAT. The PAT’s are conducted by the Zones.

Prospective members must meet the following entrance requirements:

• Be 18 years of age
• Have a high school diploma or higher
• Currently working in the golf industry to be verified by your employer, and work a minimum of 400 hours per year
• Two reference letters, one from your employer and one from a PGA of Canada Class "A" Member
• Pass a sanctioned Play Ability Test
• Complete a police check with Sterling BackCheck Online

PAT Target Score...

• 1 round PAT (18 holes)
• No maximum number of attempts per year
• All PAT’s are open to all Applicants
• For Men, 49 years of age & under - the course rating plus 9 
• For Men, 50 years of age & older - the course rating plus 11 
• For Women, 49 years of age & under- the course rating plus 13 
• For Women, 50 years of age & older - the course rating plus 15

PAT Process...
Step 1 - Register online at pgaofcanada.com - The cost is $325 plus tax, which includes your 1st PAT attempt and is valid for one year from the date of the registration. After a year, you must re-register as an Applicant to register for and attempt a PAT.

Step 2 - Register online at pgaofcanada.com for all PAT’s - ($150 plus tax per each additional attempt)

If an Applicant is unsuccessful in each of their PAT attempts over the course of a season, those Applicants may try again the following season. Successful Applicants will pay membership dues for the upcoming season at that time. 

Click Read More below for more information on the application process and the steps that need to be taken after becoming a member.

As a result of the rising COVID-19 infections and variant cases of concern, the Alberta Government has announced new and stronger health restrictions. To view complete details, please CLICK HERE.

The updated Public Health Order has not yet been posted to the Alberta Government website, but we anticipate that being available shortly and will be accessible HERE.

New Measures Effective Immediately

Retail: Limit customer capacity to 15% of fire code occupancy (not including staff) or a minimum of 5 customers.

Indoor Recreation: Indoor recreational facilities can be open for one-on-one coaching or one household only with one coach. Simulators are not to be open for recreational use.

New Measures Effective Friday, April 9 at Noon

Restaurants: In person dining is not permitted, however outdoor patio dining, takeout, delivery and curbside pick up are allowed. 6 people per table maximum – individuals must be from the same household or the 2 close contacts for a person living alone. Contact info must be collected. Liquor service ends at 10pm and patio dining to close by 11pm.

Outdoor Gathering Limits: A reminder that the maximum outdoor gathering limit is 10 people, please do not allow for pre or post game gatherings at your facilities.

Sector Guidance for Golf

The National Allied Golf Association of Alberta (NAGA AB) is aware that sector guidance updates specifically for golf have not been provided by AHS for 2021.

We are aware that various AHS representatives have requested operators to pivot to single rider carts only while others have advised that cart riders wear a mask when sharing a cart.

At this time, June 2020 protocols for golf are posted online and can be accessed HERE.

It is important to recognize that although the golf protocols posted are from June 2020, it may be necessary to modify your own facility guidelines in consultation with your local AHS rep to ensure that public health protection measures are maintained.

NAGA AB was asked by officials to offer new protocol suggestions due to the current state. Information has been submitted but no timeline was provided as to when to expect revised sector guidance for golf. All current sector guidance documents are located HERE.

We strongly urge all golf courses to remain vigilant as the safety of staff and guests remains our utmost priority and we ask that all facilities do their part to adhere to all AHS guidelines.

The National Allied Golf Association (NAGA) of Alberta remains committed to working in partnership with the Province of Alberta and will update the industry with any future announcements with respect to golf that may be announced.

Sincerely,


Erica Beck
Regional Director, NGCOA Canada
President - NAGA Alberta

cc:
Robert Rousselle, Executive Director, PGA of Alberta
Phil Berube, CEO, Alberta Golf
Jennifer Cox, President, CSCM – Alberta Chapter
Terri Solodan, Executive Director, AGSA

At the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting, Greg McGarry of the Glendale G&CC officially passed the torch to the new PGA of Alberta President Dale Tomlinson from The Winston GC. Dale has been a Board Member since 2011 and brings with him a wealth of knowledge of the Association as he moves into his new role as the 29^th President of the PGA of Alberta. At the AGM, Dale officially announced Matt Johnson from the Royal Mayfair GC as the new Vice President.

