Amateur

CN Future Links restructures Learn To Play program

In partnership with CN, Golf Canada and the PGA of Canada are pleased to announce some exciting revisions to the CN Future Links Learn To Play program.

Learn To Play is changing from seven levels to four stages and refocusing its programming to target a smaller age range.

This spring, PGA of Canada professionals will receive new lesson guides to help in the delivery of the program. Glenn Cundari, the PGA of Canada’s Technical Director, explained the reasoning for the change after five strong years.

“The changes to the Learn to Play program were needed to ensure that it remains relevant to PGA of Canada members, parents and junior golfers”, he said. The changes we have made have created much more meaningful benchmarks for every program module.”

Also new to the program is a revised progression system. Previously, CN Future Links participants were tracked through a numbered level system (Level 1, 2, 3, etc), but will now belong to one of four specific colour groups, much like the popular martial arts ‘black belt’ method. As a result, juniors will be able to clearly identify with one another in a friendly group atmosphere.

“The change from the traditional number level system to a colour-based system is not unique to golf – sports such as the martial arts have used it with great success for years,” explained Cundari. “We believe that the new colour system will be more appealing to junior golfer and will allow us to be more innovative with our incentive rewards.”

The target age group of 6-12 year-olds will now be rewarded with  colour-coded hats and gear provided by the program’s new apparel sponsor, Puma Golf. CN Future Links instructors will benefit by enticing juniors with the popular, vibrant Puma colours that have been made famous by PGA Tour stars Rickie Fowler and Canadian Graham DeLaet.

Teenagers outside of the Learn to Play age range will be encouraged to register for the new “Learn to Compete” program, which is being piloted this summer. Learn to Compete will feature programming that is tailored towards those looking to take their game to the competitive level.

Learn to Play is one of several programs offered under the CN Future Links umbrella, which includes a variety of options to appeal to every junior golf enthusiast.

For more information on CN Future Links, visit the website.