Golf notes: College coaches hit Calgary, provincial champs crowned

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It’s not so much an entrance exam as an opportunity for extra tutoring.

And for some of Alberta’s up-and-coming birdie-machines, it could eventually lead to a scholarship offer.

A handful of NCAA golf coaches are in Calgary this week for the CGX Western Canada College Golf Exposure Camp, a first-of-its-kind on Canadian soil. This two-day showcase is being hosted Friday-Saturday by Edge School and Mickelson National.

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“The college coaches are actually running this camp. They are the instructors,” said Ryan Cater, director of golf at Edge School. “It’s not like they’re just standing there and observing. So this is a player’s first chance to actually see what it’s like to be at a Div. 1 golf practice.

“They’re going to be doing the same drills they do with their teams and their players. So it’s a real slice of this is how you good you have to be and this is what to expect. If you want to play at that level, here’s your first experience with it.”

Jon Mills, who is originally from Ontario, played 70 events on the PGA Tour and now oversees the men’s golf program at Kent State, will be among those offering both swing tips and advice for securing a post-secondary roster spot.

Mills will be joined by the head coaches of the men’s teams at High Point University, UC Santa Barbara and University of Idaho and of the women’s squad at Long Beach State.

If you follow the local golf scene, you know some of Alberta’s top talents are already being recruited to compete at the NCAA level. Current examples include Georgia Barr (Gardner-Webb University), Jakob Chicoyne (Washington State) and Hunter Thomson (University of Michigan).

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Cater is optimistic that this camp — operated by U.S.-based College Golf Experience — will provide a springboard for others. The intent is that it will become a staple on Calgary’s summer schedule.

“I think this will be something that players will prepare for, almost like a major event,” said Cater, noting the sign-up sheet this week also included several out-of-province pin-seekers. “As much as you’re preparing to play in that two- or three-day MJT or Alberta Golf event, you will also need to mark this on your calendar because you should be getting ready for it.

“The thing is, they don’t have to go out and shoot the round of their lives. They just have to come out and show off their skills. Your game better be on point, and that’s cool, but so should your character, so should your etiquette. This is a big opportunity to get seen and found.”

FANTASTIC FINISH

Calgary’s Ryan Gillis (Pinebrook) came up clutch in Thursday’s final round at the Alberta U19 Championships, racking up 10 birdies on his last lap to fire to the top of the leaderboard.

Gillis closed with a 64, just one stroke shy of the competitive course record at Olds, and earned bragging rights among the boys with a three-round total of 10-under 206.

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“Sixty-four is the lowest score in a tournament for me so definitely brings a lot of confidence, and especially to get it done on the last day of a tournament,” Gillis told Alberta Golf.

Medicine Hat’s Sarah Armstrong (Desert Blume) won the girls’ title in a playoff, defeating Tessa Ion (Pinebrook) on the first extra hole. Both had finished three rounds with identical scores of 4-over 220.

CHIP SHOTS: Red Deer’s Eileen Park added to her trophy collection with a two-shot triumph at the Alberta Women’s Amateur Championship at River Spirit. The 15-year-old rising star didn’t miss a single green during the final round, vaulting into top spot at 1-under 215 … Patrick McLarty (Highwood) finished four strokes clear of the competition at the Calgary Golf Association’s Tourmaline Oil Junior Championship at Maple Ridge. McLarty signed for a two-day tally of 1-over 145 … Chris Horton (Golf Channel Academy at Cottonwood) and Aiden Jamieson combined for a rip of 6-under to win low gross honours at the PGA of Alberta’s Pro-Junior at Valley Ridge, while Josh Fleming (365 GOLF) and Jacob Brunette topped the stableford scoreboard.

wgilbertson@postmedia.com

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