It started with a challenge, a perception that public golf facilities have under performed in their service to the development of young Canadian golfers. Rather than blow off the challenge McCleery Golf Academy Director of Instruction, Mike Vanderwolf and McCleery / Langara Director of Golf, Muncie Booth wondered what could be done to make golf more accessible to the less privileged.

The result begins Monday August 6 through Friday August 10 at the McCleery and Fraserview Golf Courses and continues throughout the week with fifty youngsters aged 10 – 15 and from the downtown eastside participating in Vancouver’s First Inner City Youth Golf Camps.

For virtually all of these kids it will be their first taste of golf, an opportunity to learn basic skills and understanding of the game and most importantly a chance to participate in a game so long reserved only for those that have.

Director of Golf Muncie Booth has spearheaded the program making all arrangements for the bussing of the kids from local community centers to the golf courses. Booth has also solicited sponsorship for the program from such benefactors as the British Columbia Professional Golfers Association, the BC Golf Association, Langara and McCleery Men’s and Ladies Clubs, the Vancouver Parks Board along with other gracious donors and volunteers making this week free of charge to the participants.

The kids will be fed each day, receive a t-shirt, golf club and prizes along with the three hour coaching and play sessions hosted by the clubs Teaching Professionals. BCPGA Teacher of the Year 2000, Vanderwolf says “ we have all been looking forward to the week, it’s a chance for us to make a great impression on some kids who couldn’t possibly afford a camp like this that so many families would take for granted.”

Booth adds “we look for the future of this program to include greater access to the local pitch and putts and other golf facilities for our cities youth.” “Community and corporate support for this program has been great initially, there is definite opportunity to expand this program in 2002 particularly with further support from the community and more time to prepare”.

McCleery Golf Academy

7188 MacDonald Street Vancouver BC V6N 1G2, Phone (604) 267-0390, Fax (604) 267-0332

Mike Vanderwolf, MGA
Muncie Booth, Director of Instruction “Golfer Education” Director of Golf