WITH the 2016 SSE Enterprise Wales Senior Open teeing off in eight weeks’ time, European Senior Tour golfer Mark Mouland oversaw a street golf event at Newport's Friars Walk shopping centre yesterday.

The Celtic Manor Resort, host venue for this year’s tournament, is just up the road from the shopping centre, owned by Queensberry Real Estate, which hosted children from various schools who took part in a number of golf challenges.

More than 200 children made use of an inflatable driving range and chipped foam golf balls into the boot of a car, all under Mouland’s watchful eye.

In the build-up to the tournament, held on the Roman Road Course from June 3 to June 5, the European Senior Tour has organised a number of community events in partnership with Newport City Council, Newport Live and Golf Development Wales to help raise awareness of the sport with children in the Newport area.

Andy Stubbs, managing director of the European Senior Tour, said: “We are delighted to be involved in this initiative with Newport City Council, Newport Live and Golf Development Wales, and hope that this introduction to our magnificent sport encourages a number of the children to take up golf and want to play on a regular basis.

“We are grateful for the support of Queensberry Real Estate for agreeing to host what was a fun activity for many local children.”

Simon Pullen, centre director of Friars Walk, said: “We are delighted to support this community golf event in welcoming children from local schools to participate in what was an exciting day.”

England’s Paul Wesselingh is the defending Wales Senior Open champion after holding off home favourite Ian Woosnam to capture the trophy in 2015.

The tournament forms part of the Welsh Government’s commitment to golf, continuing the legacy of the 2010 Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor and Wales’ first ever major championship, the Senior Open Championship Presented by Rolex at Royal Porthcawl in 2014.

The Wales Senior Open has a rich history of past champions, including the Senior Tour’s most prolific winner, Carl Mason (2005, 2007) and former Ryder Cup players José Rivero (2006) and Barry Lane (2012).

Woosnam, Wales’ greatest ever golfer, has four top-three finishes in six appearances in the event.

For more information about the SSE Enterprise Wales Senior Open at Celtic Manor and for tickets to the event visit: http://tickets.europeantour.com/event/sse-enterprise-wales-senior-open/the-celtic-manor-resort/939553.