Category: Blog

Small Town Makes Big Impact

In August 2023, the small town of Gladstone, Manitoba joined forces with the newly launched First Tee – Prairies program to create more accessible pathways to junior golf and make a positive impact on youth in their community.  

Ivan Milne, the president of Gladstone Golf and Country Club, recognized the potential of First Tee – Prairies programming and was a huge part of bringing this initiative to life.  

“I’ve always loved golf, and when I saw First Tee was coming to Canada, I knew it was something our community needed and could benefit from,” Milne shared. 

The Westlake – Gladstone area has a population of 3,100 and faces unique challenges such as limited access to organized sports, proper equipment, and certified coaches.  

That is where First Tee – Prairies stepped in.  

There are currently six schools, Austin Elementary, Langruth Elementary, Plumas Elementary, Isaac Beaulieu Memorial School, Gladstone Elementary, and William Morton Collegiate, delivering First Tee – Prairies programming to students through their phys. Ed curriculum.  

First Tee – Prairies provides online training for teachers, necessary equipment and turnkey lesson plans to deliver programming, all at no cost to the schools or participants.  

Additionally, in Sandy Bay Ojibway First Nation, Recreational Director and First Tee – Prairies coach, Jesse Spence, has witnessed firsthand the positive impact First Tee has made on the community. 

“Being a part of this program is so rewarding,” said Spence. “Without First Tee, many kids would not be exposed to golf or think of golf as a sport for them. My goal is to introduce them to golf here at school and make it fun and inviting so that they want to try it again.”  

Sandy Bay’s Councillor, Jason Starr, and Educational Director, Rene Roulette have also helped grow the program within Sandy Bay.  

In addition to Spence, four other dedicated coaches from the Westlake – Gladstone area including Darcy Zairwney, Mirv Spence, Morris Pelletier and Jason Lucas attended First Tee coach training administered by the PGA of Canada this spring.  

“This is different than your regular junior golf program, it’s bigger than golf,” said coach Zairwney. “Each lesson plan integrates valuable life lessons learned through golf. We discuss the value of honesty when teaching them about scoring, perseverance after you hit a bad shot, self-confidence to believe you can sink that putt, the importance of respect and etiquette on the course, and more.” 

Gladstone Golf and Country Club offers registered on-course programming and field trips for local schools and community organizations.  

“We hope that many children can call First Tee – Prairies and Gladstone Golf Club home,” said Milne. “We want to ensure that kids from all backgrounds feel welcome here and find a sense of comfort on the course.”  

First Tee came to Canada in 2021 and is Golf Canada’s youth development program that provides life-enhancing experiences through golf to children from all backgrounds. First Tee – Prairies is one of six chapters operating programming in its respective regions across the country. 

Although newer to the Prairies, First Tee has engaged over 30,000 youth with free golf programming since last summer, across nearly 40 program locations in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. 

This is only the beginning of a lasting impact First Tee – Prairies aims to have on this community.  

“Who knows, the next Brooke Henderson or Corey Conners may come out of Gladstone,” said Milne. “If not, hopefully we created a golfer for life, or at the very least provided a positive impact on a child’s development through the sport we love.” 

The growth of First Tee across the Prairies is made possible by a network of generous individuals and corporations who champion youth. If you are interested in donating to help First Tee – Prairies’ mission, please click here.  

How to make your golf course more inclusive

At First Tee – Prairies, we value inclusivity and acceptance. There are many impactful ways you can make your golf course a more inclusive environment to everyone that visits.  

Offer diverse programming 

Provide a variety of programs or events for different ages, skill levels, and backgrounds. This includes golf programming for youth from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, specific tee times throughout the week for beginners, and encouraging women’s participation through women’s leagues or tournaments.  

Get involved with your community 

Build connections with local schools, community groups and organizations nearby to promote golf. This helps introduce golf and encourages participation among a range of individuals – from youth to retired folks who may have not thought of golf as a sport for them.  

Provide accessible facilities  

To ensure that everyone feels welcomed and accommodated at your course, restrooms, parking and walkways should be accessible to individuals of all abilities. Many courses also have gender neutral washrooms available.  

Educate your staff 

Provide education on diversity and inclusion to ensure that everyone feels respected and valued when they visit your course. At First Tee – Prairies, we require all staff, coaches and volunteers to complete the Respect Group training program, as well as upholding Safe Sport Policies.  

