Rossmere pros work hard to promote golf

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 24/06/2016 (3560 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Steve Wood and his team at Rossmere Country Club believe that if people try golf they will fall in love with the sport, and that is why they are working hard to foster a love of the game in northeast Winnipeg.

Wood, who has been head golf professional at Rossmere since January 2015, said those efforts involve assisting with several programs teaching basic and advanced skills to students at nearby schools.

“The biggest challenge we face at the PGA was the numbers of young kids involved in golf were going down,” Wood explained. “Compare it to soccer which most kids play growing up.

“How do you get kids to play golf?”

Wood has found success in bringing the game to them.

Developed in conjunction with PGA Canada and Golf Canada, the CN Future Links program provides a basic introduction to golf, guiding youth through different stages of age-appropriate content. Future Links is ideal for kids whose families are members at Rossmere or who have otherwise contacted them with an interest in golf.

Rossmere is also actively involved with the National Golf in Schools program. Also developed by both PGA Canada and Golf Canada, National Golf in Schools provides a set of gym-friendly equipment and a curriculum to assist gym teachers with incorporating golf into their existing schedule, Wood said.

“The teachers get the curriculum and teach the core movements while the pros come in and help with more golf-specific aspects of the program.”

Wood credited Rossmere’s membership for helping National Golf in Schools flourish in northeast Winnipeg. Individual members and a women’s league sponsor individual schools by purchasing the equipment package from Golf Canada. So far Rossmere members sponsor five schools, with more on the way.

Miles Macdonell Collegiate was the first school to participate, and they have seen the benefits, Wood said. Not only have the Rossmere professionals helped teach at the school, gym classes have used Rossmere’s driving range. Rossmere has also become the home of the Buckeyes golf team.

“The 28 team members have been offered discounted memberships to help them continue golfing,” Wood said.

Rossmere is also wrapping up a successful spring instruction program through CN Future Links, Wood added. Complementary for club members and only $20 for non-members, the initiative teaches rules, etiquette and skills. Students get assignments on different tournaments and players designed to encourage them to develop an appreciation for golf. They also get four hours of instruction from certified professionals.

All of these efforts are beginning to pay off, Wood said.

“Our junior program had 45 members two years ago. We’re up to 110 now.”

Facebook.com/TheHeraldWPG
Twitter: @HeraldWPG