Fourteen year old golfer Jack White, scored a hole in one during the 4th round of junior pennants at Branxton on Sunday 5 February, 2012. Jack, a 16 marker from The Vintage aced the 4th hole when his trusty five iron found the target on the 128m hole. Jack was frustrated when his ball could not be found over the green, but it soon turned to elation when one of his playing partners found the ball in the hole.

Jack then proceeded to demolish his opponent to the tune of 6 & 4. Jack will receive a small memento in recognition of his ace at the annual pennant dinner.

The 2012 Junior Championships will be hosted by Branxton Golf Club on Sunday 11 March, 2012, with players vying for the coveted Dave Parkinson Shield (closed event). Entries are open to juniors & colts (girls and boys) from outside the our District, as it is a qualifying round for the JNJGF State Age Championships.

The Championship follows the Branxton Open, so the course will be in tip top condition. Those juniors wishing to play a practice round will be welcome to enter the Branxton Open.

Click here to download the entry form.

The 2012 pennant series is now in full swing with all grades now playing. Follow your team's progress by clicking on the pennants TAB to the left and selecting your grade.,

ABERDEEN COME & TRY DAY

The District endeavours to have Clubs arrange their "come & try " days to encourage new members is bearing fruit, if the day arranged by Aberdeen is any indication. Branxton & Paterson have been running their days for some time now, but if the enthusiasm shown at Aberdeen is any indication, golf will certainly grow in the area. Below is an excerpt from the report submitted by Craig Symington, who was instrumental in organising the day.

"Our day was a huge hit with the kids and the weather was great. Fourteen kids turned out, of which six were girls and they had so much fun they did not want to stop. I had them hitting tennis balls, high bounce rubber balls, pvc yellow golf balls and then real golf balls. We hit to a target area similar to the course that we did, we had chipping, bunker shots and putting. They loved the putting as you will see in the photos. We hit full and half shots to our target area and finished off with long drive shots. Two of the parents were a great help, Jason Hallett and Gerard Partridge, I let them do the warm up and down as I am not much good on stretches. From set up to pack up 4 hours had passed in no time. I would also like to thank my wife for cooking the sausage sizzle."

Check the photo below. This young fellow has the potential looking at his swing. The back swing is almost in the correct position, eye is over the ball, the left knee is bent in and he is ready to launch the downswing.     l

 If all clubs put in the effort & have the same success with their days, then golf in the Hunter will have a healthy future.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The District AGM was held at Muswellbrook on Sunday 27 November, 2011. Due preceding heavy rain the usual novelty ambrose was cancelled, but the meeting proceeded.

The District had another successful year financially and as a result did not increase the annual affiliation fee for male members, remaining at $5.90 + GST.

The Committee was re-elected apart from Tony Chapman & Andy Matthews from Muswellbrook, who did not seek re-election. Thanks to both gentleman for their past services.

NATHAN WATERS COUNTRY CHAMP

Fresh out of the junior ranks Nathan Waters claimed his first State title with a win in the Golf NSW Country Championships, staged at Queanbeyan Golf Club at the weekend. Nathan played super golf around the demanding layout to fire one under par for the 36 hole event over the two days to win by one shot from Alex Pitty from the Central Coast.

The selector punted on youth (5 of the selected players were 18 years or younger) and came up trumps with a winner in Nathan and the junior team winning the Teams event on a countback. The Senior team led after the opening round by 6 shots, but fell away on the Sunday to finish in 4th place.

Click here to view the report and results.

BRADY BUNCH

Following in the footsteps of Hayden's Heroes, team Captain Brady Benkovic led his team to victory in the Junior 4 Way event for the Col Johnston Shield. hosted by Kurri on the 5 & 6 November, 2011. This event is contested by future stars of golf in each District for the purpose of blooding them for the step up to representative golf.

The team went through the round robin 9 hole match play series undefeated. In the final round they were up against the Lower North Coast, who had also recorded two from two. On Sunday morning the Hunter boys accounted for the opposition 5 matches to 2, to claim the  Col Johnston Shield for the second year in a row.

When the full results are to hand they will be posted on the website.

Community Golf Coaches Course

Hunter River DGA    23^rd Oct 2011

Eight enthusiastic participants from the Hunter River DGA undertook the Jack Newton Junior Golf Community Golf Coaches Course at Maitland on Sunday the 23^rd October. The aim of the course is to give volunteers ideas and instruction on how to conduct and assist with the delivery of junior and beginner programs at their club. Either working with their Local Golf Professional or setting up a Junior Program themselves the course provides participants with the necessary tools to assist them with growing and developing their young juniors which will hopefully flow into increased club membership. All participants gained Level 1 Coaching Accreditation with the Australian Sports Commission. It was great to see a current and former JNJG junior undertaking the course and with the support from the district it is clear that the Hunter River DGA is right behind wanting to promote and expand Junior Golf. JNJG has recently appointed Mark Ingrey as a Territory Manager for the area and he will be working closely with schools, clubs and the Community Coaches to coordinate positive junior programs

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Attendees: Ben Stokes, Nathan Bagnall (Singleton), Peter & Nicolas Payne, John Stewart (The Oaks), Craig Symington (Aberdeen), Bobby Walker, Robert Scarr (Maitland), Mark Ingrey, Ross Abbott & Sharon Nott (JNJG)

A special thanks to Robert Scarr (District President) who coordinated the day and Maitland Golf Club for providing the venue.

Further information on Community Coaching Courses or Junior Programs please email jnjng@jnjg.com or for information about Junior Programs in the Hunter / Newcastle area contact Mark Ingrey mark@jnjg.com

The District will be arranging a further Community Coaching course, in 2012, for those Clubs who could not attend this course.

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Click here to read the latest golf news from iseekgolf

Mar 10 - Branxton Open

Mar 11 - Hunter River DGA Junior Championships - Branxton

Mar 24 - 25 - Baker Trinder Shield - Moree

April 15 - Stroud Open

April 29 - HRDGA vs CCDGA - The Springs

****************** THE 2012 FIXTURE LIST HAS BEEN UPLOADED TO THE WEBSITE. CLICK ON THE PROGRAMME TAB TO VIEW THE FULL CALENDAR OF GOLF FOR 2012.