Hitting the links this summer, the inaugural season of a Sturgeon Lake youth golf program proved itself a resounding success, key organizer David Vallee said.
“We’re hoping to do it again next year,” he said. “It gives them something to do for the summer … It was fun and memorable for these young golfers.”
Almost 90 youth from Sturgeon Lake First Nation turned out to enjoy a summer’s worth of weekly golf outings at the Spruce Home Golf Course, with equal numbers of girls and boys.
“Everything was free for the kids,” Vallee said. “We provided the golf clubs and the fees for the course.”
The golf course provided discounted rates, which were further offset by contributions by the Sturgeon Lake Inter Agency, Herb Goldhawk, the local RCMP, the Northern Lights Casino, Prince Albert Auto Wreckers and Econo Lumber.
“Kids always looked forward to coming out,” Vallee said. “There were a lot of memories made out there.”
The summer’s worth of free golf wrapped up a couple weeks ago with a tournament.
Word regarding the unique summer golf program has already spread to other First Nations communities interested in adopting the program.
“They’re already coming to me to ask me how we did it — it was a very successful program for the summer,” Vallee said.
Work is already underway for next year’s summer youth golf program, with sponsors being sought to again offset costs for youth.
