CHILLIWACK, B.C. — Nick and Andie Taylor are celebrating a significant milestone in their ongoing support of First Tee – Canada.

Since making First Tee – British Columbia a charitable beneficiary of the Nick Taylor Charity Classic in 2024, the Taylors have raised $104,589 for the chapter, helping grow First Tee programming in British Columbia and communities near Nick’s hometown of Abbotsford.

“First Tee – Canada is incredibly grateful to Nick, Andie and the entire Taylor family for their commitment to creating more opportunities for youth to experience the game of golf,” said Sean Reczulski, Senior Director of Development, First Tee – Canada at Golf Canada. “Their generosity through the Nick Taylor Charity Classic is making a meaningful difference in British Columbia, helping us bring accessible and welcoming programming to more youth in the communities Nick knows and loves. Reaching more than $100,000 in giving is an incredible milestone, and we are proud to celebrate it alongside the Taylor family.”

The milestone comes as the Nick Taylor Charity Classic celebrates its 10th anniversary. Founded in 2017, the annual event brings together community leaders, businesses and sport enthusiasts in support of youth sport and education in the Fraser Valley and beyond.

The 10th annual tournament takes place Thursday, September 3 at Cultus Lake Golf Club. First Tee – British Columbia is one of five charitable beneficiaries, alongside Archway Community Services, the University of the Fraser Valley, Chilliwack Community Services and Canadian Tire Jumpstart.

The Taylors’ support of First Tee extends beyond the Charity Classic.

Nick became a First Tee – Canada ambassador in 2025, adding the program’s logo on his golf bag and helping raise awareness for its mission to make golf more accessible to youth across the country.

As an adidas ambassador, Taylor also supported First Tee programming during the 2026 RBC Canadian Open, participating in an adidas-branded First Tee clinic and connecting with youth through the game. Additionally, adidas further supported First Tee – Canada through its Birdies for Game Changers initiative, pledging $300 for every birdie or better Taylor made during the 2026 PGA TOUR season.

As a member of Team RBC, Taylor has also helped raise awareness and funds for First Tee – Canada through the RBC Community Junior Golf 72’ Putt activation at the RBC Canadian Open. Inspired by his historic 72-foot putt to win the 2023 RBC Canadian Open, the activation has given Taylor an opportunity to connect with youth and teach them how to attempt the same challenging putt.

Together, the Taylor family’s support has helped create more opportunities for youth to discover golf and develop skills that extend beyond the course.

“I’m very proud to be an ambassador for the First Tee – Canada in supporting the continued growth of grassroots golf in our country,” said Nick. “Andie and I are incredibly humbled by the generous support from so many in our community these past ten years, and we’re excited to share and celebrate this fundraising milestone with all of those supporters.”

For First Tee – British Columbia, the Taylors’ $104,589 in giving represents more than a fundraising milestone. It is an investment in the continued growth of programming in the communities where Nick grew up and where his connection to the sport began.

The 2026 Nick Taylor Charity Classic is sold out. Donations can be made through the event website, with proceeds supporting its five charitable beneficiaries.

As communities across Canada celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21, First Tee – Canada chapters are continuing to build meaningful relationships that introduce Indigenous youth to golf and the life skills associated with the game.

Through collaborations with more than 40 Indigenous schools, communities, organizations and golf facilities, First Tee – Canada programs are being delivered in Indigenous communities from coast to coast.

Since its inception in 2021, First Tee – Canada has reached over 13,000 Indigenous youth through school programs, community events, introductory golf clinics and on-course experiences delivered by more than 20 Indigenous First Tee coaches nationwide.

“The success of these programs is a reflection of the trust, leadership and commitment of our Indigenous partners across Canada,” said Adam Hunter, executive director of First Tee – Canada. “Together, we are creating opportunities for youth to strengthen connections to their communities, develop important life skills and discover golf in welcoming and inclusive environments.”

In British Columbia, First Tee has established numerous partnerships with Indigenous communities, including the Musqueam Nation, Squamish Nation, Tsleil-Waututh Nation, Williams Lake First Nation, Westbank First Nation and Kamloops First Nation.

This year, First Tee – British Columbia has engaged Indigenous youth through school programming, clinics held during the BC Golf Indigenous Championship and an activation at one of the province’s largest National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations, with additional outreach events planned in remote communities throughout the summer.

In Alberta, First Tee collaborates with the 7 Generations Golf Association, Cold Lake First Nations, the Indigenous Sport Council of Alberta, Alexander First Nation, and schools in Frog Lake First Nation and Tsuut’ina Nation.

