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When Jeff Murdoch turned 50 in February, he added this to his summertime to-do list — trying to earn a tee-time to compete alongside the PGA TOUR Champions stars at the 2024 Rogers Charity Classic. 

He’s now one step closer. 

Murdoch was one of two PGA of Alberta members to advance through Friday’s pre-qualifier at Hamptons Golf Club. 

The final qualifier to round out the 78-man field is set for Tuesday at Elbow Springs. 

“I kind of set my goals on this in February and it just motivated me to keep my game in shape, to keep me in shape and keep me motivated,” Murdoch said. “I just wanted to do it to show my kids that it’s OK to try and OK to fail. So I’m pretty happy.”

There was no failure Friday.

Murdoch, who has maintained his PGA of Alberta membership but now works as a fire captain in Edmonton, carded a 3-over 75. After a lengthy wait to find out how that score stacked up, he made a clutch par on the first playoff hole.

Randy Robb, the director of coaching and high performance at Mickelson National Golf Academy, also advanced with a par in that three-for-two playoff.

“I didn’t expect this at all,” said Robb, who is a three-time winner of the PGA of Alberta’s Junior Leader of the Year award and continues to work with some of the most talented up-and-comers in the Calgary area. “I’ve been in Saskatoon all week at the Canadian Men’s Amateur, supporting the guys and walking the course, and I hadn’t touched my clubs in six days. 

“I was in Quebec at the PGA Seniors’ Championship of Canada the week before, so it’s not like I hadn’t played. But you know, we talk to our students about trying to ramp up going into an event. And then you get to the tee today and it’s like, ‘OK, which wedge is in here?’ 

“I made an eagle on No. 16, so that really helped. I didn’t expect 75 to be in a playoff, but I hung around and now we’ll see what happens Tuesday at Elbow Springs. That’s kind of fun.”  

Wouldn’t it be fun if he could play his way into the star-studded field for the 2024 Rogers Charity Classic? 

That award-winning tournament runs Aug. 16-18 at Canyon Meadows and features some of the biggest names in the birdie-making business — Ernie Els, Padraig Harrington, and Mike Weir.

Robb has, over the years, encouraged countless students to attend the annual PGA Tour Champions shootout.

“I remember being there several years ago when Freddy (Couples) shot 61,” he reminisced. “And you’re thinking, ‘Whoa, that’s incredible!’ ”

The lineup for Tuesday’s final qualifier at Elbow Springs also includes Edmonton’s Larry Petryk, the reigning winner of the PGA of Alberta Seniors’ Championship. His provincial title provided a bye through the pre-qualifier.

As Murdoch, formerly the director of golf at Cougar Creek, prepared Friday for his three-hour drive home, he was excited about pulling a U-Turn to return to Calgary in just a couple of days.

And he was admittedly a bit emotional as he thought about calling his loved ones to share the news that he was through to the next stage of the qualifying quest.

“I have a 20-year-old at RCMP school and an 18-year-old about to start university, so I just wanted to show them that dad could still play some good golf,” said Murdoch, who won the PGA of Alberta’s Club Professional Championship in 2009. “And yesterday was my anniversary and I’m off playing a practice round. So I’ve got a really supportive family.

“It’s still a big road ahead of me,” he added, looking ahead to Tuesday’s shootout at Elbow Springs. “It’s still an uphill climb. But I’m up for the challenge and can hold my head high.”