There are just 3 weeks to go to the 2013 KeNako SA World Juniors tournament. People often overlook the impact of a tournament of this magnitude.

The tournament is pre-publicized by the World Junior Golf Series at all other WJGS tournaments throughout the previous year and in all countries with young golf players interested in competing on a bigger stage. In addition, KeNako SA World Juniors representatives are invited to make presentations to players, coaches, managers and parents at different events through the year. At such presentations it is not only the high quality tournament that is ‘sold’, but also reasons why people should take the time to travel to South Africa. DVD presentations with accompanying local music make a huge impact. Due to its geographic location South Africa is a long distance haul for most players so it would be easy for players to prefer to leave the South African leg of the WJGS off their schedule.

Perceptions of South Africa amongst people who have never previously visited the country can be quite negative, especially relating to crime. Then there are some countries that still have the impression that there are wild animals roaming freely around the country! It is only after arriving in the country and seeing the beauty of the Garden Route and the First World infrastructure that people’s opinions are changed and then they cannot get enough of the splendour of South Africa.

From a golf perspective the KeNako SA World Juniors is now recognized as one of the top junior golf tournaments in the world. The tournament is played as a junior ‘Major’, with all players staying in a local hotel that is set up as a golf village for the week of the event. Players are ferried to and from the golf course and to evening functions. They are really made to feel special. The KeNako SA World Juniors offers local junior players an opportunity to compete against their international counterparts but also an opportunity to get a taste of what it will be like if they one day succeed as professional golfers on the world stage.

The tournament counts towards the South African U19 National Order of Merit and it also carries maximum points for the WJGS world rankings.

The exciting thing for South Africa and South African Junior Golf is that players from about 20 countries of the world have confirmed their participation in this years tournament. What wonderful exposure for South African and golf in South Africa.

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Cara Cynthia Magda

Message from Women’s Golf South Africa
Cynthia Rayner, President of Womens Golf South Africa, expressed her delight at the number of international players who will be competing in this year’s Kenako World Juniors at Kingswood Golf Estate next month. “WGSA is sponsoring our top 6 junior girls as well as 2 development players to participate in this event, and we know that our girls are relishing being able to test their skills against international competition” said Cynthia.

Cynthia also noted that last year’s winner, Lara Weinstein who now falls outside the official WGSA junior ranks because of her age but who still qualifies to play in the KeNako SA World Juniors, will be hard to beat especially now that she has her matric year behind her and can focus exclusively on golf.

WGSA will put forward 4 teams and hope to take top honours in the team event, even if the Australians who won the team event in 2011 are considered the favourites. Womens Golf SA welcomes the South African leg of the World Junior Golf Series and appreciates the opportunity afforded to showcase our top junior golfers.[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]