US Kids 2012 - ENTER NOW !

EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP 

2012 U.S. Kids Golf European ChampionshipJune 5-7, 2012
Gullane, East Lothian, Scotland

The world’s best young golfers ages 5-18 descend upon East Lothian, Scotland for the prestigious U.S. Kids Golf European Championship.  More than 450 players from 30 nations compete in Europe’s premier junior tournament to showcase the next generation of golfing stars.  The championship is held on Scotland’s historic golf courses in East Lothian, including Gullane, Craigielaw and Longniddry.

More info http://www.uskidsgolf.com/eng/europeanChampionship/redirect.cfm?sectionID=b2c/tournaments/tournamentEventsHome.cfm&type=ec&location_id=4871

THE VAN HORN CUP

2012 U.S. Kids Golf 
Van Horn Cup
June 8, 2012

The Van Horn Cup will be contested at Gullane Golf Club on Course No. 1. Please visit the Van Horn Cup page for more information.

US Kids World Championships - Pinehurst

Both Brodie and Charlotte have had a fantastic experience over in Pinehurst !

Please see the US Kids website for details

In tough alien conditions ( rain delays making the courses play long ) both improved round by round with Charlotte shooting 89,85,83 for 257 in the Girls 11 and Brodie finishing with an amazing  4 over par score in his last round ( pleasing his Daddy caddy no-end ! ) for 83, 81, 76 for 240 in the Boys 12.

Charlotte coped well despite her clubs only showing up just before her first round and is itching to go back !

A great experience for all including the Dads !!

US KIDS VIDEO by GOLFING WORLD

Charlotte @ The US Kids

“Meeting competitors from all over the world was a great opportunity to make new friends that I may be playing with in the future.

Being interviewed by BBC Scotland was very nerve wracking but fun at the same time.

The tough weather conditions with strong winds made the greens very hard to putt on making the rounds much more difficult but a good challenge.

I am delighted to have finished in fourth place, only 8 shots away from the leaders.

Partnering with Alexis Monet Flores in the Van Horn cup for the 12 year old girls was a great experience and a perfect way to improve my golf.

The tournament was well organised and the course was very well looked after.

I am really looking forward to playing in the U.S Kids World Championships at Pinehurst in August 2011.”

Charlotte with her US Kids Trophy

TEAM GULLANE ROUND UP - DAY 3

Team Gullane Watch - all had a great week and did very well ! Two 4th places is a great achievement 

For full results click here


Alexander Wilson 15-18 yo Boys @ Luffness  - finiished with a 77 for 232 and 4th position 

Henry Anderson - 14 yo Boys @ Luffness 76 followed by 87 and then 81 for 20th position

Noel Anderson - 14 yo Boys @ Luffness - an excellent 78 following his 81 and a final round 82 for 242 - to secure 19th position and I suspect more importantly to secure the family bragging rights of the day 

Charlotte Munro 11 yo Girls @ Gullane 3 - another 80 for 242 overall  - finished in 4th position and enjoyed a great week 

Brodie Good 12 yo Boys @ Gullane 2 - a final 82 for 242 overall and 36th place in a large and very competitive age group 

Dominic Foos - 13 yo Boys @ Gullane 2 - 65 followed by 74 and then 72  for 211 overall - winning by 10 shots in lead - 5900 yard course in the wind - fantastic scores by our Honorary Member from 2010 and who  has been awarded Honorary Membership for 2011 once again 

THE VAN HORN CUP RESULTS

2011 U.S. Kids Golf Van Horn Cup
June 3, 2011

2011 Van Horn Cup Results

Western Europe won the day 8-5 keeping Captain Good's 100% record intact - click on the link for full results 

Our very own 11 yo Charlotte Munro from Gullane guested for the International Team - up against Samantha Fuller 12 yo - suggest google her for more info ! 

Girls 12 

Alexis Monet Flores – Guatemala & Charlotte Munro – United Kingdom lost by One hole to Samantha Fuller – United Kingdom & Chloe Caron – France

The Van Horn Cup will be contested at Gullane Golf Club on Course No. 1. The top two Western European and top two International finishers in the Boys 9 through 15-18 and and Girls 10 through 15-18 age groups will compete for their respective teams. The competition will be team match play within each age group. One point is awarded for a win and one half point is earned for a tie. The team with the most points upon completion of play will be awarded the Van Horn Cup.

