GIRLS - THE CHANCE TO COMPETE IN A NATIONAL TOUR

Received this email from Paul Gibson (Junior Tour) They are looking for more girls to play in their events in 2021. Junior Captain Kirsten has already won in the handicap section so why not join her. You need a Congu Handicap of 34.4 or under so get practicing. 

The Junior Tour (JT) has been running for 3 years now, although 2020 has been rather challenging for us all. I, along with a few volunteers, run the JT, and we organise events for Girls and Boys Under 18's during the season; we visit courses throughout the whole country, and all the clubs have been incredibly supportive. Our events offer a platform for all the players to showcase their skills in a friendly and safe environment, and there is also a competitive aspect which allows for handicap reduction to those that play well. It is an ideal arena for the players to develop their games, and to experience playing with their peers from different regions of the country.

The boys are split into Under18, Under 16 and Under 14 sections, but the Girls are simply Under 18, as numbers are not as high. Our events are very very popular, and we get between 65 to 90 players entering each event. The number of girls varies between 12 to 23, and I would very much like to see many more girls enjoying the experience of playing in our JT Events. The handicap limit for girls is 34.4. We pay out SGL vouchers to the first 3 placed players in each of the sections (Girls and Boys), but we also pay out vouchers to the best 3 Nett scores in the girls section.

It must be said that all the girls who play in our events really enjoy their experience, and once they have played once, they tend to keep on playing, which is exactly what we want. Our events are usually 54 hole events at weekends, and the entry fee has remained at £35 per event. As well as 3 rounds, we also pay for the players lunch on the day that they play 36 holes. We sometimes have events that are only 36 holes on one day. Our events have attracted WAGR (World Amateur Golf Ranking) status, and from 2021, they will also qualify for EGR (European Golf Ranking) status; in addition they count towards the SGL Junior OoM. While this will only affect the very low handicapped players, we also run an internal JT OoM at all our events, culminating in a 36 hole Final at the end of the season. I hope you agree that we try to offer something for everyone. We run 6 or 7 events per year, and their populaity has grown incredibly.

I would really appreciate you informing your clubs about the JT, and while word of mouth has had a major effect as regards Boys, it hasn't permeated down to the girls within the clubs, as of yet. There may well be questions that you would like answered, and I'd be delighted to do that. We have a Facebook page "JUNIOR TOUR SCOTLAND", and that may give people a flavour of what we're all about. My mobile number is 0782 140 4186, and I can be contacted anytime.

I could say so much more about the JT, but enough for now. May I take this opportunity of thanking you in anticipation of more girls hearing about the JT.

Sincerely,

Paul Gibson,

Junior Tour Co-ordinator