For National Indigenous Peoples Day, First Tee – Alberta and the 7 Generations Golf Association are hosting an introductory golf clinic at Redwood Meadows Golf Course for youth from Tsuut’ina Nation, delivered by Indigenous First Tee coaches, including chapter champion Andrew Fox, who help integrate culturally relevant approaches into First Tee’s life skills curriculum.

“First Tee – Alberta and 7 Generations Golf share a powerful mission: to make golf more accessible and inclusive for Indigenous youth,” said Fox. “It’s inspiring to see how our efforts are already making a lasting impact in communities across the province.”

In Manitoba, First Tee – Prairies partners with Isaac Beaulieu Memorial School in Sandy Bay Ojibway First Nation and operates programming at The Players Course, a First Nation-owned golf facility in Winnipeg. The chapter also works with Indigenous coach Darcy Zariwney, who leads First Tee programming for youth from Gladstone and surrounding towns.

In Ontario, First Tee has worked closely with Indigenous Sport and Wellness Ontario (ISWO) to establish programs in communities including Mattagami First Nation, Marten Falls First Nation, Six Nations of the Grand River, Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory and Akwesasne. In 2026, First Tee – Ontario will further expand its reach through a clinic at the Golf Ontario Indigenous Championship and a new partnership with the Mushkegowuk Council, bringing the program to several remote northern communities.

First Tee – Quebec’s partnership with the Club 24 Athletics Foundation is helping introduce Indigenous youth in Kahnawake to golf through summer camp programming at Mistic Pines Golf Club. The Indigenous-led organization uses sport and education to help develop future leaders within the community, with all associated coaches identifying as Indigenous.

On Canada’s East Coast, First Tee – Atlantic works with Indigenous organizations and schools across Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, including the Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq, Aboriginal Sport & Recreation New Brunswick and John J. Sark Memorial School.

Across the country, these partnerships are creating accessible, positive experiences for Indigenous youth and families to connect through golf, while developing confidence, perseverance and a sense of belonging.

As First Tee – Canada chapters continue to expand their reach, National Indigenous Peoples Day serves as an opportunity to celebrate not only Indigenous cultures and communities, but also the relationships that are helping shape a more inclusive future for the game across Canada.

To support First Tee – Canada’s mission of building greater inclusion in golf, visit firstteecanada.ca/get-involved.

TORONTO, Ont. — What began as a chance to try something new close to home has become a defining part of Jayden Cruz’s life.

When Oakdale Golf and Country Club launched its First Tee – Ontario program in 2022, Cruz and his younger brother Mason were among the first participants to sign up. For the Cruz family, golf was not a sport they had previously considered. Four years later, it has become far more than a game.

Now turning 16, Cruz has grown from one of Oakdale’s pilot First Tee participants, into a mentor for the younger players, reflecting the confidence, resilience and sense of purpose the program has helped foster.

Introduced to golf through First Tee, Cruz quickly developed both his skills and a passion for the sport. What made the program meaningful to him was the welcoming environment created by Oakdale’s coaches, where respect, honesty and perseverance are ingrained in every lesson. It was in that space that Cruz’s confidence began to flourish.

One of the most memorable moments in his journey came in 2023, when Oakdale hosted the RBC Canadian Open. Through First Tee – Canada’s Walk With a Pro experience, Cruz had the opportunity to go inside the ropes alongside one of the world’s greatest, Rory McIlroy — a dream come true, assisted by his younger brother Mason, who gave up his own spot in line so Cruz could meet his golf hero.

Today, Cruz remains deeply connected to the same program that first introduced him to the game. As Oakdale enters its fifth season of First Tee programming, he now works at the club as a range attendant and volunteers as an assistant coach of the program, while Mason continues as an active participant.

“Jayden was a wonderful student in our program and has developed into an excellent role model for the younger participants,” said Bob Beauchemin, Oakdale’s director of instruction. “He is a respectful, courteous and hardworking young man. We’re fortunate to have him working in golf operations and staying involved in our First Tee program.”

At home, his parents have watched the impact of his First Tee lessons extend well beyond the fairways.

“We’re so grateful to have found the First Tee program at Oakdale,” they said. “The positive impact it has had on Jayden is clear in his desire to stay involved and continue to grow both on and off the course.”

Now enrolled in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program — a two-year, challenging curriculum preparing students for university and adult life — Cruz says the focus and discipline he has developed through golf continue to support him in the classroom and in everyday life.

The support of Oakdale’s membership, covering the cost of program registration so all children could have a chance to play, was integral to Cruz’s golf and life connection. The game has become a way for him to give back.

