Charlie Watson, last October at just 16 years of age, won the men’s open championship, the handicap championship and his fifth consecutive junior championship at Temora Golf Club.
SOME of our big city clubs could learn a lot from the tiny Temora Golf Club – and their 185 members.
Junior membership is growing at Temora and the club is proud of its record, proving that family support, club spirit and early opportunity can shape the next generation of golfers.
The talented young locals there are now stepping onto the Riverina stage . . . and exciting young prospect Charlie Watson is leading the way.
In October last year, at just 16 years of age, Charlie won the men’s open championship at the club, along with the handicap championship and his fifth consecutive junior championship.
His journey exemplifies the club’s growing emphasis on nurturing young talent.
Charlie’s connection with golf began almost as soon as he could walk.
His father introduced him to the game when he was very young, and as a toddler Charlie regularly accompanied his parents to the course.
By the time he had turned seven, he was competing in a six-hole summer team event alongside his mother, father and teammates from the PGA team aged from 50 to 84 – giving him an early taste of the community spirit that helped shape his love of the game.
Charlie’s family support became even more important after his father was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease when Charlie was four.
Despite the challenges of his condition, he continued to follow Charlie’s progress often from a golf cart, offering tips, encouragement and advice.
The club had not crowned a junior champion since 2012 until Charlie claimed the trophy in 2021, competing in the men’s club championships as the only junior entrant at just 12 years old.
He was runner-up in C Grade that year, then won the Junior Championship the following year and finished runner-up in B Grade.
In 2024, he claimed the A Grade handicap title and was runner-up scratch champion, before winning the Men’s A Grade Golf Championship in 2025.
He also won the men’s accumulated points score and the men’s annual eclectic scratch event.
For a time, Charlie was the only junior regularly competing in the men’s competition.
Other juniors occasionally joined in, but participation remained low for several years.
Charlie Watson, front and centre, with the team from Temora.
Recognising the need to rebuild that pathway, the club has made a concerted effort to welcome young golfers and give them opportunities to develop their skills.
One contributing factor to the increase in junior numbers is Steve Block and his family.
Steve has been instrumental in encouraging junior golf, continuing to run coaching clinics, developing ideas to engage young players and promote the game.
Block was a major contributor to the inaugural junior tournament in March this year.
The tournament had 47 juniors entered primarily from Temora.
Many local players won trophies and were rewarded for their efforts.
Steve’s three oldest children (of seven) now play golf regularly.
Harper (14), his eldest daughter, has been selected in the Riverina Team alongside Charlie for the third year to compete at the state championships. His next child Jobe (13) is a member of the Riverina Golf Academy and Hugh (11) at the age of 10 won the C Grade championship at the club last year.
Jobe and Hugh, who both play with Charlie on a regular basis during the men’s competition, are both intent on claiming the junior championship. With Charlie playing off a handicap of two at Temora, Jobe off 10 and Hugh off 14, the competition between the boys and other juniors is growing rapidly.
Charlie, Harper, Hugh and another club junior Zali Sinclair recently represented the club and the Riverina at NSW state carnivals.
These events were held at Magenta Shores and at Tamworth, about six to seven-hours’ drive from Temora.
The travel and expenses associated with this representation were alleviated by the generous support of all sections of the club.
Temora is proving that family support, club spirit and early opportunity can shape the next generation of golfers.
The veterans, ladies, juniors and main committees of the club assisted each player and their families with donations towards costs.
The club’s junior program has contributed to increased participation in the men’s competition, with juniors now competing alongside adults, with up to 10 junior players participating every week.
Additionally, the ladies’ events have been adjusted during school holidays to accommodate junior players, fostering a more inclusive environment. Many juniors also enjoy playing with veterans during the school holiday periods, promoting mentorship and community engagement.
As Charlie nears the end of his junior golf career, Temora Golf Club is already looking to the next wave of young players following in his footsteps, including the enthusiastic Block boys and many others now finding their place on the fairways.
With strong family involvement, generous club support and a growing junior pathway, the future of golf in Temora looks bright.
The post Temora’s Charlie leading the way first appeared on Inside Golf. Australia's Most-Read Golf Magazine as named by Australian Golfers - FREE.
Article Link: https://www.insidegolf.com.au/news/club-news-news/temoras-charlie-leading-the-way/