Ledgview GC in Abbotsford has an approach to junior participation that could be a model for other Clubs to follow…

It should come as no surprise that Ledgeview is a leader in Junior development. The Club takes a lot of pride in developing its young players. PGA TOUR stars Adam Hadwin and Nick Taylor both started their careers here. Even the Club’s motto is “Where Legends Are Born”.

These days they have a well-honed system for developing talent and participation. From June through to September, every Tuesday Night is Junior Night up at Ledgeview and just maybe Canada's next PGA or LPGA star is walking their rolling fairways.


THE HISTORY AND THE SPONSORSHIP THAT MAKES IT HAPPEN

2022 marks the 6th year that this program has run and something like this does not happen without sponsorship support.

PGA of Canada Professional Director of Instruction Brady Stead acknowledges the support from the local businesses, most notably a local car dealership, “We thank The Honda Way Abbotsford for once again stepping up to support our junior golf program.”

(Shown with The Honda Way Abbotsford's General Manager -  Brendon Hall)

WHO CAN PLAY

Participation is open to ALL junior golfers. There is no cost for the Club’s junior members and just a $25 green fee for all others. The only requirement is that participants must be proficient enough to be able to play nine holes without supervision while keeping up to the group in front.

 

 
THE FORMAT

The ‘night’ starts at 4:00 PM when one of Ledgeview's two Junior Golf leaders (Caleb Voth and Mitch Taylor) hosts a skills contest or group activity.

Click HERE to meet Voth, Taylor and Stead plus get a quick rundown on how the league runs

Tee times follow starting at 4:30PM where players compete in one of three divisions: Novice, Intermediate, and Competitive.

Novices are trying to shoot a score of 100 or lower and generally play 200-yard holes. Intermediates are looking to break 85 and play from the White Tees while the Competitive Division tees up from the Blue Tees trying to better a score of 75.

Explains Stead, “Our junior nights are ideally for golfers age 12 and older, but if a younger junior meets our standards of play, we will certainly welcome them!”

Each night follows a different fun format… each with a little twist. Most recently on July 12th was the qualifier for the Jack McLaughlin Memorial PGA of BC Pro-Junior Championship.

On opening night on June 27th, participants got to play a KP game of Beat the Pro with Stead on the fourth hole.

Click HERE to See Stead’s swing • Click HERE to See Madi’s swing

 
THE RULES & THE ETIQUETTE

The Program’s simple, three-page “Manual” (which can be viewed HERE), sets out some basic ground rules that really prepares the kids for playing the game for the rest of their lives:

“Cheating will not be tolerated … We are here to have fun and have a blast, but integrity is an important part of the game of golf and is critical to all of us at the Ledgeview Golf Club. If you are unsure of how to proceed with a rule you may always ask our professionals or junior golf leaders.”

“Pace of play is super important. We must work hard to keep up to the group in front.”

“This Race to the Honda Way Cup could not be possible without The Honda Way in Abbotsford’s generosity, so when we see Brendon Hall (The dealership's GM) , let’s all make sure we thank him and represent The Honda Way and Ledgeview with integrity and class.”

There is a definite focus on exposing the juniors to some of the more important aspects of competing. There is a scoring tent to enter their cards after the round and the kids are also responsible for contacting the golf shop to put their names on the tee sheet for the following week.

Bottom line is, this is a great opportunity for juniors to learn how to conduct themselves on - and off - the course.


THE SEASON-LONG POINTS RACE

The nights are really structured as a league where participants come each week and compete in a season-long points race that will decide the winner of The Race to the Honda Way Cup.

A player from any division has the possibility of winning and the overall winner will win a junior membership for the following season. Second place gets a $250 gift card while third gets a $150 gift card.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED

You can find out about The Race to the Honda Way Cup HERE and if you would like to have your child participate, call the golf shop at 604-859-8993.