Team Australia has landed in typhoon-stricken Taiwan ahead of the 2015 APGC Junior Championship.
Becky Kay (QLD), Louis Dobbelaar (QLD), Stefanie Hall (NSW) and Cameron John (VIC) will all tee up representing Golf Australia at Taiwan’s premier course, The Sunrise Golf & Country Club.
Rated in the top 10 courses in Asia by RHA Media, the 7200-yard par-72 course will prove a challenge to Team Australia who are flying in from a frosty winter to face temperatures up to 32 degrees and 91% humidity throughout the tournament.
Team captain, and Golf Victoria high performance manager, Ashley Marshall described the conditions as “gloomy” earlier this morning as Team Australia headed out on course for a practise day.
“After the typhoons that have hit this area the course is damp underfoot. Conditions are generally tough. The course is very elevated and is prone to being windy and is also damp. Playing it’s full length.”
But after the practice session Marshall said Team Australia is in a good position.
“Weather is on the improve. Our players are pretty settled in now and generally in good spirits and looking forward to day one, the four-ball. They struck the ball well today in practice and the feeling about the course is good.
“Most have not played this format before in mainstream competition and it will be a new challenge at this level.”
A challenge that will be readily accepted by the Australian team that is bursting at the seams with talent.
Kay, 16, is coming off a team win earlier this year at the 2015 Astor Trophy and a 6th place finish at the Australian Ladies Masters that stunned even the pros.
Joining Kay is Hall, 15, who has shown promise this year taking out both the stroke and match play titles of the NSW Schools Championships as well 2nd at the New Zealand Junior Championship.
Dobbelaar, ranked 20th in Australia, finds himself the youngest competitor in the field at just 13 years of age.
He will tee up alongside 16 year-old, 2015 Victorian Junior Masters Champion, John who has been playing the sport since he could walk.
The field, crowded with quality opposition, will challenge the Australian team.
“Korea and Japan look like strong competition this week,” said Marshall.
Other competing countries include Guam, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Phillipines, Qatar, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand and Vietnam.
The tournament commences tomorrow. You can follow all the latest news and results here.