The golf courses have been open for almost a month, the first live golf event was televised last weekend and the PGA South Florida Section Junior Golf recently announced that it will be resuming its tournament schedule next month.  The golf world is doing what it can to help people start living life again.  It's exciting to see.

Two of my youngest students were back on the course this week as they are eager to compete in the Links Tour which kicks off on June 15, 2020 at the Country Club of Coral Springs.  Sarah is playing really well and has even come close to beating her Dad.  They are looking forward to playing in tournaments on both the east and west coast this summer.  It's all about getting her experience and building her confidence.  

Mateo just received the Player of the Year Award for 2019 which was the final season for the Junior Golf Foundation America, Inc.  He is looking forward to competing again and meeting other golfers.  He made a new friend in a younger, talented golfer at the last tournament in March but has not been able to see him since.  Mateo walked away with the win that day but admits that his new friend really pushed him.

Both of these junior golfers have aspirations of competing on the Prep tour when they are nine. For now, the Links Tour provides them with an opportunity to gain experience and get prepared for playing without a caddie.  Most importantly, they are getting a chance to live out the core values on the golf course.  I am looking forward to seeing their growth this year. 

The PGA South Florida Junior Section is set to kick off its tournament season this weekend.  It is an exciting time for  junior golfers because they get an opportunity to see how their skills have improved and apply them while playing different courses across the region.  ​

I teach a number of group classes and that allows my students to create friendships with golfers of different levels. At some point, a junior starts talking about their tournament experience to another junior and that may spark some new interest in a golfer who has not played in a tournament before.  While it is easy to think that tournament play is a natural progression for your golfer, it is important to remember that playing golf on course with the family is very different from playing in a tournament against other golfers in their respective age group. 

Assuming that your junior golfer can play the course applying the rules and keeps pace of play, maturity is key.  While they may be playing against another junior golfer, the reality is they are competing against the course. Basically, the golfer is given so many shots to get the ball in the hole (this is par).  The golfer's goal is make par or better.  If you do great, if you don't then learn from your mistakes and move on to the next hole.  It takes time to develop this kind of maturity on the golf course.  Some junior golfers develop it early and others take longer to get to that level.  

Additionally, sportsmanship is important.  I teach my students to only complement their opponents and never wish them bad.  There will be times when their opponent is doing well while they appear to be falling apart. Their response to a bad shot is just as important if not more important than their response to a good shot.  Character will be defined or refined in these moments.  

Once this level has been attained, it is important to remember to have fun and pick your caddy wisely.  While this is often a parent, sometimes this relationship can be toxic on the golf course.  I have seen many a junior golfer fall apart in a tournament because they are trying to please a parent rather than focus on golf.  My advice to parents is to let your junior golfer make their own decisions. They will not learn or improve if you are guiding their every move.  Encourage your junior golfer and avoid pressuring them to attain goals that you have or have had for yourself.  

These are just a few things to consider before registering your junior for their first tournament.  If you have specific questions, please feel free to contact me at 708-584-0887.  

Click the links below to learn about tournament options. Pay special attention to age ranges and requirements.
Links Tour
Prep Tour
Challenge Tour
Champions Tour

Jayda and Vrishti (second place finish) are amazing examples of dedicated junior golfers.  They are both willing to come early in the morning for their golf lessons, sometimes before the sun is up and even when it is raining. Additionally,  they are very committed to their academics.  I firmly believe their efforts will yield college scholarships.  I am honored to be their golf coach.

The Florida High School Athletic Association was established in 1920 with the purpose of promoting, directing, supervising and regulating interscholastic athletic programs in which high school students, whose schools are members, compete. Jayda Dookie qualified for the 2019 Florida High School Golf State Championship Qualifier held on October 16, 2019 at the Mission Inn and Resort Club at Howey-in-the Hills. 

​When I asked her about her performance, she said it wasn't her best.  She finished in 60th place out of 95 female golfers.  It was an experience she will definitely remember and hopes to qualify again in the future.