2023 NEWSLETTER: THE WINTER WRAP
WRAPPING UP THE 2023 GOLF SEASON
Alberta Golf has wrapped up a very diverse season that saw membership grow to 56,000 golfers, the addition of 3 new elite competitions including the Alberta All Abilities Championship, a busy and fun schedule for recreational players through Upswing by Alberta Golf and another busy season of $5 golf for juniors using our Youth on Course program.
In 2023 Alberta Golf spent time reconnecting with our past through our Heritage Services and our Hall of Fame, supported the golf industry and its diverse organizations and ran events for all ages and levels of players from those discovering the game to the elite performers in our province.
In 2024 Alberta Golf will focus on our strengths as a not-for-profit organization, gain a deeper understanding of who our members are and connect with them in segmented digital and print communications to better serve their needs.
Please enjoy the following content outlining what Alberta Golf has been up to the past few months as the golf season ended and planning for 2024 went into full swing.
Happy holidays!
ALBERTA GOLF’S 2024 PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE TAKING SHAPE
We are pleased to announce selected venues for our Alberta Golf 2024 Provincial Championship Schedule. There will be 13 championship events across the province next summer with 8 of the venues already selected. Here’s a look at where our championships will be held in 2024
View 2024 Championship Schedule here
UPSWING BY ALBERTA GOLF TO EXPAND 2024 OFFERINGS
UpSwing members made 2023 a tremendous success at all of our events across the province.
Make sure to check our UpSwing website upswinggolf.ca for added offerings, events, simulators, lessons, and virtual leagues being added each month and contact John Burns john.burns@albertagolf.org for any further inquiries.
ALBERTA GOLF SUPPORTS 101 PLAYERS IN THE 2024 ATHLETE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
The Athlete Development Program is designed to support athletes across the province by providing programs and services that ultimately help them reach their competitive goals in the sport.
101 players have qualified for player support in 2024, including an increase of 26 athletes who qualified for Tier 2 support in 2023. There are 35 female golfers in the 2024 Tier support program which is a 52% increase over last year.
14-year-old Eileen Park from Red Deer won the 2023 Canadian Junior Girls Championship and defended her title at the Alberta U19 Girls Championship and is the first athlete to qualify for Tier 4 since Jaclyn Lee in 2019.
See the 101 players here in the 2024 Athlete Development Program
4 ALBERTANS MAKE TEAM CANADA 2024 AMATEUR SQUADS
Golf Canada is pleased to announce the names of 39 amateur athletes and 10 coaches named to the men’s and women’s 2024 Team Canada – NextGen and Team Canada squads. Albertans Eileen Park, Brady McKinlay, Hunter Thomson and Ethan Wilson join the best in our country on Team Canada.
Read more about the Albertans on Team Canada Amateur Squads
2023 ALBERTA GOLF VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
Congratulations to our Volunteer of the Year Ray Provencher of Edmonton for his great service as a Referee and a Course Rater.
Watch video: Ray Provencher named 2023 Alberta Golf Volunteer of the Year
ALBERTA GOLF SUPPORTS PGA OF ALBERTA BUYING SHOW
Alberta Golf was proud to have a booth at the 2023 PGA of Alberta Buying Show this fall in Calgary. The 3 day event was a great chance to meet face to face with industry leaders and discuss all Alberta Golf offerings along with Golf Canada’s National Golf League and First Tee Alberta.
FIRST TEE – ALBERTA IS HERE!
With the launch of First Tee – Alberta, there are now six Canadian chapters providing accessible youth development programming coast to coast. First Tee delivers introductory golf lessons through a life-skills-focused curriculum at golf courses, community centres and schools.
First Tee – Alberta hired a Program Manager this fall to onboard locations and execute programming across the province. Programming is expected to be underway in the spring of 2024. Interested in getting involved? Reach out to Mike Steele (msteele@golfcanada.ca) or visit firstteealberta.ca to learn more.
YOUTH ON COURSE PROGRAM ENTERS 6TH SEASON IN ALBERTA
In 2023 Youth on Course provided $5 rounds of golf at 23 courses across the province for all Alberta Golf members 18 years of age or younger. 1,387 juniors logged 7,684 rounds of golf in Alberta. Alberta Golf partnered with the 2023 ATB Classic at Northern Bear Golf Course to fundraise $55,000 this summer to help subsidize Youth on Course and keep it viable in our province for years to come.
Watch video here: ATB Classic helps fundraise for Youth on Course Alberta
ALBERTA GOLF LAUNCHES HALL OF FAME AND HERITAGE WEBSITE
Alberta Golf is pleased to announce the launch of our official Hall of Fame and Heritage website. At albertagolfheritage.org you can learn more about the game of golf in Alberta including the pioneers who paved the way, the Hall of Fame members that helped shape the game, and the clubs that built Alberta Golf. Please contact taylor@albertagolf.org for any questions or inquiries.
Alberta Golf Hall of Fame and Heritage Website
’TIS THE SEASON TO BE JOLLY AND WIN BIG!
For all Alberta Golf members. Save on insurance & Win BIG in the @belairdirect Groups Contest! There are 3 x $1,000 cash prizes drawn every month. Enter now at belairdirect.com/winbig or call 1-833-294-2911 for a car, home, condo or tenant quote to double your chances. Be sure to mention Alberta Golf. Good Luck!
PARTNERSHIP WITH JOHNSON INSURANCE
We are delighted to partner with Johnson Insurance to provide you the travel insurance plan that’s packed and ready.
Alberta Golf members have access to great travel coverage with MEDOC® through Johnson Insurance.
For often less than the cost of purchasing insurance for multiple trips separately, you can enjoy an unlimited number of trips during the policy year. You’ll always be prepared.
- With MEDOC®, you’ll receive: Emergency medical coverage
- Trip cancellation, interruption, and delay coverage
- Baggage protection
- And much more!
Give Johnson Insurance a call at 1-866-606-3362 or visit Johnson.ca/MEDOC to get a quote and finalize your coverage. Remember to mention Alberta Golf as your group to get the discounted group rates!
ALBERTA GOLF SAFE SPORT AND IDENTITY VIDEOS
Alberta Golf was proud to provide a safe environment for all levels of golfers this season and help them reach their full potential. Please watch our Safe Sport and Identity videos.
Watch the Alberta Golf Identity Video “For Everyone”
THE R&A AND USGA ANNOUNCE DECISION TO REVISE GOLF BALL TESTING CONDITIONS BEGINNING IN 2028
The R&A and USGA will update the testing conditions used for golf ball conformance under the Overall Distance Standard (ODS), which will take effect in January 2028. The decision aims to reduce the impact increased hitting distances have on golf’s long-term sustainability while minimizing the impact on the recreational game.
NGCOA CANADA AND CGSA LAUNCH SUSTAINABLE GOLF PROGRAM
The National Golf Course Owners Association Canada (NGCOA Canada) and the Canadian Golf Superintendents Association (CGSA) have announced an important new program which will extend further support and recognition to facilities for sustainability and climate action.
2023 ALBERTA GOLFER MAGAZINE
Please read the content here in our 2023 Alberta Golfer magazine
