Gina Gallops to Victory at her First Ladies’ Championship
After a competitive battle today during Round 2 of the PGA of Alberta Ladies’ Championship at Valley Ridge GC, Gina Nelson of Magrath GC stood above the rest after firing a 1-over 73 to claim the Championship! Playing in her first PGA of Alberta event, Gina showed no fear on the course today scoring four timely birdies to help her cruise to a 5 stroke victory and her first Ladies’ Championship title!
Finishing in second place was Shaye Leidenius (Wolf Creek GR) after improving her second round score by 9 strokes to finish at 3-over 75 today. Rounding out our Top 3 was Rhonda Carter (Blue Devil GC) after carding a solid 7-over 79 today.
Thank you to our presenting sponsors MKRAK and Sundog Eyewear / Tour Tee and host venue Valley Ridge GC for a great two days. We look forward to seeing everyone again next year!
Top 100 Program – Final Day to Submit Extracurricular Form
The Top 100 Program presented by Foresight Sports Canada is based on pre-defined measurable criteria and is designed to recognize PGA of Alberta members who dedicate their time and demonstrate proven abilities in advancing the Association’s interests for the benefit of all Golf Professionals.
Today (Wednesday, September 30th) is the final day to submit the Extracurricular Approval Form to receive points for attending education seminars/webinars or volunteerism within the golf industry at non-PGA of Alberta administered initiatives. See Point Allocation breakdown here.Points will be awarded at the beginning of October after approval.
TheTop 100 point earners will be recognized as a “Top 100 Professional” for this program year. Learn more about the program and see where you currently sit in the standings by clicking the link below.
Please note that points will automatically be awarded for Award Finalists once announced later this week and will be included in this program year.
Congratulations to our 2020 Junior Scholarship Recipients
Each year the PGA of Alberta is proud to award four Junior Scholarships of $1,000 each to deserving candidates. Two of the Scholarships are awarded to children of PGA of Alberta Members and the other two are awarded to competitive junior golfers in Alberta who meet specific criteria. Congratulations to the following:
PGA of Alberta Family Scholarship
Max Murchison (Bill Murchison - Golfuture)
Zachary Jurak (Todd Jurak - Sylvan Lake G&CC)
Golf Specific Scholarship
Kate Martens (Windermere G&CC)
Ethan Choi (Pincher Creek GC)
Thank you to everyone that applied for a Scholarship this year. We wish everyone the best of luck in their post-secondary education.
The PGA of Alberta is pleased to present four Bursaries of $750 each to deserving PGA of Alberta members who are either Apprentice Professionals or Class A Professionals and meet or exceed the bursary criteria as outlined.
All Apprentice Professionals and Class A Professionals (who are not employed as Head/Executive Professionals) are eligible and encouraged to apply. A minimum of two of the bursaries will be reserved for seasonal AP’s (working 9 months or less for their employer). Please click the below link to be directed to the application form.
Deadline to Submit - September 30th @ 4pm
*New Feature - Saved Drafts* You can now save your applications online before submitting! Please follow the steps below.
You must be logged into your account to be able to save your draft.
Save Draft button is located at the bottom of every application on the website.
To find Saved Drafts please go to "My Account" or "Manage Account" > My Saved Drafts.
Submit when finished!
Tournament News
Randy Robb Rallies to First Seniors’ Championship Win
Day two at the Valley Ridge GC Seniors’ Championshippresented by MKRAK and Sundog Eyewear / Tour Tee saw the course again in mint shape for our competitors and a slight improvement on the playing conditions which was a welcome change for all.
Winning his first Seniors’ Championship was a relentless Randy Robb of Edge Golf Academy who carded two excellent rounds to finish at +1 overall for the Championship. Randy managed to come from 2-strokes behind our round 1 leader today and played blemish free golf on the back-9 to end up winning by 2 strokes!
In second was Phil McCluskey (River Bend G&RA) who put together two great rounds of golf to finish the Championship at +3 overall. In third was PGA of Alberta President Greg McGarry (Glendale G&CC) who carded two solid rounds of golf in his first Seniors’ Championship to finish at +5 overall. Rounding out our Top-5, in a 3-way tie for fourth was Richard Stringer (Country Hills GC), Scott Allred (Elbow Springs GC) & Scott Westman (The Ranch G&CC) who all finished the tournament at +7 respectively.
