Attention - high school sports coordinators and golf coaches
64 TEAMS CONFIRMED FOR THE 2009 WORLD SCHOOLS GOLF CHALLENGE
Although entries for the 2009 World Schools Golf Challenge being staged in Adelaide South Australia from April 13-17 close on March 7, 2009 interest is still mounting as more indicate their intention to participate or request further details about the tournament.
Visit www.worldschoolsgolf.com for all tournament details.
In this eighth newsletter you will read news about the tournament and the 64 teams already registered, a new accommodation option, meet 2 more schools coming to South Australia and find out about the 5 best things to do and see in Adelaide.
Take a wander … everything is just a click of the mouse away
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16 new team entries have been received since the November newsletter and there are now 64 teams from 25 schools registered for the tournament. The teams represent the following schools:
- Westville Boys High School – Durban, South Africa – 4 teams
- Tauhara and Taupo-Nuia –Tia Colleges – Taupo, New Zealand – 1 team
- Millfield School – Somerset, England – 6 teams
- Auckland Grammar School – Auckland, New Zealand – 3 teams
- Glendowie College – Auckland, New Zealand – 1 team
- Como Secondary College – Western Australia, Australia – 7 teams
- St Michael's College – Adelaide, Australia – 4 teams
- Christ Church Grammar School - Western Australia – 1 team
- St Andrews College – Christchurch, New Zealand – 3 teams
- Sacred Heart College – Auckland, New Zealand – 2 teams
- Waitaki Boys High School – Oamaru, New Zealand – 2 teams
- Bethlehem College – Tauranga, New Zealand – 1 team
- Scots College – Christchurch, New Zealand – 1 team
- St Paul's Collegiate – Hamilton, New Zealand – 1 team
- Rangitoto College – Auckland, New Zealand – 1 team
- St Bede's College – Victoria, Australia – 4 teams
- St Bede's College – Christchurch, New Zealand – 2 teams
- Henley High School – Adelaide, Australia – 5 teams
- The Southport School – Queensland, Australia – 2 teams
- Woodcroft College – Adelaide, Australia – 3 teams
- Elizabeth College – Tasmania, Australia – 2 teams
- Hoerskool Eldoraigne – Centurion, Gauteng, South Africa – 2 teams
- Palmerston North Boys High School – Palmerston North, New Zealand – 3 teams
- Darling Range Sports College – Western Australia – 1 team
- Otumoetai College - Tauranga, New Zealand – 2 teams
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There has been some confusion about the deadline for entries for the tournament. Organisers have confirmed that they can accept up to 80 teams (currently 64 registered) and entries will be accepted up until March 7, 2009.
Special resources have been produced to promote the tournament and to assist teams who are still considering making the trip to South Australia. These include a 5 minute DVD which has all details about the tournament, the 4 host clubs, how to enter, the rules and South Australia attractions.
The DVD is on the tournament website here.
Organisers have produced a tournament brochure with all the details which can also be viewed or downloaded from the website >>> A range of brochures about South Australia and Adelaide are also available.
To request a copy of the DVD and the publicity material send this email to the tournament office
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The accommodation at Adelaide Shores has almost been completely booked by teams. As from December 31 space could not be protected but will be allocated on a request basis to InFront Events who will require a deposit paid before confirming the reservation.
Unfortunately space at the complex prior to the tournament week is no longer available because of the Easter period but the good news is that InFront have been able to secure space at Adelaide Central YHA who have space available pre tournament as well as during the week of the event. It is centrally located and offers configurations that are ideal for touring school groups with parents – at good prices. For full details contact InFront Events:
Phone: (61) (8) 8212 7688
Fax: (61) (8) 8212 7988
Email: events@infront.com.au
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Organisers were recently delighted to receive the entry of 2 teams from Hoerskool Eldoraigne from Centurion, Gauteng, South Africa and 3 teams from Palmerston North Boys High School in New Zealand. We asked their respective team managers to tell us about the schools and their golf teams ….
Nico Visser explained all about the Eldoraigne Golf Forum that has been established at Hoerskool Eldoraigne
The forum started in 2003 with only eight children participating in the program. The forum only really exploded in 2006 with our member count reaching 100 children. We make use of a professional coach, Morne Botha, who has been with us for 4 years. He is rated as one of the top 5 PGA professional coaches in South Africa. 
In 2008 we had an exceptional year. We are in the process of building a indoor practice facility for the members. Our golf nets are in use already and can facilitate 8 children at a time. Our first team won the following tournaments:
Super 16
Super 6
Gauteng North Championships
Our first team also participated in the SA Schools Championships where they came 6th.We also went on tour in June 2008 to Margate which is down the South Coast of South Africa. We were named best school at the event.
In 2009 we are starting the Young Masters Golf program combined with basic training from PGA South Africa. All our coaching staff are PGA Professionals
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Steve Burnley told us that Palmerston North Boys' High School is the oldest and the largest school in Palmerston North. Established in 1902 it is a traditional state school catering for the all-round educational needs of the young men of the Manawatu. The roll is approximately 1650 boys and is supported by a highly qualified staff in all subjects. This enables the school to offer a full range of courses and examinations at all levels.
