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PGA Seniors' Championship of Canada

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PGA of Canada News

Pga seniors’ championship of canada hosted at connaught gc in medicine hat.

If this week’s PGA  Seniors’  Championship of Canada  is anything like what unfolded in Quebec in 2021, golf fans in Medicine Hat, Alberta that head to  Connaught  GC this Wednesday to Friday are in for a treat.

Schedule of Events, Pairings and Full Purse Breakdown

This year, 43 of the top Senior Professionals in Canada are set to compete at the par-72  Connaught  GC, where conditions are spectacular. Good luck to the 17 Professionals from Alberta competing at the Championship.   “It is incredible to see how excited the Medicine Hat community is to have this event in the city,” said PGA of Canada Managing Director of Championships  Akash  Patel. “The golf-course staff has been fantastic to work with and the layout itself will be a great test of golf for some of the most well-respected professionals in the industry. “It is fantastic that we now have  GOLFTEC  as the presenting sponsor of the event. The work they do to provide employment opportunities for PGA of Canada professionals is terrific for the industry as the sport continues to grow at an unprecedented rate in Canada.”   In addition to sponsoring the  Seniors’  PGA Championship of Canada,  GOLFTEC  also launched a ‘Pass the  PAT’  program in partnership with the PGA of Canada that has helped multiple aspiring professionals pass the Playing Ability Test. For more information,  click here. Championship Quick Facts

• Datea: August 24-26
• Field Size:  43 players (16 players in Super Seniors Division) 
• Course Details:  Par 72 / 6,698 yards
• Purse: $26,500 ($7,000 first place)
• Super Seniors Purse: $3,500 ($1,000 first place)
• Format:  54-hole individual stroke play 
• 2021  Seniors’  PGA Champion:  Dennis  Hendershott

Association News

Who says you can’t go home, mathew macdonald and weston gillett can look out the window and sometimes feel like they’re watching a rewind from their junior-golf days..

That’s one of the unique perks of working as head professional at the same course where you first fell in love with the sport. In MacDonald’s case, that would be Olds Golf Club. Gillett, meanwhile, learned the finer points of the game on the fairways and greens at Lacombe Golf & Country Club. 

“I can’t remember who came up with the term, but I was what they called one of the ‘grapes’ of the pro-shop, because I would just hang around,” MacDonald said with a chuckle. “There were weeks when I was out here seven straight days as a kid. It was basically whenever mom and dad were able to get me to the golf course, I was usually more than willing to go.

“So yeah, I can definitely see a part of myself in some of these youngsters.”

Gillett, his fellow PGA of Alberta pro, knows that feeling.

Long before he had an office at Lacombe Golf & Country Club, he was one of the young whippersnappers with a stall in the junior club storage area. 

Whenever he wanted to practice or play, he’d simply lace up his sneakers and walk to the course. When he arrived, he typically had to empty his pockets.

“Luckily, I didn’t live too far from here,” Gillett reminisced. “Back when I was a kid, the highway wasn’t as busy as it is now. I wouldn’t recommend walking anymore, but it wasn’t that busy back then. 

“So, I’d walk over, and then on the other side of the highway, there’s ball diamonds across

from our ninth hole. I used to walk up between the ball diamonds and the golf course and I’d find tons of golf balls. I remember never having to buy balls because I’d find them as I was walking.”

Gillett had such fond memories of his upbringing at Lacombe Golf & Country Club — and his stints as a high-schooler on the maintenance crew and pro-shop staff — that he admits there was a bit of apprehension as he pondered whether to apply to be the head pro in his hometown. He’s now in his sixth season in the role after making the move from Drayton Valley. 

“This golf course, this Club, it’s always been very important to me because it’s kind of where I grew up, and I didn’t want to go in and have a negative outlook if something were not to be quite as I perceived it,” Gillett explained. “But it’s been really good. It’s all been super positive.”

MacDonald is just getting settled into his new job as pro/manager at Olds. He worked up the road in Innisfail for the past three years. 

“This was always something that was in the back of my mind that I wanted to potentially do,” he said. “I mean, this course kind of gave me my start in the golf world — both as a back-shop kid when I was younger and again as I was starting to make my way into the professional ranks. I’ve always had a soft spot in my heart for the town of Olds and for the golf course. When I had an opportunity to jump up and take the position, I jumped into it with both feet. It’s been a really fun experience so far. It’s very interesting. I always say it’s very weird that I get to sit on the other side of the same desk where I used to get in trouble if I did something wrong out here.

“But it’s been a lot of fun. Pretty cool.”

For Gillett, MacDonald, and other professionals now working at the same facilities where they were first introduced to the game, the best part isn’t the opportunity to occasionally relive their youth. 

 It’s the opportunity to influence the next wave. 

When Gillett was a smooth-swinging junior, Kevin Snell was head pro at Lacombe. He was delighted when Snell, a PGA of Alberta life member, stopped by on his first day on the job to offer his congratulations. 

“I see a lot of kids that come out here, and I see a little bit of myself in them,” said Gillett, now a proud father of three. “I was always treated really, really well by the previous pros when I was kid and they’d take me out to play. I know the first couple times that I played with Kevin when I was 12 or 13 years old, I was just in awe of what he could do with the golf ball. In the grand scheme of things, it wasn’t like Tiger Woods or anything. But to me, it was.

“I can remember walking in the shop and Kevin had his bag there with his name on it, and I thought that was so cool. I thought that was just one step below seeing Tiger Woods.”

MacDonald, too, can rattle off a list of pros who had a major impact on his growing love for golf and instilling the values that you learn while chasing birdies and pars — honesty, integrity, and responsibility to name a few.

“One of the things that I’ve always remembered is that those individuals always made time for me, always took time to say hello or come walk out on the putting green to see how I was doing,” MacDonald said. “They always made themselves very available. They were very generous with their time. And I always try to remember that — that I probably wouldn’t be here in the position that I’m in if it wasn’t for their encouragement, their kindness and their willingness to have that influence on my golf game and my life. I always try to remember that no matter what comes up, it’s the people first and making sure that people feel valued and welcomed. A simple tip on the driving range can go a long way toward helping a relationship grow. In my case, it helped me create a career out of it.”

Tournament News

Samuel kirkness and glenn carr take playoffs to win pga of alberta players tour title.

Kirkness claims 2024 title in second extra hole, Carr captures seniors crown after first playoff hole

EDMONTON— Samuel Kirkness and Glenn Carr proved victorious following extra holes at the Players Tour presented by Duca del Cosma at the Mill Woods Golf Course.

Kirkness (Inglewood Golf and Country Club) captured the main event in a two-hole playoff, while Carr (Lakeside Golf Club) triumphed in the first extra hole to take the seniors’ category. 

Kirkness – the 2023 Club Professional Championship winner – finished deadlocked at 70 with Wes Heffernan (Dynamic Motion Golf Performance Centre), Jacques Plouffe (Royal Mayfair Golf Club), Nick Vandermey and Keith Whitecotton (The Quarry) following an 18-hole spin of the 6,778-yard track in Edmonton.

Kirkness, Heffernan and Whitecotton dropped Plouffe and Vandermey after matching pars on the first extra hole, a 381-yard par-4. The PGA of Alberta heavyweights exchanged shots to the green on the par-5 538-yard test where Kirkness solidified the title with a birdie.

A close battle also unfolded in the seniors’ division (golf professionals 50 and older) where Carr (Lakeside Golf Club) and Andre DiBartolo (Edmonton Garrison Memorial Golf and Country Club) carded identical scores of 76.

Carr wasted little time putting his name in the history books as the 2024 winner, topping DiBartolo on the first extra hole – the 364-yard, par-4 10th hole.

Just over 100 players teed it up through the rainy conditions in the morning shotgun start.

Final Results - Main Field

Final Results - Seniors Division

For more information on the PGA of Alberta calendar of events, please visit https://www.pgaofalberta.com/tournaments/registration/

Play Ability Test News

Welcome to the association.

Congratulations to the 5 players who passed the Play Ability Test today at Edmonton Garrison Memorial G&CC. The 5 players all successfully passed after  shooting the target score (78) or better to become an Apprentice Professional of the PGA of Canada.

Education News

Operation 36 teaching summit moves location to calgary.

The PGA of Alberta will be hosting its Summer Teaching Summit on June 5th and 6th  with a location change to   Golf Future   in Calgary, Alberta. 

Start your golf season by learning from   Ryan Dailey , Co-Founder - Operation 36 , who will be joining us to facilitate his level 1 coach certification from 8am - 3:30 pm both days.  Each event is led by a team of PGA golf professionals who are on staff at Operation 36 HQ. These pros have run the program successfully and have helped thousands of golf pros execute successful programs. This will be the first time the certification has been hosted at a venue in Canada in 15 years.

We have the opportunity to offer the program at 50% off the regular rate at $500 to attend the level 1 certification course with food and beverage scheduled at Golf Future included.

Here is the link to the education portal Operation 36 will use to post updates, schedule, and any other information leading up to the summit:  Operation 36 - Education Portal

Registration opens Friday, May 3rd at 10 am 

Celebrating The Life Of Jim Jempson

Celebrating Jim’s amazing 75 years, Guest Speakers, Tributes and Videos will be full of laughs, smiles and tears.

You can join the Celebration via the live stream link below at 2:00pm on Sunday, June 2nd.

Live Stream Link

National Golf Day Highlights Golf’s Positive Impact on Canadians

New economic impact study released.

OTTAWA, May 23, 2024 – After a four-year pause due to COVID-19, the National Allied Golf Associations (NAGA) are on Parliament Hill leading National Golf Day and discussing with Parliamentarians the many positive benefits of golf for Canadians.

