JUNIOR GOLF HITS A SWEET SPOT IN HARBOR HILLS BY NIKKI HOFFMAN
Junior golf programs have been an essential avenue for young golfers who love the game. In addition to learning new skills, golf teaches kids valuable life lessons including respect, honesty and integrity.Keith and Fiona McColl spent most of their working lives at St. Andrews in Scotland, golf’s birthplace. In 2018, they left their beloved St. Andrews for a new life in Florida. In 2019, the McColls began operating the Claret Junior Tour from their home base in The Villages. They help develop junior golfers with year-round play in a competitive and supportive environment. Entry fees are always family-affordable.In 2022, the Claret Junior Tour hosted 37 days of tournaments, welcomed more than 1,000 player entries and played 17 venues. Harbor Hills now feels like a “home” venue for this junior tour. This year, with the financial assistance of local sponsorships, five boys and girls aged 10-16 were awarded Claret Tour annual scholarships. These scholarships entitle each junior to play all tournaments at no cost.On December 31st, Harbor Hills hosts the tour once again with a unique FUNdraiser team scramble event. Each team will consist of three adults and one Claret junior! The tournament is open to all. To add to the fun, step back in time and play nearest the pin using a 100 year-old Hickory shaft club and a period style golf ball!There will be a raffle and opportunity to bid on unique items including some from the 150th Open Championship held recently at St. Andrews.YOU can help junior golf development in our community. You can enter individually or as a team of three adults. Hole sponsorships are available and even opportunities to sponsor a junior player in 2023. For full information, visit claretjuniortour.com or contact Keith at 716-436-8691.