News Releases – First Tee

Golf Canada saddened by the passing of First Tee – Ontario coach Kerri Slaughter

Golf Canada is deeply saddened by the loss of PGA of Ontario Class “A” Associate Professional and First Tee – Ontario Level 3 coach, Kerri Slaughter of St. Catharines, Ont. who passed away peacefully on February 15, 2026 at the age of 54.

Slaughter was an integral member of St. Catharines Golf & Country Club’s teaching and professional team for the past eight years. With a focus on teaching junior golfers, Slaughter became a certified First Tee coach in 2022, leading the youth development program at the private course for children who would not otherwise have the opportunity to play.

Slaughter strived to advance youth golf through affordable introductory opportunities across St. Catharines. She championed outreach and led ‘try golf’ events for local schools and community organizations to ensure children who may not have thought of golf as a sport for them could experience the game. Since 2022, Slaughter engaged nearly 400 participants aged 7-16 in First Tee programming, particularly introducing more girls to the sport through numerous all-girls try golf events.

Slaughter was also an advocate in building awareness for the First Tee – Canada program among the membership at St. Catharines Golf & Country Club, encouraging members to get involved by donating or volunteering as an assistant coach for programs. She also lent her time to leading First Tee introductory golf clinics at Golf Canada’s Amateur and Professional Golf Championships, including the 2023, 2024 and 2025 World Junior Girls Championship and the 2023 RBC Canadian Open.

One of the Ontario chapter’s longest-standing coaches, Slaughter embodied the values of First Tee – Canada through her teaching style, offering kindness and comfort that made youth new to the sport feel like they belonged. She was a strong believer that youth should have access to the game that supported her since she was young, and worked toward that mission.

Slaughter touched the lives of many across her personal and professional network and is survived by her parents, John and Jill Slaughter (Chatham, Ont.), brother Andy (Danielle), nephew, Lukas, and niece, Mackenzie.

A link to the obituary notice from Tallman Funeral Homes is below:

https://www.tallmanfuneralhomes.ca/obituaries/Kerri-Lynn-Slaughter?obId=47265835

First Tee – Canada partners with adidas to Expand Youth Programming Through adidas Birdies for Game Changers

OAKVILLE, Ont. – First Tee – Canada is proud to announce a new partnership with adidas that will support youth programming through the adidas Birdies for Game Changers initiative.

Partnering with five-time PGA TOUR winner and adidas athlete Nick Taylor of Abbotsford, B.C., adidas will provide $300 in support to First Tee – Canada for every birdie or better that Taylor makes on the PGA TOUR this season.

“This adidas Birdies for Game Changers initiative provides a platform for Nick’s great play on the golf course to directly benefit youth in Canada,” said Adam Hunter, executive director, First Tee – Canada. “We are very appreciative to adidas and Nick for their continued support. This initiative will allow First Tee – Canada to introduce more children to golf in a way that is welcoming, inclusive and empowering.”

The adidas Birdies for Game Changers initiative supports First Tee – Canada in providing youth from all backgrounds with access to valuable life lessons through golf. First Tee – Canada’s mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character and promote healthy choices.

“At adidas, we believe that through sport we have the power to change lives, so we’re excited to support First Tee – Canada by helping expand access to programs that use golf as a platform for growth,” said Jeff Lienhart, president, adidas Golf. “Knowing we can play a small part alongside Nick’s performance on the PGA TOUR this season to directly impact the next generation of golfers in Canada makes this initiative especially meaningful. We’ll be cheering him on, knowing that every birdie helps create opportunities for young people across the country to build confidence, develop life skills and discover what’s possible through the game.”

A First Tee – Canada ambassador, Taylor has been a champion of the program’s mission and values. Since 2024, the Taylor family has been supporting their regional chapter, First Tee – British Columbia as a charitable beneficiary of the Nick Taylor Charity Classic. A portion of the funds raised at the tournament directly support the growth of the grassroots program in Cultus Lake and surrounding communities in the province.

