Kids step away from the screens and onto the greens with free golf program

The Take a Kid to the Course program is a summer game-changer to get kids away from screens and onto the greens.

Kids right across the region are spending time on the greens and off their screens as part of a week-long summer golf program.

Tangle Creek and Golf Country Club in Thornton is one of several courses hosting the ‘Take a Kid to the Course’ program, which offers kids the opportunity to hit the links free this week.

“This gives access to children under 16 with a paying adult to get a free green fee at the golf course, and it’s a great way to introduce them to the game,” explained Richard Edmonds, general manager and co-owner at Tangle Creek.

The program is now in its 20th year, helping kids play a round of golf at hundreds of courses across Canada.

Junior participants like Cale Beech are reaping the benefits at Tangle Creek on Wednesday. “It’s a really fun sport, it can be challenging at times,” he said. “Just being outdoors, and being with my friends and family, and just going out and having some fun and hitting the ball around and just doing the best I can, it’s just the best thing about golf.”

Teaching professional Braydon White said seeing kids enjoy the game is a highlight of the program. “It’s fun to see them having fun on the golf course,” White said. “They’re having fun and working hard and it’s nice to see.”

The ‘Take a Kid to the Course’ program runs until Sun., July 13. Tangle Creek also offers junior golf memberships and camps for young golfers aged 6-13, which include golf instruction, games, and fun for all skill levels.

A list of participating courses, including several across the region, is available online.