Golf In BC

Sports are an area in which anyone can play, with no limit to the age of those playing.

Some Families are unable to sign up, simply due to cost, while others have a tendency to focus on specific sport that Mom or Dad would like to have them excel in, mostly because it’s a sport they love.

Placing any amount of pressure on a young person does nothing to teach the “kid’s” the true meaning of sportsmanship. Winning is nice, but it’s not the “be-all – end-all”!

Golf is a sport that allows today’s youth to excel at a speed they personally feel comfortable at and play when they have the time.

Golf BC has various programs in place to teach today’s youth how to play the game, using proper technique, style and professionalism, which tends to make them better citizens.

How you ask? Professionalism can instil a sense of pride and respect for everyone involved in the game, including those around the just watching.

When the public see’s any athlete throw a club, kick dirt, swear and/or berate an official what are parents to tell the “kids’.

As far as the cost, I was told that some clubs (Point Grey, Shaughnessy and others) have programs in place to help those that are unable to play the game.

Some say it’s due to the fact that as a youngster was spoiled growing up, others say they can’t stand loosing, when in fact both could be correct.

While attending the RBC Canadian Open held at Shaughnessy, I had a chance to talk to the Executive Director for the BC Golf Association, Mr. Kris Jonasson.

I asked him what it means to BC in having this event in BC. He told me “any time you can bring the best players in the world out, it helps motivate the overall program and will help for a number of years”. I asked why the program continues to grow.

He mentioned that they have made significant changes in Coaching which is relatively new and it’s something that has only been in this area for the past five or six years and young people that are good athlete’s are now choosing Golf as a primary sport”.

Golf starts as young as the age of four and is age friendly as well as has colors that the kid’s like.

The heavy metal clubs don’t work anymore, especially for the younger kid’s. The kids are looking for anything that’s fun and when you look at the long term development it’s all about the fundamentals.

The most important part at any age is the first three letters of the word – FUN. Let’s make the kid’s have fun on the course!

When you look at the late Payne Stewart, he always had time for everyone, especially the kid’s.

Today’s pro’s take the time to sign autographs for hours and for everyone coming off the practice green or after the game.

The school program started last October 1^st ends June 30^th and date they have put 16,000 kids through the program and everyone is working on something different.

Of course the teachers are extremely receptive to the program and even if they are not interested to pursue golf they can have fun.

I asked Kris if the program has grown due to the success of the Winter Olympics.

He mentioned “Golf is now in the 2016 Olympics and in BC we are in the BC Summer Games, the Western Canada Summer Games and we will be in the Commonwealth Games and these can only help grow the game”.

I asked him about the overall development and design of today’s course, such as are you ever asked about what is required when a design is in the early stages.

He told me “unfortunately we have built a lot of championship courses and not enough courses that are playable for the general public”. A new program now in place is endorsed by Golf Canada and ourselves is called “Tee it forward”. It’s a program where you can get players using the proper “T’s” and put fun back into the game”.

From the age of four to the senior’s program it’s unique.

The past Senior Champion in BC is Vancouver Giant’s Colour person, Bill Wilms, who continues to challenge to regain his title again this year.

I am told that there is scientific proof that golfers live an average of five years longer than the general population, due to the fact they are out keeping social and staying healthy.

In closing I asked Kris what he would tell the young people about playing the game. He mentioned “I would tell them to be first an athlete and learn the moves that are involved such as running, jumping, throwing and kicking and all this translates into golf.

Do all this first then find a good teacher and go out there and have fun”.

Take his advice and find a local course and get set to “T” off a new sport. Who knows you could be the next Tiger Woods, Ricky Fowler or Canada’s own Adam Hadwin.

Special “thanks to Kris for his time.

Feel free to visit http://www.britishcolumbiagolf.org/