City offers golf programs for all ages

Golf may be thought of by some as an activity, primarily, for mid-life adults. That’s not the case at The City of Calgary golf courses. There is truly a spot on the greens for people of all ages and abilities.

The City offers youth or “juniors” plenty of opportunities to take their first swing at one of seven courses. We offer junior and family golf lessons, family golf nights, adaptive family golf nights and anytime family golf deals. The City also participates in programs that make youth golf more affordable like the Youth on Course program and the Take a Kid to the Course initiative. Family subsidies are also available.

In fact, The City of Calgary had the most Youth on Course rounds of golf in 2023 out of all participating courses in Canada! This is the second year in a row that The City has won the Youth on Course Program Location of the Year award as part of the National Facility Awards for Junior Golf. 

“Shaganappi had 1,924 Youth on Course rounds of golf in 2023 – that’s a lot of kids that were able to play golf that might not have been able to afford it otherwise,” said John Faber, Golf Lead for The City of Calgary.  “We take great pride in providing affordable opportunities for youth to play golf.”

Previously, the Youth on Course program offered tee times at just Shaganappi Point and McCall Lake golf courses but this year the program has expanded to include all seven City of Calgary golf courses.

Like many youth in our city, Lydia Jobst started golfing many years ago as a young person with her dad and has continued golfing throughout her life. Today, she is 91-years-young and golfs every Tuesday at Shaganappi Point Golf Course with a ladies’ group. On May 21, 2024, she experienced a first – she got a hole-in-one from 88 yards away on the 12^th hole! 

“I hit the ball and saw it roll up the slope and it just rolled into the hole,” said Lydia. “I’m a bit slower, so I turned back to get into my cart so I wouldn’t hold up play and didn’t actually see it go into the hole.

“But then the ladies I was golfing with started hollering ‘It went in, Lydia it went in!’ and then I realized I had got a hole-in-one. It was very exciting and of course we took a bunch of photos. Honestly, I didn’t realize at the time that getting a hole-in-one was so usual.”

Her advice on how to make this masterful shot, is relax and enjoy your time on the greens and don’t get too uptight. “I can’t hit as far as some do but I come out, enjoy the fresh air, sunshine, exercise and great company,” said Lydia.

Lydia has golfed at Shaganappi Point for the last 35 seasons, and she says the stunning views of the city skyline and the people keep her coming back.

“I took golfing lessons at Shaganappi many years ago, so I won’t hold people up on the course,” said Lydia. “I think The City has fantastic courses to play on and it’s great that they are publicly owned and more affordable.”

For more information about City courses, including adaptive programs that help make golf accessible to those of all abilities, visit Calgary.ca  

{Photo: from left: Natalie Greco, Clubhouse Supervisor, City of Calgary golf courses and Lydia Jobst}