“Golf has given our family so much both on and off the course,” said Nick Taylor. “Andie and I are very proud of our partnership with First Tee – Canada and thrilled that adidas will continue to strengthen that relationship, guided by our shared values of promoting the game and the valuable life lessons it instills in youth across Canada.”

In 2025, Taylor recorded 309 birdies and six eagles in 24 events played on the PGA TOUR.

The adidas Birdies for Game Changers initiative will begin this week as Taylor opens the 2026 PGA TOUR season with the defence of his Sony Open title in Honolulu, Hawaii on Thursday.

Susan Wright-Cassan and Carly Crooks named 2024 recipients of the Lorie Kane Community Spirit Awards

Wright-Cassan wins Community Leader Award; Crooks wins
Future Leader Award following submission of nominations
from the Canadian golf community

Duo will be honoured during the RBC Hall of Fame Day in August at the CPKC Women’s Open

Oakville, ON – Golf Canada and the Golf Canada Foundation are pleased to announce that Susan Wright-Cassan of Thunder Bay, Ont. and Carly Crooks of Scarborough, Ont. have been named the 2024 recipients of the Lorie Kane Community Spirit Awards.

Following a national call for nominations to the Canadian golf community, Wright-Cassan and Crooks were identified by the selection committee as recipients of the Lorie Kane Community Spirit Awards. The recognition celebrates a pair of individuals who demonstrated excellence in using golf as a platform to positively impact their communities.

“On behalf of Golf Canada and the Golf Canada Foundation, we are very proud to recognize Susan Wright-Cassan and Carly Crooks as our 2024 Lorie Kane Community Spirt Award recipients,” said David McCarthy, President, Golf Canada. “Nominations were brought forth from across the country highlighting the many contributions of passionate individuals who willingly give their time to inspire others through the game of golf. Congratulations to Susan and to Carly for this deserved honour and we thank them for their continued contributions to the sport in their communities.”

Wright-Cassan has been named the recipient of the 2024 Lorie Kane Community Leader Award, having made a significant impact in her community where she has been volunteering for over 20 years. Wright-Cassan currently serves as the President of Golf Manitoba and is a member of the Emerald Greens Golf Course and Driving Range in Thunder Bay, Ont. Wright-Cassan earned her community coaching certificate from First Tee and has been teaching junior golf and supporting the introductory First Tee – Canada program in Thunder Bay. Among her many contributions to the game, she has organized a variety of programming including “Golf in Schools” for over 1000 students, “Summer Camps for Kids”, the “Thunder Bay Queens”, “Try Golf Day” held in conjunction with the Thunder Bay Multi-Cultural Association and the Superior North Ladies Golf Association which has an outreach of 800 kms. Last year, Golf Manitoba presented Wright-Cassan with her 20-year volunteer certificate in recognition of her involvement with course rating in Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario.

“I want to thank those that have supported me in my golf endeavors. I am honoured to be the recipient of the 2024 Lori Kane Community Leader Award. I must thank the people with the First Tee Program and Golf in School, those that I’ve met teaching at the junior and adult levels, playing at club and competitive levels and especially to those that without thinking of it, have encouraged myself and others,” said Susan Wright-Cassan. “This is a game that I love both to play and share my passion. It is a game for all ages, juniors through senior. The social aspects at all ages, the discipline, self-imposed applications of the rules, health benefits, friendships developed and maintained over the years, and other countless benefits are a few of the reasons that I and many others are involved with the game. The Lorie Kane Community Leader Award will fuel me to carry on with the programs I’m involved with.”

Crooks has been named the recipient of the 2024 Lorie Kane Future Leader Award. The 21-year-old has dedicated her summers to coaching with First Tee – Canada, both in her community and across Ontario. After completing training as a First Tee – Canada coach in 2023, Crooks has coached in First Tee – Canada programming at the RBC Canadian Open, Golf Ontario’s Indigenous Try it Day, All-Girls First Tee along with programming at Tam O’Shanter Golf Course in Scarborough, Ont.

