Should local golf course support Junior??

If those members clubs can't open their golf courses to junior because of so many reasons . Then SGA should push every clubs to organize junior golf tournament at least once a year and open it to public . At least the juniors got to experience one course per month. Just my 2 cent.

Hi Caddy Boy, ther is tournament organise by SGA every month, it's for low handicaper (boy=0 and girl=6), there is HSBC and some club like Warren, Laguna, Seletar and Keppel organise every year once junior tournament, this event attract some top youth from Thailand, malaysia and Australia. Can see many time, Thai boy and girl take home top 3 position. National Ranking and HSBC organised by SGA need to be 12 yrs old and above to participate. In order to develop our talented junior, SGA and private golf club should open up, accept and train those who's keen in golf. I just cannot understand why Junior pay the same fee as adult?

Yes, I do agreed about club can giving supports to junior golfers by giving a lower fee. But for pros to lower their fee, i think need to be fair to them as they are also making a living. And training and nurturing our junior golfers to be elite its not easy too. In such those good pro will not want to stay in S'pore to coach.

Thanks Ng for bringing up this topics and others for sharing their views (esp artloh). this issue is very closed to my heart ! I believed majority agreed that local golf course (mgt operating in local course) should support juniors. We also knew they are (in their own members under SGA junior funding) and they are not. (non members) My daughter benefited from a local club adoption program and hv been progressing very well. We are appreciative of it.

When she was 7-8 yrs old, I wrote to PM Lee requesting him to support junior golf development much to our frustration for lack of tournaments (SGA only look after juniors above 12) in Singapore. Of course, I was referred to SSC and then SGA... Long story short, a big round but no answer ! As I felt tournaments are important, I hv to send her overseas to participate in numerous tournaments in Thailand, Malaysia and China. (>5 times/yr) There's also Marina Bay GC (under NCI letter to ST dated 20 Nov 2007), a promise to reserve 5 flights per day for jnr, charge 50% green fees, and a junior program supervised by SGA. 6 yrs now and we are still asking !

Anyway, my daughter will turn 12 soon and able to participate more tournaments locally. It hv been a "wonderful" journey for me. I learned many things along the way... but one thing stand out and that is.... You must "Help Yourself - DIY" if you want to achieve something for your juniors.

Finally, as mentioned above, I will always support junior development in any sport and I felt our government can do ...much more ! Sad to say, the approach must be Top Down from (Minister MCY) to SSC to SGA.

JK15, thanks! I do write in to PM office to get his attention but some as what you've encounter! Basically he's not very interest to support, as you can see Seletar Base Golf course become Seletar air base! Just because of the commercial value.... I agree with some opinion, we as parent have to find our way out to ensure our kid who's dedicate in something, make sure they're dream come true in the future! I was told by some golfing friend, who recommended to move oversea and gain much better support (If the kid is really good!) Country like Australia, USA and some europe. even at age of 12-14, the kid can play 0 handicap, soon without any support, they will become demoralise and only can play local or small tournament.

One biggest problem, my child used to play for OCC junior program (She will recommended by formal golf manager), begining this year call me and inform that because I am not the member, so they have decided to stop letting my girl participate the junior program! Thanks that I manage to find another golf club to adopt her during April. OCC is under the union arm and union consider a goivernment link organisation, and they can give you this excuses and worse that the OCC junior program has not been kick start since MGK left (About 2 years)!