Beverley Park Golf Club have launched a junior golf program that they hope will attract scores of young players to the game.
Head professional Paul Davis has joined Beverley Park after 17 years as the pro at Bexley.
It was there that Davis helped build Bexley’s junior program which culminated in the club winning its first Sydney Metropolitan Junior Pennants title in more than a quarter of a century late last year.
Beverley Park are looking to get behind their junior program with reduced membership fees, tuition programs and classes and a junior fund to help young players with entry fees for tournaments – all designed to get more kids out on the course.
“They didn’t really have a junior program here. There was only two juniors playing golf here when I arrived. There was nothing really going on in terms of junior development. Now we’ve got about 15 kids,” Davis said.
“That’s what it’s all about. Promoting junior golf and getting kids out there on the course.”
The club are also starting the Billy McWilliam Junior Open in December, named after the club’s well-known former pro who had Greg Norman as one of his apprentices.
Beverley Park started their junior pennants season with a 4-2 victory over Dunvehed last weekend. The Park team features most of the team that won the title with Bexley last season.
Davis said Beverley Park’s program was open to kids of all ages and abilities with one key prerequisite – having fun.
“Basically at the beginner level it’s all about them having fun. If they’re not enjoying it they won’t want to come back,” he said.
“If they get to the point where they really like it and get on the course more we get them ready for comps.
“There’s many different parts to golf. It brings so many things to children. I see it in my son. He has matured so much faster because you’re playing with adults.
“You’ve got to be honest, you’ve got to talk to people, they’ve got no devices in front of their face. It helps them do a lot of growing up.
“You’ve got to keep them interested. There’s so much competition these days, so many sports out there. Golf gets kids active, outside, meeting new friends.”
Beverley Park also had great success at the recent 2018 Jack Newton International Classic at Cypress Lakes Golf and Country Club in the Hunter Valley.
Jeffrey Guan played up an age group in the under-15s and finished second. The 14-year-old also finished tied 10th in the open competition, with almost all Beverley Park’s entrants securing top 10 finishes.
