SUNDRE – Even though the weather was less than ideal, the return of Alberta Golf’s second annual Best Ball Championship at a local course otherwise went off without a hitch with several player pairs from throughout the region finding a place on scoreboard.
Alberta Golf’s Best Ball Championship is a relatively new tournament whose inaugural run in 2023 to kick off the competitive season was also hosted at the Sundre Golf Club. This year’s event was held on Monday, May 20 with 120 players coming out, said Scott Shouldice, Sundre Golf Club head pro.
“That was their max and they filled it. And there was actually a ton of people on the waiting list as well. So it was a really popular event,” Shouldice told the Albertan in response to follow-up questions.
“Everyone that registered showed up.”
After hosting the new tournament twice in a row, Shouldice has no doubt Alberta Golf will continue on with the Best Ball Championship. But he could not immediately confirm whether the Sundre Golf Club would be three times lucky as the event’s host.
“It’s been a very successful event; they’ll definitely keep it going,” he said. “I just don’t know if they’re going to bring it back” to the Sundre Golf Club.
And despite the rather dreary conditions, things went well and spirits remained undamped, he said.
“Obviously we can’t control Mother Nature,” he said. “It was pretty cold and windy and rainy. But other than the weather, it went really, really well. It was really successful. Everyone had a great time.”
While the club does not have any other Alberta Golf competitions on the docket for the remainder of the season, he said there are a number of regular annual events still lined up including corporate tournaments and fundraisers.
“That was our main Alberta Golf event for this year,” he said.
According to results posted on the Alberta Golf website, the winners of this year’s one-day Best Ball Championship were Red Deer brothers Logan and Carter Graff, who finished at 5-under-par in a tie finish with Lacombe’s Brady McKinlay and his uncle Tom McKinlay Jr.
“Playing the 18th hole – the first playoff hole – Carter Graf drove just short of the green and got up and down for birdie and the victory,” reads part of the statement.
Tied for fourth place were Jace Ouellette and Cole Fox from Innisfail Golf Club with -3 for 69.
Tied for sixth place were Kolby Kniel and George Power from the Golf Canada Club – Alberta and the Sundre Golf Club with -2 for 70.
Tied for 15th place were Bobby McKinlay and Tim Hollman from Alberta Golf Public Players Club – Edmonton and Olds Golf Club with E for 72.
Tied for 21st place were Michael From and Isaac Saunders from the Carstairs Golf Club with +1 for 73 as well as Denver Smith and Tanner Smith from the Innisfail Golf Club with +1 for 73.
Tied for 35th place were Joe Kelly and Brett Kelly from the Innisfail Golf Club with +3 for 75.
