Tag: RBC

First Tee – Quebec builds lasting impact at Golf Les Rivières

Maxime Charron / @UNconventionalGolf

TROIS-RIVIÈRES, Que. — Golf Les Rivières has become a hub for junior golf in Quebec since joining First Tee – Quebec in 2022, helping hundreds of young people learn the game while developing life skills.

The course, which features nine executive holes, a mini-putt course, a practice range and disc golf, now welcomes more than 80 unique participants annually through First Tee programming. For coaches, seeing familiar faces each season has become a point of pride.

“My greatest pride is seeing young participants come back every year,” said coach Audrey-Ann Comeau. “More than 50 per cent of the young people here this year are returning from last year, with over 60 per cent of them doing more than one activity.”

Maxime Charron / @UNconventionalGolf

Among those returning is 10-year-old Coralie Lemay, who joined First Tee four years ago. For her, golf has become more than a sport.

“I have been participating in the First Tee program for four years. Every year, the teachers teach us lots of things,” Lemay said. “I really enjoy going out on the course; that’s what I like best.”

Maxime Charron / @UNconventionalGolf

Her story reflects the program’s mission to make golf fun, accessible and community driven. At Golf Les Rivières, that mission comes to life through colourful, engaging games including Tic-Tac-Toe on the putting green, chipping into hula hoops, and football-inspired challenges on the driving range. These activities make learning the sport exciting while empowering participants to achieve goals on the course and make good choices off it.

“It’s really important for us to introduce youth to the First Tee program so that golf can be fun and accessible to everyone,” Comeau said. “For our sport to be healthy, we need to take care of the next generation. The most important shot is the next one.”

Maxime Charron / @UNconventionalGolf

First Tee – Quebec continues to expand across the province with programming offered at clubs in Montréal, Lévis, Lac Saint-Jean, Gatineau, Rimouski, Val d’Or, Rouyn-Noranda, Grandy, Mirabel, Rive-Sud and Lanaudière, in addition to Trois-Rivières.

This summer, Golf Les Rivières hosted weekly classes from May through August, along with four weeks of day camps. By combining skill instruction with playful activities and character-building lessons, the program continues to grow stronger each year. Rising participant retention shows that youth across Quebec are not only learning golf — they are embracing it as a fun, meaningful sport that fosters values extending beyond the fairways.

To get involved with First Tee – Quebec, visit firstteequebec.ca/en/get-involved/.

Creating Space on the Fairways: RBC Community Junior Golf Helps Empower Quebec Girls Through Golf

Sean Mundy Photography

More than 30 girls from local schools and communities were introduced to the game of golf last month during an all-girls clinic at Le Parcours du Cerf, in Longueuil, Q.C.

Hosted by First Tee – Quebec and She Plays Golf, the event was made possible through support from RBC Community Junior Golf, RBC’s national initiative providing underserved youth with inclusive and low-barrier pathways into the sport.

Among the participants were students from École Adrien-Gamache, a school implementing the First Tee School Program within its physical education curriculum this fall. Since the program does not begin until September, the all-girls clinic marked the students’ first experience on a real golf course and their introduction to the life skills the sport promotes.

“What a positive first experience at a real golf club!” said a group of students from École Adrien-Gamache. “We love hitting with the driver – it makes golf feel easy.”

Sean Mundy Photography

As part of a growing hub of facilities supported by RBC Community Junior Golf, students who attended the clinic can continue their on-course golf journey at no cost. RBC’s initiative opens the door to new opportunities by covering First Tee program registration fees and equipment for participants.

“We were notified by the school about the event,” said the mother of 11-year-old Sarah Boutchich. “Sarah really enjoyed the clinic and having the opportunity to spend time with her friends in a new setting.”

Led by a team of five First Tee coaches, most of whom were women, the clinic offered a welcoming and supportive environment. The girls rotated through putting and full-swing stations, and older players from the Advanced Golf Academy joined as additional mentors.

“Passing on the passion for golf to young people and teaching them values such as discipline and perseverance is extremely gratifying,” said First Tee coach Miguel Garcia.

Sean Mundy Photography

The day wrapped up with a hotdog lunch and a friendship bracelet activity, giving the girls time to connect and celebrate the start of summer.

Sean Mundy Photography

First Tee – Quebec and She Plays Golf share a goal of growing girls’ participation in golf. Their programs and initiatives are designed to foster safe, inclusive spaces where girls can build confidence, develop new skills and feel empowered to stay engaged with the game.

“What I find most rewarding is seeing the participants progress,” said First Tee coach Angélique Maire. “Through our coaching, we help them develop not just golf skills, but life values and a positive attitude towards others.”

