The Osoyoos Junior Golf Development Program wrapped up a successful 2014 season this past weekend with a junior tournament on Saturday and junior-adult event on Sunday, which was followed by an awards presentation and dinner. Aidan Nelmes (left) from Osoyoos holds his championship trophy with runner-up Roanin Law in the boys 11-13 age division. (Lyonel Doherty photo)
A good time was had by all once again as the Osoyoos Junior Development Golf Program wrapped up for another season this past weekend.
More than 40 golfers from the ages of five to 16 signed up to learn the fundamentals of golf as well as sportsmanship, camaraderie and respect for the game this past summer, said program founder Bob Blount.
Blount and several other longtime members of the Osoyoos Golf Club first organized the junior program almost 20 years ago.
This past weekend, the program wrapped up with a junior tournament on Saturday and was followed by a Junior-Adult tournament on Sunday where parents got to play with their sons and daughters to see how far they have progressed over the summer.
Each and every child who completes the program receives a trophy and words of appreciation from Blount at the dinner and awards presentation Sunday evening.
“We ended up with 42 kids this year, which is a good number, but not the most we’ve had,” said Blount. “Because we get so many visitors to our town in the summer, some of the kids started the program and came out for several weeks, but weren’t able to stick around for the wrapup tournament and trophies.”
Blount said he could not run such a successful program without the assistance of some key individuals who go above and beyond the call of the duty to ensure the children have fun, improve their golf game and develop a passion for the game of golf at the same time.
Rick Harris has worked with him for the past several years in developing the program, while Ben Petreny and Scott Rausch again did a terrific job as junior instructors, said Blount.
“I would really like to thank these people because they put in a lot of hard work over the summer,” he said. “This program would not be the success it is without the help of some really good people.”
The Osoyoos Credit Union also deserves accolades for being a dedicated and committed sponsor for the program for the past several years, he said.
Blount said he continues to have fun running and promoting the program and confirmed it will return once again next summer.
“I’m still having a lot of fun so we’ll be back next year,” said Blount.
KEITH LACEY
Osoyoos Times
The Osoyoos Junior Golf Development Program wrapped up a successful 2014 season this past weekend with a junior tournament on Saturday and junior-adult event on Sunday, which was followed by an awards presentation and dinner. Vanessa Clauzel, a part-time resident of Osoyoos, won the junior championship trophy in the girls 12-14 division. At right is runner-up Alex Brunner from Osoyoos. (Lyonel Doherty photo)
Kieren Butt from Osoyoos makes a putt while his mother Diane Butt watches during the junior development/junior adult championship at Osoyoos Golf Club on August 24. (Lyonel Doherty photo)
The Osoyoos Junior Golf Development Program wrapped up a successful 2014 season this past weekend with a junior tournament on Saturday and junior-adult event on Sunday, which was followed by an awards presentation and dinner. Lenny Hachey (right) from Osoyoos proudly holds the Junior Linker championship trophy in the 12 and under division. Runner-up Crae Dawson from Osoyoos stands on the left. (Lyonel Doherty photo)
