PANAMA CITY, Fla. – After a brief hiatus, the popular Break Even Junior Golf Tournament is returning Saturday, Jan. 24, at Panama City Country Club, featuring a 1:30 p.m. tee time and nine holes of competition.
This year’s tournament is free for club members, while non-members will pay a $20 entry fee. The event is open to boys and girls in middle and high school.
The Break Even Junior Golf Tournament will be held once a month moving forward, offering regular opportunities for young golfers to compete and improve their skills.
Founder Lee Anderson is thrilled to bring the event back after several years.
“We started the Break Even Tour in 2005 to provide golf for my own kids and to get local kids involved in the sport,” Anderson said. “Now, with my grandson getting into golf, I wanted to revive the tournament and give the community’s young players a place to compete.”
Anderson’s grandson, James Anderson, is among the young golfers excited for the tournament’s return. “I’ve been playing golf for about eight or nine years, and I’ve played in around 10 or 15 tournaments,” James said. “This tournament is a great way to get more practice and learn how to handle situations on the course. I’m looking forward to playing with kids my age and seeing where I end up.”
James, who is in eighth grade, is eager to make the Mosley High School golf team in the coming year. He credits these junior tournaments with helping him prepare mentally for high school golf. “You have to learn how to bounce back from bad shots and not let them affect the rest of your game,” James said. “That’s something I’ve been working on, and these tournaments definitely help with that.”
Missy Perdue, a golfer at North Bay Haven, also sees the Break Even tournament as an opportunity to hone her skills. “It’s going to help me become more consistent in future golf matches I play,” she said. “I’m always trying to improve, and I’m looking forward to getting more practice in, especially during the offseason.”
Missy’s younger sister, Lilah Perdue, who has been playing golf for just two years, is excited to compete in her first full competitive tournament. “I’ve improved a lot over the past two years, and I just want to get a lot of golfing in this weekend and have fun,” Lilah said.
With 13 players already signed up, there are still a few spots left for those interested in joining Saturday’s event. The tournament is capped at 24 players. Sign up by calling or texting Lee Anderson at (850) 319-6773.
Forest Park Church Golf Tournament Set for Feb. 21
Looking ahead, the Forest Park Church Golf Tournament will take place at the Nature Walk Golf Course on Saturday, Feb. 21. This event will feature a select-shot, two-person team format with shotgun starts, open to both members and non-members of Forest Park Church.
“I’m hoping the tournament will be a fun way for everyone to get involved, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced golfer,” Anderson said. “We’re looking forward to a great turnout, and it’s all about community.”
The entry fee is $59 per person, and the tournament is designed for both men and women to compete together. Participants will be asked to limit their scorecards to no more than a bogey per hole. Those interested in signing up can reach out to Lee Anderson for more details at (850) 319-6773.
Banji Bamidele is a sports reporter for the Panama City News Herald. He can be reached at abamidele@gannett.com or through X, formerly known as Twitter, @AdebanjiBamide1.
This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Break Even junior golf tournament restarts monthly events Saturday
Reporting by Banji Bamidele, Panama City News Herald / The News Herald
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