ALBERTA MAY SEE AFFORDABLE GOLF PROGRAM
U.S.-based Youth on Course seeks to grow sport by subsidizing rounds for youngsters
This could be the best thing that has happened to golf since hickory clubs were replaced by metal shafts: $5 rounds of golf for anyone seven to 18 years of age.
Started in Northern California in 2006, Youth on Course could be coming to Alberta as early as next year.
“We’re all about growing the game and making golf affordable for kids. For many kids, wanting to take up golf the game is just too expensive,” Youth on Course executive director Adam Heieck said in a presentation to members of Alberta Golf.
From just one course, Youth on Course has expanded exponentially. So far this year, it has 41,000 members and 915 participating courses in 26 states.
Last year alone, 115,000 rounds were played by members, who pay $15 to $20 a year to join.
Here’s how it works. The rounds are subsidized through private contributions from individuals, foundations and corporations, all administered through Youth on Course.
As an example, the Northern California Golf Association annually contributes $700,000.
“Let’s say a course is willing to charge $12 for their junior rate,” said Heieck. “To make the fee $5, Youth on Course makes up the $7 difference.
“If 100 rounds are played every month, we send the course a cheque for $700.
Heieck said 650,000 rounds have been played by members since Youth on Course’s inception.
“The core purpose of Youth on Course is to provide youth with the access to life-changing opportunities in golf,” he said.
“It was born out of a need, not a want, and it can change the landscape of golf.
The core purpose of Youth on Course is to provide youth with the access to life-changing opportunities in golf.
“It also brings adults into the game, too, because 50 per cent of the kids that join up bring a paying adult.”
Can it work in Canada?
“Of course,” said Heieck. “I don’t know how soon it will expand to Canada, but Alberta Golf has expressed the most interest and we would love to partner with them. We’d like to get half a dozen courses in Edmonton and half a dozen in Calgary.
“We want this in Alberta and next year could be that year.”
Phil Berube, executive director and CEO of Alberta Golf, was just as succinct.
“Absolutely it can work here. The Alberta Golf Association community rallies around ideas like this. They are not afraid to try new things and take their risks,” said Berube.
“It’s time to think about junior golf differently.”
■ Lewis Estates’ Cole Ruelling, 16, continued his fine season, winning the two-day McLennan Ross Tour stop at Goose Hummock with back-to-back 68s to win by a staggering 12 shots.
Ruelling, who recently won McLennan Ross events at WhiteTail Crossing and Wetaskiwin’s Montgomery Glen, also won the Canadian Junior Golf Association’s two-day David Hearn Series at Rocky View’s HeatherGlen, firing off rounds of 72-70 to win by five shots.
Jonathan Meng took the junior boys (born 2004 and later) division at the McLennan Ross stop at Lacombe with an 80, one better than the Edmonton Country Club’s Brody Smith. Broadmoor’s Mitch Desjarlais and Royal Mayfair’s Chris Otto tied for second in the overall with 75s, three behind Lacombe’s Chase Broderson.
■ The Subaru City Edmonton Amateur, which was postponed earlier this year, will now be played at the recently renovated Sturgeon Valley golf course Aug. 26 and 27.
■ To register, go to egagolf.org. The 2018 Melcor Jiffy Lube Edmonton Junior Championship, our city’s oldest and most prestigious junior event, will be held Aug. 14 and 15 at the Edmonton Petroleum Golf and Country Club.
Registration is also at egagolf. org.
■ Blackhawk’s Jacques Plouffe and his partner Paul Yasinski finished one shot back with a net 64 in the PGA of Alberta’s ProSenior at Highlands.
NOTED
Playing in an Alberta Golf Tour event at the Jasper Park Lodge, St. Albert’s Peter Blandy aced No. 15 with an eight-iron from 139 yards for his third hole-inone.
Two more aces at Windermere. Nick Gerke, also notching his third ace, got his latest at Windermere when he used a six-iron from 184 yards on No. 15. Rod Yaremko, with his sixth, holed out on No. 5 from 143 yards with a six-iron.
The ninth ace of the season at the Petroleum Club was authored by Katherine Wilson on No. 15 from 90 yards with a sand wedge.
Rick Daviss tamed No. 5 on the Champions Nine at The Legends with a seven-iron from 132 yards.
Congrats to Krystyna Jackson for her hole-in-one on No. 7 at Sandpiper with a seven-iron from 130 yards on No. 7.
At Cougar Creek, Bruce McKinnon, 74, used a five-hybrid from 146 yards for a hole-in-one on No. 14.
At RedTail Landing, it was Peter Ormshaw on No. 8 from 134 yards with a pitching wedge. And at Highlands, Sandy Nugent took care of No. 3 with an eightiron from 90 yards.
Sunday, John Graham got his first hole-in-one shortly after celebrating his 65th birthday in June, acing the No. 8 hole at the Legends on the Champions course.