Players from the following countries will represent the Western Europe team: Belgium, Denmark, Germany, France, Ireland, Italy, Isle of Man, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom. Players from all other countries will compete for the International team. The map below provides a visual representation of the country divide.

Van Horn Cup

Final Score: Western Europe 8; International 5

It was another beautiful day in Scotland. The sun was shining brightly, there was hardly any wind and the spirit of the game and friendly competition was again in the atmosphere in Gullane. Course No. 1 was looking its best for the Van Horn Cup. Captains John Godwin and Alasdair Good were ready to fight it out again for and the pride of taking home the Cup.

After 2010 finished with a 13-0 shutout victory for the European squad, the International Team was bent on revenge in 2011. With their heads held up high, the latter bunch put up a strong fight, but it was too little to silence the defending champs.

Most matches came down to the wire, some of which ended on the final hole. Up until the very end, it was anybody’s call as to whether it would be the Western European or International squad that took home the coveted Van Horn Cup.

Boys 9: Fritz/Vorster (Int’l) vs. Craddock/Schwartz (W.E.) – Halved

The Boys 9 match was one of the most exciting matches of the day, featuring birdies on nearly every hole. The two teams were all square through the first six holes, and neither side gained more than a 1-up advantage throughout the day. When it looked like the International team was going to take the victory – approaching the 18^th green 1-up – the Western European team managed a 25-foot putt for birdie to end the match all square.

Girls 10: Holpfer/Chocholova (Int’l) vs. Oboh/Guest (W.E.) – Halved

This was a devastating loss for the International side. Holpfer and Chocholova enjoyed the lead for eleven holes and only fell behind once after the 8^th hole. But like the first match, Oboh and Guest were able to tie it up on the last hole.

Boys 10: Tournemire/Goldfarb (Int’l) def. Peerbooms/Hermes (W.E.) – 3 & 2

Tournemire and Goldfarb caught fire on the fifth hole and never once looked back, as Hermes and Peerbooms never gained the advantage in the match. The International team won 3-up with two holes to play.

Girls 11: Macgarvie/Lewis (W.E.) def. Martincova/Rosslee (Int’l) – 4 & 3

The Girls 11 match seemed the exact opposite of the Boys 10 match. Macgarvie and Lewis took the lead on the 3^rd hole and the International team was never able to break their hold on the match, which was only all-square for the first two holes. The Western European team won 4-up with three holes to play.

Boys 11: Germishuys/Armstrong (Int’l) def. Harries/Gerrish (W.E.) – 2 & 1

The Boys 11 match was controlled by the International team all along. Germishuys and Armstrong took the lead on the 2^nd hole and spent most of the match between two and three holes ahead of their opponents. Harries and Gerrish were never able to bring it back to all-square, and the International side clinched the victory 2-up with one hole left to play.

Girls 12: Fuller/Caron (W.E.) def. Flores/Telfer (Int’l) – 1 UP

Fuller and Caron won the first hole of the Girls 12 match and their opponents were never able to get the match to even. The two teams were never tied, and the Western European team took their lead all the way to 4-up by the 10^th hole. But the International team was not going down without a fight. Flores and Tefler were able to bring the match back to within one hole by the end of the 16^th, but their effort was too little too late, as the Europeans were able to stay on top until the end of the match.

Boys 12: Loubser/Caron (W.E.) def. Sanchez/Pera (Int’l) – 1 UP

The Boys 12 match was one of the most exciting matches within the competition. Sanchez and Pera took the early lead for the International team, but Loubser and Caron turned the match their way by the 5^th and held on until the 8^th. The Internationals regained the lead on the 11^th for two holes and again on the 16^th, but the determination of the Europeans won at the end. Loubser and Caron won each of the last two holes to seal the victory.

Girls 13: Prior/Mehaffey (W.E.) def Coello/Nagano (Int’l) – 5 & 4

The Girls 13 match was another one-sided victory for the Western Europeans. Prior and Mehaffey were able to gain the lead on the 3^rd hole and never lost it. It looked as if Coello and Nagano were going to be able to keep the match close, as they kept the deficit to a single hole for most of the front nine. But the Europeans gathered more steam around the turn. They finished 5-up with four holes to play.

Boys 13: Sinclair/Roux (Int’l) def. Perrard/Farrow-Smith (W.E.) – 1 UP

The Boys 13 match was a tight competition that could have ended in victory for either side, as neither team ever gained more than a single hole advantage over the other. Sinclair and Roux led for most of the match, but the two sides were all square approaching the 18^th. The International side was able to take the victory by winning the final hole with a spectacular birdie putt.

