Masters chance for juniors

As the build up begins to the British Masters at Close House later this year, the Northumberland resort has announced it will host the first Junior Masters across the North this spring and summer.

Taking place at seven venues between April-August, two boys and one girl will progress from each of the three age categories at the qualifying venues, meaning 70 youngsters will get the chance to play the final over the Lee Westwood Filly Course at Close House on the Tuesday of British Masters week.

The winner, who will receive the Junior Masters trophy from former world number one Lee Westwood and prizes from event sponsor Ping, will join all the competitors to watch the world’s best players take on the par three Hero Challenge on the Lee Westwood Colt Course on Tuesday evening.

The winner will also tee it up the following morning in the Pro Am alongside some of sport, television and film’s biggest names and European Tour stars. The seven qualifying events will be part of: The Northumberland County Meeting at Seahouses (April 6), a Close House Filly junior open (May 30), The Colin Scott Junior Open at Middlesbrough GC (July 28), the Lee Westwood Junior Open at Worksop GC (July 31), the Carlisle GC Junior Open (July 31), the Durham City Junior Open (August 21) and an event at Seaton Carew (TBC).

Making the announcement, attached tour professional Lee Westwood said: “The Junior Masters is a great way to involve youngsters in the tournament and promote golf in the North of England.

“We want to see kids getting excited about the game, and what better way to do this than offer them a chance to be a part of the tournament and play with some of the best golfers in the world.

“This is a huge opportunity to have a positive impact on junior golf within the region for years to come,” added Graham Wylie, owner of Close House.

“We want to establish the Junior Masters as an annual event going forward and continue working to promote the game across the North long after the British Masters has moved on from Close House.”