SCOTTISH Golf has announced the first-ever Scottish Junior Flag Championship to create more playing opportunities for youngsters under the age of 12 who are new to the game.
A number of special events will take place across all regions of Scotland – leading to regional finals – which will also support golf clubs’ efforts to retain more junior members by giving U12 players, without a handicap, competitive golf in a “fun and friendly environment.”
Juniors will play on a shortened nine-hole course with a modified scoring format. Each player will be given a flag and starting at the first hole, they will have 36 shots to play as many holes as possible – placing their flag where their 36th shot finishes.
Golf clubs can now register to take part in the Scottish Junior Flag Championship and once entered they will be provided with a competition pack that provides resources required to stage an event for eligible juniors at their club.
The top four players from club qualifier events will then be invited to represent clubs at a regional event hosted by one of three of Scottish Golf’s partners – the Stephen Gallacher and Paul Lawrie Foundations and The Junior Flag Challenge.
The new partnership will see all three organisations work together with clubs to increase the number of Flag Golf events across the country.
Scottish Golf’s junior development manager Gavin Forrester said: “This innovative event format has proved popular across our partners’ junior events.
Stephen Gallacher Foundation manager Scott Knowles said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Scottish Golf to support the delivery of these flag events with golf clubs throughout Scotland.
“By working together, this initiative will provide young people with a good opportunity to learn and develop on the course. These easy to organise events will also be a great addition for clubs to deliver flag events as part of their junior programme.”
Junior Golf director Gregg Sommerville said: “This is the first of two events we are working on with Scottish Golf as part of the new National Junior Framework.
“We know that young people in golf want more chances to compete for their club as part of a team and the Scottish Junior Flag Championship is a really exciting series that will provide young golfers across the country with this opportunity.”
•To find out more information on the Scottish Junior Flag Championship and how clubs can participate, click here.