“Winning this award is so exciting, and I couldn’t have done it without the amazing people in my corner,” said Carly Crooks. “Shout out to my coach, Sean Burke, for always pushing me to be better, and to my parents for their endless support. My twin sister has been with me through everything, and I’m especially grateful to the First Tee – Ontario team for getting me involved.”

Wright-Cassan will receive a $5,000 donation from the Golf Canada Foundation to advance a golf program or golf-related initiative of her choice. Crooks will receive a $5,000 donation towards her post-secondary education. Wright-Cassan and Crooks will be honoured during the RBC Hall of Fame Day in August during the CPKC Women’s Open at Mississaugua Golf and Country Club in Mississauga, Ont.

Submissions for the Lorie Kane Community Spirit Awards were evaluated by a selection committee that includes representatives from Golf Canada, the Golf Canada Foundation, Honoured Members of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame, industry representatives and the Golf Journalists Association of Canada.

The Lorie Kane Community Leader Award celebrates individuals over the age of 19 with a demonstrated ability to lead community initiatives; who have contributed a measurable impact through volunteerism or charity; or have showcased excellence in their involvement with, or support of youth programs such as First Tee – Canada or other junior golf activities.

The Lorie Kane Future Leader Award honours a young individual who embodies community leadership; has a history of sportsmanship or demonstrated activities to make the game more inclusive; or an individual who has used golf to create a meaningful impact in their community.

The Lorie Kane Community Spirit Awards were named to honour the Canadian golf icon for a longstanding commitment to advancing the sport, charitable work and giving back to the game that defined her Hall of Fame career. Kane is a member of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Canada Sports Hall of Fame as well as a recipient of the Order of Canada.

A call for nominations for the 2025 Lorie Kane Community Spirit Awards will go out later this year.

Read the full story here, written by Golf Canada’s Mike Masaro.

Second Annual First Tee – Ontario Cup In The Books

It was a special (and chilly) day at the prestigious Goodwood Golf Club, raising $50,000 towards expanding First Tee – Ontario programming at golf facilities, schools, and community centres across the province.

Many thanks are due to all those who participated in the event and to the sponsors who helped make the day such a success. Special thanks to Goodwood Golf Club staff and the Stollery Family for generously hosting and providing First Tee supporters with the chance to exclusively play one of Canada’s top courses.

RBC, TaylorMade, Bennett Jones, Golf Ontario, F1Tech, Full Wedge, Noble Estates, HUB, BDO, OJTBF, and more – thank you for sponsoring this event and supporting First Tee – ON.

Together, we are Building Game Changers.

Congratulations to our winners of the 2022 First Tee – Ontario Cup (Will Edwards, Jim Robinson, Jesse Mighton, Alex Jerome) and to our Closest to the Pin (Nancy Bertrand, Tim Evans) winners.

Interested in getting involved in next year’s First Tee – Ontario Cup? Looking to donate to First Tee – Ontario? Know of a golf facility that would like to come on board at the programming level? Reach out to Jason Hraynyk, [email protected].

Niagara 2022 Canada Summer Games Showcases First Tee – Ontario

28th edition of the Canada Games helps introduce First Tee – Ontario, youth-focused golf and life skill development programming, to the Niagara Region.

NIAGARA, August 2022 – The Niagara 2022 Canada Summer Games are pleased to support and collaborate with Golf Canada and the Ontario chapter of First Tee – Canada to further enrich youth in the Niagara Region.

The 2022 Canada Games take place from August 6th to the 21st, welcoming over 5,000 young athletes and coaches to compete for the podium in Canada’s largest multi-sport event. Niagara 2022’s golf competition will take place at the beautiful and challenging Legends on the Niagara’s
Battlefield Course with practice rounds on August 15th and 16th followed by four competition rounds from August 17th to 20th. Ten provinces and one territory will compete in teams of two boys and two girls for both team and individual medals. Golf Canada will conduct the competition along with a team of 2022 Canada Games staff and volunteers.

On Tuesday (August 16), First Tee – Ontario invited a group of local children to Legends on the Niagara Golf Course to join a day of fun activities. The group participated in a First Tee golf clinic using the driving range and practice green and got the special opportunity to walk alongside an
athlete as their “honourary caddie” for one hole during practice rounds.

