2024 Newsletter: The Season Review

THE 2024 ALBERTA GOLF SEASON REVIEW


Alberta Golf had one of its busiest seasons in recent memory with well over a million rounds played by members of Alberta Golf. Our recreational brand UpSwing continued to grow, servicing 2,500 members and creating a diversity, equity and inclusion grant program. Youth on Course Alberta doubled in participation this season with 3,000 kids aged 18 and under accessing $5 golf across the province. Our 13 championships were full of high performers and great weather, participation was up almost 50% over the past 5 years. Our McLennan Ross Alberta Junior Tour introduced competitive golf to more than 1,500 golfers at 26 events across Alberta. There's no doubt all ages and levels of ability were able to enjoy golfing in Alberta this season. Please enjoy the following content on all that Alberta Golf has accomplished during the 2024 golf season.

GOLF PARTICIPATION IN ALBERTA


What a summer we had in this province as more than 1.3 million rounds were played and that's just members of Alberta Golf. Almost 25% of those rounds were played by women and juniors. Alberta Golf members averaged 20 rounds this season. Great to see this amount of participation this season as we get our final rounds in this October.

MCLENNAN ROSS ALBERTA JUNIOR TOUR


The McLennan Ross Alberta Junior Tour set a new record for participants in a season. Our learn to compete tour has a focus on a fun environment and had 26 events and 1,527 total competitors. We look forward to seeing this tour continue to grow in 2025 and beyond.


TOUR INFO HERE

YOUTH ON COURSE PARTICIPATION DOUBLES


In 2019 Alberta Golf brought the popular U.S. program Youth on Course to Canada for the first time. The program gives Alberta Golf members aged 18 and under access to $5 golf at 24 courses across the province. In 2019 we had 1,000 rounds played, it grew to 8,000 rounds in 2023 and a staggering 16,000 rounds this season. Unique golfers who used Youth on Course Alberta grew from 1,500 golfers in 2023 to over 3,000 golfers this season. Alberta Golf fundraised with The ATB Classic on PGA Tour Americas to raise $100,000 in the past 2 seasons to help fund this ever growing subsidy program.


YOUTH ON COURSE INFO HERE

UPSWING BY ALBERTA GOLF


UpSwing by Alberta Golf is our recreational brand. In 2024 UpSwing offered 6 events, 22 activations and created a diversity, equity and inclusion program for it's nearly 2,500 members.


$14,000 in DEI grants were given out in 2024 to 6 different demographic groups. UpSwing's website provides golf experiences and destinations in one convenient space with 185 golf courses to access across Alberta.


Recreational golf is growing in this province, check out UpSwing by Alberta Golf and "Find Your Fun".



MORE INFO ON UPSWING HERE

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR


Alberta Golf held its Volunteer Wind-Up on Monday September 23 at The Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course as a thank you to all the volunteers who are valuable referees and course raters for us each season. Course Raters Chris and Jack Wilson were named 2024 Volunteers of the Year.



WATCH VIDEO: CHRIS AND JACK WILSON ACCEPT VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD


READ MORE ABOUT CHRIS AND JACK WILSON HERE

LORIE HAM JOINS ALBERTA GOLF AS OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR


Alberta Golf is pleased to welcome Lorie Ham to the team in the role of Office Administrator.

Lorie will be responsible for all general office requirements for our current staff of eight, assisting our team in providing customer service to golf course personnel, members of Alberta Golf and volunteers and help to manage the flow through of all registrations and digital records for the seventy programs and events being delivered by Alberta Golf each season.

 

Lorie joins Alberta Golf after several years owning her own business as an entrepreneurial working mom raising three children with her husband Blaine. Prior to venturing off on her own Lorie worked as a Land Administrator for Encana for several years following a successful career with the PGA of Alberta from 1998 to 2005, where she developed her passion for working with people in the golf industry. Lorie can be reached at 403.930.7307 or by email lorie@albertagolf.org.

 

Welcome aboard!

