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PGA of Alberta Championship teeing off at Red Deer’s River Bend

Aug 19, 2018 | 2:08 PM

Most of the province’s top golfers will be gathered at Red Deer’s River Bend Golf Course this week for the annual PGA of Alberta Championship.

The two-day event runs August 20-21 and has 92 golfers taking part in the 36-hole competition.

Tournament and Communication Manager Trevor Rioux says the event is huge on the golf calendar in Alberta.

“It’s our biggest tournament of the year on the calendar for us,” says Rioux. “We have about 90-100 professionals that play from all throughout the province, it means a lot to them. It’s our highest purse and it has a big impact on the golf industry here in Alberta, especially the junior level since a lot of people at the clubs follow these guys, see what they do in these tournaments, follow on the website, it’s a big one for us, a lot goes into it.”   

He adds Red Deer’s River Bend Golf and Recreation Area is also a great location for the event.

“It’s a perfect location since it’s central in kind of Alberta for Calgary and Edmonton guys, so it’s right in the middle there, making travel very easy for them,” he says. “The course if you’re familiar with it is one of the best venues to host these tournaments at since they do such a fantastic job. Todd Fiske who is the head pro there, Brian Miller who is the Executive Professional / GM does such a fantastic job at accommodating us when we go there, hosting our professionals from all throughout the province, going above and beyond, having a beer garden set up on the course, making sure the players are treated first class from the meals from once they arrive, everything and then the course on top of it is in fantastic shape.”

Rioux says the caliber of golf is going to be high.

“We have a lot of our top players in the Association playing in this one,” he says. “It’s going to be a competitive field and it’s a big purse, so there’s a lot of money on the line for these guys. The players take it seriously, they get their practice round in and it all depends on that first round how they play, how the greens are rolling, how they’re putting and it should be a tight race to the top of the leader board.”

Local golfers competing include Todd Fiske and Brian Miller from Red Deer’s River Bend Golf Course, Kevin Broderson and Tye Friesen from the Lacombe Golf and Country Club and Chrisw Herkel from the Innisfail Golf Club. 

Rioux says River Bend may not be the longest course but adds it does offer some challenging holes for the competitors.

“They’ve got to be straight off the tee obviously and set themselves up in good position,” he explains. “Par fives are key on this course cause a lot of them are reachable in two, so if they can have a good tee shot on a par five, set themselves to get up on the green in two, then score on those holes, it’s going to be key and also who makes those putts. Our leader last year was – 8 for the two rounds, so we’re thinking that’s going to be around the score again this year.”

He adds, spectators are certainly welcome to attend.

“We have a beer garden set up on the 18th green at the course, so that’s a great area to come out and have a drink and then watch some great golf,” he exclaims. “Anyone in the area should come out. Support your local professionals, support the game and watch some fantastic golf. It amazes me some of the shots these guys can make and some of the putts they can make when the pressure is on.”

For more information, visit pgaofalberta.com.