Golf: Lothians kids can take on the world

YOUNG Lothians golfers have been challenged to test themselves against some of the best juniors in the world.

Organisers of the US Kids Golf European Championship want to see a strong local contingent in the field when the event returns to East Lothian in June.

"We're delighted to be coming back to East Lothian once again to stage the US Kids Golf European Championship but we are still looking for competitors from across East Lothian and the rest of Scotland to enter the tournament," said Dan Van Horn, President and founder of US Kids Golf.

"Last year's event was a tightly-contested tournament and I expect the standard of play at this year's event to be even better.

"The skill of the players really has to be seen to be believed. Despite their age, these players demonstrate great poise, balance and professionalism and are a credit to the game.

I am sure that many of these youngsters will be go on to become at the very least competent golfers, but possibly even the Rory McIlroy's of tomorrow." The tournament has become one of the highlights of the junior golf calendar and will likely see around 500 players from 30 countries competing over Gullane No.2, Gullane No.3, Craigielaw and Longniddry on 1-3 June.

Kids as young as six and – for the first time – up to the age of 18 will be challenging for the various titles and the top finishers in each category will then compete in the Van Horn Cup over Gullane No.1 – an event modelled on the Ryder Cup, where the best European players are pitted against the top non-Europe golfers.

The top five finishers in each age and gender group also automatically receive an invitation to the US Kids Golf World Championships at Pinehurst, North Carolina, in August.

"2010 is a big year for golf in Scotland, especially with the Open Championship taking place at St Andrews," said Tournament Co-ordinator Alasdair Good, the head pro at Gullane.

"However, in terms of the overall number of entrants, the US Kids Golf European Championship will actually be the biggest tournament taking place in Scotland this year – as there may be around 500 players competing. We're going to see some of the world's best young golfers in action over four days and the standard will be exceptionally high. I've no doubt that we could even see a few major winners of the future among the field of competitors."