“I’ve learned a lot through First Tee,” he said. “If I can help younger people, like my brother, enjoy the game and learn those same lessons, that would mean a lot.”

First Tee – Ontario plans to invite Cruz to become a certified coach, giving him the opportunity to pass those lessons on to the next generation.

For a young person who first arrived at Oakdale looking to try something new, Cruz’s journey has come full circle, proving that when access meets opportunity, the impact can last far beyond the course.

OAKVILLE, Ont. — First Tee – Canada has announced a renewed partnership with PING Canada aimed at increasing access to youth golf programming and providing opportunities for young people to develop valuable skills both on and off the golf course.

PING has long contributed to the growth of the First Tee program worldwide. Since 2024, PING International and PING Canada have supported First Tee – Canada by providing more than $75,000 in donations to accelerate the expansion of the program from coast to coast.

“PING Canada’s support over the past two years has made a meaningful difference for the young people we serve,” said Adam Hunter, executive director of First Tee – Canada. “Their support has helped us expand access to our programs and strengthened the opportunities we can provide to youth across the country. We’re proud to continue building this partnership and reaching even more young people in every province.”

The new agreement marks the beginning of a three-year partnership between First Tee – Canada and PING Canada, including value-in-kind (VIK) support and financial contributions amounting to $120,000 from 2026 to 2028.

The partnership will help offset the costs of coach training and will aid program delivery at First Tee locations across the country. Additionally, PING Canada’s generous VIK support will provide First Tee – Canada participants and coaches with high-quality golf equipment, ensuring that more young people from all backgrounds have access to the sport and the life lessons it teaches.

“We are proud to stand behind a program that provides youth with affordable and inclusive access to the game we are all passionate about,” said Dave Wilson, general manager of PING Canada. “Junior development, at every level, is an important part of who we are at PING, and we’re dedicated to developing equipment that helps grow the game from a young age. It’s great to have the opportunity to support an organization that excels at creating these life-long golfing experiences.”

With the help of PING Canada, First Tee – Canada will continue impacting the lives of equity-deserving youth by providing inclusive, character development golf programs that help participants build confidence, resilience and healthy habits that extend beyond the fairways.

Golf Canada is deeply saddened by the loss of PGA of Ontario Class “A” Associate Professional and First Tee – Ontario Level 3 coach, Kerri Slaughter of St. Catharines, Ont. who passed away peacefully on February 15, 2026 at the age of 54.

Slaughter was an integral member of St. Catharines Golf & Country Club’s teaching and professional team for the past eight years. With a focus on teaching junior golfers, Slaughter became a certified First Tee coach in 2022, leading the youth development program at the private course for children who would not otherwise have the opportunity to play.

Slaughter strived to advance youth golf through affordable introductory opportunities across St. Catharines. She championed outreach and led ‘try golf’ events for local schools and community organizations to ensure children who may not have thought of golf as a sport for them could experience the game. Since 2022, Slaughter engaged nearly 400 participants aged 7-16 in First Tee programming, particularly introducing more girls to the sport through numerous all-girls try golf events.

Slaughter was also an advocate in building awareness for the First Tee – Canada program among the membership at St. Catharines Golf & Country Club, encouraging members to get involved by donating or volunteering as an assistant coach for programs. She also lent her time to leading First Tee introductory golf clinics at Golf Canada’s Amateur and Professional Golf Championships, including the 2023, 2024 and 2025 World Junior Girls Championship and the 2023 RBC Canadian Open.

One of the Ontario chapter’s longest-standing coaches, Slaughter embodied the values of First Tee – Canada through her teaching style, offering kindness and comfort that made youth new to the sport feel like they belonged. She was a strong believer that youth should have access to the game that supported her since she was young, and worked toward that mission.

Slaughter touched the lives of many across her personal and professional network and is survived by her parents, John and Jill Slaughter (Chatham, Ont.), brother Andy (Danielle), nephew, Lukas, and niece, Mackenzie.

A link to the obituary notice from Tallman Funeral Homes is below:
https://www.tallmanfuneralhomes.ca/obituaries/Kerri-Lynn-Slaughter?obId=47265835

OAKVILLE, Ont. – First Tee – Canada is proud to announce a new partnership with adidas that will support youth programming through the adidas Birdies for Game Changers initiative.

Partnering with five-time PGA TOUR winner and adidas athlete Nick Taylor of Abbotsford, B.C., adidas will provide $300 in support to First Tee – Canada for every birdie or better that Taylor makes on the PGA TOUR this season.

