Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge set to host PGA Assistants’ Championship of Canada

Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge set to host PGA Assistants’ Championship of Canada

[Jasper, Alta.,]—Arguably one of Canada’s most iconic golf courses, the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge Golf Club is set to play host to a full field of 120 golfers for the 2012 PGA Assistants’ Championship of Canada presented by Titleist & FootJoy. 

Ranked No. 4 in SCOREGolf’s latest Top 100 Golf Courses in Canada list, the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge Golf Club in Jasper, Alta., was established in 1925 and is designed by famed Canadian course architect, Stanley Thompson. The golf course in the heart of a Unesco World Heritage Site with carved fairways from the surrounding forests, giving top priority to the natural contours of the Rocky Mountains. The par 71, 6663-yard course features elevated tee boxes, dramatic bunkers and vistas that scan the surrounding mountain peaks.

“The experience of golf in Jasper has always been one of enjoyment. The golf course has always been about having fun and our Association’s best players will have a great time enjoying one of Stanley Thompson’s greatest designs,” says Jasper’s Director of Golf, Alan Carter. “The vistas throughout the course are second to none and at times players can find themselves distracted by the incredible scenery.”

This year’s field is loaded with impressive players including three— Lindsay Bernakevitch (Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club), Eddward Boudreau (Gorge Vale Golf Club) and Brad Clapp (Chilliwack Golf & Country Club), —of the final four from this year’s PGA Championship in Calgary.

Also in the field are former winners of the championship: Royal Mayfair Golf Club’s Mike Belbin (2011), Matt Palsenbarg of Northview Golf & Country Club (2009), Hazelmere Country Club’s, Philip Jonas (2004, 2006) and Boudreau from Gorge Vale Golf Club (2003). Furthermore, 10 of the top 25 players from the PGA of Canada Player Rankings presented by RBC are set to tee it up in Jasper.

Belbin, who sits No. 2 on the PGA Player Rankings, says he’s looking forward to defending his championship in his home province of Alberta.

“It means a lot to come in as defending champion, especially when you’re defending in your own backyard,” he says. “It’s not easy to win a national championship, let alone winning back-to-back because the fields and strength of players at our championships over the past couple of years have gotten that much better.”

Other notable players in this year’s field include Shingo Akizuki (Mayfair Lakes Golf & Country Club), Blair Buttar (Glendale Golf & Country Club), Darryl James (National Golf Academy at McCall Lake Golf Course), Conor O’Shea (Academy at Piper’s Heath), Andrew Steep (Glendale Country Club), Kyle German (Northview Golf & Country Club), Norm Jarvis (Eaglequest Golf Centre at Coyote Creek), Dave Levesque (La Prairie Club de Golf), Reggie Millage (The ClubLink Academy at Glen Abbey), Billy Walsh (Fairtree Golf Centre) and Dave Zibrik (Seymour Creek Golf Centre).

“This year’s PGA Assistants’ Championship of Canada presented by Titleist & FootJoy will undoubtedly be one for the history books for not only the beauty and challenge of the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge Golf Club, but also for what might be the strongest field in the championship’s 42-year history,” says PGA of Canada President, Gregg Schubert.“

The $60,000 PGA Assistants’ Championship of Canada presented by Titleist & FootJoy commences Monday, Sept., 17th and will be contested over 54-holes (with a 36-hole cut to the low 60-players and ties).

There will also be a 36-hole Inter-Zone competition compiled of four players on each team representing their respective PGA Zone and is contested over the first two rounds.

First and second round tee times are available HERE.

To follow the PGA Assistants’ Championship of Canada presented by Titleist & FootJoy online throughout tournament week, visit the PGA of Canada’s Twitter feed, YouTube channel, FaceBook page and website.