Kyarra Hasmatali/Golf Canada

CALEDON, Ont. — From municipal golf courses to the RBC Canadian Open, RBC Community Junior Golf helped more young Canadians discover the game through First Tee – Canada programming in 2026. 

An initiative launched by RBC and Golf Canada, RBC Community Junior Golf supported First Tee programming at 38 program locations across Canada in 2026, helping reduce barriers to participation and create welcoming pathways into the sport for youth from all backgrounds. 

“Golf is about more than the game itself — it’s about the character, confidence and connections young people build along the way,” said Shannon Cole, chief brand officer of RBC. “Through RBC Community Junior Golf, we’re helping ensure that every kid in Canada who wants to pick up a club has the opportunity to do so. Seeing the impact across the country reinforces why this partnership matters so much to us. We’re not just introducing youth to a sport — we’re opening doors to possibility.” 

Since launching in 2022, RBC Community Junior Golf has engaged more than 170,000 participants through no-cost First Tee programming. In 2026, the initiative reached nearly 63,000 participants from 264 community partners and 38 golf facilities, building on its impact in underserved communities across the country. 

The initiative also continues to help broaden golf’s reach, with 46 per cent of participants identifying as female. In addition, 79 per cent of community partners serve low-socioeconomic communities, helping connect more young people with opportunities to participate in a sport they may not have otherwise had the chance to play. 

“We’re incredibly grateful to RBC for their continued commitment to First Tee – Canada,” said Adam Hunter, executive director of First Tee – Canada. “Each season, through RBC Community Junior Golf, we see children pick up a club for the first time and leave with more confidence, new friendships and skills that extend well beyond golf. That impact simply wouldn’t be possible without RBC.” 

Bringing the 72’ Putt challenge into communities 

RBC Community Junior Golf engaged fans through its 72’ Putt activation at the 2026 RBC Canadian Open. Inspired by Nick Taylor’s historic 72-foot putt to win the 2023 championship, the activation gave fans a chance to recreate the putt, with proceeds supporting First Tee – Canada programming across the country. 

The activation raised nearly $45,000 during tournament week and provided an opportunity to connect the excitement of Canada’s National Open Championship with the importance of introducing more Canadian youth to the game. 

The challenge reached RBC Community Junior Golf-supported First Tee – Canada sessions, where participants tested their putting skills for a chance to win prizes. The activity offered a fun way for young golfers to practise their skills and build enthusiasm for the game. 

Recognition for impact 

RBC Community Junior Golf’s backing of First Tee – Canada to advance inclusion and create meaningful community impact was recognized by Sponsorship Marketing Council Canada this year through three Sponsorship Marketing Awards: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Purpose-Led / Social Cause, and Best in Show. 

“Being recognized by Sponsorship Marketing Council Canada is incredibly meaningful for our team, but what makes these awards truly special is what they represent — real, measurable progress toward making golf more accessible for young Canadians,” said Mark Soder, director of brand marketing at RBC. “RBC Community Junior Golf is a great example of how our sponsorships at RBC are designed to champion and give back to our communities.” 

The recognition highlights the initiative’s focus on using golf to create positive change and increase access for young people. Through its support of First Tee – Canada, RBC Community Junior Golf helps foster environments for youth to learn the game, develop relationships and build valuable skills they can carry through life. 

Looking ahead 

As First Tee – Canada continues to grow, RBC Community Junior Golf will remain an important accelerator in expanding access to golf for young Canadians, particularly in underserved communities.  

Continued support from RBC and the Golf Canada Foundation will help First Tee – Canada reach more youth, strengthen local programming and reduce barriers to participation. The partnership aims to give more Canadian children and families the opportunity to experience golf, regardless of their background or circumstances. 

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About RBC Community Junior Golf 

RBC Community Junior Golf is an initiative launched by RBC and Golf Canada that aims to build greater inclusion in golf. The initiative supports the growth of First Tee – Canada programming at municipal and publicly accessible golf courses by providing affordable access to the game for youth in underserved communities across the country. 

About First Tee – Canada 

First Tee – Canada is Golf Canada’s youth development program that uses golf to teach life skills such as confidence, resilience and integrity. Through programming delivered at golf facilities, schools and community centres across the country, First Tee – Canada strives to ensure youth from all backgrounds can access the game and develop skills that extend beyond the fairways. 

