On Friday 21st October 2022 the Club was overrun with junior golfers for about four hours. No, it was not a Golf WA sponsored competition or a precursor to the Nedlands Junior Masters in March next year, rather it was the Independent Primary School Heads of Australia (IPSHA) Primary School Golf Competition.
This event is an inclusive all abilities entry level event designed to provide students who would not normally have an opportunity to play on a golf course with a chance to experience this joy. This year was the 4th time this great event was supported by and held at Nedlands and it is hoped that it can become a regular fixture at our Club. While Wilfred Ong welcomed the event to the Club in the pre-COVID era during his tenure at the helm, Melissa Castaldi has kindly continued to facilitate and provide the Club’s support to this event. This really showcases Nedlands as a place that is willing to encourage more younger players to get involved in the game we all love!
The event is organised and coordinated by Club Member and Junior Coordinator, Brady Morris, in his capacity as a teacher at John Wollaston Anglican Community School in Camillo. Brady first organised this event on behalf of IPSHA in 2019 with only 8 children taking place. This year our Club welcomed almost 20 students from 7 schools across the metro area to play 9 holes across three different competitive formats against other schools on a ‘proper’ golf course.
Those students with a GA Handicap were able to play nine holes of Stroke, while others that were new to the game could play either Modified Stroke or Tiger Tees (shortened holes). These lesser known formats allow the players to enjoy themselves in a less-competitive round of golf as the normal Stroke rules of golf are relaxed and players are able to pick up their balls after 10 shots and also from hazards.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank those regular members and their guests who had to adapt their plans for the day to fit around this event. It was also great to have the support of our members present at the Club that day who provided guidance, encouragement and advice to our young visitors.
In appreciation of your support of Junior Golf at our Club.
Brady Morris