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As the days seem to be getting longer and warmer I guess it means summer is right around the corner.

And with the summer comes junior golf and the Advocate area has plenty for the young golfer to take part in again this year.

While most courses will offer some type of junior camp or training session during the summer young golfers can continue to compete in a number of events on the Southern Texas Junior Tour and Little Linksters Program, as well as other local junior tournaments.

The STPGA program

The program offers something for everyone from the ages of 7 to 18.

The Little Linksters Program is open to those ages 7-12 and of any skills level.

This is an instructional-based program targeting the Rules of Golf, etiquette on and off the course, the basic fundamentals of the game and a chance to play competitively.

All those interested in participating in the program must establish tournament eligibility by successfully completing an STPGA instructional clinic, approved clinic or advanced clinic.

Tournament competition is broken down into eight groups: Co-ed 7-9 (5-hole modified tees and 9-hole modified tees), Girls 10-12 (5-hole modified tees, 9-hole modified tees and 9-hole red tees), along with boys 10-12 (5-hole modified tees, 9-hole modified tees or 9-hole red tees).

Most of the STPGA tournaments for Little Linksters in the Corpus Christi and Austin areas begin on June 9. Three will be held in Victoria, the first on June 30 at Victoria Country Club with the second and third being held at Colony Creek Country Club on July 7 and 8.

The Junior Tour is for the more advanced golfer and consists of one- and two-day tournaments for those ages 12-18.

All first-year participants, unless exempt, must successfully complete a junior tour skills test to establish tournament eligibility.

Junior tournaments in the Austin, San Antonio and Corpus Christi area begin June 9. VCC will host the STPGA Junior Tour on June 9, while Colony Creek will play host to the tour July 7-8.

For information on the two STPGA junior programs or to signup, visit the STPGA Web site at www.stpga.com and click on the junior program icon.

Adams tour coming to town

In a short five weeks, the Adams Golf Pro Tour Series will make its annual stop in Victoria at VCC. The 72-hole event is slated for June 12-15. A pro-am is scheduled on June 11, prior to the opening round.

Mark Walker of Hurst, is currently the hottest golfer on the tour having won the last three events including the most recent Capital One Classic.

Walker is 46 under par during his last three events and won the Capital One Classic with a 15-under 273 at the Ellendale Country Club in Houma, La.

Hole in one

Ken Herricks aced the 140-yard par 3, No. 3 on the white course at Riverside Golf Course on May 1.

Herricks used a 7-iron for the shot witnessed by Garry Stroud, Henry Sheppard and Larry Leuschner.

Tournaments on the tee

EXCELLENCE ON PAR BENEFIT TOURNAMENT: Saturday, May 17, Yoakum Municipal Golf Course. Four-person scramble to honor Dr. David Watson for 50 years of service to the Yoakum community. Entry fee is $300 per team and the deadline to enter is Wednesday, May 14. For information, call Janet Foret at 361-293-2321, ext. 109.

46TH ANNUAL HATCH BEND SEAFOOD TOURNAMENT: May 16-18, Hatch Bend Country Club. Entry fee in $140 per team and the deadline to enter is May. 15. For information, call the Hatch Bend pro shop at 361-552-3037.

41ST ANNUAL PAGA SCHOLARSHIP AND JR. GOLF BENEFIT TOURNAMENT: Saturday, June 7, 7:30 a.m., Riverside Golf Course. Entry fee for the two-person scramble is $130 per team or $65 per person. The deadline to enter is May 31. For information, call Ralph Giron at 361-582-2710, Mando Mayorga at 361-578-7364, Juan Chagoya at 361-676-9494, Sal Perez at 361-676-4731 or the PAGA Clubhouse at 361-575-9239.

ANNUAL FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH BENEFIT SCRAMBLE: Sunday, June 8, 1 p.m., Yoakum Municipal Golf Course. Entry fee for the four-person scramble is $200. For information, call Winford Matthew at 361-293-2613.

6TH ANNUAL SHINER BOOSTER CLUB 4-PERSON SCRAMBLE: Saturday, June 14, 1 p.m., Yoakum Municipal Golf Course. Entry fee is $60 per person. For information, call Denise Sandelovic at 361-293-1219 or 361-594-4093.