Date: September 18, 2012
Author: Christian Puccini

Hayes wins SA Country Junior Boys Championship

2012 Boys Country Champion – Josh Hayes Josh Hayes from the McCracken Golf Club has won the Golf SA Country Junior Boys Championship for a second year in a row, in a play-off over Joel Durnford from Wirrabara GC. Played at the Lake Albert Golf Club in Meningie on Sat 15 & Sun 16 Sep, Hayes claimed the 54 hole Championship with a total score of 231 (81, 75 ,75). In dry but overcast conditions, Lachlan Barker led the field after shooting an impressive first round 73 followed by 78 to lead the field overnight by 4 shots ahead of Joel Durnford (Wirrabara GC) and 5 shots to Josh Hayes. The players encountered increased winds and intermittent showers during the final round, which saw Barker shoot a 83, however the conditions proved no problem for Josh Hayes who finished with a final round 75, ahead of Joel Durnford s 76, resulting in both players finishing with a 54 hole total of 231 to progress to a sudden death play off. Hayes proved too strong on the first extra hole with a par, claiming the title once again over Durnford. Acacia Curtis from Wirrabara GC claimed her second Girls Championship ahead of Caillin Lakin from South Lakes GC. The Southern District team of Josh Hayes (McCracken), Billy Cawthorne (Echunga), David Ling Jnr (McCracken) and Lachlan Barker (Willunga) took out the Boys Team Event. Leading by 20 shots after 36 holes, set up by Lachlan Barkers low round of the event 73, the Southern team extended its lead in the final round courtesy of a 75 from Hayes and 76 from Cawthorne, to win by 34 shots ahead of the South East team. The Southern District representatives had a very successful event, along with Hayes win, Billy Cawthorne from Echunga finished third in the Boys Championship, Lachlan Barker from Willunga GC won the Boys net prize and Gemma Ling, claimed the Girls net runner up award. Three out of the six players to represent South Australia in the Border Challenge in January in 2013 are also from the Southern District: Josh Hayes, Billy Cawthorne and Lachlan Barker. Click herefor the Tournament Event Page