PINEHURST, N.C. (July 20, 2006) – For three days they’ll walk in the shadow of some of golf’s greatest names, including Snead, Nicklaus, Stewart and Sorenstam, each of whom won major championships in the surrounding North Carolina Sandhills. Judging from the credentials and promise of many of the participants in the 2006 U.S. Kids Golf World Championship, who’s to say they won’t return one day to make history of their own?
"Even at a young age, these are already great players and many have the potential to be among the game’s elite as they get older," said U.S. Kids Golf president Dan Van Horn, who started this event seven years ago and has seen it grow to become the world’s largest golf tournament for kids 4 to 12.
The field includes 960 players from 47 U.S. states and 33 countries who will compete on six area courses – three at Pinehurst Resort, Mid Pines GC, Talamore Golf Resort and Midland CC – which will be shortened to gender- and age-appropriate lengths (between 1,100 and 5,600 yards). The competition is divided into 12 age and gender groups. Following practice rounds and opening ceremonies on July 26, the three-day stroke play event begins on July 27. Rounds are nine or 18 holes per day, depending on age group.
The tournament continues to take on an international flavor with 222 players from outside the U.S. in this year’s field. International players won six of the 12 competitive categories in 2005. In addition to the individual play, boys and girls team champions also will be crowned. North Carolina is the defending boys champion; California-South won last year’s girls team title and will be going for its third straight win this year.
The U.S. Kids Golf World Cup will be held on July 30 on Pinehurst No. 2 with the top 12-year-olds from the World Championship squaring off in a U.S. vs. international match-play event.
Since even the world’s best young players enjoy more than golf, the Pinehurst area has planned a week’s worth of festivities for their entertainment, including street fairs with games, food and music. "This is a community celebration," said Jeffrey Sheer of the Southern Pines Business Association. "We’re hoping to have a crowd to welcome these visitors and offer a true sense of Southern hospitality."
Contact:
Bill Bryant
(678) 366-3232
bbryant@bryantmarcomm.com
