Junior Flag Challenge a big hit with in West

By CLARE-MARIE MACAULAY

This summer has seen four golfing facilities in the West of Scotland come together to create the Junior Flag Challenge. The events were held at Broadlees Golf, Mearns Castle Golf Academy, Playsport Golf and Paisley Golf Club.

The tour was open to boys and girls between the ages of  7-12 years who do not have a CONGU handicap.  Each player had 36 shots; once they hit all their shots they placed a flag in the ground, with the winner being the player  who got farthest round the course. 

The players were split into three categories: 7-9 years, 10-12 years and a girls' category. 

Each player was awarded order of merit points for each event they played.

The Junior Flag Challenge was very fortunate to be sponsored by Golphin For Kids, a Scottish business creating golf clubs for children and  who are very passionate about growing the game in Scotland.       

With the help of Golphin For Kids and Club Golf Scotland we had over 45 children participating in the events, giving young children the opportunity to play four different courses in a fun and competitive environment.

Sunday saw the final event at Paisley Golf Club with 42 children playing. Although the children were competing for the order of merit they were also trying to improve on their previous scores.  For example, we had seven-year-old Joseph Kelly from Lanarkshire and 10-year-old Ewan Urquhart, a Paisley member,  complete their 36 shots on the 10^th hole, this being the best for the tour.

ORDER OF MERIT WINNERS

Boys:

7 to 9 years - Sean Smith

10 to 12 years - Cameron Kane 

Girls

 Hannah Kelly

Pictured left (l to r) Hannah Kelly, Cameron Kane, Sean Smith with Calum McPherson, owner of golphin for kids.

The Junior Flag Challenge will be played again next year, with the possibility of an expansion with more events over new courses. If you would like more information about the Junior Flag Challenge or to be informed about future competitions please contact Clare-Marie Macaulay at  cmmacaulay@hotmail.co.uk