The golf industry representatives are also releasing the results of a new Canadian Golf Economic Impact Study highlighting golf’s financial contributions and incredible popularity as the number one participation sport in Canada. National Golf Day also celebrates golf’s physical and mental health benefits, its safe sport attributes, social merits, environmental stewardship, diversity, life skills for youth, and economic value to the business community. National data indicates that hundreds of thousands of Canadians have entered the sport since Covid-19, totaling six million Canadian golfers and further strengthening golf’s status as the number one participation sport in the country. “Canadians played 74 million rounds of golf in 2023, a considerable 24% increase from the last Study in 2019,” stated Jeff Calderwood, CEO of the National Golf Course Owners Association Canada, and Chair of NAGA. “Existing golfers have been playing more often and new golfers have been taking up the game at impressive levels,” said Calderwood. “The broad appeal of golf as a safe, healthy, outdoor recreation that can be enjoyed by all ages, genders, abilities, and budgets, anywhere in Canada, generates continued growth in the game. The impressive economic impacts that are then generated reflect that popularity.” NAGA conducts an economic impact study every five years to measure such financial contributions as employment, charitable support, tourism, and gross domestic product. The sport and business of golf are thriving post-pandemic and continue to be an important economic engine for Canadians and their communities across Canada. Some of the highlights from the Canadian Golf Economic Impact Study include:

• Golf contributes a massive amount to Canada’s GDP at $23.2 billion, an increase of $4 billion since the previous Study
• Golf supports 237,000 person-years of employment, illustrating its importance as a vital source of livelihood for countless Canadians. Nearly 135,000 Canadians work directly in golf, with 45,000 being student employment.
• Golf-related activities generated over $14.2 billion in labour income, sustaining families and generating significant economic spin-off spending.
• $382 million was raised through golf activities for charities across Canada, a return to the pre-Covid-19 range and tops among all participation sports.
• Approximately 6 million Canadians played golf in 2023, an all-time high for the number one participation sport in the country, generating 74 million rounds played.
• Golfer spending totalled $14.2 billion in 2023.
• Golf course operations contributed $8.1 billion to Canada’s GDP.
• Capital expenditure by golf course operations in 2023 was $907 million.
• Taxes paid to governments by the Canadian golf industry were $4.7 billion in 2023.

“Golf is a sport that brings so many benefits to Canadians – not just the economic contributions. It is also a holistic solution to many of life’s necessities and an activity that can enjoyed for a lifetime,” said Laurence Applebaum, CEO, Golf Canada.

“Golf is a healthy, safe activity, promoting environmental stewardship, providing exceptional social value, and is great for business. And importantly, we’re seeing tremendous diversity in our growth with incredible levels of engagement,” said Applebaum. “In addition, the recent success of our Canadian LPGA and PGA Tour Pros has further propelled the enthusiasm for the sport, with such stars on the world stage as Brooke Henderson and Nick Taylor.”

• Other attributes of Canadian golf include:
• 18 holes of golf burns up to 2000 calories, a very healthy 15 km walk and active exercise in nature.
• 95% of golfers in Canada feel that golf is very good for their mental health, which has also been clinically proven.
• 83% of Canadian golfers state that the social aspects of golf are important to them and improve their lives.
• Spectator interest in professional golf is at an all-time high. The RBC Canadian Open and CPKC Women’s Open are setting records for attendance and commercial success.
• Golf is a trusted Safe Sport environment for both recreational and competitive play.
• Canadian golf has been experiencing great diversity, including a 6% increase in active women golfers and 33% growth in BIPOC golfers in 2023.
• Off-course golf including simulator play and virtual golf experiences have bolstered the growth in participation.
• Sustainable golf has become a leading environmental stewardship movement in Canadian golf, with golf courses throughout the country embracing sustainability pledges and best practices.

Golf flourished during the pandemic as the nature of the sport easily allowed for social distancing while delivering a social recreation experience that could not be found elsewhere.

With golf now better recognized as an important part of the solution, and all of the health, social and economic benefits, the positive spotlight on golf and its impact on Canadian communities has since sustained most of that increased demand.

In summary, the study clearly shows that golf is good for Canada and Canadians.

Silver Springs Professional Duo Open Match Play Mission with Win in High River

HIGH RIVER, Alta.— Be assured the mixed team of PGA of Alberta professionals, Randy Hunter and Katy Rutherford, are driven to win the Srixon/Cleveland Team Match Play – South presented by Nike that teed off Tuesday at Highwood Golf.

But, the lone male-female tandem from Silver Springs Golf and Country Club are on a mission this summer far greater than wrapping their hands around the coveted team trophy. They, along with the 62 other pros from southern Alberta who teed it up for the season-long team event, are also on a mission to grow the game.

“I’m a huge proponent of professional golfers playing golf. I highly encourage it at the Club. I highly encourage Katy to go play in any event she needs too, and to play PGA of Alberta events, networking, to see everybody playing,” said Hunter, head golf professional, Silver Springs Golf and Country Club, who added that Nic Longley – an apprentice professional from his Club – also teed it up on Tuesday.

“I think it is also great to play with a fellow teammate at Silver Springs and very important to get out and play in these events, support these events and show the PGA of Alberta that we are nice and strong.”

Rutherford, the reigning PGA of Canada Brooke Henderson Female Player of the Year winner, was one of three women to mix it up with the men in Tuesday’s opening round of 16 matches. Carmen Kinas (Canyon Meadows Golf and Country Club) and Nicola Greaves (Willow Park Golf and Country Club) also supported the mission to get more women playing competitively, or for fun and fitness.

“There are lots of (women) in the industry. It is just kind of paving the way to let everybody else know that we are here, that we are great golfers and that we want to compete,” added Rutherford. “It’s great to show face and have good representation more and more in each event.”

Calgary’s Rutherford and Hunter let their golf clubs do the talking on Tuesday in High River, winning their opening match 2&1 in a hard-fought affair over Mathew MacDonald (Olds Golf Club) and Dylan Wood (Innisfail Golf Club).

“It was a great match, a great golf course,” said Hunter. “We were all square sitting through nine and then had to put the pedal down on the back nine which was great. We made some birdies and coming home there were some fun holes. It was a great match, great to get out here to play with Katy and great to get the win.”

With the Team of MacDonald and Wood driving the green on the 15th and 16th holes of the 6,500-yard, par-71 layout that puts a premium on hitting fairways and greens, it was critical to make birdies for those seeking a ticket to the second round of the season-long event.

“Just staying patient (was the key). This golf course definitely has some drivable holes at the end, so par definitely didn’t leave you out of it. You had to make birdies here to win a hole, so definitely staying patient and staying in the mix,” said Rutherford.

The remaining matches will be played at times and golf course locations in Southern Alberta decided by contestants throughout the remainder of the season.

Results: Tuesday Round of 16 Matches

Congratulations to the 7 players who passed the Play Ability Test today at Highwood Golf. The 7 players all successfully passed after  shooting the target score (79) or better to become an Apprentice Professional of the PGA of Canada.

PGA of Alberta Pros Battle Mother Nature in Opening Round

BEAUMONT, Alta.— Patience was the key for 64 PGA of Alberta professionals who teamed up for a head-to-head clash against their peers, not to mention Mother Nature, on a cool, rainy day to open the 2024 Srixon/Cleveland Team Match Play North presented by Nike on Thursday at the Coloniale Golf Club near Edmonton.

“It was a battle out there,” said David MacComb, head professional, Royal Mayfair Golf Club. “We knew we needed to be very patient and try not to get into too much trouble. It was a grind.”

MacComb and his partner Matthew Mah (Mill Woods Golf Club) had their hands full with an opening-round match against Jeff Cuthbertson (Stony Plain Golf Club) and Mike Belbin (Royal Mayfair Golf Club).

“It was a really tough draw with Mike and Jeff, who we also played last year. I work with Mike, and so I know how good he is,” said MacComb following a 4&3 victory.

“My partner and I ham and egged it pretty good. We both hit some poor shots but didn’t do it at the same time which was key, and we got away with a couple of short game saves. The course was great. It surprised a lot of people. It is awesome, a really cool place and it is not that easy.”

The Colonial Golf Club provided a gnarly test with difficult bunkers, large lakes and narrow fairways. Mother Nature threw another challenge into the mix with heavy rain plummeting down for most of the day on the lengthy track that stretches out to just over 7,000 yards from the tips.

“The course was in really good shape considering how much rain we got,” said Dallas Cantera, general manager, Cardiff Golf and Country Club who teamed up with his colleague Jeremy Lavallee for a 4&3 victory of their own over Kevin Day (Billy D’s Driving Range) and Grant Cammidge (Jagare Ridge Golf Club).

“The key was we needed to get the right yardages and figure out how long it would actually play, tried to stay warm and we just had to stay positive with the elements and not let it affect you. At the end of the day, we were just trying to make as many pars as we can and go from there.”

The remaining matches will be played at times and golf course locations in Northern Alberta decided by contestants throughout the remainder of the season.

“It’s a great event and is nice to have teams out there for match play,” added Cantera. “There is lots of good competition in the field. I enjoy getting to see some of the courses we might not normally play, and it is a good way to meet other pros.”

The opening rounds of the Srixon/Cleveland Golf Team Match Play – South Presented by Nike is slated for May 21 at Highwood Golf Course in High River.

Results: Thursday Round of 16 Matches

Kim Valleau Swings into the Hall of Fame

For Kim Valleau, this prestigious honour provided a reminder of past success, of her days as a trophy-collecting force on the post-secondary golf circuit. 

It presented a chance, too, to reflect on her path to a career in the sport that she loves. 

Valleau, now head professional at The Winston Golf Club in Calgary, was inducted this past week in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) Hall of Fame.  

“It’s very meaningful to me,” Valleau said prior to Friday’s enshrinement ceremony in Red Deer. “I just feel like that’s where I really got into golf. I played competitive in high school, but it means a lot because I feel like that’s where I feel like my career in golf kind of started. Even though I didn’t think I’d be a golf pro when I was playing college golf, that’s what it turned into.”

It was abundantly clear, back when she was racking up birdies on behalf of the Mount Royal Cougars from 2003-07, that Valleau had a bright future in golf.

She won the ACAC’s individual crown in five consecutive seasons and helped the Cougars to claim the team title in four of those. Her Hall of Fame bio mentions “an unparalleled legacy of excellence and achievement on the course.” That’s lofty praise. 

“It’s pretty cool,” said Valleau, who hails originally from Nipawin, Sask. “To play college golf, it was a big deal to me. It was very important, a big part of my life. So, it’s nice to be recognized for that.”

It is, indeed, another stellar addition to a resume that also includes a double nod as both the PGA of Alberta’s Class A Professional-of-the-Year and the PGA of Canada’s Stan Leonard Assistant Professional of the Year in 2022. 