Congratulations to our Super Senior Division (60+) winner Kevin Day (Billy D’s GC) who carded two excellent rounds to finish the tournament at +9 and in solo seventh of the Championship (pictured below).
Congratulations to our 6 skins winners today who each won $96 - Randy Robb on #5, Scott Bergdahl on #6, Richard Stringer on #11, Scott Allred on #12, Richard Hardy on #17 & Bob McArthur on #18. Special thanks to our Sponsors and host venue for helping put on another excellent Championship.
McGarry Motors to Top at his First Seniors’ Championship
Today at the Valley Ridge GC Seniors’ Championship presented by MKRAK and Sundog Eyewear / Tour Tee saw the course in mint shape for our competitors but frigid fall conditions throughout the day which made for a challenging round for all.
Playing in his inaugural Seniors’ Championship and showing no fear was Greg McGarry (Glendale G&CC) who is our leader after carding an excellent 2-under par 70. Right behind our Leader in second is Brian Kollman (Golfuture) who carded a great 1-under par 71. Rounding out our final group tomorrow is Randy Robb (Edge Golf Academy) who carded a solid even-par 72.
Leading our Super Senior Division (60+) is Kevin Day (Billy D’s GC) who carded an excellent 2-over par 74 to hold a healthy 4-stroke lead over his nearest divisional competitor.
First tee time is at 8:30am tomorrow and our last group tee’s it up at 10:00am sharp! Congratulations to our 4 skins winners today who each won $120 - Gord Courage on #1, Paul Horton on #2, Richard Stringer on #13, Randy Robb on #16 & Scott Bergdahl on #17.
Nelson Narrowly Holds Lead at the Ladies’ Championship
Today at the Valley Ridge GC Ladies’ Championship presented by MKRAK and Sundog Eyewear / Tour Tee saw the course in mint shape for our competitors but frigid fall conditions throughout the day which made for a challenging round.
Leading the way in her first PGA of Alberta event (and a Championship at that) was Gina Nelson (Magrath GC) who holds a 1-stroke lead on her nearest competitor in a tight field. With all eight competitors within 10-strokes of each other tomorrow is shaping up to be an exciting day on the leaderboard!
First tee time is at 10:10 AM tomorrow and our final group tee’s it up at 10:30 sharp. Congratulations to our skins winners today: Gina Nelson on # 1 & 15 and Shannon Raina on # 11!
PGA of Alberta Announces New Partnership with Schooley Mitchell
The PGA of Alberta is pleased to announce a new partnership with the Schooley Mitchell, a Canadian company specializing in cost reduction consulting, for the next three years!
"The PGA of Alberta is excited to have Schooley Mitchell join our Association as a partner" said Robert Rousselle, PGA of Alberta Executive Director. "Our experience and dealing with Mr. Pendergast was simple, efficient and we are already seeing financial benefit."
Schooley Mitchell has helped thousands of businesses across North America improve their bottom line by reducing overhead using their proprietary software and buying power for over 20 years. They have developed several programs specific to the golf industry, particularly in Canada, recognizing the challenges that come with the seasonal nature of golf in our country.
"We use our massive database and advanced analytics to audit our clients’ monthly expenses, finding ways to optimize their plans and renegotiate their contracts" said Mickey Pendergast, Strategic Partner at Schooley Mitchell.
"We are not providers or brokers, so we are not trying to get our clients to switch providers—we work with them to find the best possible program, usually with their existing provider. And our only fee is a share of the savings for a period of time; if we don’t find savings, we don’t get paid. It’s a no-risk way to make sure you aren’t wasting any of your hard-earned dollars."
Schooley Mitchell has had success with several Alberta golf courses and with the PGA of Alberta itself, reducing costs like telecom, merchant services, and waste handling—all at no cost to them. For more information, please visit their website HERE or contact:
The draw is now available for Round 1 of the PGA of Alberta Seniors’ Championship presented by MKRAK and Sundog Eyewear / Tour Tee. This year will see 30 of Alberta’s top Professionals aged 50 & over head to the beautiful Valley Ridge GC next week on September 14th & 15th to compete in the final championship of the season alongside the Ladies’ Championship.
