#GolfLife Alberta

Need help navigating the junior golf scene? We've got you! Leah talks to Trent Matson of the Maple Leaf Junior Tour (MJT) and John Deneer of Alberta Golf, and the McLennan Ross Junior Tour to give you all the deets on how you can introduce your child to competitive golf. What are the main options out there, and the differences between the two.

Leah chats with Edmonton's own Christina Lecuyer, 2-time Big Break star, about her start in golf, and what she's doing now. Listen to what she had to say about Kerry Ketter, Darrell McDonald, Al Prokop, and her time at The Derrick Club and Blackhawk.

Leah chats with Calgary's Jesse Galvon about growing up in Alberta, his time spent as an elite junior golfer and what he did to get recruited to NCAA Div I School USF, where his path ended up going rather than the PGA Tour, the entrepreneurial grind, and we hear about all the amazing things he's been up to with G-Tech Heated Apparel including the most recent Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits.

Leah catches up with Luke Elvy, broadcaster and co-owner of CanGOLF. They discuss his beginnings in broadcasting, his most memorable moment in golf, and how his path brought him to opening a unique indoor golf facility in the heart of the Bow Valley.

Leah catches up with Katy Rutherford before she makes her 2nd pro appearance in the Mackenzie Tour Stop, the 2021 ATB Financial Classic at Country Hills Golf Club this coming up weekend.

Leah Snethun, Prez of the Alberta Golf Tour, goes over the June results from the AGT, as well as has a little chat about pace of play and how you can play more efficient golf.

Leah catches up with Kevin Smith from Alberta Golf and spokesperson for NAGA about the recent government restrictions placed on golf. Then, she shares a letter drafted for the government that all golfers are encouraged to send in. Sometimes, there's power in numbers. Let's ban together, friends. Now is the time.

Leah is joined by Rob D’Ippolito, former course superintendent, to talk about all things turf in Alberta - what kind of grasses we have here, what is involved in putting the course to bed in the fall, care over winter, opening in the spring, and teaching you about aeration and dethatching and why those are important. Every golfer needs to listen to appreciate the course they are playing on!

Leah visits with Chantell Grandy from the newly renamed Cattail Crossing Golf & Winter Club to learn more about all the exciting things going on there and what to expect this upcoming season. Then, she chats with Lesley McMahon from the Balmoral and Gull Lake Golf Clubs about her journey in the golf industry, and what she's done to help women in the business (hint: it's a lot, and it's great).

Leah continues Women's Month with some fantastic conversations with Golf & Tacos Co-Founder Caitlin Buckell who gives us the lowdown on G&T, as well as an overall chat on the state of women in the game and what professionals can do to attract and hook more female players. As well as one of the new owners of The Track (previously Boulder Creek, just outside of Calgary in Langdon), Megan McLeod on how they are planning to do things very differently out there.

Leah is joined by Natasha Staniszewski, to discuss life after TSN, what life lessons she's learned throughout her career, what lies the internet says about her, baking flops, golf accomplishments, and answering your burning questions about what her future looks like.

Leah takes some time to catch up with Calgary's Jaclyn Lee, who has been busy playing on the LPGA Tour after some downtime back home in November/December. Then, she chats with Lacombe's Joe Whitbread about his love of golf, the state of the game, and what we can do to ensure the future of the game. And, a quick overview of the Alberta Golf Tour schedule as well as a teaser to kick off our annual March Madness bracket!

Welcome back for Season 4! It's hard to believe this is already our 4th year doing a podcast. This month we chat with Kim Carrington for our #WomensWednesday feature, and we touch base with Barry Ehlert from Windmill Golf to discuss the feedback from Mickelson National in 2020, and what the plans for LaunchPad Golf look like for 2021. 

In their last podcast of 2020, Leah and Ryan catch up with Rhys Royer from the Shaw Charity Classic Team to discuss what happened throughout 2020 with the tournament as well as fundraising campaigns. Then... Leah and Ryan have a huge surprise for our listeners and have some people to introduce you to!

After a Covid and summer hiatus, Leah and Ryan are back and joined by a couple of their new favourite people in the Alberta golf industry - Jason Roth and Sam Schofield from Crowsnest Pass Golf Club.

Ryan pops back on the pod with Leah to officially wrap up March Madness and April Giveaways. We talk to Carson Taylor from The Winston, and Tahlon Sweenie from Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge about what it was like being in the Final 2, as well as a few fun tidbits about them. We wrap up discussing a couple Alberta Golf Tour changes, as well as let you know about Leah's new blog "Tee'd Up".

Join Leah as she talks to Riley Fleming about everything from his days getting started on the links, growing up as an elite amateur, heading to college, turning pro, playing on the Canadian Tour (now Mackenzie Tour), why he took a step back and whether he's going to go for it again. We also have a fun rapid fire segment where the truth about Tiger and Patrick come out.