We would like to give a special thank you to Greg McGarry for all of his efforts over the last two years as President of the Association. See the picture below of Greg McGarry receiving a recognition plaque for his years of service as President. 

Click Here to view past Presidents.

The PGA of Alberta prides itself on being different, along with bringing new ideas to life.

The PGA of Alberta Marketplace is a hub for all Golf courses in Alberta that employ a PGA of Canada Professional. This hub will allow you to search individual courses quickly and easily with all the information you’ll need to get on the links. 

The Marketplace is divided up into sectors; Teaching Facilities, Private, Semi-Private, Public and Resort courses. PLUS don’t forget to check out the Caddy Shack to search for all the NEW 2021 clubs. 

Are you looking for a deal? Well we have those too. Search under the Show Specials to find spectacular golf deals. Be sure to check in weekly as the deals have just begun. 

This Marketplace will be online until the end of the season.  Be sure to use this hub for all your PGA of Alberta Golf Course needs.

Add some excitement to your tournaments and club leagues this season by purchasing Hole in One Insurance through the PGA of Alberta HIO program! In partnership with Foster Park Brokers Inc., the HIO program provides members and non-members the opportunity to purchase affordable HIO insurance for your club, corporate and charity events!

Click Here for Member Testimonials

What Denominations Can I Purchase?
Any denomination from $1,000 to $50,000 per hole can be purchased online. Should you wish to purchase more than $50,000 per hole, please contact [email protected] for a custom quote. On coverage up to $100,000, PGA of Alberta members will always receive the best possible premium from Foster Park Brokers.

How Do I Purchase?
Coverage can be easily purchased on the PGA of Alberta website with the following steps:

1. Login to the website and select ‘My Hole In One’ under ’Manage Account’ or ’My Account’
2. Select the ’Create New Event’ button
3. Follow the step-by-step instructions that will guide you through the easy purchasing process. It’s as simple as that!

*If you are a non-PGA of Alberta member and interested in purchasing, please contact Marlene Sanderson at the PGA of Alberta office (see contact info below).

What are the Benefits of PGA of Alberta HIO Program?

• Competitive industry rates
• Easy to purchase online
• Purchase for one event OR for an entire season worth of events at once
• Modify your events by contacting the office based on any changes that occur throughout the season
• Fees/Premium waived if tournament is cancelled due to inclement weather
• No dealing with the insurance company directly
• Supporting the Association

Important Items to Note
Electronic scorecards are acceptable as long as they can still be signed by the winner (digital signature acceptable).

Elevated flag/holes will NOT be permitted for HIO Insurance. However, clubs are still able to purchase insurance as long as the ball drops and stays in the hole after coming to a rest. There are NO requirements for a specific depth of the hole.

Questions?
If have any questions on how this program can work for you, please contact Marlene Sanderson at the PGA of Alberta office (E: [email protected] OR P: 403-256-8894 / TF: 1-888-866-6140).

Congratulations to the following 14 members for reaching their 25 & 50 Year milestone in 2021 as a Class A Member of the PGA of Canada! All members were recognized at our Annual General Meeting on March 9^th for their outstanding dedication to the Association and golf industry. With such an accomplishment, the National office will recognize each members milestone with a special gift!

50 Years

• Wayne Stark (Life Member)

25 Years

• Andrew Penner (McKenzie Meadows GC)
• Art New (Canada Golf Card Driving Range)
• Cathy Burton (Class A Professional)
• Cliff Kryway (Class A Professional)
• David Nikirk (Mickelson National GC)
• Gary Lecuyer (Class A Professional)
• Gerry Collett (Links at Spruce Grove)
• Greg Griffith (Fox Hollow GC)
• Jamie Driscoll (Trestle Creek GR)
• Scott Bergdahl (Lakewood GR)
• Scott Holland (Silvertip GR)
• Tiffany Gordon (Carnmoney GC)
• Todd Fiske (Class A Professional)

We hope that you have had a productive winter season planning for busy tee sheets ahead while staying healthy and safe. The National Allied Golf Association of Alberta (NAGA AB) remains committed to working together on the behalf of the golf industry. We are pleased to see AHS proceeding through the various steps to re-opening and grateful that outdoor recreation has been permitted to be open during the past few months. We are so much further ahead as we enter our second season of managing COVID protocols. As Alberta heads into Spring much earlier than last year and with golfers anxious to be able to play a round; we need to re-group and prepare for the season ahead.

