Day 3
The Victorian Junior Masters was decided over 54 holes today. At 6.45am, the temperature had already reached 29 degrees and with the forecast likely to worsen the Championship Committee decided that round 3 would be the final round of the tournament.
Brett Coletta from Sandhurst Golf Club held the lead overnight by two shots over Redford Bobbit from the USA. A further mix of Victorians, interstate and international players were still in contention at the start of play today and with extreme heat and high wind the score boards continued to fluctuate throughout the day. However it was outsider DJ Loypur who was four shots behind the lead overnight who posted an incredible score of 4 under who took the title. DJ’s round was near perfect with only a single bogey and five birdies, an exceptional score in such conditions. Harrison Endycott from Avondale Golf Club also shot a solid round of 72 finishing two behind DJ.
In the girls event, Rio Watanabe from Yarra Yarra Golf Club held the overnight lead by two shots from Montana Strauss from Long Island Golf Club. It shaped up to be a great contest between the girls! Montana proved too steady finishing with a two over par score today winning the title by a clear six shots from Soo-bin park from Kingswood Golf Club. Again an exceptional score by the Montana in tough conditions!
It is the first Victorian Junior Masters title for both DJ and Montana, congratulations to you both! And a further congratulations to all competitors on your great efforts throughout the week but in particular today!
Jo Charlton – Junior Golf Coordinator
Golf Victoria
Day 2
The 2013 Victorian Junior Masters continued today at The Waverley Golf Club in blistering 37 degree heat with not a breath of wind making the conditions, particularly in the afternoon, very uncomfortable. The morning start was a definite advantage with Zach Murray (Wodonga Country Club) and Redford Bobbitt (USA) shooting 4 under 68’s with Brett Coletta (Sandhurst Golf Club) a further shot back with a 3 under 69.
The afternoon scores were evident of the conditions with no players shoot sub par. Overnight leader Campbell Smith (Metropolitan Golf Club) carded a 6 over 78 to be 4 shots off the leader.
Going into the final day Brett Coletta holds a 1 shot lead (145) from Redford Bobbit (146) and Zach Murray a further shot back on (147)
In the girls section, Rio Watanabe 75, 73 (148) leads from Montana Strauss 79, 71 and Alyssa Kerr 77, 73 (150) two shots back. Defending Champion Bianca Ling (Kingswood & Waverley GC) on 155 will need the round of the tournament to put the pressure on the front runners to have a chance at back to back titles.
With the forecasted temperature set to reach 41 degrees, the event looks certain to be reduced to 54 holes however; after the heat of the last two days, the winners will have earnt the converted Victorian Junior Masters title. Visit www.wgc.org.au or www.golfvic.org.au for live scoring and news.
Peter Busch
General Manager – Waverley Golf Club
Day 1
The 2013 Victorian Junior Masters started today at Waverley Golf Club with 165 junior golfers from all over Australia and also five international guests. The strong field was fortunate to play in perfect conditions however the course still proved to be a challenge, particulary around the greens.
The quick and hard greens didn’t prove to be an issue for clubhouse leader Campbell Smith from the Metropolitan Golf Club who started with three birdies in his opening 4 holes, and finishing with a solid 71. Closely followed by Riley Brennan with a convincing round of 73.
For the second year in a row the girls also competed in the Junior Masters, with Rio Watanabe from Yarra Yarra Golf Club and Soo-bin Park from Kingswood Golf Club opening with a round of 75 to take the lead after Day 1.
Jo Charlton
Junior Golf Coordinator – Golf Victoria
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