We reach out to PGA of ON's Jacklynn Miller about her donation drive for food banks, and what else she is doing during this time to help her community. Then, the CEO of the PGA of Canada, Kevin Thistle joins us to chat a bit about COVID-19, and also gives us some insight into how he got started in golf. The conversation shifts to Edmonton local Wil Bateman, who is currently competing on the Outlaw Tour in Arizona, his start at Blackhawk Golf Club, and he shares some fun pre-PGA Tour stories about JJ, Xander, and Jordan.

Leah is joined by Darren Krause and Dale Tomlinson to discuss the current state of the golf industry in Alberta and what impacts COVID-19 has currently had on golf courses and operations. Then, we buckle up for a fun chat with Adidas Golf Territory Sales Manager, Jared Engel.

Leah and Ryan pick the brain of young golf architecture buff, Drew Harvie. We chat where his interest got started, what some of the best golf architecture is in Alberta and what makes them great from an architecture point of view (and how knowing these details can help you play better golf). We finish off discussing his recent article on Canada's Eclectic 18.

March Madness ChatterCourse Creative ChallengeTons of course shoutoutsLeah's new fave Tour playerAGT schedule talkGiveaways galore

Leah and Ryan wrap up a fun 2nd season with Golf Life Alberta. They skim over the PGA Tour, talk about their top local Alberta golf moments in 2019, and speak to Wes Heffernan (Player of the Year), Chris Cook (Apprentice Professional of the Year), and Sam Kirkness (Class A Professional of the Year) about their big national wins, and what it all means to them. We wrap up the episode with our own resolutions, and wish you a very happy new year from the #GolfLifeAB crew!

Leah and Ryan catch up, again, on where the past 6 weeks have gone (golfing weather, perhaps?). We cover who WE think the PGA Tour Player of the Year should have been, our favourite moments of the 2018-19 PGA Tour Season, and wrap up the 2019 AGT Season.

It has been a busy one but Leah and Ryan are back to catch up on the past few weeks! It's been busy with nice golfing weather, Mackenzie Tour stops, lots of social media topics and of course the Top 59 ScoreGolf rankings.

Leah and (mostly Ryan and Darren) join us for a chat about the local Alberta courses they have played recently, and big talk about The Open preview and who is going to be crowned the Champion Golfer of the Year this year! We also chat with Crowsnest Pass about their recent renovations, and why you now need to make the time to go play it (maybe next year once the new Clubhouse is open).

Leah and Ryan catch up on the last two weeks, basking in Gary's US Open win and Brooke crushing the Canadian Professional golf wins record. We talk a lot about local courses and tournaments giving you some great ideas for this Canada Day Long Weekend!

Leah and Ryan are joined by our old co-host Darren Krause to preview the 3rd Major of the year!

Ryan discusses his recent trip to Vancouver Island while Leah goes over the ACE (!!) and results from the Alberta Golf Tour Season Opening Major at Stewart Creek. We talk to Ryan Moore from the Ponoka Golf Club and preview the Canadians participating in this week's RBC Canadian Open. Have a listen!

Leah and Ryan are in the thick of golf season now. The AGT just finished its make-up snowed-out 2018 Presidents Cup event and head into the first Major of the season at Stewart Creek. Head Professional Chris Schatzmann joins us to let us know why Stewart Creek is such a special place that everybody needs to visit at least once. Ryan discusses his upcoming trip to Vancouver Island this weekend.

Join Leah and Ryan as they discuss what a BEAST Brooks has been proving himself to be, wishing their buddy Gary Woodland a very happy birthday, discuss their May Long mountain golf trips and Ryan's "new and improved" Mountain Course Power Rankings. Leah chats with Wes Heffernan about his qualifying stages for both the US and Canadian Opens in Chip Shots, and discusses some rules and etiquette to follow with the flagstick. She also throws a little knowledge on how to properly repair a ball mark. Have a listen!

Join Leah and Ryan as they discuss Mother's Day this past weekend, dive into what was hilarious in golf social media this week, preview the 2nd Major of the year - PGA Championship at Bethpage Black, and Tyler interviews a couple of entrepreneurial left handed juniors in the province about their product line, Lefttees.

Leah and Ryan learn more about first-time PGA Tour winner Max Homa, discuss the sudden closing of a private Calgary course, how you can golf for free at Mickelson National, and Ryan officially challenges the other host duos of local Alberta golf radio on course! We clarify a couple things about OB, and catch up with the Kidd at the start of his season.

Leah and Ryan discuss the Tiger win and how local golf pro, Michael Nutt, has gone viral because of it. With all the snow in Alberta, they also chat about playing golf on the warm side of the Rockies, along with some tips on safely golfing with a baby.

Todd Halpen (@golfproyyc) joins Ryan and Leah as we continue our discussions leading up to the Masters, and we get completely nerded out about golf. Negative gamma beta force? Punishments to help your mental game? We've got it all right here.

