Forest Park has always been synonymous with golf in Hamilton County. As soon as the land for the park was acquired in 1925, talk began about building the first golf course in Hamilton County. From the beginning, a signature event at the course was the club championship. In 1992, 65 years after that first club championship, another tradition was born – the Hamilton County Junior Golf Championship.
The event was the brainchild of then Parks Board member Alan Hinds. It was Alan’s vision to offer a junior tournament that would replicate a professional golf tournament as closely as possible.
Boys and girls register for the event and submit their entry fee. Each registered player receives a tee time and pairing sheet. The day of the event, the young golfers report to the registration tent and receive participant gifts.
As individual groups approach the first tee, participants are announced to the assembled gallery. Parents or siblings generally serve as caddies and a course monitor accompanies every group. Following the round, score cards are attested by each golfer and scores are posted. Then comes the fun; winners are announced and trophies are presented.
This year, the HCJGC will be held on July 10. Age groups are 4 to 6, 7 to 8, 9 to 10, 11 to 12 and 13 to 14. Awards will be given to the top three finishers by age group in both girls’ and boys’ divisions. Players in the 4-to-6 age group play a shortened four-hole round. All other age groups play a nine-hole tournament. Caddies are required in the 4-to-6 division and are permitted for other divisions.
Galleries are encouraged, but players may not receive advice from anyone except their caddy. Proper golf attire is required. Disruptive conduct such as lack of sportsmanship, club throwing, vulgar language, etc., may result in penalty or disqualification.
Entry fee is $15 for the 4-to-6 group and $20 for all other age groups. Registration must be received July 5. The registration form may be found on the Noblesville Parks Web site, www.cityofnoblesville.com/parks or picked up at the parks office.
Registration is limited to the first 96 players, and the field is filled in the order received. I hope junior golfers take advantage of this unique tournament opportunity.