Girls 14: Madden/Boutouyrie-Beauvalet (W.E.) def. Kucharova/Buchanan (Int’l) – 3 & 1

This match was unique as each team was able to dominate a different nine holes. Kucharova and Buchanan Spent the first seven holes ahead before the match went to all square for three holes. Madden and Boutouyrie won the 11^th and kept the lead until the end of the competition. They took the internationals to dormie 2 and won the 17^th to win 3-up with one to play.

Boys 14: Kraivixien/Gill (Int’l) def. Davern/Frances (W.E.) – 5 & 3

The Boys 14 match was quite one-sided in favor of the International squad. Davern and Frances were never able to break the dynamic duo of Kraivixien and Gill, who dominated the match from the 6^th hole onward, gradually increasing their lead over the course of the match. They won 5-up with three to play.

Girls 15-18: Wilson/Borin (W.E.) def. De la Torre/Cervellin (Int’l) – 3 & 1

Wilson and Borin took the lead on the 2^nd hole and never lost it, reaching a peak of 3-up after the 11^th. De la Torre and Cervellin pushed the lead back down to a single hole after the 15^th but dropped both the 16^th and 17^th to claim defeat.

Boys 15-18: Bayliss/Horsting (W.E.) def. Germishuys/Gajewski (Int’l) – 3 & 2

Bayliss and Horsting won each of the first three holes to go 3-up immediately in the final match. Germishuys and Gajewski then found a surge and temporarily stopped the bleeding. The competitors tied the next nine holes before the International team was able to bring the match back to within two holes on the 12^th. But that was as close as they could get to the solid European pairing. Dormie with three to play, the Internationals couldn’t sneak a win on the 16^th to keep the match going. They lost 3-down with two to play.

VAN HORN CUP PAIRINGS 2011

Please see

http://www.uskidsgolf.com/static/images/www/pages/File/Van_Horn_Cup_Pairings.pdf

Play commences at 10.32

US KIds - Recap of 2011 European Championship - Day 3

05/31/2011

Final Round

Boys 7 & Under

Allan Kournikova of the United States roared past the competition for his first European Championship victory Thursday. His final-round 32 put him at 2-under-par for the tournament leapfrogged him over second-round leader Filip Jakubcik of the Czech Republic, who tied for second at even-par with Casey Jarvis of South Africa.

Boys 8

Low scores were the trend at the top of the Boys 8 leaderboard, as George Guillermo Leigh of the United Kingdom held his second-round lead and earned the first-place trophy, holding off a strong challenge from Wolfgang Glawe of Germany, who posted an impressive 32. Dominic Clemens of the United Kingdom finished third, six strokes behind Leigh.

Boys 10

Thursday was another tough scoring day at Craigielaw, as Max Peerbooms of the Netherlands put up a 77 that was good enough to hold his six-stroke advantage in the Boys 10 age group. Ferchaud Hermes of France matched Peerbooms’ 77 to claim second place for himself. Morgan Tournemire of France posted yet another 77 to slide into the top three, eight shots back of the winner.

Boys 11

Deon Germishuys of South Africa fired an even-par 72 for his final round to surpass second-round leader Julien Paltrieni of Italy. Germishuys finished the tournament at 8-over-par 224, one stroke ahead of Paltrieni. A pair of United Kingdom natives, Luke Harries and Jonathan Gerrish, tied for third with a tournament total of 230.

Boys 12

Perhaps the most tightly contested age group of all was the Boys 12 division. Herman Loubser of Isle of Man finished off his wire-to-wire victory with a final-round 76. Three players tied for second a single shot behind Loubser. Victor Daniel Sanchez of Mexico, Stefan Gnyla of the United Kingdom and Matthieu Caron of France finished at 4-over-par 220. Six players were within three strokes of Loubser when the final putt was holed.

Boys 13

Dominic Foos of Germany ran away with the Boys 13 title. His first-round 65 distanced himself enough from the field that he cruised the rest of the way with rounds of 74 and 72. Perrard Louis of France was closest in pursuit, 11 strokes back of Foos. Tom Farrow-Smith of the United Kingdom tied for third with Simon Moerk of Denmark.

