After a three-year hiatus Alberta Golf is bringing back the pro-am as part of the annual Alberta Open at Carmoney giving golf enthusiasts an opportunity to take on the top professionals in the province.
The pro-am will be held on Sept. 10 while the Alberta Open will be played over three days Sept. 11-13.
Brent Ellenton, executive director of Alberta Golf, said they are re-introducing the pro-am portion of the event in an effort to get more people involved with the tournament.
“We want to give people a chance to understand just how good these guys are,” he said. “We want everyone to come out and see what the Alberta Open is all about.”
Alberta Golf has capped the number of participants in the pro-am to 64 players so it will be an exclusive group who will be able to tee it up with some of Alberta’s top professionals.
Over the years the pro-am has raised more than $100,000 for the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation, but this year there is not a charity component to the event, it is just an opportunity to get and play golf.
“It is not a charity event,” explained Ellenton. “This is just a chance for people from Calgary and Okotoks to come out and play with the best in Alberta.”
There will be an interesting format to this year’s pro-am as it will be a best ball tournament with the amateurs taking on the pros. In addition, in previous years amateurs had to sign up as a team, but this year the event is open to individuals as well.
According to Ellenton the pro-am was shelved for the past three years mainly due to a struggling economy, but this year organizers felt it was time to try and resuscitate the Monday event.
“We want to bang the drum and get people out to the pro-am again,” said Ellenton. “We want to try and make this a nice build-up to the Alberta Open.”
Another major change to the Alberta Open this year is a significant date change. In the past the tournament had been held in May, but this year it will make its September debut.
Ellenton said there were several reasons which led to the decision to move the date.
Foremost was weather, as many Albertans know the weather in May is often inconsistent.
“The weather never co-operated,” said Ellenton. “The course played well, but it was not in prime condition and this will let Carmoney show off its golf course.”
Secondly, in May many of the top pros were playing on the Canadian Tour and unable to fit the Alberta Open into their schedule. By moving the event to September it is at the end of the Canadian Tour and before most of the pro tour qualifying schools. As a result, this year’s field at the Alberta Open should be impressive.
To participate in the Alberta Open pro-am visit www.albertagolf.org
Cost is $175 and it includes your round of golf, meals, prizes and gifts.
