We Connect with Steve Ryde
Growing up working in the backshop at the Saskatoon Golf & Country Club, playing golf everyday and then becoming a CPGA Professional in my early 20's was just the start for my "love of the game" of golf. Needless to say I am very much looking forward to this episode as we welcome good friend, Steve Ryde who is a CPGA Professional and Director of Sport Development & Championships, Golf Saskatchewan.
Let's get to know Steve a bit before the show as he was born and raised in Saskatoon from 1978 onwards. Lived w/single mom parenting two young boys moving around a lot over the years. Steve loved sports and competing with older brother as they both played hockey and were goalies to save on equipment costs. LOL.
Farming background, graduated high school in Eston, SK. and had early dreams of being a professional hockey player, trying out for many SJHL teams, making the Flin Flon Bomber team as a 16 year old, but his parents wouldn’t let him go for reasons he didn’t understand at that time. His dad introduced Steve to golf, as it was fun and challenging, and he also liked it because he could be outside , and eventually found his way on to the high school golf team competing in provincials on sand greens. He competed against a fellow junior golfer by the name of Ryan Danberg, he finished first,
and Steve finished right behind him in the province.
and Steve finished right behind him in the province.
Ryan had mentioned of a golf program in Lethbridge & the rest is history! Steve turned pro in 2001, Class A professional in 2003 and his current role is Director of Sport Development & Championships, Golf Saskatchewan
- Facilitate 12 provincial championships annually
- Develop & run inclusive programs including:
- Junior Golf - Grass roots to high performance
- Golf clinics with SK Blind Sports Association and Wheel Chair SK
- Women’s Golf Getaway at Elk Ridge
- Still competes in local and national PGA of Canada events
- Huge mental health advocate!!
- Facilitate 12 provincial championships annually
- Develop & run inclusive programs including:
- Junior Golf - Grass roots to high performance
- Golf clinics with SK Blind Sports Association and Wheel Chair SK
- Women’s Golf Getaway at Elk Ridge
- Still competes in local and national PGA of Canada events
- Huge mental health advocate!!
We have so much to talk about which will include;
- “For the love of the Game”
- Why do we play golf?
For obvious reasons like: Exercise, fresh air, to improve, to beat our
buddies, mental health Recreationally for fun, to learn about the game,
to play w/ friends & family Tournaments for fun, competition, and some
for financial reasons.
- Have we lost “for the love of the game”?
- External pressures in Competitive Junior Golf:
Parents hoping for the “Next Tiger Woods” or “Connor McDavid”
College recruiting
Social Media
Technology in Sport
One-self
- Is Golf a Safe & Inclusive Sport?
Bullying
Cheating
Post Covid what does the golf landscape look like?
- Why do we play golf?
For obvious reasons like: Exercise, fresh air, to improve, to beat our
buddies, mental health Recreationally for fun, to learn about the game,
to play w/ friends & family Tournaments for fun, competition, and some
for financial reasons.
- Have we lost “for the love of the game”?
- External pressures in Competitive Junior Golf:
Parents hoping for the “Next Tiger Woods” or “Connor McDavid”
College recruiting
Social Media
Technology in Sport
One-self
- Is Golf a Safe & Inclusive Sport?
Bullying
Cheating
Post Covid what does the golf landscape look like?
Wow...This should be a conversation for the ages! Don't miss!