PNBHS is a traditional single sex school for boys that seeks to provide students with an intellectual and moral training which will enable them to make a useful contribution to society. The School aims to develop all students in terms of providing the widest opportunities in academic, sporting and cultural activities in an environment which fosters the awareness of growth in personal and social relationships.
The school offers a wide range of sports at the school with the traditional teams of Rugby, Football, Cricket, Basketball and Hockey among the top school teams in the country and have all made regular overseas tours over the past few years. In addition to the sports the school also offers a wide range on musical groups and regular stage productions. All students at the school are encouraged to fully participate in the various sports and cultural opportunities the school has to offer.
PNBHS has a proud tradition of quality golfers attending the school over the past years with many going on to represent the region and various age group national teams, the most famous names being Grant Waite and Craig Perks who played on the PGA tour, with Grant winning the Kemper open in 1993 and Craig the Tournament Championship in 2002.
Over the past few years it would be fair to say that the school golf teams have not achieved to their potential in the national schools golf tournament.
Steve says that the golfers are all looking forward to playing in the World School Golf Challenge, making new friends, renewing acquaintances with Kearsney College and the experience this tournament has to offer.
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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 teams.
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 www.worldschoolsgolf.com
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There's a café on East Rundle Street in Adelaide, where every inch of wall space is papered with event posters. There are at least a hundred of them - posters for sporting events, local gigs, drama performances, the opera, art festivals, carnivals for kids.
Not unusual for a café looking for a bit of ambience, you might think - until you realise that all the posters are for things that are happening that month.
This is Adelaide - a city where there's always something on.
Adelaide's generous boulevards and elegant architecture provide the perfect backdrop for all sorts of holiday activities. No matter what takes your interest, there's something that will pique your curiosity.
Whether you want to be entertained or just relax with the family on holiday before or after the World Schools Golf Challenge, Adelaide has something for you. For shopaholics, wander down Rundle Mall and indulge in some retail therapy. There are more than 800 shops to choose from, so you won't run out of options.
Just be sure to pick up some treats from Haigh's Chocolates - they'll help you deal with life when you eventually have to go home. Stop by Jurlique for beauty products, and at RM Williams to take home merchandise from the legendary Outback outfitter.
If you want to immerse yourself in South Australia's rich arts and culture, stroll along North Terrace - Adelaide's "cultural boulevard." It's home to the Aboriginal Cultures Gallery in the South Australian Museum, Adelaide Botanic Garden and the National Wine Centre. Just around the corner, wander through the fascinating National Aboriginal Cultural Institute - Tandanya.
And if you're hungry there are more than 700 restaurants, cafes and pubs to choose from. So, sample the al fresco styles of East Rundle Street, try the seafood and Asian cuisine at Gouger Street, and treat yourself to some fine dining at the restaurants and cafes of North Adelaide.
But if there's one thing you absolutely must do, it's take a trip to the Adelaide Central Market. It's open every Saturday - and the best time to turn up is early in the morning for breakfast.
Need more information – try this link http://www.southaustralia.com/AboutAdelaide.aspx
The South Australian Tourism Commission has a big range of excellent brochures and maps that you can access on their website .They're ready for you to download. To view all the available brochures >>> www.southaustralia.com/Brochures.aspx
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As organisers of this special tournament we can be rather biased about the benefits to be derived from being involved. The following are just 3 of the unsolicited comments received from teachers who accompanied teams to the 2007 tournament in Christchurch, New Zealand.
"I consider the World Schools Golf Challenge provides a tremendous opportunity to not only advance the golf skills of the students but also to give them experience in planning, organizing, promoting and working together towards a worthwhile goal. The boys are all looking forward to Adelaide in 2009 as they were either in New Zealand in 2007 or have heard from their peers such glowing reports that they can't wait."
"I believe that the idea of having as many students involved is fantastic. There are very few team events for middle to higher handicap golfers. It is for this reason that I took 4 teams to Christchurch and not just my best 2 teams over. In fact it was my worst handicap team that performed the best."
Mick Roberts, St Bedes College, Melbourne, Australia
'The golf and the travel were fantastic experiences'.
Shaun van Wyk, Kearsney College, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa
'Many of our students had never travelled overseas before and went to Christcurch with great anticipation. They weren't disappointed.
Great golf courses, wonderful excursions to the Alpine regions and, most importantly, many friendships established both on and off the course. A once in a life time experience!'
Terry MacDermott, St Michaels College, Adelaide, Australia
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Entries will close on March 7, 2009 so secure your team's place in the tournament by registering today. The entry fee is A$150 per team and you can enter online or print the entry form on the website and post it to the tournament office.
Go to the Registration page here>>
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Take a look at the great sights of South Australia and Adelaide – all waiting for you to experience personally ->>>
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 >>>
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