Provide affordable options 

Financial barriers should never stand in the way of enjoying the game. Offering equipment rentals, affordable lessons, and special membership packages such as family rates or student rates are all options that can contribute to a more inclusive course.  

Promote diversity  

Highlight a diverse range of golfers, coaches, and staff at your course and through your online channels. In addition, think of ways your course can celebrate or acknowledge days of diversity such as pride month. 

Get involved with First Tee – Prairies

Become a Program Location  

First Tee is offered at golf courses across the country. If you’re interested in becoming a program location, click here: https://firstteeprairies.ca/get-involved/facilities/become-a-program-location/

Green Fees Grow the Game

In a few simple steps, you can support your community by adding a $1 donation to each green fee. Learn more about how to get started: https://firstteecanada.ca/greenfees/

For Every Flower That Blooms: First Tee – BC and Musqueam Golf and Learning Academy

Pathways to success often depend on access to experiences and opportunities. Unfortunately, across Canada, many children all too often lack the resources or access to empowering extracurricular activities, such as sports or organized recreation.

Knowing the positive impact that sport can have on a child’s life, Golf Canada’s junior programming through First Tee strives to break down barriers to accessing the game of golf. First Tee – Canada provides inclusive youth development activities to participants as young as five years old, using golf as a vehicle to support the personal growth and confidence of children.  

First Tee – Canada programming is offered at golf courses, schools, and community centres in regions across the country with specifically designed curriculum and instructor training for each of these impactful learning environments.

On traditional Musqueam First Nation territory alongside the Fraser River lies The Musqueam Golf and Learning Academy. This tree-lined golf course and driving range [in/near Vancouver, B.C.] is home to First Tee – British Columbia.

The delivery of First Tee – BC programming at Musqueam Golf and Learning Academy began in the fall of 2021 and despite the program’s infancy, there has been an outpouring of positive feedback from the community.

“These kids have been using golf as an outlet, (and) feel a sense of inclusion and safety at the golf course,” says Musqueam Golf and Learning Academy General Manager Kumi Kimura. “They never knew how much fun golf was and that it [can] help as a healthy escape from [a sometimes] not so healthy world.”

Registration for 12 participant spots fills up quickly. The hour-long sessions are grouped by age, varying from seven to 12, and coached by PGA of Canada professional Kelvin Ko and First-Tee Certified Coach Jody Kinsman. Along with learning the fundamental skills of golf, children experience the opportunity to develop or further reinforce many of the life skills and values learned through sport.

Kimura shared a personal story of the opportunity First Tee – BC presented to siblings participating in the program—children who were dealing with familial troubles at home and seeking a positive outlet.

“(To) get out of the house, and still be together as siblings, they found refuge here. They fell for the game… I knew this was not something the kids could afford, however, through First Tee activities, we are beginning to support their development and provide for them as a community.”

For some children, sport can the mean the world; a positive escape where individuals learn about themselves, build confidence, understand commitment, and develop healthy habits—all values worth carrying for life. Together with the support and generosity of donors, First Tee – BC and Musqueam Golf and Learning Academy have introduced the sport of golf to children who might not have otherwise experienced the game.

@musqueamgolf

Golf has often battled a perception that the game is exclusive to the affluent. By creating “hubs” consisting of schools, community centres, and accessible golf courses within a small radius, First Tee – Canada is working to debunk that perception, one community at a time. And with a strong philanthropic community of donors supporting First Tee – Canada, many program locations provide equipment and offer registration at no cost.

In striving to be a world leader in the sport, Golf Canada is committed to changing the face of golf to better reflect the multicultural strength of the Canadian population. First Tee – Canada is providing opportunities, relationships, and experiences for children that are laying the foundation for a more diverse game.

“I believe these are stories that need to be told,” says Kimura. “Golf is no longer an elitist game, but a game for all people, in the good time and the bad.”

The relationship that First Tee – BC has created with the Musqueam community, and the positive impact on participants is a testament to the power of sport, and better yet, the future legacy of First Tee – Canada. 

Colby Johannson

The program’s impact on youth is reflective of the facility’s impact in its community. The name Musqueam relates back to the flowering plant, məθkʷəy̓, which grows in the Fraser River estuary. Like flowers, children grow and develop in different ways, in a healthy, safe, enriching environment.

By virtue of the land, the collaborative efforts of First Tee – BC, Musqueam Golf and Learning Academy, and the game of golf, for every flower that blooms this summer, a child will too.

If you are interested in donating to First Tee – British Columbia please click here or contact Development Officer Ben Neumer at [email protected].

-30-