CJGA Junior Linkster Producing a New Breed of Junior Golfers

I attended the CJGA’s season opening event for the province of Ontario at Peninsula Lakes Golf Club in Fenwick in late April as the Nike Golf Junior Series brought out nearly 80 junior golfers eager to get back into the swing of things.  In particular, I kept an eye on the Boys 13 & Under Division where the CJGA has seen a significant increase in participation this season across Canada.

It was five years ago that the CJGA introduced the Junior Linkster Tour in Ontario for beginning golfers from the ages of 5-12.  The program was first introduced in British Columbia by former CJGA Tournament Director, Harry White, and the Optimist Club as they still run a yearly tour for the same age group. The CJGA has undertaken the responsibility of growing the program nationally.

2007 CJGA Junior Linkster Tour Championship winner, Samuel Hebert , was one of 17 competitors in the Boys 13 & Under Division at Peninsula Lakes and fired a two-day total of 152 to win his first career CJGA Junior Tour title.  His transition to multi-day events appears to have been seamless and I came away very impressed with his professional attitude and maturity.

I have read countless articles from professionals who believe that competitive golf is something that should not be introduced until the teenage years and I have to admit I have an issue with all of them if only because I’ve witnessed the growth of beginning golfers from very early on and I’ve seen them progress through the Junior Linkster Tour.  The CJGA is well aware of the pressures associated with competition and the importance of not discouraging junior golfers from participating in the game.  Through the Junior Linkster Tour, the CJGA has offered a program that not only keeps the game interesting for kids, but also promotes the family values and camaraderie that youth sports is all about.  Most importantly, its given kids a place to play.

Down the road, I expect to see more young teenagers graduating to the competitive ranks of junior golf with a better range of skills as well as a better understanding of their own limitations.  The Linkster Tour will kick off this weekend with events in Ontario and Alberta.  Perhaps the next Samuel Hebert will tee it up…