Gord’s Alberta Golf Notes: Rain Can’t Dampen the Golfing Spirit in Alberta
- Details
- Category: Inside Golf
- Published: 2019-07-29
By GORD MONTGOMERY, Inside Golf
Even though it seems to have done little but rain in Alberta this summer there is in fact still plenty of golf taking place, be it at a recreational, club, or professional level.
The biggest news coming out of the province so far seems to be tied to the annual Shaw Charity Classic, on the PGA TOUR Champions circuit. To that end, make sure you arrive early for one of the great events taking place, when former Open champion Darren Clarke will be pouring pints at the 19th hole on Aug. 29, beginning at 6 p.m., at the Darren Clarke Pub Night, thanks to the Downtown Calgary.
“I absolutely can’t wait to get back to the Shaw Charity Classic. Calgary was just my second week on the PGA TOUR Champions last year and it was unbelievable,” said Clarke, in a press release. “It was probably the best atmosphere we have on TOUR, incredible crowds, a fantastic golf course and great people. And for sure we even found one or two great bars as well. I can’t wait to get back and join everyone again.”
The action takes place at Ceili’s Pub (351 4 Ave SW) in Calgary. After helping customers fill their glasses, Clarke will take to the stage for a 45-minute open mic night, answering questions and telling tales from his time on the PGA TOUR. A limited number of tickets for the inaugural pub night are available for $60 at shawcharityclassic.com/buytickets.
As for the Shaw Charity Classic itself, the big names are again lining up to take part in the tournament, staged over the long weekend in September at the Canyon Meadows Golf & Country Club. This year, there have been almost 80 over-50 members of the PGA TOUR Champions circuit confirm they’ll appear at the Calgary stop. Included in the event are Bernhard Langer, Vijay Singh, Retief Goosen, Jesper Parnevik, David Frost, and two-time defending champion Scott McCarron, Colin Montgomerie, Paul Broadhurst, Mark O’Meara and Mark Calvecchia.
Speaking of rain, that’s about all it did at this year’s Sun Life Financial Alberta Men’s Amateur on the Links Course at Wolf Creek. The scheduled 72-hole event was cut in half by nasty weather with Camrose’s Andrew Harrison earning the title. This was the second major win of the season for the UBC student, who also laid claim to the Alberta Open event earlier. Harrison completed the shortened tourney at 4-under par, four shots clear of runner-up Matt Bean from the Canmore Golf & CC.
One of the major provincial competitions the weather didn't have an effect on was the Sun Life Financial Alberta Ladies Amateur Championship, held at The Ranch Golf & Country Club just outside of Edmonton. There, Medicine Hat’s Becky Martin ran away with the title, taking down runner-up Kylie Barros from Edmonton, by seven shots, finishing the 54-hole event at plus-1. Martin secured the win with five birdies in the final round.
Weather has been an issue, but not a show-stopper for the guys on the PGA of Alberta tournament circuit. Despite battling each other, players have had to deal with wind and rain this summer, as they decide who’s the best of the bunch on any given day. So far, everyone seems to sharing the winnings as four different APGA pros have won the last four Golf Supply House events. Things started off in nasty weather with Stony Plain’s Jeff Cuthberson outlasting Josh Fleming from Calgary GolfTec in a four hole playoff to pick up the win at the Broadmoor GC in Sherwood Park. That was followed by Riley Fleming earning the win by five shots over fellow Calgary pro Dustin Risdon at the two-day tourney at the Inglewood G&CC. Risdon however had won a few days earlier at a huge event, when he captured the PGA of Canada Championship in Eastern Canada. The next winner was Tyler LeBouthillier when he took down Kent Fukushima by three shot at the Hamptons in Calgary. Wrapping up recent tournament play was David McComb from the Blackhawk G&CC in Edmonton, when he edged out Keith Whitecotton at Mill Woods GC.
About the Writer
Gord Montgomery is a member in good standing of the Golf Journalists Association of Canada. He is now in his 10th year of writing for Inside Golf. He can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. He’s also on Twitter at @gordinsidegolf and on Instagram at gordinsidegolf2.