This past weekend, SCGA Junior hosted more than 40 junior golfers at Woodley Lakes GC in the inaugural SCGA Junior Club tournament. Created to introduce SCGA Junior members to competitive play, the tournament was played by the Rules of Golf with SCGA Junior staff assisting golfers with rulings on the course, proper golf etiquette, pace of play and scoring.
Most of the juniors who participated in the tournament were new to competitive golf, and were excited to experience another side of the game. For parents, the affordability of the program was also a perk.
“SCGA Junior is providing great opportunities to junior golfers,” said Richard Canales, father of SCGA Junior Club members Olivia and Caroline. “A tournament for $20? These programs are fantastic!”
Along with being affordable, the tournament helped juniors improve their game, and some kids experienced some monumental firsts.
“I always wanted to birdie a par-5 hole,” said Juliae Shoda, who carded her first birdie in regulation play on Sunday. “SCGA Junior helped me improve my game and achieve that goal.”
Participants were separated into flights by age and Handicap Index. The tournament was played as a nine-hole gross stroke play event for age groups 7-9, 10-12 and 13-18 that did not have an established Handicap Index. Those golfers between the ages of 10 and 18 with an established Handicap Index played 18 holes of stroke play, and were awarded gross and net prizes.
Final Results:
Flights without an established Handicap Index (nine holes):
7-9 age group: Lincoln Melcher – 38 gross (pictured)
10-12 age group: Nikhil Kapoor – 40 gross
13-18 age group: Benjamin Stein – 40 gross
Flights with an established Handicap Index:
10-12 age group (nine holes): Jessie Song – 44 gross, Justin Wallender – 37 net
13-18 (18 holes): Michael Padilla – 71 gross, Roman Aragon – 69 net