Bowen Island Winner

The Bowen Island Golf Association

Since the Bowen Island public golf course opened in 2005, the Bowen Island Golf Association (a not for profit society) has been gratified by the number of Bowen Island residents who have taken up the wonderful game and embraced this public amenity. Many players who use the course have played for years; however, a great number of others began playing simply because there is now a course on the island. We want to help these new players learn golf skills by providing a complete practice facility, allowing them to improve their game and to encourage more to take it up and continue to play.

To do this, a more comprehensive teaching facility is needed and for this reason the Bowen Island Golf Association is submitting this entry to the First Credit Union 10K Giveaway program. In order to better enjoy this challenging game, a reasonable level of skill and competence is needed which is best accomplished through lessons and practice. Covered tee boxes were recently added to the practice range, built with donations and volunteer labour. We now propose adding a practice bunker, chipping area and putting green to complete the teaching facilities. The 10K Giveaway funds would be used to

construct these much needed additions, plans for which are complete. The project is "shovel ready". Golf has been shown to have many benefits for the community including social, physical and economic which cross all age groups. We have very active Ladies' and Men's Leagues which enables residents from all parts of the Island to regularly meet and play together. We have an active Junior Development Program and will be offering a golf camp for children this summer. As well, we are in the process of making our course "family friendly" with special tee boxes for children and programs for families. The golf course is a major employer of young students during the summer months providing an opportunity for these youths to gain both employment and golf skills. As well, the course is used by groups both on and off island as a venue for hosting tournaments, a number of which raise money for charities. The health benefits of golf are well-documented especially for seniors, many of whom are using the course on a regular basis. There is also a perimeter walking trail around the course which allows non-golfers to enjoy this beautiful part of the island while physically benefiting from a good walk. Those both on and off the course will appreciate that the BIGA has made a commitment to being environmentally sustainable and is working to achieve Audubon certification. The Bowen Island golf course is a public amenity that contributes to the physical and social well being of many Islanders, and non-locals, everyday. We look forward to the support of the community-at-large to help us improve this public amenity and we thank First Credit Union for making this opportunity available to the community.