The organisers of the 2009 World Schools Golf Challenge have been delighted with the response to the announcement of the details about the 2nd World Schools Golf Challenge to be staged in Adelaide the capital of South Australia from April 13-17, 2009.
In this, the third newsletter get an update on the latest tournament news, read about the success of one of our biggest supporting schools and the reasons why it has been decided to revise the conditions of entry, see some of your questions answered and learn more about South Australia and Adelaide.
Take a wander … everything is just a click of the mouse away
Congratulations to Como Secondary College who recently successfully defended its Australian School Teams Championship title after winning the national final (for the fourth time) at the Peninsula Country Golf Club in Victoria by one stroke from Hills Educational Foundation.
Como Secondary College has over 800 students and is situated just six kilometres outside of Perth. Golf is one of its four special programs (in addition to Science & Technology, Hockey, and Music).Teams at the inaugural WSGC tournament in Christchurch will remember Como who entered 7 teams for that event and team organiser Ros Fisher reports that Como will be sending teams to Adelaide next year.
Tournament organisers have embarked on a worldwide marketing campaign to create awareness for 2009 WSGC.
To read the recent press release sent to golf magazines click here >>> and view the advertising click here >>.
Positive responses from many schools around the world have endorsed the tournament organiser’s decision to stage the 2nd WSGC in South Australia. A number of the teams who were in Christchurch in 2007 have already indicated their intention to be represented in Adelaide and others who obviously had positive feedback from that event have written saying they are determined to be there as well.
Tell us your news and we will include it in future newsletters – click here >>>
Responding to a number of enquiries from schools in smaller/country areas who were experiencing difficulty getting 4 players to make up a team from their school the organisers decided to review the conditions of entry.
One of the main objectives of the tournament has always been to encourage participation and the development of golf within high schools and the educational system. In support of this objective, the organizers have decided to create a ‘Combined District Schools’ division specifically to encourage small schools to include golf as part of their sporting curriculum by allowing a team to consist of pupils from multiple schools within the same district. Local golf associations could also be able to use this division as a springboard to get golf programs started within schools in the district.
By including this division the organizers hope to encourage schools with small enrolments or no golf program to be part of the World Schools Golf Challenge by having one or two of their students represent their school and district in an international golf event. It could also be the only way some schools would be able to participate.
Entries in the ‘Combined District Schools’ division would be in the joint name of both schools and teams would be involved fully in the competition as a team and as individuals – and be eligible for prizes.
The Conditions of Entry now includes a new clause 4 which reads ….
‘Some schools may qualify to compete in the ‘Combined Districts Schools’ division which caters for small schools from a common district who have to combine to have enough players to create a team. Team members in this division must be made up of current or immediate past pupils of schools from a common district. A ‘District’ shall be defined as a town, subdivision of a county or town, region or locality. Teams wishing to enter this division should contact the Tournament office to ascertain their eligibility.’
Read the revised Conditions of Entry – click here >>>
The tournament is a four-round stroke play event with team and individual gross and nett competitions. The 4 student teams can be boys, girls or mixed who must be aged from 13 to 19.
Organisers expect to attract at least 80 teams from high schools in the United States, United Kingdom, Europe, Canada, Asia, New Zealand and South Africa, as well as from throughout Australia.
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 meet other college golfers from around the world and to experience all that Australia (and South Australia in particular) has to offer.
The beauty of the tournament is that entry is not limited to one school per country – any school can participate and there is no limit to the number of teams that a single school can enter.
For full details about the tournament click here >>
The Tournament Office regularly receives a range of questions from schools contemplating coming to Adelaide. The following are four of the most frequently asked questions and our answers….
- Q: What entry qualifications are required?
A: The organizers policy is one of inclusion – there are no qualifications required beyond being a member of a school team, having a recognized golf handicap, a love of the game of golf and a desire to meet other high school golfers and experience what South Australia has to offer.
- Q: Is there a maximum handicap for the tournament?
A: Yes. The maximum handicap is 21. Players on handicaps up to 26 at tournament time, have to play off 21.
- Q: How many teams can a single school enter ?
A: There is no limit to the number of teams that a single school can enter.
- Q: What is the tournament format?
A: The tournament is a teams and single stroke – nett and gross event played over four consecutive days. The individual competition features 4 divisions (based on handicaps) for boys & girls with gross and nett champions in each division. The team competition (boys, girls and mixed) is based on teams of 4 with the best 3 scores each day counting towards nett and gross results.
Organisers have produced a 4 colour brochure with all the details about the tournament. The brochure can be viewed or downloaded from the WSGC website >>>
We also have supplies of a range of excellent brochures about South Australia.