ALBERTA GOLF SUPPORTS 103 ATHLETES IN THE 2024 HIGH PERFORMANCE PROGRAM


The Alberta Golf High Performance Program is designed to support athletes across the province by providing programs and services that help them reach their competitive goals in the sport. Support is provided to athletes, coaches, and facilities who are committed to developing the game of golf in our province at the highest level.


2024 HIGH PERFORMANCE BIOS, MEET THE ATHLETES HERE


2024 HIGH PERFORMANCE PROGRAM

LOGAN AND CARTER GRAF WIN ALBERTA BEST BALL CHAMPIONSHIP


Our Championship season started May 20 at Sundre Golf Club with Logan and Carter Graf winning the Alberta Best Ball Championship in a playoff over Brady McKinlay and Tom McKinlay Jr.


CHRIS THAYER WINS ALBERTA MEN'S MID-MASTER CHAMPIONSHIP


The Alberta Men's Mid-Master Championship was held at Trestle Creek Golf Resort June 18-20 with Chris Thayer winning by 6 strokes.


FULL STORY HERE

17-YEAR-OLD BRETT JONES WINS ALBERTA MEN'S AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP


The Alberta Men's Amateur Championship saw a thrilling finish at The Derrick Golf and Winter Club June 25-27 with 17-year-old Brett Jones beating Barrett Jarosch in a playoff.


FULL STORY HERE

15-YEAR-OLD EILEEN PARK WINS ALBERTA WOMEN'S AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP


The Alberta Women's Amateur Championship held at River Spirit Golf Club July 2-4 saw 15-year-old Eileen Park win by 2 strokes.


FULL STORY HERE

SARAH ARMSTRONG AND RYAN GILLIS WIN ALBERTA U19 CHAMPIONSHIP



The Alberta U19 Championship was held at Olds Golf Club July 9-11. Sarah Armstrong won the girls championship in a playoff over Tessa Ion while Ryan Gills shot a final round 8-under 64 for a 5-stroke victory in the boys division.







FULL STORY HERE

NEIL THOMAS WINS ALBERTA MEN'S MID-AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP


The Alberta Men's Mid-Amateur Championship was held at Barrhead Golf Club July 16-18 with Neil Thomas winning by 3 strokes over Barrett Jarosch.


FULL STORY HERE

CELINA LAM WINS ALBERTA WOMEN'S SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP


The Alberta Women's Senior Championship was held at Pine Hills Golf Club July 23-25 with Celina Lam defending her title.


FULL STORY HERE

DAVID SCHULTZ WINS ALBERTA MEN'S SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP


The Alberta Men's Senior Championship was held at Highwood Golf July 30 - August 1 with David Schultz beating Senan Foley in a playoff.


FULL STORY HERE

BOB MACDERMOTT WINS ALBERTA ALL ABILITIES CHAMPIONSHIP


The Alberta All Abilities Championship was held at The Broadmoor Golf Course August 6-8 with Bob MacDermott winning the title with a 1-stroke victory.


FULL STORY HERE

WES HEFFERNAN WINS 7TH ALBERTA OPEN TITLE


The Alberta Open was held at Desert Blume Golf Course August 13-15 with Wes Heffernan shooting a final round 5-under 67 for a 2-stroke victory over Dillon Batsel.


FULL STORY HERE

6 CHAMPIONS CROWNED AT ALBERTA U17, U15 & U13 CHAMPIONSHIP


The Alberta U17, U15 & U13 Championship was held at Alberta Springs Golf Resort August 19-20, crowning 6 champions.


FULL STORY HERE

DAVID SCHULTZ DEFENDS ALBERTA MEN'S SUPER SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP


The Alberta Men's Super Senior Championship was held at The Ranch Golf and Country Club August 28-29 with David Schultz defending his title shooting 2-under 69 in the final round.


FULL STORY HERE

3 CHAMPIONS CROWNED AT ALBERTA INTERCLUB CHAMPIONSHIP


The Alberta Golf championship season concluded with the Alberta Interclub Championship held at Kananaskis Country Golf Course on September 3. Country Hills Golf Club won the women's division, Silver Springs Golf and Country Club won the men's division while Mickelson National Golf Club won the Ladies Low Net Championship.




