Each year, the PGA of Canada Foundation awards bursaries to assist, encourage and promote the attainment of professional development opportunities. With the 2022 year coming to an end, it is the perfect time to send in a bursary application for any professional development opportunities you may have done in the past year. You have the opportunity to be reimbursed, for up to $500.00!
For more detailed information, please see the application link below. The bursary application deadline is January 27th, 2023! If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Wayne MacPhee at [email protected].
National Award Finalists Announced - Good Luck to Alberta Professionals
The PGA of Canada is thrilled to announce the finalists for its 2022 National Awards.
Each year, a National Selection Committee evaluates nominations from professionals across Canada. The winners will be revealed on social media over the next few weeks and will be celebrated during Canada Night at the PGA Show in Orlando on January 26, 2023.
Good luck to the following Alberta Professionals up for a National Award. To view all finalists, CLICK HERE.
Matt Johnson (Royal Mayfair GC) - Murray Tucker Club Professional of the Year
Brian Bassen (Strathmore GC) - Dick Munn Executive Professional of the Year
Scott Stiles (Earl Grey GC) - George Knudson Teacher of the Year
Kim Valleau (The Winston GC) - Stan Leonard Class “A” Professional of the Year
Samuel Kirkness(Inglewood G&CC) - Tex Noble Professional Development Award
Ryan Caines(Inglewood G&CC) - Moe Norman Apprentice Professional of the Year
Chad Feener (Leduc GC) - Jack McLaughlin Junior Leader of the Year
Adam Werbicki (The Derrick G&WC) - Ben Kern Coach of the Year
Evergreen GC (Head Professional – Josh Walker) - Pat Fletcher Retailer of the Year
Wes Heffernan (Dynamic Motion Golf Performance Centre) - Mike Weir Player of the Year
Riley Fleming(Lynx Ridge GC) - Mike Weir Player of the Year
Garrett Hadfield (Rundle Park GC) - Warren Crosbie Community Leader of the Year Award
Education News
Mark Your Calendars
The 2023 Spring Seminar has been scheduled for March 6th & 7th at the Derrick G&WC.
The Education Committee has been working hard to compile a list of speakers for this years seminar and will provide updates as they are available along with the opening of registration coming soon. This years event will also be back in person for the first time since 2020 so don’t miss the opportunity to network and learn from some of the best in the industry.
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.
Spring Seminar Sponsors...
Association News
Member Compensation Survey - Complete Today to View Results
The Compensation Survey is a very important tool for the Association as it provides our membership the most current earning potential in each area of the province based on their position. The more surveys that are filled out, the more accurate both the averages and high/low points will be.
Please take 5-10 minutes to fill out the survey. Once completed, you will be sent a copy of the results.
Important Aspects of the Compensation Survey
Each member will only be able to submit one survey for approval between Oct 1 - Sept 30 each year.
Top 100 Points - Every Member will receive 5 Top 100 points for completing the survey!
Your information will be kept confidential and will be used only for statistical purposes.
Golf Show News
Early Bird Registration Now Open for 2023 Calgary & Edmonton Golf Shows
EARLY BIRD Exhibitor registration is NOW OPEN for the 2023 Calgary & Edmonton Golf Shows in March and April! The Association is excited to get these Shows back up and running after being postponed the last three years.
Why Exhibit at the Shows? The Golf Shows are a great opportunity for you to promote your facility/company and programs to over 7,000 passionate golfers throughout the province. Exhibiting at the Shows allows your facility/company to sell green fees (bundle packs), products, memberships, league play, simulator leagues, lesson packages, etc., all while exposing your brand to new demographics in a fun environment. Your facility/company also has the chance to take advantage of the upswing of new golfers the industry has experienced over the last three years. The upcoming Shows are scheduled as follows:
Edmonton Golf Show April 1 & 2, 2023 | Edmonton Expo Centre (Hall A) CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Top 100 Points All PGA members at a facility that pays for a booth at either Golf Show will receive 5 Top 100 points for the new program year!
Early Bird Deadline The Early Bird registration deadline is DECEMBER 16thfor both Shows. Be sure to take advantage of these discounted rates and don’t miss out on being a part of the Alberta Golf Shows! If you have any questions about the Shows, please contact Trevor Rioux at [email protected]. Click links above to Register (login required).
Warren Crosbie Community Leader of the Year Award - Deadline to Nominate November 15
The Warren Crosbie Community Leader of the Year Award, introduced in 2020 and named after PGA of Canada Past President and Life Member Warren Crosbie, is presented annually to a member of the Association who has demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities and gone above and beyond to make a meaningful and lasting impact within their community.
Last year’s winner was Todd Keirstead, who is making a huge different in the lives of others with his ParaGolf Canada initiative, which has helped bring disabled golfers to the sport and back to the sport. More details on Todd’s work can be found here.
COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP AWARD GUIDELINES
Involved in the promotion and development of community and/or charitable initiatives to help others, going beyond their regular day to day duties;
Consistent and outstanding dedication to making their community a better place;
Recognized as someone of outstanding character.