As a student-athlete standout at Mount Royal, Valleau earned an applied business degree in entrepreneurship, sport and recreation. While she’d work summer jobs in pro shops, often chasing morning shifts with afternoon rounds or practice sessions, she admits this wasn’t always her intended career path. 

“When I graduated from Mount Royal, I was actually working for the 2009 Tim Hortons Brier as the admin assistant, so I took care of all the volunteers,” Valleau reminisced. “And then our head professional at the time, Wayne Fairbairn, asked me, ‘Hey, do you want to try to get your pro card?’ I said, ‘Sure, I’m not really doing anything after the Brier ends.’ So, I went back to the golf course, took my Player Ability Test, which was two days at the time, and passed. And honestly, the rest is all history.”

Valleau has now been a fixture at The Winston — formerly known as Calgary Elks — for 15 years and was recently promoted to head professional. She is proof of the positive impact of the PGA of Alberta’s mentorship program, having benefitted from the opportunity to learn from her experienced counterparts and now sharing that expertise as a role model for the next wave. 

“I like the connections that you’re able to make through golf, whether it’s somebody that you’re playing with, playing against or serving members or making someone’s day,” Valleau said. “Working in the golf shop, you’re always asking, ‘How was your round?’ And you rarely hear, ‘Oh, I hit it straight sideways today.’ You never hear about the bad shots, right? You hear, ‘Oh, I hit it really close today on Hole 8’ or something like that. You always hear about the good things, which is awesome.”

These days, she should be hearing something else — ‘Congrats, Kim.’ After all, a Hall of Fame induction is a heck of an honour.

Team Red Tops Team Black at Inaugural Banff Springs Ryder Cup

BANFF, Alta.— Captains Robbie Johnson (Banff Springs Golf Club) and Amy Popkes (Silver Springs Golf and Country Club) set the tone for a Team Red victory at the PGA of Alberta’s inaugural Banff Springs Ryder Cup on a chilly Monday in the mountains.

The Red squad celebrated a 24.5 to 20.5 victory over Team Black in the Ryder Cup format that saw 60 PGA of Canada golf professionals from throughout Alberta square off on the 6,389-yard track rolled out alongside the scenic Bow River at the foot of Mount Rundle. Each team, featuring a mix of 30 men and women, played best ball on the front 9 and a scramble format on the back side.

The Team Red Captains won their match 3 UP over Team Black Captains, Josh Fleming (365 Golf) and Lisa Rosengarten (Glencoe Golf and Country Club).

Team Black was up early in the overall standings before Team Red came charging back, winning five of the final six matches on the course in the overall results.

It was the first year for the Banff Season Kick-Off event – a new initiative as the PGA of Alberta works together with its membership to create more competitive opportunities in a fun and welcoming environment for all players.

Complete Results of Matches:  

https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/10579445917818077630

Taylor Jetten Captures first PGA of Alberta Win at Season-Opening Event

Lethbridge pro defeats Medicine Hat’s Dillon Batsel in first extra hole

PICTURE BUTTE, Alta.— Taylor Jetten and Dillon Batsel grew up playing basketball and a bit of golf against each other in southern Alberta.

On a blustery Monday afternoon, they squared off once again – this time on the ninth tee box at Picture Butte Golf Club – to determine the winner of the season-opening PGA of Alberta Players Tour Series after the two southern cowboys matched rounds of 67s in an 18-hole spin around the 6,500-yard track.

When the dust finally settled around the first hole of overtime, the par-5 ninth green, it was Jetten – an assistant professional at the Lethbridge Country Club – taking his first career PGA of Alberta title.

“It was great. I got lucky out there on a couple of big putts and got lucky on a few of the bounces,” said Jetten, who added the course was in great early-season condition. “It’s early (in the season) and a lot of the other boys probably haven’t played a lot, but we got lucky in southern Alberta and have gotten out a few times. It’s always windy so it kind of played to my advantage with all of the wind today.”

Jetten secured the $900 winner’s cheque after getting the best of his Medicine Hat rival and defending champion of the event, Batsel, with a par on the first extra hole.

“I remembered earlier that 14 years ago I lost in a playoff in my Junior Club Championships, so I was like ‘hey you got another shot’ and I just wanted to capitalize on it,” added Taylor. “I got a little lucky on the playoff where he (Dillon) miss hit a few shots, and I snuck out the win.”

Batsel, a six-year associate professional from Desert Blume Golf Club, took home $600 for the runner-up finish. A trio of players – Michael Harrison (Coal Creek Golf Resort), Eric Locke (Priddis Greens Golf and Country Club), and Scott Stiles (Earl Grey Golf Club) all posted 68s to share third-place money of $450 each.

The tee sheet for the first PGA of Alberta event on the 2024 slate featured 50 professionals from across the province.

“We were very excited to have the opportunity to bring our community of golf professionals together once again in Picture Butte for the season-opener,” said Robert Rousselle, executive director, PGA of Alberta. “We are grateful to head professional, Dean Sklarenko, and his staff for hosting our community this week. Congratulations to each of the participants.”

A newly created Team Event, Banff Season Kick-Off, will be held at Banff Springs Golf Club, May 13. For more information on the PGA of Alberta calendar of events, please visit The Tournament Registration Page.

Final Results

Top 10 Benefits of the PGA of Alberta HIO Program

Hole-in-one insurance is now available for the 2024 golf season for more information about the hio program and to submit your event, click the button below. .

TOP 10 BENEFITS OF THE PGA OF ALBERTA HIO PROGRAM

• Competitive industry rates
• Prize Premiums available from $500 - $50,000
• Fixed-rate for field sizes from 32 to 199 players
• Easy to purchase online
• Easy payment options
• Purchase for one event OR an entire season’s worth of events at once
• Modify your events by contacting the office based on any changes that occur throughout the season
• Fees/Premiums are waived if the tournament is canceled due to inclement weather
• No dealing with the insurance company directly
• Supporting the Association and golf industry

Questions? If you have any questions on how this program can work for you, please contact Marlene Sanderson by email ( [email protected] )  or phone (403-256-8894).

Golf’s Front-Line Ambassadors: The Pro

While this is the start of their busy season, or what some might call their crazy season, you won’t catch any golf professional complaining.

As Matt Johnson, the general manager at Royal Mayfair and president of the PGA of Alberta’s Board of Directors, put it: “This is the start of a pretty heavy sprint, but we all look forward to this time of year. There are no bad days when you’re open in April.”

As April gives way to May, most courses across the province are now up and running for the 2024 season.

“No matter how many years you’ve been doing this, it’s always exciting,” said Tiffany Gordon, who has 35 years of experience in the golf industry — probably just as many awards and accolades — and is now the director of clubhouse operations and membership ambassador at Carnmoney. “You grind down and you do a bunch of work through the winter and you’re always working on new ways to do things or ways to make things better or to keep things going. But you miss the people, right? It’s exciting when you open the gates, and you get everybody out playing golf again. I think that rejuvenates everyone.”

The people are the best — and the biggest — part of this business, which is why the PGA of Alberta has launched a new season-long storytelling campaign to help you get to know the more than 670 golf professionals across the Wild Rose Province.

There are plenty of great, and inspiring, stories to tell.

There are familiar names, those who have chased birdies on some of the biggest stages in the sport, and compelling family connections — spouses, sons following their fathers, a set of twin siblings. There are life members eager to share their years of experience and wisdom and not-so-long-ago junior golf standouts who are now growing the game as mentors and role models for young girls and boys.

Whether at a top-end private club, a dedicated fitting or practice centre or an off-the-beaten-path rural course, the common bond for all PGA of Alberta golf professionals is a passion for this great game and a tremendous pride for their place in it.

“We wear a lot of hats, and we do a lot of things, but most importantly we’re ambassadors for the game,” said Gordon, the PGA of Alberta’s national director. “We could be doing anything from teaching and coaching to running events to managing facilities to playing to heading up associations or being involved at the Board level. There’s really nothing that we don’t touch, and that’s pretty special.

“There’s a number of opportunities for us to lead in the game and what you do is you just promote how good this game is for people, in general. Whether you’re at a private club, a public club, a resort, the most important thing is we’re encouraging people to play the game. Because it’s good for them. It’s good for families. It’s good for couples. It’s good for women. It’s good for every aspect of your community. That’s the great thing about being an ambassador, too, is all that community-driven opportunity that we have.”

Because as the 800,000 golfers across the province — all of them ready to be digging divots rather than shovelling snow — return to their favourite courses to tee up a new season, it’s likely the first face they will see is a PGA of Alberta professional.

“We’re kind of the front desk for your experience at any club,” Johnson said. “We feel like we’re leaders in understanding what the expectation of the golfer is. Nothing against the other departments at the clubs, but we deal one-on-one with the golfers more than anyone else does and so it’s up to us to promote the game of golf, engage people in the game of golf, make it fun, make it enjoyable, and knock down barriers for all to feel welcome and enjoy this game.”

This responsibility is not taken lightly by any of Alberta’s golf professionals – even those cutting their teeth in the business, including Dillon Batsel who is in his sixth year as an associate professional at Desert Blume Golf Course down in Medicine Hat.

“I think all golf professionals understand we are integral to developing a positive culture for people who play golf and enjoy the game at our facilities,” said Batsel. “For me personally, it is all about the people. I love seeing, helping and spending time with people who share my passion for the game.”

Inspired to chase a career in golf by his junior program coordinator, Terry Meidinger, while playing as a youngster growing up in Medicine Hat, Batsel is keen to pay it forward and positively influence a new generation of birdie seekers.

“Watching Terry run our junior program, he cultivated a lot of why I was drawn to golf (helping me understand the role of working in a pro shop) – you have to work hard, play hard because I think while we are busy, it is important to carve out a little time to play. That is important for people to see us playing,” added Batsel, who also particularly looks forward to the return of the adrenaline rush felt while helping guests improve their games.

“I think that is what we all teach for. We strive to put a smile on the face of the person taking the lesson, seeing someone new to the game hit their best shot, or helping someone struggling with a certain aspect of their game overcome it. It is great when you feel like you are marginally responsible for giving them hope.”

That positive sentiment of golf being back is felt by golf professionals opening the tee sheets at public and private courses all around Alberta.

“It’s exciting to be a golf pro at this time of year,” added Johnson. “You wake up in the morning and you look forward to going to work because it’s usually a positive environment. You see people with huge smiles on their faces, especially when they’re coming back to golf. That energy, it’s infectious.”