Boys 14

Two players separated themselves from a crowded second-round leaderboard in the Boys 14 division. Amarin Kraivixien of Thailand fired a final-round 2-under-par 70 to finish one stroke ahead of Fraser Davren of the United Kingdom. Oskar Ambrosius and Alexander Georges Frances, both of Denmark, tied for third place seven shots back of Kraivixien.

Boys 15-18

Johann Germishuys of South Africa overcame a three-stroke deficit to join his brother in the winners’ circle at the 2011 European Championship. Germishuys posted a 1-under-par 71 in the final round to finish one shot clear of second-round leader Tom Bayliss. Joey Lamb of the United Kingdom finished third after an impressive round of 1-over-par 73.

Girls 8 & Under

Tijana Jovicevic of Slovenia won wire-to-wire, finishing a remarkable 17 strokes clear of the competition. Yoko Tai of Singapore moved into second place with a nice final round, while Elisabeth Krenovska of the United States finished third.

Girls 9

Longniddry was no match for Italian Emilie Paltrinieri. Three consecutive under-par rounds got Paltrinieri to 7-under-par for the tournament, 14 shots ahead of her closest competitor. Lara Jecnik of Slovenia finished second with three solid rounds of her own, while Valentina Albertazzi held onto third place.

Girls 10

First-round leader Melanie Vendelbergerova of the Czech Republic reclaimed the lead she lost after the second round to win the Girls 10 division. Austrian Isabella Holpfer finished three strokes behind in second place, while second-round leader Natalie Chocholova of the Czech Republic fell to third.
Girls 11

The Girls 11 age group featured the only co-champions of the week, as a pair of United Kingdom natives finished with matching tournament totals of 234. Hazel Macgarvie's final-round 76 was just enough to catch Martha Lewis, who held sole possession of the lead after the second round. Emily Price, also of the U.K., finished five strokes back in third place.

Girls 12

Low scores were the theme of the Girls 12 division, as Cecile Bofill of Denmark posted a 1-under-par 71 to claim the title at 2-under-par 214 for the tournament. First- and second-round leader Eva Gilly of France stormed out to the first-round lead with a 67, and held on for second place after Bofill’s charge. Alexis Flores of Guatemala remained in third place for the third consecutive day to round out the podium

Girls 13

Elizabeth Prior of the United Kingdom came from behind to win the Girls 13 division, as a final-round even-par 72 gave her a one-stroke victory of Olivia Mehaffey, of the U.K. Hannah Henderson, also of the U.K., finished third.

Girls 14

Sophie Madden of the United Kingdom continued her dominance of Luffness New, as she claimed a victory by an astonishing 28 strokes. Klara Kucharova of the Czech Republic and Marie Boutouyrie-Beauvalet of France tied for second place

Luffness - Big News for US Kids

Big News: The US Kids Girls 14 and Girls 15-18 age divisions made history on 31st May  as they became the first females to play competitive golf on the Luffness New Golf Course since the course’s inception in 1894. U.S. Kids Golf is proud to have been a part of this special day. We love nothing more than to bring opportunity to all young golfers, and we are happy to have reached this landmark with the fine people at Luffness New. Congratulations to those competitors!




http://www.uskidsgolf.com/eng/news/article/1/37

US KIDS EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS - DAY 2

For full day 2 results please see here

A blustery day pushed scores up but Gullane kids still doing well

Team Gullane Watch 

Alexander Wilson 15-18 yo Boys @ Luffness  - 81 not so good - maybe tired from the Braids but still in   Third position only 7 behind 

Henry Anderson - 14 yo Boys @ Luffness 76 followed by 87 - now 20th position - 150 leads - still  from Fraser Davren from Scotland despite 80 today 

Noel Anderson - 14 yo Boys @ Luffness - an excellent 78 following his 81 - to jump into 17th position and I suspect more importantly to secure the family bragging rights of the day 

Charlotte Munro 11 yo Girls @ Gullane 3 - 80 for 162 overall  - now 4th position and still in the mix 7 behind

Brodie Good 12 yo Boys @ Gullane 2 -  an excellent  78 only 6 over par - climbing the table  after one of better rounds of the day in his age group - cut out the disaster holes and he's motoring 

Dominic Foos - 13 yo Boys @ Gullane 2 - 65 followed by 74 for 139 overall - 6 shots in lead - 5900 yard course in the wind - fantastic scores by our Honorary Member from 2010

US KIDS EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS - RESULTS DAY ONE !

