MORE than 650 of the world’s top young golfers will help to turn East Lothian into golf’s mecca when they compete in the largest junior golf tournament in Europe – just days before the superstar pros battle it out in Scottish Open.
The U.S. Kids Golf European Championship will take place over 28th to 30th May, bringing together
youngsters from 50+ nations.
The tournament will take place across six of East Lothian’s renowned courses; Craigielaw, Longniddry, The Glen, Royal Musselburgh, Gullane, Musselburgh and The Renaissance – while in July The Renaissance will also host the Scottish Open for the very first time.
With 16 different age groups and yardages, the European Championship showcases some of the highest quality junior competition in the world.
Competitors will travel from as far as Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Ecuador and Peru with the youngest being six-year-old Oscar Olmedo Torres from Mexico.
There are also a number of players returning to defend their titles:
Boys 10……………………………………………….Hugo Le Goff (France)
Boys 9……………………………………………………..Paolo Perrino (Italy)
Boys 8…………………………………Aidan Lawson (United Kingdom)
Boys 7 & Under…………………………………. Daniil Sokolov (Russia)
Girls 13-14……………………………………………Pia Babnik (Slovenia)
Girls 10…………………………………Isabella Dovhey (United States)
Girls 8 & Under……………………………………Asara Sawhney (India)
Dan Van Horn, President and Founder of U.S. Kids Golf, said: “It’s always special to come to Scotland, and East Lothian in particular, as there is no better place to appreciate and honour this great game.
“This year marks the 12th anniversary of the event. The outstanding talent on display is a true testament to the commitment of these young players developing both their skills and love for the game.
“We’re providing opportunities for players to learn and grow in the game, develop a lifelong passion, make lasting friendships and spend quality time with their family.
“The expansion of the U.S. Kids Golf Local Tours in Europe – and in fact, around the world – show that the goal is being met with more than 50 countries represented in this year’s event.
“Plus, the quality of the courses hosting this championship reinforces the strength and respect that competition holds in the world junior golf calendar.
“Indeed, the U.S. Kids Golf European Championship competitors will be getting the chance to try out The Renaissance course before the top players compete in the Scottish Open.”
The top finishers in each age group will compete in the European Van Horn Cup on Friday 31st May at Gullane No. 2 course – a showpiece event modelled on the Ryder Cup, where the best European players are matched up against the top golfers
from the rest of the world.
The field consists of talented young players many of whom already have aspirations of turning pro. While the competition is an opportunity for these skilled youngsters to measure their game against other children their age at the home of golf, the true theme of the week, as is with all U.S. Kids Golf tournaments is family.
The mission of U.S. Kids Golf is to help kids have fun learning the lifelong game of golf and encourage family interaction that builds lasting memories; and the European Championship is a living embodiment of that mission.
As part of its burgeoning development, the U.S. Kids Golf Foundation now hosts 10 additional International Championships, including the Venice Open, the Caribbean Championship in the Dominican Republic and the British Kids Championship.
Local Tours in cities all over the world from Amsterdam to Auckland are providing additional qualifying opportunities for young golfers.
Holding its first tournament in 2000, U.S. Kids Golf Foundation now runs more than 1,600 events each year including
the prestigious World Championship at Pinehurst.
