Assistants’ Championship Returns to Sirocco Golf Club in 2024
The contenders for the PGA of Alberta’s Assistants’ Championship presented by Cobra Puma Golf will head back to Sirocco Golf Club.
A true links course that winds its way through the Pine Creek Valley that hosted the prestigious event for Assistant professionals in Alberta in 2021, will welcome the tournament back August 6-7 in 2024.
Time will tell if Wes Heffernan can capture a third straight title. The accomplished Calgarian first hoisted the trophy in 2022 at The Derrick Golf and Winter Club before successfully defending his title one year ago at Stony Plain Golf Club.
“I am very excited to defend this year at a golf course that I have played well before,” said Heffernan. “This is always a great tournament test and I am really looking forward to the challenge.”
Designed by Architect Bill Robinson, every hole on the 7,185 yard par-72 design offers unique challenges and unparalleled beauty. Sirocco boasts gritty character that presents a comprehensive challenge to golfers of all abilities.
“We are excited and honoured to host the prestigious 2024 PGA of Alberta Assistants’ Championship and look forward to crowning a champion,” said Craig Gibson, Head Professional, Sirocco Golf Club. “Players will be tested off the tee box and will be required to place their approach shots into the correct areas on the green or will face some treacherous putts. The course will provide plenty of birdie opportunities, but a big number is not far away at any moment if players lose concentration.”
Tournament Registration
Tournament Eligibility Form Now Live: All Members wishing to participate in tournaments are required to submit the PGA of Alberta Tournament Eligibility Form below prior to having their event registration accepted and confirmed.
Schedule Release: The PGA of Alberta tournament schedule will be released for viewing on March 4 at the AGM.
Tournament Registration: All tournaments will be open for registration on Monday, March 18 at 10:00am.
Education News
Spring Seminar Less Than A Week Away
Only 15 Spots Remaining!
Registration Closes March 1st at 4:00pm
The 2024 Spring Seminar is quickly approaching, join us to learn from the exceptional line-up of speakers, indulge in the amazing food provided by Gordon Food Serviceand a chance to network with fellow PGA of Alberta Members during the Cocktail Reception at the conclusion of day 1 with beverages provided by Triple Bogey!
Reminders for the Seminar
Visit the PGA of Alberta table for registration prior to breakfast day 1. Doors will open at 8:00am
Business Dress Code is required for all participants of the Seminar
TheAnnual General Meetingwill start at 9:00am on March 4th, all Members are welcome to attend
Stay and enjoy the cocktail reception at the conclusion of the presentations on March 4th
All food will be provided at the Seminar for all attendees
The oldest private golf club in the province that spirals along the Elbow River, will play host to the top club professionals July 22-23.
“On behalf of the Board of Directors and Members of the Calgary Golf & Country, we are honoured to host the 2024 Ping Club Professional Championship,” said Philip Nurse, Executive Manager, Calgary G&CC. “The PGA of Alberta and the Calgary G&CC are synonymous with tradition and an overall love for the game of golf. It is with great pleasure that we extend our warmest welcome to all Club Professionals joining us for this year’s event.”
The 2024 event will be a special one for the Head Professional of the Calgary Golf & Country Club, Tom Greiner, who announced he is retiring at the end of this year.
“As we seize this moment to spotlight the premier professionals in the province, it is with a mixture of reverence and nostalgia that the Calgary Golf & Country Club acknowledges Tom Greiner, during this, his final season,” added Philip. “Tom has dedicated more than four decades of his career to the Calgary Golf & Country Club, earning him the status of a respected PGA member.”
The field is sure to attract the province’s top playing professionals including Samuel Kirkness. The Inglewood Golf and Curling Club pro will set out to successfully defend his 2023 title.
“I am very excited to compete against the best players in the province at one of the best venues in the province,” said Samuel. “A huge thank you to Tom and his team for hosting, and I look forward to celebrating his amazing career. Calgary G&CC is going to be a great venue for the PGA of Alberta Club Professional Championship, and I’m excited to try and defend the title in 2024.”
Once again, the Club Professional Championship is made possible thanks to the generous support of PING in their continued investment in the PGA of Alberta.
Further Championship highlights will be communicated soon, with the complete 2024 tournament schedule being released on March 4.
Education News
Last Chance to Register for Flagship Education Events
Spring Seminar Early Bird Registration will end tomorrow, February 21st at 4:00pm
The PGA of Alberta Spring Seminar is less than 2 weeks away! There are limited spots remaining, so don’t miss out on a chance to start the season at The Derrick G&WC with our talented line up of speakers. All food will be provided for breakfast and lunch both days, and stick around for the cocktail reception following day 1 to network with other Members throughout the province that are attending.
