Story by Greg Wise Photos by Greg and Beverly Wise
young guns
The Power of Passion
Great things happen
when you put your passion for golf to good use. Long time Scotland resident and golf historian from “The Old Course,” Keith McColl, now living in The Villages, Florida, reconnected with long time friend, PGA Professional, Mark Panigoni in 2019 to create the Highlander Junior Tour. The mission at Highlander Junior golf is “Providing opportunities for Florida’s Junior golfers to improve themselves through playing regular, affordable competitive golf at great venues close to home.” Both Keith and Mark are strong in leadership and organizational skills. “We believe passionately that golf is way more than just a game,” explained Keith, “Golf is a game of life, that teaches us from an early age, lesson that make us better adults.” “By juniors playing competitively, they learn about honesty, integrity and respect
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for each other. Combine that with the overall connection of sportsmanship, being responsible for time management, creates an environment that expands their knowledge for life,” Mark commented. Highlander Junior Tour offers junior golfers competition starting at the age of 6 with their “Wee Highlander” group that only play 9-hole events with shortened yardages, with the “Highlanders” group, from age 9 through the age of 18 . The Highlander group has 3 playing categories; The Old Tom Morris Division for the older juniors with strong playing ability, The Young Tommy Morris Division for those Mid-Range ages, and The Bobby Jones Division for the younger golfers
Golf Central • Volume 21, Issue 7