Last year’s Champion Darryl James of National Golf Academy at Shaganappi is back to defend his title after dethroning Scott Allred of Elbow Springs GC who won the previous four championships. Between the two excellent players, they have won eight of the last nine championships (six for Allred and two for James). Click here to see past winners.
Valley Ridge GC will offer a great day of golf for all competitors in the event. The front nine along the Bow River is where players will find the vivid sights and sounds of nature down in the valley. The back nine will present new challenges around every fairway corner which will make for an exciting championship!
The draw is now posted for the annual PGA of Alberta Ladies’ Championship presented by MKRAK and Sundog Eyewear / Tour Tee. Alberta’s top female Professionals will head to Valley Ridge GC on September 14th & 15th to compete against one another for their shot at the title.
All players will be looking to dethrone back-to-back defending champion Marsha Rogers of The Derrick G&WC after winning the Championship last year at Sturgeon Valley G&CC with scores of 74-77 to win by 7 strokes! Marsha will be looking for her second victory this season after winning the Ladies’ Division at the Pro-Pro Best Ball at the end of August. Click here to see past winners of the Championship.
Tee times will begin at 2:40pm for Round 1 of the Championship on September 14th.
Modern Golf Mauls the Competition at the 2020 Pro-Assistant
Round Two of the Pro-Assistant at the spectacular Jasper Park Lodge GC and sponsored by Callaway Golf was a huge success. We had a packed field of 50 teams and 100 Professionals playing in an exciting format of six holes in rotation of Scramble, Scotch Ball & Best Ball to finish. We saw a continuation of the excellent summer conditions for our competitors today which contributed to the elated atmosphere of all our competitors.
Congratulations to our Champions today who hail from Modern Golf (Jeremy Maher & Craig Dale) who put together two exceptional rounds of golf and carded unreal 8-under par 63’s both days to finish the tournament at a staggering 16-under par!
In Second place was the team of Cardiff G&CC (Dallas Cantera & Matthew Mah) who kept things tight with our champions all day and helped keep things interesting for the last few holes. Team Cardiff G&CC played excellent golf for both rounds carding 63 and 65 today to finish the tournament at 14-under.
In a two-way tie for third was the teams of Calgary G&CC (Stefan Cox & Tom Greiner) and Windermere G&CC (Brice MacDermott & Cam Martens) who each put together two great rounds of golf to finish 12-under total.
In sole possession of fifth was the team of Sundre GC (Scott Shouldice & Corey Beaver) who finished at 11-under. In sixth place was the team of Speargrass GC (Jacob Manz & Mitchell Fox) who finished at 10-under.
Congratulations to Dallas Cantera for winning the closest-to-the-pin competition today on the par 3 fifteenth hole with an excellent shot that was 2 feet from the pin.
Special thanks to Jasper Park Lodge GC and Callaway Golf for helping make another excellent event happen!
Cardiff G&CC & Modern Golf Tied for Lead at the Callaway Golf Pro-Assistant
Today saw the third last event of the season at the sprawling & picturesque Jasper Park Lodge GC and sponsored by Callaway Golf. We had a packed field of 50 teams and 100 Professionals playing today who saw some of the best summer conditions to date for our competitors.
Leading the way after round one today was the teams of Modern Golf (Jeremy Maher & Craig Dale) and Cardiff G&CC (Dallas Cantera & Matthew Mah) who all played lights out golf and carded unreal 8-under par 63’s to hold a 1-stroke lead going into tomorrow.
In a two-way tie for third was the teams of Miskanaw GC (Jason Vaughan & Graig Walsh) and Windermere G&CC (Brice MacDermott & Cam Martens) who carded excellent 7-under par 64’s respectively to be right in the thick of things tomorrow.
In a three-way tie for fifth was the teams of Calgary G&CC (Stefan Cox & Tom Greiner), Speargrass GC (Jacob Manz & Mitchell Fox) & last but not least Sundre GC (Scott Shouldice & Corey Beaver) who all carded great 6-under par 65’s respectively.
Congratulations to Cody Hancock of Sturgeon Valley G&CC for winning the closest-to-the-pin competition today on the challenging par 3 ninth hole with an excellent shot that was 4.5 feet from the pin. The first tee time is at 8:57am tomorrow and our leaders of Cardiff G&CC & Modern Golf are going out at 12:33 PM.
