Stonham Barns Golf Park – Junior Golf Competition

STOWMARKET, SUFFOLK  –  Young golfers from across the county showcased their skills on Saturday 11th October as Stonham Barns Golf Park hosted its first Junior Golf Competition in five years, attracting 43 players aged 4 to 15.

Organised by Tony Dobson of Stonham Barns Golf Park and Rob Pritchard of the Suffolk Golf Academy, the event marked a successful relaunch of junior golf competitions at the venue, with children competing across five age categories.

The day was full of impressive performances, none more so than 12-year-old Charlie Whinney, who recorded the best score of the day with 37, and 8-year-old Ralph Neal, who shot 42 – one of the best scores of the day, despite being one of the youngest in the field.

🏆 Winners by Age Group:

6+ Age Group – Jonah Lucas (7) – 40 (6 holes)
Under 8 – Ralph Neal (8) – 42
Under 10 – Buddy Cross (10) – 47
Under 12 – Charlie Whinney (12) – 37
Under 15 – Sam Maxted (14) – 40

📣 “A fantastic return for junior golf”

PGA Professional Tony Dobson, who ran junior events at Stonham Barns for two decades, said:

“This is our first event after a five-year break and we’ve been amazed by the level of interest and the enthusiasm from all the youngsters. Many had never played a full round before, and seeing their smiles out there made it all worthwhile.”

He added that the goal is to run regular junior events and build on this strong foundation.

🏌️‍♂️ Suffolk Golf Academy: Building Future Golfers

Co-organiser Rob Pritchard, a PGA coach with nearly 30 years’ experience, is leading the Suffolk Golf Academy, which recently launched a Junior Golf Academy at Stonham Barns. The Academy provides age-specific coaching for children aged 4 to 12, using structured group sessions:

Tiny Putters (4–5 years)
Fairway Explorers (6–8 years)
Junior Aces (9–12 years)

The programme offers accessible, inclusive, and fun coaching, with equipment provided and indoor/outdoor options depending on weather. Sessions run during term time, with plans to introduce holiday camps.

“We’re not just teaching golf — we’re building confidence, friendships, and a love for the game,” said Pritchard. “It’s about giving every child the chance to learn in a welcoming environment.”

Contact: Stonham Barns Golf Park
📧 [email protected] | ☎ 01449 711545
📍 stonhambarnsgolf.co.uk