Junior Golf Tour makes stop in Hartington

HARTINGTON — Seventy-four golfers between the ages of six and 18 showed up at the Hartington Golf Course July 24 for the final stop on the Northeast Nebraska Junior Golf Tour before the season ends with a two-day championship event at the Norfolk Country Club Aug. 2 and 3.

“The summer has gone pretty fast, like it always does,” tournament director Lance Kosch said. “It’s really gone very smoothly throughout the summer, especially for our first year.”

The tour has already made stops at the Cedarview Country Club, Laurel; Steepleview Golf Course, Humphrey; Fair Play Golf Course, Norfolk; Elkhorn Acres Golf Course, Stanton; Evergreen Hill Golf Course, Battle Creek; Plainview Country Club; and Wayne Country Club before arriving in Hartington.

Kosch said the tour has gathered momentum in numbers and support all summer.

“We are getting a lot of local support from the various towns,” Kosch said. “People have donated food and time, as we like to have an adult with the younger groups to mentor the players — it’s part of the learning experience and very important.”

Each golfer is treated to a lunch as well as green fees for the local tournaments.

“We’re always looking for local businesses or groups to help out,” Kosch said. “Either financially, with time or helping administer the tournaments.”

Kosch is on hand for each tournament to make sure everything works out.

“It’s been a lot of work by a lot of people, but it’s worth it,” he said. “To give these kids an opportunity to get out and learn the game of golf in a competitive setting is very important and will help grow the game — they not only learn the rules, but the certain nuances of golf, and gain all of the positive things the sport has to offer.”

Players can still sign up even at this late date of the tour, according to Kosch.

“We have a registration fee, which at this stage would take care of the final two-day tournament, the championships at the Norfolk Country Club, and also if any local businesses or groups would like to help out, get in touch with us,” he said.

To register for or find results from the tour or offer to help, people may go online to nenjgt.org.