The next Lydia Ko or Ryan Fox could be navigating their way around a Central Otago course next week.
Nearly 60 of the best young golfers in New Zealand will compete in the annual Eagles under-17 tournament at the Cromwell Golf Club on October 7-9.
The Eagles are a registered charity made up of volunteers whose three main aims are to raise funds for the Halberg Foundation to encourage disabled young people into sport, to foster junior golf and to promote golf as a sport in general.
Next week’s tournament focuses on the best young talent in the country in the hope they can continue to develop their game, meet new friends and learn from each other along the way.
The event’s format involves teams of three made up of boys and girls from 15 provinces, and because this year Otago is tournament host, another 12 local players have been invited to join the field.
That was a bonus for two teenagers who were members at Cromwell, along with others from as far afield as the Wanaka, Lower Waitaki and Allan Grange clubs, tournament co-ordinator Laurel Brent said.
Every golfer will compete for net, stableford and team prizes over 54 holes (two rounds on Tuesday and one Wednesday morning), but the main focus will be on the boys and girls gross championship titles.
With at least 10 in the field on plus handicaps, the competition should be hotly contested.
"Add in the condition that no caddies are allowed, so the youngsters must manage themselves and their own golf games, and we have a wonderful learning opportunity," Brent said.
"I can’t wait to see what these young people can do out on the course. We have a 12-year-old on a scratch handicap coming from Wellington, though our Otago team has three players all on plus handicaps, so maybe it’s time for Otago to shine."
Otago’s talented trio are regular senior representative Yoonae Jeong, Ricky Kang and Connor Howes, while Southland is represented by Xanthia Piggott, Will Carson and Cooper Boyce.
Invited players from the region are Sophia Park, Carter Muldrew, Savannah Neal, Raphael Anderson, Toby Gallie, Toby Allan, Anahera Koni, Kairangi Koni, Josh Harris, Albie Reed, Riley Gill and Xander Geustyn.
Organising the tournament has been a huge undertaking for the Eagles as they cover all air fares, accommodation, catering, publication of the tournament booklet, prizes and medals — then organise the golf itself.
Their task had been made easier by the support of the Cromwell Community Board, Otago Community Trust and Aotearoa Gaming Trust, the Cromwell club and various Otago businesses, Brent said.
Monday is practice day, followed by 36 holes on Tuesday and 18 holes on Wednesday morning.
