WINNIPEG – Golf Manitoba is excited to announce that the Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation has again committed to support junior golf programming and the Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame in 2020. The Foundation has agreed to make a $70,000 donation with the proceeds to benefit grassroots and high-performance junior golf programs, the University of Manitoba Bison Golf program and the annual induction ceremony conducted by the Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame and Museum. In 2019, the Foundation made a $60,000 donation with the proceeds also targeted to the above mentioned programs.
In 2018, the Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation was established with a mandate to support junior golf in the province of Manitoba. The Foundation will eventually commit a total of $3 million dollars to an endowment that will aid in supporting the development of new generations of golfers through grassroots golf initiatives and high-performance programming.
“We are delighted that the Foundation has again provided us with a tremendous opportunity for the coming year” said Ken Warwick, President of Golf Manitoba. “With the donation, we will look to continue with the momentum from 2019 and further expand our ability to grow the sport and support our high-performing athletes.”
In 2019, the donation made an immediate impact in the grow-sport programming offered by Golf Manitoba. A significant portion of the proceeds were directed to the Golf in Schools program where over 9,800 early years students were introduced to the golf through clinics conducted at over 40 schools across Manitoba. Additionally, the donation provided enhanced funding to Golf Manitoba inter-provincial junior teams with 18 juniors representing Manitoba in national championships and inter-provincial competitions.
In addition to the above, Golf Manitoba provided funding to external junior golf programs including the Boys and Girls Club program at Bridges Golf Club, the PGA of Canada Manitoba Zone Future Pros program and junior development programs provided by Golf Mentor. Again for 2020, existing junior golf programs will be able to apply for funding which will be evaluated by Golf Manitoba to determine eligibility with further announcements to follow.
Additionally, proceeds from the Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation donation will provide support to the Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame which recognizes and celebrates those who have made extraordinary contributions in the Manitoba golf community as well as nationally and internationally. A goal of the Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame is to make known the achievements of its Honoured Members and Teams to serve as inspiration to future generations which is consistent with the goals of the Alex and Peggy Colonello Foundation to support junior golf. The 2020 induction ceremony is scheduled to take place in late September.
The donation from the Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation will again be made through the Manitoba Fund within the Golf Canada Foundation, a fund dedicated to providing development opportunities for juniors in the province of Manitoba. For more information about the Manitoba Fund and how your contribution can help to grow the sport of golf, please contact Jared Ladobruk, Executive Director for Golf Manitoba at jared@golfmb.ca or at 204.925.5729.
About Alex & Peggy Colonello: Peggy Colonello served as president of the Manitoba Ladies’ Golf Association in 1974 – 76 and was an active participant at her home course, the Elmhurst Golf & Country Club, where she and husband Alex had been members since the 1940s.
Peggy also served a two-year term as president of the Canadian Ladies’ Golf Association from 1982-83. During her time on the national executive, Peggy attended World and Commonwealth championships in Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Columbia, Britain and Switzerland, including the various Canadian events in which she participated. Peggy was inducted into the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame in 1994 and was an inaugural inductee into the Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame on September 29, 2003.
Alex Colonello first moved to Winnipeg in 1941 where, in 1949, Bay Bronze Company asked him to start a machinery division for them. Alex eventually bought control of the company in 1973 becoming President until his retirement in 1996. In 1998, Alex purchased the golf accessory line from Bayco Industries to form Bayco Golf Inc. Alex Colonello passed away in 2013 at the age of 93.
About Golf Manitoba: Golf Manitoba is recognized by Sport Manitoba as the Provincial Sport Organization and governing body of amateur for golf in the province. Its mission is to develop, promote, govern and service the sport of golf in Manitoba and North West Ontario for the benefit of all participants.
About Golf Canada Foundation: Founded in 1979 with the purpose to raise and grant funds for the advancement of golf in Canada. As a registered Canadian Amateur Association, the Foundation delivers this mandate by awarding scholarships to Canadian student golfers and distributing grants to support initiatives that fall into five key areas:
- Junior Golf
- Collegiate Golf
- Women’s Golf
- High Performance Golf
- Heritage
In 2019, the Foundation granted $1.5 million to programs nationwide which brings our total to more than $8.9 million since 2012, and $10.3 million invested in the sport since the Foundation’s inception.
For more information:
Jared Ladobruk
Executive Director
Golf Manitoba
204.925.5729
jared@golfmb.ca