Park and Armstrong Make it Back to Back Masters Wins
It was another stunning day in Bathurst and the golf course was beautifully presented once again. The fast paced greens were again a challenge to most of the juniors in the field, but it was pleasing to see some of the juniors rise to the challenge.
Dunheved's Hannah Park has secured her second Junior Masters Championship of the 2015 series, winning the Peter O'Malley Junior Masters with a 36 hole total of 146 (+2). Hannah put together rounds of 73, 73 to finish 5 shots ahead of Celina Yuan (The Australian).
In the Boys Overall Championship it was Josh Armstrong who again dominated the Junior Masters scene. The Lake's junior shot rounds of 71,74 (+3) to take out the tournament two shots ahead of Penrith's Josh Gadd.
In the Boys 13 Years and Under Concord's Andy Li held his nerve to win the scratch with rounds of 74,80 (154). Andy managed to hold off Corey Lamb (Branxton) and Ethan Chambers (Bonnie Doon) by 4 shots to secure his place on the bus to the Bonville Champions Trophy. Another stellar effort from Russell Vale's Jarod Callahan saw him crowned the nett champion in this division. Jarod had nett scores of 64,69 (133) to finish 5 shots ahead of his nearest opponent.
The nett event in the Boys 14 and 15 Years division it was Muswellbrook's Sheldon Harris who finished on top after a countback. Sheldon finished on 142 (E) with runner up Jackson Hall (Port Kembla) also firing a nett 142.
In the Boys 16 Years division James Gleeson (Dubbo) emerged as the scratch winner after rounds of 71, 77 (+6). Ballina's Jay Mackenzie finished one shot back on 149. In the nett competition it was a close one with three players tied on the same score at the end of 36 holes. It was Cabramatta's Eli Simon that took the honours with a score of 144. He won on a count back over Alan Zhu (Rosnay).
Celina Yuan (The Australian) once again was too strong in the Girls 16 Years and Over, taking out the scratch with a two round total of 151 (+7). Concord's Georgia Page was crowned the nett champion on 142 (-2).
Local lass Emma McCarthy (Bathurst) made the most of playing on her home course finishing with a two round nett total of 139 (-5). She was 5 shots clear of her nearest rival in the Girls 14 and 15 Years division.
In the battle of the youngsters it was Avondale's June Song who emerged on top in the Girls 13 Years and Under. June finished with rounds of 80,76 to finish on 156 (+12). She closed the tournament 3 shots clear of Belinda Ji (Concord) and Amber Thornton (NSW). In the nett competition Ryde Parramatta's Sophie Yip dominated from the start. Sophie managed a 36 hole nett total of 139 (-5) off a handicap of 13 to win the nett competition by 11 shots.
Again the players in the stableford produced some superb scores. In the Boys Stableford Gabriel Gurmaij-Chung (Castle Hill) was the overall winner on 74 points with Kiama's Nathan Brownlow taking runner up position on 60 points. In the Girls Stableford local star Casey Thompson continued her excellent form and managed a win on 68 points. It was Casey's first JNJG event and we know there will be lots more tournaments ahead for this up and comer. Runner up was Andrea Le (Rosnay) on 65 points.
Also at the Peter O'Malley Junior Masters there is an Academy Challenge. The challenge has teams of three or four with the best two scratch scores and the best nett score for each round counting towards a team total. The team with the lowest total over the two days is the winner. This year the winners of the Academy Challenge came from the Western Sydney Academy of Sport with a team total of 449. The team was Mark Hancock, Brad Doherty, Josh Gadd and Lucy Harris.
For a full list of results from the event click here.
Overall it was another great weekend in Bathurst. The weather was excellent and the course was simply stunning!! We would like to thank all of the members, staff and volunteers from Bathurst Golf Club for making the weekend a huge success. This event has been going for over 10 years and is certainly a highlight on the Junior Masters Calendar. We look forward to returning next year.
We would like to congratulate all the juniors on their performances over the weekend. Also thanks must go to all the parents and supporters for again giving up their time to get the juniors to the event. Without your support our events would not be possible.
The next event is the North Coast Junior Masters at Ballina followed by the Western Sydney Junior Masters at Lynwood. Make sure you get your entry form in as these fields will fill up quickly. We look forward to seeing you there.
Round 1 Recap
It was a chilly start at Bathurst for the first round of the 2015 Peter O'Malley Junior Masters. Despite the cold temperature it was not long before the sun came up and day turned out beautifully. The Bathurst track was in superb condition and the greens proved a challenge for all players.
It was Dubbo's James Gleeson and tournament favourite Josh Armstrong (The Lakes) who handled the tough layout the best. Both boys put together solid rounds of even par 71 to lead the Boys Overall Championship. Sitting just one shot back is Jordan Garner (Pennant Hills) and a further shot back Ballina's Jay Mackenzie. With the competition so tight these four boys will be fighting it out in the final group tomorrow.
