The South West was abuzz this week with over a hundred children participating in the three day Drummond Golf 54-Hole Junior Classic and The Smarter Than Smoking Junior Tour Classic.
An outstanding level of participation from around the state was supported by dedicated parents, grandparents and friends navigating three different courses over 100 kilometres apart.
The Drummond Golf-54 Junior Hole Classic ladies’ leaderboard had a consistent front runner from Round 1. Seventeen-year-old Abbie Teasdale from Royal Fremantle Golf Club (RFGC) opened with a comfortable 8 shot lead over Minke Terblanche of Royal Perth Golf Club (RPGC), and a Margaret River Golf Club Ladies’ course record of 69.
“I felt confident the whole day, and I am thrilled with a record! It’s a beautiful course and I felt like I putted really well.”
Abbie maintained her momentum in round two at Capel Golf Club and the final round hosted at Bunbury Golf Course. Three strong rounds of golf secured Abbie the title of Drummond Golf South West Classic Ladies Champion 2019 by a comfortable eleven strokes.
Thinking the last few days of the holidays couldn’t get much better, Abbie was overwhelmed with joy to discover she had secured her second club record for the week in her final round! Abbie’s score of a 67 was enough to pip World No. 4 Minjee Lee from the Bunbury Clubhouse hall of fame.
Congratulations Abbie, your determination, skill, grace and sportsmanship was a pleasure to watch and celebrate through this junior tournament.
The Boys’ leaderboard was not as clear cut, with four notable contenders rising to the challenge of the three-day competition. Joondalup Country Club was a force, with three of the top four positions steadily being held by club members Aldrich Potgieter (recent Cobra Puma Junior Champ), Gareth Steyn and Ian Pienaar.
The youngster of the top pack, Joe Buttress from Mount Lawley Golf Club (MLGC) held his own amongst the big boys through the first two days but showed his true colours in the final round.
With Grandad in the wings, Joe stayed focussed consistently hitting fairways and sticking to his game. Outdriven by the others on nearly every hole, he kept his chin up, a smile on and played his own game, winning by a solid four strokes.
Congratulations to Joe Buttress from MLGC, a well deserved Drummond Golf 54-Hole Junior Classic Boys Champion. That sixty metre chip into the hole over the bunker for birdie on the 15th at Bunbury Golf Club had our jaws on the ground!
The Smarter Than Smoking Junior Tour ran a tournament in conjunction with the Drummond 54-Hole Junior Classic for our developing young golfers. Ranging from ages 5-12, these terrific youngsters played all three courses in various formats, over three days.
A huge thank you to the volunteer marshalls, starters, snack delivery teams and wonderful positive encouragement consistently offered to these juniors through the tournament. It was wonderful to see the children not only demonstrate amazing golf skills but also show courtesy, respect and kindness to their peers and host courses.
We are very grateful for the support of our generous sponsors Drummond Golf for our 54 hole event, and Smarter Than Smoking and Healthway WA for supporting our Junior Tour.
Thank you for the warm welcome offered to all participants by host clubs Margaret River, Capel and Bunbury.
