Week-long women’s golf festival with competitive and introductory programming for all ages of women and girls across Calgary to run in conjunction with enhanced Digital Commercial Bank Glencoe Invitational.
March 8, 2023 – Golf Canada and The Glencoe Golf and Country Club in Calgary have announced a partnership that will support enhancements to the prestigious Digital Commerce Bank Glencoe Invitational, along with the pilot launch of a week-long women’s golf festival taking place across the Calgary region during the week of the championship.
Established in 1992, the Digital Commerce Bank Glencoe Invitational is one of the premiere golf competitions in Canada with approximately 100 athletes – both professionals and elite amateurs in the women’s division and amateurs only in the men’s division – competing over 54 holes on The Forest Course at The Glencoe Golf & Country Club. The championship runs June 15-17 and will feature an expanded prize purse of at least $60,000 CAD in the women’s division. The winner of the women’s championship will also receive an exemption into the 2023 CP Women’s Open.
Team Canada athletes will compete in the Digital Commerce Bank Glencoe Invitational and Golf Canada will assist in recruiting international players to compete in the championship. Team Canada will also conduct training camps in Calgary surrounding the Digital Commerce Bank Glencoe Invitational with athletes and coaches from the men’s, women’s, and NextGen squads. Following the championship, Golf Canada will host a US Women’s Amateur Qualifier on Monday, June 19 at the Sundre Golf Club in Sundre, Alta.
“The Digital Commerce Bank Glencoe Invitational is a premier golf competition in this country, and it is exciting to see the enhancements take shape, especially the progressive investment to elevate opportunities for women,” said Golf Canada Chief Sport Officer, Kevin Blue. “We are thankful for The Glencoe and the leadership they are demonstrating to help foster the growth of women’s golf in Canada. We are proud to partner in the enhancement of the women’s championship and deliver additional community golf activities to advance participation among women and junior girls in the Calgary area.”
“We are excited to grow the success of the tournament by partnering with Golf Canada,” said Tournament Chair, Dale Goehring. “This year’s event will enable more elite Canadian male and female players to compete on home soil. Working alongside with Golf Canada with the tournament and Festival events aligns with the Glencoe Golf & Country Club’s mission to create exceptional experiences and grow the game of golf for both women and men.”
In addition to enhancements to the Digital Commerce Bank Glencoe Invitational, Golf Canada will pilot a women’s golf festival concept that will take place during the week of the championship. Beginning on June 12, Golf Canada will host several introductory community events at Calgary area golf courses promoting recreational women’s and junior girls’ golf participation with a focus on the fun and social aspects of the game.
Information about new and existing clinics, leagues and programs for women and girls in the Calgary region will be shared throughout the week. The R&A is also providing important support for the Calgary area women’s golf festival pilot.
“We are proud to have support from Glencoe and the R&A in helping to pilot the Canadian Women’s Golf Festival with a dedicated focus on programming for women and girls that spans the full participation pathway from first involvement to high performance,” said Laura Wilson, Golf Canada’s Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Safe Sport. “We see this being a week-long celebration of women’s golf. The enhancements to the Digital Commerce Bank Glencoe Invitational along with highly visible programming will address participation gaps and bring greater awareness among women of the physical, psychological, and social benefits of golf.”
Activities planned for the Women’s Golf Festival during the week of The Digital Commerce Bank Glencoe Invitational include:
- Tee it Up Clinics – a first trial opportunity for young girls with introductions to fundamental skills such as driving, chipping, and putting in a fun and relaxed environment filled with music, games, and laughter.
- Team Scramble – a women focused fun and non-traditional nine-hole event for women and junior girls.
- Try Golf Taster – introductory events to encourage women to try golf in a low pressure, unintimidating environment.
- Women in Coaching – women’s only coach education sessions that will present an opportunity to develop leaders and role models in golf, especially focused on community coaching.
Golf Canada will work with Alberta Golf, City of Calgary, golf courses in the Calgary area and community-based organizations to operate the Women’s Golf Festival during the week of The Digital Commerce Bank Glencoe Invitational as a pilot project with a goal that the concept can draw sustainable funding to support expansion to four Canadian markets in 2024.