The activation provided an opportunity for children and families to learn more about what the game of golf has to offer through First Tee – Ontario, and for youth to witness first-hand the endless opportunities available to them in the world of sport.

The Niagara 2022 Canada Summer Games promote community development, youth advocacy, and sport development. The Niagara 2022 Host Society is excited to support a like-minded program such as First Tee – Ontario.

“We are proud to share our platform with, and spread awareness of, First Tee – Ontario,” said Niagara 2022 Canada Summer Games Sport Lead Tracy Murphy. “This is a program that aligns with our values and provides youth with the opportunity to experience and reap all the benefits sports have to offer. We look forward to a long-term collaboration with First Tee – Ontario and wish the program success and prosperity in the Niagara Region, and beyond.”

First Tee – Ontario is delivered at golf facilities, schools, and community centres with curriculum and coach training specifically designed for each of these environments, providing youth aged five to 18 with affordable access to learn fundamental golf skills, and life skills and values developed through sport.

Programming began in late 2021. To date, there are 11 First Tee – Ontario program locations across the province, two of which are in the Niagara Region. Locations are primarily chosen to engage with equity-deserving groups and under-served communities.

“We are grateful for the support and excitement from Canada Games. The positive impact that First Tee can make within communities would not be possible without our generous and supportive network,” said Golf Canada’s Grow the Game Director, Adam Hunter. “We hope the group had fun, learned something about sports, or themselves, and went home with a smile on their face. That’s what First Tee – Canada is about, providing youth with an inclusive space to feel empowered through sport.”

Golf Canada joined forces with First Tee in 2020, and First Tee – Canada was born. There are currently more than 80 program locations operating under provincial chapters in Ontario, British Columbia, Quebec, and the Atlantic regions. As the program grows, First Tee – Ontario continues to pursue new program locations.

For more information on how to get involved, or become a program location, please visit firstteeontario.ca/ or contact Amaya Athill [email protected].

About the Niagara 2022 Canada Summer Games
At the peak of Niagara’s boldest summer yet, more than 5,000 up-and-coming athletes, their coaches and support staff will gather in the Niagara Region to compete for the podium in Canada’s largest multi-sport event. From August 6 to 21, 2022, Niagara will surge stronger than ever on the national stage. The 2022 Canada Games, made possible thanks to funding and support from the Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario, the Niagara Region, and the Canada Games Council, will give rise to new
legacies of ambition, confidence, and compassion that will inspire generations to come.

For further information, visit us at niagara2022games.ca or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram (@2022canadagames).

About First Tee – Canada
First Tee – Canada is a non-profit youth development program operated by Golf Canada since 2020. In partnership with First Tee, Golf Canada launched First Tee – Canada to provide educational programs that build character and instill life-enhancing values for youth through the game of golf. First Tee – Canada continues to expand programming and engage youth at golf courses, schools, and community centres in deserving regions across the country.

For more information and to learn how to support First Tee – Canada, visit firstteecanada.ca.

For media inquiries, please contact Madelyn Boelhouwer [email protected].

Gragtmans Family Foundation Makes $1M USD Gift To First Tee — Canada

Multi-year gift by the Gragtmans Family Foundation as founding donor and trustee to launch Ontario chapter of First Tee – Canada will provide transformational character-building opportunities for youth in Ontario and across Canada.

TORONTO, November 23, 2021 – Inspired to support the life skills and development values ingrained in golf, the Gragtmans Family Foundation has announced a major $1M USD donation to the Golf Canada Foundation to directly power the advancement of First Tee – Canada.

The generosity of the Gragtmans Family Foundation as the Founding Donor and Trustee of First Tee – Ontario will fund and facilitate the provincial chapter launch including program development and delivery with multi-faceted activities designed for schools, community centres, and youth facilities.

First Tee – Canada will provide Canadian youth, and especially those in underrepresented groups, access to affordable and meaningful character education programs through golf. Golf Canada intends on launching chapters in every province in Canada by 2022, with the goal of 100,000 annual participants in the program by 2023.

