The first MYGolf Junior camp kicked off for 2014 in the Central West at Blackall Golf Club in April.
The concept of Golf Queensland travelling to a regional district and supporting a three day junior camp began last year in the Central West at Tambo Golf Club and has gained momentum throughout Golf Queensland’s development. This year we are running MYGolf camps in the June/July holidays at Yeppoon (Capricorn Golf Resort), Charters Towers Golf Club, Emerald Golf Club and in the September holidays at Miles Golf Club.
The camps are targeting juniors aged 5-14 years at the beginner to 3, 6, or 9 hole ability with a passion to learn and play golf. Equipment is also supplied if required.
The Blackall camp saw 37 Junior’s from the Central West Queensland district including juniors from Tambo, Ilfracome, Barcaldine, Muttaburra and of course Blackall attend the camp.
Golf Queensland’s Development Officer and PGA and ALPG golf professional Lee Harrington along with husband Peter, also a PGA golf professional, delivered a structured three day program consisting of warm up games and activities, skills sessions on full swing, chipping and putting, rules session and on course play.
There was once again great local sponsorship by Tambo Teddies, Choyce’s Livestock transport, Coolibah Motel and Shane Robinson Construction as well as support from Balckall-Tambo regional council. The support of Junior Coordinators Bill Rogers and Shane Robinson was instrumental in the camp being such as success for the second year.
Local Junior Coordinator Shane Robinson said the camp was a huge success. “The organisation, fun and expertise that these camps provide for our juniors here is tremendous benefit for our juniors and for our district clubs, also the parents and junior coordinators and volunteers also learn a few things on the latest MYGolf coaching practices and also for our own golf games,” Mr Robinson said.
Golf Queensland’s Lee Harrington supported Robinson's comments. “It’s great to spend three days with local coaches and parents to educate them on the latest games and skill delivery techniques that will keep them assisting the juniors when we are gone.
This practical involvement is highly valuable for their motivation to keep them involved with the juniors. More local members need to come and see how easy and fun junior coaching can be now, with the fun games and equipment that we use,” Mrs Harrington said.
Thank you also to Blackall Golf Club for the use of their facilities and to all the parents and volunteers who assisted throughout the camp.
Once again Hills International Golf College is supporting junior golf in regional areas by sponsoring two juniors to attend their September golf camp from every MYGolf camp we are running in 2014. This provides a great opportunity for juniors from regional areas to keep working on their golf, mixing with juniors from the city and an opportunity to play on grass greens. We thank Hills International College for this support in working together on the development of the game.
Next year we are planning the Central West camp to be held at Muttaburra Golf Club.