2017 Gerringong Junior Open
The players arrived early at Gerringong to warm up due to the weather being cold. The scoring was anything but cold though, as there were 5 players who made the turn at one over par or better. The back nine was very exciting, local member Luke Taylor got hot early on the back going Birdie, Eagle on 10 and 11 to take back the lead only to give it back with a triple bogey. Luke then regained his game and made another birdie to sign for a round of +3. He then had a nervous wait to see if his 3 over was going to be good enough. There were 3 players still out on course who had a chance to match or even beat Luke’s score, Blake Halls was unlucky on the 15th hole as his tee shot found some water just short of the green that he was not aware of, last year he would have been at least 100 meters short of that water, such is the extra distance he now hits the ball. Eddie Ward was hanging in there not to far behind but continued to make a couple of late bogeys to slowly slip back out of contention over the final two holes. Ethan Harvey hit his approach shot into 15 just over the back of the green but made a fantastic up and down and this would prove to be the difference, the one shot difference between Blake and Ethan on the 15th was the telling factor as Ethan was able to hold onto second place but was unable to catch Luke Taylor who was the clubhouse leader and held on to win.
In the Girls it was Cassidy who made the turn at even par after a solid birdie at the 9th hole to take a large lead into the back nine, the battle for 2nd was well and truly on with Kirra and Selena fighting it out in a close contest for second. Selena’s experience was just a little bit to much for Kirra who was competing in one of her first 18 hole events after coming through 6 months of the Illawarra Juniors On The Move program. She has gained the confidence to take on the full length courses and bigger events. Cassidy didn’t finish off how she would have liked to but still ended up a convincing winner after shooting an impressive 79 off the stick to take home first prize and defend her 2016 title.
All of the players and parents were very well looked after receiving a drink and a hamburger or for some 2. All of the players who participated went home with a prize leaving a smile on everyone’s face. It was great that the rain held off until just after the last group had finished as everyone was inside. A big thank you Gerringong Golf Club for hosting such a fantastic event.
Full list of results:
Boys Open Champion: Luke Taylor (GGong) Gross 75, Runner up: Ethan Harvey (Kiama) Gross 76
Boys Age 12 - 15 years Nett Winner: Blake Halls (MMook) 69, Runner up: Eddie Ward (Pt Kembla) 71
Boys Age 16-19 years Nett Winner: Charles Burgess (GGong) 70, Runner up: Dillon Granger (MMook) 72
Girls Open Champion: Cassidy Graham (Links Shell Cove) 79, Runner up: Selena Bosevski (Pt Kembla) 100
Girls Nett Winner: Kirra Greer (Nowra) 80.
