Cedar Hill program gets young golfers on the course
Published 5:30 am Tuesday, October 6, 2026
Fifteen young golfers spent Monday afternoon learning the game while building friendships at Cedar Hill Golf Course.
The youth, ages 7 to 13, were taking part in the RBC Community Junior Golf and First Tee initiative, a program designed to make golf more accessible through free instruction and equipment.
Daniel Kirby, a golf professional at Cedar Hill Golf Course, said the fall series gives children an opportunity to try golf without the financial barriers often associated with the sport.
“Golf obviously has a pretty high barrier of entry just due to the cost of equipment,” Kirby said.
The First Tee program combines golf instruction with lessons focused on skills such as managing emotions, resolving conflicts, setting goals and appreciating diversity.
Kirby said the program’s younger participants were divided into teams and spent the afternoon hitting balls, learning the fundamentals and building a sense of community.
Many of the children return each week because they genuinely enjoy taking part.
“We have a lot of kids come back every week and they’re super excited for this,” Kirby said.
Cedar Hill Golf Course is one of six courses in B.C. selected to deliver RBC Community Junior Golf this year. The initiative is delivered in partnership with Golf Canada and provides participating locations with First Tee programming, coaching and equipment at no cost to the course or participants.
Since 2021, RBC Community Junior Golf has reached more than 100,000 youth through free First Tee programming across Canada.
The initiative also connects participants with Youth on Course, which provides eligible members with access to subsidized rounds of golf for $5 or less at participating courses.
For Kirby, introducing children to the sport at a young age is about more than learning how to swing a club.
“Golf isn’t just about sport,” he said. “It’s also great, when these kids are older, and they get careers, there’s always corporate golf tournaments.”
He said the program gives young people a chance to develop skills, meet others and become part of a community while discovering a sport they can continue playing throughout their lives.