For results from day one please click http://bit.ly/lxiTmk

Team Gullane Watch 

Alexander Wilson 15-18 yo Boys @ Luffness  - 74  Third position only 3 behind !!

Henry Anderson - 14 yo Boys @ Luffness 76 - 11th position 6 behind excellent 70 from Fraser Davren fronm Scotland

Noel Anderson - 14 yo Boys @ Luffness - 81 - 19th position

Charlotte Munro 11 yo Girls @ Gullane 3 - 82 - 5th position in the mix 5 behind

Brodie Good 12 yo Boys @ Gullane 2 -  81 - mid-table respectability - some putts left out there !

Dominic Foos - 13 yo Boys @ Gullane 2 - 65 - 3 shots in lead - 5900 yard course in the wind - fantastic score by our Honorary Member from 2010

TEAM GULLANE "WATCH" AT US KIDS

This year Gullane Juniors have 5 of our members playing in the US Kids European Championships starting on Tuesday

Charlotte Munro aged 11 plays on Gullane No 3 - her home course and is hoping continue to build on her succcesses of last year - winner of the u16 clubgolf Junior Masters and runner -up in the Wee Wonders Final at St Andrews

In the Boys 12 on No 2 we have multi-talented Brodie Good  who is fast emerging as a great prospect already with great tournament experience both here and in Pinehurst, SC. He's done well in Gullane Juniors events, winning the Morrison Trophy in 2010. He's also very photogenic !

In the Boys 15 -18 on Luffness, we have 16 yo 2009 Gullane Junior Champion, Reanaissance Men's Champion 2010 and Gullane Junior Team Player Alexander Wilson who has also won a Scottish U16 cap this year. He is looking to do well in both the US Kids and the Lothians Boys Championship this week having qualifies for the match play stages of the latter. He is a well travelled young golfer and rates Gullane No 1 as his favourite course over the likes of Portmarnock, Valderrama, Archerfield, Loch Lomond and Renaissance !! 

We also have new junior members, twins Noel & Henry Anderson in the 14 year old section at Luffness whose hom is in South Africa but who are pupils at Loretto and members of the Golf Academy - no pictures available yet

GOOD LUCK TO THEM ALL ! 

Gullane Primary Kids Try Out for US Kids

Golfing try-out for future stars in East Lothian - Courtesy of BBC !!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-13389938

Gullane PS golfers make the BBC website - how cool is that !!

Children are being given the chance to find out if
they could be golf stars of the future ahead of a
major tournament in East Lothian.

The US Kids Golf Foundation holds its fourth annual
European Championship in East Lothian at the end of
May.

It has set up a special introductory event to give youngsters
the chance to develop their golfing skills.

It is being hosted by Gullane golf course, which is one of
five venues staging the 2011 championship.

Exciting young players

Tournament co-ordinator Alasdair Good, who is
head professional at Gullane golf course, said
that the try-out day would help young players
decide where they wanted to go with the game.

He said: "The European Championship attracts around
500 of the best young players from around the world and
it's quite an eye-opener to see the talent that these
competitors possess at such a young age.

"By highlighting the event and showing some of our local
kids how golf is an exciting sport to compete in, as well
as to watch as a spectator, we hope to attract a few more
of them to take it up.

"Golf is becoming increasingly popular with kids around
the world, especially with exciting young players like
Rory McIlroy doing so well in the big competitions.

"Even if this try-out day doesn't help unearth the next
generation of Major winners, we hope to show children
how they can learn positive life lessons and develop
friendships through the game of golf."

A total of 26 pupils from Gullane primary school are taking
part in the try-out day on Friday.

The US Kids Golf European Championship takes place
from 31 May to 2 June on five courses including Gullane
No 2, Gullane No 3, Craigielaw golf club, Luffness new golf
club and Longniddry golf club.

East Lothian Provost Sheena Richardson said: "The US
Kids Golf European Championship has become one of
the biggest sporting events in the East Lothian calendar
andwe are delighted to welcome them all again as it
certainly creates a lot of excitement across the region."

Gullane Easter Shorts

clubgolfgolfclubamnesty

clubgolf is kicking off again shortly. There is a need for some junior clubs and we suspect that many of you have clubs in the cupboard which you have outgrown. If you would like to donate them to a good cause please email Andy Walker on walker.andy2@btopenworld.com and leave them in the Visitors Clubhouse, securely taped together. If we need to negotiate a price please let us know !

