Tyro Shield Makes it to the ACT
2017 has been a big year for junior golf in the ACT:
- The Boys Interstate Series Team finished in 4th place,
- An excellent result for the Girls Composite Interstate Series Team,
- Outstanding individual Junior and Open tournament performances by juniors such as Adam Thorpe, Chloe Thornton, and Josh Armstrong,
- Josh Armstrong’s inclusion in the inaugural Junior President’s Cup played in New Jersey, USA in September.
- A first place in the teams nett event for our U12 SSACT Girls Team in the SSA National Golf Championships in Adelaide,
- The inclusion in the 2018 calendar of a new National and World Ranking junior event for the ACT, and
- Establishment of a Junior Golf Forum hosted by the ACT Monaro DGA.
With such big things happening at the elite end of the spectrum we have also focused our efforts on the other end of the scale with the introduction of an ACT Tyro Shield event. The fundamental purpose of the Tyro Shield is to provide opportunity for young golfers who do not yet hold a GA handicap to play on course in a fun environment. Modified rules and course are used to improve pace of play and enhance enjoyment. The Tyro Shield is a teams event, where clubs enter a team of 4 players and each team plays against an opposing team in a round robin draw.
The inaugural ACT Tyro Shield included teams from Magpies Belconnen Golf Club, Royal Canberra (2 teams), Fairbairn Golf Club, Yowani Country Club and Gold Creek Country Club. Each club hosted a match on a Sunday afternoon, and provided chips and drinks for players at the end of their round. There were a total of 30 players (20 boys, 10 girls) involved over the 5-week match play series. 66% of players reduced their modified handicap during the series. Parents were kept busy caddying, counting and keeping play moving. What better way to spend a sunny Sunday afternoon!
Tyro Shield provided a relaxed and fun environment for children to experience a variety of courses playing against someone different each week. It has promoted good sportsmanship and enhanced the confidence of these young golfers. They commented positively on the opportunity to meet new friends and have fun in a friendly and relaxed environment. Tyro means ‘beginner’ or ‘novice’, however performances displayed by this group of young golfers were impressive.
Jack Newton Junior Golf would like to thank all the clubs, parents and players for supporting this event and we credit it’s success to you. We will be running another Tyro Shield in 2018 and increasing the opportunity for this level of golfer by running a Juniors on the Move event throughout the year.