To request copies of the tournament and South Australia brochures click here to send an email to the tournament office >>>
The Adelaide Shores Holiday Village will be the nerve centre of the tournament and organizers encourage all teams to stay at this unique property. Not only does it offer outstanding and well priced self-catering accommodation and leisure facilities but both tournament social functions will be staged at the Adelaide Shores Function Centre.
The Village is located right on the beach at West Beach in a 125-hectare Coastal Recreation Reserve – about 15 minutes from the centre of Adelaide. It offers excellent self-contained accommodation including 2 & 3 bedroom deluxe bungalows and 2 bedroom villas – ideal for touring sports teams. Both styles of accommodation have spacious living areas and fully equipped kitchens.
And there is more …. The adjacent Golf Park includes 2 golf courses (one will host tournament rounds) and a Driving Range (operational day and night).
Just over the dunes are the white sands of West Beach where teams can swim, surf, fish and watch the sunset over the gulf waters. A couple of minutes walk along the beach takes you to the shops, cinemas, cafes and restaurants of Glenelg.
To view the Adelaide Shores accommodation and facilities visit their website http://www.adelaideshores.com.au/
For full details and costs for the Adelaide Shores Village and other selected accommodation options and costs contact
In Front Management
Phone: (61) (8) 8212 7688
Fax: (61) (8) 8212 7988
Email: scott@infront.com.au
SOUTH AUSTRALIA HAS SOMETHING FOR EVERYBODY
South Australia is often described as Australia’s best kept secret; South Australia blends charming European style villages, stunning white sandy beaches, awe-inspiring National Parks with an abundance of wildlife, the might of the Murray River and some of the world’s best food and wine to create a holiday full of adventure, relaxation and indulgence.
And the greatest thing …its so easy to get around! In a 7 to 10 day holiday you can easily sample the delights of some of the worlds most famous wine regions (the Barossa, McLaren Vale and Clare are all just over an hours drive from Adelaide), cruise at leisure along the Murray River, shop til you drop in Rundle Mall, take in a close encounter with the wildlife of Kangaroo Island and even experience the rugged beauty of the Flinders Ranges.
Some vital statistics
- Population: 1.5 million
- Climate: Temperate/Mediterranean - hot dry summers from Dec to Mar (20 – 35°C). Short, mild winters Jun to Aug (10 – 15° C)
- South Australia is the driest State in Australia with an average rainfall of 585mm (23 inches).
- The timing of the WSGC is perfect - spring and autumn are beautiful but even over the winter months it is generally fairly dry with cool crisp days and clear blue skies.
‘Must see’ and ‘don’t miss’
- Visit the Central Market in Adelaide
- Dine seaside and watch the sun go down at Adelaide’s Henley Beach
- Sample some of the worlds most famous wines in at least one South Australian wine region
- Take a scenic flight over Wilpena Pound in the Flinders Ranges
- Hire a houseboat on the Murray River for a minimum of 4 nights!
USEFUL TOURISM INTERNET SITES
http://www.southaustralia.com/
http://www.adelaidecitycouncil.com/
http://www.barossa-region.org/
http://www.visitadelaidehills.com.au/
http://www.clarevalley.com.au/
http://www.murraylands.info/
http://www.riverlands.info/
http://www.adelaide.southaustralia.com/
http://www.flindersoutback.com/
http://www.tourkangarooisland.com.au/
http://www.thelimestonecoast.com/
http://www.yorkepeninsula.com.au/
http://www.fleurieupeninsula.com.au/
Secure your team’s place in the tournament by registering on-line today. Cleland Wildlife Park one of South Australia’s leading visitor attractions is offering a half-day tour as an ‘early bird’ entry incentive - to be drawn from all the teams who enter before June 30, 2008.
The entry fee is AU$150 per team and you can enter online or print the entry form on the website here and post it to the tournament office >>>
Take a look at the great sights of South Australia and Adelaide – all waiting for you to experience personally here
Finally
We will keep you updated about the 2009 World Schools Golf Challenge in Adelaide….
Your next issue of the World Schools Golf Challenge update will be sent in 6 weeks time and will feature more exciting news and views about the tournament.
And we can keep others up to date too …
- If you’d like us to mail you material about the World Schools Golf Challenge please ask >>>
- If you’d like us to forward this and future newsletters to other teams or friends click here >>>
- To subscribe members of your school team to our newsletter click here >>>
- If you have news about your team that you’d like included in future newsletters, click here >>>
- However, if you do not wish to receive further editions of this newsletter, Please click here >>>