Junior Golf in Northamptonshire

Eloise Feely, Jadon Pham and Josh Bodimeade’s reward for winning the Wellingborough Junior Open last summer was realised when they played a round with European Challenge Tour pro Ryan Evans at Harrowden Hall during half term.

Evans says it was a pleasure to offer the prize of playing 18 holes as he handed out some advice and tips to the next generation of golfers in Northamptonshire.

The 35-year-old, who has competed in the Open Championship and US Open, said: “The parents walked around with us and I was happy to answer any questions they had. I think everyone enjoyed the day – I certainly did.

“I was quite a late developer as a golfer, and didn’t really start playing until my mid to late teens, so they are all ahead of me in that regard. But hopefully this experience will help their golfing careers – I’m glad to help.”

Evans is keen to offer a similar prize for the winners of the gross and net competitions in the 2023 Wellingborough Junior Open, which will be held on Thursday, August 10th.

The competition is one of a series of junior events being held in Northamptonshire during the year as boys and girls are being handed a unique chance to test their skills on a variety of courses.

Collingtree Park, Northampton, Peterborough Milton, Northants County and Cold Ashby will all be holding Junior Opens as part of the NGL Junior Order of Merit.

Overstone Park are expected to announce a date for their Junior Open, Wellingborough are also hosting the County Junior Championships in mid-May, while Kettering is the venue for the Grand Final in September.

But for the first time in history, the two most prominent junior golf tours in the region have worked together with the local clubs to offer more opportunities for young golfers of all ages and abilities to play at different Northants venues in 2023.

The Shires Junior Golf Tour are holding events at Brampton Heath on Sunday, March 26th, Rushden on Sunday, May 28th and Silverstone on Sunday, June 18th, while the Northamptonshire Masters takes place at Kingsthorpe on Sunday, August 27th.

With the British Junior Golf Tour hosting a competition at Oundle on Sunday, May 7th, plus an event at Northants County in the summer, boys and girls can now compete this season at more than half the local courses.

For more details of all the junior competitions in Northamptonshire, and throughout the country, visit www.progressjuniorgolf.com.