Alberta Golf acquires ElleGolf to expand women's participation

What's the deal? Alberta Golf has officially acquired ElleGolf, a women's golf programme founded in 1997 by Lori McDonald. The programme has introduced more than 5,000 women across Alberta — primarily in Calgary and Edmonton — to the sport over nearly three decades.

As part of the transition, Alberta Golf will work with McDonald throughout the 2026 season to learn ElleGolf's programming and community approach. Full operational responsibility transfers to Alberta Golf in 2027.

Why now? ElleGolf is approaching its 30th anniversary, and McDonald is stepping back from what she described as "a 30-year journey filled with laughter, learning, connections, and so many wonderful relationships." The timing gives Alberta Golf a full season to shadow the programme before taking over.

What could go wrong? ElleGolf's success has been deeply tied to McDonald's personal touch and community relationships. Transferring that culture to a provincial governing body is no small task. Current members were promised continuity, but scaling a grassroots programme into new regions risks diluting what made it work in the first place.

The signal: The deal reflects a broader push to lower barriers to entry in golf — a sport that has historically struggled with accessibility and inclusivity. Alberta Golf plans to use ElleGolf as a blueprint to strengthen other women's golf initiatives across the province, signalling that growth in the sport increasingly depends on reaching underserved demographics.

"Getting started in golf requires patience and someone to lend a hand and lead the way," said Phil Berube, Alberta Golf's chief executive officer. "Lori's ability to connect with people and her passion for developing the women's game over the past 30 years has resulted in so many new players taking up the sport in our province."

Read more: albertagolf.org