 Current guidelines for restaurant, retail and other gathering restrictions and business updates for current Step 2 can be located here: https://www.alberta.ca/enhanced-public-health-measures.aspx

 We are expecting as Spring nears and we get closer to Step 3 re-opening announcements for the Province that we will receive a revision to our protocols. For those golf courses re-opening now, or soon, we suggest that you reach out to your local AHS rep for any expectations prior to re-opening in case adjustments are requested in relation to the current Step 2 guidance.

 Presently the protocols covering the golf industry from June 2020 are still posted on Alberta Health Services Website. (https://www.alberta.ca/assets/documents/covid-19-relaunch-guidance-golf-course-driving-range-operators.pdf), this document can be found on this page of the AHS site: https://www.alberta.ca/guidance-documents.aspx .

 The National Allied Golf Association (NAGA) of Alberta continues to monitor the current situation and will update the industry with any future announcements with respect to golf protocols expected to come during the coming weeks. We wish all of you a wonderful golf season and look forward to busy tee sheets ahead.

Erica Beck

Regional Director, NGCOA Canada

President - NAGA Alberta

cc:

Robert Rousselle, Executive Director, PGA of Alberta

Phil Berubfe, CEO, Alberta Golf

Jennifer Cox, President, CSCM – Alberta Chapter

Terri Solodan, Executive Director, AGSA

Your expense receipt for PGA of Alberta tournaments is where you will find what tournaments you played in this past season, the start date, the entry fee amount, and any winnings you received. To find this receipt on your account, please follow the steps below:

1. Login to the PGA of Alberta Website
2. Under ‘Manage Account’ or ‘My Account’, go to ‘My Registrations’
3. Under ’Current Season’, select ’2020’ (see below)
4. Scroll to the bottom of the page and look for the ‘Downloads’ heading
5. Click on ‘2020 Tournament Expense Receipt’ to view (see below)

Congratulations to the following Members on being elected to the Board of Directors today (March 9^th) at the PGA of Alberta Annual General Meeting:

• Jeff MacGregor (The Glendale G&CC, newly elected)
• Josh Fleming (GOLFTEC Calgary Beacon Heights, newly elected)
• Scott Anderson (The Winston GC, newly elected)
• Shawn Lavoie (Canyon Meadows G&CC, re-elected)

Congratulations to the following Members on being elected to the Assistants’ Board of Directors:

• Brady Karlson (Canyon Meadows G&CC, newly elected)
• Chris Ward (Edmonton Petroleum G&CC, newly elected)
• Riley Fleming (Lynx Ridge GC, newly elected)
• Shannon Raina (Glencoe G&CC, newly elected)
• Bryce Halverson (Valley Ridge GC, re-elected)
• Eric Locke (Priddis Greens G&CC, re-elected)

Click the following links to view the current Board of Directors or Assistants’ Board.

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Members of the Professional Golfers’ Association of Alberta will be held tomorrow on Tuesday, March 9^th, 2021 starting at 10:00am. The AGM will be held virtually this year through Zoom.

Voting for the Board & Assistants’ Board is being executed online through a secure voting platform. If you did not receive an email communication on Feb. 16^th, please contact [email protected]. Please note there will be no floor nominations this year. 

Please click Read More below to be directed to the AGM information and Zoom Link if you did not previously receive (login required). All attendees of the AGM will receive 3 Top 100 points.

