Corey Lamb and Hye Park Claim NSW Junior Championship
(6:00pm - Friday 12th July 2019)
The final margin was four shots, but Corey Lamb (Concord) was never in trouble throughout the final round of the 2019 NSW Junior Championship. Whilst Lamb was crusing to the title in the Boys, it was all happening in the Girls as Queensland pair Hye Park and Cassie Porter went head to head down the stretch. In the end extra holes were needed, with Park making a birdie on the first playoff hole to defend her crown and go back to back.
The NSW Boys and Girls Titles made it two trophies in two weeks for the pair, after the same players won the 2019 Queensland Boys and Girls just last week.
Starting with a six shot lead it was going to take something special from the chasing pack to catch overnight leader Lamb. Whilst the 17 year old didn't quite have his A game in the difficult conditions on Friday like he had throughout the first three rounds, he had already done more than enough to pick up his first major JNJG title in his final JNJG event. A birdie on the first was followed up by a double bogey on the second, and when the Branxton junior dropped two more shots on the fourth and fifth he offered up just a sniff to those chasing.
But like he had done all week he responded when he needed, with a birdie on the difficult sixth steadying the ship right on cue. With 40km/h winds blowing across the course all afternoon, par was a good score and Lamb made plenty of them on the back nine to secure the title. Sam Slater (Queensland) never gave up but he also started slow in the difficult conditions and had to settle for second place on his 18th birthday. The packed presentation room sent Slater out in style with a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday as he collected his trophy, exiting the junior ranks to focus on his final year of school for the remainder of the year.
Held in conjunction with the NSW Junior Championships were the JNJG State Age Championships and young gun Jeffrey Guan was the next to collect a trophy. On a day where every single player in the field dropped multiple shots, Guan fired an even par 72 with just one birdie and one bogey (a 3-putt on the 15th) to finish in third place overall and claim the 14 Years JNJG State Age Title by 11 shots. Josh Robards (Newcastle) performed well in his home town event, finishing fourth overall at even par and winning the 16 Years JNJG State Age Title by 13 shots.
Toronto pair Jacob Dundas and Jake Riley proved local knowledge was the key with another two State Age Titles going to the home town duo. Dundas defeated Hamish Ellison (Belmont) by six shots to win the 15 Years State Age whilst Riley came from behind to defeat Kai Komulainen (Long Reef) by four shots in the 13 Years Division.
NSW Boys - Leaderboard
Queenslander Hye Park made it back to back NSW Girls Titles with a dramatic playoff victory over the ever-impressive Cassie Porter (Queensland). After dominating both the course and the rest of the field throughout the first three days, the Girls went shot for shot down the stretch with some breathtaking strokeplay. After Porter headed into the final round with a four shot lead Park needed a quick start and she got off to one with a birdie on the first.
But as the wind continued to blow across the course the dropped shots started to come, with no player immune. When the Girls reached the 9th tee Porter still lead by three shots, but what happened next had to be seen to be believed. Needing to make up some ground to defend her crown, Park lifted with birdies on the 9th, 10th, 12th, 13th, 14th and 15th. The incredible run, six birdies in seven holes, saw the 16 year old turn the three shot deficit into the outright lead. Not to be outdone, Porter responded with birdies of her own on the long 14th and 15th holes to keep the margin at just one with three holes to play.
After pars all round at 16 and 17, Park went long on the 18th and found herself on the putting green and needing a ruling. After taking free relief, she could only manage a bogey and Porter had a birdie putt of her own to win the title! The putt caught the edge but did not drop as the Girls headed for a playoff.
In fading light the two Queenslanders went back down the 1st, with the 17th and 18th ready for action if the playoff went more than one hole. Two fantastic shots saw Park safely on the green with an eagle putt, with Porter needing to find an up and down from the right of the green to possibly extend the contest. Her delicate chip was played to perfection, however the birdie putt slid by and Park two putted for a birdie of her own and the win.
Queensland dominated the girls leaderboard, with Hannah Reeves and Lion Higo also impressing to finish the tournament under par in third and fourth place. Jasmine Driscoll (NSW GC) and Claire Shin (Brighton Lakes) were the best placed NSW Girls in a share of fifth with Driscoll claiming the 15 Years JNJG State Age and Shin the 14 Years. Other JNJG State Age Titles went to Yerin Kim (Strathfield) in the 17 Years, Annika Rathbone (The Australian) in the 16 years, and Southern Highlands junior Michelle Di Natale (NSW GC) in the 13 Years.
