Golf News: - Posted 3rd June 1998

Norman and Watson enter Junior Open Championships

Canterbury, Kent - The sons of  two of the world's most famous golfers, Greg Norman and Tom Watson, have  entered to play in the third Junior Open Championships to be held at Formby Golf Club, Lancashire from 11th - 17th July.

Gregory Norman, the 12 year-old son of Greg Norman, plays off a four handicap and is showing great golfing talent. According to his teaching professional Mat Messer, Gregory plays like his father, "very intently, deliberately and is driven competitor."

Tom Watson's son, Michael is aged 14 and plays off a handcap of six. Like his father he has a great love for the game and says "I am very lucky to have the chance to play some of the world's greatest golf courses. Golf is work when I'm playing poorly but fun when I'm playing well. Golf is special, a sport you can play forever: It can be one of the best feelings in life that I have when playing well."

Scotland's 14 year-old Louise Kenney who plays off four at Troon will be playing in a three-ball with the two boys for a Special Invitation Trophy. Louise is a Fife Junior Champion and has also won the Duke of York Under-17 British Championship and the Weetabix Under-15 British Championship. She is also a member of the Fife County Ladies team and a member of the Under-18 Scottish Training Squad. The boys have been told of their parther and the organisers believe it will be a good challenge for them.

The Junior Championship is sponsored by the R and A and will run alongside the Open which is being held at Royal Birkdale during the same week.This means that the fathers of Gregory and Michael will also be present and both have said they would attend the Junior Open week festivities. Greg Norman, recovering from a shoulder operation, will present the Mickey Walker Yoing Lady Golfer trophy said "Wild horses wouldn't drag me away from watching my son play."

Entry into the Junior Open is one officially nominated player boy or girl, who has qualified from every Golfing Union, Federation or Association affiliated with the R & A. They must be between the ages of 12 and 16 and have a single-figure handicap. Over 100 golfing nations are expected to send their under-16 champion to this year's third Junior Open.

The fourth Junior Open will be held in the millenium year of 2000 at St Andrews.

Further information can be obtained from: Junior Open Championships, Arnet House, Hawks Lane, Canterbury, Kent CT12 2NU, England. Telephone - +44 (0) 1227 762 451036. Fax -   +44 (0) 1227 762760 or email: info@concorde.ltd.uk