As part of our partnership with Golf Canada, the PGA of Canada is taking part in an initiative at the RBC Canadian Open in which members and their friends and others can watch next month at Glen Abbey from a skybox.
The reason that we’re doing it is that every dollar of profit will go to the Golf in Schools program and sponsoring schools across Canada.
Cost for each member is $175 for a single day pass to the skybox, while the cost for friends and other non-members is $250 and everyone will receive a tax receipt for the portion that goes to Golf in Schools, which we may top up with funds from our George Knudson fund that goes to junior initiatives.
You may remember back at National Golf Day when we visited Parliament Hill, Loch March Golf and Country Club in Kanata, Ont., sponsored two schools, Roland Michener and Kanata Highlands.
Golf in Schools is such a great initiative. When I was working at Coppinwood near Uxbridge, Ont., the invitational they held there sent funds to Golf in Schools.
We talk so much about growing the game, but what does it mean? Does it mean I should take my next-door neighbour out to play? There are a million ways to try to grow the game and Golf in Schools is such a grassroots program.
If we can get clubs into the hands of young people in elementary, middle or high school and they come home and say, `Hey, I played golf today Dad. Can you take me to the driving range?’ a lot of parents would do just that.
With what we’re doing at the RBC Canadian Open, if a member comes with two other people, we’ll adopt a school in their names. The nice thing is too that people under 17 get into the grounds for free.
There will be a positive impact on junior golf for what should be a fun day of golf for everybody who would like to get involved in this initiative.
To purchase tickets or for more information, contact Marie-Josée DuBeau at mj@pgaofcanada.com.