US KIDS

This takes place 31st May - 2nd June - the Club is happy to provide some financial assistance for those wanting to take part so if interested please contact me asap on ir.mclean@yahoo.co.uk or speak to Alasdair Good. See http://www.uskidsgolf.com/store.cfm?section=tournament. NB it is term time for most. Last year we had 7 Gullane Juniors playing.

LOTHIANS BOYS CHAMPIONSHIP - 29th May - 3rd June

The Lothians Boys Championship takes place in June each year at Braid Hills No 1. An event for boys who are under 18 on January 1, It is open to players whose home club is affiliated to the Lothians Golf Association. Its roll of honour makes for impressive reading, The tournament commences with a 36-hole quaifying stroke-play event on Sunday 29th May , with 16 qualifiers going forward to compete in a match-play stage the following week in the evenings . The leading qualifier gets the Lindsay Trophy, with the champion holding the Speirs Trophy for a year.

It overlaps with the US Kids if you qualify for the match play - some try to do both. We are keen for all of our lower handicap boys ( 12 and below ) to enter - subject to exams etc. Anthony Blaney was runner-up in 2010

Entry due in by 16th May - here is a link to the entry form http://www.lothiansgolfassociation.org.uk/JuniorChampEntry.asp

1ST MAY

Watch the blog for a trip to Gleneagles for some of our younger players and hopefully another opportunity for our lower handicap players 

US Kids 2011 ?

US Kids Golf European Championship

We're well past 350 competitors for this year's championship - but entries are still open for any juniors who want to play on the historic Scottish links.

Article from EL Courier - Feb 2011 

East Lothian's fairways will again be inundated with golfing stars of tomorrow this summer, as a prestigious junior golf tournament returns to the county's courses.

Some 500 of the best junior golfers in the world will descend on the Garden County for the US Kids Golf European Championship in May and June, played over five East Lothian courses.

Competitors from six to 18 will vie for the title of European Champion for their age – while the county's economy and tourism industry are set to receive a much-needed shot in the arm.

The four-day competition will take place from May 31 to June 2 at Gullane No. 2 and No. 3 courses, Craigielaw Golf Club, Luffness New Golf Club and Longniddry Golf Club.

All the courses are modified for each age group. The reward for the top finishers in each category is a place in the tournament's finale, the Van Horn Cup, which takes place on Gullane No. 1. Modelled on the Ryder Cup, the best European players are pitted against the top youngsters from the rest of the world for the trophy. Last year the Europeans, inspired by local boy Duncan McLean, crushed their opponents 13-0.

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

Alasdair Good, head professional at Gullane Golf Club and the tournament's co-ordinator, said: "I'm delighted the event is once again coming to East Lothian and we will be able to see some major winners of tomorrow.

"The championship provides not only an impressive showcase of golf in Scotland, but also the emerging talent from the rest of the world. I'll guarantee no one will be disappointed.

"However, just as importantly, the championship helps promote Scotland – and East Lothian in particular – to a global audience. I hope many of the families coming over will be inspired to return in the future and enjoy the best golf East Lothian has to offer."

The event was first run in 2008 and has been based in East Lothian since its inception. County youngsters have enjoyed some notable successes in the tournament, including Gullane member McLean, who finished tied-fourth in the boys' 14-years age group competition last year.

The tournament has expanded, including a 15-18 age group for the first time last year.

The competition is run by the US Kids Golf Foundation, which aims to encourage children from around the world to take up golf and use it to make friends.

Dan Van Horn, the organisation's president and founder, said: "Since our inaugural event in 2008, the European Championship has continued to grow in strength and has now become one of the highlights of the junior golf calendar.

"Despite their age, the skill of these players is unbelievable and I'm sure many of them will not only go on to become competent golfers, but possibly even the Lee Westwoods and Rory McIlroys of tomorrow.

"East Lothian is also a very special location for US Kids Golf and the historic courses always provide a great challenge for all of our competitors. I'm sure the standard of play this year will, as ever, be superb and we will see some close matches between our young competitors."

The tournament's organisers are looking for entries from anyone aged six to 18. To register or for more information, visit www.uskidsgolf.com

Or contact Alasdair Good or Iain McLean for more info / advice 

The U.S. Kids Golf Foundation is a  nonprofit organization that was established in 2001. The vision of the U.S. Kids Golf Foundation is to provide kids and their families the opportunity to participate in the game of golf through instruction and competition. Today, the U.S. Kids Golf Foundation conducts over 400 local, regional, national, and international events.