Luke Cote and Carter Bell have wrapped up their fall season at Southern Arkansas University (SAU). The Muleriders were in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma on Oct. 26 and 27 for the Tulsa Cup.

Competing at Indian Springs Country Club, Cote carded rounds of 74, 75, and 72 to place tied for 33^rd. Bell was competing as an individual in the tournament, he shot scores of 77, 83, and 72 to tie for 78^th.

SAU as a team was tied for eighth.

Tayla Perry has concluded her first fall season with the Minnesota State University Mankato Mavericks. The Regina native played as an individual at the Tulsa Cup also played in Broken Arrow. The Club at Forest Ridge hosted the event on Oct. 26 and 27. Perry played as an individual and shot 81, 79, and 81 to land her in a tie for 39^th.

Perry’s teammates were tied for sixth out of 17 schools to close the season.

Five more Saskatchewan student athletes have scheduled events for mid-November.

The PGA of Saskatchewan has handed out their 2026 awards.

On Oct. 29 the association held a small banquet during the PGA of Saskatchewan’s Buying Show at Dakota Dunes Resort.

Cooke Municipal Golf Course General Manager Darcy Myers (pictured above), was the big winner of the night taking home the Retailer of the Year, Peter Semko Executive of the Year, and the Bill Taylor Trophy.

Phil Jonas continued his dominance on the course earning three awards. The Saskatoon based professional won the Scott Knapp Trophy (player of the year), the Frank Fowler Trophy (lowest stroke average), and the Peter Cushner Trophy for being the Order of Merit winner..

Brad Lovatt will take the Graham Coulter Trophy for Professional of the Year back to the Wascana Country Club in Regina.

The Willows Club professional Brandon Ho won the Apprentice Professional of the Year. Chad Lavallee is the Class ‘A’ Assistant of the Year for his work at Riverside Country Club.

Jason Schneider was named the Junior Leader of the Year. Jeff Chambers was name the Coach of the Year. Patty Jonas was honoured with the John Gaudet Teacher of the Year.

Acushnet Golf (FootJoy/Titleist) rep Max Murchison was awarded the Ken Rodgers Sales Representative of the Year.

The Melfort Golf and Country Club has nominated a local citizen for the 2026 volunteer of the year.

Brian Morrison has put Terry Roger’s name forward for the honour. Morrison said Roger’s is not only an exceptional volunteer at the Melfort Golf and Country Club, but in the city itself.

“Terry has volunteered over many years particularly in assisting in tree maintenance. Not only at the golf course, Terry is the ultimate volunteer in many of our communities’ functions.”

Rogers will now be entered into the overall “Club Volunteer of the Year” that will be announced during the Golf Saskatchewan annual general meeting in April.

To nominate a volunteer at your club email Clark Stork at CStork@GolfSaskatchewan.org

The PGA of Canada hosted the PGA Head Teaching Professional Championship of Canada and the PGA Head Professional Championship coincided with each other this week at Redwoods Golf Club in Langley, B.C.

Saskatchewan had four players in the field. In the head professional event, Brad Lovatt of Wascana Country Club led the locals tying for 21^st at 9-over par, 222. Royal Regina Head Professional Dean Brown shot 72, 75, and 76 for a tie for 26^th. Urban Golf Owner Kevin Deitz tied for 35^th at 15-over par. There were 68 competitors in the head pro division.

Four-time Saskatchewan Amateur champion Lindsay Bernakevitch was 14^th in the event at 5-over par. The Regina product is based at the Victoria Golf Club.

Phil Jonas was the lone local in the head teaching tournament. The Saskatoon Golf and Country Club based pro tied for fifth after shooting 74, 70, and 71.

PGA Show begins Thursday

The events preceded the PGA of Saskatchewan Buying Show that begins on Thursday, Oct. 29. Corporate reps from across western Canada will meet with Saskatchewan course administrators, proshop managers, and professionals over two days at the Dakota Dunes Resort.

The PGA will hold their annual general meeting, the National Golf Course Owners Association will host a networking breakfast, and the PGA of Saskatchewan will announce their award winners Thursday evening.