“This adidas Birdies for Game Changers initiative provides a platform for Nick’s great play on the golf course to directly benefit youth in Canada,” said Adam Hunter, executive director, First Tee – Canada. “We are very appreciative to adidas and Nick for their continued support. This initiative will allow First Tee – Canada to introduce more children to golf in a way that is welcoming, inclusive and empowering.”

The adidas Birdies for Game Changers initiative supports First Tee – Canada in providing youth from all backgrounds with access to valuable life lessons through golf. First Tee – Canada’s mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character and promote healthy choices.

“At adidas, we believe that through sport we have the power to change lives, so we’re excited to support First Tee – Canada by helping expand access to programs that use golf as a platform for growth,” said Jeff Lienhart, president, adidas Golf. “Knowing we can play a small part alongside Nick’s performance on the PGA TOUR this season to directly impact the next generation of golfers in Canada makes this initiative especially meaningful. We’ll be cheering him on, knowing that every birdie helps create opportunities for young people across the country to build confidence, develop life skills and discover what’s possible through the game.”

A First Tee – Canada ambassador, Taylor has been a champion of the program’s mission and values. Since 2024, the Taylor family has been supporting their regional chapter, First Tee – British Columbia as a charitable beneficiary of the Nick Taylor Charity Classic. A portion of the funds raised at the tournament directly support the growth of the grassroots program in Cultus Lake and surrounding communities in the province.

“Golf has given our family so much both on and off the course,” said Nick Taylor. “Andie and I are very proud of our partnership with First Tee – Canada and thrilled that adidas will continue to strengthen that relationship, guided by our shared values of promoting the game and the valuable life lessons it instills in youth across Canada.”

In 2025, Taylor recorded 309 birdies and six eagles in 24 events played on the PGA TOUR.

The adidas Birdies for Game Changers initiative will begin this week as Taylor opens the 2026 PGA TOUR season with the defence of his Sony Open title in Honolulu, Hawaii on Thursday.

First Tee, Golf Digest honour 2025 network award winners advancing youth through golf

MONCTON, N.B. — What began as a routine school day ended in celebration for Michelle Phillips LeBlanc.

Last September, colleagues, students and members of First Tee – Atlantic gathered at Forest Glen School to surprise Phillips LeBlanc with the news that she had been named the 2025 First Tee Teacher of the Year, a networkwide honour presented annually by First Tee in partnership with Golf Digest.

The award recognizes educators who excel in implementing the First Tee School Program and fostering connections between their schools and the local First Tee chapter. Phillips LeBlanc was selected for her efforts in increasing access to golf and life skills for hundreds of students in one of Moncton’s most culturally diverse communities.

“Michelle goes above and beyond every day,” said Heather Davis, principal of Forest Glen School. “She inspires teachers and students alike and has built a phys. ed. program unlike anything I’ve seen before.”

Since introducing First Tee at Forest Glen in 2021, Phillips LeBlanc has engaged more than 400 students, many of whom are new to Canada and unfamiliar with golf. Through multilingual signage, adaptive equipment and flexible lesson plans, she has created an inclusive environment where all students can participate in the program’s character-building activities.

Her impact extends beyond the school. Phillips LeBlanc organized field trips for Grade 3 and 4 students to a local First Tee facility, giving many their first experience on a golf course. These visits sparked increased interest and enrolment in on-course programming.

To meet growing demand, Phillips LeBlanc and a colleague completed First Tee Assistant Coach training and volunteered as on-course coaches to promote ongoing learning. She also coordinated transportation and centralized pickup locations to reduce barriers for families.

“Michelle is humble, kind, and passionate about everything she does,” said Kiley MacDonald, coordinator of First Tee – Atlantic. “She embodies the mission and values of First Tee.”

Phillips LeBlanc believed the September 10 visit was for filming program content. As students took part in activities in the gym, they were quietly informed of the real reason for the visit and invited to share what made their teacher special. When the announcement was made, the room filled with tears and applause.

“Mrs. Phillips is very nice and always makes sure no one misses out,” said a Grade 4 student.

Phillips LeBlanc was officially named Teacher of the Year on November 5, 2025, as part of First Tee’s network awards. Each recipient receives a $25,000 award from First Tee and Golf Digest, with $12,500 supporting the local First Tee chapter and $12,500 awarded to the facility where the program is delivered. In Phillips LeBlanc’s case, the funding will support First Tee – Atlantic and Forest Glen School.

For First Tee – Atlantic, the recognition highlights the powerful role educators play in growing the game and using golf as a tool for positive youth development — benefiting students’ lives one swing at a time.

