UNPARALLELED strength among York’s teenage tee-force faces being undermined by a dearth of cash.

As precocious playing talent flares in and around the city, investment is in short supply and that is threatening to stymie the future development of York golf.

That stark prospect was spelled out by David Guthrie, Heworth Golf Club development board member and also acting secretary of the York Union of Golf Clubs.

He has been in the privileged position of helping to ferry the York Union’s boys’ team to a range of competitions this summer.

That involvement culminated in the Yorkshire Inter-District Union championship at Wakefield GC, where the York ranks finished a creditable third against more powerful line-ups from the respective Leeds and Sheffield Unions.

Guthrie said the impressive display convinced him York’s fledgling players could hold their own in the Yorkshire youth league, a competition which the city’s players have not graced for the last three years.

To be admitted to the league for next year, York has to confirm its commitment at the Yorkshire annual meeting in October.

But a ‘yes’ decision may well hinge on the youth team being able to attract some backing from city businesses and also adults willing to freely give of their time.

Said Guthrie: “The lack of willing adults to support the team has left them very short on experience against the stronger unions.

“This was apparent in the morning’s play at Wakefield where the York boys did not show their potential.

“But by the afternoon there was a change in attitude as they realised they could perform at this level. Their later scores put them third in the afternoon rounds to be beaten only by Sheffield and Leeds.

“They are just as good as players from elsewhere. It’s just that without playing against their peers regularly they had a bit of an inferiority complex.

“I believe if they are playing in the Yorkshire youth league they will get that necessary experience. It will bode well for the future.”

Guthrie, a key member of the senior York team for several years, is utterly convinced of the young talent coming through the ranks.

“The standard of junior golf has never been higher,” he said.

“Currently in the junior team the handicaps of the players are at the same level as the senior York team of just five years ago. That’s how well these youngsters have done.

“I would say that to any potential backer it’s an exciting time to be involved with youth golf in sport.

“I will do my utmost to try to keep the project managed, but we need other individuals to put in their time to prepare for competitions and especially if we are going to return to the Yorkshire youth league.”

Anyone who can help with time or cash backing can phone Guthrie on 07554 671811.


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He went on to win the event with 41 stableford points.


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