In honour of First Tee Week, we are celebrating the incredible coaches, teachers, and community leaders who bring our mission to life—on and off the course.
Across Canada, more than 270 certified First Tee coaches are delivering life-enhancing experiences through golf at over 100 green grass facilities.
We are also proud to partner with passionate teachers and community leaders who have introduced First Tee in nearly 360 schools and community centres—more than 70% of which serve equity-deserving communities.
Thanks to their efforts, more than 170,000 youth have experienced the impact of First Tee since 2021—learning life skills that extend far beyond the game.
Being a First Tee coach is more than just a title.
At First Tee – Canada, golf is more than getting the lowest score—it’s about helping youth develop into the best version of themselves. This starts with the mentors in front of them.
Our coaches are role models. They guide and support our youth. They create safe, inclusive spaces where participants feel seen, heard, and ready to realize their full potential.
That commitment begins before stepping onto the course. Each coach completes Safe Sport certifications and training to understand golf as a vehicle to teach valuable life skills.
Through engaging activities, participants develop resilience, focus and leadership. Our coaches teach youth how to navigate life’s obstacles and remind them that failure is a stepping stone to growth.
To every First Tee coach, teacher, and community leader—thank you.
Thank you for leading with purpose and shaping the next generation of Canadian golfers, one swing at a time.
For many children, golf is often seen as a sport that is unattainable to them. Whether it’s cost, finding a way to get to a course, or even the perception of the sport not being inclusive. First Tee – British Columbia (First Tee – BC) aims to break down those barriers and make golf more accessible for children of all backgrounds.
Since launching in 2021, First Tee programming has been delivered to over 33,000 youth across the province at nearly 70 locations including golf courses, schools, and community centers, with a coaching staff of over 55 coaches.
The goal is to introduce as many children as possible to golf, particularly those who might not otherwise have the chance, and to offer them empowering and positive experiences through sport.
A key contributor of the program’s reach and success is establishing meaningful partnerships with community and youth organizations.
First Tee – BC has partnered with nearly 20 community centres across the province. Additionally, youth organizations including Big Brothers BC, KidsPlay Foundation, the Central Vancouver Island Multicultural Society (CVIMS), and Extreme Outreach Society have come onboard.
Through these valuable community partnerships, First Tee – BC has already introduced over 4,000 children to golf through affordable programming offered in-house or through field trips and events at nearby partnered golf courses.
The connections being built in these communities are bigger than golf.
First Tee blends fundamental golf skills with life lessons. While children learn how to swing the club and about distance control, they also continue to develop skills like goal setting, perseverance, and self-confidence.
Perry Monych, First Tee – BC coach, encapsulates the personal impact this program can make.
“The most rewarding part is seeing kids, who might not have initially been interested in golf, return week after week with enthusiasm and willingness to take on more challenges,” said Monych. “The life skills they continue to develop through the program are invaluable and often more impactful than the golf skills themselves.”
One impactful way First Tee – BC strives to expose more youth to the sport is through try golf events.
These events are offered at no cost to community partners and participants and provide all the necessary equipment. It is an opportunity to introduce golf to children in a no-pressure, fun and inclusive environment.
In August, First Tee program location Highland Pacific Golf in Victoria, BC, hosted a try golf event for over 20 youth from the Extreme Outreach Society, an organization striving to break the cycle of addiction, poverty and homelessness.
Scott Stefani, program manager, First Tee – BC speaks to the importance of connections with community organizations.
“Community partnership is such a valuable resource, helping us to provide disadvantaged children and youth with opportunities they may not otherwise have,” said Stefani. “We are so grateful for community partners like the Extreme Outreach Society.”
The goal is for children to associate a positive experience with golf. Hopefully they make new friends, have fun with their coaches, learn more about the sport and discover more about themselves.
The next step would be to offer registered programming opportunities at a nearby golf course to children who are eager to stay connected to the game.
Through a supportive network of generous donors, First Tee – BC can provide no-cost events and programming and offer financial assistance opportunities to families in need. To contribute and help First Tee – BC continue to make a meaningful impact, please visit https://firstteebc.ca/giving/.
Golf Canada is committed to ensuring that golf reflects the strengths of Canada’s diversity. First Tee – Ontario continues to strengthen its allyship and existing bonds with Indigenous communities across the province to collaboratively provide meaningful experiences to Indigenous youth through golf.
To date, First Tee – Ontario has partnered with seven Indigenous schools and community centres across the province, including Akwasasne Mohawk School, Can-Am Indian Friendship Centre, Six Nations of the Grand River Community (Dajoh Facility), Hamilton Regional Indian Centre, Anishnabeg Outreach Centre, Fort Erie Native Friendship Centre, and Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte.
In addition, four partnered golf courses, including Roseland Golf Club, MontHill Golf and Country Club, Archies Family Golf Centre, and Briar Fox Golf Club are serving Indigenous youth through on-course programming.
“Having the First Tee program at MontHill Golf and Country Club provides youth on Six Nations of the Grand River with opportunities to learn the game of golf,” said First Tee – Ontario Coach, Melanie Burgess. “Being Indigenous owned, we take pride in reducing the barriers to participation in this sport.”
First Tee – Ontario builds out community “hubs” made up of partnered community centres or organizations, schools and nearby golf courses.
The intention is to first introduce children to golf through no-cost events or programming at partnered community centres and schools, then transition them to affordable on-course programming at nearby golf courses.
Thanks to the support of RBC and corporate donors, more than half of the First Tee – Ontario golf course locations serving Indigenous communities offer programming at no cost.
“Parents don’t need to worry about the financial commitment of typical junior golf programs or purchasing equipment,” said Program Coordinator, First Tee – Ontario, Kyarra Hasmatali. “The kids can show up as they are, with no experience, and have fun. Whether they have never held a golf club or are familiar with the sport, First Tee welcomes everyone.”
First Tee – Ontario has also received generous support from Indigenous Sport and Wellness Ontario (ISWO) through hosting Try Golf events and advocating for First Tee within their network. The ISWO’s efforts have helped build awareness and connections, onboard more program locations, and reach more Indigenous youth.
First Tee – Ontario programming primarily serves youth ages seven to 13 – a key stage in development, and programming is unique in the way it incorporates a curriculum that helps progress both golf skills and life skills simultaneously.
While participants learn how to swing a golf club and practice distance control, they are also learning about goal setting and how to be the most confident version of themselves.
“Improving golf skills is just one aspect of our program. The real goal is to build confidence and connections,” said First Tee – Ontario Coach, Steve Pronger. “As kids develop their golf skills on the course, they also gain self-assurance, learn to connect with others, and grow more comfortable with who they are each week.”
Looking ahead, First Tee – Ontario is excited to strengthen existing relationships and create new connections with Indigenous communities across the province.
First Tee – Ontario aims to expand programming in 2025 to include ages 14 to 16, providing additional opportunities for adolescents to discover and develop through the game of golf.
The reach of First Tee – Ontario across the province, and within Indigenous communities, is made possible by a generous network of supporters who believe and share the mission of championing youth and growing the game of golf.
