Week in week out we all play from our favourite tees and at times go back to the Championship tees to see if our game is up to the ultimate challenge. But when we sometimes play from forward tees or even from the red tees on a fun format, the moans and groans can be just as bad as the championship tees.

That was very much the case at last weekend's Emirates Junior Open when the Emirates' best juniors were faced with playing off the white tees on both the Wadi and Majlis course.

As we all know the kids of today just want to crush everything and they certainly do! But to see the scoring of day one was a great credit to those who chose to use their course management skills they've learnt during the JDP programme and for the young lad who shot a net 55, you're certainly a potential star of the future!

The field played from the white tees which are not short by any means but when you play the Wadi course there are certain dog-leg holes and fairways that need thought from the tee in order to leave you in a good position for your approach shots.

All said and done to shoot anything from four over par to level par is a good score and something to be proud of.

But it is certainly refreshing to see a tournament committee put another angle of test for players other than thinking the longer the course the better. With either junior or standard players who comfortably driving the ball 275 yards, many competition courses are either tricked up by tucking the pins away or double and triple cutting the greens.

Standard of game

I'm not saying tournaments should be played from the forward tees but when the majority of golfers play the same courses year on year it is nice to get players tested with different club selection and yardage they don't normally contend with.

The end of the Junior Order culminates at Tower Links Golf Club which probably 75 per cent of juniors have not played so it certainly promises to be a test and exciting finish to their season. But for sure the standard of play is certainly improving and with almost five hundred junior registered on the UAE JDP programme the next generation of golfers are not far away.

As the season comes to a close, the top 16 from the Men's and Ladies Order of Merit can look forward to two great match-play competitions: UGA Scratch Match-play Championships at The Desert Course and for the men a 'Ryder Cup' style match-play against the Professionals in the Dubai Golf trophy.