DORVAL, Qué. – CN and Golf Canada have announced that CN is adopting 15 local schools from the Montreal region to deliver the game of golf to local students.
More than 60 students from École Marguerite-Bourgeoys in Pointe-Claire, Qué. celebrated with a one-day field trip event on Wednesday October 8th at Golf Dorval, receiving lessons in putting, chipping and driving from Operations Manager, Jean-Guy Côté. As part of their ongoing commitment to junior golf, CN has adopted more than 100 schools in various markets across the country into the Golf in Schools program since 2013.
“Our school board is very proud to be associated with Golf Canada, the PGA of Canada and CN in this wonderful initiative,” said Sandy Farr, Physical Education and Health Consultant for the English Montreal School Board. “In order to graduate life long, active learners, our physical education and health programs must encompass basic developmental skills at the elementary level and expose students to a variety of active living choices, such as golf. In doing so, we hope that many more EMSB students will choose to play golf, both as students and as active adults.”
This marks the third group of schools adopted by CN as part of the CN Future Links Community Tour, which consists of three community festivals each year, intended to share the health and wellness values of golf. Montreal’s tour stop took place earlier this summer during the 2014 RBC Canadian Open at the Royal Montreal Golf Club. Saskatoon and Sarnia received visits earlier in the year. Each Community Tour event engages community youth and festival attendees in various golf activities as well as rail safety tips from CN Police.
“CN is proud to support the future of the game and the health and well-being of our children by introducing the next generation of golfers to the game,” said Claude Mongeau, CN President and Chief Executive Officer. “We believe that Golf Canada’s vision to grow the sport aligns well with our corporate values to promote the health and wellness of children in communities across Canada. “Golf and its inherent values are good for our children and we are pleased to be bringing Canada’s national junior golf program to communities across Canada.” CN has been a driving force in Canadian junior golf since becoming title sponsor CN Future Links in 2006.
“Montreal is an important part of CN’s network across Canada as the home of our corporate head offices. Just as CN plays a vital role transporting products to markets, we welcome the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to youth in communities across Canada by helping Golf Canada and the PGA of Canada grow junior golf through the CN Future Links program,” said Mr. Mongeau.
Current CN Future Links programming includes the ‘Learn to Play’ program as well as mobile clinics, the Junior Skills Challenge, PGA Jr. League, Girls Club and the CN Future Links Championships. As part of its investment in Canadian junior golf, CN is also a proud supporter of Golf in Schools. New programming as part of the investment in youth golf will include CN Future Links School Adoption Program and CN Future Links Field Trip Program.
Last year alone, CN Future Links junior golf activities were conducted at 431 golf facilities with more than 7,000 juniors registered in the Learn to Play program. In addition, 160 golf facilities took part in the Junior Skills Challenge while more than 67,000 youngsters participated in more than 1,800 mobile golf clinics across the country. Since 2006 more than 1 million children have been introduced to golf through the CN Future Links program.
For Golf Canada CEO Scott Simmons, CN’s commitment to junior golf reinforces the shared values of health, wellness and safety to junior enthusiasts across Canada.
“I can’t say enough what it means to Canadian golf that CN has aligned their brand and their corporate values with Canada’s national junior golf program,” said Simmons. “Together with CN as well as our partners at the PGA of Canada and the provincial golf associations, the CN Future Links program is introducing children in communities across Canada to a sport they can enjoy for a lifetime.
