NEW MINAS, N.S. — This week, the Canadian Senior Men’s Amateur Championship has returned to Nova Scotia, and KenWo Golf Club welcomes the country’s top senior golfers.
For the 103-year-old club in the Annapolis Valley, the championship is about more than competition.
Founded in 1921, KenWo is one of Nova Scotia’s oldest member-owned courses, with a challenging 18-hole layout and a reputation as a premier venue. Its national profile grew in 2016 when it hosted the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship.
But KenWo’s leaders say its deeper legacy lies in growing the game at the grassroots level.
“KenWo has always believed golf should be for everyone,” said Rene MacKay, the club’s director of golf. “Hosting a national championship is an honour, but our greatest pride is introducing the game to young people and making it accessible to our community.”
Junior golf and First Tee – Atlantic
KenWo is a proud First Tee – Atlantic program location supported by RBC Community Junior Golf, offering programming at no cost to local youth. PGA of Canada professionals Ryan Trimper and Laura Reid also bring First Tee programming into local schools, expanding opportunities for children who might not otherwise have the opportunity to pick up a club.
This season, KenWo partnered with First Tee – Atlantic to deliver an empowering “Girls Try Golf” series that introduced more than 30 girls aged six to 10 to the sport.
Innovation through competition
KenWo was a founding course in the BDO National Golf League, a nationwide, season-long competition created by Golf Canada that enhances the league experience for all and supports First Tee – Canada. For three years the club has run the league in its men’s program, sending players to national finals.
In 2024, KenWo’s Peter Morse and Tim Charles won the inaugural NGL title and advanced to The R&A 9 Hole Challenge at Royal Troon one-week prior to the 152nd Open Championship. After suffering 14 fractures in a car accident in 2015, Morse’s journey to recovery has been no easy feat. Read more about Morse’s resilience through golf here.
Building a legacy
The 2025 championship will also leave a lasting impact. Legacy funding will strengthen First Tee – Atlantic’s ability to partner with five local schools and enhance its collaboration with Acadia University’s S.M.I.L.E. (Sensory Motor Instructional Leadership Experience) program, which supports individuals experiencing disability.
Since 2023, S.M.I.L.E. participants have been introduced to golf through tailored programming, with some joining Special Olympics golf. Following the championship, KenWo, First Tee – Atlantic and S.M.I.L.E. will host an on-course clinic on September 29, giving participants their first green-grass experience.
“Golf has become an incredible tool for inclusion within our program,” said Roxanne Seaman, professor at Acadia University and director of the S.M.I.L.E. program. “Through partnerships like this one, we’re able to provide participants an opportunity to connect with their community.”
As KenWo hosts the Canadian Senior Men’s Amateur, the club hopes the event will leave a mark that lasts well beyond the competition.
“This championship is about more than great golf,” MacKay said. “It’s about building a legacy for the community and ensuring the next generation has even more opportunities to fall in love with the game.”
To learn more, visit firstteeatlantic.ca.