Bang Wins Again as Playoff Decides Boys
(2:30pm - Sunday 10th December 2023)
For the second time in just three years, Michelle Bang (Concord) is the Girls Blue Mountains Junior Masters Champion. The recently turned 17 year old came from behind with a fantastic final round of three under par to win by five shots.
Bang chased down overnight leaders and fellow Concord GC Members Aaniyah Bhola and Jia You who finished second and third respectively, with You picking up the 14-15 Years Division. In the Girls 13 Years & Under Division, Tswarm Laphai (Carnarvon) was far too good, winning by five shots.
As Bang cruised to the title in the Girls Division, the Boys was going right down to the wire. Overnight leader Chayse Thorpe (Concord) led by as many as six shots early in the final round, but the challengers came from everywhere.
Darcy Mackay (The Australian) flew home with an eagle on 14 and then a birdie-birdie finish to post a second round 66 and the clubhouse lead at one over par. As the players finished their final rounds, only Thorpe and Max Fischer (Bonnie Doon) had a chance to match the winning score, which they both did with clutch 4-foot putts in the slopey 18th green.
The three players headed off down the 1st with Thorpe the first player eliminated, making a bogey after going over the back of the green with his second shot. They came back up the 10th as the second playoff hole, with Mackay laying back with an iron off the tee as Fischer drove the ball greenside with a monster drive. The lay-up proved key, as Mackay wedged to four feet and Fischer was unable to get his chip from below the surface of the green to stop, leaving Mackay the winner with a birdie on the second playoff hole.
The 14-15 Years Division also went to a playoff, with Jesse Colquhuon (Bonnie Doon) holing a 30-foot birdie attempt from off the green to defeat Kaden Edwards (NSW). The 13 Years & under Division went to Harry Preece (The Vintage), coming up clutch with birdies on 17 and 18 to steal the win from Charlie Kerr (Wollongong).
Big thanks to tournament Sponsor Wilson Golf and host club Wentworth Falls who went above and beyond to look after the juniors this weekend!
Have a great Christmas and we'll see you in the New Year.
Final Round Underway at Wentworth Falls
(9:00am - Sunday 10th December 2023)
In a complete contrast to yesterday's hot weather, the final round of the 2023 Blue Mountains Junior Masters is underway at Wentworth Falls under a thick blanket of fog.
A cool change, bringing with it some low cloud and consistent drizzle, has completely changed the conditions at the golf course, providing a different test for the players on day.
Can anyone catch the overnight leaders from Concord, Chayse Thorpe (Boys Division) and Jia You / Aaniyah Bhola (Girls Division)?
Chasing Chayse at Wentworth Falls
(6:30pm - Saturday 9th December 2023)
Concord's Chayse Thorpe is the player to catch after the opening round of the 2023 Blue Mountains Junior Masters at Wentworth Falls Country Club.
With much of Sydney, and indeed NSW, sweltering on the hottest day of the year, a strong breeze up at the top of the mountains made the 35* top temperature feel somewhat mild compared to what was happening elsewhere.
But the weather wasn't the only thing that was hot on Saturday, as the 16 from Western Sydney sizzled around the difficult Wentworth Falls layout. Five birdies were cancelled out by five bogies, however the highlight of the day came on the Par 5 3rd hole, when the Concord junior briefly got to three under par through three holes with an eagle!
Thorpe leads by three shots over Vidur Subramaniam (Ryde Parramatta), with Max Fischer (Bonnie Doon) and 14-15 years leader Charlie Peng (Avondale) a shot further back in a tie for third.
The Girls Division is set for an exciting finish, with Concord duo Jia You and Aaniyah Bhola holding a one shot lead over fellow Concord junior Michelle Bang. Rebecca Yao (Avondale) will be hoping to spoil the Concord party, a shot further back in fourth place.
Play gets underway at 9:00am for Round 2!
Play Underway at Wentworth Falls
(9:00am - Saturday 9th December 2023)
Play is underway in the final JNJG Event of the 2023 calendar year, with almost 80 junior golfers from around the state taking part in the Blue Mountains Junior Masters at Wentworth Falls.
Hot Weather Expected for Blue Mountains Junior Masters
(2:30pm - Friday 8th December 2023)
Hot conditions are forecast for the opening round of the 2023 Blue Mountains Junior Masters at Wentworth Falls Country Club.
With much of New South Wales expected to hit 40* on Saturday, a "cool" top of 35* is predicted in the upper Blue Mountains, a welcome relief to all.
As a result of the hot forecast, JNJG has changed the tournament conditions and will allow all players, regardless of age, the chance to use a "bag pusher" on Saturday to help get them around the course and take advantage of the shade where possible.
More than 80 players have registered for the last JNJG Masters Series event of the calendar year, the second event on the Junior Masters Schedule for the 2023 - 2024 season.
Play begins at 9am on Saturday morning.
