Shanghai: The first leg of Silport’s year-long Junior Tournament series attracted a promising group of 30 youngsters with many showing a noticeable improvement in their games.

Particularly outstanding was Xie Renyi who topped the field to win the boy’s Group B (ages 11 to 13) after a round of six-over-par78 on the West and North course configuration. Hu Guangyao finished Group B runner-up with an 85.

Following a buffet lunch, a group photo and an announcement of the rules of the game by Silport caddie master Wang Hai Hong, about 90 players teed off from a shotgun start under sunny conditions over the Center and East courses.

Other strong performances among the boys included Yang Mengtao who finished Group A (ages 14 to 17) champion with a round of 81, well ahead of runner-up Tu Ye Weilin (88). Wu Suowei (93) was Group C champion (ages 9 to 10), followed by runner-up Li Zicong (108).

He Sifan showed she was a player to watch when the youngster emerged as the top girl with a strong round of 87 to top Group C, ahead of runner-up Cheng Yiqing. Zhou Hua topped Group A with an 88, followed by runner-up Chen Shiwen (95) who also won a nearest-the-pin prize on the West Course eighth hole. Zhang Xinyu won Group B with a 94.

Of the youngest children in Group D (ages under 8), Ye Li emerged champion after shooting a 48 over nine holes, followed by runner-up Zhu Ruiqi with a 66.

Nan Chengmin won the boy’s nearest-the-pin prize when he put his shot to within 1.5 feet of the pin on the West Course eighth hole.

Silport will be holding its Junior Tournament series throughout the year. The events are fun and exciting and open to the children of all Silport members as a way to build their competence and confidence in this healthy lifelong sport. For more information, contact the Silport reception desk and get your child involved today.