This yr marked the start of an impactful journey for First Tee – Alberta.
In its first yr of programming, First Tee – Alberta supplied over 1,100 youth with low-barrier entry to golf – and to a various group of members. Practically 40 % of members had been feminine, and almost 75 % of households recognized as a part of an equity-deserving group.
As Golf Canada’s youth growth program, First Tee – Alberta joins 5 different chapters throughout the nation to supply reasonably priced golf programming that goes past the fairways to develop each golf and life expertise. Via useful partnerships with faculties, group centres, and golf programs, First Tee –Alberta provides no-cost attempt golf occasions and reasonably priced registered programming. All the required golf gear is supplied, and no prior golf expertise is required, creating an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere.
The purpose is to offer a constructive affiliation to golf for youth from all backgrounds, particularly those that could have in any other case not had the chance.
“Our purpose is to make sure each little one, no matter their background, has the possibility to expertise golf and all the advantages it has to supply,” mentioned First Tee – Alberta Program Supervisor, Michael Steele. “We’re dedicated to breaking down widespread boundaries of entry to the game like affordability, accessibility, or unfamiliarity.”
In its opening season, First Tee – Alberta onboarded 4 golf programs throughout Calgary, Edmonton, and Sherwood Park, all of which supplied no-cost programming. The youngsters realized golf expertise like placing, chipping, and distance management, whereas concurrently persevering with to construct on private expertise like confidence, honesty, and perseverance.
Three faculties and 5 group organizations additionally supplied First Tee programming in 2024, and 13 First Tee coaches had been onboarded and licensed.
Along with scheduled programming and occasions, First Tee – Alberta’s presence was additionally made recognized on the 2024 CPKC Girls’s Open hosted at Earl Gray Golf Membership in Calgary, AB.
Chapter workers activated on-site with a 50’ putt problem in celebration of the event’s fiftieth anniversary. The activation, alongside a record-breaking 50/50 raffle, raised over $150,000 to immediately help the continued progress of First Tee throughout Alberta.
Over 50 youth from the Calgary Immigrant Girls’s Affiliation and the Youth Centres of Calgary additionally visited the event grounds for behind-the-scenes excursions and First Tee clinics, the place six LPGA professionals made particular visitor appearances for the kids.
Wanting forward, First Tee – Alberta prepares to broaden into Lethbridge, Drugs Hat, and Purple Deer in 2025, and strives to proceed to offer life-enhancing experiences to youth by way of golf.
First Tee – Alberta’s progress and affect are reliant on a beneficiant community of supporters. For these all in favour of giving again and rising the sport of golf of their group, please attain out to msteele@golfcanada.ca or go to firstteealberta.ca.
