The sixth annual Oceânico World Kids Golf Championships (OWKG) has teed off with the largest field of young golfers to date - a record 127 competitors from across Europe and the Middle East.

The sixth annual Oceânico World Kids Golf Championships (OWKG) has teed off with the largest field of young golfers to date.

A record 127 competitors from across Europe and the Middle East will compete over the Oceânico Faldo and Oceânico O’Connor Jnr. courses at the Amendoeira Golf Resort to be crowned the champion in the Algarve.

Demonstrating Oceânico’s dedication to supporting grass roots golf, the event has seen an expanding number of Portuguese competitors over the past six years. A total of 37 will tee it up this year.

“The Oceânico World Kids Golf Championships has grown in stature year on year and we are very pleased to welcome more talented young golfers than ever before,” said Chris Stilwell, Oceânico Golf’s CEO.

“With on-site facilities at Amendoeira Golf Resort and the parent/child element of the tournament, we are not surprised to find more families returning each year to combine the event with their family holiday. We wish all competitors the best of luck!”

Addressed by Portugal’s national golfing hero, Ricardo Santos, competitors featured in a glitzy opening ceremony before the first shot was struck.

The tournament itself is made up of a variety of age groups for boys and girls between the ages of seven and eighteen. Competition categories are determined by both age and gender, producing a tournament as comprehensive as any on the golfing calendar. Children aged ten years and over will compete over 18 holes on each of the three competition days, while children under ten will play 9 holes. Creating the feel of a professional ‘Tour’ event the tournament counts each player’s gross score towards their Championship total and prizes will be awarded to the first three competitors in each age category, for both boys and girls.

This championship is part of a series of important events on the Oceânico 2014 calendar, including the European Tour’s Portugal Masters and the Grande Troféu Vilamoura – a season-ending event for keen amateur golfers.

For further information please visit www.oceanicogolf.com