A sold out field of 120 golfers converged this week at Alberta Springs Golf Resort located just outside of Red Deer for the U17, U15, U13 Alberta Championships. The golfers were greeted to great course conditions and possibly the two warmest days of the year for this 36-hole stroke play tournament where six champions were crowned, including two from Red Deer.
Cole Bergheim and Eileen Park from Red Deer took home titles in their home town this week at the U17, U15, U13 Alberta Championships. Photos: Alberta Golf
In the U17 Boys division Cole Bergheim from Red Deer shot 3-under, 69 on the final day to tie Ethan Howes of Fort Saskatchewan for first place. The ensuing playoff was staged on the exciting 501 dogleg left par-5 eighteenth hole. Both players birdied the first playoff hole, so they went back to the 18th tee for a second time. On the second playoff hole Cole again cut the corner with his drive leaving him an approach shot of just under 200 yards to the green. A well struck iron shot and two putts later, Cole was crowned the champion.
Another tight competition took place in the U17 Girls division between Georgia Barr of Calgary and Alexa Wingnean of Edmonton. They went back and forth all day long before Barr birdied both 17 and 18 to shoot a 2-over 74 and took home the title by one shot over Wingnean.
With five golfers within 2 shots of the lead there was more drama to be had in the U15 Boys division. Ultimately it was Jon Vinge from Calgary who took home the hardware shooting a 1-under 71 on the second day to win by one shot over three other golfers.
In the U15 Girls division Jayla Kucy of Camrose shot a 3-over 75 to claim the title by 3 shots over Kalee Seto.
Red Deer native Eileen Park, ran way with the U13 Girls division shooting rounds of 76 & 73 to win by 19 shots! Eileen said it was nice playing a course she has played many times and was very familiar with.
Finally the last trophy of the day was handed out to Peter Hlushak of Spruce Grove who shot rounds of 68 and 75 to edge out Tabers Lyndon Kuryvial by two shots.
