Golf Southland’s new Junior Development Officer, Tracey McLeod, is preparing to swing into her new role with a Have a Go at Golf Day aimed at school-aged children.

The fun-based session will run from 10am to 12noon on Friday 4th October at Greenacres – Tracey’s home course – and is designed to give youngsters an opportunity to take part in fun games and get an introduction to golf.

The Have a Go Day is all part of Tracey’s new role as Junior Development Officer, where she is charged with getting young Southlanders involved with and enjoying the game of golf.
The keen sports fan has played numerous sports, including golf, football and indoor bowls, and was eager to take her shot at this new opportunity.

“I love sport and the chance to work in sport, especially in golf, it’s a dream job for me,” she said.
“To see kids out there, playing sport and having fun – rather than sitting on devices – that, for me is really important.”

“Golf is such a great game for all types of people, and I think for children in particular, it’s got a lot of advantages. It can be individual, or played in a team environment, you can go and play when you like and it’s easy to just go out and have a hit. It’s also a game where you can challenge yourself, you don’t necessarily need to be competing with other people all of the time.”

For Tracey, her first priority was ensuring kids have fun.

“They’ve got to enjoy it, that’s the main thing. If they have fun, and they enjoy the experience, that’s key, that’s what will get them playing more.”
Tracey already has a solid calendar of events lined up, with the Have a Go Day to be followed by the Southland Junior Strokeplay Championships on October 11, the upcoming Primary School Zone Tournaments which attract hundreds of players, and a number of school-based sessions already locked in.

Further to her work with junior players, Tracey was also keen to look at other initiatives that would encourage more people, including families and females, to play golf.
Golf Southland spokesman John Griffin said Golf Southland was thrilled to welcome Tracey to the role and he looked forward to seeing her continue the great work started by Liam Balneaves who formerly held the role and is now on the Golf Southland Board.
“It is great to have a local woman who loves golf in the role and we think she has a huge amount to offer,” he said.

“She has a background in junior sport, and is really keen to make the golf experience a fun one for all of the kids she works with. It will be great to see her continue to develop our junior programme.”

Registrations for the Have a Go At Golf Day can be made by emailing [email protected]

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