
I attended the Toronto International Golf Show in early February and met lots of interesting people from both Canada, the USA, and Europe.
One of my visits was to the ParaGolf Ontario booth.
ParaGolf Ontario provides support that enables “everyBODY” the opportunity to enjoy the great game of golf at all ages and stages of life. Through a grant from the Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility, ParaGolf Ontario helps golfers with congenital or acquired disabilities, or lives affected by illness, progressive neurological conditions, stroke, intellectual or sensory limitations and aging, maximize their experiences on the golf course.
One of the representatives at the ParaGolf Ontario booth that I spoke to the most was 16-year-old Russell Aide who golfs out of a local golf course that is near and dear to my heart, Black Bear Ridge Golf Resort in Corbyville, Ontario.
A True Passion for The Game of Golf
While chatting with Russell, it quickly became evident that his love for the game runs deep.
At just 16 years of age, Russell has already achieved remarkable success in golf, making him someone all golf enthusiasts in the Bay pf Quinte region should watch closely.
Russell fell in love with the game at the age of seven. When I asked what attracted him to golf, he gave me two reasons.
Number one - He watched his dad play and thought that it looked fun and wanted to join in.
Number two - A 2013 documentary called The Short Game about seven-year-old boys and girls from various parts of the world training to compete in the Junior World Golf Championships. Check out the official trailer for The Short Game. What these kids can do at the age of seven will amaze you.
Good Golf Doesn’t Happen Overnight
Oak Hills Golf Club was where Russell began is journey of learning how to play golf. He now calls Black Bear Ridge Golf Resort his home course.
For the past three years, Russell has been training with well-known professional golf instructor Steve Auger. When asked where he felt his game was going into the 2024 season, Russell replied, “I feel very good right now. Steve and I have been working hard over the winter months at Pro Impact Golf Studios in downtown Belleville and I can’t wait to get out on the course this spring. I am currently a 3 handicap and hoping to be a scratch golfer in the 2024 season”.
At 15 years of age, Russell competed in the R & A Junior Open at Monifieth Golf Links in Scotland. Russell never made the cut but just being good enough to get an invite to this tournament was quite an achievement.
Not only did Russell compete at the British Junior Open, he was lucky enough to attend the British Open the following weekend held at the Old Course at St. Andrews. There he was able to see his heroes like Tiger Woods and Jordan Speith perform on the world stage.
This Kid Has Nerves of Steel
Russell’s first taste of victory came at the age of 12 when he won a Junior Golf tournament at the Carleton Golf & Yacht Club in Ottawa. He shot a 74 and holed a 112-yard approach shot to record an eagle on hole number sixteen. Russell then went on to play eight extra holes before the tie was broken and he could ultimately claim victory.
Can you imagine? Eight overtime holes. What drama, what pressure. I asked Russell what came of his competitor in that tournament, and he told me that the fellow’s name is Rowan MacDonald who plays out the Royal Ottawa Golf Club in Gatineau, Quebec.
Russell told me that he and Rowan remain friends to this day and, like Russell, Rowan is still playing golf competitively and they compete against each other on a regular basis.
Russell is a grade 11 student at Bayside Secondary School. His favourite subject is chemistry. Russell hopes to get a golf scholarship from a top university in the USA and study mechanical engineering.
For the 2024 season, Russell will be busy competing at numerous three- and four-day Junior Golf Ontario tournaments. He will also be competing at the ParaGolf Ontario Championship tournament held at the Westin Golf & Country Club on July 15-16.
How Russell Hits It at Black Bear Ridge Golf Resort
Russell plays about 30 rounds per year at Black Bear Golf Resort. I know the course very well and can assure you, it is a true test of golf for golfers of all levels.
Playing with a handicap of 3, Russell usually cards a 74-75 from the Blue Tees. The Blues are 6,780 yards long. That is longer than the tips at every other golf course in this region.
One of my favourite holes at Black Bear is No. 14. I don’t like it because I play it well, I rarely walk away with a par on that one. I like No. 14 because it is a very nice-looking golf hole.
From the Blue Tees, No. 14 plays 468 yards. Just for fun I asked Russell what he has in his hand for his second shot on this hole. His answer, a seven or eight iron. Wow, that is hard to imagine. I am driver, three wood and I am still a short wedge away from the green.
I had one more question for Russell as we were coming close to the end of our conversation. “When you play golf with your dad these days, do you kick his ass?” Russell chuckled and replied, “oh yeah.”
Play Well in 2024 Russell.
The Hungry Golfer community is rooting for you.
Stay Well, Stay Safe, and Have Fun
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