Edmonton (September 8, 2021) – Crowe MacKay LLP is proud to be a committed sponsor of the McLennan Ross Junior Golf Tour for 10 years. The tour, hosted by Alberta Golf, kicked off in July hosting 25 tournaments within an eight-week period. Young, northern Albertans travelled the province from Barrhead to Lethbridge to be challenged, golfing at an elite level but in a fun and competitive environment. 

Don Smith, a now-retired Partner from the Edmonton office, shares how 10 years ago Crowe MacKay saw this sponsorship as "a way to give back to the community." For a decade, he has seen first-hand the impact the sponsorship has had on youth, "I cannot count the number of times parents have thanked me and the firm for sponsoring such a great series of events. They truly appreciate the development in their children, beyond the game of golf."

Don has seen how the tournament has provided lasting value, shaping the inter-personal skills and integrity of the young athletes as well their ability to perform in competitive situations. Kevin Smith, Director of Communication with Alberta Golf, agrees that the tour provides more than improving golf skills and learning how to handle adversity, but also makes competitors "much more confident in their social interactions." 

With many athletes benefiting from the competitive environment, Paul Harris, Managing Director of the Crowe MacKay Edmonton office, also sees "supporting the tour as a means of caring for the post-secondary education of participants." Each year, close to 50 scholarships and $50,000 is distributed to deserving athletes through the Alberta Golf Association Foundation. With so many opportunities provided to the young competitors, Paul is honored to have the firm support the Tour for so many years.

Crowe MacKay's longstanding support has allowed the tour to expand. In the last five years, Don has seen the impact of our sponsorship, recognizing at least six competitors at the Canadian Amateur Women's Championship who've participated in the McLennan Ross Junior Tour. Kevin Smith shares that this season alone brought in over 1,000 youth to the Tour, a decade-high attendance number that he shares "wouldn't have been possible without the support of Crowe MacKay." As a token of Alberta Golf's appreciation for our continued support, Crowe MacKay Edmonton team members were invited to a sponsor appreciation day that took place at the Wolf Creek Golf course. 

Alberta Golf was incorporated in 1912 and continues today as a non-profit organization. The group promotes golf for everyone. Their mission is to break down barriers for new, young, and disabled players through different programs and competitions, provide high-level tournaments for elite players, and scholarship opportunities for young athletes with potential.

With a corporate culture of care, Corporate Social Responsibility is a guiding pillar at Crowe MacKay. Paul is "proud [to] support an event that offers so many benefits to the community [he lives and serves] and [looks] forward to next year."

Read about this year's McLennan Ross Junior Tour champions Jayla Kucy and Christian Flick