Manitoba Golf Guide | 2015

04 • MANITOBA GOLF GUIDE 2015

Golf Manitoba – Developing the Next Generation of Great Golfers By Rebecca Hadfield for the Free Press

A Game includes: Pinnacle golf ball, ball marker, divot tool, tees, game & rules Retail $19.99 $ 14 99

There is a simple trick to getting kids involved in golf—make it easy and make it fun. Every year, nearly 5,000 elementary-aged boys and girls are introduced to the game through Golf Manitoba’s Golf in Schools program. Just over five years old, the pro- gram has been offering safe, inclusive, no- cost golfing clinics to schools throughout Manitoba. Children are introduced to the game with larger plastic balls and specially-designed clubs, allowing them to begin hitting the ball almost immediately. Seeing the ball in the air quickly piques their interest, and that initial success is what starts to build their interest in the game. Garth Goodbrandson, Director of Player Development for Golf Manitoba, is tremen- dously excited by this program and sees it as a terrific way to increase interest in golf, for both boys and girls. “If we can start them young, give them a familiarity to the sport, and develop their

passion for the game,” says Goodbrandson, “we will see more kids playing golf down the road.” To keep kids in the game, Golf Mani- toba also supports programs such as CN Future links, a multi-level program which helps young golfers between six and 18 years of age develop their technical skills and gain confidence as players. As well, young players of all skill levels are given the opportunity to learn, play, and compete through week long camps, offered in partnership with PGA of Manitoba Professional Glen Sirkis and the City of Winnipeg. Involvement in the Canada Games and Western Canada Games has had a signifi- cant impact on Golf Manitoba’s player de- velopment programs. Since golf was intro- duced as a sport at the games, in 2009 and 2011 respectively, young players have been following a more extensive, year-round training program. Formed two years in advance of the

games, the training squads take part in regular weekly practices and fitness train- ing throughout the winter, and a busy summer schedule which includes the op- portunity to play against club-level teams. The boys and girls in the program are also given the chance to hone their competi- tion skills by participating on Golf Mani- toba’s Nassau and Mundie putter teams, a decades-long tradition in men’s and women’s golf. Goodbrandson enjoys seeing the young participants develop their skills as players, but is also touched by the close friend- ships that he sees fostered by the program. “These kids go from not knowing each oth- er when they come in, to building life-long memories together.” Information on Golf Manitoba’s player development programs, including Long- term Player Development (LTPD) pro- grams for adult athletes, can be found at www.golfmanitoba.mb.ca

1-204-795-2830 FORE your next event www.flogitgolfgame.com

Located in Kenora Ontario 18 hole championship golf course Licenced Restaurant and lounge KENORA Golf & Country Club

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC www.kenoragolf.com 1-807-468-7995

Manitoba’s Hidden Gem on Lake of the Woods

Weekend: $35 Walking Weekday: $32 Walking Wacky Tues. & Wed Only $35 incl cart! Weekend Special $45 Includes cart. 8am - 11am

Located just over an hour south of Steinbach on Hwy.12

Open to the Public 25 minutes North of Wpg on Hwy 7 204-886-4653 teulongc@mymts.net Teulongc.com

2 PLAYS 1 STAY STARTING AT $108 95* P.P. *Based on Quad Occupancy, Includes 2 rounds of golf, power cart and 1 night in Resort Cabins. Some exclusions apply, call for details.

Play one of Manitoba’s most enjoyable rural golf courses.

Situated on an island in the centre of the city. Portage Golf club provides a challenging, but enjoyable golfing exprience in a quiet setting just minutes from all the amenities a city provides

One of the Top Rated Golf Courses in Manitoba Four Season Resort 18-hole, 6800 yard championship golf course

Par 70, 6313 yards. • Memberships available - all categories • Green Fee Bookings may be made 7 days in advance • C.P.G.A. Head Professional Brad Young • Fully Licenced Clubhouse & Course

Phone 1-204-857-6177 • 1-866-714-7058 www.portagegolfclub.ca