Following First Tee – Quebec’s spring season that introduced nearly 3,500 girls to golf across the province, the Longueuil clinic helps build momentum by teeing up a summer filled with expanded program offerings.

With continued support from RBC Community Junior Golf, First Tee – Quebec and She Plays Golf remain committed to breaking down barriers and empowering young girls through the sport.

About RBC Community Junior Golf

RBC Community Junior Golf is an initiative led by RBC in partnership with Golf Canada that is building greater inclusion in golf by providing affordable access for youth across Canada.

RBC Community Junior Golf supports the operation of both First Tee and Youth on Course at 36 municipal and publicly accessible golf courses across Canada. Since 2021, RBC Community Junior Golf has engaged over 55,000 participants by offering no-cost First Tee programming, and has provided over 65,000 subsidized rounds of golf to Canadians 18 and under.

Learn more at golfcanada.ca/rbc-community-junior-golf.

About First Tee – Quebec

First Tee – Quebec is one of six regional chapters of First Tee – Canada, Golf Canada’s youth development program providing life-enhancing experiences through golf for children from equity-deserving communities. Since 2021, First Tee – Quebec has provided over 40,000 youth across the province with low-barrier pathways to golf through programming at schools, community centres, and golf facilities.

Learn more at firstteequebec.ca.

About She Plays Golf

Launched in 2023, She Plays Golf is Golf Canada’s multifaceted women’s participation strategy, leading several key initiatives to grow the game across the country from grassroots participation to professional development. She Plays Golf initiatives include Festivals designed to introduce women and girls to golf in a welcoming, supportive environment; a Championship Series (professional tour) that provides aspiring Canadian women golfers competitive guidance on the path to the LPGA Tour; and a Women in Coaching program aimed at increasing gender diversity among high-performance coaches.

Learn more at golfcanada.ca/sheplaysgolf.

RBC breaks down barriers to golf for Canadian youth

As a long-time supporter of professional golf, RBC deepened its commitment to the sport in 2021 with the launch of RBC Community Junior Golf and continues to support this initiative, which provides affordable access to golf for youth across Canada.

In partnership with Golf Canada, RBCsupports the national delivery of two junior golf programs, First Tee – Canada and Youth on Course.

First Tee – Canada, launched in 2021 by Golf Canada in partnership with First Tee, is a youth development program that offers life-enhancing experiences through accessible golf programming for young people from low socio-economic communities. Youth on Course is a complimentary program to First Tee – Canada that provides youth aged six to 18 with subsidized rounds of golf for five dollars or less.

Since 2022, RBC Community Junior Golf has engaged over 55,000 youth through providing First Tee – Canada programming at no cost and subsidizing green fees for junior golfers through Youth on Course.

“The growth of our programs and the ability to introduce thousands of young people to golf every year would not be possible without the steadfast support of RBC,” said Adam Hunter, Executive Director, First Tee – Canada. “RBC Community Junior Golf has expanded our reach and has played a pivotal role in providing communities across Canada with inclusive and affordable access to golf.”

All RBC Community Junior Golf sites across Canada, including municipal or publicly accessible golf courses, offer no-cost First Tee – Canada programming to participants with all necessary equipment, and provide participants with a complimentary Youth on Course membership to play affordable rounds of golf at participating golf courses.

At RBC Community Junior golf sites, youth in surrounding low socio-economic communities are prioritized access to the First Tee program.

Private, no cost registration links are shared with select schools and community groups, and RBC covers transportation costs to the golf course, to encourage participation from families who may not have considered golf as a sport for them.

RBC also covers the cost of First Tee coach certification, helping to onboard more dedicated coaches, increase program offerings, and ensure a safe and inclusive environment for participants.

Partnered schools and youth centres are also able to run First Tee programming in-house at no cost, with provided curriculum, training modules and equipment kits.

“We believe young people from all communities deserve the chance to play golf and reap the benefits the sport has to offer,” said RBC’s Chief Brand Officer, Shannon Cole. “Together with Golf Canada, we are breaking down barriers of entry to the game and bringing golf directly to communities in a meaningful and engaging way.”

Last year, in addition to the 36 established RBC Community Junior Golf sites, nearly 165 elementary schools, community centers, and youth organizations across the country partnered with RBC Community Junior Golf to further expand the benefits of First Tee programming. This expansion resulted in nearly 3,500 subsidized Youth on Course rounds being played at RBC Community Junior Golf sites alone.

Looking ahead, RBC Community Junior Golf will continue to grow the game, inspire the next generation of golfers and help make a positive impact in their lives, on and off the course.