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Golf trailblazer from Prince George remembered for dedication to growing the game

Findlay Young passes, was named Golf Canada President in 1993

You could say that Findlay Young’s career was par for the course in ensuring up-and-coming local juniors got the attention they deserved to master the game of golf.

Earlier this month, the Prince George man passed away suddenly at 92 years old and has been recognized by Canada’s national governing body for golf for his talent, commitment and contributions to growing the sport.

Young, nicknamed ‘Fin’ by friends and family, was the first northern B.C.-based champion golfer to ever be elected as Golf Canada President in 1993, then known as the Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA).

“Always prioritizing junior golf, he successfully mentored many skilled amateurs locally, provincially, and nationally, including captaining the Pacific Northwest and Canadian Junior Teams,” said Prince George Golf and Curling Club General Manager Don McDermid in a Golf Canada release.

“‘Fin’ significantly influenced all aspects of our club’s development, and on behalf of the board, our condolences and best wishes go out to the Young family.”

Described as a lethal wedge player, Young set an unmatched record of 11 consecutive Prince George Golf and Curling Club titles between 1959 and 1970, which included eight hole-in-ones.

Upon his inauguration with Golf Canada, he served as the country’s ambassador to the game at events like the 1994 Masters, as well as the Canadian, U.S. and British Opens in the same year.

His resume also includes:

  • 53 tournament victories
  • Men’s Simon Fraser Open champion (1960, 1962)
  • BC Golf Director and Honourary Life Governor (1961-1999)
  • RCGA Governor (1979-1995)
  • Prince George Mohawks Senior Hockey Director (1959-1969)
  • Prince George Sports Hall of Fame inductee (1998)

“For many in the golf community, Findlay was a great friend and mentor whose passion for golf and contributions to the game left a lasting impact,” Golf Canada stated. 

“His mark on our organization and our sport will not soon be forgotten.”

Young was born in Scotland in 1928 and married his wife Nancy in 1955 before immigrating to Canada in 1957.

The following is the excerpt from Young’s Prince George Sports Hall of Fame induction:

As a player, coach and administrator, Findlay Young has been involved in Prince George sports for parts of the last five decades. Winner of 53 golf competitions between 1957 and 1997, Young's playing career included 11 Prince George Golf and Curling Club championships between 1959 and 1970. He also won the Simon Fraser Open twice (1960 and 1962) and was low amateur in 1971. He was five-time B.C. Golf Association zone champion between 1959 and 1968 and brought home a Cariboo Open trophy four times, including a team championship in 1966. He was also the zone senior champion in 1993 and runner up in 1990.

Young's involvement in sport also extended into the boardroom. An honourary life director of the B.C. Golf Association and an honourary life governor of the Royal Canadian Golf Association, he earned those titles through decades of service to the provincial and national golf organizations. He was a director of the BCGA from 1961 to 1999 and a governor of the RCGA from 1979 to 1995. Young was RCGA president in 1993. His involvement with the RCGA also included being a captain with the Canadian team at the Pacific Rim and world amateur tournaments in 1992 and 1993.

Young was involved at the local level as well. He coached minor soccer in Prince George, was president of the Prince George Golf and Curling Club and held a directorship with the Prince George Mohawks senior hockey team from 1959 to 1969.

Active in sports for most of his life, Young has made a huge impression on sports in Prince George, British Columbia and Canada. He is a deserving inductee into the Prince George Sports Hall of Fame.