Golf in Schools Program Launches in High Schools
Created by Physical Health and Education Canada (PHE Canada) in partnership with Golf Canada and the PGA of Canada, the Golf in Schools High School Program will help physical education teachers to plan and deliver quality learning experiences that support the enhancement of fundamental movement skills and develop sport-specific skills related to golf, in addition to increasing student knowledge and appreciation for the sport of golf.
In addition to providing the necessary resources (equipment, learning curriculum and training) that enable Canadian teachers to integrate golf into their physical education lesson plan, the Golf in Schools program will present golf to Canadian high school students as a lifelong recreation and physical fitness activity.
The introduction of the high school program builds on the success of the Golf in Schools Elementary School Program which is currently in close to 1,800 schools since the program launched in 2009. With 4,600 high schools and nearly 10,000 elementary schools across Canada, the program has the opportunity to introduce the sport of golf to nearly 4.5 million students.
“The Canadian school system and the physical education curriculum is the single most concentrated opportunity to introduce children of all ages and backgrounds to the sport,” said Golf Canada CEO Scott Simmons. “The Golf in Schools program creates a vital link between the education and golf communities by building a sense of pride around the sport and developing teacher, student and parent appreciation of the positive values, attitudes, health benefits and life skills associated with our sport.”
The program was test-piloted at 11 high schools across Canada in 2012. To date, 40 high schools have already registered for the program with approximately 235 additional schools expected to sign on in the first year.
“The Golf in Schools program is a prime example of how the sport community can work with educators to introduce students to sports while teaching the skills and strategy that hone their physical literacy,” said Chris Jones, Acting Executive Director and CEO of PHE Canada. “The program is easy to use, connected to curriculum outcomes, and reflects the latest in pedagogy. The elementary program has had a tremendous response and we have been keen to work with Golf Canada on creating a high school resource.”
Schools that sign-on to participate in the Golf in Schools program will receive student-friendly, high school appropriate golf equipment provided by Callaway as well as golf-related curriculum and instructor training to enable teachers to integrate golf into their high school physical education curriculum.
For presenting sponsor Callaway Golf Canada, the expansion of the Golf in Schools program into high schools further reinforces the company’s longstanding commitment to give back to the game at the grassroots level.
“We have been excited about the Golf in Schools program since its inception because we believe the program is a critical ‘grow the game’ initiative,” said Callaway Golf Canada’s Managing Director Scott Reid. “The elementary school program is gaining traction across the country and the natural next step was to invest in this important program and bring it to the high school level. Golf in Schools and support for the program within the Canadian golf industry is growing and we are thrilled to be a part of its success.”
The expansion of the Golf in Schools program to the high school level presents an important opportunity to bridge the gap between introductory golf programming in schools and more specified instructional programming at the golf clubs facilitated by PGA of Canada professionals.
“It’s all about increasing access to the golf facility for young people,” said Gary Bernard, CEO of the PGA of Canada. “Once students have been introduced to the basics of the sport at the high school and elementary school level, the next step is to bridge the gap with a PGA of Canada Professional at a golf facility in his or her community. The students that are exposed to golf through the school system represent a huge cluster of potential enthusiasts to get started down the pathway to a life in the game.”
High schools interested in participating will be charged a fee of $595 for the complete Golf in Schools program package which includes the learning resource and high school appropriate golf equipment. Schools interested in only receiving the program learning resource will pay $25.
Similar to the elementary school program, the Golf in Schools High School Program also offers an “Adopt a School” option whereby individuals, golf courses and/or businesses can cover the cost of equipment for a school of their choice and receive a tax receipt for the full amount of their donation.