World Golf Hall of Famer Bernhard Langer works with future champion Gavin McDougall in a junior golf clinic at Calgary's Canyon Meadows Golf Club ahead of the Rogers Charity Classic on Tuesday, August 18, 2026. Brent Calver/Postmedia Photo by Brent Calver/Postmedia /Brent Calver/Postmedia

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Gavin McDougall soaked in the suggestions of legendary golfer Bernhard Langer on Tuesday.

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“I need to keep my body down until I finish my swing,” said the young Calgarian. “And he said I need to change my grip. He wants me to get used to it, and he thinks I’d be have some better shots if I change my grip.”

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Langer doled out the wisdom during a teaching clinic for the next generation of local golfers at Canyon Meadows Golf & Country Club just days ahead of the 2026 Rogers Charity Classic.

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McDougall was among the young Albertans under Langer tutelage, as the German sports legend shared swing tips and tricks, as well as insights into how to perform under pressure. After the clinic, the juniors took the opportunity to take a few swings and receive pointers from the talented PGA TOUR Champions player.

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“It’s pretty amazing,” said Gavin’s dad, Scott. “He’s just really started here in the last year, so to to get a lesson from a master’s champ and just somebody I grew up seeing is pretty cool.”

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It’s pretty cool for the two-time Masters champ himself, who is one of the stars to watch at this year’s Rogers Charity Classic.

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“Oh … it’s fantastic,” said Langer, 68. “Yeah, that’s the next generation. We’ve got to work with the youth, so they enjoy the game and they fall in love with it and support the future. And it’s great to see. There’s so much joy in there, and they’re inquisitive. They want to know certain things, and they obviously love hitting the ball because they’re all active.”

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Langer teamed up with eight PGA of Alberta golf professionals to help inspire Alberta youth by holding a clinic for nearly 80 Calgary kids in an afternoon teaching session.

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They also enjoyed a barbecue lunch in the Patron Skybox on the 18th hole prior to heading to the upper driving range at the city’s celebrated club to participate in the private clinic.

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“I think the key is to have fun, you know?” added Langer, who has amassed a record 47 PGA TOUR Champions victories, including 29 since turning 57 and an unprecedented 14 wins after his 60th birthday.

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“So do a lot of short game — maybe putting, chipping, bunker shots — because when they’re very young, their attention span is not very long. So you gotta make it fun. Maybe bring in a friend or somebody they can hang out with and play little games with each other and teach them good fundamentals, so they don’t learn something that is not good, and then they have to unlearn it in the years to come.”

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WHAT IS THE GOLF SCHEDULE?

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It’s nearly go-time at the Rogers Charity Classic.

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RBC Championship Pro-Ams go early Wednesday and Thursday at Canyon Meadows, with gates opening at 7 a.m.

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Then Friday morning, the tour stars tee off beginning at 10 a.m.

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Round 2 follows Saturday at 10 a.m. with tee-times.

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And Sunday’s final round wraps up the event, with starting times at 10 a.m.