Following on the heels of their resurrected junior golf program, the Sechelt Golf and Country Club (SG&CC) played host to its inaugural Junior Invitational tournament on Sept. 1 with great success.

Twenty-eight players from Vancouver, Gibsons and Sechelt took to the links with Trevor Smith from the SG&CC besting Sechelt junior club champion Cailean Hourigan in a two-hole playoff for the overall title.

“This event [Junior Invitational] was developed to spark competitive spirit and give junior golfers on the Coast the opportunity to compete at the highest level of competition,” said Sechelt assistant golf professional Mike Bertrand. “It also gives junior golfers the opportunity to compete against other kids from off the Coast, have fun and learn the rules of golf.”

The Junior Invitational had players ranging in age from five to 13 who played in a nine-hole fun group and players aged seven to 18 who played in a competitive 18-hole group.

The junior program at the SG&CC was resurrected this year by Bertrand and head professional Phil Krawczuk. New to the club from California and Chilliwack respectively, both pros saw the value in junior golf and were astounded by the lack of a program at the club.

“We had only four junior golfers and we quickly realized that there was a huge need for junior golf. Within one month, we went from four kids to 35 recognized junior golfers,” said Bertrand. “Our biggest goal is to have the best program in B.C. and we’re slowly on the way.”

A successful weekend golf camp was held in late July and the Tuesday junior golf night has been a hit with young players with a consistent group of 20 to 45 kids coming out every week.

“A strong junior program is very important for any club, but especially for us,” Bertrand said. “We’re isolated on the Coast and you have to take a ferry to get any marquee instruction. Our goal is to ultimately create a program where kids are learning at a young age and developing to start becoming adult players.”