Partner News

Travel craft joins tournament schedule for pro-junior.

Travel Craft will be a Presenting Sponsor for the Pro-Junior during the 2024 season!

" Travel Craft is proud to be a sponsor and partner of the PGA of Alberta," said Stephen Melling, President of Travel Craft. "Our services are focused on providing memorable golf club travel experiences. Our packages are custom designed to obtain this goal."

About Travel Craft... For Clubs who wish to offer member trips: we work with you to plan, price, market, and solidify the experiences you desire. For Clubs who arrange their own member trips: our logistics reduce your time commitment and provide insurance coverage options for your participants. As a registered and accredited travel agency we receive net group pricing that saves your members money and allows us to provide complimentary host offerings. Call us today and let’s get you to spectacular golf locations!

For more information, please visit www.travelcraft.ca  or contact their Representative below:

Stephen Melling  - President [email protected] (403) 393-0883

PGA of Alberta and Motocaddy Form New Partnership

Motocaddy distributed by MKRAK is very excited to once again be a sponsor of the PGA of Alberta as a Presenting Sponsor for the Tournament of Champions.

As golfers ourselves, we know the game is all about having fun – whether that’s a social round with your friends or in a tournament," said Adriana Molano, MKRAK. "Millions of golfers around the World can testify that golf’s physical and mental wellness benefits are as compelling as the challenge of hitting a perfect shot. In the past, walking golfers had a simple choice between carrying their clubs or using a pushcart."

About Motocaddy... We are here to tell you that there is an even better option – an electric trolley! Think motorized pushcart with a vast array of features to allow you to get all the benefits of walking the course, without hindering your performance, and lowering the risk of injury! You don’t need to take our word for it though. Independent research found that an electric trolley is regarded as the "most satisfying" way to transport your clubs around the course, with around half of owners wishing they’d made the switch sooner!

For more information please visit www.motocaddy.ca or www.mkrak.ca or contact their Representative below:

Shawn Stewart - Northern Alberta [email protected] (780) 220-7888

Longman Agency - Southern Alberta [email protected] (403) 607-1160

Teena Margaritis  - Head Office [email protected] (514) 212-1618

365 GOLF Joins PGA of Alberta Mentorship Tournament

365 GOLF will be the new Presenting Sponsor for the Mentorship Tournament during the 2024 & 2025 seasons.

"At 365 GOLF , we’re dedicated to cultivating a vibrant community where passion for the game intertwines with unmatched coaching opportunities and a genuine love for golf," said Josh Fleming, Director of Player Development. "This event is a testament to dedication, offering a platform for experienced pros and aspiring talents to exchange experiences, wisdom, and laughter both on and off the course."

About 365 GOLF What is our mission here at 365 GOLF ? It is very simple and boils down to this: bringing enjoyment and inspiration to every golfer’s game. Having fun should come first, and we aim to do so in all areas of your game—long game, short game, putting, the mental side of the game, course management, etc. You can expect to achieve your goals for the game of golf with our fun, engaging, and customizable coaching programs.

365 GOLF  coaches are dedicated to creating an inclusive and inviting atmosphere where every golfer, regardless of their background or skill level, is welcomed and supported in their journey. They believe in the power of diversity, recognizing that golf is a sport for everyone to enjoy.

For more information, visit 365golf.ca  or contact their representative below:

Josh Fleming  - Director of Instruction Phone: (587) 576-4653 Email: [email protected]

Monday, March 18th

PGA of Alberta Tournament Registration will open Monday, March 18th at 10:00am.

Reminder: All Members registering for any tournament must fill out a Tournament Eligibility Form prior to registration. Click here: https://www.pgaofalberta.com/tournaments/tournament-eligibility-form/

Banff Spring Kick-Off - New Event for 2024

Banff Springs will host a season kick-off for the 2024 season. This event will be a Ryder Cup format where 60 players will be divided into two teams. Players will then be paired with someone from their team to compete against a twosome from the the opposing team in a match (9-hole best ball, 9-hole scramble). 

Designed to be a social event where Members can network with other PGA Members within the association. There will be no purse but prizing will be available during and after the round. 

This will be an 8:30am shotgun, followed by a meal and prize presentation. The famous par 3 "Devil’s Cauldron" will be played with heritage clubs. 

There will be a room block available for those looking to stay at Fairmont Banff Springs on Sunday, May 12th (double occupancy rooms). This will be in conjunction with a horse race organized by the Banff Springs staff. 

PGA of Alberta and Levelwear Expand Partnership

The Association is excited to announce that Levelwear has expanded it’s partnership to become the new Presenting Sponsor for the Pro-Senior.

“On behalf of everyone at Levelwear, we are ecstatic to be able to expand upon our partnership with the PGA of AB through 2025 with the addition of Presenting Sponsor of the Pro-Senior event," said Bob Else, Director of Sales. "As a small Canadian-owned and designed company, we truly value the support, dedication, and loyalty we receive from the PGA of Alberta membership and feel it’s imperative as a brand and company we reciprocate upon this mutual support.”

About Levelwear... Levelwear is where life and style become one. We’ve taken our 35-year history in apparel manufacturing and used it to create innovative, premium quality athletic and lifestyle apparel to keep you performing at a higher level. Detail, style, and comfort—we proudly do it all.  Step onto the course in unmatched style with our Levelwear performance enhancing golf apparel.  Expertly designed with mobility in mind, our wide range of polos, bottoms, and mid-layer pieces will keep you comfortable from your first swing to your last.

Levelwear has supported the PGA of Alberta through the Awards Cocktail Reception since 2022 and they are excited to join PGA of Alberta Members out on the course for 2024.

For more information, visit  https://ca.levelwear.com/  or contact their representative below:

Dani Pacheco | Sales Representative Cell: 587.999.1060  | Email:  [email protected]

Congratulations to the Elected Board and Assistants’ Board of Directors

Congratulations to the following members on being elected to the   Board of Directors  on (March 4 th ) at the PGA of Alberta Annual General Meeting:

• Dallas Cantera   ( Cardiff G&CC , newly elected)
• Jeff MacGregor  (Glendale G&CC, re-elected)
• Josh Fleming   ( 365 GOLF , re-elected)
• Shawn Lavoie   ( PGA of Alberta Member , re-elected as Vice President)

Congratulations to the following members on being elected to the   Assistants’ Board of Directors:

• Elizabeth Carr   (Edmonton Petroleum G&CC, newly elected)
• Gina Nelson (Highlands GC, newly elected)
• Lisa Rosengarten  (Glencoe G&CC, re-elected)
• Stephen Yanitski  (Valley Ridge GC, re-elected as Vice President)
• Tyler Leicht  (Derrick G&WC (The), newly elected)

Click the following links to view the entire  Board of Directors  or  Assistants’ Board.

Trestle Creek Golf Resort to Host 2024 Seniors & Ladies’ Championship

Trestle Creek Golf Resort will play host to its first ever PGA of Alberta event when it welcomes the Seniors and Ladies’ Championship presented by Schooley Mitchell, August 26-27, 2024.

Located 45 minutes west of Edmonton, Trestle Creek Golf Resort will offer a spectacular 18-hole championship test. Designed by Brad Dupuis, who has also built courses for Jack Nicklaus, Tom Weiskopf, Peter Dye and Von Hagge Design throughout the world over the last four decades, is sure to offer a fun competition for Alberta’s top Seniors and Ladies’.

“We are super excited to be hosting the PGA of Alberta Seniors and Ladies’ Championship,” said Art New, who is entering his second year as the Head Golf Professional at Trestle Creek Golf Resort. “This layout, is so much fun to play and has some of the most challenging greens in the province!"

“Trestle Creek is not about your good shots, but it is definitely about where you miss! It’ll be fun to watch some of the best seasoned professionals taking this challenge on.”

The Seniors and Ladies’ Championship is unique event that consists of two separate tournaments held in conjunction with each other. Gina Nelson and Larry Petryk, who emerged victorious in 2023, are sure to be on everyone’s radar as we inch closer to the 2024 Championship.

"I’m looking forward to defending this year’s PGA of Alberta Seniors Championship at Trestle Creek Golf Resort,” said Petryk, who captured the 2023 title following a three-hole playoff at Silver Springs Golf and Country Club.

“This will be an excellent venue for this tournament, and it will provide a significant challenge. The field always includes a tremendous history of players with numerous accomplishments both on and off the course.  I’m very thankful for the privilege to participate and hopefully can find some similar success once again.”

Gina Nelson captured her third Ladies’ title in 2023 after winning back-to-back championships in 2020 and 2021.

“I am excited to get to try and defend my Ladies’ Championship title this summer on a fun and challenging venue that is sure to be a great test for a Championship,” added Nelson. “I’m thankful to Art New and his team for hosting this event, it is definitely something to look forward to this season.”

A full 2024 tournament schedule will be released on March 4.

Assistants’ Championship Returns to Sirocco Golf Club in 2024

The contenders for the PGA of Alberta’s Assistants’ Championship presented by Cobra Puma Golf will head back to Sirocco Golf Club.

A true links course that winds its way through the Pine Creek Valley that hosted the prestigious event for Assistant professionals in Alberta in 2021, will welcome the tournament back August 6-7 in 2024.

Time will tell if Wes Heffernan can capture a third straight title. The accomplished Calgarian first hoisted the trophy in 2022 at The Derrick Golf and Winter Club before successfully defending his title one year ago at Stony Plain Golf Club.

“I am very excited to defend this year at a golf course that I have played well before,” said Heffernan. “This is always a great tournament test and I am really looking forward to the challenge.”

Designed by Architect Bill Robinson, every hole on the 7,185 yard par-72 design offers unique challenges and unparalleled beauty. Sirocco boasts gritty character that presents a comprehensive challenge to golfers of all abilities.

“We are excited and honoured to host the prestigious 2024 PGA of Alberta Assistants’ Championship and look forward to crowning a champion,” said Craig Gibson, Head Professional, Sirocco Golf Club. “Players will be tested off the tee box and will be required to place their approach shots into the correct areas on the green or will face some treacherous putts. The course will provide plenty of birdie opportunities, but a big number is not far away at any moment if players lose concentration.”

Tournament Registration

Tournament Eligibility Form Now Live : All Members wishing to participate in tournaments are required to submit the PGA of Alberta Tournament Eligibility Form below prior to having their event registration accepted and confirmed.