Take a moment to look over your Member Profile on the PGA of Alberta website by clicking ‘Edit Profile’ and ’Account Settings’ under ‘My Account’ to ensure that your contact information, professional photo, social media handles and bio is up-to-date. You can also update your Privacy Settings for what the public and other members can see on your Profile (under Account Settings).

Click Here for Example of an Updated Profile

Be sure to notify the office of any recent facility change to ensure your Profile information/category is accurate and also to be mentioned on the ‘Members on the Move’ page. If you have recently changed facilities, or made changes to your staff, please inform Marlene Sanderson at the PGA of Alberta office ([email protected]).

Click the following links to update your Account Settings and Profile (login required) – Edit Account Settings / Edit Profile

The PGA of Alberta Mentorship Program provides guidance and direction to first year Members of the Association (Apprentice Professionals). Developed in conjunction with the Assistants’ Board of Directors, the objective of the Mentorship Program is to create a group of Members who are passionate about their careers, the industry and Association, leading to long-term commitment to the golf industry.

CLICK HERE to see last year’s Program Feedback from Mentors/Mentees

IMPORTANT: Members must have their Class ’A’ status within the Association in order to be a Mentor. We are in need of Mentors in all geographical locations of the province. We want to ensure the best support possible for our new Apprentice Professionals and this will be accomplished by pairing a Mentor with a Mentee that lives in a close proximity.

Expectations of Mentors…

• Commit to your Mentor/Mentee relationship(s) for a minimum of 2-years
• Be accountable for your Mentee and provide continuous support on an ongoing basis as needed
• Set parameters of the relationship with the Mentee and create a plan for goals/objectives on what both parties want achieve
• Attempt to meet in person with your Mentee twice (Spring & Fall). Example: This can be accomplished over a round of golf
• Provide feedback to the office by completing the Mentor Evaluation Form when required

Top 100 Points…
All Mentors will receive 5 Top 100 Points max. for their involvement in the Mentorship Program. These points are awarded annually in September. All Mentors must execute the action items as indicated and submit the Evaluation Form before being eligible to receive the points.

Form…
If interested in being involved, please the button below to submit the "Become a Mentor" form by March 5^th, 2021. After the form has been submitted, you will be added to the Mentor list (if eligible) and MAY be assigned a Mentee in March of this year (depending on total number of Mentors/Mentees, and geographical location). Please ignore this form if you have already expressed interest in being a Mentor.

Voting officially opened on Feb. 16^th  for the Board & Assistants’ Board elections and will close just after the start of the Annual General Meeting on March 9^th, 2021. There will be NO speeches this year from the Board Nominees during the AGM. Instead, Nominees had the option to submit a video bio in addition to their written bio. There will be no nominations from the floor this year as well.

Voting for the Board & Assistants’ Board is being executed online through a secure voting platform called Simply Voting. If you did not receive an email communication on Feb. 16^th, please contact [email protected].

Board of Directors

Sets all policies, rules and regulations for the PGA of Alberta, meeting on a quarterly basis to conduct the business affairs on behalf of the Members.  There are between nine and twelve Members elected to the PGA of Alberta Board of Directors, all are Class A Members of the PGA of Canada. Election terms are set at three years. There are four (4) spots open for election in 2021 for the Board of Directors.

Click Here to see this year’s Nominees

Assistants’ Board of Directors

Assistant Professionals (Class A) and Apprentice Professionals also have a voice in the Association, through the Assistants’ Board of Directors. Up to nine Class A Members or Apprentice Professionals are invited to run annually for two-year Committee terms on the Assistants’ Board of Directors, and upon election assume a portfolio, and attend Committee meetings consistent with those on the Board of Directors. There are six (6) spots open for election in 2021 for the Assistants’ Board of Directors.

Click Here to see this year’s Nominees (click on "Assistants’ Board of Directors Nominees" tab)

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Members of the Professional Golfers’ Association of Alberta will be held on Tuesday, March 9^th, 2021 starting at 10:00am. The AGM will be held virtually this year through Zoom due to COVID-19.

Board of Directors Election (9 Nominees)

There will be four (4) spots open for election in 2021 for the Board of Directors. Voting will officially open on Tuesday, February 16^th and will close just after the start of the AGM on March 9^th.

