Golf Manitoba is pleased to announce that the Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation has again committed to support junior golf programming and the Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame in 2021. The Foundation has agreed to make a $86,000 donation with the proceeds to benefit both grassroots and high-performance junior golf programs, the University of Manitoba Bison Golf program and the annual induction ceremony conducted by the Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame and Museum.
Approximately 60% of the donation will go to support grow-sport programs including Golf in Schools, Mobile Clinics, provincial junior team travel assistance, external junior programs as well to support Golf Manitoba member clubs with junior program grants. Also for 2021, proceeds from the donation will subsidize entry fees for all participants who compete in Golf Manitoba junior championships.
“With this contribution, we have been able to reduce our entry fees into our junior championships by 50% making our championships the most affordable in the country,” said Ken Warwick, President of Golf Manitoba. “By subsidizing our fees, we hope to see an uptake in participation as our competitions now become more affordable for Manitoba families. This is directly aligned with the vision that Mrs. Colonello had when establishing the Foundation and that was to assist in making golf more accessible for young people.”
The Golf Manitoba Golf in Schools program will also benefit from this year’s contribution by allowing the program to extend its reach beyond the traditional months of May and June. Starting in the fall of 2021, Golf in Schools will be delivered from September through to the end of June with instruction moving indoors during the winter months. The expanded reach of the Golf in Schools program will further introduce the sport of golf to young people in Manitoba.
Proceeds from the donation will also provide support to the Golf Manitoba Junior Development Team program. The Junior Development Team program identifies both female and male junior golfers who are on the competitive pathway and provides training and resources to help them achieve success both on and off the golf course.
The Junior Girl’s Development Team will be lead by PGA of Canada professional Bri-ann Tokariwski and the Junior Boy’s Team by PGA of Canada professional Derrik Goodwin. With a focus on the team’s vision, mission, and values aimed at inspiring excellence, both Tokariwski and Goodwin will work to help team members grow as golfers while also instilling habits that will lead to success throughout life. The 9-month program includes winter team training at the Golf Dome, club competition in the Nassau and Mundie Putter leagues, spring and summer training camps, weekly practices, strength and fitness coaching, nutrition, and sports psychology and coaching observation and support at regional, provincial and national level championships.
Proceeds from this year’s donation will also be directed to support the Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame which recognizes and celebrates those who have made extraordinary contributions in the Manitoba golf community as well as nationally and internationally. A goal of the Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame is to make known the achievements of its Honoured Members and Teams to serve as inspiration to future generations which is consistent with the goals of the Alex and Peggy Colonello Foundation to support junior golf. The 2021 induction ceremony is scheduled to be held in late September.
The donation from the Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation will again be made through the Manitoba Fund within the Golf Canada Foundation, a fund dedicated to providing development opportunities for juniors in the province of Manitoba. For more information about the Manitoba Fund and how your contribution can help to grow the sport of golf in the province, please contact Jared Ladobruk, Executive Director for Golf Manitoba at jared@golfmb.ca or at 204.925.5729.
About the Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation: In 2018 at the age of 94, Peggy Colonello established the Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation with a mandate to support junior golf in Manitoba. To support that endeavor, Mrs. Colonello created an endowment of $3 million dollars that will aid in the development of junior golfers through grassroots golf initiatives and high-performance programming. Since 2019, the Foundation has committed $120,000 to junior golf programs including the Golf in Schools initiative, provincial junior women’s and junior men’s team development, the University of Manitoba Bisons women’s and men’s golf programs and supporting the Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame.
About Golf Manitoba: Golf Manitoba is recognized by Sport Manitoba as the Provincial Sport Organization and governing body of amateur for golf in the province. Its mission is to develop, promote, govern and service the sport of golf in Manitoba and North West Ontario for the benefit of all participants.
About Golf Canada Foundation: Founded in 1979 with the purpose to raise and grant funds for the advancement of golf in Canada. As a registered Canadian Amateur Association, the Foundation delivers this mandate by awarding scholarships to Canadian student golfers and distributing grants to support initiatives that fall into five key areas:
- Junior Golf
- Collegiate Golf
- Women’s Golf
- High Performance Golf
- Heritage
In 2020, the Foundation granted $1.16 million to programs nationwide which brings our total to more than $10 million since 2012, and $11.46 million invested in the sport since the Foundation’s inception.
For more information:
Jared Ladobruk
Executive Director
Golf Manitoba
204.925.5729
jared@golfmb.ca