The South Gippsland District Golf Association, Junior Committee has a very active junior program running throughout the District. These programs are run in conjunction with funding grants from the Victorian Golf Foundation.

Primary Schools – Go Go Golf Program

The District owns 4 Go Go Golf kits, 2 of which are utilized at the western end of the District and serving schools in Loch; Poowong; Bena; Korumburra; Leongatha; Tarwin Lower; Inverloch; Wonthaggi through to Phillip Island.  The remaining 2 kits are located at Foster Golf Club and service schools from Meeniyan; Buffalo; Foster; Fish Creek; Toora & Welshpool.  These kits are available for loan to primary schools within the district, free of charge and remain with the school for the duration of the program, generally on a term basis.

Junior Training Squads

The District Junior Committee has both a senior training squad for junior golfers aged 14 to under 18 years, and sub-junior training squad for junior golfers aged 10 – 13 years. The squads consist of some 15 juniors under the coaching of Mr. Scott Adams P.G.A. golf professional.  The squads are formed on an annual basis, and receive coaching under squad conditions every 4 to 5 weeks.  District Clubs may seek to nominate a junior through their club’s junior liaison officer.  The squads receive coaching in all aspects of the game, including long & short game, chipping and putting.   Both squads are funded through a grant from the Victorian Golf Foundation.

Junior Pennant

The junior pennant season in held throughout February each year.  The competition is played under match-play conditions, and is a combined scratch & handicap competition with the 2 lowest handicapped players, playing scratch match-play whilst the remaining 3 players, playing handicap match-play.  Teams consist of 5 players.

South Gippsland Junior Classic

With the ongoing assistance of a grant through the Victorian Golf Foundation, the District conducts its major junior event each year in April at Lang Lang Golf Club.  Since its inception in 1996, the event has continued to grow and attracts a large field of players from around Victoria. Past winners include Aaron Baddeley, John Sutherland & Ben Meyers, all who have gone onto forge successful professional careers. The 2008 event will be held on Friday 4th April.  

Junior Tournaments

The District Junior Committee conducts some 6 local junior tournaments each year. These events give local juniors experience in tournament play.  The entry fee for each event is $5.00 and is open to boys and girls under 21 years, either with or without a handicap.  The Callaway system of handicapping is used for non-handicap golfers.  2009 tournaments will be held at:

Annual Awards

South Gippsland Junior Golfer of the Year

Both the South Gippsland Junior Classic & the local tournaments held throughout the year are qualifying rounds for the South Gippsland Junior Golfer of the Year award. Points are awarded on the basis of a player’s net score at each tournament played in. The highest points scorer, along with other criteria forms the basis for this annual and prestigious award.

Rising Star Award

At each tournament a ‘Rising Star’ award is made for the best gross score. An annual award is also made for the South Gippsland Rising Star.