“The Gragtmans Family Foundation focuses on the positive development and advancement of youth in Canada and abroad,” said Ian Gragtmans, Founder of the Gragtmans Family Foundation. “We are thrilled to be aligned with one of the world’s premiere and proven international youth development organizations. Our mission of providing youth with support to help positively design and advance their lives aligns well with the First Tee values of integrity, respect and perseverance.” A pursuer of growth and knowledge, Mr. Gragtmans credits many who have and continue to act as mentors, and his support of First Tee Canada directly reflects the ongoing responsibility of giving back by helping others.

“The pace of growth behind First Tee – Canada since being announced in Fall 2020 has been incredible, and that’s because of the shared vision of youth champions like the Gragtmans Family Foundation,” said Golf Canada Chief Sport Officer Kevin Blue. “The generosity of the Gragtmans Family Foundation towards this provincial chapter-founding, multi-year gift brings incredible momentum to our national youth development program in Canada’s largest market and will surely set the example and encourage deeper expansion across the Canadian philanthropic community.”

Through its deep network of donors and trustees, Golf Canada Foundation is a critical partner in supporting the launch and advancement of First Tee Canada through its fundraising and
philanthropic efforts. Canada’s Provincial Golf Associations will also play a role in the advancement of First Tee Canada as chapters form in markets across Canada.

“We are extremely grateful to Ian Gragtmans and the Gragtmans Family Foundation for their incredible generosity as the catalyst to officially launch the first Ontario chapter of First Tee Canada,” said Golf Canada Foundation CEO Martin Barnard. “The meaningful support of our donors and corporate champions has far exceeded our early expectations and has provided real momentum in our discussion with others who want to get behind this character building program for youth.”

The generosity of the Gragtmans Family Foundation joins a growing number of chapter-founding and program advancement gifts that have been secured in 2021 with additional investments to be announced in the coming weeks.

Since its inception in 1997, First Tee has impacted more than 15 million young people through its character-building programs on golf courses, in schools and at youth-serving locations. The First Tee network has grown to over 150 chapters and more than 1,200 program locations across the United States as well as six international chapters in Australia, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Morocco, and Canada, delivering programs that help young people build character and develop life skills through the game of golf.

Golf Canada and the Golf Canada Foundation are continuously pursuing more gifts, which will allow more chapters to launch in Canada. For more information on First Tee – Canada, to get involved, or to donate, visit www.firstteecanada.ca

About the First Tee Foundation (“First Tee”)
First Tee (www.firsttee.org) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit youth development organization under the umbrella of PGA TOUR, Inc. Our mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character and instill life-enhancing values through the game of golf. Since its inception in 1997, First Tee has expanded to reach more than 3.6 million young people annually on golf courses, in schools and at youth centers. Its headquarters are in St. Augustine, Florida, USA, with programs in all 50 United States and select international locations. President George W. Bush serves as Honorary Chair.

About the Gragtmans Family Foundation
The Gragtmans Family Foundation’s (GFF) mission is to provide Canadian young people with the tools and social connectivity to reach their greatest potential. Founded by Ian Gragtmans, GFF acts as a supportive platform to those that display a genuine willingness to develop their integrity, tenacity and personal growth.

About Golf Canada Foundation
The Golf Canada Foundation is the leading source for philanthropy in Canadian golf related youth programs and is very proud of a record $1.5 million in 2019 grants which brings our total to more than $8.9 million since 2012, and $10.3 million invested in the sport since the Foundation’s inception in 1979. The foundation’s mission is to support and promote programs that increase participation in golf by engaging players of all ages and abilities across Canada. For more information about what the Golf Canada Foundation is doing to support golf in your community, visit us online at www.golfcanada.ca/foundation

About Golf Canada
Golf Canada is the National Sports Federation and governing body for golf in Canada, representing nearly 270,000 golfers and 1,400 member clubs across the country. A proud member of the Canadian Olympic Committee, Golf Canada’s vision is to be a world leader in golf and achieving the mission to increase Canadian participation and excellence For more information about what Golf Canada is doing to support golf in your community, visit www.golfcanada.ca.

