Final Report on Harder German Junior Masters 2008

Those responsible for the “Harder German Junior Masters 2008” hardly believed that such an improvement over the previous year’s tournament with its top-class players was at all possible: 17 nations had registered 120 participants, including whole national teams and German selected teams. Again there were two new participating countries, i.e. Latvia and Iceland. Minus 2.5 was the cut for the young ladies; participation in the tournament was only possible from minus 1.7 for the young gentlemen. As in every previous year the major part of the tournament concept was put into practice: all participants were able to show their skills on all three days of the tournament. And: contrary to the previous year, optimum conditions prevailed. Glorious weather and the Par 72 placing in top form gave reason to expect good scores from this elite group of participants....more

World Junior Golf Series

During the „Harder German Junior Masters“ on the course of the Heddesheim Golf Club a press conference took place on the eve of the final day at which, besides a preliminary summary being submitted, a huge surprise was presented, i.e. the start of the „World Junior Golf Series“ in 2009.

With the unique, ambitious concept the „Harder German Junior Masters“ have gained significance and recognition within only a short period. This tournament with the concept behind it will set a high standard for all tournaments held in this new series. The tournament series is to commence with five tournaments, increasing to ten by 2011. The first two tournaments will be taking place next year in Iceland (Reykjavik) and Ponte Verda Beach/Florida, followed by the „Harder German Junior Masters“ in Heddesheim. Ingimundur Helgason, who will be beginning next year with the „Iceland Junior Masters“, was present as well as Tom Burnett from Florida. He is thrilled about the new series: „As an American I had to come to Germany to see how young golfers are being well supported.“

Dr. Susanna Rosswag, iniator of the „Harder German Junior Masters“ and European director of the „World Junior Golf Foundation“ that was founded in 2006: „The new series pursues the goal of holding all tournaments on a comparable level. At the same time a world ranking system will be introduced. Anyone wishing to gain a place in the world ranking must have played in at least four tournaments.” Those who qualify can apply for a scholarship at the Gold Academy in Jacksonville/Florida. Apart from intensive golf training they receive both schooling, tuition in mental training and encouragement to live healthily. The well-known and recognised Professor Dr. Dietrich Grönemeyer from Bochum has agreed to become the worldwide medical patron for this.

Jürgen B. Harder, namesake and main sponsor, still recalls how it all began: „In 2002 I really did not believe in what has happened now. We had a vision and were laughed at – now the laugh is on us.“

Frederik Due, Coach, norwegian national team:

I have never been at such well organized tournament. Very professional.











Nils Bjerregaard, denmark:

The best junior tournament worldwide.

Pictures of the tournament - day 1


Pictures of the tpurnament - day 2


Pictures of the tournament - day 3

"....As you enter the last round of your tournament tomorrow, I would like to extend a HUGE thank you from myself and my wife, Michelle, to you and your team for all you have done in putting together a world-class tournament which my son Dylan O’Leary describes as being unbelievably well organised with a huge amount of fun thrown in. He has nothing but the highest praise for everything that is going on over there and says that the hospitality has been just wonderful.

It was difficult for me saying goodbye to Dylan – who as you know travelled with David McMinn – as it is the first time he has gone off to a tournament on his own. And worse, the tournament was overseas so he was flying thousands of miles to another continent – far from home. It pulled at my heart strings. I think the difficulty was more on my side than his but I must tell you that what made it much easier for me was knowing that you and your team would be there on the other side to look after him. I had peace of mind that he would be OK. And I was not wrong. He is loving every minute of it – both on and off the golf course.

Susanna, you have given my son the chance to play in a world-leading tournament and for this I am extremely grateful. Please will you pass on my thanks to all the members of your team who made all this possible.

Once again, thank you and my heartiest congratulations on what you are doing for our sons and daughters..."

Best regards
Patrick O.
South Africa