Alberta Golf has acquired the McLennan Ross Alberta Junior Tour, enhancing its overall investment in junior golf development.

For the past 23 years The McLennan Ross Alberta Junior Tour has held a prominent place in the junior golf landscape in Alberta. Thousands of young golfers have had their first taste of competition at tour events in every corner of the province and many have used those experiences to play golf at the highest levels both as amateurs and professionals. Even more have gone on to have successful careers both academically and in the workforce.

Phil Berube, Alberta Golf Executive Director / CEO commented that “the McLennan Ross Junior Golf Tour has had a positive reputation in our province for developing junior golfers over the past two decades. As an introduction for young golfers to competitive golf, there is no better experience than the McLennan Ross events. Each host club puts on a wonderful event and with Alberta Golf’s support we aim to keep the tradition of these tournaments being affordable and welcoming to all.”

A Rich History

The McLennan Ross Junior Golf Tour was founded in 1996. Craig Martin, the Publisher of the Edmonton Sun, wanted to create a program that would help promote junior golf and he along with Randy Parker, President of Parcom Marketing Inc. and Ryan Vold, Director of Golf at Wolf Creek Golf Resort, developed the initial structure of the Tour. Starting with nine tournaments, the Tour quickly gained traction with junior golfers and clubs around the province. An increasing number of corporate partners wanted to get involved with promoting junior golf in Alberta. Within a few years, the Tour grew to over 20 events a year as clubs were eager to have their Junior Opens be part of the first junior golf Tour in Alberta. From the start, Wolf Creek provided the entire facility to host the Tour Championship in late August to wind up each year’s schedule.

Alberta law firm McLennan Ross LLP has watched first-hand how the tour has grown in the past two decades and are looking forward to the launch of the ‘new’ tour.

“I think it’s a good time to transition over to Alberta Golf,” said McLennan Ross partner Tom Ross. “One of the things we’re excited about is that they bring much greater depth and breadth to the tour and their resources will help reach more communities. Golf is a game that instills fellowship, values, etiquette, work ethic and true sportsmanship and this tour helps the junior golfing community.”

Edmonton’s Duncan Mills has been the Executive Director of the tour since its inception and will continue to be a mainstay at events this year serving as an Advisor, ensuring a smooth transition and the always welcoming atmosphere for young golfers.

“The goal of the Tour from the start was to provide a platform for young juniors to get their first taste of competitive golf in a fun, but structured environment, while also providing excellent competition for more skilled players to gain valuable tournament experience,” said Duncan Mills.

“The Tour is a fantastic venue to not only learn to play competitively, but to help form lasting personal friendships, and foster the development of life skills like honesty, hard work, responsibility and accountability, while still having a ton of fun along the way. Virtually all of Alberta’s rising stars over the years got their first exposure to tournament competition on the McLennan Ross Junior Golf Tour,” Mills added.

Supported by PGA of Alberta Assistant Professionals

The tour will continue to provide affordable access to competitive opportunities throughout the province while supporting golf courses and PGA of Alberta professionals employed at these facilities. Specifically, Assistant Professionals across the province will support the tour events in 2019.

“We are excited to partner with Alberta Golf and the McLennan Ross Alberta Junior Tour.” Said Craig Gibson, President of the PGA of Alberta Assistants Board of Directors. “Assistant Professionals will be on-site at events to help promote the PGA of Alberta and provide information on junior golf opportunities. The Professionals will assist with registration, announcements, rules education and creating an overall welcoming and friendly environment.”

The McLennan Ross Alberta Junior Tour is now officially part of the overall junior pathway at Alberta Golf. The first of twenty-five tour events in 2019 tees off June 8-9^that Henderson Lake Golf Club in Lethbridge. For the full tour schedule click here. 

For more information please contact info@albertagolf.org