Golf For All
Golf Nova Scotia is working hard to break barriers and make the sport of golf more diverse and accessible. The goal of Golf Nova Scotia is to create a more vibrant and inclusive golf community so that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy the sport. Scroll below to see programs such as BLMG, Women’s Clinics, and more!
Black Lives Matter Golf
Established 2020
Black Lives Matter Golf (BLMG) is an initiative founded in 2020 by the Black members from Grandview Golf and Country Club, located in East Preston, Nova Scotia. East Preston is one of Canada’s original Black communities dating back to the early 1700s.
As the public health authorities started lifting social restrictions in Nova Scotia, golf was one of the first sports we could participate in again. As African Nova Scotians who love the game of golf, we became more socially conscious of systemic racism, oppression and other forms of discrimination in our society. We applied this same equity lens to the game of golf.
Through conversations with Black members at Grandview, BLMG decided to bring greater awareness about BLM social justice movement and chose not to remain silent. On August 22, 2020 Black members proudly held the inaugural Black Lives Matter Invitational Golf Tournament at Grandview in East Preston.
Last year’s BLMG Tournament was be held on August 20, 2022. After placing emphasis on youth and female participation last year, we expanded from 24 to 120 participants. BLMG covered all green fees, awarded prizes to the youth, and provided a full course meal following the round.
Stay tuned for information to come on the 2023 BLMG Invitational.
BIPOC women are demographically the least represented population in golf. BLMG is committed to growing the game of golf to include BIPOC women, in 2022 BLMG was pleased to be launching the BLMG Femtorship Program. Like the BLMG Junior Mentorship Program, the Femtorship Program will be put on by PGA Golf Professional. This year the BLMG Committee has expanded from 4 committee members to 8 and we are pleased to welcome both Tina Skeir and Lillian Ash to the BLMG Committee.
More information regarding the BIPOC Women’s Clinics will be released soon!
EDGA Clinic – Glen Arbour
Two EDGA 359 clinics took place last fall in 2022 by Golf Canada and PGA of Canada in Nova Scotia and Ontario with up to 50 new coaches trained in adaptive golf to support athletes with disabilities.
The EDGA curriculum is a three-step curriculum that identifies a participation pathway for golfers with disabilities. The training will provide coaches with the knowledge and skills to support golfers at each stage of the pathway from Sample – Participant – Compete. The first two stages of training will be piloted to provide coaches (PGA of Canada professionals, Physical Therapists, trainers, etc.) in Canada with the training, confidence, and resources needed to develop and expand programs for golfers with disabilities.