• Golf Saskatchewan will continue to add to and develop this area of our programming in 2023.
• We want everyone to know, golf is a safe, welcoming, and fun environment for all.
• The eligibility language for the 2023 Golf Saskatchewan competitions now includes transgender and non-binary individuals are welcome and encouraged to compete.
• In April of 2021, Golf Saskatchewan passed a new set of bylaws with gender neutral language.

The Tony Cote Games were first instituted in 1974 as the Saskatchewan First Nation Winter/Summer Games under the guidance of Chief Tony Cote.

The Games were instilled as a way to include First Nation athletes under the age of 20 into mainstream sports. The 2021 Games were hosted by the James Smith Cree Nation in 2023 after two years of postponements due to COVID-19.

Dakota Dunes Golf Links on the Whitecap First Nation hosted the golf event, for complete details and results click here.

More details on the Tony Cote Games can be found here.

Media Release July 12, 2021

The North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) Council is the International Governing Body for the NAIG exercising exclusive jurisdiction, either directly or through its affiliate members or committees, over all matters pertaining to the Games. It ensures the purposes and philosophies are reflected in all aspects of the games.

The NAIG Council is the principle authority for policy development, rules and regulations for the North American Indigenous Games.

The NAIG Council works in a manner which is consistent with the cultural, spiritual and traditional values of the peoples it is representing. In their activities they promote and encourage holistic individual development that assures mental, physical, emotional and spiritual growth.

For more information on the NAIG Saskatchewan team click here.

Please go to www.naig2023.com and follow NAIG Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts @naig2023 for updates.

About NAIG 2023: The event will be the largest multi-sport and cultural event ever to be held in Atlantic Canada. More than 5,000 athletes, coaches and team staff from 756 Indigenous nations will take part in cultural celebrations, and compete in 16 sports across 21 venues, with the help of 3,000 volunteers. NAIG 2020 was originally due to take place from July 12 to 18, 2020 in Kjipuktuk (Halifax), and Millbrook First Nation, Nova Scotia and has now been set to take place July 15 to 23, 2023.

About North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) Council: The NAIG Council is the International Governing Body for NAIG and helps actualize the collective potential of the bodies, minds, and spirit of our people and their hopes and dreams. The Council oversees all matters pertaining to the Games, including the inclusion of purposes and philosophies during the event that are consistent with the cultural, spiritual and traditional values of the peoples represented in the games. In all activities, the Council ensures the promotion and encouragement of holistic, individual development that assures mental, physical, emotional and spiritual growth.

Golf Saskatchewan owns three SoloRider adaptive golf carts. The cart is used for amputees or people with mobility issues, spinal cord injuries or impacted by aging.

The SoloRiders are housed at the Silverwood Golf Course in Saskatoon and the North Battleford Golf and Country Club.  Transporting the carts for special events is possible with permission from Golf Saskatchewan.

For more information on SoloRiders click here.

The SoloRiders have provided Saskatchewan golfers with chances to return to the course or try the sport for the first time. Their stories are below.

• Golf Saskatchewan delivers third SoloRider
• Spinal Cord Inc. hosts golf tournament
• SCISask raising awareness
• Pete Andrews back in the game
• SoloRider introduced to Silverwood

Testimonials from actual SCI* golfers:

Investments such as the SoloRider elevate life experiences for persons with SCI and other physical disabilities to achieve independence, self-reliance and full community participation.

Adaptive technologies – like the SoloRider – allow persons with SCI and other physical disabilities to stay active within the community, and to continue with activities that may have been enjoyed pre-injury. These adaptive technologies also allow individuals with SCI and other physical disabilities to enjoy new experiences and participate in inclusive activities.

To quote four of our clients regarding different adaptive technologies that allow them to continue to participate in sport and recreation:

“I have been more a social golfer, and this will be helpful for me to go out with people once in a while, hit the ball, and hopefully not lose too much money.” – North Battleford’s Ron Inkster

“It’s a way to be active, doing something I really love with friends and family.” – SCI Sask Client DB

“It’s given me something to wake up and strive for every day.” – SCI Sask Client BL

“I find it easier to hit with one hand compared to two.” – SCI Sask Client KF

Without adaptive technologies, many individuals with SCI and other physical disabilities would not have the opportunities to continue being involved in activities they love.

*SCI – spinal cord injury

Special Olympics Saskatchewan has been working with children, youth and adults with an intellectual disability for over fifty years. Special Olympics offers year-round sports programming for over 1,200 athletes in 16 communities across Saskatchewan.

Their Mission: Special Olympics Saskatchewan is dedicated to enriching the lives of individuals with an intellectual disability through sport.

Their Vision:  Our vision is that sport will open hearts and minds towards people with intellectual disabilities and create inclusive communities all over the world.

Each year the Nipawin chapter of the organization hosts golf lessons and a year end celebration at the Evergreen Golf Course. You can read more about the events below.

• Smiles all around
• Special O athletes take over Evergreen

Regina’s Taylor Carter is one of the most decorated Special O golfers in Saskatchewan. He has won a national medal and provides tips through a YouTube channel for his peers.

• Regina golfer golden in Nova Scotia
• Special O champion providing tips online

You can still play!

That’s the motto of Blind Golf Canada, the governing body for the sport in the nation. Blind Golf Canada’s mission is to develop and promote competitive golf and sportsmanship for blind and visually impaired golfers.

The International Blind Golf Association has 14 member countries with tournaments hosted across the globe. Canada hosts the Canadian Open Blind Golf Championship twice a year. Canada has also hosted the World Championship on two occasions, Winnipeg, Man. in 2002 and Truro, N.S. in 2012.

Saskatoon’s Gerry Nelson is one of the most accomplished blind golfers in the world. He is president of the national organization and sits on the international board.

To visit the Blind Golf Canada Website click here.

Saskatchewan also has a website devoted to blind sports, to visit their website click here.

• Nelson and Villeneuve win U.S. Open Blind Championship
• Nelson and Villeneuve chase U.S. Open Blind Golf Championship
• Nelson focused on World Blind Golf Championship
• Blind golfers practice in Saskatoon

Golfers with hearing impairments have opportunities to attend national and world championships.

The Canadian Deaf Sports Association (CDSA) oversees 13 sports including golf. The 2021 Canadian Deaf Golf Championship will be held on July 19-22, 2021 in Lasalle, Manitoba.

For more details on the CDSA click here.

Dissolution of the Canadian Deaf Golf Association can be read here.