To learn more about how to get involved with First Tee – Canada or Youth on Course, visit firstteecanada.ca or golfcanada.ca/youthoncourse.
Golf is now the most-played sport in Canada and will be played by approximately six million Canadians from a variety of socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds this year. To sustain the growth of the sport and ensure that golf represents the strengths of Canada’s diversity, junior programs must be accessible and affordable.
Golf courses operated by cities are open to the public and provide affordable golf opportunities for people of various ages and economic means. Municipally run spaces also serve as community hubs, fostering social interaction and integration among people of all backgrounds. This sense of community encourages participation in golf and attracts individuals and families who may not have considered the sport otherwise.
These facilities are especially welcoming for children, as they provide quality recreation at an affordable cost. Many municipal golf courses, particularly those in major markets, offer a low-cost annual pass for children 18 and under. For example, an annual junior pass to play at all five of the City of Toronto courses costs $378, with financial aid available for qualifying families.
Membership at a municipal golf course provides children with an entire spring, summer and fall’s worth of outdoor activity and in-person social time for a cost that is more affordable than most other sports.
The initial step in Golf Canada’s partnerships with municipalities is to engage children through First Tee – Canada, a youth development program that provides life-enhancing experiences through golf at community centres, schools and golf courses.
Golf Canada has formally partnered with 34 municipalities from coast-to-coast, including major metropolitans like the cities of Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Regina, Saskatoon, Hamilton, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Halifax. In addition, over 83 per cent of First Tee – Canada’s community centre locations serve low-socioeconomic neighbourhoods.
The intention is to first introduce children to golf through First Tee – Canada at city-operated community centres, then transition them to on-course programming at their nearby municipal golf course through events and registered programming.
Golf Canada distributes private registration links to local community centres, who primarily serve children from equity deserving communities. With the support of RBC, all First Tee programming provided at the municipal level is offered at no cost to the participants or program locations.
After children have experienced registered programming and are ready to progress their skills on the course, they can play rounds of golf at their municipal course for $5 or less through Youth on Course. All First Tee – Canada participants receive a complimentary Youth on Course membership that allows them to access affordable green fees at participating courses across Canada.
There are currently 21 municipal courses that have partnered with Golf Canada and Youth on Course. With the continued support of RBC and provincial golf associations, Golf Canada helps subsidize rounds of golf to youth aged 18 and under. Since 2018, nearly 17,000 rounds of affordable golf have been played by juniors at these participating courses.
Together, Golf Canada and municipalities are working together to create an accessible, affordable entry-point into the sport for all young people across Canada.