Learn more or get involved at firstteecanada.ca.

See the 2025 First Tee network award recipients receive their awards: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISuI8oTAeQc

Read the articles from First Tee and Golf Digest.

The 2025 golf season was a reminder that the momentum in Canadian golf not only continued but accelerated with pace. Driven by wins on and off the course, expanded programming, commercial and philanthropic success, and a passion for the sport that spans coast-to-coast, Canadian golf is in a great place.

Golf holds its place as the number one participation sport in Canada as is evident by another record-breaking year, with 11.2 million scores posted on the Golf Canada App by more than 360,000 Golf Canada members at 1,550 member clubs across the country.

The professional game mirrored the success of recent years as Canadian golf fans were treated to another memorable year. Ask a Canadian golf fan to pick a highlight from 2025 and they would probably say Brooke Henderson’s win at the CPKC Women’s Open. Henderson’s triumph at the Mississaugua Golf and Country Club returned her to the winners’ circle after an incredible performance in front of the home crowd to win her second CPKC Women’s Open title. Henderson’s win further strengthened her position as the most successful Canadian professional golfer in history with her 14th win on the LPGA Tour. She closed the LPGA season with a T7 finish at the CME Group Tour Championship.

Nick Taylor of Abbotsford, B.C. continued his winning ways on the PGA TOUR, taking the Sony Open in Hawaii in January for his fifth career title on Tour. Taylor has won at least once in three consecutive years and all three via playoff, including the historic 2023 RBC Canadian Open in a thrilling four-hole playoff with Tommy Fleetwood. Taylor also added a T19 finish at the Tour Championship in November.

Corey Conners of Listowel, Ont. continues to assert himself as one of the game’s best, earning seven top 10 finishes on the PGA TOUR including a T4 finish at the Tour Championship and his fourth top 10 finish at The Masters. Taylor Pendrith of Richmond Hill, Ont. added four top 10’s as well as a T5 finish at the PGA Championship in May.

More noise was made by Canadians on the global professional circuits, including 17-year-old Anna Huang of Vancouver, B.C. who turned pro in January and went on to win back-to-back tournaments in September on the Ladies European Tour (LET). The Team Canada member earned her first professional win at the La Sella Open in Spain and followed it up a week later with a win at the Lacoste Ladies Open de France and closes the year ranked no. 114 on the Rolex World Rankings.

Sudarshan Yellamaraju of Mississauga, Ont. recorded his first professional win at the Bahamas Great Abaco Classic in January and finished the year with four top 10’s on the Korn Ferry Tour. The 24-year-old earned his PGA TOUR card for 2026 by finishing 19th in the Korn Ferry Tour season standings and will be the youngest Canadian on Tour next year.

Joining the Canadian contingent will be A.J. Ewart of Coquitlam, B.C. Ewart earned medalist honours at PGA TOUR Q-School last Sunday. The Team Canada member was joined by Adam Svensson of Surrey, B.C. who kept his card by finishing T2. Ewart and Svensson bring the Canadian contingent up to seven members on the PGA TOUR in 2026.

Myles Creighton of Digby, N.S. and Leah John of Vancouver, B.C. earned their first professional wins in 2025, with Creighton winning The Wichita Open in June on the Korn Ferry Tour and John earned her first Epson Tour win at the Four Winds Invitational in August. John earned her 2026 LPGA Tour card finishing T10 at the LPGA Q-Series Final Qualifying Stage. Maude-Aimee LeBlanc also retained her status for 2026, joining Henderson and John as the Canadian contingent on the LPGA Tour next year.

The amateur circuit brought another banner year for Team Canada, led by 15-year-old Team Canada – NextGen member, Aphrodite Deng of Calgary, Alta. In July, Deng won the 76th U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship becoming the first Canadian to win the title in tournament history. One month later, Deng followed up her historic performance and captivated the crowds in Mississauga with a T20 finish at the CPKC Women’s Open, earning the Marlene Stewart Streit Low Amateur Award. Deng also won twice on the AJGA taking the Junior Invitational and Mizuho Americas Open and was later named junior player of the year by the AJGA.

Shauna Liu of Maple, Ont. won her second straight Canadian Junior Girls Championship in August and became the ninth multi-time winner and first back-to-back winner since Heather Kuzmich in 1982. Liu added four additional wins in 2025, including the Peloton Glencoe Invitational. Michelle Xing of Richmond Hill, Ont. won the 2025 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship in July. Both Liu and Xing earned silver medals as part of Team Canada 1’s runner-up finish at the 2025 World Junior Girls Golf Championship in September with Clairey Lin of Langley, B.C. Team Canada 2 represented by Clara Ding of White Rock, B.C., Eileen Park of Red Deer, Alta. and Ruihan Kendria Wang of Vancouver, B.C. finished sixth led by Ding, the individual runner up who also added a 2025 win at the GolfBC Group BC Women’s Open.

