It was a case of history repeating itself on Friday after Hayden Hopewell and Kathryn Norris were crowned Drummond Golf 54-Hole Junior Classic champions, just 10 days after both claiming the Callaway Junior titles.
Defending champion Norris (Mandurah) created history at the Busselton Golf Club, winning her fourth consecutive Drummond Golf crown, a feat that hasn’t been achieved in the tournaments history.
The 17-year-old’s wire-to-wire victory was faultless throughout the three days, holding off WA teammate Abbie Teasdale to raise the trophy once more.
Hopewell by contrast had to do it the hard way, surviving a thrilling final round tussle between himself and Jordan Jung to run out a three-stroke victor.
Hopewell, who made the cut at the WA PGA Championship in May, had to make up plenty of ground on the last day after beginning three shots behind overnight leader Jung.
The Royal Fremantle youngster fired a one-under-par 71 to surge past his WA Junior State teammate, with the Melville Glades member only able to record a 76 on the final day. That meant a second title in as many weeks for Hopewell, capping of a stellar month of junior tournaments.
Zane Lewis claimed third position, while Josh Herrero and Aaron Hall rounded out the top five.
Cottesloe’s Tom Patterson shot the best round of the day with a two-under-par 70, including a rare eagle on the first.
Norris never really looked in danger of giving up her crown during the three day, three course event, carding 74, 71 and 73 to finish at one-over-par overall.
Her final round didn’t get off to the perfect start, recording bogeys on the 10th and 12th, before three birdies in six holes all but secured Norris the title, closing with an ever-par round 72.
Teasdale was a further five shots back in second, while Pantita Amie Phobubpa finished third.
Mount Lawley youngster Ken Tianyi Gao claimed the nett boys’ division with scores of 67, 66 and 70.
Sheridan Clancy was the runaway winner in the girls’ nett division with an overall score of 215.
The South West put on another brilliant event for 2018, with Harvey, Dunsborough Lakes and Busselton providing a brilliant backdrop for our young and aspiring golfers.
