The Royal Canadian Golf Association, the governing body of golf in Canada, has awarded Holland College golf programs its prestigious accreditation and a $3,000 grant, which the college will use to establish three entrance scholarships, the college's athletic director Albert Roche announced today.
Being considered for inclusion on the list of post secondary institutions accredited by the RCGA involves a rigorous process.
"Acquiring the RCGA certification is no small accomplishment," Roche explained in a recent interview. "Holland College approached the RCGA in May of 2004 and received a financial contribution in November to be used to build the varsity golf team. The college is one of only 15 universities and colleges in Canada recognized by RCGA under this program," said Roche.
"We decided to use the grant money to establish golf scholarships that aren't limited strictly to students enrolled in our Golf programs," Roche explained.
"The scholarships will be administered through the Holland College Foundation. Any Prince Edward Island high school student with demonstrated high-level golfing ability who has been accepted into a full time program at Holland College is eligible to apply for a scholarship."
Applicants must submit a player profile detailing golf game development and competitive play experience; and provide two letters of reference, one from a high school teacher and one from a member of the golf community.
"The scholarships are intended to help Canadian colleges and universities keep some of our best young golfers in Canada for their post-secondary education," Roche said. "The establishment of these scholarships at Holland College is only the beginning of what we hope will be a long and fruitful relationship with the RCGA."
Roche hopes that male and female golfers attending Holland College, regardless of their field of study, will try out for the newly formed Holland Hurricanes Varsity Golf Team.
"We have several very talented players on our teams," Roche explains. "We want to reach out beyond our golf programs and ensure that great golfers who want to come to Holland College have some financial assistance to do so."
The college has had a golf team for several years, but now has men's and women's varsity teams that compete with other colleges and universities across North America. The head coach for the women's team is Chris Irwin, Blair Macphail is head coach for the men's team, and Jeff Donovan is the assistant coach for the men's team.
Players on the Holland Hurricanes Varsity Golf Teams are selected in a series of qualifiers in the fall. Those selected for the teams train throughout the school year. Last year, the teams played until November, and began training for this year's season in January. Players have access to the college's golf simulators and expert coaching from the college's instructors.
The golf simulators, located in the Holland College Tourism and Culinary Centre on Sydney Street, are Par Ts, with the latest Double Eagle program, providing 20 different courses on which to practice.
Hurricanes player and PEI Amateur Team member Jamie Currie, 19, of Rocky Point, is playing for his second year with a Holland College team, this year as part of the Holland Hurricanes Varsity Team.
"The varsity team is a great idea. It gives us a chance to develop our skills and work with the instructors throughout the winter to improve our game," Currie notes.
First year student Ryan Hawley, 20, agrees.
"Playing on the varsity team has really helped my game, I'm looking forward to representing Holland College in the upcoming tournaments," the Cape Breton native states.
The next month or so promises to be a busy time for the Holland College Men's Varsity Golf team. In mid May the team will travel to Trois-Rivi?res to compete in the Eastern Canadian University/College Open Tournament. They will also help out at the Holland College Foundation's annual fundraising tournament at Fox Meadow on May 27th, and then in early June they will fly to Duncan, BC to play in the Canadian University/College Championship at Duncan Meadows Golf Course.
Roche expects the team to do well in the tournaments, adding that this year will see the establishment of the Eastern Canada Conference in golf for teams at universities and colleges in Ontario and East. Holland College, Universit? de Trois-Rivi?res and Humber College are the founding committee members.
"Two years ago, the Hurricanes competed in the Canadian University/College Championship for the first time, and placed sixth in the country. That's no small feat, when you consider the calibre of the players and the size of the universities and colleges competing at this event."
For more information about Holland College's varsity golf teams contact Albert Roche at 566-9690. For more information about the RCGA Foundation Entrance Scholarships, visit the Holland College website at www.hollandcollege.com/Foundation, contact the Registrar's Office at 566-9517, or call the Holland College Foundation office at 566-9590.
For more information about this release, please contact: Sara Underwood, Media and Communications Officer Tel: 902-566-9695
Date: Tuesday, April 19, 2005