Wagga Wagga Junior Masters Champion Hannah Park (Dunheved) is in control of the Girls Overall Championship with a fantastic round of 73 (1 over par). Chasing her are Celina Yuan (The Australian) and Chloe Thornton (NSW). They will have their work cut out for them as they try to claw back Hannah's 5 shot lead. Brianna Baird (Manly) and Amber Thornton (NSW) round out the top 5 after rounds of 79 (7 over par).
In the Boys 16 Years and Over division Kooindah Water's junior Drew Chivas leads the way with a nett 70. While Alan Zhu (Rosnay) and Finlay Bellingham (Warringah) sitting tied in second with nett scores of 72.
In the Boys 14 and 15 Years Nett it is Dubbo's Mitchell Bourne at the top with a fantastic score of 69. Jackson Hall (Port Kembla) is a further two shots back
It's a tie for the lead in the Boys 13 Years and Under scratch with Andy Li (Concord) and Ethan Chambers (Bonnie Doon) both firing fantastic rounds of 74 (3 over par). Corey Lamb (Branxton) sits in third just 4 shots behind. In the Nett event, a stellar score of 64 by Jarod Callahan (Russell Vale) means he leads by 2 shots.
It's a tight race in the Girls 13 Years and Under scratch event with Amber Thornton (NSW) firing a round of 72 (7 over par). Belinda Ji (Concord), June Song (Avondale) and Sophie Yip (Concord) are hot on her heels with only one shot keeping them from the top of the leader board. Sophie's round of 80 puts her firmly in the lead in the Nett competition. She sits on 67 (-5).
Girls 14 and 15 Years Bathurst junior Emma McCarthy made the most of the home course advantage with a stunning nett 69.
There were some great scores also recorded in the stableford event. Local Bathurst lad Ben Davis leads the boys with a great score of 39 points. He is just 1 point ahead of Gabriel Gurmaij-Chung (Castle Hill). It was another Bathurst junior who dominated the girls stableford competition. Casey Thompson (Bathurst) fired a scorching round of 42 points to lead by a massive 10 shots.
It is certainly close at the top which makes for excellent competition during the final round. All of our juniors will be striving to produce their best round and secure their seat on the bus to the Bonville Champions Trophy.
For a full list of results from today click here.
Play will get under way at 7.14am with the afternoon field kicking off at 11.14am. Click here to access the round 2 draw.
Good luck to all players and if you are off early make sure you wrap up warm as it will probably be another cold start.
Tournament Preview
This weekend juniors from across NSW will gather at the Bathurst Golf Club to contest the second event of the 2015 Junior Masters Series, the Peter O’Malley Junior Masters.
This event has been taking place annually for over 10 years and this year the competition is fierce.
Leading the charge for the Boys are local juniors Scott Matheson (Bathurst) and James Conran (Orange). They will have their work cut out for them with fellow competitors Josh Armstrong (The Lakes) and Jordan Garner (Pennant Hills) having plus handicaps. Fresh off his win at the Wagga Wagga Junior Masters last month and a recent golf development trip to America Josh will be hoping for back-to-back wins. Jordan will be looking to claim his first Junior Masters title after recently returning with Josh from the golf development trip to the US. Fellow competitors Josh Gadd (Penrith), Justin Kim (NSW) and Luke Ferrier (Pennant Hills) will also be looking to take out the title.
In the Girls Championship key players to watch include Cowra Golf Club’s Laura Cummings, Celina Yuan (The Australian) and Wagga Wagga Junior Masters Champion Hannah Park from Dunheved Golf Club. These three will have to keep an eye on the younger girls though, who are making their mark on the junior golf scene at such an early age. All four of these 12 and 13 year olds have GA handicaps of 2. Concord’s Belinda Ji, Yerrin Kim (Strathfield), Amber Thornton (NSW) and June Song (Avondale) will certainly be doing all they can to capture their first Junior Masters title.
This event attracts a large number of participants each year and this year is no different with over 170 players registered for the event. It is the largest Junior Masters event of the eight events this year and JNJG have again offered a travel and accommodation package with 20 juniors taking up this opportunity.
This year’s event also includes an Inter-Academy Challenge. Each Regional Academy of Sport has nominated a team of four players from their squad. The best two scratch scores and the best nett score for each round from that team will count towards determining the winning Academy. This is an excellent opportunity for the Academies to get in some extra practise before the Regional Academy Games kicks off in April.
Titleist is the major sponsor for the event and is providing hundreds of dollars’ worth of equipment for prizes. Subaru is also continuing their ongoing support for junior golf in sponsoring this event.
We look forward to seeing everyone at Bathurst on Saturday for another great event.
Play will commence on Saturday 28th March from 7.14am. Click here for the draw
