U18 Rookie League ( Manager Steve McNeill )
Starting in 2016 the Rookie League has been expanded to include an U18 League ( U15 to U18 ) so as to get more players gaining match play experience . A player can only play in their age group ie . An U14 cannot be part of a Clubs U18 team .
With 12 Clubs entering this inaugural year they were separated into four zones of three , and as per the U14 ’ s once underway there were some very close and competitive matches in this zone stage . Once completed the winning from each Zone qualified for the semi-finals at Pyrford Golf Club . The semifinalist ’ s were ; Shirley Park , Wimbledon Park , Wentworth and Cuddington .
Being played at the same time as the U14 semi ’ s the standard of the golf on show by this older age group was also incredibly good .
The teams winning through to the final were Shirley Park and Wentworth .
In the final the standard was again top notch with both teams battling and never giving up an inch of ground ! In the end the Wentworth team ran out the winners 2-0 to claim the inaugral U18 trophy .
Congratulations to Wentworth the 2016 U18 Rookie League Winners and congratulations to all the players who took part and represented their clubs so well .
A special mention and thank you must be given to Pyrford who for the fourth year in succession have hosted the Quarter Final , Semi Final & Final of the Rookie League .
RookieTour by Bob Lacey
The NIKEGOLF ROOKIETOUR was created to broaden the competitive experience of the Under 14 age group of boys and girls within Surrey .
RookieTour Committee : Steve McNeill ( Chair ), Peter Barratt , Lis Hobday , Dan McSweeney , Paul Olrog , Kerry Olrog , Barry Gadd , Brian Woodham , Peter Millham , Graham Finney , Bob Lacey
The Tour aims to :
• Act as a player pathway to the mainstream junior opens
• Provide a competitive element appropriate to age
• Give competitive experience outside of home clubs
• Build team spirit and friendship within peer group
• Give an entry route to competition for boys and girls with or without handicaps
• Allow identification of talent for Surrey coaching and Surrey junior teams
• Provide fun through structured competition on both 9 hole par 3 courses and full 18 hole competitions
From its conception in 2007 the tour continues to develop and evolve and 2016 was no exception . The 2016 tour saw an average entry of 105 players per event . The Young Improvers Group ( YIGS ) for those U13 boys and girls who are just starting out , saw average event entries of 44 players .
YIGS are boys and girls who either don ’ t have a handicap or have a “ club ” handicap of 37 to 54 . YIGS competitions are played over 9 hole par 3 courses . Regards handicaps the players are given a YIGS RookieTour playing handicap that is managed by the tour and only valid in a RookieTour YIGS event .
On the main RookieTour the Birdie Trophy , the innovation of Junior committee member Peter Barratt who kindly donated the trophy , is awarded to the player who scores the highest number of gross birdies in RookieTour events throughout the season . The 2016 winner was Shergo Kurdi with 19 gross birdies
In 2016 the Sinclair Salver , introduced in memory of long time RookieTour supporter Mike Sinclair , is awarded by the RookieTour Committee to the player who they believe has best demonstrated good etiquette and upheld the traditions of golf throughout the year . The 2016 winner was Jack Kurzberg , who demonstrated these qualities in abundance during the course of the season .
Without doubt the NikeGolf RookieTour is now regarded as a major series of events on the calendar of every Surrey U14 golfer .
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