The rewards for the victors of the 2019 Australian Junior Championship continue to grow, with the IMG Academy Junior World Championships partnering with Golf Australia to announce exemptions for the winners.
The IMG Academy Junior World Championship has joined Australia’s pinnacle junior tournament in offering special exemptions to the 2019 Australian Boys’ and Girls’ winners decided this week in Queensland. As well as earning a place at the internationally acclaimed event in California, the respective boys’ and girls’ winners will receive a place in the respective Australian Open fields.
Founded in 1968, the IMG Academy Junior World Championship is the largest international event in the world featuring over 1,200 participants representing 56 countries. The 2019 championship will be played from July 8–12 at various courses across California.
Announcing the championship, Andrew Parr, IMG Junior Golf Tour and Events Manager, said: “We are very excited to partner with Golf Australia to create this qualifying opportunity for the IMG Academy Junior World Championships.
“Australia has always had high-quality representation in the Junior World field.
“Ultimately, this provides the chance for two more deserving champions to compete against a high-level international field and in front of dozens of college coaches this July.”
To sweeten the offering, the winners will also be invited to train at the IMG Academy property in Florida for a week free of charge.
Canberra’s Adam Thorp tasted success in San Diego last year and etched his name on the trophy besides previous Australian champions Ryan Ruffels (2014), Matthew Giles (2006), Jason Day (2004) and Andrew Buckle (2000,1999).
New South Wales duo Doey Choi and Stephanie Kyriacou united forces to win the Girls 15 – 18 years team event in 2018, with Choi also taking out second place in the girls’ event.
The Australian girls’ championship will be played at Coolangatta & Tweed Heads Golf Club while the boys’ championship will be played at the other end of the Gold Coast at Southport Golf Club from 10 – 12 April.
It is the first time both Southport and Coolangatta & Tweed Heads have hosted national junior championships.
The junior championships are held in the highest regard with past champions including Stuart Appleby, Robert Allenby, Adam Scott, Jason Day, Cameron Smith, Jan Stephenson and Minjee Lee.