Western Australian duo Josh Greer from Joondalup Golf Club and Kathryn Norris from Mandurah Golf Club, have started the 2018 season in fine style, by claiming the South Australian Junior Masters at Royal Adelaide Golf Club.
Golf SA received a total of 110 registrations for the combined boys & girls masters with the field limited to 90 players based on handicaps. 75 competitors travelled from interstate with 15 local players in the field competing.
As usual, Royal Adelaide was in sparkling condition on day one, however, the players faced northerly winds and the temperature continued to climb throughout the morning, forcing the afternoon round to be cancelled and the event subsequently modified to a 54-hole championship.
After 18 holes in the boys event Zachary Maxwell from Virgina Golf Club in NSW held the lead by one after firing a scintillating 5-under 67 in a round that included seven birdies. WA’s Greer and Connor McKinney both carded rounds of 68 with SA’s Kyle Hayter next best at 3-under (69).
In the girls, Maddison Tolchard (Gosnells GC – WA) fired an opening round 4-under (69) with five birdies to lead SA’s Charley Jacobs by one stroke (3-under 70). WA’s Norris and Kirsten Rudgeley (2-under 71) both fired under par rounds along with Abbie Teasdale (1-under 72)
Players faced humid condition and drizzle on day two, but lower temperatures ensured a full 36 holes of play.
16-year-old Greer led the boys masters by one stroke after 36 holes and finished the tournament two-under par with rounds of 68,73,73 (214), two strokes ahead of Connor McKinney (Mandurah GC – WA).
“It’s one of my first big tournaments to win, I’ve come second a couple times so it’s great to win one”. Greer said.
“I struck it off the tee quite well, my iron play was good and I didn’t miss too many greens and when I did I managed to scramble pretty well”.
“I played here last year, this is by far my favorite course so I’m pretty happy to be able to win here.”
Adam Thorp (ACT) finished third at two-over while the best placed South Australian’s were Will Arnold (Royal Adelaide GC), Jack Tanner (Glenelg GC) and Nick Thompson (The Grange GC) tied sixteenth at 10-over.
The WA Team of Greer and Connor Fewkes who finished tied 8th individually, combined for a gross total of 436 to win the Teams Event.
In the Girl's Masters, 17-year-old Norris playing in her fifth and final SA Junior Masters, claimed the championship blitzing the course to finish 4-under with rounds of 71,72,72 (215).
Norris who won the SA Junior Masters in 2016, lead by one after 36 holes and held her nerve to claim the title.
“I was 5-under after about 10 holes this morning and then had a couple of double bogeys in a row which set me back a little. I was starting to think it was going to be close come the final round, but I just played steady in the second eighteen. Overall I was pretty happy with how I played.”
“I thought when I came in, there was going to be playoff, but then found out I’d actually won by two so was pretty happy”.
“I’ve supported this event pretty well, the first time I played it I was 13years old. I just love the course, it reminds me of England (her country of birth), it’s so different to everything else, I’d definitely say it’s my favourite course I’ve played in Australia’
“It just feels great, my fifth and final year going out with a win”.
Two strokes behind Norris and finishing runner-up was Kirsten Rudgeley (2-under) one ahead of SA Junior Amateur Champion Cassie Porter (Peregian Springs GC).
South Australian Charley Jacobs from Glenelg GC, finished in fourth position at 3-over, with rounds of 70, 78, 74 (222).
The WA team of Kirsten Rudgeley and Abbie Teasdale won the teams event with a combined gross score of 446.
For all scores, CLICK HERE to visit the tournament event page.