Bermuda’s junior golfers have been afforded a new incentive with the launch of the inaugural ICS Tires Cobra Puma Junior Championships.

The 36-hole individual stroke play event will be held at the Ocean View Golf Course from July 7 to 8 and will involve 50 juniors from ages 11 to 19 competing among three age groups.

“It’s huge and thanks a whole bunch to Zane DeSilva,” Brian Morris, the Ocean View head professional, said. “I ran the idea past him and he didn’t hesitate at all. He backed us one hundred per cent.

“Obviously I’ve seen Ebonie [Ebonie Cox, Bermuda Golf Association golf development officer] up here doing her junior programme. Her passion and enthusiasm for juniors and for golf in general, I just thought with my knowledge, her dedication and Zane’s support that we could have something like this.

“It’s our own event and we will have a wall of champions, as we do with the Johnnie Walker Wall of Champions, and we are going to run it the same way with live scoring.”

Participants will compete in the 11 to 12, 14 to 16 and Under-19 age groups with registration to be held on July 6.

“We have excellent prizes and Ebonie is going to get the golfers for us,” Morris added.

“We’re going to have a movie night and registration for the children, so we have a lot to look forward to. The juniors have a lot to look forward to and I’m excited as I’m sure my partners are.”

DeSilva, himself an avid golfer, is delighted to lend his support to the island’s youth.

“I tend to support a lot of events in Bermuda, especially when it comes to our youth,” he said. “When Brian and Ebonie reached out I didn’t hesitate.

“In fact, he asked me would I be maybe a part sponsor, I said I’d just do the whole thing because it’s important, especially in this day in time. I don’t have to tell you guys what the island is going through in terms of our youth.

“Colonel Burch [David Burch, Minister of Public Works] always used to say ‘one person at a time’. And if we can do that one person at a time, give them opportunities and get them to lead a great life, that’s all we can ask for.”

Morris hopes to see overseas players involved in future events.

“I’m looking to hopefully get those children that are overseas, the Kenny Leseurs, Oliver Betscharts, for them in a couple of years to be inviting guys from their school to come back and play in an event like this,” he said.

Cox is thrilled to be involved in the junior golf initiative.

“I’m just excited to be a part,” she said. “Being in a position to continue to give these children opportunities is not something I take lightly.

“When Brian came with this, it was a no-brainer for me to jump on board because Ocean View is also where I won my first tournament as a junior.

“Just the history of this club and the support they have shown to the BGA and junior golf is unmatched. It was my pleasure to be able to assist in any capacity.”