GBC Golf Academies at Olympic View and Mayfair Lakes Awarded “National Junior Golf Development Centre” Designations

The GBC Golf Academies at Olympic View and Mayfair Lakes have recently been named two of five Junior Development Centres in BC for the remainder of 2014 and for the 2015 golf season. This initiative was introduced by the Ontario Golf Association in conjunction with Golf Canada to offer juniors and their parents a permanent home, a facility that can take care of their developmental needs from the first time they touch a club all the way through to competitive golf. Junior Golf Development Centres provide a clear golf developmental pathway with comprehensive coaching support for golfers between the ages of 5 – 18. These centres create a systematic approach to developing junior golfers which benefits players, families, coaches and golf facilities. The result is a system which provides support to players demonstrating a desire and high level of competency while also fostering the life-long passion for golf as a basic underpinning to the entire programming. Recognized NJGDCs receive numerous benefits, including support from governing golf bodies, official certification, promotion, funding potential and more.

"We are thrilled to announce this association with British Columbia Golf and with Golf Canada in becoming a Junior Golf Development Centre," says Olympic View's General Manager, Randy Frank. "This initiative aligns very well with our facility and community objectives, which include welcoming people of all ages and backgrounds to the club, as well as being excellent stewards here in our area.”

Through Olympic View's role in growing the game in neighbouring schools, as well as running the CN Future Links Program, the chance to become designated came to fruition. The club's Director of Instruction, Jeff Palmer, worked with British Columbia Golf and Golf Canada on completing the application this summer. He states, "I am proud to be designated by British Columbia Golf as a Junior Golf Development Centre. Our coaches are all very capable and come from an extremely high level playing background. I believe that we have the expertise, tools and facilities to nurture the development of young golfers, help grow their love for the game, and support their competitive aspirations, should they have any. I look forward to developing a tremendous entry and competitive stream for young golfers for 2015.”

“We are delighted to join forces with Golf Canada and British Columbia Golf as we work towards providing the best programs for junior golfers in Canada. Becoming a Junior Golf Development Centre has come at an exciting time for us. Our team of professional coaches are dedicated to growing our junior development golf programs and this initiative aligns perfectly with our core values. We are excited to be recognized as a JGDC and look forward to the upcoming season," adds Keri Moffat, Director of Instruction at Richmond’s Mayfair Lakes Golf & Country Club.

GolfBC’s Olympic View Golf Club and Mayfair Lakes Golf & Country Club join other prestigious Academies that have been designated with the Junior Development Centre tag, such as Glen Abbey and the Granite Golf Club in Toronto.

For more information on the Junior Golf Development Centres, contact Jeff Palmer at Olympic View Golf Club at [email protected] or 250-474-3673 or Keri Moffat, Director of Instruction at Mayfair Lakes at [email protected] or 604-276-0585.