Lauren Kim of Surrey, B.C. earned her second collegiate win for the University of Texas at the Betsy Rawls Invitational in March and competed in her second consecutive Augusta National Women’s Amateur. Vanessa Borovilos of Etobicoke, Ont. won the Chevron Collegiate in her freshman year at Texas A&M University. Team Canada teammates, Tillie Claggett of Calgary, Alta., Nicole Gal of Oakville, Ont. and Vanessa Zhang of Vancouver, B.C. were all victorious in 2025 as well.

Austin Krahn of Christina Lakes, B.C. took home gold at the 2025 Canada Summer Games and added two provincial titles this past year while Dawson Lew of Toronto, Ont., a recent addition to the Team Canada program, won the Canadian Junior Boys Championship in August and added four additional wins in 2025.

Some familiar names also added national championships to their trophy cabinets this year. Shelly Stouffer of Nanoose Bay, B.C. won her third Canadian Women’s Senior Championship, Judith Kyrinis of Thornhill, Ont. claimed her fourth Canadian Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship, Charles Fitzsimmons of King, Ont. won his third Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship and Natasha Stasiuk of Oakville, Ont. won her fifth straight Canadian All Abilities Championship. The UBC Thunderbirds claimed the men’s and women’s Canadian University/College Championship in convincing fashion once again.

Beyond the professional and amateur ranks, the future of golf in Canada shrines bright. The sport has welcomed a new wave of participants with grass roots programming that has introduced golf to more youth and women annually.

First Tee – Canada posted its highest participation numbers in 2025, with more than 106,000 youth taking part in programs across the country, a 25 per cent increase from last year. Since its inception in 2021, First Tee – Canada has reached over 276,000 young Canadians.

In addition, 481 locations offered programming across schools, community centres and golf facilities, supported by nearly 350 coaches, both increases from last year. First Tee – Canada continues to be a leader in youth programming with a focus on strengthening diversity and equity in the sport. In 2025, 74 per cent of partnered schools and community organizations served underrepresented communities with close to 60 per cent of programs delivered at no cost to participants. Through the efforts of six First Tee chapters nationwide, youth participation is becoming more reflective of Canada’s diversity with 42 per cent of on-course participants identifying as female and 36 per cent as BIPOC. The program’s growth was backed by strong donor support with the Golf Canada Foundation raising more than $10 million for the sport in 2025, including $4.5 million for First Tee – Canada.

First Tee – Canada was also the proud charitable beneficiary of the 2025 RBC Canadian Open and First Tee – Alberta received nearly $200,000 through it’s partnership with the Rogers Charity Classic in 2025. In keeping with golf’s charitable giving, the CPKC Women’s Open continues to leave a meaningful legacy in each host city through its CPKC Has Heart program, this year donating a record $4.5 million for MacKids and Trillium Health Partners, supporting pediatric and cardiac health.

For the first time, the Youth on Course program was available in every province across the country. The program allows Golf Canada members between the ages of 6 to 18 to play subsidized rounds for $5 or less at participating courses during designated times. In 2025, Youth on Course members played nearly 50,000 subsidized rounds across Canada, marking a record high season and a 51 per cent increase over rounds played in the previous year. The program also drove strong engagement, with 4,470 new members joining Golf Canada to access these affordable playing opportunities.

She Plays Golf expanded in 2025 with the addition of a week-long festival in Atlantic Canada in the fall complimenting stops in Vancouver, Calgary and the Greater Toronto Area. The She Plays Golf Championship Series once again aligned with week-long festivals and provided four exemptions into the CPKC Women’s Open.

She Plays Golf featured 24 events across 19 golf facilities and engaged with more than 800 women and girls. Across all festivals, over 700 participants were new to the game and took part in beginner friendly activities led by close to 90 women coaches and volunteers.

Feedback remained overwhelmingly positive, with 97 per cent of participants sharing that the event(s) provided an atmosphere that made them feel comfortable and welcome, and 88 per cent indicating they are very likely to continue participating in golf following their experience.

In addition, 23 girls-only Try Golf clinics were delivered through RBC Community Junior Golf, reaching 275 girls.

