When juniors teed up at Junior All-Star Series events this year, walking the course wasn’t such a pain in the back. The AJGA recently made a policy change to allow non-motorized push carts during the Junior All-Star Series events for the 2008 season and has named The Bag Boy Company the “Preferred Push Cart of the AJGA.”
The Junior All-Star Series is a collection of 10 events specifically designed for boys and girls ages 12-15 years old. The competition provides an opportunity for younger members to develop their skills and earn entry into open tournaments.
Research shows that young junior golfers who carry golf bags on a regular basis are more prone to injury. These juniors are more likely to suffer from lower back, shoulder and ankle injuries. With the recent policy change, Junior All-Star Series participants can opt out of carrying a heavy bag and choose to use a push cart instead.
All other AJGA events allow the use of non-motorized push carts on the basis of medical necessity.
Of the 19 juniors using push carts in AJGA events, five have pushed their way to victory in 2008. Yueer Cindy Feng of Orlando, Fla., has carted her way to five victories this season. She finished first at four Junior All-Star Series events and was a co-medalist at the 2008 Medicus Preseason Junior at Rochester presented by Wegmans LPGA and Xerox Classic.
Maxwell Marsico of Las Vegas, took home a victory at the AJGA Las Vegas Junior, Alison Lee of Valencia, Calif., earned her second victory at the Hamni Bank Junior Open and a second-place finish at the McDonald's Betsy Rawls Girls Championship, and Augusta James of Tamworth, Ontario, took first at the 2008 Medicus Junior All-Star at Oakwood as well as a second-place finish at the Junior All-Star at Nemacolin.
The first AJGA Invitational event to be won by a push cart player was the McDonald’s Betsy Rawls Girls Championship when Jessica Korda of Bradenton, Fla., took home top honors.
By taking advantage of the opportunity to use push carts, these talented young juniors are taking a step in the right direction. In order to make sure you keep your body healthy and injuries to a minimum, push carts seem to be the way to roll.