Jhett Perry, Harry Coote and Caleb Perry The 2011 SAPSASA Golf Championships held at Adelaide Shores on 1st and 2nd September proved to be a happy hunting ground for the juniors from the local south east region with some excellent results over the two days. The event started on the Thursday with separate championships for the metro and country boys and girls. It was in this country event where the south east boys showed their class with ten year old Jhett Perry from Mt Gambier winning the event with an excellent score of 68 off the stick on the smaller Executive 60 course. He was closely followed by eleven year olds Millicents Harry Coote on 69 and his brother Caleb Perry on 70 filling the podium for the South East. When their scores were compared to the metro winning scores of 70, 75 and 77 the excitement within the group was understandable. The leading players from the metro and country then combined on the Friday for the state championship on the main Adelaide Shores course where the boys competed well above expectations against older and stronger opposition. With the winner shooting an 88 off the stick it was Caleb Perry who finished closest in 6th spot on 92 followed by Harry Coote in 13th with 99 and Jhett Perry tied with Nangwarrys Bryce Smith for 15th on 100. From both events a state SAPSASA team was announced to compete in the Australian 12 and under Championships being held at Glenelg Golf Club in Adelaide in mid November. Earning selection in the eight man team were all three placegetters from the country event Jhett and Caleb Perry along with Harry Coote. The boys will now be working hard and traveling to training sessions in Adelaide to prepare for the championships. A most pleasing thing for local golfing development people was the fact that sixteen juniors from the region were qualified to play the championships in Adelaide with many taking the opportunity to travel up and experience the event. The Golf South East development programme being run in the schools has been a great success and the results show the dedication of the local community coaches who assist run it at club level.
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