Junior Golf
The Croydon Golf Club at Yering Meadows is always striving to introduce the fun of golf to a younger generation. By becoming a member of the golf club your child can learn new sporting skills, life skills and make many new friends.
We offer highly competitive fee structures for membership which not only includes access to the golf course, practice facilities and the clubhouse but also golf clinics held by our Club Professionals, please contact the Golf Shop for times on 9738 9001.
If your child is showing an interest in golf they can attend one of the Junior Golf Clinics that run over every school holidays. Further details will be available from the Club and on this website at a later date.
Once becoming a member a structured program is available to junior members at all levels of the golfing cycle, these stages are covered in more detail below- see "Junior Development". The programs are managed by Michael Waghorn (PGA golf professional) and club head professional Geoff George and his team and overseen by the Junior Golf Committee that comprises- Keith Brown (CGC Director) Michael Waghorn (golf professional), Brad Granger (junior member's representative) and Warwick Marcakis (Victorian Institute of Sport junior coach & junior pennant manager).
Junior Development
Over the years the club has produced some quality young golfers into the professional ranks and elite amateur competitions, none better than Aaron Baddeley- winner of the Australian Golf Open at age 18 (as an amateur) and again at age 19 as a professional, a three times winner on the USA PGA Tour and 3rd round leader of the2007 US Open Golf Championship.
As part of the Club's continued focus to nurture, grow and promote junior golf the Junior Golf Committee (established in 2006) launched the club's Junior "Elite" and "Advanced" development squads in 2007 as it's first main initiative for junior members aged under 18 as at 31st December 2006.
Our recent move to the new quality Ross Watson designed golf course at Yering Meadows provides first class practice facilities comprising an extensive driving range, practice bunkers and putting green. The junior development program now implemented is seen as the footprint of what we are confident will be a successful and beneficial initiative for junior golfers over the coming years.
Michael Waghorn (PGA golf professional - refer profile below) has formulated structured programs that will provide participants with personal tuition and the opportunity to compare individual progress with their peers, in return there is an expectation of commitment and discipline to the programs by those participating. Contents of the respective programs are:
INTRO PROGRAM
Content includes basic swing analysis, shot selection, effective practice, golf etiquette and the rules of golf.
The program creates an entry point for new junior members and juniors wishing to enhance their golf and is aimed at all new junior members aged from 9 to 18, in addition to providing an excellent opportunity to get to know other junior members. One hourly clinics are conducted on a regular basis by Jasmine Hobbs (Trainee Club Professional) with assistance from Michael Waghorn.
ADVANCED PROGRAM
Content includes goal setting, effective practice, swing analysis, shot shaping, course management, imagination & mental conditioning, rules of golf. The squad meets twice per month for 1.5 hours; Jasmine Hobbs (Trainee Club Professional) also assists Michael Waghorn in managing the "Advanced" development program.
The "Advanced" squad is the stepping-stone for those younger players identified with the potential to progress to the "Elite" squad and comprises members aged between 10 and 16 years that includes - Ben Deslandes, Scott Donaldson, Matt Hale, Jack Harper, Cameron Hunter, Sam Meddings and Matthew Wierzbicki.
ELITE PROGRAM
Content includes technique analysis, skill tests, goal setting, course management, public speaking, golf fitness, golf psychology and rules of golf. Each participant receives a one hour monthly practice and tuition session with Michael Waghorn (PGA professional).
The "Elite" squad comprises single figure handicap players or players with the potential to achieve single figure handicaps in the near future. The squad comprises members of the club's Senior, Colts and Junior pennant teams that includes:
Rhys Granger (Club 2007 & 2008 Junior Club Champion and senior pennant player), Shane Marcakis(Victorian Junior under 16 squad and Colts pennant player), Lee Marcakis (Colts pennant), Brent Price, Dean Watson (2006 A Grade Club Champion), Jack Briggs, Andrew Julian and Will Qoro.
.jpg)
Victorian Golf Foundation Acknowledgement
Commencing from 1996, the VGF has made grants each year to assist a wide range of development initiatives among clubs, District Associations and associated bodies. Just some of the VGF areas of projects and programs in relation to junior golf include:
· Start up programs for juniors and clinics for schools.
· Junior club membership support, tournaments and competitions
· Promotion of ?Go Go? Golf (modified golf) to introduce the sport to young people
· Travel and coaching support for remote or disadvantaged groups
· Instructional clinics, camps, coaching and squads for all ability levels
· Scholarships to assist talented young players
Other VGF projects and programs include adult participation (clinics, tournaments), research & developments (industry surveys, golf market awareness, personal development scholarships & golf education support), community promotions and media exposure.
Donations can be made to the Victorian Golf Foundation and are tax deductible if made through theAustralian Sports Foundation.Donation forms can be obtained from the Victorian Golf Association website (http://www.golfvic.org.au/) via the ?Golf Foundation? link.
Open for a copy of the Junior Curriculum
"TO ACCOMPLISH GREAT THINGS, WE MUST NOT ONLY ACT BUT ALSO DREAM; NOT ONLY PLAN BUT ALSO BELIEVE".