Golf: Juniors get tuition and play time

Auckland Golf is launching its own junior academy to introduce boys and girls to the game and encourage them to join clubs.

The project is an initiative of the Auckland Golf Association, Women's Golf Auckland and the Eagles Golfing Society. It is supported by the Lion Foundation.

The academy will be based at the Papakura Golf Club and Driving Range and will be run by Reuben Inglis, the Auckland association's development manager.

Two squads of 10 children each will be formed and instruction will be either on Sunday morning or afternoon over 20 weeks, with 10 weeks of coaching followed by 10 weeks of playing time on the course.

The courses are linked to the school terms and the first will start on May 2. The target age is between nine and 14, because younger children would not be eligible to join clubs.

Peter Seagar, executive director of the Auckland association, says the academy has been one of the organisation's long-term ambitions. Its aims are:

* To introduce boys and girls to the game of golf.

* To give them fundamental instruction in the techniques of the game.

* To teach them the game's etiquette, rules and standards.

* To give them the opportunity to join an Auckland golf club.

"Ideally we would like to track someone through the academy into a club, then into our representative teams and on to the national team," Seagar says.

"It is very positive for the clubs because a player with a graduate certificate from the academy will have the skills and experience to become a good club member."

Inglis will be able to call on recommendations from the association's Kiwi Golf promoters in primary schools, La Nahi from Manukau south and Craig Higgins from Manukau to the Harbour Bridge.

For a total cost of $100, youngsters will get 20 hours of coaching from NZPGA professional Craig Smith, 10 rounds of golf, free use of equipment and a starter kit including a polo shirt and cap.

When they have graduated, they will be guided into membership of an Auckland club.

When Inglis took up his post with the Auckland association, he made it a priority to ease the path of juniors, particularly girls, into clubs.

He himself progressed from a primary school class introduction to the game from Gillian Bannan to Kerikeri Golf Club and the Northland representative team.