Gord’s Alberta Golf Notes
- Details
- Category: Inside Golf
- Published: 2022-02-17
By GORD MONTGOMERY, Inside Golf
The biggest news coming out of a long, snowy Alberta winter is that two members of the PGA of Alberta were honoured with major awards at the PGA’s Golf Show in Florida in late January. Leading the charge was Don Price who was named to the PGA of Canada Hall of Fame. His career spanned decades in the business beginning in 1964 in Calgary as an assistant professional. His career continued over the years as he eventually became the head professional at three high-end courses, the Red Deer G&CC as well as Canyon Meadows G&CC and Glencoe G&CC, both of which are located in Calgary. Besides his work in the pro shop and mentoring young professionals as well as club members, Price was also the PGA of Alberta president for four years, from 1976-1980. He remained on that board as an advisor through 1998. Previously, he had been awarded the PGA of Alberta’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003 in the Leadership Category.
The other major winner, Riley Fleming, proved that nice guys can finish first as he was named the Mike Weir Male Player of the Year for 2021 after an exceptional season of tournament play. Fleming, who teaches at the Lynx Ridge GC in Calgary capped his year off by winning the PGA Championship of Canada. He also defended his Alberta Assistants Championship for the fourth consecutive year and won several other provincial-based events. As well, Fleming battled back to finish in a tie for third place in the PGA Assistants Championship of Canada.
Given the state of affairs, COVID-wise in Alberta, the PGA of Alberta Consumer Golf Shows have been cancelled yet again, despite other shows taking place in other parts of the country. After deciding late in 2021 to again host the two-day shows in Calgary and Edmonton in March of this year, a surge in the omicron variant in Alberta altered those plans and the plug was pulled on the events. When the announcement to hold the shows was made, the hospital numbers had been on a steady decline in the province and it was felt that keeping some safety measures in place would allow the shows to proceed. But, with over 1,500 people in hospitals province-wide at the time this was written, and even higher than that when the show was once again put on pause, there was still great cause for concern in staging the events, thus the cancellations.
Alberta Golf has released the dates of their major competitions for the upcoming season, with those being spread throughout the province. As always, the big events on their calendar kick off with the hosting of the Alberta Open Championship, an tournament open to both pros and amateurs, that runs from June 21-23 at the great Sundre GC. That’s quickly followed by the Alberta Men’s Amateur Championship, to be held at another great facility, The Ranch G&CC just outside of Edmonton, on June 28-30. The next big event, the Alberta Ladies Amateur Championship, is then scheduled for July 5-7 at the Canmore Golf & Curling Club, followed by the Alberta U19 Championships at the Cougar Creek G&CC on July 12-14, and then the Men’s Alberta Mid Amateur Championship runs on July 19-21 at the Highwood Golf course. For more information on qualifying sites and dates for all of these events, check out the website at albertagolf.org.
The biggest golf event in the province this year though is most likely going to be the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship to be staged at the pristine Red Deer G&CC from September 6 to 9. What makes this event even more special for the host venue is that it’s the 100th anniversary of the club so it’s certain to be a festive event for more than just the winner.