Assistants’ Board of Directors Election (20 Nominees)

There will be six (6) spots open for election in 2021 for the Assistants’ Board of Directors. Voting will officially open on Tuesday, February 16^th and will close just after the start of the AGM on March 9^th.

Click Read More below to view this year’s Nominees (login required).

The PDF version suitable for printing of the 2021 PGA of Alberta Industry Directory is NOW available! Please follow the links below to be directed to the PDF and online versions. Please note that the online version includes full clickable links to emails and web addresses that were provided.

The Industry Directory includes the following information: 

• Facility Listings
• Membership List
• Industry Suppliers Index
• Products and Lines Represented
• Notes section at the end to make updates if needed

PDF Version --> CLICK HERE
  

ONLINE Version --> CLICK HERE

Congratulations to Bryce Halverson of Valley Ridge GC on being elected as the new President of the PGA of Alberta Assistants’ Board of Directors.

Bryce has been a member of the Assistants’ Board since the beginning of 2019 and has been actively involved in the Association through all facets including committees, tournaments and education. He is the recent recipient of the PGA of Alberta Apprentice Professional of the Year Award in 2020 and a finalist for the National Award being announced on January 28^th. Click here for more details.

The Assistants’ Board is in great hands moving forward with Bryce and the other Board members all striving towards making a positive impact for the Association and Assistant Professionals. Thank you to former Assistants’ Board President Sam Kirkness (Inglewood G&CC) for all of your hard work over the past year.

About the Assistants’ Board of Directors...
Class A Professionals and Apprentice Professionals also have a voice in the Association, through the Assistants’ Board of Directors. Up to nine Class A Members or Apprentice Professionals are invited to run annually for two-year terms on the Assistants’ Board of Directors, and upon election assume a portfolio, and attend Committee meetings consistent with those on the Board of Directors.

If you are interested in running for a position on the Assistants’ Board of Directors in 2021, please click the link below (login required) for more information and to be directed to the Nomination form which can be submitted online. Deadline to submit your interest is Friday, January 22^nd, 2021 (end of day).

Nomination Form

If you are interested in running for a position on either the Professional Golfers’ Association of Alberta Board of Directors or Assistants’ Board of Directors in 2021, please click the link below (login required) for more information and to be directed to the Nomination form which can be submitted online. Deadline to submit your interest is Friday, January 22^nd, 2021 (end of day).

REMINDER - SAVE DRAFT FEATURE
You can now save your forms online before submitting. Please follow the steps below:

1. You must be logged into your account to be able to save your draft. 
2. Save Draft button is located at the bottom of every form on the website.
3. To find Saved Drafts, please go to "My Account" or "Manage Account" > My Saved Drafts.
4. Click "Edit" beside the form you want to update.
5. Submit when finished!

Board of Directors

Sets all policies, rules and regulations for the PGA of Alberta, meeting on a quarterly basis to conduct the business affairs on behalf of the Members.  There are between nine and twelve Members elected to the PGA of Alberta Board of Directors, all are Class A Members of the PGA of Canada. Elections to the Board are held every year at the Annual General Meeting in March and election terms are set at three years. There will be four (4) spots open for election in 2021 for the Board of Directors. CLICK HERE to see the current Board.

Assistants’ Board of Directors

Assistant Professionals (Class A) and Apprentice Professionals also have a voice in the Association, through the Assistants’ Board of Directors. Up to nine Class A Members or Apprentice Professionals are invited to run annually for two-year Committee terms on the Assistants’ Board of Directors, and upon election assume a portfolio, and attend Committee meetings consistent with those on the Board of Directors. There will be five (5) spots open for election in 2021 for the Assistants’ Board of Directors. CLICK HERE to see the current Assistants’ Board.

Click Here for Nomination Form

Looking to promote your facility in the off-season? Take advantage of the PGA of Alberta’s new social media initiative beginning in January where we will feature a new facility every Friday in the off-season on our Twitter and Instagram accounts (over 6,300 followers combined!).