For more information, CLICK HERE for the Spring Seminar information package. Hotel information available on the Education tab under Spring Seminar.
Top 100 Points- Every Member that attends the Spring Seminar will receive 5 Top 100 points per day (10 points total) for this program year
Join Scott Cowx at The Golf Factory February 24th & 25th
Final days to register for the first Teaching Summit of 2024.
Scott Cowx (2019 PGA of Canada Teacher of the Year). With a career spanning nearly three decades, Cowx, a renowned coach in swing biomechanics, has educated over 3,300 coaches worldwide and uses the innovative HackMotion technology for enhanced golf instruction.
"Having participated in both online and in-person seminars led by Scott Cowx, I’ve experienced firsthand the profound impact he has on coaching and instruction skills. Cowx’s approach, deeply rooted in his expertise in swing mechanics and his effective use of HackMotion, significantly enhances a coach’s ability to prioritize swing adjustments and build rapport with clients. His methods not only improve coaching techniques but also offer practical strategies for generating year-round income through swing mechanics instruction. For coaches looking to retain clients, ensure steady income, and accelerate their professional growth, embracing the insights and technologies shared by Scott Cowx, like HackMotion, is invaluable." - Todd Haplen (Education Committee Chair)
The Golf Factory will play host to Scott from 9:00am-4:00pm both days with lunch provided on site. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to expand your teaching toolbox and learn from one of the worlds top instructors.
Top 100 Points - Every Member that attends the Teaching Summit will receive 5Top 100 points.
Tournament News
Stony Plain GC To Host 2024 PGA of Alberta Championship
Wes Heffernan looks to defend coveted title on PGA of Alberta competition calendar!
The flagship event on the summer calendar will see nearly 100 of the top PGA of Canada golf professionals from the Wild Rose province descend on the west side of Edmonton to battle it out for the prestigious title.
“We are excited to have the opportunity to bring the most significant event in 2024 to northern Alberta, and to Stony Plain Golf Club which promises to test Alberta’s best,” said Robert Rousselle, Executive Director, PGA of Alberta. “We look forward to working with the team at Stony Plain to stage another successful chapter in the events rich history.”
Calgary’s Wes Heffernan will be looking to add another chapter to the PGA of Alberta’s history books when he tees it up at Stony Plain this summer. Heffernan has had success on the diverse Stony Plain track. The 46-year-old fired rounds of 67-65 one year ago to take the 2023 Assistants’ Championship title.
“Stony Plain is 6,800 yards on fun,” stated Jeff Cuthbertson, Executive Professional, Stony Plain Golf Course, who added the course has played host to multiple PGA of Alberta and Alberta Golf events throughout its history.
“There will be chances to score, but beware, there are stretches where you are just looking to hold on. We are extremely excited to have this opportunity to host the PGA of Alberta Championship, and I know the course will present a fair test of golf.”
Mitchell Fox a name that is sure to be on the leaderboard. The smooth-swinging bomber who has Indigenous roots with ties to the Blood reserve south of Calgary placed second at the 2023 PGA of Alberta Championship and was also runner-up to Heffernan at the Assistants’ Championship one year ago.
Players will have a relatively fresh slate of greens to take aim at when they roll into Stony Plain. All 18 greens were renovated in 2019.
Stay tuned for more Championship highlights leading to the full tournament schedule release on March 4th.
Association News
Deborah Zupan In Memorium
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
Education News
Scott Cowx Coming To Edmonton Teaching Summit
The PGA of Alberta will be hosting it’s first Teaching Summit of 2024 on February 24th & 25th at The Golf Factory in Edmonton.
Start your golf season by learning from Scott Cowx, 2019 PGA of Canada Teacher of the Year, who will be joining us to share his teaching philosophies and what he has learned working with countless PGA professionals. Scott most recently spoke at the 2023 PGA of America National Conference and is an author & researcher for multiple golf technology companies.
Notable Accomplishments
Teaching career of nearly 3 decades
Current professional clients on the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and Kornferry Tour
3300+ Coaches worldwide educated under the Scott Cowx certified methodologies
5 Juniors players coached over the past 25 years reaching Canadian national men’s and ladies teams
Pulpit Club Director of Instruction for the past 4 years
The Golf Factory will play host to Scott from 9:00am-4:00pm both days with lunch provided on site. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to expand your teaching toolbox and learn from one of the worlds top instructors.
Association News
PGA of Alberta Welcomes Thomas Powley as Education and Community Lead
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.
