Jr golfers battle through rain, wind

By Cayman Sports Buzz
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Updated: 26 June 2017

Ben Croucher sinks a long put on 18, with Justin Hastings (centre) and Tom Dickens (right).

Junior golfers faced tough conditions for the Elite Marble & Granite Junior US Open that was held at North Sound Golf Club on 18 June, 2017.

A dozen golfers, aged nine to 19 played 18 holes, demonstrating determination, patience and a true passion for the game, battling rain and 25 mph winds on the course.

The format was an 18-hole stroke play tournament with all golfers, boys and girls, playing in a single field, with the older, more experienced juniors playing longer yardages from the black and blue tees and the younger golfers playing from the white and red tees.

Aaron Jarvis receives the Elite Marble & Granite Junior US Open Championship, presented by Martin Bould

Brothers Andrew and Aaron Jarvis and Justin Hastings played from the black tees and Derek Peene played from blues. Andy Hastings, Todd Purton, James Bould and Tom Dickens played from whites and the girls, Holly McLean and Lauren Needham played from the red tees. The younger boys, Luke Dodson and Ben Croucher also played from the red tees.

Aaron Jarvis and Justin Hastings demonstrated that experience plays a significant role in these tough conditions, with Aaron shooting 76 for the championship win and Justin taking second place, only one stroke behind with a 77. Holly McLean took third place with an 85.

CIGA have added a series of Major tournaments to the Junior roster this year, providing juniors with a more opportunities to gain experience with tournament play.

The Digicel Junior Golf Series offers young golfers the option to play 9- or 18-holes and they experience different formats including gross stroke play, stableford and handicapped/net play. The 18-hole stroke play format in the Major Tournaments gives the more experienced golfers more exposure to tournament play as they prepare to qualify for events such as the annual Caribbean Amateur Junior Golf Championships or the Doral Junior Golf Classic in Miami.