More than 50 budding golfers are expected to converge on Maleny Golf Club’s Scottish links-style course to test their skills when the club hosts its inaugural competition for juniors on Sunday (6 March).

The competition involving 3-hole, 6-hole and 9-hole formats to suit various age groups and abilities has been organised by the Glass House Mountains Zone Junior Golf Association (GHMZJGA) in conjunction with the Maleny Golf Club.

GHMZJGA Vice President Mr Graeme Douglass said he was expecting between 50 and 60 players to participate, including from clubs lying well outside the zone which stretches from Northlakes at Mango Hill to Pelican Waters near Caloundra.

Local golf pro Paul Stratford with some participants in his junior clinics at Maleny Golf Club

“We attract players from well beyond our geographic district and zone because we are one of the few associations to run these type of events for juniors and the only one to include a 6-hole short format for the younger players,” he said.

As a result the GHMZJGA, which also works closely with schools within its zone, is considered to be one of the strongest junior golf associations in the State.

Clubs likely to field players at Maleny include Noosa Par 3, Pelican Waters, Bribie Island, Caboolture, Virginia, Ashgrove, Gatton and Blackbutt.

“We are all about getting our children off the couch and out into the fresh air and sunshine,” Mr Douglass said. “The idea is for them to really have fun, not to take things too seriously, meet others and enjoy the day.”

Maleny Golf Club President Dr Max Whitten applauded the work being done by the GHMZJGA to foster junior involvement and said the club was particularly excited to have so many players coming to play in the club’s first junior event.

“As with any sport, our juniors represent the game’s future so it’s important to give them opportunities like this to get out and have fun playing together,” Dr Whitten said. “They are our future club members and potential champions.”

Maleny-based golf professional Paul Stratford, who runs after-school clinics for juniors on Wednesday afternoons at the Maleny Golf Club, said several of his students would be taking part in the 3-hole completion on Sunday.

Additional Information:

When: 10am Sunday 6 March
Cost: $10 (Pay on the day); 3-hole $5.
Where: Maleny Golf Club, 15 Porters Lane, Maleny Q’ld 4552

Media contacts: GHMZJGA Vice President Graeme Douglass 0418 927 097 or
email gadoug@bigpond.com

Maleny Golf Club President Dr Max Whitten 07 5494 3175 or
email president@malenygolfclub.com.au