Two junior golfers captured the hearts of spectators at the Emirates Australian Open at The Australian Golf Club in November.
Isaac Riches, 5, and Ruby Kavanagh, 9, led out the field as honorary starters from the 1st and 10th tees, earning the privilege thanks to their support for the growth of MyGolf, Australia’s national introductory junior program.
Both players were cool and collected as they smoked their drives down the middle to loud applause.
While the eyes of the world will be on Brooke Henderson, Lydia Ko and MyGolf Ambassador Minjee Lee at next week’s ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open at Kooyonga Golf Club, two 11-year-old girls will have the privilege of leading out the women’s field, following on from the success of the men’s initiative.
Zoe Manton and Amy Anderson, both from Adelaide, are the lucky juniors who have been selected to open the championship on Thursday morning.
Both girls have advanced through MyGolf junior programs, state primary school competitions and, in the past 12 months, established handicaps at their home club.
And for the first time in December, both Zoe, from The Vines Golf Club of Reynella, and Amy, from West Lakes Golf Club, participated in a Golf SA Junior Open event, performing strongly.
“I would like to thank Golf SA and Golf Australia for this amazing opportunity; I’m so very excited and would love to accept this invitation.” Zoe said.
“I am extremely nervous but will seize the opportunity and dive straight in! I will have to practise my driver a lot over the next week.”
“I am also really looking forward to meeting the amazing players and the MyGolf team. I followed Minjee Lee last year in the final round and it was fabulous to meet her after she finished,” Zoe added.
Amy was equally ecstatic.
"I would like to thank Golf SA and Golf Australia for choosing me to hit the first tee shot with Zoe at the Women's Australian Open at Kooyonga Golf Club,” she said.
“I am a bit nervous, but very excited to tee off on Thursday morning and I’m really looking forward to meeting the lady professionals."
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For the latest news from the ISPS HANDA Women’s Australian Open visit www.golf.org.au/womensausopen
To find your nearest MyGolf centre and register online into a program, visit www.mygolf.org.au
Watch Ruby and Isaac in action and the Emirates Australian Open