Jasper Park Lodge GC is ready to host this year’s Callaway Golf Pro-Assistant Championship next week! Fifty teams of Head/Executive Professionals and their Assistants’ will head to Jasper on September 8th & 9th for a great two days of golf in the mountains and the chance to be crowned this years champions!
Format for the event will be a six-hole rotation of Scramble, Scotch Ball and Best Ball each day. Tee times begin at 10:45am for Round 1.
Callaway Golf was founded in 1982 by the late Ely Callaway, a visionary entrepreneur who operated under a simple but profound business promise: Deliver Demonstrably Superior, Pleasingly Different products and services. That philosophy turned what was originally a boutique manufacturer of high-quality wedges and putters into the world’s largest maker of premium, performance golf products. The Callaway mission and vision has remained the same; to passionately pursue advanced, innovative technologies that help golfers of all abilities find more enjoyment from the game.
Callaway Golf has been a Champion Partner of the PGA of Alberta for over 20-years! They have been long-time supporters of the annual Buying Show as well as our Consumer Golf Shows every year. Please visit their website for more information on their products or contact: Jim McCulley - Northern Alberta ([email protected]) or Tory Nilson - Southern Alberta ([email protected]).
About Jasper Park Lodge GC... Stanley Thompson, Canada’s master golf course architect, displayed some of the finest work of his career with this design. The 18-hole layout offers elevated tee boxes, dramatic bunkering and holes aligned with distant mountain vistas. Few golf courses in the world can match the rugged majesty of this national treasure, nestled between sparkling lakes, pristine forest and rocky peaks.
Highly acclaimed for its challenging layout and spectacular beauty, Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge Golf Club is rated by SCOREGolf Magazine as the #3 Golf Course in Canada in 2020.
Each round of golf at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge Golf Course takes you on an exquisite journey through a stunning mountain backdrop. Wildlife abounds on the course, from deer, elk and Canada Geese to the occasional, curious bear - a true Rocky Mountain mulligan!
Association News
Lindberg & Bell Start Strong and Lead the Way at the Junior Masters
To no surprise, reigning champion Grace Bell (Glencoe G&CC) shot a superb 71 (even par) on the Links Course at Wolf Creek GR to lead the Girls’ Division after Round 1 of the annual PGA of Alberta Junior Masters presented by Sundog Eyewear & TourTee. Sitting right behind and putting some pressure on Bell is Jenna Bruggeman (The Derrick G&WC) after firing a solid 77 to sit only a few strokes back.
For the Boys’ Division, leading the way after Round 1 was Cooper Lindberg (Glencoe G&CC) after shooting an impressive 1-over 72 . Nipping at Lindberg’s heels heading into tomorrow in second is Carter Code (Glencoe G&CC) sitting only 1 stroke back at 2-over 73. Nine players are within 5 strokes of the leader heading into tomorrow which should make for an exciting day on the leaderboard.
Players will take their talents over to the Old Course tomorrow at Wolf Creek GR for the final round and do everything they can to take home the 2020 Junior Masters title as well as their respective Flight.
Pro-Assistant Championship (September 8 & 9) - Sign Up Now
The Pro-Assistant Championship sponsored by Callaway Golfis less than a week away and will be hosted this year at the legendary Jasper Park Lodge GC! If you’re available/eligible to play, don’t miss out on this rare opportunity to play in this prestigious event. Registration deadline is this Thursday, September 3rd at 4pm.
PLEASE NOTE - Courses are allowed to registered multiple teams for the Pro-Assistant as long as the facility has a Head and Executive Professional.
About Jasper Park Lodge GC... Stanley Thompson, Canada’s master golf course architect, displayed some of the finest work of his career with this design. The 18-hole layout offers elevated tee boxes, dramatic bunkering and holes aligned with distant mountain vistas. Few golf courses in the world can match the rugged majesty of this national treasure, nestled between sparkling lakes, pristine forest and rocky peaks.
Highly acclaimed for its challenging layout and spectacular beauty, Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge Golf Club is rated by SCOREGolf Magazine as the #3 Golf Course in Canada in 2020.
Each round of golf at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge Golf Course takes you on an exquisite journey through a stunning mountain backdrop. Wildlife abounds on the course, from deer, elk and Canada Geese to the occasional, curious bear - a true Rocky Mountain mulligan!
