Overnight leaders go wire to wire and claim victories in Wagga Wagga
(8:00pm - Sunday 26th February 2023)
Ian Kim (St Michael’s) has claimed his maiden Junior Masters title with a stellar final round, while Matilda Sullings (Federal) built on her first round lead, impressing in the final round to win convincingly.
Play began on Sunday morning with a shotgun start and many golfers still in the hunt to challenge the overnight leaders. Although, it was Harry Whitelock (Royal Canberra) who looked as if he would be the lone challenger to Ian Kim's quest for his first Junior Masters title. A birdie on the first hole put Whitelock level with Kim and the pair could not be separated to begin the morning. Kim replied with birdies on the 6th and 8th hole, before another lip out on the 9th, this time for bogey. The boys both made the turn three under, with Whitelock capitalising on Kim's 9th hole bogey, by making a birdie to conclude a faultless front nine.
However, it was Kim's day, putting on a back nine clinic, with four birdies in six holes. Whitelock wasn't able to continue his front nine momentum, but it was always going to be a difficult task keeping up with Kim, who was in fine form on Sunday. A phenominal final round of -4 for Kim and -7 (70, 67) for the tournament to claim his first Junior Masters title and a four shot victory.
After a slow start, it was business as usual for Matilda Sullings on Sunday morning. Bouncing back from a start that she would not have planned for by making three birdies over her next four holes. Her lead began to stretch by several shots and looked like it would be too big for anyone to chase down with nine holes to go. Emily Mollard (Royal Canberra) began steadily and was hoping to apply some pressure on Sullings, but unfortunately wasn't able to make anything happen in the final round. It was all Sullings on Sunday, as she finished her round with seven birdies and a 10 shot victory. A great performance by Sullings in Wagga Wagga to finish the tournament +2 (73,75).
Nathan White (Royal Canberra) and Blake Hodges (NSW), paired together on Sunday weren't able to be seperated throughout the final round and it was going to take extra holes to find a winner between them. Hodges' tee shot left the door open for White, finding the trees on the right side down the 1st hole. White took advantage of this and ended up making par to win on the first hole of the playoff and claim the Boys 16 Years and Over title.
Another playoff took place in the Boys 13 Years and Under divison between Rory Elphick (Bathurst) and Charlie Peng (Avondale). Elphick's miraculous recovery shot on the 1st helped extend the playoff to the 2nd hole. Elphick's tee shot found the centre of the green on the second playoff hole and was able to make par to secure victory. A standout performance by both boys as they were able to keep pace with players in both divisions above them all weekend.
The two remaining Girls divisions were close throughout the entire weekend. Ava Princes' (Toukley) two birdies in her final round proved to be the difference as she won by one shot in the Girls 13 Years and Under with an impressive performance. Jia You (Oatlands) was pushed all the way but managed to remain composed and take a three shot victory in the Girls 14 and 15 Years division
A great weekend in Wagga Wagga, a big thanks to those involved at the Country Club for making this event possible. In particularly, to Jupitor Motors, and Peter from Kilbrogan Trading who has been a long-time sponsor of the event, and continues to support junior golf in the Riverina and at the Jack Newton foundation.
Kim and Sullings both take leads in the Riverina
(8:00pm - Saturday 25th February 2023)
The first Junior Masters of the calendar year kicked off in style with many eager juniors ready to take the field on Saturday morning.
Ian Kim (St Michael's) and Matilda Sullings (Federal) will both go into Sunday with leads at Wagga Wagga Country Club.
Sullings began her round on the 10th, and quickly got off to a great start with birdies on the 14th and 16th to move into red figures. Her A.C.T compatriot, Emily Mollard (Royal Canberra) kept within range of Sullings throughout the round, but was unable to claw back any shots as her steady round put her 4 shots off the lead. Geogie Clune (Newcastle) will join Mollard and Sullings in the final group on Sunday, and will hope to put early pressure on the duo by putting together a strong final round.
Ian Kim (St Michael's) fired early with three birdies inside his first six holes and looked on track to make the turn with a fourth, but was halted by a rough lip out on the 9th. Kim continued on from his fine start with an eagle on the 12th, finishing 70 (-2) taking a one shot lead into the final round. Harry Whitelock (Royal Canberra) finished one behind Kim, with 71 (-1), managing to bounce back from a tough stretch of holes with two biridies in his last four holes. Whitelock will be joined by Brent Gadd (Penrith) who had a chance to finish even par, but narrowingly missed his putt on the last. Gadd's impressive round, 73 (+1) put him alongside Enzo Moon (North Ryde) as they took the last two spots in the final group.
Play begins at 7:30am on Sunday with a shotgun start.
Round 2 "Tour Tee" Tee Times - CLICK HERE
Tournament Leaderboard - CLICK HERE
2023 Wagga Wagga Junior Masters
(11:00am - Friday 24th February 2023)
Almost 100 junior golfers from right around NSW and the A.C.T will head to the Riverina this weekend for the 2023 Wagga Wagga Junior Masters at Wagga Wagga Country Club.
A change to the format of JNJG Junior Masters Events in 2023, alongside the introduction of a brand-new tour designed specifically for Under 12s, sees a strong field lining up for the first Junior Masters event of 2023.
With 2022 Champions Charlotte Perkins (now 18 years of age) and Alex Radevski (Major Pennant commitments) not making the trip south this year, two new players will be crowned Champion at Wagga Wagga for the first time.
With the fantastic support of long-time tournament sponsor Kilbrogan Trading and Jupiter Motors providing some amazing prizes and scholarships for the players again this year, the tournament at Wagga Wagga is always hotly contested with play-offs more common here than any other JNJG Masters Event!
Play gets underway on Saturday morning at 11:15am with a two tee start, before Sunday sees all players on course at 7:30am for a shot-gun start.
Round 1 "Tour Tee" Tee Times - CLICK HERE
Tournament Leaderboard - CLICK HERE
