Young golfers urged to enter US Kids Golf European Championships

The U.S. Kids Golf European Championships are returning to Scotland again this year and the cream of young golfers from across the planet are being urged to sign up.

Entries are currently being sought from young golfers across Europe for the tournament, which will see around 500 of the best junior players from around the world competing on five historic East Lothian links courses. 

Organised by the U.S. Kids Golf Foundation – which provides opportunities for children across the world to learn and play golf and to forge new friendships – the competition will see players as young as six years old challenging for the European Champion titles in various age group.

Participants from countries including the United States, Canada and Australia, as well as from Europe and the Far East, are expected to travel to Scotland for the event.

Dan Van Horn, president and founder of U.S. Kids Golf, said: “Since our inaugural event in 2008, the European Championship has continued to grow in strength and has now become one of the highlights of the junior golf calendar.

“Despite their age, the skill of these players is unbelievable and I am sure many of them will not only go on to become competent golfers, but possibly even the Lee Westwoods and Rory McIlroys of tomorrow. 

“East Lothian is also a very special location for U.S. Kids Golf and the historic courses always provide a great challenge for all of our competitors. We’re still looking for entrants from around the world for the 2011 event, so hopefully there will be a full international field of competitors competing on the links this summer.

“I’m sure the standard of play this year will, as ever, be superb and we will see some close matches between our young competitors.”

Entries from young people aged six to 18 are currently being sought for this year’s event, which takes place from May 31 to June 2 on five historic courses – Gullane No. 2, Gullane No. 3, Craigielaw Golf Club, Luffness New Golf Club and Longniddry Golf Club. The courses are modified for each age group in order to provide the same level challenge, meaning holes are progressively shorter as the age groups get younger.  It ultimately allows the players to reach the greens in the same number of strokes as the top pros on the PGA tour.

The top finishers in each category will compete in the Van Horn Cup over Gullane No 1 – a showpiece event, modelled on the Ryder Cup, where the best European players are matched up against the top golfers from the rest of the world.  The top five finishers in each age and gender group also automatically receive an invitation to the U.S. Kids Golf World Championships at Pinehurst Golf Club, North Carolina, in August.

Tournament co-ordinator Alasdair Good, head professional at Gullane GC, said: “I’m delighted that the event is once again coming to East Lothian, and that we will be able to see some of the Major-winners of tomorrow competing on our links.

“The championship provides not only an impressive showcase of golf in Scotland, but also the emerging talent from the rest of the world. I’ll guarantee no one will be disappointed at the golf they will see.”