Long-time Saskatchewan junior competitor, amateur, and now professional, Will Danielson trying to widen his golf knowledge through the brand Prairie Club.

Now a certified instructor the Millsaps College graduate is teaching to go alongside his clothing venture.

After a stint playing some professional events, the Saskatoon product wanted to stay closer to home, but somehow make a living in the sport, hence came start of Prairie Club.

Danielson spoke to Golf Saskatchewan about his career since graduating in the United States, playing competitively, and now his business venture.

Earlier this month Golf Saskatchewan announced calls for the first ‘Club Volunteer of the Year’ and Maple Creek Golf Club has sent in the first nomination.

Dale Gowen is being honoured for his work in the small southwest community. Jo Genert, the proshop manager and book keeper at the course said the following about Gowen.

Dale has been collecting aluminum can tabs for 30 years; he comes every week during the entire golf season to sort our recycle in preparation for delivery to SARCAN. During the sorting he removes the tabs. Dale collects the tabs for donation to build wheelchairs. It takes 1,600 tabs to equal one pound and 16,000 pounds to build a wheelchair. Aluminum is $1.36 per pound. Dale has collected roughly 600 pounds over the course of 30 years. He personally delivers them to the Regina Pasqua Hospital for donation. 

On behalf of the Maple Creek Golf club, I would like to thank Dale for his services and dedication.

Gowen will receive a prize pack from Golf Saskatchewan and be entered into the finals with a winner being announced at the Golf Saskatchewan Annual General Meeting in April.

If you would like to recognize a volunteer for their work at your club, email Clark Stork.

What Canadian golfers need to know about the end of the active season, winter golf trips and tracking indoor rounds.

There’s still time for at least one more round outdoors. But will that round count toward your Golf Canada Handicap Index?

As the active season ends across much of Canada, the answer depends on where and when you play.

Whether you’re squeezing in a final round at home, packing your clubs for a winter getaway or heading to a simulator, here’s what to know about recording your scores.

What is the active season?

The active season is the period when acceptable scores from courses in a particular area must be submitted for handicap purposes. Provincial golf associations establish these dates, which vary across Canada.

Scores from rounds played during a course’s inactive season do not count toward handicap calculations. Seasonal conditions can make a course play differently from the conditions reflected in its course and slope ratings. Learn more about active seasons.

A course can remain open after its active season ends. You can still enjoy a round, but that score won’t count toward your handicap index.

When does the active season end in my province?

A list of the following active seasons:

Some courses in British Columbia’s Lower Mainland and on Vancouver Island may observe a year-round active season. Check with the course or provincial association if you’re unsure about its status.

Heading somewhere warmer? Keep posting your scores

Your home club’s inactive season ending doesn’t mean scores for rounds at all courses won’t count towards your handicap index.

If you belong to a club in Ontario and play in Florida in January, you must submit an otherwise acceptable score. Florida observes a year-round active season, so those rounds count even while your home course is closed for winter.

Before your trip, check the active season at your destination with the course or local golf association. Warm weather alone doesn’t determine whether a score is acceptable. Many southern U.S. destinations have year-round active seasons, but confirm before you play. Read Golf Canada’s winter score-posting guidance.

After each round, post your acceptable score through the Golf Canada App or online Score Centre. Select the course and tees you played and submit the score as soon as possible that day, before midnight local time. Golf Canada automatically accounts for the course’s active season.

If you maintain both Canadian and U.S. scoring records, make sure all acceptable scores appear in both. Golf Canada can help link Canadian and USGA accounts so scores transfer automatically. Contact members@golfcanada.ca for assistance in setting this up.

Those winter rounds can change your Golf Canada Handicap Index.

Taking your game indoors? Keep tracking it

If you’re heading to a simulator this winter, use the Golf Canada App to record your indoor rounds and practice sessions at participating Golf Canada member facilities. It’s a useful way to track your indoor game, follow your progress and stay focused on your goals until spring. Learn about indoor tracking in the app.

Indoor scores do not count toward your Handicap Index. They still give you a record of your simulator rounds, whether you’re working towards a scoring goal, playing in a winter league or enjoying a game with friends.

The Golf Canada app is available as a free download from the App Store and Google Play. Download the app.

Does every outdoor round during the active season count?