NSW Girls - Leaderboard
All players who missed the 36 hole cut didn't go home empty handed, with the JNJG State Age Plate Divisions finishing the 72 hole tournament at Charlestown GC. Leighton Price (Federal) defeated all the interstate players to win the Plate division, also taking home the 16 Years Plate Title. Jackson Upton (Monash) defeated Blake Murray (Penrith) on the second playoff hole to win the 16 Years Plate, with Daley Loumanis doing it easier in a three shot victory in the Boys 15 Years Plate. Arki Valdy (Bonnie Doon) was far too good in the 14 Years Plate division, whilst Kayun Mudadana (Cronulla) capped off a good week with victory in the 13 Years Plate.
JNJG State Age Plate at Charlestown - Leaderboard
After two successful years in the Newcastle DGA, JNJG would like to thank both Belmont GC and Charlestown GC for their fantastic hospitality and all the members for their support of the NSW Junior Championships.
Wind Continues to Blow as Leaders Make Turn
(1:30pm - Friday 12th July 2019)
Strong 40 km/h winds have not let up and the leaders are battling in the toughest conditions of the week as the brute that is Belmont GC bares it's teeth on Friday afternoon.
Follow all the live scoring below!
NSW Boys - Leaderboard
NSW Girls - Leaderboard
JNJG State Age Plate at Charlestown - Leaderboard
Lamb and Porter Holding Huge Final Round Lead
(7:00am - Friday 12th July 2019)
Concord's Corey Lamb (six shots) and Queenslander Cassier Porter (four shots) will take commanding leads into the final round of the 2019 NSW Junior Championships at Belmont Golf Club.
The leading Girls will tee off in the final round at 11:51am, with the leading Boys following on the first tee at 12:00pm.
The marquee groups in the final round will have LIVE hole by hole scoring throughout the final round, so follow all the action on the leaderboards below.
NSW Boys - Leaderboard
NSW Girls - Leaderboard
JNJG State Age Plate - Leaderboard
The Plate Presentation will take place at Charlestown GC at approximately 2:00pm, with the main presentation taking place at Belmont GC at 5:30pm.
Lamb Extends Lead as Porter Makes her Move
(6:00pm - Thursday 11th July 2019)
It seems not even 50km/h winds can stop the in-form Corey Lamb (Concord). The 17 year old is on track to go wire to wire for the second straight week, opening up a huge lead in the NSW Boys Championship in gusty conditions at Belmont Golf Club.
In the NSW Girls Championship, Cassie Porter (Queensland) has taken advantage of a rare off day by defending champion Hye Park (Queensland) to assume full control during the third round on Thursday afternoon.
Corey Lamb really is on another level to anyone else in Australia right now. The Branxton local backed up his opening two rounds of 67 with a three under par 69 on moving day which only extended his already huge lead. Five birdies through the opening 12 holes had Lamb on track to go even lower in the difficult conditions, before two late bogies proved the Hunter River junior is in fact human afterall.
Lamb will take a six shot advantage into Friday's final round, with Queenslander Sam Slater moving into second place after his own round of 69. Slater dropped just the one shot on Thursday to leapfrog playing partners Josh Robards (Newcastle) and Jeffrey Guan (The Australian). Local boy Robards, bounced back from a slow start with four birdies in a row starting from the 9th to finish the day with a one under par 71 to leave him two shots further back. Young gun Jeffrey Guan dropped a couple of shots late on the back nine to sign for a 75, leaving him in fourth position at minus two.
It's never easy to back up after a course record the day before, but Cassie Porter had no problems in jumping straight to the top of the leaderboard. 16 year old Porter started slow, dropping as many as five shots behind the defending champion after bogies on the third and fifth. Four holes later, the tournament had been turned on it's head and Porter found herself two shots in front.
Park found trouble on the 7th, making a quadruple bogey eight and Porter really took advantage. Now trailing by one, the Queenslander applied the pressure with three birdies in a row from the very next hole and the tournament looked completely different. Three more birdies in the final four holes, whilst Park dropped two more shots of her own saw Porter sitting comfortably on top with 18 holes to go.
It remains a very Queensland dominant leaderboard (shame about the State of Origin last night.....haha) with Lion Higo (-3) and Hannah Reeves (Ev) rounding out the top four. Claire Shin (Brighton Lakes) and Jasmine Driscoll (NSW GC) are flying the flag for the blues after fantastic third rounds in the difficult conditions.
The Plate Presentation will take place at Charlestown GC at approximately 2:00pm, with the main presentation taking place at Belmont GC at 5:30pm.
