South Surrey students met PGA Tour Americas pros at Morgan Creek, learning golf skills and walking with AJ Ewart during the Fortinet Cup Championship.
A Day on the Green Unlike Any Other
Imagine being 10 years old and walking an entire hole alongside a professional golfer. For students in South Surrey, that dream came true this week at Morgan Creek Golf Course.
As part of the PGA Tour Americas’ Fortinet Cup Championship, kids from Rosemary Heights Elementary and other local schools swapped classrooms for fairways. They not only watched the pros play but also got the chance to join Canadian golfer AJ Ewart on the 18th hole, making memories that will stick far longer than a homework assignment.
Pros Share Skills and Stories
The excitement kicked off during the RBC Pro-Am on Wednesday, September 24. Students participated in a hands-on skills clinic, part of the RBC Community Junior Golf program. They practiced swings, learned course care from the agronomy team, and even got insider tips from golfers chasing a coveted spot on the PGA’s Korn Ferry Tour.
One of those players is AJ Ewart, a 26-year-old B.C. native fresh off a history-making round. Just last weekend, he set a course record at Uplands Golf Club in Victoria with an 11-under 59. Now sitting 12th on the Fortinet Cup points list, he needs to climb just two more spots to secure his Korn Ferry Tour card.
But Ewart isn’t only thinking about rankings.
“Every time you play in a tournament, your goal is to win,” he said, smiling as he chatted with students between shots.
The Joy of Giving Back
For Ewart, being back in his home province adds a special touch. “It’s really nice being back in B.C., staying at home, seeing friends and family during a tournament week—it’s rare and comforting,” he said.
He also values connecting with young fans. “I was once that kid coming to tournaments, hoping for a ball or a quick chat. Now I want to give them that same feeling—special.” True to his word, he handed out golf balls as keepsakes and even gave putting pointers. One lucky student sank a putt to cheers from the crowd.
Students Inspired by the Pros
Constanza, a 10-year-old golfer, said walking with a pro was unforgettable.
“Walking with a pro is a great opportunity. I liked seeing every shot and learning about the greens and fairways,” she said.
She also admitted she’s still working on her focus. “If I had people clapping for me, I don’t think I could concentrate!”
Her wide-eyed enthusiasm mirrored the day’s spirit—one filled with laughter, learning, and inspiration.
More Than a Tournament
This championship is about more than golf. Thanks to a $15,000 sport tourism grant from the City of Surrey, the event is also giving back to the community. A portion of every ticket sold supports two local charities: the C.H.I.L.D. Foundation and the Sources Community Resource Centre’s Foundry South Surrey Program.
With top-level competition, community impact, and kids walking beside their role models, the Fortinet Cup Championship is proving that golf is more than a game—it’s an experience to share.
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