Bolstered by another record-breaking year for scores posted, the Golf Canada App received a major update in 2025. New enhancements included group score posting, making it easier than ever to record scores for your playing partners during group rounds. The introduction of smartwatch support for Android wearables brought on-wrist GPS yardages and digital scoring to a wide range of devices, while upgraded GPS tools now provide precise front, middle and back-of-green distances to support smarter club selection and on-course strategy. The update also introduced a Golf Canada membership referral program and a new achievements system, along with enhanced privacy controls that allow users to choose whether their scores appear in their friends’ feeds.

An exciting new chapter for the RBC Canadian Open was written in June, as TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley in Caledon, Ont. became the 38th course in tournament history to host Canada’s National Men’s Open Championship. Fans were treated to a thrilling finish as New Zealand’s Ryan Fox beat Sam Burns in a four-hole playoff. The 115th playing of the RBC Canadian Open will return to TPC Toronto in 2026.

During tournament week a new initiative, Birdies for Trails was created in collaboration with partners at TPC Toronto and WM. Every birdie at The Rink Hole (no. 14) directly contributed to raise $29,500 for the Credit Valley Conservation Foundation and the development of the Credit Valley Trail, a passageway stretching 100 kilometres in length, linking Orangeville, Ont. with Port Credit (Mississauga), Ont.

Following the tournament, RBC and the PGA TOUR announced a multi-year extension of the bank’s title sponsorship of the RBC Canadian Open. RBC, a long-time supporter of professional and amateur golf in Canada had been the proud title sponsor of the Men’s National Open Championship since 2008.

As the outdoor season drew to a close in most parts of the country, Golf Canada launched a comprehensive off-course golf strategy to enhance the year-long golf experience. Golf has evolved into a 12-month activity, and the strategy is supported by the Just Swing campaign, highlighting the benefits and different forms of off-course golf. The strategy also focuses on Provincial Golf Associations and their partnership with Golf Canada in launching a new facility membership offering, specifically designed for off-course operators to promote their operations to Canada’s largest and most engaged golf audience.

As Canadian golf continues to write exciting new chapters, one will end in early 2026. Glen Abbey Golf Club has been the home of Golf Canada and the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame since 1977. In February 2026, Golf Canada will move its operation to the new home for Canadian golf at TPC Toronto.

The new home for Canadian golf will also be home to First Tee – Canada along with a 30,000 square foot 18-hole community putting course that is free and open to the public. For more information on the home for Canadian golf, please click here.

In February, three new members were inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame, including accomplished amateur golfer, Richard Scott, former professional golfer Jerry Anderson and renowned course architect Charles Blair Macdonald. Elements of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame are proudly weaved into the main clubhouse, locker rooms and accommodation villas at TPC Toronto. Memorabilia highlighting Canadian golf legends and significant moments in Canadian golf history are also being showcased across the property.

Canadian golf couldn’t happen without the many wonderful people – volunteers, club staff, superintendents, PGA of Canada professionals, operators, media, and other industry stakeholders – whose efforts are paramount to the success of the sport. Closer to home, Golf Canada is proud of its staff for their efforts to advance the sport and who once again earned the organization its Great Places to Work designation.  

With the holiday season upon us and the book on 2025 drawing to a close, one thing is certain, Canadian golf has never been stronger. The momentum continues and it brings the promise of more great moments that lie ahead.

CALGARY, Alta. — First Tee – Alberta celebrated a milestone moment in 2025, with nearly $200,000 raised through the generosity of its partnership with the Rogers Charity Classic.

Backed by Calgary’s Patron Group of business leaders along with PGA TOUR professional Stephen Ames, the Rogers Charity Classic (formerly the Shaw Charity Classic) is the lone Canadian stop on the PGA TOUR Champions. Since its launch in 2013, the tournament has raised an incredible $137 million for more than 300 charities supporting children and families in need across Alberta.

The generous funding to First Tee – Alberta is helping Golf Canada expand the reach of its youth development program across the province, providing more equity-deserving children access to golf while fostering life skills development, confidence and community connection. Since 2024, First Tee – Alberta has introduced more than 6,000 youth to the sport through programming at schools, community centres, and golf facilities.

“A year like this doesn’t happen without meaningful partners who believe in what we’re building,” said Kelsey Chadwick, development officer of First Tee – Alberta. “The impact of the Rogers Charity Classic and its philanthropic efforts in the community have been transformational. First Tee is proud to be supported by the Rogers Charity Classic and the event’s tremendous commitment to helping the next generation of golfers thrive both on and off the course.”

