Smoky Lake Golf Club

Encouraging youth participation

Smoky Lake Golf Club is ready for the 2014 season with a wide variety of tournaments, from the Spring Cash Scramble to the autumn Pumpkin Classic. Terry Ewasiuk, head manager at Smoky Lake, shares his excitement about the upcoming events—but also voices some concerns that many golf courses have been facing.

“The most exciting thing I’d like to see this year would be an improvement in attendance,” he said. “It seems that over the last few years—not just for our club, but for all golf clubs—we’ve seen a decline in participation.”

Though the numbers may have been lower over the past several years, Ewasiuk said that Smoky Lake has a plan to turn things around by encouraging youth golfing in the community.

“We’d love to see young golfers come out to the course,” he said. “We’re really trying to promote golf with the local school and with our summer golf program.”

The summer golf program takes place weekly starting the first Tuesday in July, and is free for all kids who want to come and take part.

“We supply them with lunch and instructions for basic golf skills,” said Ewasiuk, “and toward the end of the month we get them to go out on the fairway and participate as a real golfer.”

This junior program runs throughout the summer and culminates with the Smoky Lake Junior Open on August 12.