GOLFNEWS
NEWS FROM THROUGHOUT THE REGION
>> GOLF IN SCHOOLS
Golf In Schools Program A Big Hit
You just had to see their smiles to know what an impact was made. Goodfellow says the reaction to the program has been very
This past March Flagstick dropped in to visit a Golf in the Schools encouraging from school staff, parents, and students alike and they
Program (www.golfinschools.com) in Kingston. The program, an hope to expand its presence within the board.
initiative of the Golf Association of Ontario (GAO) and supported by “My goal is to have every school in the board registered by next
Callaway Golf, is taking quite a hold in the Limestone District School year,” she says with determination. “For the minimal cost involved
Board where some 22 schools are already involved. and the benefit to the children I don’t see it as anything but a benefit for
This represents a disproportionate number relative to the rest of each and every school to take part.”
the province, representing a full 20% of the program’s current volume
for the entire province.
There is one main reason for that and it comes in the form of Cathy
Goodfellow, an Educational Assistant with the Limestone Board, who has
taken a great interest in the program and become its driving force.
A golfer herself who is also seasonally employed at the Rivendell
Golf Club in Verona, Cathy found out about the program online and
it all snowballed from there. “I just wanted to see as many kids as
possible exposed to the benefits of golf – the real benefits – not just
what they see on television,” she tells me above the laughter and
cheering of kids enjoying the program at the Truedell Public School.
For many kids, the fun and safe program (very few real clubs or
balls are involved, except at the older age categories) is their first
contact with the game and it proves to be one that breaks down
barriers and opens their enquiring young minds to the possibilities
that another sport might offer. Many have played golf on their Nintendo
Wii but seeing that the real thing is just as fun looks to be enlightening
for most of them.
Run as part of the Physical Education Curriculum, schools sign up
for the program and get plenty of guidance. For a minimal one-time
cost of $175 each school gets a visit and half-day program that
covers grades Kindergarten to Grade 8.
“The program varies to suit the age group, but the basics are
pretty much the same,” says Goodfellow.
Leading the program form the GAO end of things is Mike Kelly who
says the goal for the multi-level program is to involve some 15,000
kids each year. “We want these kids to have a positive golf experience
before they reach high school. With so many sports available to them
we know we have to make an early impact.”
flagstick.com
MAY 2009 FGM 7
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92