NEW Murray Darling Golf Association president Garth Doherty wants to keep the momentum rolling when it comes to junior golf in the region.
Doherty recently took over the role after Greg Rhodes stepped back following eight years in the hot seat.
The franchisee of Drummond Golf Sunraysia Golf Range will also serve as junior officer, with his power of work alongside local clubs this year resulting in the formation of multiple new junior golfing tournaments and formats.
In 2025, MDGA will host a Junior Pennant for the first time in many years over February and March, while the majority of clubs in the district will organise a Junior Open or tournament.
In senior golf, Scratch Pennant is set to make a return in June and July, while Handicap Pennant will remain in its current position of October and November.
Doherty paid tribute to Rhodes for his work as MDGA president.
“Greg did a fantastic job for the past eight years, which is a long time to hold a volunteer position like that,” he said.
“It can be a thankless task at time, there’s a lot to do and most times when you’re being contacted it’s not always a positive.
“From chatting with Greg I said I would be interested in coming back on to help out again and he encouraged me to go for the top role.
“There’s myself, Peter Shadwick as vice-president and Jacob Slimmon as secretary, plus Jacob and I will fill a few other roles in there as well.
“My passion for district golf has always been there, but I think now that my boys are a bit older and pretty heavily involved in golf too that passion has increased a bit more.”
Doherty said numbers at club across the district are in a healthy position.
“COVID pushed a lot of people to play golf because team sports were out of action, and there’s been a really good retention rate since then,” he said.
“Most people have gone back to those other sports but they’ve also continued to be on the golf course which is fantastic.
“Numbers are pretty healthy all-round but it’s really been in the juniors where numbers have really been growing, and with them participating we’re actually seeing a lot of families either joining up for the first time or coming back to the game.”