Schedule Release: The PGA of Alberta tournament schedule will be released for viewing on March 4 at the AGM.

Tournament Registration: All tournaments will be open for registration on Monday, March 18 at 10:00am.

Spring Seminar Less Than A Week Away

Only 15 spots remaining.

Registration Closes March 1st at 4:00pm

The 2024 Spring Seminar is quickly approaching, join us to learn from the exceptional line-up of speakers, indulge in the amazing food provided by Gordon Food Service and a chance to network with fellow PGA of Alberta Members during the Cocktail Reception at the conclusion of day 1 with beverages provided by Triple Bogey !

Reminders for the Seminar

• Visit the PGA of Alberta table for registration prior to breakfast day 1. Doors will open at 8:00am
• Business Dress Code is required for all participants of the Seminar
• The   Annual General Meeting   will start at 9:00am on March 4th, all Members are welcome to attend
• Stay and enjoy the cocktail reception at the conclusion of the presentations on March 4th
• All food will be provided at the Seminar for all attendees

Spring Seminar Information Package  

Top 100 Points   - Every Member that attends the Spring Seminar  will receive 5  Top 100 points  per day (10 points total) for this program year

Club Professional Championship Heads to Calgary Golf and Country Club in 2024

The PGA of Alberta is bringing its Club Professional Championship to the Calgary Golf and Country Club in 2024.

The oldest private golf club in the province that spirals along the Elbow River, will play host to the top club professionals July 22-23.

“On behalf of the Board of Directors and Members of the Calgary Golf & Country, we are honoured to host the 2024 Ping Club Professional Championship,” said Philip Nurse, Executive Manager, Calgary G&CC. “The PGA of Alberta and the Calgary G&CC are synonymous with tradition and an overall love for the game of golf. It is with great pleasure that we extend our warmest welcome to all Club Professionals joining us for this year’s event.”

The 2024 event will be a special one for the Head Professional of the Calgary Golf & Country Club, Tom Greiner , who announced he is retiring at the end of this year.

“As we seize this moment to spotlight the premier professionals in the province, it is with a mixture of reverence and nostalgia that the Calgary Golf & Country Club acknowledges Tom Greiner, during this, his final season,” added Philip. “Tom has dedicated more than four decades of his career to the Calgary Golf & Country Club, earning him the status of a respected PGA member.”

The field is sure to attract the province’s top playing professionals including Samuel Kirkness . The Inglewood Golf and Curling Club pro will set out to successfully defend his 2023 title.

 “I am very excited to compete against the best players in the province at one of the best venues in the province,” said Samuel. “A huge thank you to Tom and his team for hosting, and I look forward to celebrating his amazing career. Calgary G&CC is going to be a great venue for the PGA of Alberta Club Professional Championship, and I’m excited to try and defend the title in 2024.”

Once again, the Club Professional Championship is made possible thanks to the generous support of PING in their continued investment in the PGA of Alberta.

Further Championship highlights will be communicated soon, with the complete 2024 tournament schedule being released on March 4.

Last Chance to Register for Flagship Education Events

Spring seminar early bird registration will end tomorrow, february 21st at 4:00pm.

The PGA of Alberta Spring Seminar is less than 2 weeks away! There are limited spots remaining, so don’t miss out on a chance to start the season at The Derrick G&WC with our talented line up of speakers. All food will be provided for breakfast and lunch both days, and stick around for the cocktail reception following day 1 to network with other Members throughout the province that are attending.

For more information, CLICK HERE for the Spring Seminar information package. Hotel information available on the Education tab under Spring Seminar.

Join Scott Cowx at The Golf Factory February 24th & 25th

Final days to register for the first Teaching Summit of 2024.

Scott Cowx (2019 PGA of Canada Teacher of the Year). With a career spanning nearly three decades, Cowx, a renowned coach in swing biomechanics, has educated over 3,300 coaches worldwide and uses the innovative HackMotion technology for enhanced golf instruction.

"Having participated in both online and in-person seminars led by Scott Cowx, I’ve experienced firsthand the profound impact he has on coaching and instruction skills. Cowx’s approach, deeply rooted in his expertise in swing mechanics and his effective use of HackMotion, significantly enhances a coach’s ability to prioritize swing adjustments and build rapport with clients. His methods not only improve coaching techniques but also offer practical strategies for generating year-round income through swing mechanics instruction. For coaches looking to retain clients, ensure steady income, and accelerate their professional growth, embracing the insights and technologies shared by Scott Cowx, like HackMotion, is invaluable." - Todd Haplen (Education Committee Chair)

The Golf Factory will play host to Scott from 9:00am-4:00pm both days with lunch provided on site. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to expand your teaching toolbox and learn from one of the worlds top instructors.

Top 100 Points -  Every Member that attends the Teaching Summit will receive 5   Top 100 points.

Stony Plain GC To Host 2024 PGA of Alberta Championship

Wes Heffernan looks to defend coveted title on PGA of Alberta competition calendar!

The PGA of Alberta has targeted Stony Plain Golf Course to play host to the 2024 PGA of Alberta Championship, presented by Cobra/Puma Golf and Mobilicab , August 19-20.

The flagship event on the summer calendar will see nearly 100 of the top PGA of Canada golf professionals from the Wild Rose province descend on the west side of Edmonton to battle it out for the prestigious title.

“We are excited to have the opportunity to bring the most significant event in 2024 to northern Alberta, and to Stony Plain Golf Club which promises to test Alberta’s best,” said Robert Rousselle, Executive Director, PGA of Alberta. “We look forward to working with the team at Stony Plain to stage another successful chapter in the events rich history.”

Calgary’s Wes Heffernan will be looking to add another chapter to the PGA of Alberta’s history books when he tees it up at Stony Plain this summer. Heffernan has had success on the diverse Stony Plain track. The 46-year-old fired rounds of 67-65 one year ago to take the 2023 Assistants’ Championship title.

 “Stony Plain is 6,800 yards on fun,” stated Jeff Cuthbertson, Executive Professional, Stony Plain Golf Course, who added the course has played host to multiple PGA of Alberta and Alberta Golf events throughout its history.

“There will be chances to score, but beware, there are stretches where you are just looking to hold on. We are extremely excited to have this opportunity to host the PGA of Alberta Championship, and I know the course will present a fair test of golf.”

Mitchell Fox a name that is sure to be on the leaderboard. The smooth-swinging bomber who has Indigenous roots with ties to the Blood reserve south of Calgary placed second at the 2023 PGA of Alberta Championship and was also runner-up to Heffernan at the Assistants’ Championship one year ago.

Players will have a relatively fresh slate of greens to take aim at when they roll into Stony Plain. All 18 greens were renovated in 2019.

Stay tuned for more Championship highlights leading to the full tournament schedule release on March 4th.

Deborah Zupan In Memorium

Deborah Kathleen Zupan (March 9, 1952 - December 29, 2023)

It is with great sadness that the family of Debbie Zupan announces her passing on Friday, December 29, 2023.

Debbie will be greatly missed by her husband of 49 years, Cyril; her sisters, Susanne Gamache (Darrell), and Charleen Zdril; and her brother, Jerry Elless; and her extended Zupan and Gamache families. She was predeceased by her mother Alice, and father Ted.

Debbie enjoyed the winters in Arizona with her friends down south as well as many trips to Europe and Slovenija.

The family wishes to thank the Doctors, Nurses, and Caregivers of Units 94/91/62/61 at the Foothills Medical Centre, the CareWest Glenmore, and Unit 32 of Honor Health Scottsdale for the comfort and care they provided.

A Memorial Mass will be held on Friday, March 1, 2024, at St. Michael’s Catholic Community (800-85 St SW, Calgary) at 1:00 p.m. Father Edmund Vargus will be presiding. Following the Mass, a reception will be held at the Slovenian Canadian Club at 2335-16aSt SE.

Debbie was an ardent Volunteer for Calgary Meals on Wheels for 26 years. In lieu of flowers, friends and family wishing to make a memorial contribution are invited to donate to Calgary Meals on Wheels (5759 80th Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2C 4S6) or at  calgarymealsonwheels.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Deborah Kathleen Zupan  Click Here

Scott Cowx Coming To Edmonton Teaching Summit

The PGA of Alberta will be hosting it’s first Teaching Summit of 2024 on February 24th & 25th at The Golf Factory in Edmonton. 

Start your golf season by learning from Scott Cowx, 2019 PGA of Canada Teacher of the Year , who will be joining us to share his teaching philosophies and what he has learned working with countless PGA professionals. Scott most recently spoke at the 2023 PGA of America National Conference and is an author & researcher for multiple golf technology companies.

Notable Accomplishments

• Teaching career of nearly 3 decades
• Current professional clients on the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and Kornferry Tour
• 3300+ Coaches worldwide educated under the Scott Cowx certified methodologies
• 5 Juniors players coached over the past 25 years reaching Canadian national men’s and ladies teams
• Pulpit Club Director of Instruction for the past 4 years

The Golf Factory will play host to Scott from 9:00am-4:00pm both days with lunch provided on site. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to expand your teaching toolbox and learn from one of the worlds top instructors.

PGA of Alberta Welcomes Thomas Powley as Education and Community Lead

With a strong background in community sport, Thomas Powley has been given the nod to fill the role of Education and Community Lead for PGA of Alberta effective, February 1.

A recent graduate of Mount Royal University’s Health & Physical Education program with a major in Sport & Recreation Management, Powley brings an unwavering passion for the sport industry in Canada to Alberta’s golf industry. He began his professional career at Lululemon Athletica where he has served multiple positions including Product Operations Lead and Educator.

“Thomas brings energy, drive and a keen understanding of the golf community to this important administrative position,” said Robert Rousselle, Executive Director, PGA of Alberta. “We look forward to having him on our team as we continue to work towards better serving our more than 650 Members while delivering improved programming and events they need and deserve.”

Reporting to the Executive Director, Powley will work closely with the Tournament and Communications Coordinator as well as the Communications advisor. He will also be responsible for overseeing the partners; as well as supporting all staff members with administrative duties.

Powley brings a strong skillset in time management, proficiency in computer systems, and experience in event coordination and social media management to the position. His passion for events and engagement combines knowledge and creativity working with social media and as an independent freelance videographer.

