When Dean Dereniuk thinks golf, he thinks family.
It is a unique sport where people of all ages, skill levels and demographics can be out on the course and playing at the same time, making it perfect for parents to take their kids out for nine or 18 holes. For the new head golf professional at Camrose Golf Course, this experience was a major part of his upbringing in the sport and something he looks forward to carrying on with his wife and two young daughters – aged one and three – in the future.
“My three-year-old is actually pretty good,” said Dereniuk, 40. “She’ll putt and she really likes hitting the driver, she gets right into it.”
While three may be a little young for most, he has been tasked by the City of Camrose to reinvigorate the golfing base by attracting more junior players and families to the course. One way they are doing this is by a promotion in which the first 100 junior aged players who register will get their membership for $100. It is in an effort to remove a major barrier for young players and families.
“We have lots of people who say ‘we have three or four kids and we can’t really afford to bring them out,'” he said. “But at $100 they can afford that.”