Media Contact:
Dan Pino | Senior Director, Communications | Golf Canada | 416-434-5525 | [email protected]

Golf Canada partners with First Tee to Establish First Tee – Canada

10 August 2020 – Oakville, Ontario

Golf Canada and First Tee announced today a new partnership to launch First Tee – Canada. First Tee’s Board Chairman, PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan, shared the news during a global announcement that Presidents Cup will return to Royal Montreal Golf Club in 2024.

Together, the partnership will bring First Tee’s youth development emphasis to strengthen Golf Canada’s junior golf activities – previously conducted under the Future Links brand – that reach kids in schools and at golf facilities. The innovative First Tee curriculum will focus on empowering young people to build their strength of character through the game of golf. Golf Canada will serve as the national headquarters of First Tee – Canada.

“Partnering with First Tee towards the 2021 launch of First Tee – Canada will provide Canadian youth and especially those in underrepresented groups access to affordable and meaningful character education programs through golf,” said Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum. “Golf Canada and the PGA of Canada have developed a strong foundation for junior golf programming over the past twenty plus years through Future Links. We are excited going forward to partner with the globally recognized First Tee brand and work collaboratively with the Golf Canada Foundation to strengthen our youth development activities.”

“Golf Canada has made a significant impact on the growth of the sport in Canada through their multi-faceted junior golf initiatives and was a natural fit for us to partner with the launch of First Tee – Canada,” said Greg McLaughlin, CEO, First Tee. “Together, we will bring the First Tee youth development program nationwide and build on Golf Canada’s impressive grassroots success with programming that reaches kids via nearly 600 golf facilities and 4,100 participating schools.”

The PGA of Canada will play a leading role in the training of coaches who will serve as mentors to the kids and teens in the program. Coaches will help bring the curriculum to life by introducing youth to fun and active experiences that help them build inner strength, self-confidence, and resilience that can carry to everything they do.

“We are proud that PGA of Canada professionals will play an important role in utilizing golf to teach First Tee core values of honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, respect, confidence, responsibility, perseverance, judgement and courtesy,” said Kevin Thistle, CEO of PGA of Canada. “We look forward to supporting the development of youth and junior golfers through the coaching and mentorship of PGA of Canada professionals in alignment with the National Coaching Certification Program.”

First Tee – Canada will target to launch multiple chapters in 2021 with a growth strategy to establish First Tee chapters in markets across Canada through 2023. The inaugural First Tee – Canada chapter launching in 2021 will be located in Victoria, British Columbia at the Bear Mountain Golf & Tennis Resort Community which is also home to Golf Canada’s National Training Centre. This was made possible by the support of the Matthews and Kusumoto families. Dan Matthews is a global Trustee and a member of the Board of Governors of the First Tee and a member of the Board of Directors of the Golf Canada Foundation. A First Tee chapter in Quebec will also be launched shortly thereafter, continuing the incredible legacy of past Presidents Cups. With support from the Presidents Cup, First Tee has successfully launched global chapters in Australia (2019) and Korea (2015).

Through its deep network of donors and trustees, Golf Canada Foundation will be a critical partner in supporting the launch and advancement of First Tee – Canada through its fundraising and philanthropic efforts. Canada’s Provincial Golf Associations will also play a role in the advancement of First Tee – Canada as chapters begin to form in markets across Canada. In addition, Golf Canada will continue to work with the NGCOA Canada (National Golf Course Owner’s Association) and other key industry stakeholders towards a more inclusive golf experience for Canadian youth.

Since its inception in 1997, First Tee has impacted more than 15 million young people through its character-building programs on golf courses, in schools and at youth-serving locations.

The First Tee network has grown to over 150 chapters and more than 1,200 program locations across the United States as well as six international chapters—Australia, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Morocco and Canada—delivering programs that help young people build character and develop life skills through the game of golf. A First Tee chapter out of Vancouver is operating independently out of Vancouver, and previously out of Montreal, prior to the launch of First Tee – Canada.

Category: News Releases