First camp for golf kids

AUSTRALIA’S junior golf program MyGolf is preparing for Tasmania’s first junior golf holiday camp.

Royal Hobart Golf Club’s professional Matt Docking said the club had encouraged boys and girls between five and 13 to sign up for the camp, which will take place next Monday and Tuesday.

“We want to give the young players an introduction to golf,” Mr Docking said.

“Our aim behind the camp is to introduce the next generation of golfers to what is a game for life. It will be a fun, interactive experience for the kids who will all take away knowledge and skills which will hopefully lead them on a path to a lifetime of enjoyment of golf.”

Jack Collins, 10, is attending the holiday camp and said he would be making the most of next week’s camp by working on his technique.

“I like golf because you’re able to hit the ball as far as you want or as short as you want, but I need to work on how far I hit the ball,” he said.

It was golf professional Daniel Gawley’s idea to have a MyGolf School Holiday Camp in Tasmania, after being involved in junior camps in Cairns.

He said there were a number of benefits for youngsters who started playing golf early in life.

“There’s certain etiquette and rules that surround the game, but it also teaches life skills,” Mr Gawley said.

“The aim is to have kids in groups and to learn skills and have challenges in a group setting,” Mr Gawley said.

“So they’re playing for themselves, but they’re also playing for their group.”