Alberta Golf is hoping a blend of a nation-wide passion for one sport and an obsession for another to try to solve an ongoing issue.
Getting young people to play more golf has always been part of the mantra for growing the game but getting young females to tee it up is an even deeper issue.
This is where “She Swings, She Scores” steps in. The program has its origins in Ontario and Alberta Golf took it to Olds in mid- January for its debut. A four year funding arrangement through the Alberta Sport Connection is what allows the program to tee it up, said Alberta Golf COO Jack Lane.
“We were pretty happy as we got most of the funds we asked for and so now we’re into year one of the program,” he said.
She Swings, She Scores has a price tag of about $30,000 per year which allows Alberta Golf to buy all the gear which goes with the very transportable program.
“It’s a mobile kiosk we will take around. We have an inflatable blow-up hitting area so girls at these community events and hockey tournaments can come over to our kiosk and check it out. We have clubs that are appropriate for them and they can swing the club and hit these balls and get more information about golf opportunities in their communities.”
The focus is to get girls involved in the game of golf and Lane says they want to be present at hockey tournaments with a female component and in particular ones with aboriginal female teams taking part.
“They are termed as under-represented groups, so females in sport and aboriginals. So part of the funding is based on us targeting those populations. So we will report back to Sport Connection and Sport Canada about our results and who has been exposed to the program,” said Lane.
It’s a good measuring stick for Alberta Golf by which they can track the growth of the sport in those areas and it also allows organizations the opportunity to develop a legacy for the program, he said.
“The idea would be that these organizations that work with us will continue the program even after the funding is no longer available. We’re working to attract sponsors for the program so that it can continue after the four years.”
Alberta Golf has used the resources of Hockey Alberta to identify certain areas where there is a large number of girl’s teams, perfect for this program, said Lane.
So it’s hi there. Here’s golf. What’s next?
“Kids are being exposed to golf in schools with these types of grassroots programs but getting them to the golf course is really the biggest obstacle,” said Lane. “Within the CN Future Links program there is a field trip component where a classroom of kids or a team of girls can sign up and take a field trip to an actual golf course. There they can get out on the greens and actually hit some putts and chips and experience golf in its real setting.”
There is money available to help defer the cost of the program and even though it’s early Jones says some courses have already expressed an interest. The feeling is once the kids are at the course it might spark a passion for the game.
Getting parents and coaches involved is another aspect of “She Swings, She Scores”. It will allow Alberta Golf to explain the opportunities for young women which are out there in connection with the game.
“With our different seasons, it’s kind of a perfect transition for hockey players to pick up golf clubs in the summer and being involved in multi-sports is a good way to become good athletes,” said Lane.
So watch out for some golf coming to a hockey tournament near you someday.
