Gord’s Alberta Golf Notes: At Least One Alberta Course Still Teeing It Up

Cattail Crossing Golf And Winter Club

By GORD MONTGOMERY, Inside Golf

While most golf courses in the greater-Edmonton area, and the entire province for that matter, have shuttered their doors recently after a successful 2021 season, one track has decided to battle the cooler weather and offer up at least a few more rounds for the hearty golfer. A spokesperson at the Cattail Crossing Golf & Winter Club in north Edmonton said they decided the weather forecast looked favourable, so why not stick it out to the end? “We had quite a frost delay today (Nov. 1), so today was a little slow,” the spokesperson commented, “and tomorrow doesn’t look that good but Wednesday and Thursday we have packed tee sheets! We have our fingers crossed that we can make it through the weekend,” because playing outdoor golf in November in north-central Alberta is a treat any dyed-in-the-wool hacker can appreciate.

The PGA of Alberta began handing out their year-end awards recently, with one-on-one presentations to the winners of the various categories because of the cancellation once again of the annual buying show, which had the awards ceremony as an extra event. A big winner this year was Chris Ward from the Edmonton Petroleum G&CC, as he repeated in one category and was a brand-new winner in another. Ward again topped the Top 100 Program for his province, for the second straight year. The award is handed out on the basis of points gained during the year running from October through September of the following year and is based on members taking part in seminars, tournaments, and other functions to better improve the quality of service a pro provides to his/her membership. As well, Ward was named the Class A Professional of the Year for his outstanding work at his club in Edmonton.

Josh Fleming
Josh Fleming Of GOLFTEC Calgary Beacon Heights Was Named As The PGA of Alberta’s Teacher Of The Year For The 2021 Season.

Two more winners of PGA of Alberta awards were also handed out as of November 1. The first victor came from Edmonton and that recipient was Rachel Wiebe from the Windermere G&CC, who was honoured as the Apprentice Professional of the Year. Then Calgary pro Josh Fleming, from Beacon Heights GOLFTEC, nabbed the esteemed Teacher of the Year honour. More such awards for deserving PGA of Alberta members will be handed out later this week.

If you’re a die-hard golf paraphernalia bargain shopper who has missed the huge clearance centre at the twice-cancelled Edmonton Golf Show, fear not — there’s a great deal waiting for you just down the road. Starting on Friday, November 19 and running through the 21st, the Annual Golf Garage Sale put on by Edmonton’s Private Clubs will take place. There will be somewhere in the neighbourhood of $1 million of inventory available on a first-come, first-served basis. The sale takes place at the Ellerslie Rugby Club, located at 11004 Ellerslie Road in Edmonton. Please be aware that only DOUBLE VAXXED persons will be allowed into the building and MASKS ARE MANDAORY. As of yet, no times have been announced, but check on Twitter @GolfGarageSale for those as the days draw closer.