Originally from Cheticamp and now living in Halifax for the past 12 years, she started golfing as a teenager at Le Portage Golf Club and is currently a member at Ashburn Golf Club. Lori has been a member of the Golf Nova Scotia’s Sport Development Committee since its inception. She works as a professor in Kinesiology at Dalhousie University, teaching and doing research in the area of sport psychology (including golf research). Lori also works as a Mental Performance Consultant with the Canadian Sport Institute Atlantic and with a number of high-performance athletes, coaches and teams across Canada.

We looking forward to working with you again this year and congratulations again!

#noavscotiaproud

Darrell Maxwell – Trailblazer in Nova Scotia Golf  

Golf NS caught up with Darrell Maxwell from his vacation spot in Myrtle Beach where he still enjoys a bit of golf in the winter months. Darrell was born in Truro into one of the most sports-oriented families in the region and quickly made his mark excelling at both hockey and golf. Darrell has spent a lifetime around golf, and the friendships, memories and experiences on the fairways have made him a humble champion and proud of his roots.  

Darrell began his career as a caddy in Truro at the age of 5. With the guidance of his older brother and Truro Golf Club’s Caddie Master the late Stan “Chook” Maxwell he would spend countless hours at the golf course, playing, practicing and getting lessons from his brothers. Darrell caught the golf bug early and spent most of his days at the club, from sunup until sundown it was a healthy way to spend the summers. At 14, he became the first black member of the Truro Golf Club and quickly rose to one of the province’s best junior golfers, winning the 1965 NS Provincial Junior Championship.  

Darrell was known as an exceptionally long-ball hitter, a skill that helped him be dominant in the sport over his entire amateur career. He reminisced about how his long drives would catch the attention of his competitors and spectators. A young 9-year-old Gerry MacMillan followed him during his junior win at the Paragon Golf Club. He was both honored and nervous when the legendary Moe Norman asked if he could follow him during his first round of the 1965 Canadian National Championship held at the Brantford GCC. Even in the 2003 senior PGA qualifier in Florida playing alongside Jesus Rodriguez, brother of Chi-Chi, Jesus was impressed with his length and encouraged him to continue his playing career.  

He jokes that there isn’t a Par 5 he hasn’t reached in two. And in his 1965 playoff win against Donald Fraser to win at the Nova Scotia Junior that was exactly what he did, hitting the first playoff hole the 550-yard Par 5 in two shots. 

Darrell was a trailblazer in the truest sense. After his junior championship there was a succession of Truro players who made their mark on the Canadian golf scene. Brothers, Luke and Freeman, cousins Kevin and Junior Jackson all qualified to make Provincial Junior teams in the years following. His brother Luke dominated the field in the Canadian Championship, losing to the eventual winner in a late round match. “Luke was the best competitor in the family, he had the grit to win,” remarked Darrell.  

To settle the long-time argument of who was the best black golfer in Truro at the time, Darrell founded the Black Invitational Golf Tournament in 1973. His idea was to “have our own have our own little golf tournament and settle the score on who can do what and we’ll declare a champion and they’ll have bragging rights for a year, at least.” Now named the Apex Tournament, his idea to promote golf among the black community is now in its 50^th year at Truro Golf Club. It still draws members of the community, former black golfers and caddies who moved away to larger cities to find work. 

Darrell’s golf accomplishments are very impressive, here are a few highlights: 

• 1965 Nova Scotia Provincial Junior Champion  
• 1965 Member of the Nova Scotia Junior Team at Cdn Nationals 
• 1965 Nova Scotia Golfer of the Year 
• 1962,’63 & ’64 Junior Champion at Truro GC 
• 1965 Senior Champion at Truro GC 
• 1967 & ‘68 Member of the Willingdon Cup Amateur Team at Cdn Nationals 
• 1968-72 Member of the SMU Maritime Intercollegiate Golf Team 
• 1970 Low Individual medalist at Intercollegiate Championship at KenWo GC 
• 1989 Ottawa Valley Golf Association Class A Match Play Champion  
• 2003 Attended qualifying school, PGA Senior Tour 

His advice to young players today is, “to prepare your mind. You may not have the best swing to win, but you can prepare to compete with mental toughness, psychology and that is the most important thing.” Just when you think you come from a small town and can’t compete with those players from larger provinces your mental toughness can see you through.   

Darrell still enjoys a round of golf at The Marshes Golf Club in Ottawa where he spends time as a marshal and starter, helping others enjoy the game. 

Kaydem Al-Samawi has a new role with Golf Nova Scotia as Tournament & Marketing Director. Kaydem started with the association in 2021 as a summer intern and due to some staffing changes, quickly took on a leadership role. In 2022, Kaydem became the Marketing & Communications Coordinator and has excelled at raising the profile of the association’s website and social media channels.

Born in Alberta, Kaydem moved to Moncton, NB in 2007. Kaydem entered Dalhousie University in 2018 and graduated in the fall of 2022 with a Bachelor of Commerce Degree and a major in Marketing Management. His love for sports is evident and grew up playing hockey, baseball, lacrosse, and golf.
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“We are lucky to have Kaydem.”, said Jason Lohnes, Executive Director of Golf Nova Scotia. “He took on a bigger role in 2021 than what was expected and rose to that challenge. We aim to elevate the delivery of our provincial championships and provide a consistent high-level product; to do that we need dedicated leadership in that space and I am confident of Kaydem’s ability.”

Kaydem officially began his new role on January 1, 2024, and while he will lead tournament delivery, he will also lead our marketing efforts with our website, social media channels, and email database.

“I was grateful to get an opportunity with Golf Nova Scotia as an intern in 2021 and was thrilled to hear that Jason and the association would have me back as a full-time employee.”, remarks Kaydem. “During my time with Golf NS, I have learned the intricacies of running a Provincial Championship and how important golf is to our membership. My goal is to continue to make our events a competitive, fun, and welcoming environment for all players to enjoy while making improvements each year. Thank you to Golf Nova Scotia for this incredible opportunity, I am looking forward to seeing everyone at the Championships this upcoming season.”

Kaydem can be reached by phone at (902) 468-8844 or by email at tournamentdirector@nsga.ns.ca.

OPPORTUNITY:
Title: Coordinator, First Tee – Atlantic
Reports to: Development Officer, First Tee – Atlantic
Location: Remote within New Brunswick or Prince Edward Island
Status: One Year Contract
Ideal Start Date: March 25, 2024

OVERVIEW:
Golf Canada Foundation is looking for a motivated, mission driven individual with excellent organizational and communication skills to assist with the implementation of the First Tee program in Atlantic Canada.The Coordinator, First Tee – Atlantic will report directly to the Development Officer, First Tee –Atlantic and will assist with the administration and execution of the First Tee – Atlantic fundraising efforts while supporting programming growth in the region.

Full Job Posting

Our association is rich in incredible history dating back to 1930; it is our mission to celebrate that history…and we are looking for your help.

We know that many members and member clubs have pictures, videos, news articles, etc. that others would enjoy. Please send us anything Golf NS (NSGA) related that we may be able to make available for others to see.

Please note that a clear digital copy is preferred and if it is a large file, we can help with the transfer. If you have something in hard copy form and you are not able to digitize it, we can likely help here too.

We cannot promise that everything we receive will be used and if the response to this request is large…and we hope it is…it may take us some time to reply to you.

You may drop off your contribution at 5516 Spring Garden Rd. (4th floor) or send your email to Golf NS Marketing & Tournament Director, Kaydem Al-Samawi (tournamentdirector@nsga.ns.ca).

Thank you in advance for your help!