Glacier junior golf series tees off
On May 25 the series will move to Kempton Park Golf Club where it will be hosted by the Els family
THE 2014 Glacier Junior Golf Series will kick off with the Selwyn Nathan Tournament at Houghton Golf Club on Sunday, before travelling around the country to some of South Africa’s most spectacular golf courses.
The junior golfers will be competing for a place in the national final at the end of the year and ultimately an all-expenses paid trip to the prestigious Junior Orange Bowl International Golf Championship in the United States.
On May 25 the series will move to Kempton Park Golf Club where it will be hosted by the Els family.
“Strong junior golf competition was fundamental to my development as a player and I have so many fond memories from that time in my life,” said Ernie Els, who started his golfing career in Kempton Park.
“I had some success but the thing I perhaps remember most is the experience and the friendships gained from taking part in these events. That’s what I like so much about the Glacier Junior Series.
“t creates opportunities to compete and gain the experience of competition and performing ‘under the gun’. That’s what it’s all about.”
Open champion Louis Oosthuizen will again sponsor a tournament on the series.
“I’m delighted to add my name to all those supporting the Glacier Junior Series. It’s programmes such as this that have helped produce so many outstanding golfers over the years and it’s very important for the future of the game in South Africa that they continue and flourish.”
Masters champion Charl Schwartzel has also supported the series for many years now.
“Without events such as the Glacier Junior Series, golf in South Africa would not be where it is today. I hope they have another very good year to ensure the production line flows.”
Recent European Tour champion, George Coetzee, is also a sponsor on the series.
According to Dale Hayes, the competitive nature of the series is key to honing the games of this country’s future stars. Hayes won the 1969 Junior World Golf Championships.
“Gary Player had a huge influence on players like myself and Hugh Baiocchi and we in turn influenced the next generation. Now it’s the likes of Ernie Els, Charl Schwartzel, Louis Oosthuizen, Thomas Aiken, Branden Grace and all the other hosts who are trying to ensure that we will continue to produce both champions and golfers who play for life.”
The dates and hosts of the 20 other tournaments are:
16 March: Westlake Golf Club, Richard Sterne
6 April: Humewood Golf Club, Complete Golfer
27 April: Paarl Golf Club, Sunshine Tour
11 May: Mowbray Golf Club, PGA
18 May: Witbank Golf Club, Jannie Ackerman
25 May: Kempton Park Golf Club, Els family
1 June: Royal Cape Golf Club, Sally Little
8 June: Schoeman Park Golf Club, Dale Hayes
22 June: The Els Club Copperleaf, Els family
29 June: Maccauvlei Golf Club, Schwartzel Family
2 July: Country Club Johannesburg, Sunshine Tour
4 July: Stellenbosch Golf Club, Jean Hugo
7 July: Rustenburg Golf Club, James Kingston
10 July: Durban Country Club, Papwa Sewgolum
13 July: Fancourt Outeniqua, Branden Grace
16 July: Benoni Country Club, Larry Nestadt
10 August: Wanderers Golf Club, Thomas Aiken
17 August: Zwartkop Country Club, PGA
31 August: Pretoria Country Club, George Coetzee
21 September: Mossel Bay Golf Club, Louis Oosthuizen
