Date: April 13, 2011
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Junior National titles underway in NSW

AUSTRALIAN BOYS' AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP – Carnarvon Golf Club, 13-15 April

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One of the strongest fields in recent times will compete in Sydney from 13-15 April for the 2011 Australian Boys’ Amateur Championship.

Recently crowned Srixon Australian Men’s Stroke Play Champion Cameron Smith from Queensland leads an excellent field at Carnavon Golf Club. Smith is currently in Australia’s top three male players, and beat some of the world’s best amateurs in Melbourne last month at the Australian Stroke Play Championship. He has represented Australia and is currently the number 1 junior in the country.
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NSW’s Jake Higginbottom will also feature. Higginbottom is also an Australian Representative, and the number 2 junior in the country. Anthony Murdaca from South Australia will be out to defend his title, after last year becoming the youngest player to ever win the event at the age of 14. Australia’s number 3 ranked junior, Oliver Goss will fly the flag for Western Australia.

The youngest player in the field is 11 year old Joshua Armstrong from Gold Creek Country Club in Canberra, while a player with a name to keep an eye on is Ryan Ruffels who plays at Victoria Golf Club off a 2 handicap. Ryan has sporting genius in his blood, with his father being former professional tennis player, Ray Ruffels – an Australian Open semi-finalist in 1969 and 1975 and in 1978, and partnering with Billie Jean King in the mixed doubles at Wimbledon to finish runners up.

156 players will contest 72-holes stroke play over three days at Carnarvon Golf Club in Sydney’s west. Carnarvon last hosted a national championship in 2002. Players representing all eight of Australia’s states and territories will compete as well as players from Korea, New Zealand, China, Germany, Japan, French Polynesia, United Kingdom, The Netherlands, South Africa, USA and Switzerland.

The Australian Boys’ Championship has a rich history with past champions including Stuart Appleby, Robert Allenby, Adam Scott, Jason Day and Aaron Baddeley.

Entry is free for spectators, and members and supporters are welcome to walk with the players on the fairways and watch our future stars up close.

AUSTRALIAN GIRLS' AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP – Newcastle Golf Club, 13-15 April

>Click Here to visit the Event Page.

Australia’s best junior girl golfers will descend on Newcastle from 13-15 April for the 2011 Australian Girls’ Amateur Championship.

Recently crowned Srixon Australian Amateur Championship Runner-up Minjee Lee from Western Australia is the headline act. Lee is currently in Australia’s top three female players, and beat some of the world’s best golfers in Melbourne recently to advance to the Final of the Australian Amateur Championship. Lee is currently the number 2 junior in the country, and ranked number 62 on the R&A World Amateur Golf Rankings.
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Melbourne based Su-Hyun Oh will also feature. Oh made headlines in 2009 when she became the youngest player to ever contest the Women’s Australian Open at the age of 12. She is currently the number 1 ranked junior in Australia and plays off a plus 4 handicap.

Last year’s champion, Annie Choi, a Korean based in Queensland will be out to defend her title, while the local hope is Australia’s number 3 ranked junior, Chantal Hodson, who lives in Bathurst but is a member of The Australian Golf Club.

The youngest player in the field is 10 year-old Soo Bin Park who lives in Victoria and plays off a handicap of 9, while 12 year-old Shelly Shin from Concord Golf Club in Sydney is a player to keep an eye on, playing off a 2 handicap.

Over 80 players will contest 54-holes stroke play over three days of gruelling competition at Newcastle Golf Club.

Ranked among Australia’s best courses, Newcastle Golf Club is situated in the stunning Hunter Valley and offers golfers of all levels a thrillling challenge. Newcastle last hosted a national championship in 2002 when it hosted the Australian Men’s Senior Amateur Championship, and with the class field, scoring will be low.

Players representing all six of Australia’s states will compete, plus competitors from Korea, Japan, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.

The Australian Girls’ Championship has a stellar honour roll, with past champions including Jan Stephenson – winner of three major championships, Sarah Kemp, and Wendy Doolan – winner of three LPGA Tour events.

Entry is free for spectators and members and supporters are welcome to walk with the players on the fairways and watch our future stars.