Maui Country Club Hosts First US Kids Golf Championship

The first ever US Kids Maui Golf Championship will take place on Saturday, Dec. 15 in Spreckelsville with a non-shotgun start at 7 a.m.  The event is hosted by the Maui Country Club.

The competitors range in age from 5 to 14 years and have qualified for the season finale by competing in at least four events.

A Maui youth golfer tees off on the green. PC: Maui Country Club

The Local Tour

A Local Tour consists of six or eight one-day tournaments including a season-ending one-day Local Tour Championship. All tournaments are based on the scaled yardages for their age and gender and players earn awards and points for each tournament. Like the PGA Tour, players at US Kids Golf events are encouraged to have caddies to help them play their best. Parent caddies are strongly encouraged to join their player out on the course, and the camaraderie that develops between families is an added benefit. The children gain experience and have fun playing competitive golf.

“One obstacle facing young golfers is the time and cost of having to travel long distances to compete, especially here in Hawai‘i,” said Renee Lee, Maui Golf Pro and organizer of the island’s first US Kids Golf local tour. “This is the next step for a course-ready junior golfer. Here they are given another opportunity to advance their skills in the game in age-appropriate competition right here at home.”

US Kids Golf is a complete junior golf program with certified instructors coaching game-based learning. “Maui is fortunate to have multiple certified instructors,” Mark Shimamura, Maui Country Club Golf Pro said. “Renee Lee of Wailea Golf Courses has been instrumental in launching the program on Maui. We are happy to host the Championship and hope for a great turnout to support these amazing young competitors.” Interested parents can find a certified pro at www.uskidsgolf.com/coaches.

US Kids Golf Tournaments are offered worldwide, and the pinnacle is the World Championship held at Pinehurst, North Carolina. “We are very fortunate to have the support of the best golf courses on Maui,” said Renee Lee, US Kids Golf’s Tournament Director, “the Wailea Golf Courses, Kahili Golf Course, Maui Nui, Dunes at Maui Lani and Maui Country Club came on board to support the program in this inaugural season.”

Following the Tour Championship at Maui Country Club there is a three-month break for kids to practice and hone their golf skills.

For more information visit their website online.