Sun Rivers Embraces Rising Popularity of Foot Golf

Photo Credit: Brendan Shaw/Twitter

The Sun Rivers Golf Course is trying to attract new players to the game of golf, and the newest attraction combines golf and soccer.

Sun Rivers opened an 18-hole foot golf course in July 2014 and the game is quickly gaining popularity.

“It is something that’s starting to take off,” said Sun Rivers Director of Golf Rob Larocque. “For me personally here at Sun Rivers, we’ve got all of these layered programs to get people into the game, and foot golf is just another avenue to get people to have fun in a golf experience.”

When they opened the course, Sun Rivers was just one of seven foot golf courses in Canada. Now, there are 31 course nationwide. B.C. is home to only five of those courses.

The game is played with a regulation size five soccer ball and has huge 21-diameter holes mixed into a traditional golf course.

At Sun Rivers, 18 holes of foot golf are integrated into the front nine holes of the traditional course. The foot golf holes are located along the sides of the fairway, or beside the traditional green. Depending on the length of the traditional hole, it can have as many as three foot golf holes along the side.

@Sun_Rivers #footgolf damn near my first hole in one. pic.twitter.com/5ckTUgrAu4

— Kris Austin (@KrisDAustin) July 11, 2014

“It’s an easy way to get people to experience Sun Rivers in a format that isn’t overly disruptive to golf. It was an easy format to start, it takes a little bit less time, and anybody can be included,” Larocque said. “If you can walk and kick a soccer ball, you can play foot golf.”

Foot golf is available starting at 3 p.m. between Thursday and Monday, and golfers can choose to play amongst the foot golfers, following behind like any other golf group, or they can play the back nine holes to avoid foot golf altogether.

Larocque points out that the addition of foot golf is great for group events because some people can choose to play traditional golf and others can play foot golf and they can all join for a meal or drinks afterward.

“Just like any other sport it’s not for everybody, but I’d say well over 90 per cent love it,” Larocque said.

United Way girls bend it like beckham at the @Sun_Rivers inaugural #footgolf tournament! #kamloops pic.twitter.com/6v5NIs4KIH

— United Way TNC (@unitedwaytnc) July 11, 2014

He has noticed adults who had a bad golf experience in the past playing foot golf, having a great time, and coming back to try traditional golf.

“Just come on out and try. It’s an inexpensive way to try something new, get a little exercise, and try a new sport,” Larocque said. “We have a little fun with it. It’s one of the few sports I’ve ever played in my life that you never have to put your beer down to play.”

Yes you can here @Sun_Rivers #FootGolf #kamloops pic.twitter.com/RjJU72tTTo

— Rob Larocque (@gmsunrivers) April 17, 2015

As a new sport, foot golf does not yet have any formal local leagues, or designated nights like golf does with men’s and ladies’ nights. However, Larocque is planning to host a pair of tournaments to bring a competitive edge to Sun Rivers foot golf.

In August, the course will host the Okanagan Springs foot golf tournament. It is a two-person team event and teams will play what Larocque calls “better ball,” meaning both players play their own ball and take the lower score on each hole.

Larocque says he is also trying to finalize the details to host a Canadian FootGolf Association Tour event in October. The top three finishers from this event will qualify for the Western Canadian qualifiers for the 2016 FootGolf World Cup in Argentina.