Numbers Booming for Second World Schools Golf Event

Teams from all over the world are expected to be in Adelaide, South Australia for the second World Schools Golf Challenge in April next year (2009).

The popularity of the event, which was launched in Christchurch New Zealand in 2007 has been confirmed as schools from the United States, United Kingdom, Europe, Canada, Asia, Australia and New Zealand have signalled their intention to send teams to the week-long event for young College golfers.

Teams can comprise boys, girls or mixed, to contest a four-round strokeplay event with team and individual gross and nett competitions.

Tournament organiser Paul Gleeson says the event emphasises inclusion – there are no qualifications required beyond being a member of a school team, having a recognised golf handicap, a love of the game of golf and a desire to play against other college golfers from around the world.

And the growth of the event has even taken the organisers by surprise.

“We had a feeling that the support for the inaugural event in Christchurch was just the tip of the iceberg. This year, we’re anticipating at least 30 more teams, and the level of enthusiasm for the event from students and their parents has been incredible.

Mr Gleeson said that there was no limit to entries from schools for the April 13 – 17 tournament. “The beauty is that any school can enter any number of teams for the event.”

Mr Gleeson said the tournament was designed to assist promising young school golfers around the world to develop their skills on new courses and in an environment of friendly competition.

The Adelaide event will be hosted by four local golf clubs – Adelaide Shores, Riverside, City of Adelaide (South Course) and Flagstaff Hill.

“Judging by the response to the inaugural event in 2007, this will be an outstanding golfing occasion for all involved. There’s so much to do and see in Adelaide besides playing golf, it promises to be the experience of a lifetime for young golfers and their teachers and parents from all over the world,” says Mr Gleeson.