NSW Boys - Leaderboard
NSW Girls - Leaderboard
JNJG State Age Plate - Leaderboard
Round 4A - Belmont Draw (NSW Junior Championships)
Round 4B - Charlestown Draw (JNJG State Age Plate)
Gale Force Winds Expected on Moving Day
(6:30am - Thursday 11th July 2019)
After perfect conditions over the opening 36 holes, strong winds are set to play havoc with the field throughout the third round of the NSW Junior Championship.
How will the leaders Corey Lamb (Concord) and Hye Park handle the strong winds? Marquee groups are set to tee of just after midday and you can follow all the action on the links below.
NSW Boys - Leaderboard
NSW Girls - Leaderboard
JNJG State Age Plate - Leaderboard
36 Hole Events Decided at NSW Junior
(6:00pm - Wednesday 10th July 2019)
Held in conjunction with the opening two rounds of the NSW Junior were the NSW Boys and Girls Country Junior Championships, NSW Boys and Girls Inter-District Teams Championships and NSW Club Junior Champion of Champions.
Tournament leader Corey Lamb (Branxton) has dominated his rivals in the Boys Country Junior Championships, cruising to a six shot victory over Josh Robards (Newcastle). Isabelle Hawes (Royal Canberra) has made it back to back titles in the Girls Country Junior Championships, rounds of 79-79 good enough for a four shot victory over Taylah Ellems (Yowani) and Annika Boyd (Toukley).
In the NSW Club Junior Champion of Champions, Jye Halls (Mollymook) and Josh Fuller (Muswellbrook) are headed for an 18 hole playoff on Thursday after finishing the opening 36 holes locked together at Even Par. Annika Rathbone (The Australian) claimed her first Champion of Champions title in the Girls, defeating Sophie Yip (Concord) by three shots.
Newcastle DGA have won the Inter District Teams Event for the second straight year, defeating Hunter River by five shots as a result of back to back under par rounds by Josh Robards.
1. +4. Newcastle - K Toole (+7), H Cleare (+1), H Ellison (+5), J Robards (-2) (Round 1 Ev)
2. +9. Hunter River - J Vesper (+10), H Atkinson (+14), J Fuller (Ev), C Lamb (-5) (Round 1 +4)
3. +20. A.C.T Monaro - I Hawes (+5), L Chamberlain (Ev), A Maxwell (-3), M Nguyen (+16) (Round 1 +18)
4. +31. Central Coast - A Boyd (+9), S Binder (+5), D Pedzikiewicz (+9), K Phillips (+2) (Round 1 +15)
5. +37. Northern Rivers - H Fuller (+14), H Remfrey (+6), I Outridge (-1) (Round 1 +18)
6. +38. Illawarra - S Bosevski (+11), A Brown (+12), E Harvey (+2), B Wills (+11) (Round 1 +14)
7. +41. Far South Coast - J Halls (+3), B Halls (+5), H Peterson (+11) (Round 1 +22)
8. +50. Lower North Coast - Q Golledge (+15), E Scaysbrook (+8), W Knight (+14), F Murray (+2) (Round 1 +26)
9. +55. Central West - E Murray (+5), B Davis (+21), C Jackson (+5), C McMillan (+15) (Round 1 +30)
10. +72. Mid North Coast - M Butterfield (+18), B Flanagan (+11), H McMillan (+4) (Round 1 +39)
Course Records Tumble at NSW Junior
(3:00pm - Wednesday 10th July 2019)
Overnight leaders Corey Lamb (Concord) and Hye Park (Queensland) have reached 10 under par for the tournament to maintain their lead, but the spotlight has been taken off them by Queensland superstar Cassie Porter.
The 16 Year Old reeled off 9 birdies and an eagle in the second round, finishing the day with a new course record 64 (-10) on the testing Belmont layout. Incredibly, the old course record was also held by Porter, who shot 69 on the exact same day last year.
Starting on the 10th hole, Porter got out of the blocks with a birdie before really catching fire at the 14th. An eagle three was followed up by birdies on the 15th and 16th and all of a sudden the Queenslander was five under par through just seven holes. A bogey on the 18th did nothing but fire her back up, with birdies on the 1st, 2nd, 5th, 6th and 7th holes. After finding the greenside bunker in two at the 9th and facing a testing 30m bunker shot, Porter showed nerves of steel to get up and record a new career low.
Porter trails fellow Queenslander Hye Park by three shots, with Queensland girls filling the first five places on the leaderboar.
A post round interview with Cassie is on the JNJG facebook page so make sure you go and give that a watch and congratulate her on the fantastic round in the comments!!
Overnight Boys leader Corey Lamb has extended his lead to five shots after a second consecutive 67. The 17 Year Old, playing in his final JNJG Major rolled in another six birdies on Wednesday to match his opening round, reaching 10 under par through two rounds. Lamb's round of 67 tied the course record set by playing partner Louis Dobbelaar at the same event last year.
