Paige Allen, a talented 15-year-old golfer, proudly represented her province at the 2022 Canada Games in Niagara. As one of only two females chosen for Team Newfoundland and Labrador’s (Team NL) golf team, she achieved a significant milestone in her young career.

Having her father, Wayne Allen, on the coaching staff made the memories from those Games even more special. However, earning her spot on the Team NL golf team came with a bittersweet twist—she secured it by edging out her younger sister, Rosie.

“When Paige made Canada Games in 2022, we were super close, like neck and neck, it was point by point and Paige ended up beating me,” said Rosie Allen. “As much as you're happy for her, you want to be the one that's going.”

“Since we're so close in age, we are at the same level, I definitely would have wanted to go, but I was still happy for my sister at the same time.”

Fast forward to late 2024 and the Allen sisters, now 17 and 16, are both once again in the running and hopeful to represent Team NL next summer on home soil as Bally Haly Golf Club plays host to golf at the 2025 Canada Games. 

This time around they’d prefer it to be as a tandem.

“It's always a competition when it's your own sister,” said Paige Allen. “But I think it'd be pretty neat if we got to play together at the same Games.

A PGA professional and decorated coach, Wayne introduced the game of golf to both of his daughters by the time they turned five.

Although he admits there are ‘challenges’ to doubling as coach and father at times, Wayne is grateful the selection process allows for his daughters’ play on the course to dictate whether or not they’ll be joining him at the 2025 Canada Games next summer.

With two qualifying events left to determine which four athletes (two male, two female) will play with Team NL, both Paige and Rosie will have to earn their spot on the Games roster.

“The good thing about golf at the Canada Games is that it's not subjective. The coach is not choosing a team,” said Wayne. “You earn your way based on tournament results and an Order of Merit System, unlike other sports where it's chosen and can be a little bit subjective.”

“Both Paige and Rosie are in the top four, so we'll see how it goes in the last couple of events,” he added. “It's going to be pretty exciting and it's just amazing that we have such a good pool of girls to choose from so whether the girls make it or not, we'll have a really strong team.”

Recognized on several occasions by Golf Canada for his contributions to the amateur game, particularly on the female side, Wayne looks forward to coaching next summer no matter which athletes make the final cut.

Of course, the prospects of three members of the Allen family competing together at the 2025 Games aren’t being taken for granted.

“I've been to the last two Games and 2022 for me was a pretty unique experience to be able to go with your daughter. I think it would be just incredible to go with both of them this time around.”