Someday. 100 holes. A dedication that leaves a long-lasting mark. Throughout the nation, contributors in Youth on Course’s annual 100 Gap Hike closed out a demanding day on the course with a shared sense of feat and a transparent view of the distinction they’re making in junior golf accessibility.
Golf Canada gives reasonably priced entry to the game by means of Youth on Course, which supplies members aged six to eighteen with sponsored inexperienced charges of $5 or much less at over 100 collaborating programs. The 100 Gap Hike is this system’s flagship fundraising initiative. Golfers stroll 100 holes in a single day to lift funds for native Youth on Course applications. Since 2019, over 120,000 rounds have been sponsored. This season alone, 8,154 members performed almost 50,000 sponsored rounds throughout the nation.
4 Youth on Course 100 Gap Hikes befell from August to October at Silverwood Golf Membership in Saskatoon, Sask.; Bic sur Mer in Rimouski, Que.; Mill Run Golf Membership in Uxbridge, Ont.; and Cabot Cape Breton in Inverness, N.S. This included the second worldwide Youth on Course Premier 100 Gap Hike, a three-day occasion.
A complete of 44 Hikers participated this 12 months, elevating $92,800 to increase Youth on Course entry in communities throughout Canada.
Every occasion showcased tales of resilience, function, and private motivation.
Honouring a liked one
On the Ontario occasion, a foursome traveled from Collingwood early that morning to honour the late David Moser, a husband, buddy, and avid supporter of junior golf.
“Golf performed an instrumental position in David’s life,” mentioned his spouse, Janet. “He strongly believed in reasonably priced junior golf, so Pleasure, Derek, Danielle and I had been thrilled to honour him by means of this fundraiser.”
Help from media and influencers
At Cabot Cape Breton, media personalities and influencers joined the Premier Hike, lending their voices to this system’s mission.
“Golf is an unbelievable sport that teaches completely different life classes,” mentioned Adam Scully, host and producer of Golf Speak Canada at TSN. “To help such an incredible trigger that offers again to others who could not in any other case have the chance to play, at one of many best services in Canada, means the world to me.”
A problem with function
From the primary tee at dawn to the ultimate putt at nightfall, contributors embraced each the bodily challenges and the aim behind their efforts. Many shared the satisfaction that comes from serving to to decrease monetary boundaries for younger golfers whereas taking over a take a look at of endurance.
“For me personally, entry to junior golf supplied a possibility to develop as a younger man on and off the course,” mentioned Hiker Chris Bowman, who took half to help his son’s continued involvement within the sport. “There’s a lot worth in what the sport can educate our youth, and offering these advantages to juniors who usually wouldn’t have the prospect makes an actual impression.”
Influence on host services
For host golf equipment, the occasion underscored the tangible affect of Youth on Course and the passion of communities dedicated to rising the sport.
“We now have seen firsthand how Youth on Course advantages our junior golfers. Simply this 12 months, almost 500 subsidised five-dollar rounds had been supplied to Youth on Course members at our facility,” mentioned Matt Savage, common supervisor at Mill Run Golf Membership. “Internet hosting the Hike was a simple resolution, and our members had been totally supportive.”
Wanting forward
The success of this 12 months’s occasions reveals each the dedication of contributors and the continuing demand for reasonably priced junior golf alternatives. Golf Canada goals to construct on this momentum subsequent season by rising the variety of subsidised rounds supplied by means of Youth on Course initiatives.
“We’re extremely grateful to everybody who took on the problem this season,” mentioned Nathalie Mihalek, Golf Canada’s Nationwide Supervisor of Youth on Course. “Their efforts straight assist extra youth get out on the golf course, and we look ahead to welcoming much more Hikers subsequent 12 months.”
For extra data or to participate in a Youth on Course 100 Gap Hike subsequent season, go to golfcanada.ca/youthoncourse/.