Powley is also an accomplished athlete and aspiring coach. He played varsity rugby at Mount Royal University and is committed to giving back to the community through helping young athletes in sport. Powley was a sport development summer camp instructor at WinSport in 2019 and with aspiring alpine skiers learning to race competitively.

Please join us in welcoming Thomas Powley to the PGA of Alberta.

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Canadian golfer Mike Weir earns 1st win on PGA's senior tour

2003 masters champion edges john daly to win 2-round tournament.

Social Sharing

Canadian golfer Mike Weir won his first event on the PGA's senior tour on Sunday when he held steady with pars down the stretch for a 4-under 68 at the Insperity Invitational in Texas.

Weir, who won the Masters in 2003, was tied with John Daly going down the stretch at the PGA Tour Champions event in The Woodlands, Texas. The tournament was reduced to 36 holes because of heavy rain earlier in the week.

The 50-and-over circuit plays the first of its five majors next week at the Regions Tradition in Alabama.

Weir finished the tournament at 10-under 134. Daly tied for second with David Toms and Tim Petrovic, who each closed with a 71. Bernhard Langer (69) and Bob Estes (68) tied for fifth.

Straight from the champ <a href="https://twitter.com/mweirsy?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@mweirsy</a>. 🗣 <a href="https://t.co/DOs0rqt52q">pic.twitter.com/DOs0rqt52q</a> &mdash; @ChampionsTour

Daly, playing in the group ahead of Weir, was posing over his 9-iron over the water to the 18th green when it came up a fraction short and splashed next to the bulkhead. He made double bogey for a 69 and had to settle for runner-up.

Weir, who missed birdie chances inside 10 feet on the 16th and 17th holes, watched it all unfold and knew what he had to do. He fired his approach to about 15 feet behind the hole, and pumped his fist as he walked toward the green. He wound up winning by two shots.

WATCH | Mike Weir wins Insperity Invitational:

Mike Weir gets 1st PGA Tour Champions win after John Daly double bogeys 18 with lead

"J.D. played great. It was unfortunate for him on the last," Weir said. "This means a lot. I played really well today. I'm still a little off with my putting. I made it hard on myself. But I hit the shots that I needed. It feels very good."

• Sam Burns claims 1st PGA title at Valspar Championship

Because of rain that washed out the opening round Friday, the first round wasn't finished until Sunday morning and the tournament was reduced to 36 holes. That turned it into a shootout, and Daly and Weir provided most of the action.

Daly holed a 25-foot eagle putt on the par-5 13th to take a two-shot lead, and it looked as though he was on his way. In the next group, Weir hit his approach to 3 feet on the 13th for a matching eagle to tie for the lead again.

• Brooke Henderson captures 10th career LPGA title at LA Open

Weir fell back with a bogey on the 14th, but he caught a break when Daly missed his 3-wood into the par-5 15th and had to settle for par, and Weir made birdie to catch him again.

Weir is a winner! 🏆 <a href="https://twitter.com/mweirsy?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@mweirsy</a> captures his first PGA TOUR Champions victory <a href="https://twitter.com/InsperityInvtnl?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@InsperityInvtnl</a>. <a href="https://t.co/zvRzPhCkkT">pic.twitter.com/zvRzPhCkkT</a> &mdash; @ChampionsTour

Daly couldn't believe he hit into the water on the final hole.

"I caught a gust on 18," he said. "I hit a 9-iron from about 155 and I hit a 9-iron from 141 there and I caught a gust and just got a bad break. But I can't hit the ball any better. I'm excited about next week."

WATCH | Brooke Henderson says Ontario golf closures are 'unfortunate':

Ontario's Brooke Henderson says golf course closures in the province are 'unfortunate' after winning 10th career LPGA title

Related stories.

• Australian golf star Adam Scott opts out of Tokyo Olympics
• Aussies Leishman, Smith survive climatic finish to claim Zurich Classic
• Golf courses lobby to get Ontario to reverse closures amid pandemic
• Pine Valley Golf Club to allow female members by end of the year
• Hyo Joo Kim pulls out LPGA title victory from clubhouse at women's worlds

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2024 Senior PGA Championship final results: Prize money payout, PGA Tour Champions leaderboard, how much each golfer won

The 2024 Senior PGA Championship final leaderboard is headed by winner Richard Bland, who topped the PGA Tour Champions leaderboard this week with a major win on the 2024 PGA Tour Champions schedule at The Club at Harbor Shores Resort in Benton Harbor, Mich.

Bland closed the second major of the senior season with a 63 to pull away from the field and win by three shots on 17-under 267. The Australian Richard Green finished runner-up on the week, while Greg Chalmers finished in third.

Jason Caron had an incredible week to finish T-4 with Asian Tour regular Scott Hend, who made it three Aussies in the top five.

Bland won the $630,000 winner's share of the $3,500,000 purse.

Senior PGA Championship recap notes

Bland wins the 11th PGA Tour Champions title of the year, getting into the winner's circle on the 50-plus tour.

The money Bland (were he a member) -- and every PGA Tour Champions player in the field -- earned is converted into Charles Schwab Cup points, with every dollar converted into two points during the Charles Schwab Cup playoffs.

There is no cut on PGA Tour Champions-run events, including the major championships they run. Every pro who finished the tournament was paid, though there was a 36-hole cut to the top 70 and ties as this event is run by the PGA of America.

The 2024 PGA Tour Champions schedule continues next week with the Principal Charity Classic in Iowa.

2024 Senior PGA Championship final leaderboard, results and prize money payouts

Click header to sort; rotate mobile screens for details

About the author

Ryan Ballengee

Ryan Ballengee is founder and editor of Golf News Net. He has been writing and broadcasting about golf for nearly 20 years. Ballengee lives in the Washington, D.C. area with his family. He is currently a +2.6 USGA handicap, and he has covered dozens of major championships and professional golf tournaments. He likes writing about golf and making it more accessible by answering the complex questions fans have about the pro game or who want to understand how to play golf better.

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Ken Griffith leads heading into final round of the 2023 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship

Pemberton, B.C. – Three rounds have been completed at the 2023 Canadian Senior Men’s Championship, presented by BDO and there is a new name atop the leaderboard as Ken Griffith takes a one-shot lead into Friday’s final round at Big Sky Golf Club in Pemberton, B.C.

After winning the Senior Inter-Provincial Team Championship with Alberta on Wednesday, Griffith of Red Deer, Alta. fired a 2-under 70 to move to 4-under for the championship and leads over Dave Bunker and Doug Hanzel who both sit at 3-under.

Griffith enjoyed a solid round on Thursday with a 1-under 35 on the front nine and finished strong with birdies on 13 and 15, with his driver being the difference for him, “first couple of days it was struggling a bit, but the driver set the golf course up and it was actually a very uneventful day. So felt like a good round…feel like I left a few out there but I’m happy with the way I played and that’s the most important thing,” said Griffith.

Right behind Griffith is Dave Bunker of Ridgeway, Ont. who was co-leader heading into the third round. Bunker shot a 2-over 74 on Thursday to move into a tie for second, just one shot back. Bunker opened the back nine with bogeys on 10 and 11 and a double bogey on 15 before closing his round with a birdie to stay within one.

“I hit a lot of good shots today. Back nine got a couple of bad breaks on 10 and 11 and made bogeys there, hit a bad tee shot on 15 to make double but I finished with a birdie on 18 so if I make more birdies and get rid of the other stuff, I’ll be happy with that, but I am hitting the ball well enough I just got to convert on some chances that I didn’t today,” said Bunker.

Both Bunker and Stephen Jensen of England finished the first two rounds tied for the lead, but Jensen shot a 4-over 76 on Thursday to drop into a tie for sixth at 1-under.

Tied with Bunker for second is Doug Hanzel, the 2017 runner-up who shot a 1-under 71 on Thursday. Along with being one back of Griffith, the Savannah, Ga. native continues to lead the Super Senior division by three shots over 2018 Canadian Men’s Senior Champion, Brady Exber of Las Vegas, who sits at even par following a 1-under 71 on Thursday.

Griffith’s Team Alberta teammate, Brian Laubman of Edmonton sits tied for fourth place in the Senior division with Robert Funk of Canyon Lake, Calif. at 2-under for the championship.

The tournament began with a field of 156 golfers competing for the John Rankin Memorial Trophy with the winner receiving an exemption into the 2024 U.S. Senior Amateur Championship.

For the full leaderboard of the 2023 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship, please click here . For Friday’s final round pairings and tee times, please click here .

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'You're Actually Stupid:' Senior Golfers Baffled By PGA Tour Canada Cheating Scandal

• Author: Alex Miceli

PORTHCAWL, Wales – In case you missed it, this week there was a cheating scandal that came to light on the PGA Tour Canada . Here at the Senior Open, players can’t quite comprehend it.

“I honestly don't know, was it a cry for help, I have no idea,” Harrington said before this week’s major at Royal Porthcawal. “It just seems bizarre that somebody would do that in a – what event was it? So, like a fully-fledged organized tour event. And he thought he would get away with it?”

Bernhard Langer also wondered in disbelief how a pro golfer could get away with cheating.

“Golf is very unique where we penalize ourselves, I've done it to myself, I had a 3-foot putt, I lined it up, I put my putter behind it, looked at the hole, I put it back, the ball moved marginally.,” Langer said. “Nobody saw it, not even a TV camera could pick it up, but I knew the line wasn't where I had put it. I called for a ruling, and well, the rule is, you address it, you get a one-shot penalty, and that cost me $330,000, and I called it on myself. You don't see that in any other sport.”

The incident involved a journeyman pro named Justin Doeden, who missed cuts in his first two events of the Canadian season, and was recently close to missing a third cut in his second round in Ottawa.

When Doeden double-bogeyed the par-5 18 th , a hole he had birdied the day before, he was clearly doomed to miss another cut, but instead of reporting the seven he erased the number and wrote a five, putting him safely above the cut line.

According to the website MondayQ , two players were having lunch and noticed the 3-under on the leaderboard for Doeden.

One had played with Doeden and knew he took a seven at the last and finished 1-under. He thought it was a scoring glitch and reported it to the rules official as exactly that—a glitch— but the official pulled the card and saw the erasure of a five written on the card.