HOW IT WORKS - All you have to do is submit the required information on the form (see link below) to have your facility featured! Please note that facilities will be selected at random and all information must be filled in to be considered (unless noted as optional on form). In the event we have more submissions than Fridays available, we will store your information to be used the following off-season.

IMPORTANT - To prevent having multiple submissions from the same facility, please collaborate with your staff/team to ensure only one application is sent for the initiative. Thanks in advance.

PRIZE GIVEAWAY - As you’ll see in the form, please let us know if your facility is able to donate a prize giveaway to help increase engagement with your post! This is OPTIONAL and not mandatory but will help increase the amount of viewers for your post. Prize could be green fee passes, merchandise, lesson, gift card, etc. As part of this giveaway, viewers will need to follow your facility account along with other conditions in order to be eligible to win.

If you want your facility featured, DEADLINE to submit the form is January 27^th, 2021. The first post will be in the beginning of January. If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].

Click Here for Form

What is "Pro Tip Tuesday"? 
It’s a social media initiative created in 2019 that will show off your skills as a Golf Professional, help bring exposure to you and your club and will give golfers a reason to check out the PGA of Alberta Social and your own! 

Who can be apart of "Pro Tip Tuesday"?
All PGA of Alberta Golf Professionals

How do I become apart of "Pro Tip Tuesday"? 
All you need to do is create a quick golf tip video between 30 seconds to 2 minutes and use the specific hash tag #pgaofabprotiptuesday @pgaofalberta and the PGA of Alberta staff will re-post your video on their story and platforms every Tuesday. One video will be posted per week. Submit video using link below.

Video Tips

1. Be Professional. You are representing the Association so ensure you look and act the part.
2. Intro. State your name, club, and position as the intro to your video.
3. Length. Ensure your video is between 30 seconds to 2 minutes.
4. Rehearse. Practise your video tip a few times before the final "shoot".
5. Setting. Make sure there’s no noise/visual distractions around you so viewers can focus on you. Your video can be shot indoors or outdoors (weather permitting).

Look at past examples below of "Pro Tip Tuesday" videos:

• Example #1 - Click Here
• Example #2 - Click Here
• Example #3 - Click Here

Top 100 Points
Anyone who participates in the "Pro Tip Tuesday" program will earn 3 Top 100 points for the new program year. You can only receive 3 points per year. We recommend doing more than one video but a max of 3 points will be rewarded for the Top 100 program.

Deadline to submit video and receive Top 100 points is December 15^th.

The Canadian golf industry generated $18.2B in economic benefits across our nation in 2019, according to a recent economic analysis conducted by Group ATN Consulting Inc. on behalf of the National Allied Golf Associations (We Are Golf).

According to The Economic Impact of Golf in Canada (2019), the Canadian golf industry employs the equivalent of nearly 249,000 people through direct and spin-off effects and contributed to $10.6B in household income. The industry also contributed $4.5B in government tax revenue ($1.8B federal and $2.1B provincial) used to support a variety of programs for all Canadians.

Based on nationwide surveys completed by golfers and golf course operators in 10 provinces and three territories along with multiple industry data sources, The Economic Impact of Golf in Canada (2019) is a follow up to previous comprehensive and independent assessment studies (2014, 2009) of the economic impact of the golf industry in Canada. The $18.2B economic impact of golf represents a 14% increase in contribution to Canada’s GDP between 2013 and 2019.

“The Economic Impact of Golf in Canada (2019) further reinforces the enormous financial, employment, charitable, tourism and positive environmental impact that the sport and the business of golf are affecting across Canada,” said Laurence Applebaum, Chair of We Are Golf and CEO of Golf Canada. “This third iteration of the study provides the golf industry with a powerful snapshot of the scale and magnitude that our sport has on the Canadian economy and within the communities where we live, work and play.”

The study presents economic insights for each of the 10 provinces and three territories from coast to coast. Also captured in the report are comparisons to international economic insights from select countries and regions including the United States, European Union, and Australia.

