Samuel Kirkness Wins his First Top 100 Award
04 November, 2022
Congratulations to Samuel Kirkness of Inglewood G&CC on winning his first Top 100 Award as determined by the rankings in the Top 100 Program presented by Foresight Sports Canada and TaylorMade Golf Canada! The Top 100 Program is based on pre-defined measurable criteria designed to recognize members who dedicate their time and demonstrate proven abilities in advancing the Association’s interests for the benefit of all Golf Professionals and industry.
After taking over the lead late in the program year, Sam secured the trophy after accumulating 91 points total to win by 4! Sam is no stranger to being involved in the Association as he was the winner of the former Professional Development Program in 2018, the final year of the program before turning into the now Top 100 Program.
As we’ve seen the last several years in the Top 100 Program, it was an exciting race to the very end with two other members - Greg Johnson (Inglewood G&CC) and Bryce Halverson (Carnmoney GC), finishing within 7 points of Sam to claim second and third place.
Special shout-out to the following facilities for all having multiple Professionals inside the top 20 of the program this year; Inglewood G&CC, The Ranch G&CC, Golfuture YYC and Lakeside GC.
Samuel Kirkness at Awards Banquet in October
Cash Prizes...
The PGA of Alberta is now awarding 20 cash prizes to the top 20 point earners for the 2022 program year. Members needed to accumulate 60 points or more to earn a cheque this year. Congratulations to the following recipients who will receive their prize money shortly:
| Professional | Facility | Points | Cash Prize | |
| 1st | Samuel Kirkness | Inglewood G&CC | 91 | $1,400 |
| 2nd | Greg Johnson | Inglewood G&CC | 87 | $1,100 |
| 3rd | Bryce Halverson |
Carnmoney GC | 84 | $900 |
| 4th | Chad Feener | Leduc GC | 79 | $700 |
| 5th | Stephen Yanitski |
Valley Ridge GC | 76 | $525 |
| T-6th | Murray McCourt | Ranch G&CC (The) | 74 | $362 |
| T-6th | Josh Fleming |
365 GOLF | 74 | $362 |
| T-8th | Alexander Bunner | Belvedere G&CC | 69 | $275 |
| T-8th | Matt Seifert | Golfuture YYC | 69 | $275 |
| T-8th | Gary Hartford |
Highlands GC | 69 | $275 |
| 11th | Tyler Willner | Lakeside GC | 68 | $225 |
| 12th | Shaun Piercey | Ranch G&CC (The) | 67 | $200 |
| T-13th | Kim Valleau | Winston GC (The) | 66 | $200 |
| T-13th | Todd Halpen | Golfuture YYC | 66 | $200 |
| 15th | Stefan Anderson | Lakeside GC | 64 | $200 |
| 16th | Paul Horton | Golf Channel Academy at Cottonwood G&CC | 63 | $200 |
| 17th | Nic Longley | Silver Springs G&CC | 62 | $200 |
| T-18th | Joseph Busetto | Edmonton Petroleum G&CC | 61 | $200 |
| T-18th | Patrick Frose | Royal Mayfair GC | 61 | $200 |
| T- 20th | Jeff MacGregor | Glendale G&CC | 60 | $100 |
| T- 20th | Leif Hanson | Mickelson National GC | 60 | $100 |
Cash Bonuses
In addition to the 20 cash prizes, the Association is giving away 8 cash bonuses of $100 each to the top point finisher(s) in the below member categories (number of cash bonuses dependent on total number of members in the categories). This added amount puts the total prize money at $9,000 for the Top 100 Program (cash prizes + bonuses). Congratulations to the following:
Apprentice Professionals - Top 2
- Stefan Anderson (Lakeside GC) - $100
- Nic Longley (Silver Springs G&CC) - $100
Class A / Teaching Professionals - Top 3
- Greg Johnson (Inglewood G&CC) - $100
- Bryce Halverson (Carnmoney GC) - $100
- Chad Feener (Leduc GC) - $100
Head / Head Teaching Professionals - Top 2
- Samuel Kirkness (Inglewood G&CC) - $100
- Josh Fleming (365 GOLF) - $100
Executive Professional - Top 1
- Murray McCourt (The Ranch G&CC) - $100
Top 100 Professionals
As part of this program, the PGA of Alberta acknowledges the Top 100 Professionals which are the top 100-point earners for the program year. The 2022 Top 100 Professionals will be officially announced shortly so stay tuned for more information!
New for 2023 - Program Rotation Year
After review of the program, the Association will now use a calendar year moving forward for the program rather than the previous October to September of the following year model. For 2023, the program year will begin October 1, 2022 and go until December 31, 2023 to cover the gap of the rotation change. After that year is finish, the Top 100 Program will run from a January 1st to December 31st timeline.
View 2022 Standings Here