FULL STORY HERE

ALBERTANS PLACED WELL ON THE NATIONAL STAGE IN 2024


It was a great season for Alberta golfers on the provincial and national stage including Alberta's Senior Men's Team of David Schultz, Senan Foley and Brian Laubman who won the National Inter-Provincial Championship and Alberta Golf Alumni Hunter Thomson who won the Canadian Collegiate Invitational. Congratulations to all Alberta competitors who represented Alberta at events across Canada all season.





2024 ALBERTA GOLF HIGH-PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS HERE

ALBERTA SWEEPS MONTANA RYDER CUP


Alberta's boys and girls teams both won their Junior Ryder Cup matches this summer in Montana at The Wilderness Club. It was first time since 2017 that Alberta swept the matches against Montana.

2024 ALBERTA GOLF HALL OF FAME CELEBRATION ANNOUNCED


On October 30, a special Hall of Fame event will take place at The Calgary Golf & Country Club. A new category of our Hall of Fame will be created called the "Pioneers". 5 golf clubs along with numerous individual members will be recognized for their contributions that go back more than a hundred years.


MORE INFO HERE

INNISFAIL GOLF CLUB CELEBRATES A CENTURY


This summer during a special gathering on July 13, Innisfail Golf Club became only the 24th active club in the province to celebrate a century legacy. A centennial commemorative piece was unveiled during the celebration. Innisfail Golf Club was originally incorporated July 11,1924. The 27-hole track is known for it's scenic parkland beauty and challenging three scenic nines: Hazelwood, Spruce and Aspen.


MORE INFO HERE

ALBERTA GOLF FOUNDATION


The Alberta Golf Foundation distributed scholarships to 46 deserving recipients in 2024 for a total amount of $73,000. Read more below on the Alberta Golf Foundation Scholarship Program.




MORE INFO HERE

CHRISTA SPAHMANN MEMORIAL GOLF SCRAMBLE


The Christa Spahmann Memorial Golf Scramble was held July 20 at Henderson Lake Golf Club in Lethbridge. Funding for the Alberta Golf Foundation Scholarship Program is made possible through generous support from individuals, foundations and organizations like the The Christa Spahmann Memorial Scholarship Fund. Watch the video below to find out more about Christa Spahmann and the annual golf tournament in her name..





WATCH VIDEO ON CHRISTA SPAHMANN HERE

HEART TRANSPLANT RECIPIENT TROY HURL RETURNS TO HIGHWOOD GOLF AS HEAD SUPERINTENDENT


A dozen years after receiving a heart transplant Troy Hurl has returned to High River where he grew up and Highwood Golf where he learned to play the game. Hurl is now the Head Superintendent at Highwood Golf which he says is his dream job.


WATCH VIDEO ON TROY HURL HERE

2024 ALBERTA GOLF YEARBOOK


Please enjoy the digital version of our 2024 Yearbook that highlights the courses and competitors ahead of our championship season.


2024 ALBERTA GOLF YEARBOOK

2024 ALBERTA GOLF SEASON PHOTO ALBUMS


Please look through our Alberta Golf Flickr albums from all of our 2024 championships and events, maybe there's a great photo of you!


2024 ALBERTA GOLF PHOTO ALBUMS

2024 ALBERTA GOLF SAFE SPORT POLICY


Alberta Golf is aligned with Golf Canada and Respect Group and is fully committed to fostering a Safe Sport environment for golf.


2024 ALBERTA GOLF SAFE SPORT POLICY

ATTENTION ALBERTA GOLF MEMBERS AND YOUR FAMILIES


For all members of Alberta Golf take advantage of your membership benefits with belairdirect "More than just a policy".




LEARN MORE ABOUT BELAIRDIRECT HERE

Stay connected: T 403-236-4616 E info@albertagolf.org W albertagolf.org

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