Locals Prep for Prestigious Golf Tournament

She's played golf for the greater part of her lifetime, competed in numerous national junior championship tournaments and has even been mentioned in a cover story for "Golfer Girl Magazine." Still, Concord's Maddy Vergura knows she'll have weak knees on the first tee of The Optimist International Junior Golf Championships.

"I'll be nervous on the first tee," she conceded. "But once you get into playing, it's not that bad."

Vergura, 10, beginning Saturday will compete for the first time in the girls' 10-11-year-old division of the Optimist tournament at PGA National Resort & Spa in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. She will be joined by Concord-Carlisle High School golfer Ryan Harris, who will compete in the boys' 16-18 division. Harris tees off on July 29.

The Optimist features hundreds of the world's best junior golfers. Participants hail from all across the U.S. and 33 nations from around the world. Past competitors have included PGA Tour icons Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Ernie Els and Davis Love III.

So the young Vergura can't be blamed for her nerves. Still, she's excited to be part of such a prestigious tournament.

"That's pretty cool," said Vergura, who plays out of Harmon Golf & Fitness Club in Rockland. "I like being a part of it."

Vergura earned her spot in the tournament in impressive fashion. Competing against older golfers, Vergura won her qualifier in a 12-and-under division, while shooting lower than 93.

Playing against older competition is nothing new for Vergura. She regularly competes in the open division, featuring golfers 18 and under, on the U.S. Challenge Cup circuit.

If past performances mean anything, Vergura's nerves should subside rather quickly. She's competed at the U.S. Kids Golf World Championships at Pinehurst Resort in Pinehurst, N.C., the past few years, including a second-place finish as an 8-year-old in 2008. She will compete in the event again this year following the Optimist.

Needless to say she expects good things from the trip to Florida.

"I would hope to do well," said Vergura, who learned the game from her father, Mick. "I want to do well."

Harris is another local hoping to play well. The Carlisle resident will be a junior captain for the Patriots during the upcoming fall season.

He qualified for the Optimist by shooting 74 at Blissful Meadows Golf Club in Uxbridge. Earlier this summer, Harris placed second with a 76 in a New England PGA event in Billerica.

Results, tee times and photos will be updated daily on the Optimist's website at www.optimist.org/golf.