Golf Canada is holding its first ever 100 Hole Hike at Old Drovers Run in Niverville on Tuesday, September 17. The Hike is a fundraising event for their Youth on Course Initiative, which aims to make golf more accessible to young people by offering greens fees of $5 or less.
Golf Canada hopes to recruit 20 hikers and golfers, with each one raising $1,000. The $20,000 they intend to raise would support Youth on Course throughout the prairie provinces.
The hike is scheduled to run from sunrise to sunset as participants play through 100 holes of golf in one day. The organizers have planned several ways to ensure the event moves swiftly and smoothly.
Play will commence from the most forward tee decks, and generous “auto-gimmes” will be offered on the green. In other words, the player hits their approach or first putt into the designated zone, then picks up their ball and moves on to the next tee.
As well, friendly drop zones will be provided for errant drives, allowing participants to play their next shot from the middle of the fairway next to the 100-yard marker.
Shuttles will also be available for long walks between holes.
After signup, Golf Canada will provide participants with a social media toolkit and offer team or individual fundraising opportunities. At the event, participants will receive plenty of balls and tees, a swag box from Youth on Course, and refreshments throughout the day.
Fundraising incentives and challenges will be offered as well to keep golfers motivated.
Golf Canada is working towards establishing a network of courses in the prairie provinces that will offer $5 (or less) greens fees to junior golfers between the ages of six and 18. Currently there are 20 participating courses, with more to come.
In Manitoba, Maplewood Golf Club in St. Pierre-Jolys, Southside Golf Course in Grande Pointe, and Old Drovers Run are all in the Youth on Course network.
Justin McKenzie, a manager from Golf Canada, explains that Youth on Course directly addresses the affordability barrier often associated with golf.
“The 100 Hole Hike is one of the primary fundraising events we utilize to sustain this impactful program, with all funds raised directly providing subsidized rounds through Youth on Course,” says McKenzie. “There are many social, psychological, and physical benefits associated with golf. Golf develops honesty, perseverance, respect, confidence, and countless other life skills that are beneficial for youth development. Additionally, golf is a sport you can play for life. Whether through physical activity over a lifetime, the social experience, or the life skills inherent to the sport, golf is a wonderful sport for youth to participate in.”
