Canadian PGA brings golf to a new audience

On May 9th, 2011, the Canadian PGA joined Special Olympics Canada (SOC) at the Darryl Sittler Golf Classic at Coppinwood in Uxbridge, ON. The Darryl Sittler Classic, celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, raises funds for Special Olympics programs that serve children, youth, and adults with an intellectual disability.

Canadian PGA’s Managing Director of Education and Program Development, Craig Watson and Golf Canada’s Manager of Youth Development, Ted Logan were invited to participate in the event as partners of SOC, while the Canadian PGA’s Education Coordinator, Morgan Court spent the afternoon on the 12th hole with Special Olympics athletes Matthew Nighswander and Madison Bailey-Borges who holed putts for all participating groups to raise awareness about the Special Olympics golf program which is rolling out nationally throughout the year.

Inclusion in this event stems from discussions by Special Olympics Canada, the Canadian PGA and Golf Canada to develop, deliver and implement coach education for Special Olympics coaches in the sport of golf. Since then, the Canadian PGA has developed a one-day training workshop designed specifically for Special Olympics volunteer coaches – the first exclusive technical sport workshop of its kind. These workshops are part of the Canadian PGA’s community sport stream, and will begin taking place across the country later this month.

Special Olympics coaches are volunteers from the community who generously donate their time to these athletes and may have limited knowledge of golf. In addition to the workshop and to further support them, a resource list of Canadian PGA members is being compiled to provide these coaches with knowledgeable golf instructors in the industry to contact for suggestions or with questions about the game of golf. If you wish to be included on this list, please provide your phone and email contact information to Morgan Court at morgan@cpga.com or (800) 782-5764 x240.

Canadian PGA members interested in becoming involved with Special Olympics – whether it is running their own program or providing access to their golf courses for local programs – please contact your local Special Olympics Chapter. Canadian PGA members will not be required to take the Special Olympics Golf Coach workshop, but must complete either the SOC ‘Community-Initiation’ or ‘Competition-Introduction’ course through your Special Olympics Chapter. Chapter Contact information can be found at www.specialolympics.ca or contact Tom Davies, Sport Manager at tdavies@specialolympics.ca.

Morgan Court
Education Coordinator
Canadian PGA
morgan@cpga.com
(800) 782-5764 x240