The Alberta Open golf tournament has a long history but it’s only been 13 years since the Open was modified in order to include provincial professionals battling alongside amateurs. It appears to have been a very good move.
“To combine both club professionals and touring professionals with top amateurs and bring them under one house on these great golf courses is fantastic,” said Philip Berube, Alberta Golf’s Executive Director. “As far as the history of the game and the heritage that Alberta Golf brings since 1912 I think it’s an important part of defining Alberta golf.”
Riley Fleming who plays out of Collicutt Siding, won this tournament as an amateur in 2013 and then repeated the next year as a professional. He has been playing in the Open since he was 14 years old and loves the event.
“It was an honour when I was that young to be playing with professionals,” he said. “ I thought it was amazing. It’s special to play in this tournament.”
The two day event begins June 21st at Red Tail Landing south of Edmonton and it has that blend of pro’s who are not far removed from being amateur competitors at the Open and these young amateurs who show no fear when teeing it up at any tournament.
“The opportunity to play with a mentor that maybe they’ve looked up to in the past who is now paving the path forward for them,” said Berube. ” To be in the same group with them for a couple of days maybe could help them with their confidence and make them a bit more accustomed to what happens if they were to take that next step and join the Canadian Tour.”
There are eight central Alberta golfers in the mix with Matt Codd, Brett Pasula, Kyle Morrison and Logan Hill from the Red Deer Golf and Country Club taking part. Joining that foursome are Jared Nicholls and Tim Boston from Wolf Creek, Ron Harder from Innisfail, all amateurs, and Pheasantback pro Troy Butterfield.
Fleming says the two day setup is perfect for the tough challenge which Red Tail Landing presents.
“Some of the courses in the past you can get some of the guys shooting some real low numbers and in a two day tournament it can be a complete shootout. This is a tough golf course. Nobody is going to shoot 61 so you are going to have to work to win this.”
The two day event format seems to be the way to go with the Open due to the mix of pro and amateurs. Both groups can easily have other commitments to honour so putting aside four days might not work for many.
What has been done however is a match play format added to the mix and the top 16 amateurs will compete against each other following the conclusion of the Open. So amateurs will get two rounds of stroke play followed by possible 4 rounds of match play. Talk about a tough test of endurance.
Having a golf course like Red Tail Landing hosting these players for five days is also a big part of the equation which makes this work, along with the tournaments new sponsor, Scott Venturo, a Calgary based law firm, said Berube.
It all adds up to a couple of great days at a great venue. Check it out.
