The brainchild of Alasdair Good, Head Professional at Gullane Golf Club, the Wee Wonders Open Golf Championship covers the whole of Great Britain and Ireland. It provides a national avenue for boys and girls aged 5 - 12 to progress from coaching programmes into the challenge and fun of competitive golf. Competitors have 36 shots and place their flag where their final shot finishes. Developed in 1995, the tournament has grown every year, and now has almost 3000 competitors at 81 Qualifying events and Regional Finals across Great Britain and Ireland.
HSBC's new association is part of a broader commitment to golf, from the grassroots level to its title sponsorship of golf's premier match play event - the HSBC World Match Play, and will further enable Wee Wonders to grow from strength to strength. The 2004 event is likely to attract even more than the 3000 entrants who took part in 2003.
This new sponsorship with HSBC, the world's second largest bank, is initially a one-year deal but one that all parties hope continues well into the future. William Parry, Head of Sponsorship at HSBC, said: " In addition to our sponsorship of the HSBC World Match Play, we have made a commitment to support golf at all levels from the grassroots up. The HSBC Wee Wonders Open Golf Championship is one of the few golf tournaments in the British Isles that gives children aged up to 12 years the chance to compete against each other. We are very proud to be associated with an event that is well known and well respected".
Alasdair Good, President of Wee Wonders, comments: "Having grown the event for nine years now is the right time to introduce major sponsorship and HSBC, with their pedigree, fit extremely well. They are already very supportive in the growth of junior golf and a most welcome partner in developing our Championships."
1999 Open Champion and Honorary President of St Andrews Links Junior Golf Association, Paul Lawrie added from a player's perspective: "I am a firm believer in encouraging children to take up and enjoy the game at every opportunity. The Wee Wonders Tournament is a brilliant way to give very young golfers throughout the UK and Ireland something to work towards which is fun as well as being competitive. Youngsters from my own Junior Development Programme in Aberdeen will be taking part in the Wee Wonders for the first time this year."
"Juniors are one of the fastest growing sectors in the sport due to the good work of the Golf Foundation, skilled PGA instructors and positive role models. Numerous Golf Clubs are now realising the need for more and better young players - through the quality of play in the Wee Wonders event many now view junior golf from a whole new perspective. Support like that HSBC are offering through their sponsorship of this year's tournament is invaluable in maintaining the long-term prosperity of the sport of golf as a whole."
Sandy Jones Chief Executive of the PGA said: "The PGA have been delighted to be the title sponsor for the Wee Wonders Championship in recent years and now very much welcome the involvement of HSBC. With the HSBC investment this year and into the future the event can grow considerably bringing a wonderful playing and fun opportunity to all the young boys and girls throughout the U.K. who take part in this Championship. The PGA will of course remain associated and committed to the Championship in 2004."
Mike Round, Chief Executive of The Golf Foundation, said: "The Wee Wonders event provides an ideal competitive outlet for youngsters who have learnt the game through Tri-Golf, also supported by HSBC, or who are involved with coaching activity at our Dunlop Starter Centres."
Scotland's Open Champion Paul Lawrie joins
Alasdair Good, President of Wee Wonders,
in launching this year's event.
