THIRTEEN young golfers have won their way to America after taking out their respective age divisions at the inaugural Australian Junior Age Division Golf Championship.
Capricorn Resort Golf at Mercure Resort, Yeppoon played host to the three-day tournament on the specially configured Resort Course along with the renowned Championship Course.
Mercure Capricorn Resort golf operations manager Andrew Humble said the tournament was a huge success.
“The tournament attracted more than 160 competitors from across Australia as well as entries from New Zealand, Asia and South Africa,” he said.
This significant boost to the region’s economy attracted more than 600 new visitors to the Capricorn Coast and generated in excess of 750 room nights across the week of the event.
Perfect weather and first-class golf course conditions greeted the players.
“The players competed in age divisions off set tee distances,” Humble said.
“They were vying to be crowned Australian champion in their age division and secure a place in the Australian team to compete in the Veritas AAU Junior Olympic Games Golf Championship in California in July.”
Tournament ambassador Charlie Earp was there to talk to the players and to help them with their game.
“Australian golf has needed this event for years and Capricorn Resort Golf has delivered it to perfection,” Earp said.
“This along with glowing reports from the players and parents will ensure that the tournament will only grow in the coming years to become one of the leading junior tournaments in the country.”
Final results: 6 years and under boys Yutaro Matsushita (114) Emerald Lakes; 7-8 years girls Sophie Thomsen (159) Pelican Waters and boys Jackson Steinhardt (104) Mt Warren Park; 9-10 years girls Caitlin Vanderkruk (137) Keperra and boys Kai Schloss (125) Wynnum; 11-12 years girls Cassie Porter (236) Peregian Springs and boys Harvey Remfrey (223) Ballina ; 13-14 years girls Isabelle Taylor (233) Sanctuary Cove and boys Ryan Stitt (220) Gladstone; 15-16 years girls Morgan Lewis (243) Gladstone and boys Josh Wellwood (222) Lakelands; 17-18 years girls Kiera King (250) Capricorn Resort and boys Ryley Martin (225) Headland.
Chief writer David Newbery has been living, breathing and writing and editing golf for more than 30 years. His extensive knowledge of the game comes from covering golf around the world. Hired by Inside Golf in 2009, David previously worked as the editor of The Golfer for 25 years and before that worked for numerous daily newspapers in Australia and overseas. The Brisbane-based journalist describes his golf game as “a work in progress”, but has had the privilege of playing golf with some of the game’s best players including nine-time major winner Gary Player. David enjoys travelling, reading, music, photography and spending time with family and friends – on and off the golf course. 
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