Todd Halpen from the Golf Canada Calgary Centre joins Ryan and Leah to preview the Masters! We only get started on Part 1 - make sure you stay tuned later today for Part 2 where we (okay, Todd) totally geeks out on golf.

Leah and Ryan chat about the WGC Dell Match Play and more controversies involving Sergio and Kuch. More discussion around course openings and the Alberta's FAVOURITE Course March Madness brackets and the huge buzz it has created. We look forward to the Ladies Amateur at August as we get amped up for the first Major of the year - the Masters. What's your favourite Major of the PGA Tour Season? Join our Masters Pool - see the website for more information. www.golflifeab.com

Leah and Ryan chat about course openings (!!!), we hear from one of Alberta's top Juniors, and we discuss the hardest holes in Alberta. What hole is in your kitchen?

Leah and Ryan recap the Players, Rory finally closing, and of course rules issues. Then the #MarchMadness bracket gets thrown out as we want you to vote for your favourite course in Alberta! We also chat with Callaway Staffer Craig Dale about the importance of being professionally fit for golf clubs. Reminder: next week is the #MailbagPodcast!

Join Leah and Ryan as they break down Arnie's Invitational at Bay Hill and look forward to The Players - is it the "5th Major"? They also talk about all of the venues hosting Alberta Golf Tour tournaments this season and why you should look forward to some of them. A last minute addition/change to the schedule, and looking for a Pro to give Ryan some putting lessons... PLEASE! We also let you know how you can get certified as a Level 2 Rules Official and a little teaser for the #GolfLife Alberta March Madness that's about to go down!

Join us this week as we [once again] go over rules shenanigans from the PGA Tour, and we spend some time with Lisa "Longball" Vlooswyk discussing her beginnings in golf and long drive, what we can expect from her this year, her passion for women's golf, and one of her coolest experiences yet!

Join us this week as we talk to Josh Strukoff from @golfismental. We talk all things golf with him, and his hate for the mallet putter, if his wife still dresses him, how sore his shoulders are from carrying his match play team, and his fave golf tracks in Alberta. We also discuss Rickie's penalty from last week and how we feel the new drop rule could be improved.

This week we discuss the PGA Tour Genesis Open... and how slow it was. Tiger, Rory, Jordan, Justin, and Kuch are also topics of interest. Is Kuch a bad person? We talk to Scott Stiles about what does it really take to make it big on Tour, and Rob Wilson from VIP Golf about new programs that have been released with his membership this year. We also hear from Calgary Stampeders' Quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell about why he loves the game of golf, what his goals are for the year, and losing to his jellybean-loving wife! We discuss the rule... recommendation of pace of play in the Rules of Golf and want your feedback for next week's mailbag podcast!

Ryan and Leah chat about the professional tours, and update you on the new Rules (and terminology) changes in the 2019 Rules of Golf. Today's topic: Casual Water... I mean, Temporary Water.

We have got some big news for you as we begin Season 2! Take a listen.

Join us for our final episode of Season 1 as we catch up on the past few weeks and wrap up our first season of the Golf Life Alberta Podcast!

Leah and Darren discuss Darren's terrible Ryder Cup pick, but that is not the most interesting topic in this week's episode. We need your thoughts! We want your feedback and opinions on the legalization of marijuana on golf courses. Tell us your point of view!We also go over a couple of confusing rules - 1 of which is a big one being changed for 2019. Get your learn on and let us know what rules situations you want to hear us talk about in future episodes!

We're baaaaaack! After a couple month yatus (sorry, Big Brother fan here), we are back on the air! We explain where we've been, catch up on what's been happening in the golf world, and start to duke it out debating these Ryder Cup Matches. (Disclaimer: we recorded on the Thursday before the matches started, so apologies for the info being dated by the time this gets posted) We catch up on the local stuff with Callaway Chip Shots, and start a new segment about better understanding the Rules of Golf.

We're a little bit late this week due to more travel, but we catch you up on #TheKidd's traveling golf show - this time at the FCG Callaway World Championship in Palm Desert - his first time ever on a world stage. We also talk golf's 3rd Major of the year: THE OPEN. Who are our picks and what controversies are arising this year?

Leah & Darren catch up on the AGT (and their respective wins!), as well as Tyler Kidd's road on the Drive, Chip, Putt circuit. We hear more about what the Qualifier was like and where he goes from here. Who will win the $10 million match between Phil and Tiger? And, a new AGT Hotseat!

Just in case you were wondering about how Leah REALLY feels about pace of play... she goes on a bit (a lot) of a rant in this episode, and we're pretty sure it's not the last time we'll hear about it from her. Darren spends time interviewing one of the most accomplished Alberta golfers - Wes Heffernan - about his recent tournament play (and win!).