Participants in last year's South Ayrshire Junior Golf Pre-handicap Open

South Ayrshire events for junior golfers

Children will have a unique opportunity to practise and test their golf skills on South Ayrshire courses in two junior events this August.

Following the popularity of the inaugural 2006 event, The South Ayrshire Junior Golf Pre-handicap Open will return to Troon Fullarton Golf Course on Monday 6 August. 

Aimed at boys and girls – aged eight years old and above - who are learning golf’s fundamentals through the national junior golf strategy, clubgolf, the Open will be played over 18 holes on specially installed junior forward tees.     The emphasis of the event is on participation rather than winning.

Costing just £2 for each entry, the Open will have a marquee with activities for families and refreshments will be available in the clubhouse. All competitors will receive a goody bag and each group will be accompanied around the course by a volunteer from a local golf club.  Last year’s Open was a huge success, attracting over 75 local children - this time, organisers hope over 100 children.

Youngsters wishing to test their skills further have the opportunity to take part in the Troon Junior Open for the Tom Lehman Trophies on Tuesday 7 August.

Celebrating its tenth anniversary, and reputedly the world’s largest one-day junior golf tournament (4000 junior golfers have participated since 1998), the event is staged over the Troon Darley, Lochgreen and Fullarton Golf Courses.  Open to youngsters aged eight years and over, and under 18 years, this event will consist of five separate handicap competitions.

“The Pre-handicap event is a great way for kids to be introduced to the competitive side of golf but in a fun environment where the emphasis is on participation, rather than winning,” said Catherine Malcolm, Junior Golf Co-ordinator at South Ayrshire Council.

“It’s ideal for children in South Ayrshire who are coming up through clubgolf and interested in playing in their first competition.  We are hopeful that some of this year’s players will progress to the Tom Layman the next year or the following year.”

This spring, almost every primary school in South Ayrshire gave their P5 children an introduction to golf through the national junior strategy’s introductory game, firstclubgolf.  Meanwhile, over 160 children are developing their skills on Stage 1 of the clubgolf programme, hosted by local golf clubs. 

Entry forms for the South Ayrshire Junior Golf Pre-handicap Open and Troon Junior Open for the Tom Lehman Trophies are now available by phoning South Ayrshire Council on t:  01292 616255, or going online at: 

www.golfsouthayrshire.com/events2007/junioropen.htm