JUNIOR pennant golf returns to the Murray Darling Golf Association for the first time in over a decade.
Seven squads will go head-to-head over the coming weeks, beginning with the opening round at Riverside Golf Club on Sunday.
The return of junior pennant comes after a recent boom period for growth in the number of youngsters in Sunraysia taking up the sport, and for some it will be their first exposure to matchplay competition.
Both Coomealla and Riverside will field two teams, while Mildura, Merbein and Red Cliffs each have one.
MDGA president and junior coordinator Garth Doherty said there is a buzz around local golf clubs for the junior competition’s comeback.
“I don’t know exactly how long it’s been but I’d hazard a guess at being about 15 years since we’ve held junior pennant,” he said.
“It’s fantastic to see so many kids involved, as well as the parents and club volunteers as well.
“There will be a team with a bye each week but it means we’ll still have minimum 30 players competing.
“Over recent years, decades even, junior golf development was all about finding ways to promote to sport and ways to bring kids in.
“That’s still a focus but the kids are also there now, so we have to find ways to keep them involved and competing.
“My final year of junior pennant was back in 1996 and talking to guys you played with then, they still claim it’s some of their fondest memories of the sport.
“Meeting players from different clubs and becoming friends is a huge part of it all.”
It hasn’t just been parents and prospective players spending time preparing as each club has invested plenty of time into ensuring their young members are ready.
“Volunteers from each of the clubs have been really proactive to help teach these juniors the ins and outs of pennant play,” Doherty said.
“A number of Division 1 players have spent time with them as well, showing the difference between stroke play and matchplay, which is what pennant falls under.
“We’re expecting quite a few people to be out and watching because there are some really talented kids in district. We have about half-a-dozen or so kids with a handicap of eight or under, and they’re getting lower too.
“We certainly expect some will be pushing for country week later on this year.”
If any junior members are interested in pennant golf and hold a Golf Australia handicap, they can contact their club, or Sunraysia Golf Range.
