The following are proud supporters of the Callaway Golf for Kids program in your community. They continue to support the program and by doing so, positively benefit children and their development.

Mix 97

Beginning in the 2010/2011 school year Mix 97 will be sponsoring 26 schools a year for three years in the National Golf in Schools program, their sponsorship will cover the registration fee for each school to receive the NGIS equipment and curriculum package.

Each years 26 schools will be selected from both the public and the catholic school boards, encompassing all of the boards elementary schools by the end of the third year.

Bruce's Golf Rewards

Bruce’s Golf Rewards is very pleased to be sponsoring many of our local Durham Region schools in 2010 for the NGIS program.

Our program is dedicated to the memory of golf visionary Bruce Summers, whose passion for the game of golf was only matched by his love for the development of junior golf.

We recognize the importance of golf in our schools as a basic foundation for future education, business and social development. We see junior golf as a way for children to learn etiquette, manners and fair play while participating in a sport that is rich in history and allows families to compete evenly and take part in together.

The Rotary Club of Whitby

The Rotary Club of Whitby is very pleased that its first venture into the National Golf in Schools program is a successful one. The Club realized that offering basic golf lessons to school children gives these students a sports option other than the more traditional ones like hockey, basketball, volleyball, and football where cost and player size might be a factor. As many Rotarians play golf themselves, they understand that golf encourages high standards of fair play and behavior, plus it can be a lifelong sport that provides the basis of an active lifestyle for players from 8 to 80, both male and female. It is gratifying to know, too, that the school feels the GAO teaching resources are excellent and that the kids are thrilled and learning a lot.

Windsor & District Junior Golf Academy

The Windsor & District Junior Golf Academy partnered with the Golf Association of Ontario in 2007 to introduce the “Golf in Schools” program to our Windsor-Essex County area schools.

Upon hearing of the new initiative, National Golf in Schools, we felt it was a perfect fit with our mandate and mission at the Junior Golf Academy. The Golf in Schools program is a fun and interactive way to introduce students to an activity they can enjoy their entire life. To date, we have sponsored 19 local schools and look forward to adding new schools each year!

The Windsor & District Junior Golf Academy is a developmental junior golf program designed to create a network for children to learn to play golf, make friends and sample competition in a positive and supportive learning environment. Our programs provide the opportunity to develop skills, progress in golf and have fun while establishing a continuing interest in the game. Our mission is to create programs that are affordable and accessible to young golfers of all races and economic backgrounds to the game of golf, while promoting values such as self-respect, responsibility, honesty, integrity and sportsmanship.

Cathy Goodfellow

When asked why I believe so strongly in the Golf in Schools Program, I can say without any doubt that it is because of the experiences that my family has had on and off  the Golf Course.   My son, pictured here with me, was introduced to golf at an early age by his grandfather and it has become his passion.  He recently turned his passion around to help cancer patients and their families in the Kingston area by raising almost $500,000 by walking and golfing straight for 24 hours. Golf is the only multigenerational sport that has the potential for golfers of any age to communicate about a shared love.

I found out about the Golf in Schools Program, while searching on the Golf Association of Ontario’s website.  I have been an Educational Assistant for twenty years with the Limestone District School Board and as soon as I saw something that would bring golf into our schools I couldn’t wait to find out more about it.  After talking to Mike Kelly, Director of Sport Development, I knew that his vision to get schools involved in the sport of golf was one that I shared. A few short months later, the Limestone District School Board had twenty-four schools registered. 

I believe that the Golf in Schools Program has the potential to let students experience all that golf has to offer.  I want students in elementary schools across Canada, despite any economic barriers they might face, to have the opportunity to learn the amazing game of golf – what it can do for them and what it can do for others.

John White

I believe that golf is a must to become a permanent part of all Ontario school systems. The game teaches kids many attributes towards leading a successful life. Golf is a very unique game in that many people can play at the same time and compete amongst a vast array of abilities. There are not many sports or games where it is fun for all levels of ability playing at the same time.

The Callaway Golf for Kids program can reach thousands of kids to expose them to this great game. It gives opportunities to go into schools where children would not have access to the game otherwise. It is the best way to promote the game of golf from the grassroots level.

As long as all parties involved (C.P.G.A., G.A.O., School Boards)  are diligent in follow up and support, we can identify young talent and provide other opportunities in not only golf skills but life skills as well.

Through a local tournament, The Joe Pogoda Memorial, I have raised funds to help support the Callaway for Kids Programs. We have also donated money to the local Jump Start Program.

East Park

East Park has always been associated with Junior Golf and has a huge commitment to growing the game through junior play.  As an executive length golf course, it’s a natural fit.  Add to that our recreational components on site that include waterpark, go-karts, mini-golf and much more and the fit is even better!

In 2002, East Park led a group of London area courses in a test market of the NGCOA Take a Kid to the Course program.  That turned out to be a huge success and the next year the program went national.  In 2009, this program had 620 golf courses participating in a week long program coast-to-coast allowing juniors to play for free.

East Park has been doing Junior Golf Camps since 1995 and in 2009, allowed over 400 children to participate in the week long programs.

In an effort to continue to grow the game, East Park extended the Take a Kid to the Course program through the Summer of 2008 and 2009 allowing Juniors to play for a Toonie with a paying adult.  The $2 was donated to the Callaway Golf For Kids Program – a win-win situation for the community.  Juniors got access to the golf course and schools get assistance in developing a great golf program.

Ken Teshima

Being a former physical and health education teacher and elementary school principal, Ken saw the benefits of introducing golf to students as the game can become a life long sport. The GAO introduced a program prior to the Callaway Golf for Kids Program and Ken assisted in presenting this to elementary students.

"When the Callaway program was introduced, I immediately saw the benefits of this program. It was a 'fun' way to have children in elementary school, beginning as early as junior kindergartens, learn the fundamentals of golf without making it a golf lesson."

By having Mr. Knickers introduce the program, the children truly get a feel as to what to expect from the program.  Providing classroom lesson plans and resources also makes it more likely that teachers who have no experience with the game will continue to use the equipment provided by Callaway.