Initiative aimed at juniors
JUNIOR golf is making a quiet leap forward in the city.
The Koni Kids have led the way for the region recently with their success.
The brothersister act teamed up again on the weekend to help New Zealand wrestle back the transtasman trophy, and earlier this year they won the US Kids Wellington tour for a second consecutive season.
But Dunedin’s best known golfing prodigies may soon have a lot more competition.
Otago Golf Club professional Shelley Duncan said the Dunedin Junior Golf Club was ‘‘quietly’’ established early last month.
Nicola Meder has been appointed as convener and some funds have been mobilised from a trust which was set up to help foster golf in the region.
‘‘Obviously, there will be membership income and we are looking to hold tournaments to raise money,’’ Duncan said.
The club has been modelled on the junior golf club in Wakatipu.
‘‘The kids join one club and they have access to seven golf clubs in the Dunedin area.’’
The Otago, Chisholm, St Clair, Taieri, Belleknowes, Island Park and Port Chalmers golf clubs have opened their course to the young golfers, giving the next generation won derful access.
About 40 children have joined and there is also a parent membership attached to this as well.
‘‘Parents can join the Dunedin Junior Golf Club as long as when they play it is with their son or daughter.
‘‘It is allowing the parents to go and play golf with their kids who probably otherwise would not join a golf club.’’
There is also free coaching on Sunday mornings at a driving range in Dunedin.
‘‘Our goal is to get [membership] up to 100 in the next 18 months, which I think we will achieve.’’