The active season is one requirement. The round must also meet the other conditions in the Rules of Handicapping.

These include playing an authorized format, completing the required minimum number of holes, playing in the company of at least one other person and following the Rules of Golf. The course must also have current course and slope ratings.

If you’re unsure whether a round qualifies, ask your club’s handicap committee or see the Rules of Handicapping.

What should I do before the season ends?

Review your scoring record for missing rounds and ask your club for help correcting any omissions or errors.

For your remaining outdoor rounds, submit acceptable scores as soon as possible on the day you play, before midnight local time. That allows your score to be included in the playing conditions calculation and your handicap index to be updated for the following day. Find score-posting guidance.

Wherever you play this winter, keep the Golf Canada app handy. Post acceptable outdoor scores while travelling and record your indoor rounds to keep tracking your game until spring.

It was a much lighter schedule this week for Saskatchewan student-athletes south of the border.

Chloe Wills of Kyle continued her outstanding season with the Drury University Panthers this week with another top 10 finish. Drury was in Caseyville, Illinois on Oct. 19 and 20^th for the McKendree Bearcats Dual Gender Invite at Far Oaks Golf Club. The Saskatchewan Landing Golf Resort member posted rounds of 78, 72, and 74, good enough for a tie for seventh place overall.

The Panthers were third overall in the team category as they wrapped up the season and will now return to action in March.

Chase Pochylko of Saskatoon saw his first on course play of the season this week after battling a foot injury for most of the fall. Pochylko and the Nicholls State University Colonels were at the LaTour Golf Club in Matthews, Louisiana for the LaTour Intercollegiate on Oct. 1 and 20.

Competing as an individual, he signed for rounds of 80, 71, and 81 to place tied for 45^th. His Nicholls teammates closed the season with a third place finish out of nine schools.

Saskatoon native Justin Miller has also had a stellar campaign after transferring from junior college to NAIA school Tabor College. The Bluejays were in Dodge City, Kansas on Oct. 18 to 20 for the KCAC Matchplay Championships. The competitors played an 18-hole event first, Miller scored 76 and placed tied for 15^th.

The following two rounds were matchplay, Miller defeated Christian Flint of York 3&2. In the third round he downed Malachi Meador of York 4&3.

In the end Tabor was ranked third out of 10 competing schools. The Bluejays are now done for the season.

Another Riverside Country Club member was also on the course down south this week as Ben Staines and the Mount Aloysius College Mounties were in action. Aloysius was in Altoona, Pennsylvania on Oct. 17 and 18 to close the season at the Penn State Altoona hosted at Sinking Valley Country Club. The Mounties had two teams competing, Staines was on the ‘B’ team that placed sixth overall. Staines was 29^th with rounds of 80 and 85.

The Aloysius ‘C’ team was seventh.

There are still 10 Saskatchewan players with scheduled events before the season comes to a close.

The Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT) has awarded their annual players of the year and the recipients of over $70,000 in scholarships.

The Saskatchewan Order of Merit (OOM) champions for this MJT season are:

Under-15 Women | Alyxa Melsted (Wynyard) – Wynyard Golf Club

15 – 19 Women | Arwen Mosher (Saskatoon) – Riverside Country Club

Peewee Boys | Hudson Deibert (Regina) – Royal Regina Golf Club

Bantam Boys | Jace Munro (Swift Current) – Elmwood Golf Club

Juvenile Boys | Austin Nesbitt (Regina) – Wascana Country Club

Junior Boys | Oliver Matyczuk (Saskatoon) – Riverside Country Club

Mini Tour OOM champions:

9-10 Girls | Aria Shoffner (St. Denis) – Riverside Country Club

11-12 Girls | Kensi Bourassa (Saskatoon) – Saskatoon Golf & Country Club

Under-9 Boys | Aleksander Sierzycki (Prince Albert)

9-10 Boys | Jerry King Zhao (Regina) – Wascana Country Club

11-12 Boys | Caleb O’Brien (Melville) – Melville Regional Park Golf Course

Scholarship recipients:

Matty Schmiess (Swift Current) – Elmwood Golf Club

Ryker Gavelin (Rivers) – Golf Kenosee

You can see more details on the MJT’s Facebook page.