Video: Coca-Cola Junior Golf Tour Comes to Amory

AMORY, Miss. (WCBI) – Just after Martin Kaymer won the US Open for a 2nd time this weekend, some ‘junior’ golf players are playing their own tournament in Amory.

It’s all in the shot. This may not be the US Open but these young golfers are just as passionate about playing the Coca Cola Junior Golf Tour. This year’s tour stopped at Riverbirch Country Club in Amory. Director Greg Flannagan says younger players are coming out in record numbers.

“Obviously Tiger Woods, Jordan Speith, Rickie Fowler. Kids that are here today relate to those guys. They see them on tv, they see the cool colors they’re wearing. They want to do that,” says Flannagan.

“You’re really playing yourself so it really doesn’t matter how you do. It’s a lot harder than a lot of other sports I play,” says Junior Golfer, Cole Bowland.

Golf’s popularity continues to grow. Over 70 boys and girls, ages 6-18, are playing in this year’s Northeast Mississippi Junior Tour.

“I think it’s a great game especially for kids because it teaches them patience. Great as far as teaching them etiquette,” says parent Kenneth Thomas.

As pro-golfers like Martin Kaymer and Erik Compton continue to shine, there’s still one golfer who remains a favorite with young players.

“I’d say Phil Mickelson is my favorite player,” says Bowland.

“My favorite golf player would probably be Phil Mickelson. He’s just a good guy. He doesn’t cuss or anything after he makes a bad shot. Plays good golf,” says Junior Golfer Adam Brown.

The Coca Cola Junior Tour concludes in Tupelo on July 9th. Junior Tournaments are conducted under official US Golf Association rules.