Oakville/ Uxbridge, ON – As the end of the second year of the Youth on Course program in Ontario nears, Golf Ontario and Golf Canada have announced the second annual 100 Hole Hike to raise money and awareness for Youth on Course. The two 100 Hole Hike events will see 23 participants take on the formidable challenge of walking and playing 100 holes of golf in a single day. The first event takes place at Brooklea G&CC in Midland on October 5th and the second event will return to Eldorado GC in Whitby on October 7th. The latter hosted the inaugural event in October of 2020.
“The 100 Hole Hike is truly a one-of-a-kind golf event. Participants will play 5.5 rounds of golf in one day, and will help bring awareness to Youth on Course,” said Adam Hunter, Senior Manager of Grow the Game at Golf Canada. “More importantly, the 100 Hole Hike will help raise money to ensure we can continue to offer affordable golf as part of this amazing program.”
In its third year of operation in Canada, Youth on Course has seen more than 7,000 subsidized rounds played to date, and membership has increased by 9% from an already successful 2020 season. While these results are great for the growth of the game, it is imperative that we continue to raise awareness and funds to support this program, to reach our goal of expanding across the country by 2024.
Youth on Course is an amazing initiative that provides access to affordable golf for young boys and girls, to 1,400+ facilities in North America. Launched in Ontario in July 2020, junior golfers aged 6-18, who have purchased a Golf Canada/Golf Ontario gold membership, will receive a Youth on Course card and have access to $5 green fees at participating facilities across the province. There is no limit to how often members can play using their YOC card. Youth on Course members in Ontario will also become members of the entire YOC international network, receiving access to affordable golf at over 1,000 golf courses in Ontario, Alberta, and 35 different states.
The 100 Hole Hike is a very unique one-day fundraiser that requires golfers to walk and play 100 holes of golf in one day. “This is such a challenging event for golfers, and some of our amazing partners have stepped up once again this year with their support,” said Dave Struthers, Senior Director of Marketing and Communications at Golf Ontario. Participants for the two Ontario events in 2021 will include staff from Golf Canada, Golf Ontario, TaylorMade, Adidas, Golf Talk Canada, and 94.9 TheRock on-air hosts Doug Elliott and Lucky who return again for a second year.
Participants will be soliciting donations for their commitment to this long day of golf, and funds raised will go towards ensuring the success of the Youth on Course initiative, and to ensure junior golfers in Ontario have access to affordable golf options in their local areas.
If you are interested in more information on the 100 Hole Hike, please contact Jason Hraynyk (jhraynyk@gao.ca or 416-460-0859) or visit YOC Ontario Hike 2021 to donate.
About Youth on Course
The core purpose of Youth on Course is to provide youth with access to life-changing opportunities through golf. Members play thousands of courses for $5 or less, benefit from employment through the caddie and internship program, and receive college scholarships. Headquartered in Pebble Beach, Youth on Course is a 501(c)3 organization that began as the charitable arm of the Northern California Golf Association. Since 2006, close to one million rounds have been played by Youth on Course members and nearly $2 million has been raised for college scholarships. In the United States, Youth on Course serves Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin, with the goal of delivering affordable golf in all 50 states by 2021. To learn more about YOC, please visit www.youthoncourse.ca.
About Golf Canada
Golf Canada is the National Sports Federation and governing body for golf in Canada, representing 271,000 golfers and 1,400 member clubs across the country. A proud member of the Canadian Olympic Committee, Golf Canada’s mission is to increase Canadian participation and excellence in golf. For more information about what Golf Canada is doing to support golf in your community, visit www.golfcanada.ca.
About Golf Ontario
Golf Ontario is Ontario’s Provincial Sport Organization focused on enhancing participation, elevating performance, and supporting the passion of golfers in Ontario. With over 100,000 individual members and 450 member clubs, Golf Ontario is one of the largest golf associations in the world. From rating courses and keeping the integral rules of the game intact, growing the game at the grassroots level and getting the game of golf into our school systems, keeping the Ontario golf community aware of all relevant issues, and hosting the best amateur tournaments in Canada, Golf Ontario is a passionate group dedicated to making golf better for everyone in Ontario. We share a love and passion for golf, while preserving its past, fostering its future, and championing golf’s best interests for everyone who enjoys the sport. To learn more, visit www.gao.ca.
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Key Provincial Competitions Protocols/Restrictions (as of September 22nd, 2021)
- Ontarians will need to be fully vaccinated (two doses, plus 14 days) and provide their proof of vaccination along with photo ID to access certain public settings and facilities.
- The Ontario Government has indicated that as of September 22, valid proof of vaccination will include either the paper or PDF vaccine receipt (received following 2nd shot), along with a government-issued photo ID.
- Proof of vaccination IS required for:
- Indoor Golf Simulators
- Indoor Dining
- Indoor Sports and Recreation Facilities
- Indoor Meeting and Events Spaces
- The Ontario Government has indicated that there are exceptions:
- Individuals who cannot receive the vaccine due to medical exemptions will be permitted entry with a doctor’s note until recognized medical exemptions can be integrated as part of a digital vaccine certificate.
- Children who are 11 years of age and younger and unable to be vaccinated will also be exempted from these requirements.
- You can find more information in this Ontario Government News Release.
For more information please contact:
Brianna Christopher, Assistant, Marketing Communications, Golf Ontario;
BChristopher@gao.ca
Peter MacKellar, Manager, Marketing and Communications, Golf Ontario;
PMacKellar@gao.ca