A highlight for the program’s fundraising activity came during the Rogers Legends of Hockey Shootout, where junior elite golfer Sydney Bisgrove represented First Tee – Alberta in a 100-yard closest-to-the-pin challenge. Bisgrove’s performance helped secure a $115,000 donation, marking a turning point for the chapter.

“Being part of that moment was unbelievable,” said Bisgrove. “To represent First Tee – Alberta in front of so many people and know that it helped raise such a big donation that will have an impact on grassroots golf opportunities across the province is something I’ll never forget.”

Sean Van Kesteren, executive director of the Rogers Charity Classic, is proud to see the tournament’s impact extend far beyond golf.

“Our mission has always been to showcase the game’s greats while using the tournament to give back,” Van Kesteren said. “The Legends of Hockey event brings fans and families together in a unique way, while also driving real support for charities like First Tee – Alberta.”

Through the 2025 Rogers Birdies for Kids presented by AltaLink program, donations made between March and August were matched up to 50 per cent, generating additional funding of $17,000 for the Alberta chapter.

First Tee – Alberta also received a $50,000 Charity Champion Grant earlier this season which supported First Nation outreach and provided access to the program for communities that may not otherwise have the opportunity to play.

“The Rogers Charity Classic has become a staple in Calgary’s summer calendar and a great example of what can happen when community and sport come together,” said Van Kesteren.

First Tee – Alberta continues to grow thanks to the generous support of donors, organizations and events such as the Rogers Charity Classic. The support of Calgary’s signature championship in helping the chapter achieve this fundraising milestone demonstrates the power of sport in bringing people together and creating lasting change both on and off the golf course.

To learn more about First Tee – Alberta, visit firstteealberta.ca.

TORONTO, Ont. — Canadian golf star Nick Taylor is no stranger to thrilling golf fans and inspiring the next generation of players. All it took was draining a historic 72-foot putt on a fourth playoff hole to become the first Canadian in 69 years to win Canada’s National Open Golf Championship.

Now the five-time PGA TOUR winner and 2023 RBC Canadian Open champion is giving back to youth golf, becoming an official ambassador for First Tee – Canada and taking on a leading role alongside his wife Andie and their family in inspiring children from all backgrounds to experience the sport and its core values.

As the program’s newest ambassador, the 2024 Olympian will carry the First Tee – Canada logo on his TOUR bag in support of the national youth development program delivered by Golf Canada which has introduced nearly 200,000 youth to the sport since launching in 2021.

“Being part of First Tee – Canada is an incredible opportunity to give back to the game that has given me so much,” said Taylor, the only Canadian male golfer to have won the Canadian Junior, Amateur and National Open trifecta. “Golf has shaped my life in many ways, and I want kids across our country to experience the values of discipline, friendship, integrity and the joy of competing which they can carry into everything they do. Andie and I are humbled to be able to support First Tee – Canada through our annual charity event.”

First Tee – Canada, a program designed to make golf more accessible by providing equipment, coaching and inclusive spaces, has quickly expanded into schools, community centres and golf facilities nationwide. Many of the program’s nearly 200,000 youth participants have joined from communities that would not otherwise have the opportunity to play the sport. Along with golf instruction, participants learn about perseverance, integrity, teamwork and respect — skills that reach beyond the fairway.

With First Tee – British Columbia as one of the charitable beneficiaries of the Nick Taylor Charity Classic since 2024, Taylor strives to make the sport he loves more accessible and inclusive for youth. His support for the program has helped the BC chapter expand no-cost programming to Cultus Lake Golf Club, reaching hundreds of participants near his hometown of Abbotsford, B.C.

Fundraising for First Tee – Canada is led by the Golf Canada Foundation, and the program is proudly supported by RBC and other contributing partners.

As a member of Team RBC, Taylor’s ambassador role also builds on his involvement with the RBC Community Junior Golf initiative, launched by RBC in partnership with Golf Canada in 2022, which brings affordable and community-based golf opportunities to children across Canada.

“Golf Canada has been fortunate to know Nick and the Taylor family since he was a young teenager,” said Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum. “He has excelled at every level of golf, from junior through his amateur young pro career and now being one of the top professionals on the PGA TOUR. What has been equally amazing to witness is Nick’s commitment to making an impact when he’s off the golf course. In becoming a First Tee – Canada ambassador, it further demonstrates Nick’s incredible contribution to golf, to Canada and to the youth and families whose lives he will shape and inspire.”

With the shared commitment of Taylor as a proud ambassador, Golf Canada will continue to expand the First Tee – Canada program across the country, encouraging more equity-deserving youth to discover the game, embrace its values and develop skills for life.

For more information about First Tee – Canada, visit firstteecanada.ca.