Top amateur female golfers from around the world will descend on Red Deer next summer.

The 2019 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, which is considered Canada’s oldest golf championship according to Golf Canada, is taking place at the Red Deer Golf and Country Club (RDGCC) from July 22nd to 26th.

RDGCC General Manager Don McFarlane said the golf club applied for the prestigious championship because the club was ‘well-suited’ for it.

“We think it is a good fit for the golf course and will bring higher exposure to the community and our course,” he said. “We like that there are more international competitors in it. That appealed to us.”

As a private facility, McFarlane said the club is obligated to host certain provincial or national events, “As a way of growing the game and giving back to the game.”

In 2018, 156 top female amateur players from 14 different countries participated in the tournament.

Canadian professional golfer Brooke Henderson, who is a Ladies Professional Golf Association star and considered to be one of the top female golfers in the world, won the championship in 2013.

Coordinator of Competitions with Golf Canada Dan Hyatt said Golf Canada ensures the event is held at different locations across Canada each year. Last year, the tournament was hosted at Marine Drive Golf and Country Club in Vancouver. In 2019, hosting the event falls to Alberta.

“The Red Deer Golf and Country Club put in a bid and they were the successful applicant,” Hyatt said. “They’ve got a lot of history with holding provincial championships and have people on their staff who have worked some big events. We couldn’t have picked a better spot to host this year’s championship.”

Outside of Alberta, Red Deer’s golf club, “Is considered a hidden gem,” he said.

“It has got potential. There is a lot of character to the golf course and it will be a true test for the ladies that do come and compete, both the Canadian players and the international players.”

The announcement was made in late November at the Red Deer Golf and Country Club.