North Shore Golf SPRING 2023

4 >>> SPRING 4 >>> 2023 SPRING 2023
Junior
achievement
There's lots of support
for state's young golfers
Brianna Sovring
By Bill Brotherton
It’s often been said that golfers –
especially young players – from
New England are at a significant
disadvantage because of frosty falls,
frigid winters and rainy springs.
But that’s no longer the case. The
Massachusetts Chapter of the New England
PGA, Mass Golf and individual clubs and
courses are offering more junior programs
than ever before.
And more and more youngsters are
enthusiastically participating in such
programs as the NEPGA’s Junior Tour and
Junior League, Mass Golf’s Youth on
Course and First Tee initiatives and
benefiting from strong support at their
clubs, both private and public.
The NEPGA’s Junior Tour is one
such success story.
Founded in 1995, it established
a goal to help develop younger
golfers, foster sportsmanship and provide
competitions at some of the region’s premier courses.
Brianna Sovring, NEPGA Junior Golf and Player
Development Manager since 2021, said the program has
enjoyed phenomenal growth.
More than 1000 kids take part, she said, and they can play
in as many or as few events as they and their parents want.
“We have a schedule of more than 100 tournaments this
season, starting in April and running through August. It’s a
really cool environment. There is no pressure. We’re here to
have fun and play golf.”
Participants are awarded points based on where they
finish in each event, earning 25 points for finishing first and
lesser amounts down the line. A Tour Championship is held
at the end of the summer, just before school
starts, and medals, awards and trophies
are handed out. A celebratory Awards
Banquet closes out the season.
Membership fee is $135.
Cost for each event is $45
($35 for 9-hole divisions).
Swag bags filled with all sorts
of goodies are included.
The Junior Tour is
open to all boys and girls
ages 9-21 who reside in
or are members of a
golf course, public or
private, that employs
a PGA professional.
Most courses offer
reasonably priced junior
memberships. The Boys 11
& under division and the Girls
13 & under division play 9 holes,
all others play 18 holes. Caddies are
not permitted, nor are spectators –
notably parents/grandparents – permitted
on the course.
Sovring herself benefited from junior events. Her dad
introduced her to the game when she was 7 years old. At age
12 she started playing on the PGA Junior Tour in New York
state, and made the high school team when she was in 7th
grade. Four years of college golf followed at State University
of New York at Cortland.
“There are many North Shore kids who stand out,” said
Sovring. Six of those young golfers are featured in this issue.
Turn to Page 17 to meet these shooting stars.
To sign up for the Junior Tour or to get more
information, go to https://www.nepgajuniortour.com/
junior/programs/nepgajt/index.html