As an investigation was on-going between officials, the scorer, and players, Doeden withdrew from the event.

The PGA Tour Canada issued a statement: “A violation of the Rules of Golf is handled in accordance with the PGA TOUR Canada Player Handbook and Tournament Regulations. Per TOUR policy, the matter – and any related disciplinary action – will be handled internally.”

Doeden did not respond to Sports Illustrated’s request for comment. A PGA Tour spokesman later said that Doeden is not currently doing interviews.

Doeden confessed his actions Monday on Twitter.

“I am here to confess of the biggest mistake I have made in my life to date. I cheated in golf. This is not who I am. I let my sponsors down. I let my competitors down. I let my family down. I let myself down. I pray for your forgiveness. John 1:9."

At the Senior British Open on Wednesday, Langer went on to discuss the tremendous stress and pressure that exists on all tours.

“Some of these people, they have family, they have young kids, and they live from this paycheck to the next one, so it can be very tempting,” Langer said of cheating. “But to me it's foolish, especially changing a scorecard is ridiculous, really. I mean, how can you think you're going to get way with changing a scorecard? You're not just breaking a rule. You're actually stupid.”

Harrington said players cheat on tour regularly and how difficult it is to stop, since you must be 100% sure and have all the evidence needed to prove it or potentially face legal ramifications.

“Is this a serial offender? And is that wrong, I suppose that's why we have in real life, why we have a court system and a judge because you know, I'm sitting here thinking, it makes no sense,” Harrington said while trying to resolve in his head how to approach the incident. “There must be a reason why this has happened. Is this poor person under some outside pressure or something, or why would they do this?”

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Robert macintyre wins 2024 rbc canadian open with dad dougie on the bag, share this article.

HAMILTON, Ontario – Dougie MacIntyre was sitting on his couch at home in Oban, Scotland. It was 8 o’clock on a Saturday night when “Bob” popped up on his phone for a FaceTime.

His son, the professional golf Robert MacIntyre, was in Dallas and had missed the cut the day before at the Charles Schwab Challenge. Having parted ways with his fourth caddie in the last 18 months, he asked, “How would you like to come to Canada and caddie for me at the RBC Canadian Open?”

Dougie was busy at home, where he is the greenkeeper at Glencruitten Golf Club. But his wife, Carol, gave him a look and said he needed to go be there for his son. Robert admitted he had asked a few others to be on the bag but no one wanted a one-week gig.

“If in doubt, phone dad,” MacIntyre said.

A FaceTime Mom will never forget 🥹 @Robert1Lefty gave her a call right after his first PGA TOUR win @RBCCanadianOpen . pic.twitter.com/ErI6eyJmqn — PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) June 3, 2024

The next morning at 8 a.m., Dougie was on a direct flight to Toronto and seven days later they were embracing on the 18 th green at Hamilton Golf & Country Club as Robert closed in 2-under 68 to win the 113th edition of Canada’s national championship. It marked the 27-year-old rookie’s maiden PGA Tour title, a one-stroke victory over Ben Griffin. MacIntyre became the first player to win with his father as his caddie since Heath Slocum had father Hack on the bag at the 2005 Sanderson Farms Championship.

“We’ve got a house between where you cross the road for four holes at Glencruitten and we used to go out every night in the summer, no matter the weather, we would play four holes every night,” Robert said. “He taught me the game of golf.”

The last time Dougie was on the bag was seven years ago at DP World Tour Q-School and that worked out well, too. MacIntyre won twice on that circuit and was a member of victorious Team Europe at the 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome. But living in Orlando and playing on the PGA Tour has been a big adjustment. He’s talked openly about his homesickness and loneliness. Rory McIlroy, MacIntyre’s Ryder Cup teammate, said he could relate.

“It’s a big culture shock compared to the place where he grew up in Oban. You know, traveling around America, it’s a different world. Some people adapt a little quicker than others. Everyone has to try to find their right rhythm,” McIlroy said. “It looks like Bob’s still figuring that out.”

He seemed right at home north of the border. MacIntyre opened his week with a 64 and after back-to-back 66s, he held a four-shot lead after 54 holes. Dougie had given Robert the tough love that he needed when he had fallen four strokes back on Saturday. Walking down the 10 th hole on Saturday, he reminded him he had 27 holes to go.

“I don’t know what happened on the back nine yesterday, he just went daft,” said Dougie of the three birdies and an eagle run that catapulted Robert into the driver’s seat.

RBC Canadian Open:  Photos  |  Merchandise  |  Leaderboard

On Sunday, Dougie woke up, looked out the window, heard the patter of rain and groaned, “Oh, big bag.” He had carried a lightweight bag for the first three rounds but for the final 18 he lugged a tour bag for the extra space to handle the rain gear. Anything for his son, right?

The lefthander would need his dad by his side as the final round unspooled on a crisp, gray, rainy afternoon. His four-stroke edge was gone before he left the third tee as he opened with a bogey and Canadian Mackenzie Hughes tied him at 13 under. MacIntyre’s swing felt fragile enough that he had messaged his coach that morning in search of a quick-fix.

His putter proved to be his sword and savior. While ranked 103rd in Strokes Gained: putting for the season, he led the field at the Open. MacIntyre carded three birdies to push his lead back to four at the turn. He grew agitated by a television drone, backing off several shots and calling for a rules official to come to his aid.

“If it didn’t go away, I was going to start throwing my clubs at it,” MacIntyre said. “That’s how annoyed I was getting. … I meant, it’s a big wasp. I asked them to get rid of it. They did.”

“He gets grumpy. That’s his downfall. When he gets grumpy and mad at himself the game goes,” Dougie said.

Not on this day. He canned a 21-foot birdie at No. 11 and looked to be coasting to victory. Neither bogeys at Nos. 12 and 13 nor a late charge by Griffin (65) and Victor Perez (64), who finished third, dimmed his spirit. Dougie made sure of that.

Robert MacIntyre poses with two Canadian Mounties and the trophy after winning the 2024 RBC Canadian Open. (Photo: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports)

“He just kept telling me, ‘We just stay in the fight,’ ” Robert said. “With four or five holes to go, he goes, ‘If we play this in 1-under par, they got to come get ya.’ He knows what to say, when to say it,” Robert said.

MacIntyre blinked away tears when he knocked his second shot at 18 to 12 feet. He finished with a 72-hole total of 16-under 264 to become the fifth player from Scotland to win on the PGA Tour since 1940,  joining fellow countrymen Sandy Lyle, Paul Lawrie, Martin Laird and Russell Knox.

With leaky eyes, Dougie took a call from his wife while Robert was busy doing interviews. They have a foster son, who boasted that he blew Robert’s ball in the hole.

“Good man, you are some boy,” Dougie told him. “I was trying all day myself.”

Dougie joked after they shared the 36-hole lead that he needed to negotiate a fair wager with his son. Robert said he planned to pay his father the typical winner’s share, or 10 percent of his $1.638 million paycheck, and his parent’s wouldn’t have to worry about their mortgage anymore. Would Dougie be on his bag at the Memorial this coming week, the U.S. Open, which Robert is now qualified for, the week after, and the Travelers Championship, another Signature event, after that?

“One and done,” Dougie said. “I’m going back to cutting grass.”

But what a week it was for the MacIntyre boys.

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Regulators Take on the Giants of A.I.

The Federal Trade Commission and Justice Department are set to proceed with investigations into the dominance of Nvidia, Microsoft and OpenAI.

By Andrew Ross Sorkin ,  Ravi Mattu ,  Bernhard Warner ,  Sarah Kessler ,  Michael J. de la Merced ,  Lauren Hirsch and Ephrat Livni

An A.I. antitrust fight is coming

Nvidia has joined the $3 trillion valuation club as a blistering A.I. rally has turned it into the world’s second-most valuable company behind Microsoft.

Both companies are at the center of the artificial intelligence boom that has lifted the wider S&P 500 — and both have attracted regulatory scrutiny of the sector’s biggest players.

The F.T.C. and Justice Department are set to proceed with antitrust investigations against the duo, and OpenAI, writes The Times’s David McCabe. The F.T.C. is already looking into Microsoft, according to The Wall Street Journal, over how the company structured a deal with the start-up Inflection AI to avoid scrutiny.

In March, Microsoft hired almost all of the start-up’s staff and agreed to pay around $650 million to license its technology.

The deal added to Microsoft’s leading A.I. position. The company has stakes in OpenAI, the French start-up Mistral and Abu Dhabi’s G42 , and it has also partnered with those businesses to develop and deploy A.I.

(The New York Times has sued OpenAI and Microsoft, claiming copyright infringement of news content related to A.I. systems.)

The regulators are splitting their approach. The Justice Department will look at whether Nvidia has violated antitrust laws and the F.T.C. will focus on OpenAI and Microsoft.

Jonathan Kanter , the Justice Department’s antitrust chief, told The Financial Times that he was looking into “monopoly choke points” and competition. Kanter also promised that regulators would look at “acqui-hires.” He didn’t name Microsoft’s deal with Inflection, but Brad Smith, the tech giant’s president, defended the transaction. “We didn’t want to own the company,” he told The FT. “We wanted to hire some of the people who worked at the company.”

The Biden administration has pushed to rein in Big Tech. U.S. regulatory action trails the likes of the European Union, which passed one of the world’s first comprehensive A.I. rules last year.

But the F.T.C. and Justice Department are intensifying their inquiries: The agency is already investigating OpenAI’s data collection practices and reviewing the company’s partnerships with A.I. start-ups.

Geopolitics could add complications. The Biden administration engineered Microsoft’s deal with G42 to box out China. As Washington battles with Beijing over controlling A.I., it will try to keep the Big Tech on its side even as it tightens the screws.

HERE’S WHAT’S HAPPENING

Boeing’s Starliner finally blasts off. The company’s spacecraft is expected to take two NASA astronauts to the International Space Station on Thursday after a series of costly delays. NASA hailed the launch as a milestone in the agency’s effort to rely on the private sector for human spaceflight; it’s also a rare bit of good news for Boeing amid scrutiny of its airplanes.

Elon Musk’s xAI plans to build a supercomputer facility in Memphis. The artificial intelligence start-up will construct a building that local officials described as the “largest multibillion-dollar investment” in the city’s history. It’s part of xAI’s efforts to catch up with more established rivals in amassing the computing power needed for A.I. innovations, as well as cities’ efforts to lure tech industry dollars.

