Region’s juniors have their own race to Dubai

Mar 27 2011 by Tim Taylor, Sunday Sun

ALL junior members of every club in Durham County have their own version of the European Tour’s Race to Dubai this season . . . the inaugural Race 2 Rockliffe.

The first of 11 Order of Merit tournaments tees off in three week’s time with the series leading up to the Grand Final at Rockliffe Hall on September 11.

Welcoming the new event, Rockliffe head professional Tom Godwin, pictured, said: “This is a great idea.

“The youngsters will be playing competitive golf in a format that will make them feel like European Tour players.”

The leading 10 players in both gross and net categories go forward to the grand final at Rockliffe and Mizuno are offering prizes to the overall champion and runners-up. Former Gleneagles man Godwin said: “It will help the youngsters realise that to be successful at golf you need consistency throughout each round in order to get to the bigger goal.

“The phrase ‘live in the moment’ is so true, especially if you are halfway round, playing well and working out what you are going to say in your victory speech. Then the next shot you smack it out of bounds!

“The best plan is to break the round into three-hole sections and set yourself a score goal for each section.

“Depending on your handicap, this could be one over through the first three holes, two over for the next three and one over the next three and so on.

“All of a sudden you are four over through nine holes, the brain finds it less intimidating to think in these small sections.

“The main thing to remember is that golf is a great game, so go out and enjoy yourselves!”

The event is open to any junior club member in Durham County with a CONGU Handicap (maximum 28 boys, 36 girls).

RACE 2 ROCKLIFFE: April 18: DCJGS Spring Meeting, Seaton Carew, May 2: DCJGS Green & Crombie Trophy, Darlington, June 1: Junior Open, Billingham, July 25: Junior Open, Houghton-le-Spring, August 4: Junior Open, Chester-le-Street, August 9 : DCJGS Euro Cup, South Moor, August 12: Junior Open, Bishop Auckland, August 15: Junior Open, Boldon, August 24: Junior Open, Wearside, August 25: Junior Open, Tyneside, August 29 : Junior Open, Durham City. V FOR free registration to the Race 2 Rockliffe, visit www.durhamgolfpartnership.com