Low scores show juniors on course | Manawatu-Wanganui Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Manawatu-Wanganui

The future of Manawatu-Wanganui golf is in good hands after stunning performances by a group of juniors at the Manawatu Golf Club on Sunday.

Scores of 66, 69, 70, 72 and 72 were shot around the course, surprising but pleasing even the harshest critics.

Stephen Wood from Manawatu Wanganui Golf said people could have been excused for thinking Josh Munn and brother Trent were working on winning another Manawatu Open or LawnMaster Classic title.

"When informed it was a junior event created as a replacement for the district junior pennant, I am sure most would be very surprised," Wood said.

"Okay, the 66 belonged to one of New Zealand's best players in Tyler Hodge, who is fine-tuning his game in preparation of his team debut for New Zealand against Australia shortly, but the remaining players are all products of the JTS [Junior Tournament Series] which replaced the failing district junior pennant competition four years ago.

"Scores of 66 and better have come regularly for Hodge in recent years and the eight birdies and two bogeys have left him confident ahead of the upcoming test match and additional national events ... , to be played over the next the five weeks."

The event was designed for players aged under 19 and the other low scores in Sunday's rounds belonged to players no older than 15.

Rhys Harold (14) returned a personal best with his 69. While Harold is Manawatu-based, he plays senior golf for Wanganui's Tawhero club.

The 70 belonged to 2011 New Zealand under-15 champion Emma Clayton (15), and the pair of 72s to Michael Birchall (14) and Greg Shaw (12).

"A quick look at the records shows that in 2009, Clayton and Birchall were still trying to get their first handicaps, while Shaw was yet to even play the game," Wood said.

"Not only for the top golfers, the series focuses on net scores which has allowed all participants to compete on an even playing field.

"After two rounds in 2012, the current leaders in the Player of the Year race are Mackenzie Coutts (Manawatu) and Dana Garrett (Wanganui), both on 22 handicaps. They are closely followed by Khalil Peta (Foxton, 22) and Korban Wadsworth (Levin, 24). In the 9-hole, Gizaria Knowles (Foxton) leads Denzil Viper Tatana (Levin) and Kyra Garrett (Wanganui).

"This mix of genders and clubs is indicative of the fields playing these events, drawn from clubs all around the district but especially those with junior programmes. Since its inception in 2009, the series has been a huge success, having helped the district achieve the largest junior membership growth in the country and numerous individual and team national titles.

"Historically over 60 players tee it up each week, and over four years of operation, this has led to the 2012 senior interclub competition containing in excess of 20 eligible JTS players.

"Unfortunately, this has had an effect on player numbers when clashes occur, but with 52 starters at Manawatu ranging from Hodge on a plus 2 handicap through to juniors still working toward their first handicap, the future of Manawatu Wanganui Golf at a junior and ultimately senior level looks safe for a few years to come."