The Economic Impact of Golf in Canada (2019) was conducted on behalf of We Are Golf by Group ATN Consulting Inc., a world leader in economic development and analysis for communities, regions, and industries. Group ATN previously conducted the 2014 and 2009 Canadian Golf Economic Impact Studies (based on 2013 and 2008 data respectively) which have allowed the Canadian golf industry to benchmark the game’s economic impact over five-year periods.

“Every industry has its own unique circumstances to allow for, and the ability to repeat the same application of our model for Canadian golf is a significant advantage,” said Tom McGuire, Principal with Group ATN Consulting. “Beyond consistency, we have also been able to further improve certain aspects based upon learnings from the prior studies we did for the National Allied Golf Associations (We Are Golf).”

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF GOLF IN CANADA (2019):

The game of golf accounts for an estimated $18.2B of Canada’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which is up 14% from the $15.9B reported in 2014*. Included within the 2019 economic impact:

• The golf industry directly employed nearly 150,000 full-time, full-year equivalent positions, representing many more individuals who are employed in the sector. This number grows to approximately 249,000 when accounting for direct, indirect, and induced employment.
• The golf industry directly contributed $4.8B in household income, rising to $10.6B when considering the combined direct, indirect, and induced impacts.
• The golf industry generated $4.5B in government tax revenue; including $1.8B in federal tax revenue and $2.1B in provincial tax revenue.
• Conservatively, course operators invested $727M industry-wide on capital expenditures.

*Note that 2014 figures are adjusted by the consumer price index and reported as current dollars.

Additional Insights from The Economic Impact of Golf in Canada (2019):

• Employment – The golf industry is a significant job provider for youth with 48% of its workforce identified as students.
• Travel – Canadians along with international visitors contributed to $8.6B in golf-related travel nationwide. Canadians made approximately 8M trips involving golf, including 3.0M in their home province and 1.8M outside their home province and abroad.
• Golfer Spending – Golfers in Canada spent approximately $19.3B on items such as green fees, memberships, lessons, equipment, travel, hospitality, events, and other golf-related expenditures.
• Canadian Course Operators – A total of 2,283 facilities were estimated to be operating in 2019, accounting for 2,043 courses (18-hole equivalent); course operators collectively spent approximately $3.8B in course expenditures.
• Land management – Golf course operations manage between 155,000 and 175,000 hectares, including 30,000 to 35,000 hectares of wildlife and wetland area.
• Charitable Impact – The golf industry generated an estimated $330M in charitable impact through more than 51,000 tournaments and events.
• Golf Participation – Canadian golfers played an estimated 57.0M rounds in 2019.

Although released in 2020, The Economic Impact of Golf in Canada (2019) does not factor in the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Canadian golf industry.

“Establishing a baseline for the economic impact of our sport measured against pre-2020 Covid-19 spending is an important benchmark consideration for the integrity and continuity of the study,” added Applebaum. “Based on what we learned through the 2020 season, the safety of golf through this pandemic and the potential for a lift in participation and spending on the game, we are optimistic in looking ahead.”

Click here for additional information on the We Are Golf website.

Are you wondering if there will be an Industry Guide created this off-season with the Buying Show being cancelled? The answer is YES! There will be an online special edition of the Industry Guide this year which will be distributed to all members of the Association. Information in this special edition guide will include:

• Facility listing
• Supplier listing
• Products and lines represented
• New products for 2021

This online edition of the Industry Guide will contain all of the information you expect in the guide plus more! Navigating will be easy and smooth for the special edition plus mobile friendly. A downloadable PDF version will also be available for anyone that wants to print.

The revamped Industry Guide will be released in mid-November. Stay tuned for more information in the coming weeks.

The time has finally arrived! The PGA of Alberta is excited to announce this year’s Awards Finalists! Winners will be announced during the final week of October. Stayed tuned on social media and the website for this year’s exciting new awards process! Congratulations and good luck to everyone for the following awards:

• Club Professional of the Year
• Executive Professional of the Year
• Assistant Professional of the Year – Class A & Apprentice Professional
• Teacher of the Year
• Junior of the Year
• Coach of the Year
• Sales Rep of the Year
• Retailer of the Year