ACT Team Results - 2019 Australian 15 and Under National Championships
Congratulations to those ACT school students who were selected as part of the 15 and Under Schools Team for 2019. The players trialled for selection in the 15’s team at the School Sport ACT Golf Championship at Gold Creek Country Club in May this year. The team members were:
Amber Tilley(c) - Belconnen Magpies - Kingsford Smith
Matilda Sullings - Federal Golf Club - Radford
Maddison Hood - Gungahlin Lakes - Burgmann College
Lucinda Quinn - Yowani Country Club - Turner Primary
Sue Harrison - Manager
Angelo Bourandanis (c) - Royal Canberra - St Mary Mackillop College
Lachlan Nordsvan - Fairbairn - Caroline Chisholm
Christian Leggett - Belconnen Magpies - Daramalan College
Carey Wilson - Federal Golf Club - Mount Stromlo High
Rick Tilley - Manager
The event this year was held from 2nd to 5th December and hosted by The Coast Golf Club, Sydney, a par 70, slope 132 for men and a par 72, slope 129 for women. Perched on the edge of the Pacific Ocean at Little Bay, NSW, the course is very exposed to the elements. Conditions on the first day of play were trying to say the least, with strong winds sweeping across the course. The final day was more favourable, however with bush fires plaguing the State we were smothered with thick, fog like smoke to the point of not being able to see ball flight or where the ball had landed.
The focus of our trip was to identify external factors that allowed us to perform at our best and put those into practice.
While representative opportunities exist with School Sport Australia’s 12&Under and 18&Under National Championships, this event is critical in retaining interest in the game for the 15 age group and developing ACT talent.
There were eight teams participate this year, QLD, NSW, ACT, VIC, TAS, SA, NT, and the Indigenous Team. After the first round the ACT Team were sitting in equal second place with Victoria, 10 shots behind South Australia.
The winning team is determined by the aggregate of the 3 best boys and girls stableford scores on day 1 and day 2. There is also an individual boys and girls prize for the 36 holes. Included in the event is an ‘excursion’ day to the Australian Open Pro-am tournament, which was held at The Australian Golf Club this year.
After the first round the ACT team were strong contenders, however 10 shots behind South Australia seemed quite an amount to make up. We came out of the blocks strongly on the second day’s play with many of the team posting exceptional scores. Our efforts were not quite enough to take the title. South Australia received the gold medal posting a total of 427, 2 shots in front of ACT and Victoria who finished on 407.
Making an exceptional achievement were two of our team members, Lachlan Nordsvan and Lucinda Quinn who were crowned Boys and Girls 15 and Under National Champions. This is a marvellous result for Lachlan, Lucy and the ACT. Congratulations!!
Rick and I would also like to recognise Lachlan’s contribution to the team. He was sincerely supportive and encouraging of his teams mates throughout the championship. He was also very respectful and considerate of members of other teams.
The ACT Team would like to thank everyone for their support during the week. Our parents for providing the opportunity to participate, the South East Sports Academy (SESA) for use of their bus, JNJG for running the tournament and especially, Rick Tilley for taking a week off work to guide and mentor the team while we were away.
The results for the ACT were:
Angelo Bourandanis 31, 34 - 65 pts
Lachlan Nordsvan 32, 46 - 80 pts
Christian Leggett 32, 27 - 59 pts
Carey Wilson 37, 37 - 74 pts
Amber Tilley 30, 35 - 65 pts
Matilda Sullings 28, 34 - 62 pts
Maddison Hood 30, 33 - 63 pts
Lucinda Quinn 38, 38 - 76 pts
