It’s becoming increasingly common to see the names of young golfers appearing in the Euroa Golf Club results each week.
The surge in junior participation reflects years of careful planning and community support and it’s a trend that club members, families, and supporters are proud to see.
For Matthew Mills, both a player and a father, the progress of Euroa’s juniors is particularly heartening.
“It’s great to see so many juniors getting involved," he said.
"They’re really committed and it’s rewarding to watch their skills develop week by week."
Latest Stories
Over a decade ago, Euroa Golf Club recognised that its junior numbers were dwindling compared to previous years.
In response, the club implemented a range of programs aimed at attracting and developing young golfers.
These include “try golf” days, group clinics, primary school programs, and a dedicated junior competition held in the summer months over the past five to six years.
Gail Allen, supported by other club members, has played a pivotal role in driving these initiatives.
Her dedication to coaching and mentoring young players has helped the club steadily grow its junior participation.
Developing from a complete beginner to a competitive junior golfer takes time, patience, and structured support.
Euroa Golf Club offers a welcoming environment where juniors can simply enjoy hitting balls with friends after school or on weekends.
For those ready to take the next step, coaching programs are available, most recently led by Rhiannon Matthews from Shepparton, catering to both beginners and developing players.
Once a junior obtains a handicap, they are encouraged to enter competitions and progressively work on improving their game.
The club also integrates juniors into pennant competitions in autumn, providing opportunities to test their skills against other clubs.
This year, Sam Mills and Jackson Walker both represented the club in pennant play, gaining valuable competitive experience.
Twilight Golf on Friday nights offers another relaxed avenue for juniors, with nine hole games fostering competition in a fun, low pressure setting.
Recent standout Alex Burton took home the win at a Twilight session, marking him as one to watch.
Family and community support are crucial for junior development.
Matthew Mills notes, “In any sport, encouragement from parents is key, and at Euroa, we see our juniors benefiting from the guidance and support of members, making them feel welcome and part of the club.”
Currently, the club boasts around 175 members with handicaps, including 12 juniors actively competing.
Many more juniors are simply enjoying the game socially, and the club remains open to welcoming new members of all ages.
Golf offers more than just physical activity, it teaches patience, perseverance, emotional control, and social etiquette.
Players learn to accept setbacks, work on improving their skills, and experience the satisfaction of navigating a challenging course.
An 18 hole round can cover close to 10km of walking, making it excellent for both physical fitness and mental wellbeing.
For children new to the game, the club encourages them to come out and have a hit on a Sunday or after school.
Junior membership costs just $70 per year, providing exceptional value for money.
Families can follow the Euroa Golf Club on Facebook or contact the club via email to learn about upcoming clinics, events, and the junior competition program, which will resume when school goes back in early 2026.
Looking ahead, the club hopes to continue growing its junior numbers, particularly encouraging more girls to join the competitive ranks.
With talented players like Grace Eddy and Bethan Burton already making their mark, the future looks bright for Euroa’s junior golfers.
The key, the club emphasizes, is fostering a love of the game.
As long as the kids are challenged, having fun, and motivated to improve, Euroa Golf Club is confident that junior golf will continue to flourish.
