Times Chronicle Staff
The Osoyoos Indian Band has scored an “eagle” with the announcement that Nk’MipCanyon Desert Golf Course has been chosen to host the first Indigenous Championship in BC.
The partnership involving BC Golf and the Office of the Lieutenant Governor will see 128 First Nations, Metis and/or Inuit men, women and youth compete in the event on May 28-30.
Nk’Mip general manager Dave George said the club is “extremely honoured and proud to be the first in BC to host such a prestigious event.” He expressed his hope that the inaugural tournament will create memorable moments for all the participants.
OIB Chief Clarence Louie told the Times Chronicle that their reservation has some of the best golfers in North America. He noted the OIB was one of the first Indian reserves to lease out land for a golf course (Cherry Grove) in 1963. “Ever since then golf has been an important part of the Osoyoos Indian Band’s sports culture.”
Louie said any time a sports tournament is held in the Oliver area, the spin-off business benefits are significant by impacting hotels, restaurants, gas stations, etc.
Registration starts March 1 and ends April 28. The championship will include 36 holes played over two days, with champions crowned in five categories. The youth division will serve as the final qualifier for golfers under 19 who are vying to represent BC at the 2023 North American Indigenous Games in Halifax in July.
Christina Proteau, organizing committee chair for BC Golf, said the event will inspire current and emerging Indigenous golfers.
“As a competitive golfer and Indigenous woman, I am very much looking forward to the blending of competition and reconciliation at the same event.”
The championship has long been a dream of former BC Golf Chair, T’esots’en (Patrick Kelly), who said it will provide an exciting opportunity for Indigenous golfers to walk together in the joy of sport, camaraderie, and spirited competition.
Lieutenant Governor Janet Austin said it is important on the journey of reconciliation that there be a distinct tournament to celebrate Indigenous golfers and to create pathways for greater involvement, representation and participation.
i am pleased this important event will be held in our area. I note it is to include handicapped golfers. Will this golf course have available a Solorider special cart to enable paraplegics to participate? I personally own one and now and use it in the nearby Osoyoos golf club course; hence my interest as I am campaigning to get BC golf clubs to enable paraplegics to access the course. This event could initiate a start in that direction. Tony Brummet, OSOYOOS, BC [email protected]