Nurturing generation next

JUNIOR GOLFERS: Jordan Coates, 10 of Evans Head and Jonah Lancaster, 6 of Tabbimoble warm up for some lessons on golf at the Woodburn Evans Head Golf Club. Photo Samantha Elley / Rivertown Times

Samantha Elley

WHILE many are sleeping in on a Sunday morning, a small but dedicated group of youngsters will be getting out on the golf course to better their golfing skills. Jordan Coates, 10, of Evans Head, and Jonah Lancaster, 6, of Tabbimoble, are two such players who have signed up to play junior golf with the Woodburn Evans Head Golf Club.

"I mainly like playing (golf) and learning about it," Jordan said.

Jordan's dad David said his son had been playing and doing lessons for some time but had a break for two years.

"Since we've moved to Evans Head he's wanted to take it up again," he said.

"It's really fun," Jonah said. "Dad's a good golfer and I have a golf course at home."

Small start

Junior golf co-ordinators Dave Beaumont and Mark Stegeman said while numbers were small they were hoping word of mouth would bring in some more interested young golfers.

"Each Sunday they are going to have a trainee professional do lessons with them," Mr Stegeman said.

Earning a handicap

"They will have a five-hole competition where they will receive their handicap. From there they will go to nine holes."

Mr Stegeman said once they reached an 18-hole handicap they would be able to play in inter-club competitions on the North Coast.

"We haven't had a junior golf comp for a couple of years," he said. "So far we have six to seven young people signed up."

While the children will receive a training kit for their lessons everyone will need to have their own golf clubs.

Get in touch

If young people are interested in signing up for the junior golf, they can contact the golf club on 6682 2385.