Thomsen and Radevski Win on the South Coast
(3:00pm - Saturday 27 August 2023)
Mimi Thomsen (The Australian) and Alex Radevski (St Michael's) have claimed victory in the South Coast Junior Masters.
Thomsen, still only 13 years old, went head to head with local junior Sophie Eppelstun (Catalina) after the pair were back and fourth throughout the final round. It was going to take additional holes to find a result, and after the fourth playoff hole, a composed Thomsen holed out for par and her first Junior Masters title of the season. Eppelstun finished second overall and took out the 16 Years division.
Without a playoff in our last string of Junior Masters, we were heading for another in the boys overall. A rare moment with both overall divisions decided in a sudden death playoff. After ten boys at one point were within two shots of the lead, it boiled down to just two, with Alex Radevski (St Michael's) and Matthew Fullerton (Lynwood) finishing atop of the leaderboard after 36 holes. Although, unlike the girls, this playoff was decided on the first hole, with Radevski sinking a putt for birdie to claim his first Junior Masters title of the season.
Lara Thomsen (The Australian) and Chayse Thorpe (Concord) were victorious in the 14 & 15 Years division. While Matthew Xu (Eastlake) required extra holes to beat a valiant Charlie Kerr (Wollongong) in the 13 Years division.
Beau Cain (Cronulla) and Sarah Quan (Killara) won the 11&12 Years division, as Andy Zhou (Roseville) and Sophie Tong (Killara) were the 10 Years & Under Champions.
Cascio and Eppelstun in the Lead
(5:00pm - Saturday 26 August 2023)
Bonnie Doon’s Sam Cascio and Catalina’s local hope, Sophie Eppulstun, will head into the final round of the South Coast Junior Masters tomorrow at the top of the pack.
Cascio shot three under today to finish with a score of 69, two shots ahead of his fellow competitors.
“I hit a few greens, but I didn’t putt that well but towards the end I started to putt better, so that was good,” he said.
After his bogey-free round today he’s feeling confident about tomorrow’s round.
“I feel good. I know I still have to play solid, so I’ve just got to do what I normally do.”
Enzo Moon of North Ryde and Lynwood’s Matthew Fullerton are tied for second after shooting one under par today.
In the girls division, Eppulstun shot an even par round of 72 to place herself in the lead.
“I was playing really well at the start of the round. I started off pretty nicely with a bogey free front nine. I had two birdies, they were both really nice,” she said.”
“I started playing not the most amazing golf at the end but I held it together and I finished with a birdie and then a par, so I was quite happy with how I played today.”
She said being able to sleep in her own bed and play the tournament on her home course was definitely an advantage.
“I’m excited to be in the lead. I’ve just got to stay calm and collected and keep playing my game and not worry about what everyone else is doing.”
Tied for second is Camilla Kim and Mimi Thomsen, both of The Australian, on +1.
The final round will begin at 7:30 AM on Sunday.
South Coast Junior Masters Draws Full Field of Rising Stars
(10:00am - Thursday 24 August 2023)
A full field of juniors will take to the coastal Club Catalina over the weekend to compete in the Jack Newton Junior Golf South Coast Junior Masters.
Among the 90 talented kids will be reigning girls champion Camilla Kim of the Australian. Just last month she clinched victory at the Greg Chalmers Junior Masters, and now she's back to defend her crown. Reigning boys champion Jye Halls will not be in attendance as he’s signed of his junior career, meaning the title will be open for a fresh face to claim.
Hometown hero from Catalina Sophie Eppelstun, who was part of the winning 2023 NSW Junior Interstate team, is on the lowest handicap in girl’s division of +0.9 and will be looking for a win. Also in with a chance is ACT Junior Interstate Team member Matilda Sullings (Federal), who won the Wagga Wagga Junior Masters earlier this year, and who is on the second lowest handicap in the girl’s division of +0.7.
But the boys won't be outdone. Leading the field with a +2.8 handicap is the formidable Jamie Smith from Monash. Right on his heels is the indomitable Samuel Cascio of Bonnie Doon, boasting a +2.7 handicap. Cascio will be looking to conquer, sweeping titles from the Macarthur and Ballina Junior Masters to the Australian All Schools Championships this year alone. And let's not forget Harry Whitelock from Royal Canberra, a dual champion of both the Greg Chalmers Junior Masters and the Peter O’Malley Junior Masters in 2023, aiming to etch his name in victory once more.
Other notable competitors include Sienna Clarke from St Michaels and Blake Hodges from New South Wales GC, who were both victorious in Junior Master events this year.
And that's not all – alongside the South Coast Junior Masters, 30 kids will be partaking in the U12 South Coast Tour, adding an extra layer of excitement to an already exhilarating weekend.
All the action will get underway at 9:45 AM on Saturday.
