Giving Back to the Community

The Academy is committed to building community and recognizes the importance of giving back through the game of golf. 

​The Muncie Booth Inner-City Youth Golf Program
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This program was first launched in 1999 by past McCleery Head Golf Professional, Muncie Booth, with the goal of introducing golf to disadvantaged youth living in one of Vancouver’s most at-risk neighbourhoods. Working together with community centres located in the Strathcona, Thunderbird, Ray-Cam and Hastings areas to spread the word, this program has introduced the many benefits of golf - physical, mental and social - to hundreds of kids over the years. The program provides both short-term and long-term benefits for the participants. Kids acquire new physical skills while also learning additional qualities that golf celebrates, such as etiquette and respect, rules and self-policing, sportsmanship and getting along with others.

Muncie has stated that, “Every year we’re able to provide disadvantaged children with the opportunity to learn to play this wonderful game of golf, and at the same time give them a chance to have a very positive life experience. This is more than a typical golf camp for kids. Our aim is to make a difference in a kid’s life, even if it is for only one week each year. That will always be our main focus. This is a labour of love for me, and I derive a great deal of satisfaction and enjoyment from being involved.”

For a week every August, between 30-50 kids receive golf instruction from a PGA of Canada Golf Professional, along with the use of clubs and a healthy brunch at McCleery Golf Course. In 2025, the program will be in its 26th year under the present Head Professional, Tom Monaghan. 

For more information about this program and sponsorship opportunities, please contact Tom Monaghan, Head Professional at McCleery Golf Course at tom(at)monaghangolf(dot)com.