Latest news with #VanKesteren


Edmonton Journal
7 days ago
- Climate
- Edmonton Journal
Rainy summer makes for thick rough at 'juicy' Rogers Charity Classic
The rain, rain went away. Article content Just in time for the 2025 Rogers Charity Classic at Canyon Meadows Golf and Country Club. Article content And much to the delight of tournament boss Sean Van Kesteren, for many reasons. Article content 'The course is still a little moist, but it's in the best shape it's ever been, and we're getting lots of great comments from the golfers,' said Rogers Charity Classic executive director Van Kesteren. 'The greens are always the best here at Canyon Meadows. But the rough and everything around the golf course is looking like Augusta right now. Article content Article content Sounds exactly what golf fans want to hear ahead of the Calgary-hosted PGA Tour Champions event — the 13th of its kind for the world's best golfers age 50-plus — which begins Friday and runs through Sunday. Article content 'Juicy means it takes a lot more effort to get the ball out of the rough and you don't have a lot more accuracy and control,' Van Kesteren said. 'And that's fun. That's what golf should be. Article content 'You should be penalized if you don't hit the fairway.' Article content Article content Indeed, the golf stars aiming to cash in at the US$2.5-million event are already feeling the aftermath of Calgary's rainy summer during practice rounds and prep sessions at Canyon Meadows. Article content Word is the rough has risen to a height seen only in the first year of the event back in 2013. Article content But even moreso is grab of the growth under their feet when they're a few feet off the fairways. Article content Article content 'It's not much taller than it normally would be, but it's way thicker,' said Canyon Meadows head golf pro Matt Freeman. 'Like it is really thick. Article content 'In member play last week, people were looking for golf balls in the rough for upwards of three minutes. In our club championships, the scores were a little higher than normal and the ball searches were drastic. Article content Article content 'You never know, because when the greens are perfect, it's all about putting,' Van Kesteren said. 'When the greens are perfect, low scores happen no matter what. Like when Rocco Mediate won the first year (with a Rogers record 19-under score), we had really tough rough then, too. Article content 'But he didn't miss any fairways or miss any greens, really.'


Calgary Herald
7 days ago
- Climate
- Calgary Herald
Rainy summer makes for thick rough at 'juicy' Rogers Charity Classic
The rain, rain went away. Article content Just in time for the 2025 Rogers Charity Classic at Canyon Meadows Golf and Country Club. Article content And much to the delight of tournament boss Sean Van Kesteren, for many reasons. Article content 'The course is still a little moist, but it's in the best shape it's ever been, and we're getting lots of great comments from the golfers,' said Rogers Charity Classic executive director Van Kesteren. 'The greens are always the best here at Canyon Meadows. But the rough and everything around the golf course is looking like Augusta right now. Article content Sounds exactly what golf fans want to hear ahead of the Calgary-hosted PGA Tour Champions event — the 13th of its kind for the world's best golfers age 50-plus — which begins Friday and runs through Sunday. Article content 'Juicy means it takes a lot more effort to get the ball out of the rough and you don't have a lot more accuracy and control,' Van Kesteren said. 'And that's fun. That's what golf should be. Article content 'You should be penalized if you don't hit the fairway.' Article content Article content Indeed, the golf stars aiming to cash in at the US$2.5-million event are already feeling the aftermath of Calgary's rainy summer during practice rounds and prep sessions at Canyon Meadows. Article content Word is the rough has risen to a height seen only in the first year of the event back in 2013. Article content But even moreso is grab of the growth under their feet when they're a few feet off the fairways. Article content Article content 'It's not much taller than it normally would be, but it's way thicker,' said Canyon Meadows head golf pro Matt Freeman. 'Like it is really thick. Article content 'In member play last week, people were looking for golf balls in the rough for upwards of three minutes. In our club championships, the scores were a little higher than normal and the ball searches were drastic. Article content 'It's a much different year than others.' Article content Article content 'You never know, because when the greens are perfect, it's all about putting,' Van Kesteren said. 'When the greens are perfect, low scores happen no matter what. Like when Rocco Mediate won the first year (with a Rogers record 19-under score), we had really tough rough then, too. Article content 'But he didn't miss any fairways or miss any greens, really.'