In the beginning, it was not just more than an idea in the sense of: "We should do this sometime". Young people are often still regarded as "trouble makers" or "annoying followers" in golf clubs.


„We should do something...for the youth“, is still a sentence seldomly heard on golf courses in this country. At Gut Neuzenhof in Heddesheim, a small group of enthusiasts took the initiative in this regard. This was in 2003.

One year later, the golf club on the outskirts of Mannheim experienced the birth of a youth movement. The Harder-German-Junior-Masters were born. Dr. Susanna Rosswag, Willi Silkenbäumer and initiator Jürgen B. Harder started a golf experiment, of which no one imagined it would become so much appreciated throughout the world.

The very first tournament in 2003 was more of a regional event, although some young competitors from other parts of Germany also followed the call to the Heddesheimer golf club. "Such a tournament shows that golf is not just a sport for retired people“, a competitor from Bavaria stated spontaneously. Indeed, the "spirit" of Gut Neuzenhof caught up the youngsters from the first second on. Youthfulness, fresh thinking, easiness: The Harder-German-Junior-Masters, which were still called "Harder-Jugendcup" in their first year, do not only want to be a tournament involving young people but it should be for young people.

Distinctive features of the golf event like the green jacket that is awarded to the tournament champion or a disco night have made the event so unique. "We have always cared about what the youngsters think“, explains Jürgen B. Harder, "and our concept was very well received by them.

So, last year's winner Stephanie Kono personally thanked the initiators of the tournament for the sports challenge and their great hospitality in a letter.
The top-player from Hawaii is a good example for the rising sportive class of the Harder-German-Junior-Masters. Like Angela Park in 2004, the female winners did not only fascinate with their exceptional results, but also with their remarkable manner of appearance. Golf professional Marcel Siem was especially impressed with the "extraordinary drive of the winner".

Not only youth idol Siem attended the Harder-German-Junior-Masters as an interested viewer during the last years. Also swimming legend Franziska van Almsick, actor Mark Keller, singer Ray Garvey of the pop band Reamonn - and as a regular guest, Tony Jacklin, winner of the US and British Open - followed the event. "There is actually no better education for young people than allowing them to play such a tournament“, comments the former Rydercup-Captain.

Allen John would have earned the unofficial title "Mister Harder-German-Junior-Masters“. As a ripened talent of the GC Heddesheim there could not have been a better very first champion than the local hero. In 2004, John continued his success against a much larger group of international competitors and one year later, he finished third.

The trend is clear: It is getting more and more difficult to win the green jacket in Heddesheim.

2005 champion Robin Wingardh from Sweden played 4 under par – this is a top result, which high-class senior players would struggle to achieve.
The Harder-German-Junior-Masters have developed from a simple idea into a movement within a period of three years. With its all-encompassing support program and the ever-increasing sportive quality of the golf tournament, Gut Neuzenhof is on its way to become a hot spot for young top players. And knowing the makers of the GC Heddesheim, standing still would be to them like stepping backwards. So, "We should do this sometime..." has become an international milestone for junior golf.