The Alberta Open presented by SVR Lawyers tees off in Ponoka this week, as the top male athletes in both pro and amateur leagues take to the links at Wolf Creek Golf Resort on Tuesday. 

Alberta Golf has been working hard to keep players on the green through the last few months, and Kevin Smith, Communications Coordinator for the organization, said they have taken every precaution to ensure players are safe during this week's championship. 

With $27,000 in prize money on the line, Smith says he expects a great few days of gold, and is looking forward to seeing who takes home the $7,000 pro grand prize. 

"First and foremost, we're just really happy we can run a golf tournament this summer. We didn't think that would be the case back in April," Smith said. 

"This will be the top male players you'll see all summer long in Alberta. We've got the top professional players as well as the top amateur players, including college players and those who haven't turned professional yet."

Last year, Wolf Creek Golf Resort hosted the Men's Amateur Championship where Camrose native Andrew Harrison took the top spot. Harrison is coming back as the defending champion of the Alberta Open after setting a course record during last year's event, where he shot five under 67. 

"Last year, I played really well and had a lot of confidence and won the Alberta Am at this course, so it's good to have some good memories and know my way around this course pretty well," he said. 

It's been a few months for most of the participants since they've played in a competitive tournament, but Harrison said he's ready to get back to it. 

"It's been a few months since I've been out competing, and it's just good to get back out there with the guys for sure."

Since last year, Harrison took the confidence of his win and decided to make the change into a professional player status. 

"(After) competing with the top guys here and winning - you know, if you're not winning at this level then I don't think you should be going to the next level, so it was good to get a few wins last year. I played really solid all summer long and that gave me the confidence to turn pro, so this year I'll be playing for the money."

Harrison said that the chance to start "at the bottom of the totem pole" in the pro league will give him the challenge and skills he needs to further his game. 

Last week, Lacombe local Brady McKinlay took part in the 2020 Men's Amateur Championship in Medicine Hat, and he said although he didn't do as well as he'd hoped, he's feeling ready to get back into competition and give it a good shot. 

McKinlay said it's been a weird year with the first tournament in July rather than March, but ultimately, it's just exciting to be back in competition mode. 

“When you’re out playing with your buddies, it’s not quite the same. You sort of get into a different mode of play when you’re in a tournament, so it brings a good edge and I usually play better.”

McKinlay got a bit of a late start to his career, only moving heavy into the competitive side at 15. Now, four years later, he's played in three Canadian Junior Championships and the Canadian Men's Amateur Championship and is heading off to Utah Valley University to join a few fellow Canadians on the school's team.

He said the intense atmosphere of American college sports is only going to help him get better and that he's looking forward to stepping up to the challenge. 

"If anything, I think it’ll give me even more of an edge. I think I take myself pretty professionally, even playing amateur events. They take their golf and school sports very seriously, so if anything, it gives you more time to prepare and more skills to get you into the groove. I think it’ll do nothing but help me get to that next level," he said. 

After the hiatus in competitive play, McKinlay said he's looking forward to getting his stride back and will be taking that confidence through this week's Open and into his college career.