EBay will stop accepting American Express cards over a fee dispute. The online retailer said it was taking the step , which will become effective Aug. 17, because of the “unacceptably high fees” the financial giant charges for card transactions. Despite the high-profile battle over interchange fees, analysts said that American Express was unlikely to reduce them.

The unexpected opposition to halting congestion pricing

The surprise decision by Gov. Kathy Hochul of New York to slam the brakes on a congestion plan for Manhattan, the first of its kind in the U.S., has set off more debate over one of the most contentious urban policies in recent memory.

But it has also split New York’s business community along unexpected lines, as industries argued for and against the move.

Hochul’s announcement was an 11th-hour U-turn, after speaking publicly in favor of the policy as recently as two weeks ago . It would have charged some drivers $15 a day (so long as they use the E-Z Pass tolling system) for entering Manhattan south of 60th Street.

The policy had potentially big economic consequences:

Proponents argued that it would reduce gridlock and pollution in Manhattan, while raising an estimated $1 billion a year for the city’s buses and subways.

Opponents said it would place an undue burden on lower-income city residents, commuters, commercial truckers and local businesses. This camp also included New Jersey Democrats — Gov. Phil Murphy sued to block its implementation — and lawmakers in suburban areas.

For context: Other cities, including London, have already put in place similar measures , with varying degrees of success.

Various business interests had opposed the plan. Hochul had cited a potential chilling effect on commuters coming into the office , with vacancy rates hovering around 20 percent at times. And in March, the chair of the Broadway Association — whose members include Midtown theaters and hotels — fretted that the plan might sharply reduce tourism .

Meanwhile, The Lever reports that Hochul had received thousands of dollars in donations from lobbyists for auto dealers , who have been worried about a potential drop in car sales.

An equally broad group criticized Hochul’s reversal. Among them was the Partnership for New York City , one of the city’s most influential corporate associations: “The toll revenues would amount to only $1 billion a year, which is far less than the $20+ billion cost of lost productivity, overtime and fuel expenses, environmental and health costs that are the result of excess traffic congestion,” said Kathryn Wylde, its president.

The Real Estate Board of New York, a trade group for commercial real estate firms, said that any delay be only temporary . And the president of the New York Building Congress, which represents the construction industry, said, “We are living in a bad episode of ‘The Twilight Zone.’”

At the same time, congestion pricing had already drawn support from Uber — despite the ride-hailing service’s customers being required to pay an extra fee under versions of the initiative.

The S.E.C. hits a roadblock

The S.E.C.’s efforts to clamp down on the booming $27 trillion private funds industry and its oversight of Wall Street are looking shakier this morning.

The agency suffered a significant blow after a federal appellate court on Wednesday struck down disclosure rules that fund giants, including groups connected to Apollo Global Management and Blackstone, have been fighting for months.

The setback puts the S.E.C. in a tough position. It is considering an appeal, setting up a potential Supreme Court showdown. But a loss there could further diminish the agency’s authority as legal challenges mount from pro-business groups accusing the S.E.C. of regulatory overreach.

A recap: Last year, the agency passed mandates that hedge funds, private equity funds and venture capital firms must provide investors more information about fees and expenses. At the time, Gary Gensler , the S.E.C. chair, said the new rules would offer greater protection to “all investors — big or small, institutional or retail, sophisticated or not.”

State pension funds were big supporters of the proposed rules . But Wall Street pushed back hard, calling the rules onerous. The S.E.C. itself estimated that the rules would introduce $5.4 billion worth of compliance costs.

The decision could hamper the S.E.C. The agency is considering other rules related to how private funds work with investors, Jason Brown, an asset management partner at the law firm Ropes & Gray, told DealBook. “I think this case may embolden the industry to challenge those rules in court if they don’t come out the right way,” he said.

What’s next? One possibility is appealing to the Supreme Court. Its conservative majority has recently appeared more open to arguments seeking to curtail the power of regulatory agencies .

That said, regulators scored a big win last month when the court rejected a challenge to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s funding .

The PGA Tour and the Saudis, one year later

Thursday is the first anniversary of the deal that shook the professional golf world: that the PGA Tour and the Saudi sovereign wealth fund, which backs the upstart LIV Golf, would seek to combine forces.

The tie-up may appear to be moving at a snail’s pace, but talks are continuing, and the two sides are set to meet in New York tomorrow, two people familiar with the plans told DealBook’s Lauren Hirsch. (The two people were granted anonymity because they weren’t authorized to speak publicly about the matter.)

Who will be involved? Members of the PGA Tour’s transaction committee, which includes Tiger Woods and Fenway Sports Group’s John Henry. Rory McIlroy , who is also on the committee, will be playing in a tournament and joining remotely, one of the people said.

The fact that it’s an in-person meeting is significant. It shows that there’s some real intention to get a deal done. But sources on both sides caution that a breakthrough is far from imminent.

The two sides recently exchanged term sheets, DealBook has reported . It’s a sign that the deal — which sees the Saudis and a new group of U.S. investors each kicking in $1.5 billion — is on more than life support even if progress seems slow.

A year on, the PGA Tour looks very different. It raised at least $1.5 billion from U.S. investors, including the hedge fund mogul Steven Cohen, and created a separate unit for its commercial operations. It also appointed a new board of directors, including Woods, the Home Depot co-founder Arthur Blank and Fenway’s Sam Kennedy, to oversee the commercial business.

That said, two directors from the original PGA Tour’s board have resigned: Mark Flaherty, a Goldman board member, and Jimmy Dunne, the Piper Sandler vice chairman who helped spearhead the deal.

Are more moves on the way? One big question for Wall Street insiders: whether Ed Herlihy, the Wachtell partner who worked closely with Dunne on the original deal, will step down. (He declined to comment.)

Another question: given that high turnover, who exactly has the final say on getting a deal done?

THE SPEED READ

MNC Capital raised its takeover bid for Vista Outdoor , the maker of Remington ammunition and CamelBak water bottles, to $39.50 a share, or more than $3 billion. (MNC Capital)

In I.P.O. news: An Abu Dhabi education company drew $20 billion in orders for its initial offering, while British investment firms appeared cautious about buying shares in Shein’s potential listing . (Bloomberg, FT)

Dollar Tree is weighing the sale or spinoff of its troubled Family Dollar chain . (NYT)

Elections and policy

Donald Trump and Jeff Zients, the White House chief of staff, are expected to address the Business Roundtable at the influential corporate lobbying group’s meeting on June 13. (CNBC)

Canada became the first Group of 7 nation to cut interest rates this year; the European Central Bank is expected to follow suit on Thursday. (CBC, DealBook)

Best of the rest

An increasing benefit for electric cars: lower bills for vehicle owners . (NYT)

“The $21 Billion Lawsuit That Could Break the N.F.L .” (WSJ)

Climate change may now be increasing the likelihood of landslides in cities like Juneau, Alaska. (The Lever)

We’d like your feedback! Please email thoughts and suggestions to [email protected] .

Andrew Ross Sorkin is a columnist and the founder and editor at large of DealBook. He is a co-anchor of CNBC’s "Squawk Box" and the author of “Too Big to Fail.” He is also a co-creator of the Showtime drama series "Billions." More about Andrew Ross Sorkin

Ravi Mattu is the managing editor of DealBook, based in London. He joined The New York Times in 2022 from the Financial Times, where he held a number of senior roles in Hong Kong and London. More about Ravi Mattu

Bernhard Warner is a senior editor for DealBook, a newsletter from The Times, covering business trends, the economy and the markets. More about Bernhard Warner

Sarah Kessler is an editor for the DealBook newsletter and writes features on business and how workplaces are changing. More about Sarah Kessler

Michael J. de la Merced has covered global business and finance news for The Times since 2006. More about Michael J. de la Merced

Lauren Hirsch joined The Times from CNBC in 2020, covering deals and the biggest stories on Wall Street. More about Lauren Hirsch

Ephrat Livni reports from Washington on the intersection of business and policy for DealBook. Previously, she was a senior reporter at Quartz, covering law and politics, and has practiced law in the public and private sectors.   More about Ephrat Livni

Richard Bland wins KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship

Daily Wrap Up

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BENTON HARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Richard Bland won the Senior PGA Championship in his senior major debut, closing with an 8-under 63 for a three-shot victory at Harbor Shores Resort.

In a final round delayed by about an hour because of storms, Bland hit what amounted to the winning shot on the par-5 15th, an approach to 6 feet for eagle. That took him from one shot behind Greg Chalmers to a one-shot lead when Chalmers could only manage a par.

The storms finally arrived, and the 51-year-old Bland returned to make three pars and claim his first victory since the 2021 Belfred British Masters, the DP World Tour title that unwittingly started Bland on this amazing ride.

“The British Masters was very special at 48. This is right up there. I couldn't be happier," Bland said. “I'm going to celebrate the hell out of this one.”

Bland won by three shots over Richard Green, who shot 65 and took second place alone without ever having a serious of chance of winning.

That opportunity belonged to Chalmers, the left-handed Australian who had the lead with four holes to play. But he could only make that par on the 15th. He missed the green to the left on the 16th and took two shots to reach the green in making bogey, and then dropped another shot on the par-3 17th when he couldn't save par from the bunker.

Chalmers also bogeyed the 18th and shot 68.

Jason Caron had the best finish by a club professional, posting a 66 to tie for fourth with Scott Hend (66). The disappointment belonged to Ernie Els, still without a senior major. He was tied for the 54-hole lead with Chalmers and shot 70 to tie for sixth.

This stage belonged to Bland, who got choked up during the trophy presentation thinking about his brother, Heath, who was diagnosed with stomach cancer just over a year ago and learned last week he had cancer in the lungs.

“I just wanted to win for him so bad,” Bland said through tears.

Bland had to get past Chalmers in a terrific battle in which Chalmers was bogey-free with six birdies and Bland had eight birdies in 12 holes to offset two bogeys. And then the Englishman surged ahead with the eagle on the 15th, and no one could catch him.

And now Bland, who finished at 17-under 267, gets more golf than he imagined.

The victory makes him exempt for the U.S. Senior Open on June 27-30 at Newport Country Club in Rhode Island.

Defending champion Steve Stricker shot 68 and finished seven shots behind in eighth place.