Junior Development Squad

Background 

In 2017 the District introduced the Junior Development Squad (JDS). The JDS aims to give our promising young junior girls some special attention designed to improve their competitive edge and to ensure sufficient numbers of juniors for the District's representative teams, of which there are two (Junior Jug & Sarah Jane Kenyon Challenge).  The girls usually participate in three, 3 hour coaching clinics during the year.  Their fourth and final session, and graduation, is their participation in the Noosa Junior Classic. The clinics are intended to establish firm and secure technical and mental skill foundations, aspects of golf that are also necessary life foundations.

The success of the JDS was evident as the district won the 2017 Sarah Jane Kenyon Challenge and tied this event in 2018. Several of the JDS girls participated in this challenge. Most of the girls from the JDS have also had many successes at both major junior events and at their local clubs with many of them now playing on significantly reduced handicaps and several having obtained a GA handicap.

Assistance for Junior Girls & Application Form

2023 Squad 

The first session of the Junior Development Squad was held on Sunday 16 July.  We had 11 of our 13 junior girls in attendance, all coming from various golf clubs in the District.  The girls were welcomed by Di Pavich and Jess Cook, PGA Professionals, with special thanks to Ryan from Drummond Golf  in Maroochydore and Sean Seymore from Maroochy River GC. 

2022 Squad 

We have continued this popular and successful program this year with another 12 girls attending to develop their golf skills, get to know each other and to have fun!  Di Pavich and Wayne Rostrom once again agreed to join the program as coaches. 

2021 Squad 

Twelve junior girls representing nine golf clubs have been selected in the squad this year.  Our coaches, Di Pavich & Wayne Rostrom, kept them busy with a full program of pitching, putting and chipping at the first Squad day held in May at Maroochy River Golf Club.  

Noosa Junior Classic 2021 & Graduation

2019 Squad 

Fifteen girls participated in this year's JDS. Nine girls were eligible for scholarships and they were joined by six girls who graduated from the 2017 and 2018 programs. The coaches were Di Pavich (Maroochy River) and Wayne Rostrom. There were 3 sessions -  28 April, 9 June and 15 September. The 2019 graduation was held at the Junior Classic at Noosa Golf Club in November. 

2018 Squad 

The 2018 squad started its program with some of the younger girls from the 2017 squad continuing for a second year and several other girls being invited to join. Although the content was similar to 2017, there were 4 clinics at three different courses on the Sunshine Coast.  Different guest professional coaches attended each session with Di Pavich (based in Maroochy River) as the senior professional overseeing the whole program. The 2018 graduation was at the Junior Classic held at Noosa Golf Club. 

2017 Squad 

The inaugural program involved three 3 hour coaching clinics during the year at two different golf courses on the Sunshine Coast.  Their fourth and final session, and graduation, was their participation in the Noosa Junior Classic. On Graduation day, 7 girls in our Junior Development Squad each received a $200 Coaching Scholarship to support their future golfing endeavours. They were: Tegan Learoyd, Ionna Muir, Mikayla Dyal, Sophie Thomsen, Sunday Moore, Caitlyn Wheatley and Josie O'Brien.