CJGA Provides Opportunities For Female Golfers Of All Skill Levels
by Denise Corcoran

Junior golfers can learn the basics or use events as pathways to collegiate or professional level golf. The Canadian Junior Golf Association (CJGA) offers exciting opportunities for female golfers aged 5 to 19 who wish to learn the basics of golf and compete Ð with the possibility of someday earning a college golf scholarship.

The CJGA is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering the growth of competitive junior golf in Canada and offers youth venues for competition. It provides high-quality coaching and competition for junior golfers, including those who cannot afford golf equipment or instruction.

Females aged 5 to 13 can enroll in the Jr. Linkster program, where they participate in events and clinics to learn foundational skills in the game of golf, such as proper etiquette.

"For younger females, (the Jr. Linkster program) gives them an opportunity to become involved in the game of golf. It's a fun, laid-back environment to encourage juniors to get involved and take the game up," explains Brad Parkins, chief operations officer of the CJGA.

The Jr. Linkster Tour involves both executive nine-hole and 18-hole courses. Yardages are played according to age division. Females aged 9 years and under play nine holes with yardage ranging from 1,350 to 1,800 yards. Females aged 10 to 13 play 18 holes with yardage ranging from 4,500 to 5,200 yards.

The CJGA holds qualifying events for US Kids World Golf Championships, and the Junior World Golf Championships.

Time spent by junior golfers in the Jr. Linkster program provides a pathway to CJGA Junior Tour multi-day events, which have higher degrees of professionalism, structure and competition. Females aged 11 to 19 can compete.

"At the junior level, we provide a competitive atmosphere. Many junior golfers have aspirations to obtain a U.S. college scholarship and use our program as a vehicle to excel themselves and increase their visibility to colleges," says Parkins.

While many female junior golfers aim to obtain a college golf scholarship, others view Junior Tour events as opportunities to gain the physical and mental skills necessary to compete on professional tours. The organization has produced golfers of immense talent, such as CJGA alumnus Alena Sharp. London Ontario Golf is a proud supporter of Alena. Visit her corner here at the Women's Section. Sharp's skill in golf led to a scholarship at New Mexico State University. She is currently an LPGA player.

In all, Junior Tour events last two to four days and are played on championship courses across Canada with course yardage between 5,400 to 5,800 yards.

While the CJGA Junior Tour event schedule includes various championship events for elite junior golfers and international qualifying events for CJGA Team Canada teams, female junior golfers of all abilities are encouraged to participate. Enrollment is not limited by a minimum handicap; golfers must simply possess a love of golf and basic knowledge of game rules.

London hosts a CJGA event this season. It's part of the Nike Junior Golf Series Ð and Stephen Ames Cup Qualifying event. Greenhills CC plays host May 29 and 30.

So, come on, ladies, what are you waiting for? Get involved with the CJGA today!

Denise Cocoran is a recent graduate of the Corporate Communication & Public Relations grad program at Fanshawe College of Applied Arts & Technology.

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