Building on the ACED Junior Golf Tour’s first season, the first ACED Turkish Junior Open is set to take place in March 2026 – offering junior golfers of all abilities the chance to get a taste of competing overseas.
Following the launch of the six-event tour, which takes place at clubs across Durham and Yorkshire, Blackwell Grange-based PGA professional Aaron Cox wants to offer players and their parents a chance to experience golf a little further from home.
“The junior tour has been a big hit, and I want to grow what ACED offers so kids of all abilities can compete in the sunshine without having to wait until they’re a bit older or they qualify for a tournament,” said Aaron.
The ACED Junior Tour has already hosted events at Billingham, Wearside, Bishop Auckland and Richmond golf clubs this season. The fifth event is scheduled for Barnard Castle on July 24, with the finals taking place at Blackwell Grange on August 12.
“The tour is going great,” added Aaron. “We’ve got 66 players registered and we’ve had 40-50 kids at each event to-date. The feedback from the players and their parents has been fantastic and I think the events are fitting nicely into the junior calendar in our region.
“I’m already developing the schedule for 2026 and hope to grow the tour and offer more opportunities for young golfers in Durham and North Yorkshire to play new courses with an element of competition – while keeping the focus on having fun out there.”
The ACED Turkish Junior Open is set to take place March 6-11, 2026, on the Faldo Course at the Cornelia Diamond Golf Resort & Spa in Turkey. Open to golfers under the age of 18, there will be a practice round and three rounds of competition with players split into age/handicap categories and playing nine or 18 holes of strokeplay or stableford with scores counting for their handicaps. The cost for junior golfers is £889 (all-inclusive, flights not included) and parent places are priced at £679 (all-inclusive, flights and golf not included).
“This event is completely new, and I want to welcome all juniors, regardless of their age or handicap, to be part of it,” added Aaron. “It’s not about qualifying and shooting well below your handicap to get a spot – it’s about enjoying some golf in the sunshine ahead of the 2026 season and building experience to take the next step forward with your game when you get the opportunity down the road.
“The more golf we get juniors playing at different clubs and in different countries, the better; I hope I can help more juniors on their journey with events like this one.”
For more information, including the full itinerary for the event, visit www.acedgolfacademy.com
