So it is good to hear that four of our young golfers from the Lothians are set to take on some of the world’s best junior players at a major tournament in Scotland this summer.
More than 500 players from 30 countries will compete at the 2010 U.S. Kids Golf European Championships in June – Europe’s premier tournament to showcase the next generation of golfing superstars.
The event will see some of the best young golfers from across the globe battling it out for the title of U.S. Kids Golf European Champion as well as coveted places in the U.S. Kids Golf World Championships at Pinehurst Golf Club, North Carolina, later this year.
Edinburgh and the Lothians will be represented by four talented young hopefuls at this year’s tournament:
14-year-old Calum Hill, from North Berwick, who is competing in the boys 14s category. The North Berwick High School pupil and Tantallon golf club member is back competing in his third European Championship. Calum is a member of the Scottish Golf Academy and a Glen Golf Club Junior Champion.
15-year-old Alexander Wilson, from Edinburgh, who is competing in the boys 15 and over section
Charlotte Munro from Gullane, who is competing in the girls 10s category
Brodie Good, also from Gullane , who is competing in the boys 11s section
The event which is now in its third year has been organised U.S. Kids Golf Foundation, which provides opportunities for children across the world to learn and play golf. Children as young as five and, for the first time, up to the age of 18 will be challenging across four historic courses in East Lothian for the various age group European Champion titles at the event, which also aims to promote the sport among children and families, as well as giving young players the chance to forge lifelong friendships through the game of golf.
Dan Van Horn, President and founder of U.S. Kids Golf, said:- “We’re delighted to be coming back to East Lothian once again to stage the U.S. Kids Golf European Championship. Last year’s event was a tightly-contested tournament and I expect the standard of play at this year’s event to be even better.
“The skill of the players really has to be seen to be believed. Despite their age, these players demonstrate great poise, balance and professionalism and are a credit to the game.
“I am sure that many of these youngsters will be go on to become at the very least competent golfers, but possibly even the Rory McIlroy’s of tomorrow.
“It’s great that we will have players from Edinburgh and the Lothians representing their local golf union at this year’s tournament, which will once again be staged on some of the most stunning courses in the home of golf.”
The tournament over June 1-3 will take place on four historic courses – Gullane No. 2, Gullane No. 3, Craigielaw Golf Club and Longniddry Golf Club – which are modified for each age group in order to provide the same level challenge, meaning holes are progressively shorter as the age groups get younger. It ultimately allows the players to reach the greens in the same number of strokes as the top pros on the PGA tour.
The top finishers in each category will then compete in the Van Horn Cup over Gullane No 1 – a showpiece event, modelled on the Ryder Cup, where the best European players are pitted against the top non-Europe golfers. The top five finishers in each age and gender group also automatically receive an invitation to the U.S. Kids Golf World Championships at Pinehurst Golf Club, North Carolina, in August.
This year’s competition has also been expanded to allow 15 to 18-year-olds to compete for the first time, and it is hoped that this will encourage even more entries from budding junior golfers across the globe.
Tournament Co-ordinator Alasdair Good, Head Professional at Gullane GC, said: “2010 is a big year for golf in Scotland, especially with the Open Championship taking place at St Andrews. However, in terms of the overall number of entrants, the U.S. Kids Golf European Championship will actually be the biggest tournament taking place in Scotland this year – as there may be around 500 players competing.
“We’re going to see some of the world’s best young golfers in action over four days and the standard will be exceptionally high. I’ve no doubt that we could even see a few Major winners of the future among the field of competitors.
“I’m delighted that the U.S. Kids Golf European Championship is back to East Lothian for another year. The tournament will continue to showcase both golf in Scotland and the emerging talent in the game and I’ll guarantee no one will be disappointed at the golf they will see.”
The U.S. Kids Golf Foundation was launched in 2001 to provide opportunities for kids to play and learn the game through local tours and tournaments such as the European Championships. Since holding its first tournament in 2000, U.S. Kids Golf Foundation now runs some 400 events each year including the prestigious World Championships at Pinehurst.
The Foundation is the charitable branch of U.S. Kids Golf – the world’s largest producer of junior golf equipment for ages 14 and under. The firm has pioneered the development of golf clubs for young people, eliminating the problem of kids using heavier, cut-down adult clubs which often hurts developing swings and discourages budding players.
