Learn-to-golf program puts city students in the swing of things
When you talk about growing the game of golf, is there anything that’s been better for the sport than the national Golf in Schools program?
Probably not. Especially in the Edmonton area.
Started in 2009 as a joint program designed by Golf Canada, the PGA of Canada and in partnership with Physical and Health Education Canada, over 3,000 elementary, junior high and high schools have now introduced golf into their physical education classes.
Over 100 are in the Edmonton area alone.
“I’m not surprised as much as ecstatic about how fast it has grown,” said Kelly Dawdy, senior co-ordinator of youth development for Golf Canada.
“We started in elementary schools, then we went to high schools in 2012, and last year we introduced an intermediate level program so now we’re in all levels of grade school from 1 to 12.”
Edmonton’s Kensington school is the latest to sign up.
The program is being run in honour of former district employee and phys-ed consultant Mike Hay, who was passionate about both the importance of Physical Education and golf. An avid golfer, a tournament in his honour is being played Monday at Lewis Estates, where he was a marshal.
A charity called Mike’s Kids was set up in his memory. So far, more than $8,000 has been raised.
“I have to thank Mike’s Kids, the ladies at the Glendale Golf and Country Club and the Kensington School parent council for supporting the purchase of equipment,” said Kensington principal Patti Christensen.
The cost to participate in the Golf in Schools program is $475 for elementary schools, $635 for intermediates and $795 for high schools.
Individuals are also welcome to adopt a school.
“The vision is to see it in every school across Canada,” said Enid Botchett, a volunteer for Golf Canada and Alberta Golf and a former governor with Golf Canada. “The potential to grow golf is huge.”
Visit golfinschools.golfcanada.ca for information or call toll-free 1-800-263-0009, ext. 475.
For further information about Mike’s Kids contact Botchett at enidbotchett@shaw.ca
SCENE
The Edmonton Ladies Amateur runs the same two days as this week’s Scott Venturo Alberta Open at RedTail.
With a break in the Mackenzie Tour-PGA Tour Canada schedule, it’s a star-loaded cast.
Five-time tournament champion Wes Heffernan, two-time champion (2013 and 2014) Riley Fleming, three-time Canadian Tour winner Dustin Risdon, reigning Men’s Am champion Brett Hogan and other past champions including Jamie Kureluk (2010) and Brandon Markiw (2004) will all be teeing it up.
Not to be left out are top threats like reigning Match Play champion Patrick Murphy, reigning Canadian University/College champion the, Scott Secord, and last year’s runners-up, Tyler Saunders, Todd Halpen and Darryl James.
NOTED
Devon head pro Scott Borsa won a four-man playoff on the first extra hole at Jagare Ridge’s Alberta PGA event after he almost drove the 310-yard, dogleg left, lagged up to a couple of feet and made the easy birdie.
Tying for second were Cardiff ’s Chris Toth, who almost jarred his approach shot and then missed the 8-foot putt, Golf-TEC Edmonton’s Jordan Maclean and Scott Smith from Calgary Bearspaw. All four golfers finished at evenpar 71.
Jenna Bruggeman, who recently won the Maple Leaf Junior Tour stop at Banff, finished second in the U-15 girls division at Red Deer’s River Bend golf club.
Tom Radford aced No. 12 at Victoria with a 52-degree wedge from 109 yards out.
Shubeg Brar used a 7-wood from 175 yards out to score a hole-in-one on the No. 5 hole at Eagle Rock.
At Highlands, Steve Windlinger aced No. 7 from 185 yards with a 5-iron.
Rick Steenbergen scored his hole-in-one at Mill Woods using a gap wedge from 131 yards out.
Brent Lewis notched his 6th hole-in-one when he aced No. 4 at Camrose from 170 yards with a 5-iron.
And finally, at Raven Crest, it was Allan Koshka, a member since the course opened in 1993, who aced the 15th hole with an 8-iron from 145 yards out.