The Ross Low Memorial Junior Open tournament has been conducted by the Armidale Golf Club for over 30 years. The 2014 event has produced a memorable result with the trophy being awarded to a junior girl golfer for the very first time.
On an overcast day (with the locals hoping for some much needed rain, “immediately after the event”), about 50 juniors, cadets and tyro golfers set out to make their mark on this famous golf course. Players came from Uralla, Guyra, Tenterfield, Moree, Coffs Harbour, Sawtell, Barraba, Gunnedah, Inverell, Longyard, Tamworth, Walcha, Bonville, Everglades and the home course at Armidale. The quality of the junior boys event was exceptional with almost half the field off single figure handicaps, including the defending champion from 2013 Scott Kirkby from Moree.
The 9-hole cadet event was tightly contested with Tom Simmonds (Armidale) and last year’s NEOOM winner, Tori Brazier (Guyra) holding off the opposition.
The junior girls event attracted a good field with one marker, Amelia Mehmut-Grohn (Coffs Harbour), holding off the field with a five over par score of 78. The winner of the junior girls nett event was Bronte Walsh (Armidale) closely followed by Jacoa Bailey (Coffs Harbour).
The junior boys event attracted 29 starters and at the end of the day nothing could split Luke York (Barraba) and Brandon Biddle (Everglades) who both recorded five over par scores of 77. The junior boys nett event was won by Callum Butler (Armidale) with a nett 72, closely followed by Tyson Burey (Guyra) and Jake Ellis (Guyra) with nett 73’s.
So, with Amelia, Luke and Brandon all sharing the same final score, a 2-hole aggregate playoff was announced by the local organising committee. A crowd of 30 – 40 spectators including players, parents and other interested spectators followed the three players down the 17th and 18th holes. With pars on both of the playoff holes, Amelia held off the challenge from the two boys and was crowned the Ross Low Memorial Junior Open Champion for 2014. This is the first time in the history of the event that a junior girl has taken out the trophy.
To read how the local press reported this wonderful achievement, click here.
The next event in the Northern Inland Order of Merit series will be held at the Moree Golf Club on Sunday 23rd February.
For more information visit: www.jnjg.com.au