Juniors learn harsh lessons about golf

May 7 2009 by Tim Taylor, The Journal

LIKE his Durham County counterpart, the Northumberland Junior Matchplay Champion qualifies for The Journal Champion of Champions, this year held at De Vere Slaley Hall on September 6.

No doubt, whoever takes the title at Wallsend tomorrow will set his standards higher than was achieved by some players during the strokeplay qualifying stages, which led into this week’s knock-out matches. Richard Hannam, a former chairman of the Newcastle & District League and an ex-Prudhoe captain, has been tracking the tournament on the county website.

He said: “Looking at the qualifying scores it was sad to see that six of the original 60-plus entries failed to turn up.

“And two of these were very low handicap players who really ought to know better.

“They are listed on the draw sheet as ‘No Show’ so evidently, they haven’t even telephoned to say that they weren’t attending.”

Richard added: “The juniors were certainly learning some harsh lessons.

“One of the girls would have qualified easily.

“However, she forgot to sign her card and was duly disqualified.

“And one of the boys signed for a six instead of a five, missing automatic qualification by a shot.

“He ended up in a five-way play-off for the final two places and then got knocked out!

“I’m sure that the juniors would benefit from some rules coaching.

“It’s as much a part of the game as the other skills.”