Golf: Young guns qualify for nationals

There is a high level of competition.

The Wyatt-Logans are starting to get a bit of a name as a golfing whanau, with Kendall Wyatt-Logan being one of four Northlanders to qualify for the National Junior Tiger competition next month.

Nine-year-old Kendall won the 11-and-under girls' division at the Northland District Qualifier, just as sister Taylor did last year in the 12-14 year category.

Described as a "great little competitor" by Golf Northland development manager Michael Macdonald, the Whangaroa Golf Club member will be joined at the nationals in Manawatu next month by Hamish Manderson (Northland), Soktaerodh Sean (Northland) and Christopher Shepherd (Whangarei)

The quartet of Northlanders qualified on Sunday at the Northland Golf Club, on a day which involved 53 young Northland golfers.

"She is a great little competitor," Macdonald said of Kendall. "And is still just 9 years of age, and following in the footsteps of her sister Taylor who represented Northland [at the National Junior Tiger competition] as the 12-14 year winner last year.

"It is always fun to see a new generation of talented golfers emerging and the support of family and friends on the day is just amazing."

Macdonald added that there was a high level of competition, as both under-11 titles were decided by play-offs.

"Kenny [Wyatt-Logan] and Hamish [Manderson, winners of under-11 titles] both handled themselves admirably under the pressure with large galleries watching on, each prevailed on the second hole of sudden death."

Macdonald also noted the contribution of a number of Northland's older juniors on the day.

"We are lucky to have a number of young guys who are willing to give back to the game that has given them a lot.

"Last year's national final winner Julian Fowler (Northland) was on site all day and spoke at prizegiving about his experience of representing New Zealand at the Junior World Champs in 2013, and New Zealand Amateur Champion Kadin Neho was on hand to present the prizes.

Junior Tiger is a New Zealand Golf initiative designed to promote the game to young people as an affordable and accessible sport.

"It is great to see that many players starting out playing golf who played the first Junior Tiger event are back again playing Junior Tiger this year, "said Liz McKinnon the New Zealand Golf high performance coordinator.

McKinnon said that there are a number of players who have gone on from Junior Tiger to achieve great things in golf.

"Lydia Ko is a great example who was a national winner in 2009 and is now one of the leading players in the world of golf."