JUNIOR golfers in the west have become accustomed to travelling across the West Gate Bridge to play in the big tournaments.
That’s about to change with the inception of the Golf Victoria-sanctioned Western Tri-Series Junior Classic.
Three western suburbs golf clubs, Kooringal, Sanctuary Lakes and Sunshine, put their minds together with the state’s governing body to launch the new tournament.
It will bring promising young golfers from across the state to the west for a three-day, 54-hole event for boys and girls.
The first 18 holes will be played at Kooringal on Tuesday, the next 18 at Sunshine on Wednesday, with the final round and presentations to be held at Sanctuary Lakes on Thursday.
Kooringal junior co-ordinator Heather Harley says it’s a much anticipated chance for junior players in the west to show off their talents and their courses. “It’s good to have a quality event here in the west for the kids,” she said. “The three courses got together purely for that reason.
“There’s lots of events on the other side at courses like Victoria and Kingston Heath, so being able to offer one on this side of the city, and not just for our kids but Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula . . . it’s accessible to all of those kids, as well as Ballarat and Bendigo kids.”
The concept was the brainchild of former Sanctuary Lakes captain Stewart Gray. The club liked what he proposed and asked the two neighbouring clubs if they wanted to make it a major annual event.
“We spoke with the other clubs and everyone was keen to come on board,” Lakes assistant manager Jessica Yong said.
“We hold a junior event yearly and wanted to try and make it a bigger one, so we put 54 holes together and involved two other clubs that were close to us.
“People can make the trip here from the country and spend three days here.
“It will be good exposure for the kids and Golf Victoria has supported it really well.”
2013 Western Tri-Series Junior Classic
Tuesday: Kooringal
Wednesday: Sunshine
Thursday: Sanctuary Lakes
