Sport Development
The Golf Association of Ontario has one of the most progressive Sport Development departments in North America. For over 25 years the GAO has been committed to delivering open access programs that assist golfers of any caliber (from schools and recreation to high performance) improve and develop their game.
Callaway Golf for Kids (website coming soon)
Building off the overwhelming success of the Callaway Golf in Schools program, the GAO and Callaway Golf Canada have developed Callaway Golf for Kids. The Callaway Golf for Kids program includes all of the components of the original in school program; Mr. Knickers & Friends, Learn to Swing, and Field Trips, with the addition of a new community sport initiative which will for the first time allow the program to reach kids outside of the classroom.
Launched in May of 2009, Callaway Golf for Kids is the staple junior grassroots development program of the Golf Association of Ontario. This program is designed with fun and safety in mind to give children an opportunity to experience and learn a game that helps build character and promotes life-long activity. It is the goal of the program to ensure that all Ontario children have a positive golf course experience before they reach the age of 13. The program aims to make lasting impressions on over 15,000 children each year.
National Golf in Schools Program
Launched in 2009 the National Golf in Schools program provides teachers with the equipment and resources to introduce the sport of golf into their physical education curriculum for grades k-6. Additionally participating Ontario schools will receive the Callaway Golf for Kids in school components, which complement the National Golf in Schools goals and objectives.
Under the CN Future Links umbrella the GAO introduces children to the game of golf through the CN Mobile Van program and CN Junior Skills challenges. The mobile van program tours the province throughout the summer delivering clinics that teach the basic fundamentals of golf at camps, parks, schools and golf courses. The junior skills challenges are open to kids of all ages and skill levels and provide a friendly platform for them to test their abilities in driving, chipping, iron play and putting against kids of the same age.
Another initiative offered by the GAO to encourage the growth of the game is the Women’s Learn to Play program. Designed for women who have never experienced golf, these clinics are held throughout the Province each summer. Clinics include an introduction to putting, chipping, and full swing along with an on course tour. These clinics are introducing women to the game of golf in a encouraging and non-intimidating environment.
Women’s Provincial Training Program
Designed for women with a handicap of 12 or lower this program aims to provide keys tools and knowledge to women with competitive aspirations. Program elements include the rules of golf, nutrition, course management and practice routines. Sessions are facilitated by Canadian PGA instructors, GAO coaches and leading amateurs.
As a result of being
recognized as an official sport in Canada the game of golf has now been included in both the Canada and
Ontario Summer Games. The GAO is responsible for selecting the Ontario team for the Canada Games and will
assist in the coordination and delivery of the golf competition at the Ontario Games. Both these competitions
give Ontario golfers additional opportunities to test their skills against their peers provincially and
nationally.
Team Ontario High Performance Program
of Excellence
The Team Ontario High Performance Program of Excellence aims to provide Ontario athletes with world class coaching, training and competitive opportunities that align with Provincial, National Team and Canadian Sport Centre Ontario standards and protocols. Athletes involved in Team Ontario’s Under 24, Under 19 and Under 17 programs participate in development camps, fitness screening and assessment, parental education, goal setting, 1:1 coaching, International competitions and access to Team Ontario’s Integrated Sports Team including specialists in strength and conditioning, psychology and nutrition. Using the Province’s best Canadian PGA coaches along with cutting-edge technology such as Trackman, the GAO is at the forefront of high performance player development in Canada.
Through the support of the Ministry of Health Promotion and Quest for Gold, Ontario’s top athletes are eligible for assistance through a variety of programs. This includes a scholarship fund that awards thousands of dollars in scholarships each year to athletes heading to College or University. Additionally, the GAO conducts a number seminars in an effort to educate parents and athletes on the many opportunities of assistance available.
With the tremendous success of staple programs that have been in place for many years and the growth of new initiatives, the GAO is continuously working to grow the game of golf in Ontario.