The National Awards Committee will select a recipient based on these criteria. While achievements during the past year should be emphasized, a candidate’s entire experience and commitment to continuing their contributions will be strongly considered.
The more detailed your nomination, the better chance the candidate has of being chosen by the selection committee.
The PGA of Alberta Mentorship Program (separate from the PGA of Canada Mentorship Program) provides guidance and direction to first-year members of the Association. The objective of the Mentorship Program is to create a group of members who are passionate about their careers, the industry and Association, leading to long-term commitment in the golf industry.
IMPORTANT: Members must have their Class ’A’ status within the Association in order to be a Mentor. We are in need of Mentors in all geographical locations of the province. We want to ensure the best support possible for our new Apprentice Professionals and this will be accomplished by pairing a Mentee with a Mentor that lives in a close proximity.
Expectations of Mentors…
Commit to your Mentor/Mentee relationship(s) for a minimum of 1-year
Be accountable for your Mentee and provide continuous support on an ongoing basis as needed
Set parameters of the relationship with the Mentee and create a plan for goals/objectives on what both parties want achieve
Attempt to meet in person with your Mentee twice (Spring & Fall). Ex. This can be accomplished over a round of golf or at an Association tournament/event
Provide feedback to the office by completing the Mentor Evaluation Form when required
Top 100 Points… All Mentors will receive 5 Top 100 Points max. for their involvement in the Mentorship Program. These points are awarded annually. All Mentors must execute the action items as indicated and submit the Evaluation Form before being eligible to receive points. Points are ONLY awarded for the first-year of your pairing. Become A Mentor in 2023… If interested in being involved, click the link below to submit the "Become A Mentor" formby January 31, 2023. After the form has been submitted, you will be added to the Mentor list (if eligible) and MAY be assigned a Mentee in February (depending on total number of Mentors/Mentees, and geographical location).
Become A Mentee in 2023... All new members of the Association are automatically signed up to be a Mentee in the program. If you received your card in 2022, you will AUTOMATICALLY be assigned a Mentor in February of 2023.
If interested in being a Mentee and you are not a new member as stated above, please contact[email protected]at the PGA office for more information. Mentors are assigned based on several factors including geographical location to the Mentee.
Top 100 News
Samuel Kirkness Wins his First Top 100 Award
Congratulations to SamuelKirkness of Inglewood G&CC on winning his first Top 100 Award as determined by the rankings in the Top 100 Program presented by Foresight Sports Canada and TaylorMade Golf Canada! The Top 100 Program is based on pre-defined measurable criteria designed to recognize members who dedicate their time and demonstrate proven abilities in advancing the Association’s interests for the benefit of all Golf Professionals and industry.
After taking over the lead late in the program year, Sam secured the trophy after accumulating 91 points total to win by 4! Sam is no stranger to being involved in the Association as he was the winner of the former Professional Development Program in 2018, the final year of the program before turning into the now Top 100 Program.
As we’ve seen the last several years in the Top 100 Program, it was an exciting race to the very end with two other members - Greg Johnson (Inglewood G&CC) and Bryce Halverson (Carnmoney GC), finishing within 7 points of Sam to claim second and third place.
Cash Prizes... The PGA of Alberta is now awarding 20 cash prizes to the top 20 point earners for the 2022 program year. Members needed to accumulate 60 points or more to earn a cheque this year. Congratulations to the following recipients who will receive their prize money shortly:
Cash Bonuses In addition to the 20 cash prizes, the Association is giving away 8 cash bonuses of $100 each to the top point finisher(s) in the below member categories (number of cash bonuses dependent on total number of members in the categories). This added amount puts the total prize money at$9,000for the Top 100 Program (cash prizes + bonuses). Congratulations to the following:
Apprentice Professionals - Top 2
Stefan Anderson (Lakeside GC) - $100
Nic Longley (Silver Springs G&CC) - $100
Class A / Teaching Professionals - Top 3
Greg Johnson (Inglewood G&CC) - $100
Bryce Halverson (Carnmoney GC) - $100
Chad Feener (Leduc GC) - $100
Head / Head Teaching Professionals - Top 2
Samuel Kirkness (Inglewood G&CC) - $100
Josh Fleming (365 GOLF) - $100
Executive Professional - Top 1
Murray McCourt (The Ranch G&CC) - $100
Top 100 Professionals As part of this program, the PGA of Alberta acknowledges the Top 100 Professionals which are the top 100-point earners for the program year. The 2022 Top 100 Professionals will be officially announced shortly so stay tuned for more information!
New for 2023 - Program Rotation Year After review of the program, the Association will now use a calendar year moving forward for the program rather than the previous October to September of the following year model. For 2023, the program year will begin October 1, 2022 and go until December 31, 2023 to cover the gap of the rotation change. After that year is finish, the Top 100 Program will run from a January 1st to December 31st timeline.