Joining Lamb in the final group on moving day will be 14 year old young gun Jeffrey Guan (The Australian), who sits alone in second place at minus five after a three under par 69 at Charlestown on Wednesday. Local Josh Robards (Newcastle) and Queensland pair Tyler Duncan and Sam Slater share third place one shot further back, with Slater moving up the leaderboard after also matching the course record of 67.
The Cut for the NSW Junior Boys Championship fell at +12, with 60 players on that score or better. The JNJG State Age Cut (for NSW / ACT players) was also made at the conclusion of the second round.
Boys 13 Years - Cut +25
Boys 14 Years - Cut +19
Boys 15 Years - Cut +18
Boys 16 Years - Cut +12
Boys 17 Years - Cut +13
All players who made the cut will join all the girls for the final two rounds at Belmont GC. All players who missed the cut will play the final two rounds at Charlestown GC
NSW Junior Boys - Leaderboard
NSW Junior Girls - Leaderboard
JNJG State Age Plate - Leaderboard
Round 3A - Belmont Draw
Round 3B - Charlestown Draw
Round Two Underway at NSW Junior
(8:00am - Wednesday 10th July 2019)
Picture perfect conditions have once again greeted the strong field at the 2019 NSW Junior Championships, with players swapping courses this morning for the all important second round.
Will Corey Lamb and Hye Park extend their opening day lead? What will the magic number be for player's striving to make the 36 hole cut?
NSW Boys Championship - Leaderboard
NSW Girls Championship - Leaderboard
Round 2A - Belmont Draw
Round 2B - Charlestown Draw
Inter-District Teams Championship
(6:00pm - Tuesday 9th July 2019)
The Inter-District Championships will be played over the first 36 holes of the NSW Junior Championships. District teams are made up of four players, with a minimum of one junior girl in each team. If a district is unable to enter a junior girl, the team may consist of three junior boys only. The team score will be calculated from the best three of four scratch scores in each round. Where a team only has three players, all three players scores are to be counted.
Newcastle DGA and Hunter River DGA have used local knowledge to their advantage, opening up a handy lead after the first two rounds of the Inter District Teams Championships.
1. Ev. Newcastle - K Toole (+12), H Cleare (+2), H Ellison (Ev), J Robards (-2)
2. +4. Hunter River - J Vesper (+14), H Atkinson (+9), J Fuller (Ev), C Lamb (-5)
3. +14. Illawarra - S Bosevski (+12), A Brown (+10), E Harvey (+4), B Wills (Ev)
4. +15. Central Coast - A Boyd (+6), S Binder (+8), D Pedzikiewicz (+6), K Phillips (+3)
5. +18. A.C.T Monaro - I Hawes (+6), L Chamberlain (+6), A Maxwell (+9), M Nguyen (+6)
6. +18. Northern Rivers - H Fuller (+13), H Remfrey (+2), I Outridge (+3)
7. +22. Far South Coast - J Halls (-3), B Halls (+11), H Peterson (+14)
8. +26. Lower North Coast - Q Golledge (+12), E Scaysbrook (+13), W Knight (+14), F Murray (Ev)
9. +32. Central West - B Davis (+13), C Jackson (+5), C McMillan (+14)
10. +39. Mid North Coast - M Butterfield (+19), B Flanagan (+13), H McMillan (+7)
Corey in Cruise Control at Charlestown
(1:30pm - Tuesday 9th July 2019)
Fresh off a dominant victory at the Queensland Boys Championship just last week, Branxton local Corey Lamb (Concord) has continued his impressive form with a five under par 67 at Charlestown to take the lead at the NSW Boys Championship.
Lamb went wire to wire in Queensland last week and has set himself up to do exactly the same this week after a superb opening round. There were no signs of nerves, with Lamb reeling off three straight birdies from the second hole to jump into the lead. A bogey on the 11th briefly slowed the 17 year old down, before finishing strong with birdies on the 12th, 14th and a tap-in birdie on the 18th to take a first round lead.
Tyler Duncan (Queensland) sits in second place at three under par, making five birdies in his opening round of 69. Joining Duncan late in the day was the best of the 13/14/15 year old's who played at Belmont on the opening day, with impressive South Coast Junior Jye Halls (Mollymook) also firing a 69. Halls had a chance to join Lamb at -5 with a birdie on his last hole of the day, however a bogey saw him settle for a share of second place.
Andrew Park (Queensland), Jacob Dundas (Toronto), Josh Robards (Newcastle) and Jeffrey Guan (The Australian) also started impressively, with two under par 70s giving them a share of fourth.
