The first of the 18-hole, five match series got underway at the Mowbray Golf Club, with Riverside 1 and Launceston 1 teeing off yesterday morning.

Riverside 1 came out triumphant defeating Launceston 1, 4 - 1.

Golf Tasmania North president and pennant organiser Don Cameron said there were 30 boys, with five players a team competing.

``A couple of years ago we only had four teams, so there is a growing interest in the sport,'' Cameron said.

``There's been a bit of a push to go after young players and get them involved and we hope more will take it up.''

Cameron said a dedicated group of five individuals helped to turn around the declining youth numbers taking up the sport and in a six-month period grew it to 513 registered youth players; 80 of which are girls.

Cameron said other golf districts were now following their lead.

One of the junior players to watch is Sam Rawlings.

Cameron said Rawlings was announced as the state junior team captain and also on the state men's team on Friday.

Rawlings is joined on the state junior team by Isaac Pinnington and Jack Tregaskis-Jag,o who are also playing in the pennant.

The second match of the pennant yesterday, was between Prospect and Mowbray.

The Prospect players held out against Mowbray defeating the side 4 - 1.

While Launceston 2 narrowly defeated Riverside 2, 3 - 2.

The pennant is run through the Northern Tasmanian Junior Golf Development.