Hodges and Ang Master the Murray
(1:30pm - Friday 21st April 2023)
Blake Hodges of NSW GC and Sophie Ang of Bonnie Doon have been named the new Champions of the Murray River Junior Masters after a fantastic final round. While it was a chilly start, conditions were prime for play at the challenging Howlong Golf Club today.
Hodges had a lead of three shots heading into the round today and was able to stretch that out to unbelievable eight shots. He started out the round strong with seven straight pars and had a stunning finish with back-to-back birdies on the 8th and 9th holes.
“It was good to get the win with the chip in,” Hodges said post round.
The sixteen years old’s final score was 72 for the day. He also takes the win for the Boys 16 Years and Over Division.
Starting the final round four shots in front, Ang was able to comfortably cruise her way to victory. With a very solid score of 83, her closest competitor was seven shots behind. She made par on 10 of the 18 holes but saw some bogeys and doubles throughout the day. As well as the overall win, she also takes out the Girls 13 Years and Under Division.
It was a thrilling finish for the 14- and 15-year-olds boys division, with Thomas Skinner of Bonnie Doon and Finn Whitelock of Royal Canberra both ending up with a score of +11, forcing a sudden death playoff. After four holes, Thomas Skinner finally took the win after holing a long putt on the par 4 18th.
Zoe Arcus of Cromer took home the win for the 14- and 15-year girls with an overall score of +26, while Kelly Zhou of Huntingdale was the winner in field for the 16 years and over girls.
Joey Eason of Campbelltown finished up tied for second overall and first in the thirteen years and under boys by a whopping 27 shots.
Hodges and Ang have now automatically qualified for the 2023 Bonville Champions Trophy in December.
Junior Masters
JNJG Under 12 Tour
Hodges and Ang Lead the Way at the Murray River Junior Masters
(5:00pm - Thursday 20th April 2023)
It was a fierce fight for around forty boys and girls from across the state today as they battled to be on top of the leaderboard after Round One of the 2023 Murray River Junior Masters.
But it was Blake Hodges of NSW GC and Sophie Ang of Bonnie Doon who reigned supreme.
16-year-old Hodges was listed as one to watch heading into the tournament and he did not disappoint. He started the day off strong, with par on the 1st and a birdie on the 2nd. A few bogeys made it onto his scorecard in the middle, but he came back with another birdie on the 16th hole to finish with a total score of 71(+1).
Bonnie Doon’s Thomas Skinner is not far behind on +4, and Campbelltown’s Joey Eason is hot on his heels with +5.
13-year-old Sophie Ang comfortably lead in the girl’s division all day and is four shots in front of her fellow competitors, ending up with a score of 80 (+8) after the first round.
It took her a few holes to find her groove though, scoring a birdie on the 3rd hole after bogeys on the first two. She also managed a birdie on the par 5 11th hole.
Following behind her is Kelly Zhou from Huntingdale on +12, and Annalese McKee from Grafton on +15.
The sunshine is set to stay for Round Two tomorrow, which gets underway at 7:30 in the morning.
Junior Masters
JNJG Under 12 Tour
Murray River Junior Masters Returns
(2:00pm - Wednesday 19th April 2023)
Several of the Murray Region's most promising up-and-coming golfers and a handful of other hopefuls from across the state will flock to the NSW/Victorian border this week to participate in the fourth Jack Newton Junior Golf (JNJG) Junior Masters Series event of 2023.
This year’s two-day tournament will take place at Howlong Golf Club on the picturesque Murray River, with play getting underway on Thursday morning.
Local hopes Beau Davis (Corowa), Tom Newman (Thurgoona) and Ethan Sorensen (Corowa) will be a couple of rising stars to watch, while home club favourites include Charlise Walkerden and Austin Alchin, who are also taking part.
Around 40 players aged from 12 to 17 will take on the tight and challenging course, including Blake Hodges, who plays off a handicap of 1.4 at the New South Wales Golf Club, and sibling duo Zoe (Hcp 1.5) and Joshua (Hcp 2.6) Arcus of Cromer in Sydney's north.
Two new champions will be crowned, as last year’s winners Michelle Bang of Concord Golf Club and Victorian Rupert Toomey, won’t be back to defend their titles.
The sun is set to be shining, and the weather is expected to be warm, a welcome change from last year’s cold and wet conditions.
Junior Masters
JNJG Under 12 Tour
