Girls Only JGDC Launched in Brampton
PGA of Canada members Jeff Overholt and Jon Roy of Golf Performance Coaches have partnered with the Brampton Golf Club to launch the first and only Junior Golf Development Centre designed specifically for girls in Canada.
The objective is to create an opportunity to encourage young girls to participate in golf while developing confidence and respect in a safe and supportive environment. It will also provide a coaching pathway for girls who are interested in playing competitive golf.
The program, a joint effort between Golf Performance Coaches and Brampton GC, is in conjunction with the governing bodies for golf in Canada. It is supported by Golf Canada, and run by PGA of Canada members. “We found there was an opportunity to create a structure to take girls’ golf games to the next level,” explained Overholt.
“There’s a gap between the number of girls, especially at the competitive level, and we thought this program will help fix a disconnect we’ve seen.
Other programs are already in place for different sports like hockey or baseball, but this is the first for golf.
It’s a unique strategy for growing the game that will be mimicked in future years across Canada and a chance for young girls to develop a passion for the game that will enable them to enjoy golf for the rest of their lives.
“Our hope through this program is to grow the game, specifically with young girls, in a very unique, fun and social environment,” explained Emerson Mahoney, Head Golf Professional at Brampton Golf Club. “The board and membership of Brampton GC are very excited for this partnership, as it aligns well with the Club’s vision of promoting a lifelong passion for golf.”
The centre will launch in early July with both recreational and competitive coaching programs available for both current Brampton junior members as well as the public. More specifically, things will be kicked off on July 7th with a free “girls only” future champions clinic – open to the public – prior to the Golf Association of Ontario’s Women’s Amateur Championship (happening July 8th – 11th at Brampton GC).
For parents in the Brampton area, there will be an information night on June 2nd from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the golf course. Brittany Marchand, the 76th-ranked female amateur in the world, member at Brampton GC and member of Golf Canada’s national amateur team, will be fully supporting the program and will appear at the information night.