Kirsten Rudgeley and Hayden Hopewell have continued to add to their collection of titles after clinching respective trophies at the Drummond Golf Junior Championship of Western Australia at Royal Fremantle Golf Club on Sunday.
Rudgeley was at her brilliant best throughout the 36-hole tournament, leading from start to finish to claim the title ahead of compatriot Abbie Teasdale.
The Mount Lawley star was consistent during both rounds to record four-under total, with her round of 68 in the morning catapulting the leader to her second junior title.
Hopewell’s 2018 rise is only getting sweeter with the state junior title making it three wins in the calendar year. The Royal Fremantle local was kept honest by Adam Brady, with the Vines young gun finishing just two shots behind the eventual winner.
An opening round three-under-par 68 set the tone for the state’s in-form player, and despite dropping shots late in round two, the 16-year-old rallied with a par on the last to seal the title.
Hopewell was ecstatic to win his maiden state junior title, believing the win is made all the more exciting given it’s at his home track.
“It’s amazing, I can’t believe it,” Hopewell said.
“It feels even better being at my home club.”
The youngster will celebrate his 17thbirthday in the coming days but will reflect on this year fondly, citing a more focused approach as his reason for success.
“I’ve played really well this year, finally the hard work is paying off,” he claimed.
“I have been really focusing in with my coach and I’ve just become a bit more consistent.”
“The wind got up and it made things tougher today, but in the back of my mind just stayed confident and that was the key.”
Rudgeley sealed her second state title with a birdie on the last and will leave the junior circuit as one of the more dominant players next season.
“Yeah, it’s a great feeling to have a second one, particularly given it is my last state junior tournament,” Rudgeley mentioned.
“The last four holes I really just felt like I lost concentration, but other than that felt I played well.”
Joe Teasdale took out the Boys’ Sub Junior Trophy, while Valerie Khuu claimed the Girls’ Sub Junior.