NSW Boys Championship - Leaderboard
Just as impressive at Charlestown was the Queensland Girls Champion, with pre-tournament favourite Hye Park (Queensland) matching Lamb at five under par to take the lead in the NSW Girls Championship.
The defending champion made six birdies to get her title defence off to a fantastic start, with a couple of stand out young guns also impressing on the opening day. Concord pair Sophie Yip and Claire Shin teed off in the marquee group at Belmont, and delivered in astonishing fashion. The 14 Year Old girls made 12 birdies between them on Tuesday morning, with Yip signing for a four under par 70 and Shin one shot back at minus three.
Interstate visitors Lion Higo (Queensland), Abbie Teasedale (Western Australia) and Hannah Reeves (Queensland) also got off to good starts, finishing the opening day under par.
NSW Girls Championship - Leaderboard
In total, 14 player's finished under par in the perfect conditions with the good weather expected to continue throughout the week. Player's swap courses tomorrow for the second round, ahead of the 36 hole cut which will take place on Wednesday afternoon.
Round 2 Draw
2A - Belmont GC
2B - Charlestown GC
2019 NSW Junior Underway!!
(8:00am - Tuesday 9th July 2019)
The clouds have cleared and the 2019 NSW Junior Championship is set to get underway in perfect conditions at Belmont GC & Charlestown GC. More than 230 players will compete in the tournament this year, with play beginning at both courses at 8:00am.
Live scoring will be happening throughout the tournament and you can follow all the leaderboards below!
NSW Junior Boys - Leaderboard
NSW Junior Girls - Leaderboard
Soft Conditions for NSW Junior
(11:00am - Monday 8th July 2019)
After more than 150mm of rain has fallen in the Newcastle area in the last fortnight, soft conditions are expected for the 2019 NSW Junior Championships. Almost 250 players will take part in the tournament this year, with defending Girls Champion Hye Park (Queensland) one of the favourites to go back to back.
Tournament Registration will be held between 3pm and 6pm at Belmont GC this afternoon.
Draw
Round 1 - Belmont GC
Round 1 - Charlestown GC
Round 2 - Belmont GC
Round 2 - Charlestown GC
Park Primed for NSW Junior Title Defence
(2:00pm – Tuesday 2nd July 2019)
Belmont GC and Charlestown GC will host the 2019 NSW Junior Championships and JNJG State Age Titles next week with the four round tournament set to get underway on Tuesday 9th July.
Almost 250 of the best players from around the country will take part in second JNJG Major of the Year, with the winning boy and girl earning an exemption into the NSW Open, part of the Australian PGA Tour Summer of Golf later in the year.
Jye Pickin was a popular home town winner last year, however the recently turned 18 year old has exited the junior ranks meaning the NSW Boys Champion will be lifting the trophy in 2019 for the very first time. The defending NSW Girls Champion will be returning however, with Queenslander Hye Park going from strength to strength after her breathtaking win 12 months ago.
Park closed with an eight under par 65 to come from five shots back to take the title in 2018, before adding the Australian Girls Championship to her impressive resume with a commanding victory on the Gold Coast in April. The 16 year old will be looking to become the first girl since Justine Lee a decade ago to claim back to back titles.
There will be plenty of local chances looking to keep the trophy in the Newcastle-Hunter area, with the in-form Corey Lamb hard to beat. Lamb (Branxton / Concord) was superb at the Queensland Junior Championships and heads up a strong Hunter River District side with Newcastle DGA representatives Harry Cleare (Nelson Bay), Josh Robards (Newcastle), Brij Ingrey (Newcastle) and Hamish Ellison (Belmont) also expected to be right in the mix.
One of the highest ranking junior events in the country, the NSW Junior Championships once again sees a strong field taking part with players from all over Australia flying in to compete. 67 Interstate and Overseas competitors, by far the biggest number in NSW Junior Championship history, will take part in the event this year whilst the NSW & A.C.T juniors will also compete for the JNJG State Age Championships, NSW Club Junior Champion of Champions, NSW Country Junior Championships and the Inter-District Teams Championships.
The tournament begins on Tuesday, following the official practice day and tournament registration on Monday afternoon at Belmont GC.
Players will play 18 holes at each course over the first two days, with the draw for the opening two rounds released on Monday at the tournament registration.
Leaderboards – Click Here
Jack Newton Junior Golf would like to thank Lake Macquarie City Council for its sponsorship of this Championship. We encourage our juniors and their families to explore all that this beautiful location has to offer - www.visitlakemac.com.au
