Junior golfers learn ropes

Normal, Sports
Source:

The National, Wednesday 1st May 2013

 By KYMLIE KARANI

PAPUA New Guinea Golf Association’s executive director Bob McTaggart is happy with the success of the 2013 BSP Junior Golf Ambrose Event.

The PNGGA’s junior golf development programme saw 15 junior golfers participate in the one-day Ambrose Event at the Royal Port Moresby Golf Club.

“The coaches Ros Taufa and Daniel Gabriel have done so well with the kids and yesterday turned out a success. I’m sure these kids had lots of fun watching and playing with the pros,” McTaggart said.

The kids that took their day off school came out to the golf course and had the opportunity to team up with some of the international professional golfers who took their time out to share with the PNG junior golfers their expertise and skills.

“Being able to come out and be with the kids is just great and I hope they’ve learnt a few things. I think it’s an awesome experience for the kids to start playing at such an early age. That’s where you learn and develop and as you grow older, you are then able to master the skills, something you already learnt at an early age,” Australian pro golfer Luke Henwood told The National.

PNGGA executive director Bob McTaggart said that the whole idea of the Junior Golf Ambrose event was to introduce social and golf skills to the young golfers so they know the basics at this age.

“I am passionate about junior kids playing golf in PNG. It’s all about giving the kids skills. This programme is the first of its kind and we hope to get it going next year and onwards,” McTaggart said.

McTaggart also said that with help of such good sponsors this year, the PNGGA is also looking at sending their male and female golf teams (seniors) overseas for international competitions as a build up in preparation for future bigger torunaments including the 2015 Pacific Games and getting our juniors involved is a huge milestone in PNG golf history. 

“PNG has a good base of players in the likes of current male national amateur champion Brian Takiri and women’s amateur champion Kristine Seko and Margaret Lavaki. 

The main SP Export PNG Open Pro Am tees off tomorrow.