Emma Harvie of the Carleton Golf team has been awarded the Gail Blake Scholarship for her outstanding performance on and off the course.
Harvey competed in the OUA 2021 Golf Championship finishing the women’s tournament in the top fifteen.
Emma becomes the first recipient of the scholarship which was created to honour Gail Blake, a prominent member of the Carleton community. The award is awarded annually to an outstanding student-athlete in any undergraduate program of study who is a member of the Carleton University Women’s varsity golf team. The scholarship is awarded to the player who demonstrates team leadership, performs in competition and who exemplifies the values of the game of golf as selected by the Athletics Awards Committee.
While studying at Carleton, Blake played volleyball on the school’s team. After graduation, she continued to show her support to the athletic community. In 2005, Blake started the women’s golf team at Carleton. She has been a trailblazer for the Ravens and paved the way for female athletes.
The scholarship is awarded to an exceptional member of the Carleton women’s golf team. The recipient must demonstrate the ability to be a team leader and embody the values of the sport, such as patience, persistence, and integrity.
“When it comes to the values of golf, I hold myself to those standards, during the game, but also off the course too,” Harvie explains.
Harvie has led her team both on and off the course, making her the prime candidate for the award.
Throughout Emma’s childhood, she’d tag along with her parents to the golf course and watch them practice their swings. Soon after, Emma picked up a club and began her journey playing golf.
In high school, Emma began practicing more frequently and perfecting her technique. But, finding her ground as a female golfer in a male-dominated industry proved to be a challenge. Despite the setbacks, one golf superstar inspired Emma to persevere. Local superstar Brooke Henderson, became an inspiration to Harvie after making headlines in 2016 when she won her first PGA Championship at just 18 years old, becoming the youngest competitor to win the title.
“I just thought it was cool. She was from such a small town in Canada and doing so well on such a big stage,” Emma said. In 2018, Emma got the chance to meet her role model at a fundraiser in Ottawa. She described her encounter with Henderson as a ‘special moment’ that she’ll never forget.
Each year on the Tuesday following Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Carleton University participates in Giving Tuesday—a global movement to harness the power of generosity. Members of the golf team actively participate in Giving Tuesday by leading a fundraising campaign through FutureFunder.ca, Carleton’s crowdfunding platform. Golfers are encouraged to network with the community during the offseason in preparation for the day.
David McBain, head coach of the Carleton golf team, recalled Emma’s tremendous effort to raise funds for the campaign. “Emma surpassed everything that I've seen in the last nine years in terms of reaching out, the number of people that contributed because of her efforts, and the total amount that was generated,” McBain said.
“I've really enjoyed my experience with the team. The coaches are amazing. And the team is also really great. We all get along very well,” says Harvie.
Both Emma and Dave are grateful for the support and enthusiasm toward the scholarship. “It's an exciting thing to have this scholarship established. And to give us some opportunity to try and attract some of the best talents in Canada to Carleton,” McBain said.
This season was Emma’s first-time golfing for Carleton, but it won’t be her last. The golf protégé has a bright future and a long career ahead of her. Emma plans to develop her golf skills further and strives continue playing professionally after her time at Carleton.
Those looking to donate to the Gail Blake Golf Scholarship can head to Future Funder for more information.
