Jeb Hunter Memorial Classic - Murwillumbah Golf Club
The Jeb Hunter Memorial Classic is held each year at the Murwillumbah Golf Club in memory of a junior club member tragically killed in an accident a few years ago. This event is important to the Junior and Cadet members at “Murbah” and 13 Junior players and over 10 five hole “Tyros” from the host club participated in their home event. Visitors from Ballina, Byron Bay, Casino, Coraki, Coolangatta-Tweed Heads, Lismore, Kyogle, Ocean Shores, Yamba, Woolgoolga, Iluka and a handful of visitors from South East Queensland were also welcomed.
The main events of the day were the Boys and Girls Junior Opens. The winner of the Junior Boys event, after a 6 hole playoff, with a great score of one over par 73 was Jack Wright from Yamba. Jack is playing very consistently this year and is giving the OOM event a real shake (it must be the new haircut!!!!). For the second time in 3 years, the runner-up in the Boys event was Josh Capes from Queensland. Josh was the winner at our previous Order of Merit Event at Ocean Shores so he is in good form at present. One shot behind these two players, with a great round of 74 was Kyle Underwood from Ballina. The Junior Boys nett event was a tight affair with Ty Grace (nett 67) taking home the prize for the second time in four events. Ty is obviously getting used to the pressure of full GA handicap golf, having moved up from the 9 hole OOM competition in 2014. Other players to better their handicap were James Bramall (CTH) and J. Lee (SE Queensland). The Junior Girls event also went to a play-off with Eleka Moore (Ballina) holding out Amanda Tan. The Junior Girls nett event was won by Emily Poynton (Iluka) from Ashlee Selwood (Murwillumbah), both players bettering their handicaps.
The Cadet (9 Hole) boys gross event was won by Connor Whitelock (Byron Bay). This is Connor’s second consecutive win on the OOM tour and he is playing very consistently at the moment. Connor’s score of 42 shots was really remarkable for such a young player and beat Will Ross (CTH) and Tyrelle Roberts (Casino) by a few shots. Jayme Walters (Kyogle) was again bombing it out there and also broke the magical 50 mark. The Cadet boys nett event was won by one of the locals, Cass Barnes with a fantastic score of 29. The Cadet girls event was won by Jenna Carter (Yamba) from runner-up Ty Mitchell (Murwillumbah). This was Ty’s first try at 9 holes and she proved that she is not daunted by the task.
We had a great field of 15 in the 5 hole event and ALL of these players were rewarded for their skills with a “pick of the table” prize. Again, I think the number of parents/carers far exceeded the number of participants but I believe that the social atmosphere surrounding this activity meant that the exercise of walking with the children was generating all those important endorphins.
The next event in the NRDGA Order of Merit circuit is at Ballina on Sunday April 12th and Monday April 13th, see ya there.
A lot of effort goes into organising these events and our thanks go to the members of Murwillumbah Golf Club for their efforts.
Further information about Junior Golf on the Northern Rivers can be obtained from Gerard Wilkinson – Mobile 0419 708 676.
