THE 2024 ALBERTA GOLF WINTER WRAP

As we wrap up a busy calendar year on the golf scene in Alberta, it's nice to look back on all the accomplishments before we look forward to 2025! There were over a million rounds played by members of Alberta Golf across the province. Our recreational brand UpSwing continued to grow, servicing 2,500 members and creating a diversity, equity and inclusion grant program. We continued to recognize our past with another memorable Heritage and Hall of Fame event. Alberta Golf continued to strengthen our relationships with associations and stakeholders who have an interest in golf in Alberta. Youth on Course Alberta doubled in participation this season seeing 3,000 kids aged 18 and under access $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. All ages and levels of ability were able to enjoy golf in Alberta this season. Please enjoy the following content on all that Alberta Golf has accomplished in 2024.

Happy Holidays!

GOLF PARTICIPATION IN ALBERTA

Alberta saw more than 1.3 million rounds played in 2024 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 and we look to build on this in 2025.

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 be a pathway to becoming a High Performance Athlete for Alberta Golf.

TOUR INFO HERE

2025 HIGH-PERFORMANCE ATHLETES REVEALED

Alberta Golf is proud to name the 108 athletes in the 2025 High-Performance program. The program is designed to support the top golfers in the province reach their competitive goals. Find out who the 108 athletes are below.

FULL STORY HERE

ACUSHNET CANADA AND ALBERTA GOLF CONTINUE PARTNERSHIP

Alberta Golf is proud to continue its long standing partnership with Acushnet Canada representing the Titleist and Footjoy brands. The partnership in 2025 and 2026 supports High-Performance team programs, interprovincial and team championships and personnel.

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 and Youth on Course Alberta has once again been named the charity partner for the 2025 ATB Classic at Northern Bear Golf Course.

READ STORY HERE

UPSWING BY ALBERTA GOLF

UpSwing by Alberta Golf is our recreational brand. In 2024 UpSwing offered 6 events from Banff Springs to the Crowsnest Pass. A highlight of the year were our Activations, where we took the UpSwing brand around the province to engage with Alberta's largest golf demographic, recreational players! The activations ran contests at their course and provided Grants that help fund events that share our diversity focus.

Can we support your event with an activation or grant?

UPSWING ACTIVATION AND GRANT INFO HERE

ALBERTA GOLF HALL OF FAME CELEBRATION AT THE CALGARY GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

This fall Alberta Golf held a Hall of Fame and Heritage dinner at The Calgary Golf and Country Club to induct the 5 pioneer golf clubs into our Hall of Fame along with honouring Tom Greiner who is retiring as the Head Professional at The Calgary Golf and Country Club.

WATCH VIDEO FROM THE HALL OF FAME CELEBRATION 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

ALBERTA GOLF SUPPORTS PGA OF ALBERTA BUYING SHOW AND NGCOA CONFERENCE

In October Alberta Golf was proud to support and connect with industry stakeholders at The PGA of Alberta Buying Show. In November The NGCOA (National Golf Course Owners Association) Golf Business Conference and Trade Show was held in Alberta, Alberta Golf connected with the golf industry from across the country and profiled our UpSwing brand.

SUCCESSFUL DEBUT IN 2024 FOR FIRST TEE-ALBERTA

In its inaugural year, First Tee - Alberta introduced over 1,100 youth to golf, with nearly 75% from equity-deserving communities and 40% identifying as female. By partnering with schools, community centres and golf courses the program offered no-cost events and afordable access to golf, breaking down the barriers to the sport. Highlights included a $150,000 fundrasing success at the 2024 CPKC Women's Open and clinics featuring LPGA pros. First Tee - Alberta is not just teaching golf, it's fostering confidence, perseverance and inclusivity.

MORE INFO ON FIRST TEE HERE

FRIENDS BEFORE FOES: THE CULTURE OF THE MEN'S SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP

Read more about the long history of high-achieving players on the senior men's golf scene in Alberta, their friendships off the course and their exceptional play at national competitions.

READ ARTICLE HERE

Q&A WITH ALBERTA SPORTS AND RECREATION ASSOCIATION FOR THE BLIND

For International Day of Disability Alberta Golf showcased the work that's being done by ASRAB, the Alberta Sports and Recreation Association for the Blind.

READ ARTICLE 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

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

ATTENTION ALBERTA GOLF MEMBERS AND YOUR FAMILIES

For all members of Alberta Golf, belairdirect has a travel insurance contest for you. Alberta Golf members can win one of two $5,000 travel vouchers courtesy of our travel insurance partner Johnson Insurance. Simply call Johnson at 1-833-463-0223 for a no obligation quote before Dec 31, to get entered for a chance to win. Best of luck in the contest and happy travels!

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE TRAVEL INSURANCE CONTEST HERE